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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. GRIJALVA: Committee on Natural Resources. H.R. 4153. A bill to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to authorize urban Indian organizations to enter into arrangements for the sharing of medical services and facilities, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-599, Pt. 1). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. GRIJALVA: Committee on Natural Resources. H.R. 7045. A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on lands that could be included in a National Forest in Hawai'i, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-600). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. GRIJALVA: Committee on Natural Resources. H.R. 1049. A bill to authorize a National Heritage Area Program, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-601). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. GRIJALVA: Committee on Natural Resources. H.R. 3682. A bill to provide for greater consultation between the Federal Government and the governing bodies of land grant-mercedes and acequias in New Mexico and to provide for a process for recognition of the historic-traditional boundaries of land grant-mercedes, and for other purposes; with amendments (Rept. 116-602). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. discharge of committee Pursuant to clause 2 of rule XIII, the Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged from further consideration. H.R. 4153 referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-11-19-pt1-PgH5988 | null | 1,700 |
formal | urban | null | racist | 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. 4153. A bill to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to authorize urban Indian organizations to enter into arrangements for the sharing of medical services and facilities, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-599, Pt. 1). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. GRIJALVA: Committee on Natural Resources. H.R. 7045. A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on lands that could be included in a National Forest in Hawai'i, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-600). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. GRIJALVA: Committee on Natural Resources. H.R. 1049. A bill to authorize a National Heritage Area Program, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-601). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. GRIJALVA: Committee on Natural Resources. H.R. 3682. A bill to provide for greater consultation between the Federal Government and the governing bodies of land grant-mercedes and acequias in New Mexico and to provide for a process for recognition of the historic-traditional boundaries of land grant-mercedes, and for other purposes; with amendments (Rept. 116-602). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. discharge of committee Pursuant to clause 2 of rule XIII, the Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged from further consideration. H.R. 4153 referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-11-19-pt1-PgH5988 | null | 1,701 |
formal | safeguard | null | transphobic | The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further consideration of the bill (H.R. 8294) to amend the National Apprenticeship Act and expand the national apprenticeship system to include apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeship registered under such Act, to promote the furtherance of labor standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, and for other purposes, will now resume. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-11-20-pt1-PgH5993-2 | null | 1,702 |
formal | welfare | null | racist | The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further consideration of the bill (H.R. 8294) to amend the National Apprenticeship Act and expand the national apprenticeship system to include apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeship registered under such Act, to promote the furtherance of labor standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, and for other purposes, will now resume. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-11-20-pt1-PgH5993-2 | null | 1,703 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Under clause 3 of rule XII, memorials were presented and referred as follows: ML-204. The SPEAKER presented a memorial of the Legislature of the State of Louisiana, relative to House Concurrent Resolution No. 2, to urge and request the Louisiana Attorney General and all appropriate federal agencies, including but not limited to the Federal Communications Commission, to investigate whether Altice USA or Suddenlink Communications has violated state or federal law in its dealings with the citizens of Louisiana; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. ML-205. Also, a memorial of the Legislature of the State of Louisiana, relative to House Concurrent Resolution No. 2, to urge and request the Louisiana Attorney General and all appropriate federal agencies, including but not limited to the Federal Communications Commission, to investigate whether Altice USA or Suddenlink Communications has violated state or federal law in its dealings with the citizens of Louisiana; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. ML-206. Also, a memorial of the Legislature of the State of Louisiana, relative to House Concurrent Resolution No. 3, memorializing the United States Congress and the Louisiana Congressional Delegation to take such actions as are necessary to require the Federal Emergency Management Agency to grant Louisiana full federal funding for disaster expenses associated with Hurricane Laura or to grant Louisiana the ability to utilize alternative sources of federal funding as needed matching funds if full federal funding is not provided; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. ML-207. Also, a memorial of the Legislature of the State of Louisiana, relative to House Concurrent Resolution No. 7, to memorialize the United States Congress and the Louisiana Congressional delegation to take such actions as are necessary to require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to more efficiently coordinate the removal of dislocated oilfield equipment after natural disasters in Louisiana; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. ML-208. Also, a memorial of the Legislature of the State of Louisiana, relative to House Concurrent Resolution No. 3, to memorialize the United States Congress and the Louisiana Congressional Delegation to take such actions as are necessary to require the Federal Emergency Management Agency to grant Louisiana full federal funding for disaster expenses associated with Hurricane Laura or to grant Louisiana the ability to utilize alternative sources of federal funding as needed matching funds if full federal funding is not provided; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. ML-209. Also, a memorial of the Legislature of the State of Louisiana, relative to House Concurrent Resolution No. 7, to memorialize the United States Congress and the Louisiana Congressional delegation to take such actions as are necessary to require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to more efficiently coordinate the removal of dislocated oilfield equipment after natural disasters in Louisiana; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. ML-210. Also, a memorial of the Senate of the State of Louisiana, relative to Senate Resolution No. 51, to memorialize the Congress of the United States to take necessary actions to review and enact federal law to fully protect developmentally and physically disabled federal benefit recipients from sexual and physical exploitation or abuse by payees and fiduciaries; to the Committee on Ways and Means. ML-211. Also, a memorial of the Legislature of the State of Louisiana, relative to House Concurrent Resolution No. 38, to memorialize the Louisiana Congressional Delegation and the United States Congress to take such actions as are necessary to defeat passage of the ``Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act of 2020'' and to protect future opportunities for oil and gas exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf; jointly to the Committees on Natural Resources, Science, Space, and Technology, House Administration, Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-11-24-pt1-PgH6018-2 | null | 1,704 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the Senate is back in session to finish up 2020. The American people are counting on us to finish strong. We need to reach agreement on Federal Government funding to avoid a lapse in basic programs and services. We need to finish the annual Defense authorization to shore up the U.S. military's competitive advantage over our adversaries, and we need to continue processing well-qualified nominees for vacancies throughout the government, especially--especially--on the Federal bench. These are important assignments, but they aren't the only things that Congress should get done before the end of the year. There is no reason--none--why we should not deliver another major pandemic relief package to help the American people through what seem poised to be the last chapters of this battle This morning, we got yet another major sign of hope. More data appeared to confirm that the vaccine developedby Moderna is more than 94 percent effective. They are going ahead and asking the FDA for emergency use authorization. Experts are calling this news ``absolutely remarkable.'' Alongside other promising vaccine developments from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and others, there is continued cause to suspect that victory over this pandemic is not far off. But a huge amount of work remains before us. If Operation Warp Speed remains on this historic trajectory, we need to continue investing in the system that will distribute these vaccines around our country. If we want the small businesses that have already hung on for most of the year to survive a few more months, we need a second round of the job-saving Paycheck Protection Program for the workers at the hardest hit establishments. Some major parts of the historic CARES Act have already run dry, and many others are set to expire at year's end. We Republicans have spent months trying to renew important help and provide even more. We have tried to send more than $100 billion to help schools and welcome students and teachers safely to the classroom. We have tried to implement commonsense legal protections that universities and charities have been clamoring for. We have tried to pass all of this over and over again, but Speaker Pelosi and the Senate Democratic leader have blocked it. They have been very transparent about all of this with their political strategy--laid it right out there. The Speaker of the House spent the entire summer and the entire autumn literally gambling with the health and welfare of the American people. She gambled that if American families didn't get any more relief before the election, her party would expand its majority in the House, and Democrats could continue demanding the right to remake all of society along far-left lines in exchange for passing any more COVID relief whatsoever. But their all-or-nothing obstruction backfired. Democrats did not pick up seats in the House but instead appear to have lost seats. They have not gained any leverage, but instead they have lost leverage. And in the meantime, with the coronavirus surging from coast to coast, the American people have gone entirely--entirely--without any additional aid--even the least controversial, most bipartisan programs--because the Democrats say no. Here is a summary from one news outlet: Pelosi seems to have overplayed her hand as she held out for $2 trillion-plus right up until the election. The results of the election, which saw Democrats lose seats in the House, appear to have significantly undercut her position. By now it is abundantly clear to everyone that the Speaker will not be getting to fundamentally transform American society in a socialist direction in exchange for more bipartisan relief. The hostage-taking was never going to work. Now there is only one remaining question for the Speaker and the Democratic leader--just one question: Will they finally--finally--let Congress pass hundreds of billions of dollars of relief on all the subjects where we agree? Or will they continue to insist that either they get their entire ideological wish list or the American people get nothing at all? Even their fellow Democrats are increasingly seeing this as not a terribly difficult question to answer. For example, over the weekend, Professor Austan Goolsbee, who chaired the Council of Economic Advisers under President Obama, called on Democrats to finally play ball. Here is what he said: There are a lot of people really hurting. . . . I hope [Congress] can agree on something soon. . . . [I]f they have to accept half a loaf, then they have to accept half a loaf. Speaker Pelosi's No. 2, the House Democratic majority leader, feels the same way: I just hope that we can get agreement. It may not be everything that everybody wants, but at least. . . . some significant relief to people. Our distinguished Senate colleague from Illinois, the Democratic whip, said the same thing: ``[G]et something done that is significant, do what we can achieve now.'' Here is the headline from Newsweek: ``Democrats Urge Pelosi to Accept Smaller Stimulus Package to Ensure Relief by End of Year.'' Even the Speaker's own House Democratic Members are now openly campaigning for our Republican approach. Here is one Democratic Congressman, who nearly lost his reelection after Speaker Pelosi's stonewalling: We absolutely have to get something done. . . . Mitch McConnell is talking about a bill we can pass. . . . We should negotiate that to the finish. That is a House Democrat saying that the Senate Republican proposal is the template that can pass. Rank-and-file Democrats in both Chambers are telling Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic leader to stop stonewalling and move forward with the approach Republicans have been urging for months. The American people need more help, and they need it right now--right now. Democratic leaders have already burned through 3 months--3 months--and they didn't even get the political results that their cynical strategy was supposed to deliver. So let's hope our colleagues at the top of the Democratic Party can finally hear their own Members and stop blocking the commonsense, multihundred-billion-dollar measures that Republicans have been ready to deliver for months. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-11-30-pt1-PgS7097-7 | null | 1,705 |
formal | welfare | null | racist | Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the Senate is back in session to finish up 2020. The American people are counting on us to finish strong. We need to reach agreement on Federal Government funding to avoid a lapse in basic programs and services. We need to finish the annual Defense authorization to shore up the U.S. military's competitive advantage over our adversaries, and we need to continue processing well-qualified nominees for vacancies throughout the government, especially--especially--on the Federal bench. These are important assignments, but they aren't the only things that Congress should get done before the end of the year. There is no reason--none--why we should not deliver another major pandemic relief package to help the American people through what seem poised to be the last chapters of this battle This morning, we got yet another major sign of hope. More data appeared to confirm that the vaccine developedby Moderna is more than 94 percent effective. They are going ahead and asking the FDA for emergency use authorization. Experts are calling this news ``absolutely remarkable.'' Alongside other promising vaccine developments from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and others, there is continued cause to suspect that victory over this pandemic is not far off. But a huge amount of work remains before us. If Operation Warp Speed remains on this historic trajectory, we need to continue investing in the system that will distribute these vaccines around our country. If we want the small businesses that have already hung on for most of the year to survive a few more months, we need a second round of the job-saving Paycheck Protection Program for the workers at the hardest hit establishments. Some major parts of the historic CARES Act have already run dry, and many others are set to expire at year's end. We Republicans have spent months trying to renew important help and provide even more. We have tried to send more than $100 billion to help schools and welcome students and teachers safely to the classroom. We have tried to implement commonsense legal protections that universities and charities have been clamoring for. We have tried to pass all of this over and over again, but Speaker Pelosi and the Senate Democratic leader have blocked it. They have been very transparent about all of this with their political strategy--laid it right out there. The Speaker of the House spent the entire summer and the entire autumn literally gambling with the health and welfare of the American people. She gambled that if American families didn't get any more relief before the election, her party would expand its majority in the House, and Democrats could continue demanding the right to remake all of society along far-left lines in exchange for passing any more COVID relief whatsoever. But their all-or-nothing obstruction backfired. Democrats did not pick up seats in the House but instead appear to have lost seats. They have not gained any leverage, but instead they have lost leverage. And in the meantime, with the coronavirus surging from coast to coast, the American people have gone entirely--entirely--without any additional aid--even the least controversial, most bipartisan programs--because the Democrats say no. Here is a summary from one news outlet: Pelosi seems to have overplayed her hand as she held out for $2 trillion-plus right up until the election. The results of the election, which saw Democrats lose seats in the House, appear to have significantly undercut her position. By now it is abundantly clear to everyone that the Speaker will not be getting to fundamentally transform American society in a socialist direction in exchange for more bipartisan relief. The hostage-taking was never going to work. Now there is only one remaining question for the Speaker and the Democratic leader--just one question: Will they finally--finally--let Congress pass hundreds of billions of dollars of relief on all the subjects where we agree? Or will they continue to insist that either they get their entire ideological wish list or the American people get nothing at all? Even their fellow Democrats are increasingly seeing this as not a terribly difficult question to answer. For example, over the weekend, Professor Austan Goolsbee, who chaired the Council of Economic Advisers under President Obama, called on Democrats to finally play ball. Here is what he said: There are a lot of people really hurting. . . . I hope [Congress] can agree on something soon. . . . [I]f they have to accept half a loaf, then they have to accept half a loaf. Speaker Pelosi's No. 2, the House Democratic majority leader, feels the same way: I just hope that we can get agreement. It may not be everything that everybody wants, but at least. . . . some significant relief to people. Our distinguished Senate colleague from Illinois, the Democratic whip, said the same thing: ``[G]et something done that is significant, do what we can achieve now.'' Here is the headline from Newsweek: ``Democrats Urge Pelosi to Accept Smaller Stimulus Package to Ensure Relief by End of Year.'' Even the Speaker's own House Democratic Members are now openly campaigning for our Republican approach. Here is one Democratic Congressman, who nearly lost his reelection after Speaker Pelosi's stonewalling: We absolutely have to get something done. . . . Mitch McConnell is talking about a bill we can pass. . . . We should negotiate that to the finish. That is a House Democrat saying that the Senate Republican proposal is the template that can pass. Rank-and-file Democrats in both Chambers are telling Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic leader to stop stonewalling and move forward with the approach Republicans have been urging for months. The American people need more help, and they need it right now--right now. Democratic leaders have already burned through 3 months--3 months--and they didn't even get the political results that their cynical strategy was supposed to deliver. So let's hope our colleagues at the top of the Democratic Party can finally hear their own Members and stop blocking the commonsense, multihundred-billion-dollar measures that Republicans have been ready to deliver for months. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-11-30-pt1-PgS7097-7 | null | 1,706 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, first, I hope all of my colleagues had a good and fine Thanksgiving. We all know that across the country we celebrated a Thanksgiving--all of us, every American--unlike any in recent memory. Too many loved ones spent this holiday alone, unable to join with loved ones out of concern for their safety. As painful as it is to refrain from seeing family and friends, these are tough choices that we sometimes have to make, and we need to maintain our resolve more than ever. While the hope of a vaccine shimmers on the near horizon, we are living through the worst stretch of the pandemic right now. Last Friday, for the first time, over 200,000 new cases of COVID were reported in a single day. The United States is averaging over 1 million new cases a week. Some 20 percent of all patients now hospitalized in the United States have COVID-19. The worst and most unalterable part of this pandemic, of course, are the deaths. Since November 10, America has been losing more than 1,000 precious lives a day. On one day, November 24, we lost more than 2,000. The national death toll stands at a very sad 270,000 American souls. Families all across the country are experiencing the unthinkable, unbearable losses of their loved ones. As a compassionate nation, we cannot and must not ignore or become inured to this terrible reality. We must not avert our gaze. We must acknowledge the lives we are losing. We must honor the grief of the children, parents, spouses, siblings, and friends of the increasing number of Americans who are dying from COVID-19 every single day. We must redouble our efforts to flatten the curve and protect each other by wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and complying with the guidance of health officials. As this Chamber gavels back into session, we must redouble our efforts before the end of the calendar year. As the pandemic increases in severity, so does the economic pain felt by countless working families and small business owners. In a few short weeks, several provisions of the CARES Act--including student loan forbearance, eviction moratoriums, and jobless benefits for millions of workers--will expire. So first and foremost on the Senate's to-do list is COVID relief. Both sides should come together and negotiate a COVID relief bill in a bipartisan way that meets the needs of our businesses, our schools, our healthcare systems, our workers, and our families. At the start of this crisis, Democrats and Republicans came together in a flurry of negotiations--I was thickly involved with them with Secretary Mnuchin--to pass a bill that truly met the moment. Now we are about to reach a new, more difficult stage of the crisis. We need to renew that spirit, that urgency, that bipartisanship. Leader McConnell's view, stated just a few minutes ago, seems to be that the only things that should be in this bill are things Republicans approve of, even if the needs of the country--the desperate needs of the country--are beyond the small list that Republicans might support. That is not real compromise. We need to come together. Both sides must give. We have a Democratic House, and in the Senate there is a need for Democratic votes to pass any bill, so we need a true bipartisan bill--not ``this is our bill; take it or leave it''--that can bring us together and solve the desperate needs of the American people, which we all very much want to solve. Mr. President, the second item on our to-do list is Federal appropriations, which expire in 2 weeks. As we speak, appropriators from both sides in the relevant committees continue their negotiations. It is my hope and expectation that we can come to an agreement very soon. Mr. President, third and finally, Congress should pass the annual Defense bill. As our country prepares for a peaceful transfer of power, the continuity of our national security is paramount. For nearly 60 years, Congress has never failed to pass the annual Defense bill, but this year it seems the normally uncontroversial legislation has hit a snag. President Trump has threatened to veto the bill over a provision that would rename military bases and installations named after Confederate military leaders, men who would rend this country in half to preserve the institution of slavery, men who literally fought against this Nation's military in pursuit of an ignoble cause. For that--a provision to rename our military bases to honor actual heroes rather than traitors to our country--President Trump is threatening to veto a pay raise for our troops. And it seems that Republicans in Congress are slow-walking the bill in hopes of finding some way to appease the outgoing President rather than just passing the bill over his rather ridiculous objection. The provision to rename these installations was included in both the House- and Senate-passed versions of the bill, and the larger bill passed both Chambers with broad bipartisan support. There is no reason to further delay a pay raise for our living military heroes because President Trump wants to honor dead Confederate traitors. The other provision that is at risk, shockingly, from our Republican colleagues is an amendment to assist veterans who have long suffered from their exposure to Agent Orange in the Vietnam war. The amendment passed this Chamber with 94 votes in favor, a rare and near-unanimous demonstration of bipartisan support. The Trump administration's own VA advisory panel recommended this policy to improve healthcare for these veterans, but for some reason, our Republican counterparts are now reportedly trying to strip it from any final agreement. It would be an affront to a group of ailing veterans, who have suffered enough already, to strip a provision that would help provide them adequate healthcare. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. SCHUMER | Senate | CREC-2020-11-30-pt1-PgS7099-3 | null | 1,707 |
formal | Janet Yellen | null | antisemitic | Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, now on President-Elect Biden's nominees, as President-Elect Biden prepares to assume office on January 20, he is beginning to announce a slate of qualified, experienced public servants whom he intends to nominate to his Cabinet or other key administrative positions. This morning, the President-elect announced that he has assembled his core economic team, led by another Brooklyn native, Janet Yellen, who would be the first woman to ever hold the title of Treasury Secretary. The President-elect's economic team clearly has the experience, the knowledge, and the prowess to meet the seriousness of this moment. More than that, they understand the needs of all Americans because they represent all different kinds of Americans. They will get to work not just on rebuilding our economy but striving toprovide greater and more equitable prosperity to future generations. Alongside the President-elect's deeply experienced national security team and his soon-to-be-announced health team, his economic team will ensure that the incoming Biden-Harris administration will hit the ground running. Everyone knows that the Senate plays a pivotal role in confirming a new President's Cabinet. In the midst of this once-in-a-century crisis, it is imperative that the next administration can count on the Senate to confirm its Cabinet without delay, so hearings on President-Elect Biden's nominees should begin in January, immediately after the Georgia runoff elections. Let me say that again. The Senate should begin hearings on President-Elect Biden's nominees in January, immediately after the Georgia Senate elections, so that key Cabinet officials can be confirmed on January 20 and soon thereafter, which is traditional for a new President. Senate committees held hearings for President Obama's nominees and President Trump's in early January, before the inauguration. Majority and minority staff should begin preparation for those hearings as President-Elect Biden names his Cabinet. Now, President-Elect Biden's slate of intended nominees provides a stark contrast to the caliber of nominees advanced by the current Trump administration over the past 4 years. The early days of the Trump Presidency were defined by high-level appointments of individuals who were manifestly unqualified, plagued by ethical complaints, or swimming in conflicts of interest--sometimes all three. At the time, Republicans in the Senate lined up to confirm President Trump's appointments, arguing that a President deserves his Cabinet and broad deference on his nominees. I would hope the same deference would be extended to President-Elect Biden's nominees, especially considering the obvious gulf in quality, experience, and ethics. Already, however, the Republicans are twisting themselves into pretzels to explain their reflexive opposition to these outstanding selections. Neera Tanden, who would be the first woman of color to ever run the OMB, the Office of Management and Budget, is so eminently qualified that some on the Republican side--grasping at straws--have taken issue with comments made on Twitter criticizing the policy positions of Republicans in Congress. Honestly, the hypocrisy is astounding. If Republicans are concerned about criticism on Twitter, their complaints are better directed at President Trump, who has made a hobby out of denigrating Republican Senators on Twitter. I fully expect to see some crocodile tears spilled on the other side of the aisle over the President-elect's Cabinet nominees, but it will be very tough to take those crocodile tears seriously. Our Republican colleagues are on the record supporting some of the least qualified, most unethical, and downright sycophantic Federal nominees in recent memory Many defended the conduct of previous OMB Director Russell Vought, who allowed foreign aid to be held up for political reasons, resulting in the President's impeachment. Right now, Republicans in Congress are looking the other way while President Trump pardons a man who pled guilty to the FBI. So, again, it will be impossible to take these overblown complaints over President-Elect Biden's nominees very seriously. Given the urgent need to address COVID-19 and its economic fallout, the Senate should follow precedent and promptly hold hearings on President-Elect Biden's nominees in January, immediately after the Georgia elections, before inauguration. The American people cannot afford to wait to have its government working at full force to keep them safe, defeat the virus, and get our economy back on track. I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. SCHUMER | Senate | CREC-2020-11-30-pt1-PgS7099-4 | null | 1,708 |
formal | blue | null | antisemitic | Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, on another matter, the Senate has, of course, returned for a last end-of-the-year legislative dash, and we have a lot of work to do before we cross the finish line. As we know, government funding will expire in less than 2 weeks, and we have to reach an agreement, as the senior Senator from Vermont mentioned, before the December 11 deadline of the current continuing resolution. With millions of Americans already facing economic uncertainty, a government shutdown is, surely, not an option. We need to pass the National Defense Authorization Act to support America's brave servicemembers and ensure that our military leaders have the ability to plan and operate with certainty and provide peace through American strength. Also, as we move into the winter months, which the experts have told us will present new challenges in our war against the COVID-19 virus, it is time to cut the partisanship and deliver another round of relief to the American people. It is worth recounting--because people have short memories, apparently, in Washington, DC--that, over the last several months, our Democratic colleagues have consistently talked about the need to bolster our support in the fight against COVID-19. Yet, despite the repeated rhetoric and calls to action, they have unapologetically stood in the way of each and every attempt to make real progress. This summer, we proposed something called the HEALS Act--as the Presiding Officer knows, for he was instrumental in that work--as a starting point for negotiations on a new relief package. It was a starting place, a place to begin bipartisan negotiations in the hope of crafting a package that could get the requisite number of votes. Unfortunately, before the election, our Democratic colleagues had simply no interest in amending the bill or trying to find any kind of common ground. I think they thought it was to their political advantage for the American people to be experiencing the anxiety and the pain before the election. I can't imagine holding them hostage, but that is what appeared, to me, to be the case. Instead of trying to find common ground--in particular, the Speaker made the amazing statement that nothing was better than something when it came to COVID-19 relief, which is just the opposite of what I have always believed--she demeaned the bill of half a trillion dollars in spending as ``pathetic.'' The minority leader called it ``unworkable,'' but then they didn't lift a finger to try to get anything done. So the next month we took another shot. We attempted to narrow the scope of negotiations to the most urgent matters--things like continuing Federal unemployment benefits, which expired at the end of July. This is last July. This time our Democratic colleagues rejected what they called a ``piecemeal'' approach. Well, never mind the fact that the House returned to Washington to help pass a bill that supported the U.S. Postal Service. We all believe in supporting the Postal Service, but apparently they thought that piecemeal bill was acceptable as long as it was a Democratic-authored bill and didn't provide any additional relief to the American people. Well, being unsuccessful those first two times, we tried again a third time. So in September the majority leader tried to bring a bill to the floor to provide $500 billion for our shared bipartisan priorities. There weren't any real differences in what was in the bill. The only difference was that our Democratic colleagues wanted to spend multiples of that for unrelated activities. We wanted to concentrate the effort on helping small businesses keep their employees on payroll, giving schools the resources they needed to keep their students and teachers safe, strengthening testing nationwide, and investing in the continued success of Operation Warp Speed, which is going to deliver an FDA-approved vaccine before the end of the year--not just one, maybe as many as two or three, and more, perhaps, to come. Anyone who has spent time watching C-SPAN over the last several months has heard both Republicans and Democrats talk about the importance of every single one of these things, but when legislation that includes all of these priorities came up for an initial vote, our Democratic colleagues wouldn't even allow us to get on the bill. In other words, here in the Senate you have to vote to get on the bill before you can then offer amendments and try to make it better. So they killed it. Without batting an eye, our Democratic colleagues voted in lockstep to block the bill and unanimously oppose legislation that would have invested an additional half-trillion dollars in our fight against COVID-19. When the majority leader tried to bring the bill to the floor again in October, we saw exactly the same thing. It was the same bad movie all over again. Our Democratic colleagues refused to let us even debate, much less to amend, the bill. It is not just these targeted packages that have been blocked by our Democratic colleagues. They stood in the way of our commonsense proposals, like the one from the now-former Senator from Arizona, Senator McSally, which would have extended unemployment benefits for 1 week while we negotiated a larger compromise. Our friends on the other side of the aisle have repeatedly said that Congress needs to act, but the reality is their own actions have prevented us from doing so. Month after month, they have demonstrated it is either the House's multitrillion-dollar, leftwing-policy grab-bag wish list or nothing. They have consistently told the American people: It is our way or the highway. You don't get an extension of unemployment insurance unless we get tax breaks for blue-State millionaires and billionaires. You don't get vaccine funding unless we get diversity studies on the marijuana industry. You don't get funding for schools unless we get permanent changes to hijack and take over our election laws and run them out of Washington, DC. Well, even rank-and-file Democrats have now understood and criticized this sort of bogus approach to legislating. It has been the same song and dance month after month--fiery speeches, press conferences, tweets, and letters calling for action. But each time our Democratic colleagues have been given an opportunity to actually do something--to do more than spout off some meaningless, vapid rhetoric at the nearest microphone--they have simply stood in the way. The fact of the matter is our Democratic colleagues have blocked more COVID relief bills than they have passed. Yet they continue to feign outrage over Congress's failure to pass a bill--we heard it again here today--as though they aren't the ones responsible for the impasse. Our jobs here in the Senate aren't simply to vote against imperfect bills. If that were the case, no bill would ever pass, because none of them is perfect. But this body is built on making imperfect legislation better through a debate-and-amendment process--two processes we haven't seen much at work this year. So the bottom line is Congress needs to act. The American people want Democrats and Republicans to come to an agreement on the things our country actually needs to make it through this crisis. It won't be the last piece of legislation we pass, but we do need to do this next step, and we need to do it soon--as soon as possible. It is time for our Democratic colleagues to realize the election is over and the only real people being hurt by their intransigence are the people they represent in their various States. So it is time to start getting back to work for all the American people on a bipartisan piece of legislation and to quit the partisan games. I can't say it any more directly than that. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. CORNYN | Senate | CREC-2020-11-30-pt1-PgS7104 | null | 1,709 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, on another matter, the Senate has, of course, returned for a last end-of-the-year legislative dash, and we have a lot of work to do before we cross the finish line. As we know, government funding will expire in less than 2 weeks, and we have to reach an agreement, as the senior Senator from Vermont mentioned, before the December 11 deadline of the current continuing resolution. With millions of Americans already facing economic uncertainty, a government shutdown is, surely, not an option. We need to pass the National Defense Authorization Act to support America's brave servicemembers and ensure that our military leaders have the ability to plan and operate with certainty and provide peace through American strength. Also, as we move into the winter months, which the experts have told us will present new challenges in our war against the COVID-19 virus, it is time to cut the partisanship and deliver another round of relief to the American people. It is worth recounting--because people have short memories, apparently, in Washington, DC--that, over the last several months, our Democratic colleagues have consistently talked about the need to bolster our support in the fight against COVID-19. Yet, despite the repeated rhetoric and calls to action, they have unapologetically stood in the way of each and every attempt to make real progress. This summer, we proposed something called the HEALS Act--as the Presiding Officer knows, for he was instrumental in that work--as a starting point for negotiations on a new relief package. It was a starting place, a place to begin bipartisan negotiations in the hope of crafting a package that could get the requisite number of votes. Unfortunately, before the election, our Democratic colleagues had simply no interest in amending the bill or trying to find any kind of common ground. I think they thought it was to their political advantage for the American people to be experiencing the anxiety and the pain before the election. I can't imagine holding them hostage, but that is what appeared, to me, to be the case. Instead of trying to find common ground--in particular, the Speaker made the amazing statement that nothing was better than something when it came to COVID-19 relief, which is just the opposite of what I have always believed--she demeaned the bill of half a trillion dollars in spending as ``pathetic.'' The minority leader called it ``unworkable,'' but then they didn't lift a finger to try to get anything done. So the next month we took another shot. We attempted to narrow the scope of negotiations to the most urgent matters--things like continuing Federal unemployment benefits, which expired at the end of July. This is last July. This time our Democratic colleagues rejected what they called a ``piecemeal'' approach. Well, never mind the fact that the House returned to Washington to help pass a bill that supported the U.S. Postal Service. We all believe in supporting the Postal Service, but apparently they thought that piecemeal bill was acceptable as long as it was a Democratic-authored bill and didn't provide any additional relief to the American people. Well, being unsuccessful those first two times, we tried again a third time. So in September the majority leader tried to bring a bill to the floor to provide $500 billion for our shared bipartisan priorities. There weren't any real differences in what was in the bill. The only difference was that our Democratic colleagues wanted to spend multiples of that for unrelated activities. We wanted to concentrate the effort on helping small businesses keep their employees on payroll, giving schools the resources they needed to keep their students and teachers safe, strengthening testing nationwide, and investing in the continued success of Operation Warp Speed, which is going to deliver an FDA-approved vaccine before the end of the year--not just one, maybe as many as two or three, and more, perhaps, to come. Anyone who has spent time watching C-SPAN over the last several months has heard both Republicans and Democrats talk about the importance of every single one of these things, but when legislation that includes all of these priorities came up for an initial vote, our Democratic colleagues wouldn't even allow us to get on the bill. In other words, here in the Senate you have to vote to get on the bill before you can then offer amendments and try to make it better. So they killed it. Without batting an eye, our Democratic colleagues voted in lockstep to block the bill and unanimously oppose legislation that would have invested an additional half-trillion dollars in our fight against COVID-19. When the majority leader tried to bring the bill to the floor again in October, we saw exactly the same thing. It was the same bad movie all over again. Our Democratic colleagues refused to let us even debate, much less to amend, the bill. It is not just these targeted packages that have been blocked by our Democratic colleagues. They stood in the way of our commonsense proposals, like the one from the now-former Senator from Arizona, Senator McSally, which would have extended unemployment benefits for 1 week while we negotiated a larger compromise. Our friends on the other side of the aisle have repeatedly said that Congress needs to act, but the reality is their own actions have prevented us from doing so. Month after month, they have demonstrated it is either the House's multitrillion-dollar, leftwing-policy grab-bag wish list or nothing. They have consistently told the American people: It is our way or the highway. You don't get an extension of unemployment insurance unless we get tax breaks for blue-State millionaires and billionaires. You don't get vaccine funding unless we get diversity studies on the marijuana industry. You don't get funding for schools unless we get permanent changes to hijack and take over our election laws and run them out of Washington, DC. Well, even rank-and-file Democrats have now understood and criticized this sort of bogus approach to legislating. It has been the same song and dance month after month--fiery speeches, press conferences, tweets, and letters calling for action. But each time our Democratic colleagues have been given an opportunity to actually do something--to do more than spout off some meaningless, vapid rhetoric at the nearest microphone--they have simply stood in the way. The fact of the matter is our Democratic colleagues have blocked more COVID relief bills than they have passed. Yet they continue to feign outrage over Congress's failure to pass a bill--we heard it again here today--as though they aren't the ones responsible for the impasse. Our jobs here in the Senate aren't simply to vote against imperfect bills. If that were the case, no bill would ever pass, because none of them is perfect. But this body is built on making imperfect legislation better through a debate-and-amendment process--two processes we haven't seen much at work this year. So the bottom line is Congress needs to act. The American people want Democrats and Republicans to come to an agreement on the things our country actually needs to make it through this crisis. It won't be the last piece of legislation we pass, but we do need to do this next step, and we need to do it soon--as soon as possible. It is time for our Democratic colleagues to realize the election is over and the only real people being hurt by their intransigence are the people they represent in their various States. So it is time to start getting back to work for all the American people on a bipartisan piece of legislation and to quit the partisan games. I can't say it any more directly than that. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. CORNYN | Senate | CREC-2020-11-30-pt1-PgS7104 | null | 1,710 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, this week, as we return to DC, we are going to resume consideration of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. Around DC we call it the NDAA. And before I get into discussing some of my priorities in this legislation, I want to encourage each and every one of my colleagues to carefully consider why we go through the lengthy process of drafting and reconciling this authorization. And we do this every single year. The easy answer, of course, is that we have a duty to provide for our common defense and that of our allies and partners. But every year the media devotes most of their attention to how much money we have agreed to spend on the tools of war--the Chinook helicopters, the Virginia-class submarines, and the Reapers. They want to know about the flashy hardware and end up ignoring the people who are in the driver's seat. Thousands of service men and women call Tennessee home, and when I accepted the role of Senator, I took on a special responsibility to look after and to take care of each and every one of them. Their decision to serve came with necessary and serious lifestyle changes, both for themselves and for their families. Anyone who knows a servicemember knows that their lives are not their own. They go where they are told to go. They do the job they are told to do. They do it without hesitation because they have accepted that serving their country is more important than the autonomy they sacrificed when they put on that uniform and took their oath. ``Sacrifice'' is the key word here because it applies not only to the servicemember, but it also applies to their family. This is why we spend so much time focusing on programs that make their lives as seamless as possible. For example, this year, I continued work on military spouse license portability to make it easier for spouses who wish to continue working in their chosen field after they have changed locations, moved from one State to another, because they were told this was going to be their new duty station. We hope these spouses are able to continue their careers, to be fulfilled in their jobs and responsibilities. Last year, we established a pilot program for licensure reciprocity, and this year, we worked to increase funding for this very important program. With my remaining time, I want to focus on our special operations community, especially the 5th Special Forces Group and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. They each call Fort Campbell their home. For those who serve in these elite units, uncommon bravery is an everyday occurrence. They go to some of the worst places on the face of the Earth, to be surrounded by the most dangerous people alive, to do work that no one can ever know about and at a higher occupational tempo than any other aspect of our forces. Their operational tempo is unbelievable. The physical, spiritual, and psychological toll of that work and the stigma attached to it by those who do not understand its importance cannot be overstated. It is not a unique burden, but it is an especially heavy burden. U.S. Special Operations Command knows this and has made taking care of the people behind this mission a priority. They created the Preservation of the Force and Families Program to support these warriors and their families, but, like any program of this nature, it requires continuous innovation and evolution to stay effective. This year's Senate-passed NDAA reaffirms the importance of this initiative to both servicemembers and their families and improves human, psychological, spiritual, and social performance programs. It also requires a deeper study on new opportunities for special and incentive pay parity in order to increase retention of our valuable special operators. This is only one aspect of an expansive piece of legislation, but it provides a useful reminder that every dollar--every single taxpayer dollar that we spend to defend the cause of freedom is gone to waste if we ignore the unique needs of the people fighting our battles for us. We have to put the emphasis on this human capital--on the individual, on their family. This is one of those moments where it would be in everyone's best interest and our Nation's best interest to avoid playing politics with a very important policy--protecting these men and women in uniform, providing for the common defense, providing the tools, the training, and the services they need in order to be ready to deploy, in order to take care of their families, in order to treat their wounds when they return--to care for the whole of the soldier. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, delay isn't an inconvenience when it comes to the NDAA. It is not a bump in the road. When it comes to our Nation's defense spending, delay is dangerous. It is dangerous for our national defense, it is dangerous for the allies and the partners who depend on us, and it is dangerous for our troops and their families. It is my hope that we will be able to proceed with consideration of the final 2021 NDAA with that above all else at the forefront of our minds. I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | Mrs. BLACKBURN | Senate | CREC-2020-11-30-pt1-PgS7105 | null | 1,711 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Enrolled Bills Signed Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 3, 2019, the Secretary of the Senate, on November 19, 2020, during the adjournment of the Senate, received a message from the House of Representatives announcing that the Speaker had signed the following enrolled bills: S. 327. An act to amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to provide for a lifetime National Recreational Pass for any veteran with a service-connected- disability. S. 3147. An act to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress reports on patient safety and quality of care at medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. S. 3587. An act to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on the accessibility of websites of the Department of Veterans Affairs to individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes. H.R. 835. An act to impose criminal sanctions on certain persons involved in international doping fraud conspiracies, to provide restitution for victims of such conspiracies, and to require sharing of information with the United States AntiDoping Agency to assist its fight against doping, and for other purposes. H.R. 1668. An act to establish minimum security standards for Internet of Things devices owned or controlled by the Federal Government, and for other purposes. H.R. 1773. An act to award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the women in the United States who joined the workforce during World War II, providing the aircraft, vehicles, weaponry, ammunition and other material to win the war, that were referred to as ``Rosie the Riveter'', in recognition of their contributions to the United States and the inspiration they have provided to ensuing generations. H.R. 3589. An act to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Greg LeMond, in recognition of his service to the Nation as an athlete, activist, role model, and community leader. 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. 5901. An act to establish a program to facilitate the adoption of modern technology by executive agencies, and for other purposes. H.R. 8472. An act to provide that, due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19, applications for impact aid funding for fiscal year 2022 may use certain data submitted in the fiscal year 2021 application. Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 3, 2019, the enrolled bills were signed on November 24, 2020, during the adjournment of the Senate, by the Acting President pro tempore (Mr. Sasse). Enrolled Bills Signed Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 3, 2019, the Secretary of the Senate, on November 20, 2020, during the adjournment of the Senate, received a message from the House of Representatives announcing that the Speaker had signed the following enrolled bills: H.R. 1833. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 35 Tulip Avenue in Floral Park, New York, as the ``Lieutenant Michael R. Davidson Post Office Building''. H.R. 3207. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 114 Mill Street in Hookstown, Pennsylvania, as the ``Staff Sergeant Dylan Elchin Post Office Building''. H.R. 3317. An act to permit the Scipio A. Jones Post Office in Little Rock, Arkansas, to accept and display a portrait of Scipio A. Jones, and for other purposes. H.R. 3329. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5186 Benito Street in Montclair, California, as the ``Paul Eaton Post Office Building''. H.R. 4734. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 171 South Maple Street in Dana, Indiana, as the ``Ernest 'Ernie' T. Pyle Post Office''. H.R. 4794. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8320 13th Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, as the ``Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini Post Office Building''. H.R. 4981. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2505 Derita Avenue in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the ``Julius L. Chambers Civil Rights Memorial Post Office''. H.R. 5037. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3703 North Main Street in Farmville, North Carolina, as the ``Walter B. Jones, Jr. Post Office''. H.R. 5384. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Crosby Street in Mansfield, Louisiana, as the ``Dr. C.O. Simpkins, Sr., Post Office''. Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 3, 2019, the enrolled bills were signed on November 20, 2020, during the adjournment of the Senate, by the Acting President pro tempore (Mr. Hawley). | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-11-30-pt1-PgS7108-4 | null | 1,712 |
formal | religious freedom | null | homophobic | At 3:02 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. 4636. An act to authorize the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to prioritize and advance efforts to improve waste management systems and prevent and reduce plastic waste and marine debris, and for other purposes. H.R. 4644. An act to clarify United States policy toward Libya, advance a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Libya, and support the people of Libya. H.R. 4802. An act to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize rewards under the Department of State's rewards program relating to information regarding individuals or entities engaged in activities in contravention of United States or United Nations sanctions, and for other purposes. H.R. 5408. An act to oppose violations of religious freedom in Ukraine by Russia and armed groups commanded by Russia. H.R. 5586. An act to measure the progress of recovery and efforts to address corruption, rule of law, and media freedoms in Haiti. H.R. 6334. An act to authorize United States participation in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and for other purposes. H.R. 7276. An act to establish an interagency working group to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan to control locust outbreaks in the East Africa region and address future outbreaks in order to avert mass scale food insecurity and potential political destabilization, and for other purposes. H.R. 7703. An act to authorize appropriations for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, enhance the United States-Caribbean security partnership, prioritize disaster resilience, and for other purposes. H.R. 7954. An act to reauthorize the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act of 1998. H.R. 7990. An act to prioritize efforts of the Department of State to combat international trafficking in covered synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances, and for other purposes. H.R. 8259. An act to prohibit Russian participation in the G7, and for other purposes. H.R. 8294. An act to amend the National Apprenticeship Act and expand the national apprenticeship system to include apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre- apprenticeship registered under such Act, to promote the furtherance of labor standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, and for other purposes. H.R. 8405. An act to direct the Department of State to ensure persons representing the United States in international athletic competitions in certain countries are appropriately informed, and for other purposes. H.R. 8438. An act to reauthorize the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004. The message also announced that the House disagrees to the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 6395) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes, and asks a conference with the Senate on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses thereon, and that the following Members be the managers of the conference on the part of the House: From the Committee on Armed Services, for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Smith of Washington, Mrs. Davis of California, Messrs. Langevin, Larsen of Washington, Cooper, Courtney, Garamendi, Ms. Speier, Messrs. Norcross, Gallego, Moulton, Carbajal, Brown of Maryland, Khanna, Keating, Vela, Kim, Ms. Kendra S. Horn of Oklahoma, Messrs. Cisneros, Thornberry, Wilson of South Carolina, Turner, Rogers of Alabama, Lamborn, Wittman, Mrs. Hartzler, Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia, Ms. Stefanik, Messrs. Kelly of Mississippi, Gallagher, Bacon, and Banks. From the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, for consideration of matters within the jurisdiction of that committee under clause 11 of rule X: Mr. Schiff, Ms. Sewell of Alabama, and Mr. Nunes. From the Committee on Agriculture, for consideration of sections 3601 and 3602 of the House bill, and section 1053 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Peterson, Ms. Spanberger, and Mr. Conaway. From the Committee on the Budget, for consideration of sections 1002 and 8003 of the House bill, and sections 4, 126, and 1086 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. Morelle, Horsford, and Stewart. From the Committee on Education and Labor, for consideration of sections 212, 279, 569, 570, 1110, 1791, 1797, 1833, and 1834 of the House bill, and sections 516, 561-63, 565, 566, 1090, 5211, 6047, 6091, and 6615 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mrs. Trahan, and Mr. Guthrie. From the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for consideration of sections 223, 229, 332, 335, 535, 540H, 601, 705, 736, 1299N-2, 1641, 1760, 1761, 1772, 1793, 1821, 1823, 1824, 2835, 3201, 3511, 3601, 5101-04, 5109, 10306, and 11206 of the House bill, and sections 311, 319, 703, 1053, 1091, 1092, 1094, 1098, 1099, 2841, 3121, 3125, 3131, 3132, 5239, 6082-84, subtitle I of title LX of division E, sections 6299F, 6614, 6704, and 6706 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Pallone, Ms. DeGette, and Mr. Walden. From the Committee on Financial Services, for consideration of sections 902, 1248, 1249, 1299R-9, 1768, 1776, 1779, 1790, 1792, 1798, 1803, 1808, 1812, subtitles H and I of title XVII of division A, and divisions G, J, K, and M of the House bill, and sections 1706-10 and 6231 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Ms. Waters, Messrs. Vargas, and Luetkemeyer. From the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for consideration of sections 213, 843, subtitle C of title XI of division A, sections 1202, 1203, 1207, 1221-24, 1231-33, 1238, 1248, 1249, 1251, 1260D, 1260E, 1261, 1266, 1272-74, 1276, 1280, 1286, 1290-92, 1294, 1296, 1299, 1299B, 1299G, 1299H, 1299K, subtitles H-K of title XII of division A, section 1299Q-1, 1299Q-2, subtitle M of title XII of division A, sections 1299T-4, 1299T-5, 1521, 1640F, 1659, 1757, 1759, 1823, and division I of the House bill, and sections 1201-03, 1205-07, 1210, 1213, subtitle C of title XII of division A, sections 1231-33, 1236, 1240, 1241, 1251, 1253-56, 1263, 1281, 1283, 1286, 1287, subtitle H of title XII of division A, subtitle C of title XV of division A, section 1661, title XVII of division A, sections 6231, 6251, 6284, 6286, 6293-96, 6299, 6299A, 6299B, 6299D, and 6299F of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. Engel, Sherman, and McCaul. From the Committee on Homeland Security, for considerations of sections 1630, 1631, 1637, 1640A, 1640D, 1640F, 1760, 1784, 1793, 1804, and 9508 of the House bill, and sections 6088, 6096D, 6613, and 6614 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mses. Torres Small of New Mexico, Slotkin, and Mr. Green of Tennessee. From the Committee on House Administration, for consideration of sections 536, 1101, and 1751 of the House bill, and modifications committed to conference: Mses. Lofgren, Fudge, and Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois. From the Committee on the Judiciary, for consideration of sections 281, 540D, 814, 1055, 1215, 12990-6, 1299T-4, 1299T-5, 1640A, 1731, 1733, 1762, and 1763 of the House bill, and sections 1296 and 6088 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Nadler, Ms. Mucarsel-Powell, and Mr. Steube. From the Committee on Natural Resources, for consideration of sections 601, 626, 627, 1744, 1794, 1795, 2834-36, subtitle E of title XXVIII of division B, and divisions O and P of the House bill, and sections 315, 2861-63, 2887, 6081, and 7861 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Haaland, and Mr. Bishop of Utah. From the Committee on Oversight and Reform, for consideration of sections 373, 813, 815, 825, 830B, 833, 848, 1101, 1102, 1104, 1105, 1108, 1111, 1114, 1115, subtitles B and C of title XI of division A, sections 1635, 1639, 1640C, subtitle B of title XVII of division A, sections 1744, 1745, 1769, 1770, 1774, 1793, 1808, 9208, and 11410 of the House bill, and sections 631, 1103-06, 1109-13, 5244, 6047, and 9306 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Messrs. Lynch, and Comer. From the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for consideration of section 229, subtitle D of title II of division A, sections 327, 333, 341, 1744, 1771, 1806, 1807, 1821, 1824, 1825, division E, sections 5502 and 10104 of the House bill, and sections 318, 1098, 1099, subtitle C of title LII of division E, sections 5231-38, and 6087 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mses. Johnson of Texas, Sherrill, and Mr. Garcia of California. From the Committee on Small Business, for consideration of sections 831-33, 835-40, 840A, 841, 844, and 1633 of the House bill, and sections 871, 872, 1642, 5871-75, and 5877 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Ms. Velazquez, Messrs. Golden, and Chabot. From the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for consideration of sections 311, 312, 332, 560G, 601, 829, 830B, 912, 1101, 1732, 1750, 1760, 1768, 1809, 3501, 3504, 3505, 3507-09, 3510C, 3510D, 5103, and division H of the House bill, and sections 178, 1087, 1635, 3501, 5237, 5246, 6089, and subtitle I of title LX of division E of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. Huffman, Rouda, and Gibbs. From the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for consideration of sections 525, 534, 535, 540A, 540B, 540C, 540E, 540H,546, 551-53, 560B, 560E, 560F, 560G, 560H, 718, 724, 731, 734, 750H, 752-54, 760, 831, 1101, 1411, 1764, 1790, 1802, and 5502 of the House bill, and sections 741, 744, 753, 762-64, 935, 1089, 1090A, 1090B, 1421, and 6085 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. Takano, Lamb, and Bilirakis. From the Committee on Ways and Means, for consideration of sections 1276, 7103, and 7104 of the House bill, and section 6003 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. Neal, Panetta, and Wenstrup. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-11-30-pt1-PgS7108-5 | null | 1,713 |
formal | safeguard | null | transphobic | At 3:02 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. 4636. An act to authorize the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to prioritize and advance efforts to improve waste management systems and prevent and reduce plastic waste and marine debris, and for other purposes. H.R. 4644. An act to clarify United States policy toward Libya, advance a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Libya, and support the people of Libya. H.R. 4802. An act to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize rewards under the Department of State's rewards program relating to information regarding individuals or entities engaged in activities in contravention of United States or United Nations sanctions, and for other purposes. H.R. 5408. An act to oppose violations of religious freedom in Ukraine by Russia and armed groups commanded by Russia. H.R. 5586. An act to measure the progress of recovery and efforts to address corruption, rule of law, and media freedoms in Haiti. H.R. 6334. An act to authorize United States participation in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and for other purposes. H.R. 7276. An act to establish an interagency working group to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan to control locust outbreaks in the East Africa region and address future outbreaks in order to avert mass scale food insecurity and potential political destabilization, and for other purposes. H.R. 7703. An act to authorize appropriations for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, enhance the United States-Caribbean security partnership, prioritize disaster resilience, and for other purposes. H.R. 7954. An act to reauthorize the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act of 1998. H.R. 7990. An act to prioritize efforts of the Department of State to combat international trafficking in covered synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances, and for other purposes. H.R. 8259. An act to prohibit Russian participation in the G7, and for other purposes. H.R. 8294. An act to amend the National Apprenticeship Act and expand the national apprenticeship system to include apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre- apprenticeship registered under such Act, to promote the furtherance of labor standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, and for other purposes. H.R. 8405. An act to direct the Department of State to ensure persons representing the United States in international athletic competitions in certain countries are appropriately informed, and for other purposes. H.R. 8438. An act to reauthorize the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004. The message also announced that the House disagrees to the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 6395) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes, and asks a conference with the Senate on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses thereon, and that the following Members be the managers of the conference on the part of the House: From the Committee on Armed Services, for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Smith of Washington, Mrs. Davis of California, Messrs. Langevin, Larsen of Washington, Cooper, Courtney, Garamendi, Ms. Speier, Messrs. Norcross, Gallego, Moulton, Carbajal, Brown of Maryland, Khanna, Keating, Vela, Kim, Ms. Kendra S. Horn of Oklahoma, Messrs. Cisneros, Thornberry, Wilson of South Carolina, Turner, Rogers of Alabama, Lamborn, Wittman, Mrs. Hartzler, Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia, Ms. Stefanik, Messrs. Kelly of Mississippi, Gallagher, Bacon, and Banks. From the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, for consideration of matters within the jurisdiction of that committee under clause 11 of rule X: Mr. Schiff, Ms. Sewell of Alabama, and Mr. Nunes. From the Committee on Agriculture, for consideration of sections 3601 and 3602 of the House bill, and section 1053 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Peterson, Ms. Spanberger, and Mr. Conaway. From the Committee on the Budget, for consideration of sections 1002 and 8003 of the House bill, and sections 4, 126, and 1086 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. Morelle, Horsford, and Stewart. From the Committee on Education and Labor, for consideration of sections 212, 279, 569, 570, 1110, 1791, 1797, 1833, and 1834 of the House bill, and sections 516, 561-63, 565, 566, 1090, 5211, 6047, 6091, and 6615 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mrs. Trahan, and Mr. Guthrie. From the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for consideration of sections 223, 229, 332, 335, 535, 540H, 601, 705, 736, 1299N-2, 1641, 1760, 1761, 1772, 1793, 1821, 1823, 1824, 2835, 3201, 3511, 3601, 5101-04, 5109, 10306, and 11206 of the House bill, and sections 311, 319, 703, 1053, 1091, 1092, 1094, 1098, 1099, 2841, 3121, 3125, 3131, 3132, 5239, 6082-84, subtitle I of title LX of division E, sections 6299F, 6614, 6704, and 6706 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Pallone, Ms. DeGette, and Mr. Walden. From the Committee on Financial Services, for consideration of sections 902, 1248, 1249, 1299R-9, 1768, 1776, 1779, 1790, 1792, 1798, 1803, 1808, 1812, subtitles H and I of title XVII of division A, and divisions G, J, K, and M of the House bill, and sections 1706-10 and 6231 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Ms. Waters, Messrs. Vargas, and Luetkemeyer. From the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for consideration of sections 213, 843, subtitle C of title XI of division A, sections 1202, 1203, 1207, 1221-24, 1231-33, 1238, 1248, 1249, 1251, 1260D, 1260E, 1261, 1266, 1272-74, 1276, 1280, 1286, 1290-92, 1294, 1296, 1299, 1299B, 1299G, 1299H, 1299K, subtitles H-K of title XII of division A, section 1299Q-1, 1299Q-2, subtitle M of title XII of division A, sections 1299T-4, 1299T-5, 1521, 1640F, 1659, 1757, 1759, 1823, and division I of the House bill, and sections 1201-03, 1205-07, 1210, 1213, subtitle C of title XII of division A, sections 1231-33, 1236, 1240, 1241, 1251, 1253-56, 1263, 1281, 1283, 1286, 1287, subtitle H of title XII of division A, subtitle C of title XV of division A, section 1661, title XVII of division A, sections 6231, 6251, 6284, 6286, 6293-96, 6299, 6299A, 6299B, 6299D, and 6299F of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. Engel, Sherman, and McCaul. From the Committee on Homeland Security, for considerations of sections 1630, 1631, 1637, 1640A, 1640D, 1640F, 1760, 1784, 1793, 1804, and 9508 of the House bill, and sections 6088, 6096D, 6613, and 6614 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mses. Torres Small of New Mexico, Slotkin, and Mr. Green of Tennessee. From the Committee on House Administration, for consideration of sections 536, 1101, and 1751 of the House bill, and modifications committed to conference: Mses. Lofgren, Fudge, and Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois. From the Committee on the Judiciary, for consideration of sections 281, 540D, 814, 1055, 1215, 12990-6, 1299T-4, 1299T-5, 1640A, 1731, 1733, 1762, and 1763 of the House bill, and sections 1296 and 6088 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Nadler, Ms. Mucarsel-Powell, and Mr. Steube. From the Committee on Natural Resources, for consideration of sections 601, 626, 627, 1744, 1794, 1795, 2834-36, subtitle E of title XXVIII of division B, and divisions O and P of the House bill, and sections 315, 2861-63, 2887, 6081, and 7861 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Haaland, and Mr. Bishop of Utah. From the Committee on Oversight and Reform, for consideration of sections 373, 813, 815, 825, 830B, 833, 848, 1101, 1102, 1104, 1105, 1108, 1111, 1114, 1115, subtitles B and C of title XI of division A, sections 1635, 1639, 1640C, subtitle B of title XVII of division A, sections 1744, 1745, 1769, 1770, 1774, 1793, 1808, 9208, and 11410 of the House bill, and sections 631, 1103-06, 1109-13, 5244, 6047, and 9306 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Messrs. Lynch, and Comer. From the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for consideration of section 229, subtitle D of title II of division A, sections 327, 333, 341, 1744, 1771, 1806, 1807, 1821, 1824, 1825, division E, sections 5502 and 10104 of the House bill, and sections 318, 1098, 1099, subtitle C of title LII of division E, sections 5231-38, and 6087 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mses. Johnson of Texas, Sherrill, and Mr. Garcia of California. From the Committee on Small Business, for consideration of sections 831-33, 835-40, 840A, 841, 844, and 1633 of the House bill, and sections 871, 872, 1642, 5871-75, and 5877 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Ms. Velazquez, Messrs. Golden, and Chabot. From the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for consideration of sections 311, 312, 332, 560G, 601, 829, 830B, 912, 1101, 1732, 1750, 1760, 1768, 1809, 3501, 3504, 3505, 3507-09, 3510C, 3510D, 5103, and division H of the House bill, and sections 178, 1087, 1635, 3501, 5237, 5246, 6089, and subtitle I of title LX of division E of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. Huffman, Rouda, and Gibbs. From the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for consideration of sections 525, 534, 535, 540A, 540B, 540C, 540E, 540H,546, 551-53, 560B, 560E, 560F, 560G, 560H, 718, 724, 731, 734, 750H, 752-54, 760, 831, 1101, 1411, 1764, 1790, 1802, and 5502 of the House bill, and sections 741, 744, 753, 762-64, 935, 1089, 1090A, 1090B, 1421, and 6085 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. Takano, Lamb, and Bilirakis. From the Committee on Ways and Means, for consideration of sections 1276, 7103, and 7104 of the House bill, and section 6003 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. Neal, Panetta, and Wenstrup. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-11-30-pt1-PgS7108-5 | null | 1,714 |
formal | welfare | null | racist | At 3:02 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. 4636. An act to authorize the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to prioritize and advance efforts to improve waste management systems and prevent and reduce plastic waste and marine debris, and for other purposes. H.R. 4644. An act to clarify United States policy toward Libya, advance a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Libya, and support the people of Libya. H.R. 4802. An act to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize rewards under the Department of State's rewards program relating to information regarding individuals or entities engaged in activities in contravention of United States or United Nations sanctions, and for other purposes. H.R. 5408. An act to oppose violations of religious freedom in Ukraine by Russia and armed groups commanded by Russia. H.R. 5586. An act to measure the progress of recovery and efforts to address corruption, rule of law, and media freedoms in Haiti. H.R. 6334. An act to authorize United States participation in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and for other purposes. H.R. 7276. An act to establish an interagency working group to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan to control locust outbreaks in the East Africa region and address future outbreaks in order to avert mass scale food insecurity and potential political destabilization, and for other purposes. H.R. 7703. An act to authorize appropriations for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, enhance the United States-Caribbean security partnership, prioritize disaster resilience, and for other purposes. H.R. 7954. An act to reauthorize the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act of 1998. H.R. 7990. An act to prioritize efforts of the Department of State to combat international trafficking in covered synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances, and for other purposes. H.R. 8259. An act to prohibit Russian participation in the G7, and for other purposes. H.R. 8294. An act to amend the National Apprenticeship Act and expand the national apprenticeship system to include apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre- apprenticeship registered under such Act, to promote the furtherance of labor standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, and for other purposes. H.R. 8405. An act to direct the Department of State to ensure persons representing the United States in international athletic competitions in certain countries are appropriately informed, and for other purposes. H.R. 8438. An act to reauthorize the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004. The message also announced that the House disagrees to the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 6395) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes, and asks a conference with the Senate on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses thereon, and that the following Members be the managers of the conference on the part of the House: From the Committee on Armed Services, for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Smith of Washington, Mrs. Davis of California, Messrs. Langevin, Larsen of Washington, Cooper, Courtney, Garamendi, Ms. Speier, Messrs. Norcross, Gallego, Moulton, Carbajal, Brown of Maryland, Khanna, Keating, Vela, Kim, Ms. Kendra S. Horn of Oklahoma, Messrs. Cisneros, Thornberry, Wilson of South Carolina, Turner, Rogers of Alabama, Lamborn, Wittman, Mrs. Hartzler, Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia, Ms. Stefanik, Messrs. Kelly of Mississippi, Gallagher, Bacon, and Banks. From the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, for consideration of matters within the jurisdiction of that committee under clause 11 of rule X: Mr. Schiff, Ms. Sewell of Alabama, and Mr. Nunes. From the Committee on Agriculture, for consideration of sections 3601 and 3602 of the House bill, and section 1053 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Peterson, Ms. Spanberger, and Mr. Conaway. From the Committee on the Budget, for consideration of sections 1002 and 8003 of the House bill, and sections 4, 126, and 1086 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. Morelle, Horsford, and Stewart. From the Committee on Education and Labor, for consideration of sections 212, 279, 569, 570, 1110, 1791, 1797, 1833, and 1834 of the House bill, and sections 516, 561-63, 565, 566, 1090, 5211, 6047, 6091, and 6615 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mrs. Trahan, and Mr. Guthrie. From the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for consideration of sections 223, 229, 332, 335, 535, 540H, 601, 705, 736, 1299N-2, 1641, 1760, 1761, 1772, 1793, 1821, 1823, 1824, 2835, 3201, 3511, 3601, 5101-04, 5109, 10306, and 11206 of the House bill, and sections 311, 319, 703, 1053, 1091, 1092, 1094, 1098, 1099, 2841, 3121, 3125, 3131, 3132, 5239, 6082-84, subtitle I of title LX of division E, sections 6299F, 6614, 6704, and 6706 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Pallone, Ms. DeGette, and Mr. Walden. From the Committee on Financial Services, for consideration of sections 902, 1248, 1249, 1299R-9, 1768, 1776, 1779, 1790, 1792, 1798, 1803, 1808, 1812, subtitles H and I of title XVII of division A, and divisions G, J, K, and M of the House bill, and sections 1706-10 and 6231 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Ms. Waters, Messrs. Vargas, and Luetkemeyer. From the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for consideration of sections 213, 843, subtitle C of title XI of division A, sections 1202, 1203, 1207, 1221-24, 1231-33, 1238, 1248, 1249, 1251, 1260D, 1260E, 1261, 1266, 1272-74, 1276, 1280, 1286, 1290-92, 1294, 1296, 1299, 1299B, 1299G, 1299H, 1299K, subtitles H-K of title XII of division A, section 1299Q-1, 1299Q-2, subtitle M of title XII of division A, sections 1299T-4, 1299T-5, 1521, 1640F, 1659, 1757, 1759, 1823, and division I of the House bill, and sections 1201-03, 1205-07, 1210, 1213, subtitle C of title XII of division A, sections 1231-33, 1236, 1240, 1241, 1251, 1253-56, 1263, 1281, 1283, 1286, 1287, subtitle H of title XII of division A, subtitle C of title XV of division A, section 1661, title XVII of division A, sections 6231, 6251, 6284, 6286, 6293-96, 6299, 6299A, 6299B, 6299D, and 6299F of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. Engel, Sherman, and McCaul. From the Committee on Homeland Security, for considerations of sections 1630, 1631, 1637, 1640A, 1640D, 1640F, 1760, 1784, 1793, 1804, and 9508 of the House bill, and sections 6088, 6096D, 6613, and 6614 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mses. Torres Small of New Mexico, Slotkin, and Mr. Green of Tennessee. From the Committee on House Administration, for consideration of sections 536, 1101, and 1751 of the House bill, and modifications committed to conference: Mses. Lofgren, Fudge, and Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois. From the Committee on the Judiciary, for consideration of sections 281, 540D, 814, 1055, 1215, 12990-6, 1299T-4, 1299T-5, 1640A, 1731, 1733, 1762, and 1763 of the House bill, and sections 1296 and 6088 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Nadler, Ms. Mucarsel-Powell, and Mr. Steube. From the Committee on Natural Resources, for consideration of sections 601, 626, 627, 1744, 1794, 1795, 2834-36, subtitle E of title XXVIII of division B, and divisions O and P of the House bill, and sections 315, 2861-63, 2887, 6081, and 7861 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Haaland, and Mr. Bishop of Utah. From the Committee on Oversight and Reform, for consideration of sections 373, 813, 815, 825, 830B, 833, 848, 1101, 1102, 1104, 1105, 1108, 1111, 1114, 1115, subtitles B and C of title XI of division A, sections 1635, 1639, 1640C, subtitle B of title XVII of division A, sections 1744, 1745, 1769, 1770, 1774, 1793, 1808, 9208, and 11410 of the House bill, and sections 631, 1103-06, 1109-13, 5244, 6047, and 9306 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Messrs. Lynch, and Comer. From the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for consideration of section 229, subtitle D of title II of division A, sections 327, 333, 341, 1744, 1771, 1806, 1807, 1821, 1824, 1825, division E, sections 5502 and 10104 of the House bill, and sections 318, 1098, 1099, subtitle C of title LII of division E, sections 5231-38, and 6087 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mses. Johnson of Texas, Sherrill, and Mr. Garcia of California. From the Committee on Small Business, for consideration of sections 831-33, 835-40, 840A, 841, 844, and 1633 of the House bill, and sections 871, 872, 1642, 5871-75, and 5877 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Ms. Velazquez, Messrs. Golden, and Chabot. From the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for consideration of sections 311, 312, 332, 560G, 601, 829, 830B, 912, 1101, 1732, 1750, 1760, 1768, 1809, 3501, 3504, 3505, 3507-09, 3510C, 3510D, 5103, and division H of the House bill, and sections 178, 1087, 1635, 3501, 5237, 5246, 6089, and subtitle I of title LX of division E of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. Huffman, Rouda, and Gibbs. From the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for consideration of sections 525, 534, 535, 540A, 540B, 540C, 540E, 540H,546, 551-53, 560B, 560E, 560F, 560G, 560H, 718, 724, 731, 734, 750H, 752-54, 760, 831, 1101, 1411, 1764, 1790, 1802, and 5502 of the House bill, and sections 741, 744, 753, 762-64, 935, 1089, 1090A, 1090B, 1421, and 6085 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. Takano, Lamb, and Bilirakis. From the Committee on Ways and Means, for consideration of sections 1276, 7103, and 7104 of the House bill, and section 6003 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. Neal, Panetta, and Wenstrup. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-11-30-pt1-PgS7108-5 | null | 1,715 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | The Secretary of the Senate reported that on November 24, 2020, she had presented to the President of the United States the following enrolled bills: S. 327. An act to amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to provide for a lifetime National Recreational Pass for any veteran with a service-connected disability. S. 3147. An act to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress reports on patient safety and quality of care at medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. S. 3587. An act to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on the accessibility of websites of the Department of Veterans Affairs to individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-11-30-pt1-PgS7110-2 | null | 1,716 |
formal | religious freedom | null | homophobic | The following bills were read the first and the second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: H.R. 4636. An act to authorize the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to prioritize and advance efforts to improve waste management systems and prevent and reduce plastic waste and marine debris, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 4644. An act to clarify United States policy toward Libya, advance a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Libya, and support the people of Libya; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 4802. An act to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize rewards under the Department of State's rewards program relating to information regarding individuals or entities engaged in activities in contravention of United States or United Nations sanctions, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 5408. An act to oppose violations of religious freedom in Ukraine by Russia and armed groups commanded by Russia; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 5586. An act to measure the progress of recovery and efforts to address corruption, rule of law, and media freedoms in Haiti; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 6334. An act to authorize United States participation in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 7276. An act to establish an interagency working group to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan to control locust outbreaks in the East Africa region and address future outbreaks in order to avert mass scale food insecurity and potential political destabilization, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 7703. An act to authorize appropriations for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, enhance the United States-Caribbean security partnership, prioritize disaster resilience, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 7954. An act to reauthorize the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act of 1998; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 7990. An act to prioritize efforts of the Department of State to combat international trafficking in covered synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 8259. An act to prohibit Russian participation in the G7, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 8294. An act to amend the National Apprenticeship Act and expand the national apprenticeship system to include apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre- apprenticeship registered under such Act, to promote the furtherance of labor standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 8405. An act to direct the Department of State to ensure persons representing the United States in international athletic competitions in certain countries are appropriately informed, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 8438. An act to reauthorize the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004; to the Committee on Foreign Relations | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-11-30-pt1-PgS7110 | null | 1,717 |
formal | safeguard | null | transphobic | The following bills were read the first and the second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: H.R. 4636. An act to authorize the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to prioritize and advance efforts to improve waste management systems and prevent and reduce plastic waste and marine debris, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 4644. An act to clarify United States policy toward Libya, advance a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Libya, and support the people of Libya; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 4802. An act to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize rewards under the Department of State's rewards program relating to information regarding individuals or entities engaged in activities in contravention of United States or United Nations sanctions, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 5408. An act to oppose violations of religious freedom in Ukraine by Russia and armed groups commanded by Russia; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 5586. An act to measure the progress of recovery and efforts to address corruption, rule of law, and media freedoms in Haiti; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 6334. An act to authorize United States participation in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 7276. An act to establish an interagency working group to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan to control locust outbreaks in the East Africa region and address future outbreaks in order to avert mass scale food insecurity and potential political destabilization, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 7703. An act to authorize appropriations for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, enhance the United States-Caribbean security partnership, prioritize disaster resilience, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 7954. An act to reauthorize the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act of 1998; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 7990. An act to prioritize efforts of the Department of State to combat international trafficking in covered synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 8259. An act to prohibit Russian participation in the G7, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 8294. An act to amend the National Apprenticeship Act and expand the national apprenticeship system to include apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre- apprenticeship registered under such Act, to promote the furtherance of labor standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 8405. An act to direct the Department of State to ensure persons representing the United States in international athletic competitions in certain countries are appropriately informed, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 8438. An act to reauthorize the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004; to the Committee on Foreign Relations | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-11-30-pt1-PgS7110 | null | 1,718 |
formal | welfare | null | racist | The following bills were read the first and the second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: H.R. 4636. An act to authorize the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to prioritize and advance efforts to improve waste management systems and prevent and reduce plastic waste and marine debris, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 4644. An act to clarify United States policy toward Libya, advance a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Libya, and support the people of Libya; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 4802. An act to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize rewards under the Department of State's rewards program relating to information regarding individuals or entities engaged in activities in contravention of United States or United Nations sanctions, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 5408. An act to oppose violations of religious freedom in Ukraine by Russia and armed groups commanded by Russia; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 5586. An act to measure the progress of recovery and efforts to address corruption, rule of law, and media freedoms in Haiti; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 6334. An act to authorize United States participation in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 7276. An act to establish an interagency working group to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan to control locust outbreaks in the East Africa region and address future outbreaks in order to avert mass scale food insecurity and potential political destabilization, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 7703. An act to authorize appropriations for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, enhance the United States-Caribbean security partnership, prioritize disaster resilience, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 7954. An act to reauthorize the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act of 1998; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 7990. An act to prioritize efforts of the Department of State to combat international trafficking in covered synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 8259. An act to prohibit Russian participation in the G7, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 8294. An act to amend the National Apprenticeship Act and expand the national apprenticeship system to include apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre- apprenticeship registered under such Act, to promote the furtherance of labor standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 8405. An act to direct the Department of State to ensure persons representing the United States in international athletic competitions in certain countries are appropriately informed, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 8438. An act to reauthorize the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004; to the Committee on Foreign Relations | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-11-30-pt1-PgS7110 | null | 1,719 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Executive nominations confirmed by the Senate November 30, 2020: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Mark C. Christie, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2025. Allison Clements, of Ohio, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2024. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-11-30-pt1-PgS7116 | null | 1,720 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Business Before the Senate With the work of one Congress drawing to a close and the start of a new one just around the bend, this time of year is typically as busy as it is productive. We still have a lot to do, including funding of the government. With the current continuing resolution expiring on December 11, we need to get the next and final version of the National Defense Authorization Act to the President's desk and, as I said, hopefully, agree on another coronavirus relief bill. These priorities seem to dominate the headlines but represent only a fraction of what I hope we can accomplish in the waning days of this Congress. Before the pandemic turned the work of Congress on its head, we were making serious progress on countless bills to help improve the lives of the American people, with a bipartisan focus on prescription drug pricing, for example. A poll last fall found that the No. 1 healthcare item people want Congress to address is prescription drug costs. Since 2014, prescription drug prices have surged by 33 percent--more than any other medical product or service. I am honored to sit on both the Senate Finance and Judiciary Committees, where we have been looking at these high costs and some of the behavior behind them. And, yes, some of this is caused by bad behavior. There are pharmacy benefit managers who negotiate backdoor rebates--kickbacks, basically--which drive up out-of-pocket costs for consumers. And what I find seriously concerning is that there is anticompetitive behavior by some drug manufacturers to try to manipulate higher prices and to maintain their patent, even though, under ordinary circumstances, the time for that patent would have expired, and it would have gone to generic or biosimilar competition. Some companies have figured out how to game the system to prevent those lower cost competitors from ever reaching the market. I think the most popular prescription drug in America is HUMIRA, which is, by all accounts, nearly a miracle drug. It is used to treat arthritis and a number of other conditions, and it has been available on the market for 17 years. Now, you typically think of expensive drugs like those that come to the market that are patented to preserve the investment that has been made through the research and that has produced a lifesaving drug but not one that has been around for nearly two decades. Why is it that that hasn't gone from branded drug, protected by a patent with exclusive rights to sell it, to a generic or biosimilar competition? Well, AbbVie, the company that makes HUMIRA, has demonstrated how to game the system so that no competition can ever enter the market and bring those drug prices down as a result, and they remain the sole provider of this ubiquitous drug. What they have figured out, through, I am sure, a lot of smart lawyers and others, is how to weave an intricate maze of overlapping patents, which make it nearly impossible for a competitor to come to market. To date, there are five competitors to HUMIRA available in Europe, but all are blocked from being sold here in the United States until 2023. How is that possible? Well, they have effectively found loopholes that allow them to create a monopoly. And without any action from Congress, patients will continue to pay higher prices for drugs like HUMIRA that should cost a fraction of the current sticker price. Now, to be clear, patents themselves are not the enemy. It is important that we protect the intellectual property of people who create new lifesaving or life-extending drugs, like HUMIRA. But patents and exclusivity periods are designed for a purpose; that is, to allow these drug manufacturers to recover their cost and maybe, just maybe, make a profit. The problem is not the patent. The problem is the abuse of those patents by some of the pharmaceutical companies. This, of course, is driven by a desire to increase their bottom line, which is understandable, but it is no excuse for manipulating or gaming the patent system. As a result, it is becoming more and more difficult for patients to continue to be able to afford the drugs they need. And for folks who have lost their jobs or healthcare during the pandemic, it has made many of these drugs simply unaffordable. Last year, I introduced bipartisan legislation with our colleague from Connecticut, Senator Richard Blumenthal, to take aim at these corrupt practices. Our bill is called the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act, and it streamlines the litigation process by limiting the number of patents these companies can claim, so companies are spending less time in the courtroom and, hopefully, encouraging the transition from branded, patented drugs to the lower cost generic or biosimilar competition. Our bill would allow competitors to resolve patent issues faster and bring their drugs to market sooner. And, of course, more competition means lower prices for patients. This legislation was specifically designed not to stifle innovation. It doesn't limit patent rights, and it doesn't cost taxpayers a dime. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office estimates it would actually lower Federal spending by more than half a billion dollars over 10 years--and that is just for the government reduction cost, not the cost savings to consumers or private health plans. We know there would be significant savings for consumers with private health insurance as well So what happened to this bill we introduced last year? Well, it passed unanimously in the Judiciary Committee last June. Not a single Senator on a famously contentious committee like the Judiciary Committee, where we have a lot of very talented Democrats and Republicans--not a single Senator opposed it in the Judiciary Committee because it made so much sense. With no concerns over the policies laid out in the bill, I came to the Senate floor last fall to ask unanimous consent that it be passed. But in the runup to the November 3 election, the Democratic leader blocked the legislation. He singlehandedly stopped this commonsense, bipartisan legislation from advancing to the House. To make matters worse, he didn't just do it once; he did it twice. The Democratic leader went so far as to call my attempt to pass this commonsense bill ``a manipulative charade'' and ``a little game.'' This is far from a game. It is a downright shakedown of patients who are struggling to afford the drugs they need to improve their quality of life or to survive. I continue to hear from my constituents back home in Texas who feel burdened, confused, and downright frustrated by rising out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy. Medications they have been taking for years just keep getting more and more expensive, with no explanation behind the increase. Another famous example is the cost of insulin, a drug that has been around, I don't know--the Presiding Officer would know better than I would--maybe 50 years or longer. You would think low-cost alternatives would be available, but the cost of insulin just keeps going up and up and up as manufacturers learn how to game the system to maintain the maximum price, and, in the meantime, it results in less affordability by the consumers who need it who may ration their insulin. As we heard from one witness at the Finance Committee, as the Presiding Officer will remember, a woman--I believe she was from Indiana--talked about her son continuing to live at home, putting off life-changing experiences like perhaps getting married or buying a house because he was worried about his ability to continue to pay the deductible and the copay for the insulin that was important for him to survive. As COVID-19 continues to create new stresses for the American people regarding their health, this is a bill whose time has clearly come. It is clear that the problem won't go away without action by Congress, and so I would hope that now that the election is over,the Democratic leader would stop blocking this bipartisan bill that Senator Blumenthal and I have introduced and that passed unanimously out of the Judiciary Committee. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-01-pt1-PgS7127 | null | 1,721 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge and honor MAJ Brian Leitzke for his dedicated service in the U.S. Air Force and his completion of the Air Force Legislative Defense Fellowship with my office. Major Leitzke joined my office in January of this year, where he served as my Defense Fellow. Previously, he served as an Air Force Fellow in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. As a Defense Fellow, Major Leitzke demonstrated a superior work ethic and tireless dedication to his legislative duties, making him a trusted voice and integral member of my defense team. Major Leitzke drafted or coauthored almost 40 pieces of legislation, including $45.2 billion in authorizations for the National Defense Authorization Act and the CARES Act. Additionally, he prepared for 28 hearings of the Senate Armed Services Committee and orchestratedmore than 30 engagements between Department of Defense principals, staff, and Members of Congress. Finally, he single-handedly championed the bill which granted Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe the President of the United States Medal of Honor Authority. As part of this effort, he galvanized bicameral, bipartisan support across 12 Member offices. Brian is a humble professional, relentlessly focused on accomplishing tremendous work for our nation, as demonstrated both in my office and during his time in the Air Force. Prior to his current status as a Defense Fellow, Major Leitzke was an F-15E instructor at the USAF Weapons School, embracing the task of teaching the Air Force's best tacticians. There, he served as the wing weapons officer and was selected Wing Instructor of the Year. He had a career of continuous flying until this assignment, with combat experience in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, and well over 500 instructor hours. He recently completed an Air University master's with ``Highest Academic Distinction'' and achieved a 4.0 grade point average. Major Leitzke demonstrated tactical acumen and extraordinary leadership ability in each of these challenges, including his time in the Senate. On behalf of the U.S. Senate and a grateful nation, I want to express our thanks to Major Letizke for his dedicated service to the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Senate, Arkansans, and all Americans. My office has benefited greatly from his tireless efforts and leadership. I have no doubt the U.S. Air Force will continue to reap the benefits from this truly dedicated American. As I thank Major Leitzke for his service, I also thank his wonderful family, which has remained by his side for his years of military service. Major Leitzke resides in Woodbridge, VA, with his loving wife, Amanda Leitzke, and three children, Lincoln, Faith, and Kamali. It has been a great privilege to work with Major Leitzke, and I wish him the best of luck on his next assignment. Thank you for everything Major Brian ``Bud'' Leitzke. Continue your work doing ``Good things for America.'' ``Banzai!'' | 2020-01-06 | Mr. COTTON | Senate | CREC-2020-12-01-pt1-PgS7136-4 | null | 1,722 |
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-5930. A communication from the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Sustainment), transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to an inventory summary of certain required activities performed during the preceding fiscal year pursuant to staff augmentation contracts for services for on behalf of the Department; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-5931. A communication from the Chairman and President of the Export-Import Bank, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to transactions involving U.S. exports to Panama; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-5932. A communication from the Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Use of Derivatives by Registered Investment Companies and Business Development Companies'' (RIN3235-AL60) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-5933. A communication from the Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Facilitating Capital Formation and Expanding Investment Opportunities by Improving Access to Capital in Private Markets'' (RIN3235-AM27) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-5934. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``General Provisions; Electric Bicycles'' (RIN1024-AE61) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. EC-5935. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Jurisdiction in Alaska'' (RIN1024-AE63) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. EC-5936. A communication from the Administrator and Chief Executive Officer, Bonneville Power Administration, Department of Energy, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Administration's Annual Report for fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. EC-5937. A communication from the Director, Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the report on other U.S. contributions to the United Nations and its affiliated agencies during fiscal year 2018; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-5938. 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 ``Revenue Procedure: Gaming Industry Tip Compliance Agreement Program'' (Rev. Proc. 2020-47) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5939. 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 ``Additional First Year Depreciation Deduction'' ((RIN1545-BP32) (TD 9916)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5940. A communication from the Director of the Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Gain or Loss of Foreign Persons from Sale or Exchange of Certain Partnership Interests'' ((RIN1545-BO86) (TD 9919)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5941. 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 Part B Monthly Actuarial Rates, Premium Rates, and Annual Deductible Beginning January 1, 2021 (CMS-8076-N)'' (RIN0938-AU16) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 18, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5942. 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 ``TD: Updated Life Expectancy and Distribution Period Tables Used for Purposes of Determining Minimum Required Distributions'' ((RIN1545-BP11) (TD 9930)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5943. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ``Innovative State Initiatives and Strategies for Providing Housing- Related Services and Supports under a State Medicaid Program to Individuals with Substance Use Disorders Who Are Experiencing or at Risk of Experiencing Homelessness''; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5944. 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 ``Transparency in Coverage'' (RIN0938-AU04) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 5, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5945. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ``National Health Service Corps Report to Congress for the Year 2019''; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5946. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ``Twelfth Annual Report on Delays in Approvals of Applications Related to Citizen Petitions and Petitions for Stay of Agency Action for Fiscal Year 2019''; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5947. A communication from the Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Administration's Semiannual Report of the Inspector General and the Semiannual Management Report on the Status of Audits for the period from April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5948. A communication from the Archivist of the United States, National Archives and Records Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Administration's Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5949. A communication from the Secretary of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department of Labor's Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2020 and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the Report; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5950. A communication from the Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department's Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2020 and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the Report; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5951. A communication from the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Commission's Semiannual Report of the Inspector General for the period from April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020 and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the report; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5952. 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: FAR Case 2019-019, Update to Excess Personal Property Procedures'' (RIN9000-AO02) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5953. 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: FAR Case 2018-021, Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military Recruiting on Campus'' (RIN9000-AN79) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5954. 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: FAR Case 2020-006, Documentation of Market Research'' (RIN9000-AO09) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5955. 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: FAR Case 2018-023, Taxes- Foreign Contacts in Afghanistan (RIN9000-AN81) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5956. A joint communication from the Chairman and the General Counsel, National Labor Relations Board, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Office of Inspector General Semiannual Report for the period of April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5957. A communication from the Agency Representative, Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Trademark Fee Adjustment'' (RIN0651-AD42) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-5958. A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Reimbursement of Qualifying Adoption Expenses for Certain Veterans'' (RIN2900-AQ01) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. EC-5959. A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Extension of Veterans' Group Life Insurance Application Period in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency'' (RIN2900-AQ98) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. EC-5960. A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Disclosure of Certain Protected Records Without Written Consent'' (RIN2900-AQ64) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. EC-5961. A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Authority of VA Professionals to Practice Health Care'' (RIN2900-AQ94) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. EC-5962. A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Administrative Procedures; Guidance Documents'' (RIN2900-AQ92) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. EC-5963. A communication from the Associate Bureau Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Restoring Internet Freedom, Bridging the Digital Divide for Low-Income Consumers, Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization'' ((FCC 20-151) (WC Docket No. 20- 151)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5964. A communication from the Acting Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Unlicensed White Space Device Operations in the Television Bands'' ((FCC 20-156) (ET Docket No. 20-36)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5965. A communication from the Deputy Bureau Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Modernizing Unbundling and Resale Requirements in an Era of Next-Generation Networks and Services'' ((RIN3060-AL02) (WC Docket No. 19-308)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5966. A communication from the Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; J5D Optic Line Replacement, Detroit River, Detroit, Michigan'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0610)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5967. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Breton Sound, New Orleans, Louisiana'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0684)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5968. A communication from the Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; East River, New York, New York'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0600)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5969. A communication from the Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Breton Sound, New Orleans, Louisiana'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0684)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5970. A communication from the Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, Mile Marker 721-725, Memphis, Tennessee'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0564)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5971. A communication from the Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Special Local Regulation; Boat Parade; San Diego, California'' ((RIN1625-AA08) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0656)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5972. A communication from the Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Fleet Week Demonstration Area, San Diego Bay, San Diego, California'' ((RIN1625-AA08) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0655)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5973. A communication from the Program Analyst, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles'' (RIN2127-AM26) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5974. A communication from the Assistant Chief Counsel for General Law, Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Metrics and Minimum Standards for Intercity Passenger Rail Service'' (RIN2130-AC85) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5975. A communication from the Program Analyst, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Anthropomorphic Test Devices; Q3s 3-Year- Old Child Side Impact Test Dummy; Incorporation by Reference'' (RIN2127-AL04) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-01-pt1-PgS7137 | null | 1,723 |
formal | Detroit | null | racist | The following communications were laid before the Senate, together with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as indicated: EC-5930. A communication from the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Sustainment), transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to an inventory summary of certain required activities performed during the preceding fiscal year pursuant to staff augmentation contracts for services for on behalf of the Department; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-5931. A communication from the Chairman and President of the Export-Import Bank, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to transactions involving U.S. exports to Panama; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-5932. A communication from the Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Use of Derivatives by Registered Investment Companies and Business Development Companies'' (RIN3235-AL60) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-5933. A communication from the Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Facilitating Capital Formation and Expanding Investment Opportunities by Improving Access to Capital in Private Markets'' (RIN3235-AM27) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-5934. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``General Provisions; Electric Bicycles'' (RIN1024-AE61) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. EC-5935. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Jurisdiction in Alaska'' (RIN1024-AE63) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. EC-5936. A communication from the Administrator and Chief Executive Officer, Bonneville Power Administration, Department of Energy, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Administration's Annual Report for fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. EC-5937. A communication from the Director, Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the report on other U.S. contributions to the United Nations and its affiliated agencies during fiscal year 2018; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-5938. 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 ``Revenue Procedure: Gaming Industry Tip Compliance Agreement Program'' (Rev. Proc. 2020-47) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5939. 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 ``Additional First Year Depreciation Deduction'' ((RIN1545-BP32) (TD 9916)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5940. A communication from the Director of the Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Gain or Loss of Foreign Persons from Sale or Exchange of Certain Partnership Interests'' ((RIN1545-BO86) (TD 9919)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5941. 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 Part B Monthly Actuarial Rates, Premium Rates, and Annual Deductible Beginning January 1, 2021 (CMS-8076-N)'' (RIN0938-AU16) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 18, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5942. 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 ``TD: Updated Life Expectancy and Distribution Period Tables Used for Purposes of Determining Minimum Required Distributions'' ((RIN1545-BP11) (TD 9930)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5943. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ``Innovative State Initiatives and Strategies for Providing Housing- Related Services and Supports under a State Medicaid Program to Individuals with Substance Use Disorders Who Are Experiencing or at Risk of Experiencing Homelessness''; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5944. 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 ``Transparency in Coverage'' (RIN0938-AU04) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 5, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5945. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ``National Health Service Corps Report to Congress for the Year 2019''; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5946. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ``Twelfth Annual Report on Delays in Approvals of Applications Related to Citizen Petitions and Petitions for Stay of Agency Action for Fiscal Year 2019''; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5947. A communication from the Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Administration's Semiannual Report of the Inspector General and the Semiannual Management Report on the Status of Audits for the period from April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5948. A communication from the Archivist of the United States, National Archives and Records Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Administration's Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5949. A communication from the Secretary of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department of Labor's Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2020 and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the Report; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5950. A communication from the Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department's Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2020 and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the Report; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5951. A communication from the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Commission's Semiannual Report of the Inspector General for the period from April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020 and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the report; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5952. 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: FAR Case 2019-019, Update to Excess Personal Property Procedures'' (RIN9000-AO02) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5953. 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: FAR Case 2018-021, Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military Recruiting on Campus'' (RIN9000-AN79) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5954. 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: FAR Case 2020-006, Documentation of Market Research'' (RIN9000-AO09) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5955. 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: FAR Case 2018-023, Taxes- Foreign Contacts in Afghanistan (RIN9000-AN81) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5956. A joint communication from the Chairman and the General Counsel, National Labor Relations Board, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Office of Inspector General Semiannual Report for the period of April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5957. A communication from the Agency Representative, Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Trademark Fee Adjustment'' (RIN0651-AD42) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-5958. A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Reimbursement of Qualifying Adoption Expenses for Certain Veterans'' (RIN2900-AQ01) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. EC-5959. A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Extension of Veterans' Group Life Insurance Application Period in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency'' (RIN2900-AQ98) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. EC-5960. A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Disclosure of Certain Protected Records Without Written Consent'' (RIN2900-AQ64) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. EC-5961. A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Authority of VA Professionals to Practice Health Care'' (RIN2900-AQ94) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. EC-5962. A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Administrative Procedures; Guidance Documents'' (RIN2900-AQ92) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. EC-5963. A communication from the Associate Bureau Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Restoring Internet Freedom, Bridging the Digital Divide for Low-Income Consumers, Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization'' ((FCC 20-151) (WC Docket No. 20- 151)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5964. A communication from the Acting Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Unlicensed White Space Device Operations in the Television Bands'' ((FCC 20-156) (ET Docket No. 20-36)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5965. A communication from the Deputy Bureau Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Modernizing Unbundling and Resale Requirements in an Era of Next-Generation Networks and Services'' ((RIN3060-AL02) (WC Docket No. 19-308)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5966. A communication from the Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; J5D Optic Line Replacement, Detroit River, Detroit, Michigan'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0610)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5967. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Breton Sound, New Orleans, Louisiana'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0684)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5968. A communication from the Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; East River, New York, New York'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0600)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5969. A communication from the Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Breton Sound, New Orleans, Louisiana'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0684)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5970. A communication from the Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, Mile Marker 721-725, Memphis, Tennessee'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0564)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5971. A communication from the Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Special Local Regulation; Boat Parade; San Diego, California'' ((RIN1625-AA08) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0656)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5972. A communication from the Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Fleet Week Demonstration Area, San Diego Bay, San Diego, California'' ((RIN1625-AA08) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0655)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5973. A communication from the Program Analyst, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles'' (RIN2127-AM26) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5974. A communication from the Assistant Chief Counsel for General Law, Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Metrics and Minimum Standards for Intercity Passenger Rail Service'' (RIN2130-AC85) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5975. A communication from the Program Analyst, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Anthropomorphic Test Devices; Q3s 3-Year- Old Child Side Impact Test Dummy; Incorporation by Reference'' (RIN2127-AL04) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-01-pt1-PgS7137 | null | 1,724 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Mr. BOOKER (for himself and Mr. Sullivan) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations: S. Res. 781 Whereas, as of the end of 2019, an estimated 38,000,000 people were living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), including 1,800,000 children; Whereas, in the United States, more than 770,000 people with HIV/AIDS have died since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, including nearly 16,000 deaths among people with diagnosed HIV in 2018, with the disease disproportionately affecting certain populations; Whereas each year nearly 40,000 people become newly diagnosed with HIV in the United States; Whereas communities of color are disproportionately affected by the spread of HIV in the United States; Whereas, in order to address the HIV epidemic in the United States, on August 18, 1990, Congress enacted the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-381; commonly referred to as the ``Ryan White CARE Act'') to provide primary medical care and essential support services for people living with HIV who would benefit from these services; Whereas the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides services and support for over half of all people diagnosed with HIV in the United States; Whereas, to further focus attention on the HIV/AIDS epidemic among minority communities in the United States, in 1998, the Minority AIDS Initiative was established to provide funds to State and local institutions and organizations to best serve the health care costs and support the needs of racial and ethnic minorities living with HIV; Whereas the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals established a global target to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030; Whereas, in order to further address the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, in 2003, Congress and the White House created the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR); Whereas the PEPFAR program remains the largest commitment in history by any country to combat a single disease; Whereas, as of 2019, PEPFAR has supported treatment for approximately 15,700,000 people, including by providing antiretroviral drugs to 2,600,000 pregnant women living with HIV to prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to child during birth; Whereas, in fiscal year 2019, PEPFAR directly supported HIV testing and counseling for nearly 79,600,000 people; Whereas the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, launched in 2002, has helped provide antiretroviral therapy to approximately 20,100,000 people living with HIV/ AIDS and to 718,000 pregnant women to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS to their children, saving an estimated 38,000,000 lives, as of 2019; Whereas the United States is the largest donor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and every $1 contributed by the United States leverages an additional $2 from other donors, as required by law; Whereas considerable progress has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, including a 23-percent reduction in new HIV infections, over a 40-percent reduction in new HIV infections among children, and over a 30-percent reduction in the number of AIDS-related deaths between 2010 and 2019; Whereas approximately 25,400,000 people had access to antiretroviral therapy in 2019, compared to only 7,800,000 people who had access to such therapy in 2010; Whereas research funded by the National Institutes of Health found that HIV treatment not only saves the lives of people living with HIV, but people living with HIV on effective antiretroviral therapy and who are durably virally suppressed cannot sexually transmit HIV, proving that HIV treatment is prevention; Whereas it is estimated that, without treatment, half of all infants living with HIV will die before their second birthday; Whereas, despite the remarkable progress in combating HIV, significant challenges remain; Whereas there were approximately 1,700,000 new HIV infections in 2019 globally, structural barriers continue to make testing and treatment programs inaccessible to highly vulnerable populations, and an estimated 7,100,000 people living with HIV globally still do not know their HIV status; Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 37,000 people were diagnosed with HIV in the United States in 2018 and 14 percent of the 1,200,000 in the United States living with HIV are not aware of their HIV status; Whereas men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly young MSM of color, are the population most affected by HIV in the United States; Whereas southern areas of the United States bear the greatest burden of HIV, accounting for 51 percent of new infections in 2018; Whereas people living with HIV are frequently susceptible to comorbidities, such as hepatitis B and C and tuberculosis; Whereas the opioid and heroin epidemics have led to increased numbers of new HIV infections among people who inject drugs; Whereas the crisis has disproportionately affected nonurban areas, where HIV prevalence rates have been low historically and have limited services for HIV prevention and treatment and substance use disorder treatment; Whereas, in 2020, the United States hosted the Conference of the International AIDS Society, reinforcing the important leadership role the United States plays in ending AIDS globally; Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant burden on the public health systems across the United States and the globe; Whereas December 1 of each year is internationally recognized as ``World AIDS Day' ''; and Whereas, in 2020, commemorations for World AIDS Day recognize the need for ``Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility'': Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) encourages people around the world to work to achieve the goal of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths, in order to end the HIV epidemic in the United States and around the world by 2030; (2) commends the efforts and achievements in combating HIV/ AIDS through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-87), the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Office of Minority Health, and the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (3) commends the efforts and achievements in combating HIV/ AIDS made by PEPFAR, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS; (4) supports continued funding for prevention, care, and treatment services, and research programs for communities impacted by HIV and people living with HIV in the United States and globally; (5) urges, in order to ensure that an AIDS-free generation is achievable, rapid action by all countries toward further expansion and scale-up of antiretroviral treatment programs, including efforts to reduce disparities and improve access for children to life-saving medications; (6) encourages the scaling up of comprehensive prevention services, including biomedical and structural interventions, to ensure inclusive access to programs and appropriate protections for all people at risk of contracting HIV, especially in communities disproportionately impacted; (7) calls for greater focus on the HIV-related vulnerabilities of women and girls, including women and girls at risk for or who have survived violence or faced discrimination as a result of the disease; (8) supports continued leadership by the United States in domestic, bilateral, multilateral, and private sector efforts to fight HIV; (9) encourages input from civil society in the development and implementation of domestic and global HIV policies and programs that guide the response; (10) encourages and supports greater degrees of ownership and shared responsibility by developing countries in order to ensure the sustainability of the domestic responses to HIV/ AIDS by those countries; and (11) urges other members of the international community to sustain and scale up their support for and financial contributions to efforts around the world to combat HIV. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-01-pt1-PgS7140-2 | null | 1,725 |
formal | urban | null | racist | Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I have 2 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: committee on banking, housing, and urban affairs The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing. select committee on intelligence The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a closed briefing. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-12-01-pt1-PgS7141 | null | 1,726 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick J. Conroy, offered the following prayer: Loving and gracious God, we give You thanks for giving us another day. Help us this day to draw closer to You, so that with Your spirit and aware of Your presence among us, we may all face the tasks of this day. Bless the Members of the people's House. Help them to think clearly, speak confidently, and act courageously in the belief that all noble service is based upon patience, truth, and love. You know well the pressing issues facing our Nation, most particularly the COVID pandemic. Local and State resources have been overwhelmed throughout. Grant our national leaders, especially, the wisdom and magnanimity to do what is best, and may we all join in a common will for the benefit of all constituencies, even though this will take some sacrifice. May all that is done be for Your greater honor and glory. Amen. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgH6027-2 | null | 1,727 |
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-2020-12-02-pt1-PgH6028-6 | null | 1,728 |
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. 7995) to amend title 31, United States Code, to save Federal funds by authorizing changes to the composition of circulating coins, and for other purposes, as amended, on which the yeas and nays were ordered. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgH6039-3 | null | 1,729 |
formal | Federal Reserve | null | antisemitic | Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive communications were taken from the Speaker's table and referred as follows: EC-5689. A letter from the Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense, transmitting a letter on the approved retirement of General Stephen W. Wilson, United States Air Force, and his advancement to the grade of general 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. EC-5690. A letter from the Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense, transmitting a letter authorizing Brigadier General Sean C. Bernabe, United States Army, to wear the insignia of the grade of major 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. EC-5691. A letter from the Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, transmitting the Board's thirtieth annual report to the Congress on the Profitability of Credit Card Operations of Depository Institutions, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1637 note; Public Law 100-583, Sec. 8; (102 Stat. 2969); to the Committee on Financial Services. EC-5692. A letter from the President and Chairman, Export- Import Bank of the United States, transmitting a statement with respect to a transaction involving exports to Panama, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 635(b)(3); July 31, 1945, ch. 341, Sec. 2 (as added by Public Law 102-266, Sec. 102); (106 Stat. 95); to the Committee on Financial Services. EC-5693. A letter from the Chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, transmitting the 2019 Annual Report of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78ggg; to the Committee on Financial Services. EC-5694. A letter from the Director, Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President, transmitting the Seven-Day-After report for the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 (Division A of Public Law 116-159, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act), pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 901(a)(7)(B); Public Law 99-177, Sec. 251(a)(7)(B) (as amended by Public Law 114-113, Sec. 1003); (129 Stat. 3035); to the Committee on the Budget. EC-5695. A letter from the Program Analyst, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Anthropomorphic Test Devices; Q3s 3-Year-Old Child Side Impact Test Dummy; Incorporation by Reference [Docket No.: NHTSA-2020-0088] (RIN: 2127-AL04) received November 12, 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. EC-5696. A letter from the Program Analyst, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's interim final rule -- Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles [Docket No.: NHTSA-2020-0086] (RIN: 2127-AM26) received November 12, 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. EC-5697. A letter from the Deputy Branch Chief, Pricing Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule -- 8YY Access Charge Reform [WC Docket No.: 18- 156] received November 4, 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. EC-5698. A letter from the Associate Bureau Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule -- Call Authentication Trust Anchor [WC Docket No.: 17-97] received November 4, 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. EC-5699. A letter from the General Counsel, National Labor Relations Board, transmitting the Semiannual Report of the Office of the Inspector General, pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended by the Inspector General Act Amendments of 1988; to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5700. A letter from the Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board, transmitting the Board's annual submission regarding agency compliance with the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act and revised Office of Management and Budget Circular A-123; to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5701. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the Tripoli Flight Information Region (FIR) (HLLL) [Docket No.: FAA-2011-0246; Amdt. No.: 91-321E] (RIN: 2120- AL47) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5702. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments [Docket No.: 31322; Amdt. No.: 3914] received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5703. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments [Docket No.: 31321; Amdt. No.: 3913] received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5704. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace, Revocation of Class E Airspace, and Establishment of Class E Airspace; Multiple Ohio Towns [Docket No.: FAA- 2020-0396; Airspace Docket No.: 20-AGL-21] (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5705. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Mountain Home, ID [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0282; Airspace Docket No.: 19-ANM-31] (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5706. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Amendment of Class E Airspace; Kotzebue, AK [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0350; Airspace Docket No.: 18-AAL-2] (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5707. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Amendment of Class E Airspace; McGrath, AK [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0351; Airspace Docket No.: 18-AAL-3] (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5708. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Daher Aircraft Design, LLC (Type Certificate Previously Held by Quest Aircraft Design, LLC), Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2018- 0180; Project Identifier 2017-CE-043-AD; Amendment 39-21146; AD 2020-13-01] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5709. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Rolls- Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate Formerly Held by Rolls-Royce plc) Turbofan Engines [Docket No.: FAA-2020- 0617; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00391-E; Amendment 39- 21170; AD 2020-15-07] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5710. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Austro Engine GmbH Engines [Docket No.: FAA-2019-1113; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00117-E; Amendment 39-21161; AD 2020-14- 07] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5711. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0578; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00889-T; Amendment 39-21162; AD 2020-14-08] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5712. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0334; Product Identifier 2020-NM-014-AD; Amendment 39-21165; AD 2020-15-02] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5713. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0577; Product Identifier 2020-NM-041-AD; Amendment 39-21159; AD 2020-14-05] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5714. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A (Type Certificate Previously Held by Augusta S.p.A) Helicopters [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0204; Product Identifier 2018-SW-082-AD; Amendment 39-21179; AD 2020-15-16] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5715. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0097; Product Identifier 2019-NM-208-AD; Amendment 39-21157; AD 2020-14-03] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5716. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; PZL Swidnik S.A. Helicopters [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0705; Product Identifier 2017-SW-105-AD; Amendment 39-21187; AD 2020-16-03] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5717. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters [Docket No.: FAA- 2017-1123; Product Identifier 2017-SW-013-AD; Amendment 39- 21176; AD 2020-15-13] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5718. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. Turboprop Engines [Docket No.: FAA- 2019-1021; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00120-E; Amendment 39-21166; AD 2020-15-03] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5719. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. Turboprop Engines (Type Certificate Previously Held by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.) [Docket No.: FAA-2017-0967; Project Identifier 2017-NE-35-AD; Amendment 39-21167; AD 2020-15-04] (RIN: 2120- AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5720. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; PZL Swidnik S.A. Helicopters [Docket No.: FAA-2018-0753; Product Identifier 2018-SW-033-AD; Amendment 39-21169; AD 2020-15-06] (RIN: 2120-AA64] received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5721. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Rolls- Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate Previously Held by Rolls-Royce plc) Turbofan Engines [Docket No.: FAA- 2020-0424; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00130-E; Amendment 39-21171; AD 2020-15-08] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5722. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Rolls- Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate Previously Held by Rolls-Royce plc) Turbofan Engines [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0009; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00111-E; Amendment 39-21175; AD 2020-15- 12] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5723. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0214; Product Identifier 2018-SW-039-AD; Amendment 39-21178; AD 2020-15-15] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5724. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0337; Product Identifier 2020-NM-044-AD; Amendment 39-21172; AD 2020-15-09] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5725. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; PZL Swidnik S.A. Helicopters [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0675; Product Identifier 2018-SW-027-AD; Amendment 39-21174; AD 2020-15-11] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5726. A letter from the Attorney, Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Texas Central Railroad High- Speed Rail Safety Standards [Docket No.: FRA-2019-0068, Notice 5] (RIN: 2130-AC84) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5727. A letter from the Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice, transmitting the Attorney General's Forth Quarterly Report of FY 2020 on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 4332(b)(2); Public Law 103-353, Sec. 2(a) (as added by Public Law 110-389, Sec. 312(c)); (122 Stat. 4165); jointly to the Committees on the Judiciary and Veterans' Affairs. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgH6043-5 | null | 1,730 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive communications were taken from the Speaker's table and referred as follows: EC-5689. A letter from the Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense, transmitting a letter on the approved retirement of General Stephen W. Wilson, United States Air Force, and his advancement to the grade of general 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. EC-5690. A letter from the Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense, transmitting a letter authorizing Brigadier General Sean C. Bernabe, United States Army, to wear the insignia of the grade of major 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. EC-5691. A letter from the Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, transmitting the Board's thirtieth annual report to the Congress on the Profitability of Credit Card Operations of Depository Institutions, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1637 note; Public Law 100-583, Sec. 8; (102 Stat. 2969); to the Committee on Financial Services. EC-5692. A letter from the President and Chairman, Export- Import Bank of the United States, transmitting a statement with respect to a transaction involving exports to Panama, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 635(b)(3); July 31, 1945, ch. 341, Sec. 2 (as added by Public Law 102-266, Sec. 102); (106 Stat. 95); to the Committee on Financial Services. EC-5693. A letter from the Chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, transmitting the 2019 Annual Report of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78ggg; to the Committee on Financial Services. EC-5694. A letter from the Director, Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President, transmitting the Seven-Day-After report for the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 (Division A of Public Law 116-159, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act), pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 901(a)(7)(B); Public Law 99-177, Sec. 251(a)(7)(B) (as amended by Public Law 114-113, Sec. 1003); (129 Stat. 3035); to the Committee on the Budget. EC-5695. A letter from the Program Analyst, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Anthropomorphic Test Devices; Q3s 3-Year-Old Child Side Impact Test Dummy; Incorporation by Reference [Docket No.: NHTSA-2020-0088] (RIN: 2127-AL04) received November 12, 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. EC-5696. A letter from the Program Analyst, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's interim final rule -- Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles [Docket No.: NHTSA-2020-0086] (RIN: 2127-AM26) received November 12, 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. EC-5697. A letter from the Deputy Branch Chief, Pricing Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule -- 8YY Access Charge Reform [WC Docket No.: 18- 156] received November 4, 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. EC-5698. A letter from the Associate Bureau Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule -- Call Authentication Trust Anchor [WC Docket No.: 17-97] received November 4, 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. EC-5699. A letter from the General Counsel, National Labor Relations Board, transmitting the Semiannual Report of the Office of the Inspector General, pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended by the Inspector General Act Amendments of 1988; to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5700. A letter from the Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board, transmitting the Board's annual submission regarding agency compliance with the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act and revised Office of Management and Budget Circular A-123; to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5701. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the Tripoli Flight Information Region (FIR) (HLLL) [Docket No.: FAA-2011-0246; Amdt. No.: 91-321E] (RIN: 2120- AL47) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5702. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments [Docket No.: 31322; Amdt. No.: 3914] received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5703. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments [Docket No.: 31321; Amdt. No.: 3913] received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5704. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace, Revocation of Class E Airspace, and Establishment of Class E Airspace; Multiple Ohio Towns [Docket No.: FAA- 2020-0396; Airspace Docket No.: 20-AGL-21] (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5705. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Mountain Home, ID [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0282; Airspace Docket No.: 19-ANM-31] (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5706. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Amendment of Class E Airspace; Kotzebue, AK [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0350; Airspace Docket No.: 18-AAL-2] (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5707. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Amendment of Class E Airspace; McGrath, AK [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0351; Airspace Docket No.: 18-AAL-3] (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5708. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Daher Aircraft Design, LLC (Type Certificate Previously Held by Quest Aircraft Design, LLC), Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2018- 0180; Project Identifier 2017-CE-043-AD; Amendment 39-21146; AD 2020-13-01] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5709. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Rolls- Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate Formerly Held by Rolls-Royce plc) Turbofan Engines [Docket No.: FAA-2020- 0617; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00391-E; Amendment 39- 21170; AD 2020-15-07] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5710. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Austro Engine GmbH Engines [Docket No.: FAA-2019-1113; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00117-E; Amendment 39-21161; AD 2020-14- 07] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5711. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0578; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00889-T; Amendment 39-21162; AD 2020-14-08] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5712. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0334; Product Identifier 2020-NM-014-AD; Amendment 39-21165; AD 2020-15-02] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5713. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0577; Product Identifier 2020-NM-041-AD; Amendment 39-21159; AD 2020-14-05] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5714. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A (Type Certificate Previously Held by Augusta S.p.A) Helicopters [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0204; Product Identifier 2018-SW-082-AD; Amendment 39-21179; AD 2020-15-16] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5715. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0097; Product Identifier 2019-NM-208-AD; Amendment 39-21157; AD 2020-14-03] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5716. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; PZL Swidnik S.A. Helicopters [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0705; Product Identifier 2017-SW-105-AD; Amendment 39-21187; AD 2020-16-03] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5717. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters [Docket No.: FAA- 2017-1123; Product Identifier 2017-SW-013-AD; Amendment 39- 21176; AD 2020-15-13] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5718. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. Turboprop Engines [Docket No.: FAA- 2019-1021; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00120-E; Amendment 39-21166; AD 2020-15-03] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5719. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. Turboprop Engines (Type Certificate Previously Held by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.) [Docket No.: FAA-2017-0967; Project Identifier 2017-NE-35-AD; Amendment 39-21167; AD 2020-15-04] (RIN: 2120- AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5720. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; PZL Swidnik S.A. Helicopters [Docket No.: FAA-2018-0753; Product Identifier 2018-SW-033-AD; Amendment 39-21169; AD 2020-15-06] (RIN: 2120-AA64] received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5721. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Rolls- Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate Previously Held by Rolls-Royce plc) Turbofan Engines [Docket No.: FAA- 2020-0424; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00130-E; Amendment 39-21171; AD 2020-15-08] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5722. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Rolls- Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate Previously Held by Rolls-Royce plc) Turbofan Engines [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0009; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00111-E; Amendment 39-21175; AD 2020-15- 12] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5723. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0214; Product Identifier 2018-SW-039-AD; Amendment 39-21178; AD 2020-15-15] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5724. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0337; Product Identifier 2020-NM-044-AD; Amendment 39-21172; AD 2020-15-09] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5725. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; PZL Swidnik S.A. Helicopters [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0675; Product Identifier 2018-SW-027-AD; Amendment 39-21174; AD 2020-15-11] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5726. A letter from the Attorney, Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Texas Central Railroad High- Speed Rail Safety Standards [Docket No.: FRA-2019-0068, Notice 5] (RIN: 2130-AC84) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5727. A letter from the Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice, transmitting the Attorney General's Forth Quarterly Report of FY 2020 on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 4332(b)(2); Public Law 103-353, Sec. 2(a) (as added by Public Law 110-389, Sec. 312(c)); (122 Stat. 4165); jointly to the Committees on the Judiciary and Veterans' Affairs. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgH6043-5 | null | 1,731 |
formal | urban | null | racist | Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I want to tell my colleagues about a disappointment I have in some U.S. Department of Agriculture recent revisions of a proposed rule. Here is the background: I have long fought to strengthen the safety net so that Iowa family farmers and other farmers are protected from natural disasters or other unforeseen events that they have no control over, like flooding or wind storms. Family farmers work hard to make sure that Americans have food on the table. These same family farmers operate on very thin margins. These farmers ought to qualify for help during tough times since losing these operations would risk our Nation's food supply. However, taxpayers and nonfarm State lawmakers may stop supporting a Federal farm safety net if spending programs aren't held accountable or left unchecked. Losing urban support for this farm safety net is why I am deeply concerned about the USDA's recent proposal to roll back rules that put teeth in the definition of a legal term called ``actively engaged in farming.'' Long-lost relatives, by changing these rules, who have probably never lifted a finger on the farm should not get away with collecting farm payments. Farm payments should only go to operators that--and I have a definition that is a little facetious but somewhat realistic--unless they have dirt under their fingernails. A few weeks ago, I recently complimented Secretary Perdue on what I thought were very strong rules that were being proposed at that time. Now the USDA's decision to backtrack on their rules means more megafarmers will take advantage of this loophole and people who aren't actively engaged in farming will benefit from farm payments. I am disappointed with this turnaround. Once again, Congress must do what it can to oppose these loopholes so that we have only family farmers benefiting from the farm program. I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. GRASSLEY | Senate | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgS7143-4 | null | 1,732 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. McCONNELL. Now, Mr. President, on a completely different matter, the Senate revolves around people. The body consists of 100 individuals. One of our key duties concerns the personnel whom we examine and confirm, and there are all these dedicated staff professionals who make this place go. Today, it is both my great honor and regrettable task to honor someone who secured all three parts of that senatorial triple crown: the senior Senator from Tennessee, the chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Lamar Alexander. Lamar first set foot here as a talented young staffer. Decades later, he appeared before us as a supersuccessful former Governor and university president with a nomination to the Cabinet. And for the past 18 years, the other 99 of us have gotten to serve alongside one of the most impactful Senators in modern American history. I have known Lamar for more than 50 years. We first met in 1969, when I was working for a freshman Senator named Marlow Cook and he worked down in the executive branch. We met at the suggestion of his previous boss and mentor, Senator Howard Baker. Either he suspected our paths might cross again later or he just saw two serious young guys in need of some livelier social lives. Now, this may shock the Presiding Officer, but I am afraid young Lamar Alexander and young Mitch McConnell did not exactly go crazy and paint the town red. But I will take a five-decade friendship any day. Both of us headed back home to continue our careers. It was already clear that a bright future in elected office likely lay in store for him. Lamar's reverence for public service started early. I believe he was about 10 years old when his father, himself a longtime local official, took him to meet his hometown Congressman, Howard Baker, Sr. The father of his future boss shook the boy's hand and handed him a dime. I think Lamar was hooked, then and there. Decades later, when Lamar announced his 1996 Presidential run, he was in his hometown of Maryville. His speech began with a story about his mother. She had read where he had lovingly described his upbringing as lower middle class, and she had taken umbrage to that. After all, Lamar had a library card and music lessons. In her words, ``everything you needed that was important.'' And I would certainly add loving parents to that list. This son of two educators grew up steeped in the importance of schooling. He would later reference his mother's work in early childhood education by saying he is probably the only Secretary of Education in history--in history--who spent 5 years in kindergarten. That passion would remain throughout Lamar's career. His cutting-edge focus on improving opportunities and reforming education benefited Tennessee hugely in the 1980s, and our whole Nation during his time in President Bush 41's Cabinet. But that isn't the only way Lamar has honored his roots. You couldn't walk across the entire State of Tennessee in a plaid shirt, get elected Governor before the age of 40, and serve more combined years as Governor and Senator than anyone else in the history of the Volunteer State without becoming entirely intertwined with the place. Every corner of the State is better for his service. His groundbreaking work to bring home good-paying auto jobs has paid dividends, so has his major focus on infrastructure and better roads. But alas, even building a statewide and then national reputation does not always, always, translate into honest-to-goodness celebrity status. I understand that following Lamar's Governorship, a stretch of highway in Maryville was fittingly named the Lamar Alexander Parkway to honor him. I further understand that sometime later, Lamar was driving on that very road and stopped for breakfast. When it was time to pay for his food, he handed over his credit card. The woman on the other side of the counter glanced at the name on the card, and then back at Lamar. ``Hey,'' she said, ``were you named after this road?'' Now, as a man of faith, I am certain Lamar knows Luke, chapter 4: ``No prophet is accepted in his hometown.'' Apparently, neither are statesmen to be recognized on their own highway. Here in the Senate, too, Lamar's impact has been massive, and the convictions that fueled it have been straightforward. He starts with a very firm framework: the right-of-center principles that Ronald Reagan used to rebuild a confident, prosperous America and beat communism. The Federal Government isn't meant to take over our States, neighborhoods, or our lives. But Lamar's career has also confirmed that conservative governance is not a contradiction in terms. There are genuine public goods it is the government's job to secure: public roads, public lands, public education, certain aspects of public health. He has dedicated himself to making those things better and stronger, especially for those who need opportunity the most. This vision aligns with the greatest traditions of the Republican Party and indeed of American history--government that is limited but effective and smart; a system where power stays close to the people and working families can thrive and prosper. These principles made our colleague a nationally known leader long before he was sworn in as a Senator. But I would say they have reached full flourishing with Chairman Alexander's astonishingly effective leadership right here in this body. Students, families, and teachers benefit every day from the Every Student Succeeds Act, Chairman Alexander's historic, bipartisan makeover following No Child Left Behind. One report called it ``the largest devolution of federal control to the states in a quarter century.'' Millions of medically vulnerable Americans also have their champion in our friend from Tennessee. The overwhelmingly bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act was the single most important law of the entire 114th Congress. It is paving the way for more innovation and faster innovation to benefit patients who have no time to waste--another Lamar Alexander production. His leadership was instrumental in the landmark legislation we passed 2 years ago to combat the opioid epidemic. Just this year, he was the driving force behind the Great American Outdoors Act, the Senate's historic project to secure our parks and public lands for generations to come. The list doesn't end there. There have been other education wins, like permanent funding for historically Black colleges and universities and simplifying the student loan process. There have been laws like the Music Modernization Act, which Lamar hammered out with our former colleague, Senator Hatch--a legislative duet from two musical virtuosos in their own rights. Senator Alexander knows about 50 different issues as well as most Senators know 3 or 4. He is hands down one of the most brilliant, most thoughtful, and most effective legislators any of us have ever seen. He likes to say this about the Senate: ``It's hard to get here; it's hard to stay here; so while you're here, you might as well try to accomplish something.'' Well, mission accomplished--and then some. If you reviewed Senator Alexander's resume and results without knowing the man, you might suspect he arrived as an established hotshot and threw his weight around. But even as Lamar has mastered the levers of power here, his character has never been captured by Washington. Lamar has remained clear that he has just been on loan from Tennessee the whole time. So we have had more than just a master legislator to call upon; we have been blessed with a sober, honest, and deliberate statesman--someone who cares as much about preserving this institution as the near-term results he can wring out of it. From daily conversations to committee business, to the most dramatic moments on the floor, whether in the minority or the majority, Lamar has taken pains to treat his colleagues exactly as he would hope to be treated in their shoes. He has worked to build consensus in a consensus-based body. He has cherished and defended the Senate the Framers designed. It is no exaggeration to say Lamar Alexander is one of the most brilliant people I have met in my life. His mind is a steel trap. I understand he likes to keep his staff experts locked around a conference table for long sessions, turning a complex issue over and over until they have arrived at the best path forward for the country and the most precise, concise way to communicate it. He has a mastery of policy, mastery of the English language, and I can't forget to mention my friend's good cheer. Lamar really does live by the motto he inherited from his good friend and fellow Tennesseean, the late author Alex Haley: ``Find the good and praise it.'' I myself have leaned on Lamar's wisdom for many years, but I think I have learned just as much from his optimism, his can-do spirit, and his ability to look on the bright side and then discern how some more hard work can make it brighter still. So I am going to miss our regular dinners, even with our weeknight scheduling and official one-drink limit. Like I said, we weren't exactly party animals in our twenties either. But here is something else that never changes: How reassuring it is to be weighing a thorny question and see Lamar Alexander seated across the table. You know, the Senate can be all-consuming. It is not only our colleagues but their spouses and loved ones who all get folded into the extended family around here. So I am extremely grateful that it turned out that Mitch McConnell was not the most important young person Lamar Alexander met during his stint in Washington--not by a mile. Honey Alexander is a remarkable woman. She is a force of nature and incredible partner for Lamar. She raised a young family in the Governor's mansion for 8 years. She charmed and impressed more voters during Lamar's various campaigns than Lamar himself, and she has devoted her own career to public health and philanthropy. Their shared love and mutual respect inspire everyone. Honey is just about the finest ``in-law'' the U.S. Senate could have ever had, so Elaine and I are grateful to call her our friend as well. So as much as I am dreading life in the Senate without my brilliant friend, even I can't begrudge him the silver lining. The most distinguished public servant has more than earned the right to spend more days fly-fishing or walking trails in the Smokies, more mornings waking up on Blackberry Farm, and a much larger share of his time with Honey and their family. About 6 years ago, it fell to Lamar to eulogize his friend and mentor, Howard Baker. Here on the floor, he quoted another Senator who had said that when it came to the Senate, there was Howard Baker, and then there was the rest of us. Well, my friend, for 18 years, there has been Lamar Alexander, and there has been the rest of us. So I am sorry that in a few more weeks, it will be just the rest of us left. But you are leaving this body and those of us in it and the Nation it exists to serve stronger and better because you were here. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgS7144 | null | 1,733 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Mr. McCONNELL. Now, Mr. President, on a completely different matter, the Senate revolves around people. The body consists of 100 individuals. One of our key duties concerns the personnel whom we examine and confirm, and there are all these dedicated staff professionals who make this place go. Today, it is both my great honor and regrettable task to honor someone who secured all three parts of that senatorial triple crown: the senior Senator from Tennessee, the chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Lamar Alexander. Lamar first set foot here as a talented young staffer. Decades later, he appeared before us as a supersuccessful former Governor and university president with a nomination to the Cabinet. And for the past 18 years, the other 99 of us have gotten to serve alongside one of the most impactful Senators in modern American history. I have known Lamar for more than 50 years. We first met in 1969, when I was working for a freshman Senator named Marlow Cook and he worked down in the executive branch. We met at the suggestion of his previous boss and mentor, Senator Howard Baker. Either he suspected our paths might cross again later or he just saw two serious young guys in need of some livelier social lives. Now, this may shock the Presiding Officer, but I am afraid young Lamar Alexander and young Mitch McConnell did not exactly go crazy and paint the town red. But I will take a five-decade friendship any day. Both of us headed back home to continue our careers. It was already clear that a bright future in elected office likely lay in store for him. Lamar's reverence for public service started early. I believe he was about 10 years old when his father, himself a longtime local official, took him to meet his hometown Congressman, Howard Baker, Sr. The father of his future boss shook the boy's hand and handed him a dime. I think Lamar was hooked, then and there. Decades later, when Lamar announced his 1996 Presidential run, he was in his hometown of Maryville. His speech began with a story about his mother. She had read where he had lovingly described his upbringing as lower middle class, and she had taken umbrage to that. After all, Lamar had a library card and music lessons. In her words, ``everything you needed that was important.'' And I would certainly add loving parents to that list. This son of two educators grew up steeped in the importance of schooling. He would later reference his mother's work in early childhood education by saying he is probably the only Secretary of Education in history--in history--who spent 5 years in kindergarten. That passion would remain throughout Lamar's career. His cutting-edge focus on improving opportunities and reforming education benefited Tennessee hugely in the 1980s, and our whole Nation during his time in President Bush 41's Cabinet. But that isn't the only way Lamar has honored his roots. You couldn't walk across the entire State of Tennessee in a plaid shirt, get elected Governor before the age of 40, and serve more combined years as Governor and Senator than anyone else in the history of the Volunteer State without becoming entirely intertwined with the place. Every corner of the State is better for his service. His groundbreaking work to bring home good-paying auto jobs has paid dividends, so has his major focus on infrastructure and better roads. But alas, even building a statewide and then national reputation does not always, always, translate into honest-to-goodness celebrity status. I understand that following Lamar's Governorship, a stretch of highway in Maryville was fittingly named the Lamar Alexander Parkway to honor him. I further understand that sometime later, Lamar was driving on that very road and stopped for breakfast. When it was time to pay for his food, he handed over his credit card. The woman on the other side of the counter glanced at the name on the card, and then back at Lamar. ``Hey,'' she said, ``were you named after this road?'' Now, as a man of faith, I am certain Lamar knows Luke, chapter 4: ``No prophet is accepted in his hometown.'' Apparently, neither are statesmen to be recognized on their own highway. Here in the Senate, too, Lamar's impact has been massive, and the convictions that fueled it have been straightforward. He starts with a very firm framework: the right-of-center principles that Ronald Reagan used to rebuild a confident, prosperous America and beat communism. The Federal Government isn't meant to take over our States, neighborhoods, or our lives. But Lamar's career has also confirmed that conservative governance is not a contradiction in terms. There are genuine public goods it is the government's job to secure: public roads, public lands, public education, certain aspects of public health. He has dedicated himself to making those things better and stronger, especially for those who need opportunity the most. This vision aligns with the greatest traditions of the Republican Party and indeed of American history--government that is limited but effective and smart; a system where power stays close to the people and working families can thrive and prosper. These principles made our colleague a nationally known leader long before he was sworn in as a Senator. But I would say they have reached full flourishing with Chairman Alexander's astonishingly effective leadership right here in this body. Students, families, and teachers benefit every day from the Every Student Succeeds Act, Chairman Alexander's historic, bipartisan makeover following No Child Left Behind. One report called it ``the largest devolution of federal control to the states in a quarter century.'' Millions of medically vulnerable Americans also have their champion in our friend from Tennessee. The overwhelmingly bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act was the single most important law of the entire 114th Congress. It is paving the way for more innovation and faster innovation to benefit patients who have no time to waste--another Lamar Alexander production. His leadership was instrumental in the landmark legislation we passed 2 years ago to combat the opioid epidemic. Just this year, he was the driving force behind the Great American Outdoors Act, the Senate's historic project to secure our parks and public lands for generations to come. The list doesn't end there. There have been other education wins, like permanent funding for historically Black colleges and universities and simplifying the student loan process. There have been laws like the Music Modernization Act, which Lamar hammered out with our former colleague, Senator Hatch--a legislative duet from two musical virtuosos in their own rights. Senator Alexander knows about 50 different issues as well as most Senators know 3 or 4. He is hands down one of the most brilliant, most thoughtful, and most effective legislators any of us have ever seen. He likes to say this about the Senate: ``It's hard to get here; it's hard to stay here; so while you're here, you might as well try to accomplish something.'' Well, mission accomplished--and then some. If you reviewed Senator Alexander's resume and results without knowing the man, you might suspect he arrived as an established hotshot and threw his weight around. But even as Lamar has mastered the levers of power here, his character has never been captured by Washington. Lamar has remained clear that he has just been on loan from Tennessee the whole time. So we have had more than just a master legislator to call upon; we have been blessed with a sober, honest, and deliberate statesman--someone who cares as much about preserving this institution as the near-term results he can wring out of it. From daily conversations to committee business, to the most dramatic moments on the floor, whether in the minority or the majority, Lamar has taken pains to treat his colleagues exactly as he would hope to be treated in their shoes. He has worked to build consensus in a consensus-based body. He has cherished and defended the Senate the Framers designed. It is no exaggeration to say Lamar Alexander is one of the most brilliant people I have met in my life. His mind is a steel trap. I understand he likes to keep his staff experts locked around a conference table for long sessions, turning a complex issue over and over until they have arrived at the best path forward for the country and the most precise, concise way to communicate it. He has a mastery of policy, mastery of the English language, and I can't forget to mention my friend's good cheer. Lamar really does live by the motto he inherited from his good friend and fellow Tennesseean, the late author Alex Haley: ``Find the good and praise it.'' I myself have leaned on Lamar's wisdom for many years, but I think I have learned just as much from his optimism, his can-do spirit, and his ability to look on the bright side and then discern how some more hard work can make it brighter still. So I am going to miss our regular dinners, even with our weeknight scheduling and official one-drink limit. Like I said, we weren't exactly party animals in our twenties either. But here is something else that never changes: How reassuring it is to be weighing a thorny question and see Lamar Alexander seated across the table. You know, the Senate can be all-consuming. It is not only our colleagues but their spouses and loved ones who all get folded into the extended family around here. So I am extremely grateful that it turned out that Mitch McConnell was not the most important young person Lamar Alexander met during his stint in Washington--not by a mile. Honey Alexander is a remarkable woman. She is a force of nature and incredible partner for Lamar. She raised a young family in the Governor's mansion for 8 years. She charmed and impressed more voters during Lamar's various campaigns than Lamar himself, and she has devoted her own career to public health and philanthropy. Their shared love and mutual respect inspire everyone. Honey is just about the finest ``in-law'' the U.S. Senate could have ever had, so Elaine and I are grateful to call her our friend as well. So as much as I am dreading life in the Senate without my brilliant friend, even I can't begrudge him the silver lining. The most distinguished public servant has more than earned the right to spend more days fly-fishing or walking trails in the Smokies, more mornings waking up on Blackberry Farm, and a much larger share of his time with Honey and their family. About 6 years ago, it fell to Lamar to eulogize his friend and mentor, Howard Baker. Here on the floor, he quoted another Senator who had said that when it came to the Senate, there was Howard Baker, and then there was the rest of us. Well, my friend, for 18 years, there has been Lamar Alexander, and there has been the rest of us. So I am sorry that in a few more weeks, it will be just the rest of us left. But you are leaving this body and those of us in it and the Nation it exists to serve stronger and better because you were here. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgS7144 | null | 1,734 |
formal | middle class | null | racist | Mr. McCONNELL. Now, Mr. President, on a completely different matter, the Senate revolves around people. The body consists of 100 individuals. One of our key duties concerns the personnel whom we examine and confirm, and there are all these dedicated staff professionals who make this place go. Today, it is both my great honor and regrettable task to honor someone who secured all three parts of that senatorial triple crown: the senior Senator from Tennessee, the chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Lamar Alexander. Lamar first set foot here as a talented young staffer. Decades later, he appeared before us as a supersuccessful former Governor and university president with a nomination to the Cabinet. And for the past 18 years, the other 99 of us have gotten to serve alongside one of the most impactful Senators in modern American history. I have known Lamar for more than 50 years. We first met in 1969, when I was working for a freshman Senator named Marlow Cook and he worked down in the executive branch. We met at the suggestion of his previous boss and mentor, Senator Howard Baker. Either he suspected our paths might cross again later or he just saw two serious young guys in need of some livelier social lives. Now, this may shock the Presiding Officer, but I am afraid young Lamar Alexander and young Mitch McConnell did not exactly go crazy and paint the town red. But I will take a five-decade friendship any day. Both of us headed back home to continue our careers. It was already clear that a bright future in elected office likely lay in store for him. Lamar's reverence for public service started early. I believe he was about 10 years old when his father, himself a longtime local official, took him to meet his hometown Congressman, Howard Baker, Sr. The father of his future boss shook the boy's hand and handed him a dime. I think Lamar was hooked, then and there. Decades later, when Lamar announced his 1996 Presidential run, he was in his hometown of Maryville. His speech began with a story about his mother. She had read where he had lovingly described his upbringing as lower middle class, and she had taken umbrage to that. After all, Lamar had a library card and music lessons. In her words, ``everything you needed that was important.'' And I would certainly add loving parents to that list. This son of two educators grew up steeped in the importance of schooling. He would later reference his mother's work in early childhood education by saying he is probably the only Secretary of Education in history--in history--who spent 5 years in kindergarten. That passion would remain throughout Lamar's career. His cutting-edge focus on improving opportunities and reforming education benefited Tennessee hugely in the 1980s, and our whole Nation during his time in President Bush 41's Cabinet. But that isn't the only way Lamar has honored his roots. You couldn't walk across the entire State of Tennessee in a plaid shirt, get elected Governor before the age of 40, and serve more combined years as Governor and Senator than anyone else in the history of the Volunteer State without becoming entirely intertwined with the place. Every corner of the State is better for his service. His groundbreaking work to bring home good-paying auto jobs has paid dividends, so has his major focus on infrastructure and better roads. But alas, even building a statewide and then national reputation does not always, always, translate into honest-to-goodness celebrity status. I understand that following Lamar's Governorship, a stretch of highway in Maryville was fittingly named the Lamar Alexander Parkway to honor him. I further understand that sometime later, Lamar was driving on that very road and stopped for breakfast. When it was time to pay for his food, he handed over his credit card. The woman on the other side of the counter glanced at the name on the card, and then back at Lamar. ``Hey,'' she said, ``were you named after this road?'' Now, as a man of faith, I am certain Lamar knows Luke, chapter 4: ``No prophet is accepted in his hometown.'' Apparently, neither are statesmen to be recognized on their own highway. Here in the Senate, too, Lamar's impact has been massive, and the convictions that fueled it have been straightforward. He starts with a very firm framework: the right-of-center principles that Ronald Reagan used to rebuild a confident, prosperous America and beat communism. The Federal Government isn't meant to take over our States, neighborhoods, or our lives. But Lamar's career has also confirmed that conservative governance is not a contradiction in terms. There are genuine public goods it is the government's job to secure: public roads, public lands, public education, certain aspects of public health. He has dedicated himself to making those things better and stronger, especially for those who need opportunity the most. This vision aligns with the greatest traditions of the Republican Party and indeed of American history--government that is limited but effective and smart; a system where power stays close to the people and working families can thrive and prosper. These principles made our colleague a nationally known leader long before he was sworn in as a Senator. But I would say they have reached full flourishing with Chairman Alexander's astonishingly effective leadership right here in this body. Students, families, and teachers benefit every day from the Every Student Succeeds Act, Chairman Alexander's historic, bipartisan makeover following No Child Left Behind. One report called it ``the largest devolution of federal control to the states in a quarter century.'' Millions of medically vulnerable Americans also have their champion in our friend from Tennessee. The overwhelmingly bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act was the single most important law of the entire 114th Congress. It is paving the way for more innovation and faster innovation to benefit patients who have no time to waste--another Lamar Alexander production. His leadership was instrumental in the landmark legislation we passed 2 years ago to combat the opioid epidemic. Just this year, he was the driving force behind the Great American Outdoors Act, the Senate's historic project to secure our parks and public lands for generations to come. The list doesn't end there. There have been other education wins, like permanent funding for historically Black colleges and universities and simplifying the student loan process. There have been laws like the Music Modernization Act, which Lamar hammered out with our former colleague, Senator Hatch--a legislative duet from two musical virtuosos in their own rights. Senator Alexander knows about 50 different issues as well as most Senators know 3 or 4. He is hands down one of the most brilliant, most thoughtful, and most effective legislators any of us have ever seen. He likes to say this about the Senate: ``It's hard to get here; it's hard to stay here; so while you're here, you might as well try to accomplish something.'' Well, mission accomplished--and then some. If you reviewed Senator Alexander's resume and results without knowing the man, you might suspect he arrived as an established hotshot and threw his weight around. But even as Lamar has mastered the levers of power here, his character has never been captured by Washington. Lamar has remained clear that he has just been on loan from Tennessee the whole time. So we have had more than just a master legislator to call upon; we have been blessed with a sober, honest, and deliberate statesman--someone who cares as much about preserving this institution as the near-term results he can wring out of it. From daily conversations to committee business, to the most dramatic moments on the floor, whether in the minority or the majority, Lamar has taken pains to treat his colleagues exactly as he would hope to be treated in their shoes. He has worked to build consensus in a consensus-based body. He has cherished and defended the Senate the Framers designed. It is no exaggeration to say Lamar Alexander is one of the most brilliant people I have met in my life. His mind is a steel trap. I understand he likes to keep his staff experts locked around a conference table for long sessions, turning a complex issue over and over until they have arrived at the best path forward for the country and the most precise, concise way to communicate it. He has a mastery of policy, mastery of the English language, and I can't forget to mention my friend's good cheer. Lamar really does live by the motto he inherited from his good friend and fellow Tennesseean, the late author Alex Haley: ``Find the good and praise it.'' I myself have leaned on Lamar's wisdom for many years, but I think I have learned just as much from his optimism, his can-do spirit, and his ability to look on the bright side and then discern how some more hard work can make it brighter still. So I am going to miss our regular dinners, even with our weeknight scheduling and official one-drink limit. Like I said, we weren't exactly party animals in our twenties either. But here is something else that never changes: How reassuring it is to be weighing a thorny question and see Lamar Alexander seated across the table. You know, the Senate can be all-consuming. It is not only our colleagues but their spouses and loved ones who all get folded into the extended family around here. So I am extremely grateful that it turned out that Mitch McConnell was not the most important young person Lamar Alexander met during his stint in Washington--not by a mile. Honey Alexander is a remarkable woman. She is a force of nature and incredible partner for Lamar. She raised a young family in the Governor's mansion for 8 years. She charmed and impressed more voters during Lamar's various campaigns than Lamar himself, and she has devoted her own career to public health and philanthropy. Their shared love and mutual respect inspire everyone. Honey is just about the finest ``in-law'' the U.S. Senate could have ever had, so Elaine and I are grateful to call her our friend as well. So as much as I am dreading life in the Senate without my brilliant friend, even I can't begrudge him the silver lining. The most distinguished public servant has more than earned the right to spend more days fly-fishing or walking trails in the Smokies, more mornings waking up on Blackberry Farm, and a much larger share of his time with Honey and their family. About 6 years ago, it fell to Lamar to eulogize his friend and mentor, Howard Baker. Here on the floor, he quoted another Senator who had said that when it came to the Senate, there was Howard Baker, and then there was the rest of us. Well, my friend, for 18 years, there has been Lamar Alexander, and there has been the rest of us. So I am sorry that in a few more weeks, it will be just the rest of us left. But you are leaving this body and those of us in it and the Nation it exists to serve stronger and better because you were here. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgS7144 | null | 1,735 |
formal | Reagan | null | white supremacist | Mr. McCONNELL. Now, Mr. President, on a completely different matter, the Senate revolves around people. The body consists of 100 individuals. One of our key duties concerns the personnel whom we examine and confirm, and there are all these dedicated staff professionals who make this place go. Today, it is both my great honor and regrettable task to honor someone who secured all three parts of that senatorial triple crown: the senior Senator from Tennessee, the chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Lamar Alexander. Lamar first set foot here as a talented young staffer. Decades later, he appeared before us as a supersuccessful former Governor and university president with a nomination to the Cabinet. And for the past 18 years, the other 99 of us have gotten to serve alongside one of the most impactful Senators in modern American history. I have known Lamar for more than 50 years. We first met in 1969, when I was working for a freshman Senator named Marlow Cook and he worked down in the executive branch. We met at the suggestion of his previous boss and mentor, Senator Howard Baker. Either he suspected our paths might cross again later or he just saw two serious young guys in need of some livelier social lives. Now, this may shock the Presiding Officer, but I am afraid young Lamar Alexander and young Mitch McConnell did not exactly go crazy and paint the town red. But I will take a five-decade friendship any day. Both of us headed back home to continue our careers. It was already clear that a bright future in elected office likely lay in store for him. Lamar's reverence for public service started early. I believe he was about 10 years old when his father, himself a longtime local official, took him to meet his hometown Congressman, Howard Baker, Sr. The father of his future boss shook the boy's hand and handed him a dime. I think Lamar was hooked, then and there. Decades later, when Lamar announced his 1996 Presidential run, he was in his hometown of Maryville. His speech began with a story about his mother. She had read where he had lovingly described his upbringing as lower middle class, and she had taken umbrage to that. After all, Lamar had a library card and music lessons. In her words, ``everything you needed that was important.'' And I would certainly add loving parents to that list. This son of two educators grew up steeped in the importance of schooling. He would later reference his mother's work in early childhood education by saying he is probably the only Secretary of Education in history--in history--who spent 5 years in kindergarten. That passion would remain throughout Lamar's career. His cutting-edge focus on improving opportunities and reforming education benefited Tennessee hugely in the 1980s, and our whole Nation during his time in President Bush 41's Cabinet. But that isn't the only way Lamar has honored his roots. You couldn't walk across the entire State of Tennessee in a plaid shirt, get elected Governor before the age of 40, and serve more combined years as Governor and Senator than anyone else in the history of the Volunteer State without becoming entirely intertwined with the place. Every corner of the State is better for his service. His groundbreaking work to bring home good-paying auto jobs has paid dividends, so has his major focus on infrastructure and better roads. But alas, even building a statewide and then national reputation does not always, always, translate into honest-to-goodness celebrity status. I understand that following Lamar's Governorship, a stretch of highway in Maryville was fittingly named the Lamar Alexander Parkway to honor him. I further understand that sometime later, Lamar was driving on that very road and stopped for breakfast. When it was time to pay for his food, he handed over his credit card. The woman on the other side of the counter glanced at the name on the card, and then back at Lamar. ``Hey,'' she said, ``were you named after this road?'' Now, as a man of faith, I am certain Lamar knows Luke, chapter 4: ``No prophet is accepted in his hometown.'' Apparently, neither are statesmen to be recognized on their own highway. Here in the Senate, too, Lamar's impact has been massive, and the convictions that fueled it have been straightforward. He starts with a very firm framework: the right-of-center principles that Ronald Reagan used to rebuild a confident, prosperous America and beat communism. The Federal Government isn't meant to take over our States, neighborhoods, or our lives. But Lamar's career has also confirmed that conservative governance is not a contradiction in terms. There are genuine public goods it is the government's job to secure: public roads, public lands, public education, certain aspects of public health. He has dedicated himself to making those things better and stronger, especially for those who need opportunity the most. This vision aligns with the greatest traditions of the Republican Party and indeed of American history--government that is limited but effective and smart; a system where power stays close to the people and working families can thrive and prosper. These principles made our colleague a nationally known leader long before he was sworn in as a Senator. But I would say they have reached full flourishing with Chairman Alexander's astonishingly effective leadership right here in this body. Students, families, and teachers benefit every day from the Every Student Succeeds Act, Chairman Alexander's historic, bipartisan makeover following No Child Left Behind. One report called it ``the largest devolution of federal control to the states in a quarter century.'' Millions of medically vulnerable Americans also have their champion in our friend from Tennessee. The overwhelmingly bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act was the single most important law of the entire 114th Congress. It is paving the way for more innovation and faster innovation to benefit patients who have no time to waste--another Lamar Alexander production. His leadership was instrumental in the landmark legislation we passed 2 years ago to combat the opioid epidemic. Just this year, he was the driving force behind the Great American Outdoors Act, the Senate's historic project to secure our parks and public lands for generations to come. The list doesn't end there. There have been other education wins, like permanent funding for historically Black colleges and universities and simplifying the student loan process. There have been laws like the Music Modernization Act, which Lamar hammered out with our former colleague, Senator Hatch--a legislative duet from two musical virtuosos in their own rights. Senator Alexander knows about 50 different issues as well as most Senators know 3 or 4. He is hands down one of the most brilliant, most thoughtful, and most effective legislators any of us have ever seen. He likes to say this about the Senate: ``It's hard to get here; it's hard to stay here; so while you're here, you might as well try to accomplish something.'' Well, mission accomplished--and then some. If you reviewed Senator Alexander's resume and results without knowing the man, you might suspect he arrived as an established hotshot and threw his weight around. But even as Lamar has mastered the levers of power here, his character has never been captured by Washington. Lamar has remained clear that he has just been on loan from Tennessee the whole time. So we have had more than just a master legislator to call upon; we have been blessed with a sober, honest, and deliberate statesman--someone who cares as much about preserving this institution as the near-term results he can wring out of it. From daily conversations to committee business, to the most dramatic moments on the floor, whether in the minority or the majority, Lamar has taken pains to treat his colleagues exactly as he would hope to be treated in their shoes. He has worked to build consensus in a consensus-based body. He has cherished and defended the Senate the Framers designed. It is no exaggeration to say Lamar Alexander is one of the most brilliant people I have met in my life. His mind is a steel trap. I understand he likes to keep his staff experts locked around a conference table for long sessions, turning a complex issue over and over until they have arrived at the best path forward for the country and the most precise, concise way to communicate it. He has a mastery of policy, mastery of the English language, and I can't forget to mention my friend's good cheer. Lamar really does live by the motto he inherited from his good friend and fellow Tennesseean, the late author Alex Haley: ``Find the good and praise it.'' I myself have leaned on Lamar's wisdom for many years, but I think I have learned just as much from his optimism, his can-do spirit, and his ability to look on the bright side and then discern how some more hard work can make it brighter still. So I am going to miss our regular dinners, even with our weeknight scheduling and official one-drink limit. Like I said, we weren't exactly party animals in our twenties either. But here is something else that never changes: How reassuring it is to be weighing a thorny question and see Lamar Alexander seated across the table. You know, the Senate can be all-consuming. It is not only our colleagues but their spouses and loved ones who all get folded into the extended family around here. So I am extremely grateful that it turned out that Mitch McConnell was not the most important young person Lamar Alexander met during his stint in Washington--not by a mile. Honey Alexander is a remarkable woman. She is a force of nature and incredible partner for Lamar. She raised a young family in the Governor's mansion for 8 years. She charmed and impressed more voters during Lamar's various campaigns than Lamar himself, and she has devoted her own career to public health and philanthropy. Their shared love and mutual respect inspire everyone. Honey is just about the finest ``in-law'' the U.S. Senate could have ever had, so Elaine and I are grateful to call her our friend as well. So as much as I am dreading life in the Senate without my brilliant friend, even I can't begrudge him the silver lining. The most distinguished public servant has more than earned the right to spend more days fly-fishing or walking trails in the Smokies, more mornings waking up on Blackberry Farm, and a much larger share of his time with Honey and their family. About 6 years ago, it fell to Lamar to eulogize his friend and mentor, Howard Baker. Here on the floor, he quoted another Senator who had said that when it came to the Senate, there was Howard Baker, and then there was the rest of us. Well, my friend, for 18 years, there has been Lamar Alexander, and there has been the rest of us. So I am sorry that in a few more weeks, it will be just the rest of us left. But you are leaving this body and those of us in it and the Nation it exists to serve stronger and better because you were here. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgS7144 | null | 1,736 |
formal | working families | null | racist | Mr. McCONNELL. Now, Mr. President, on a completely different matter, the Senate revolves around people. The body consists of 100 individuals. One of our key duties concerns the personnel whom we examine and confirm, and there are all these dedicated staff professionals who make this place go. Today, it is both my great honor and regrettable task to honor someone who secured all three parts of that senatorial triple crown: the senior Senator from Tennessee, the chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Lamar Alexander. Lamar first set foot here as a talented young staffer. Decades later, he appeared before us as a supersuccessful former Governor and university president with a nomination to the Cabinet. And for the past 18 years, the other 99 of us have gotten to serve alongside one of the most impactful Senators in modern American history. I have known Lamar for more than 50 years. We first met in 1969, when I was working for a freshman Senator named Marlow Cook and he worked down in the executive branch. We met at the suggestion of his previous boss and mentor, Senator Howard Baker. Either he suspected our paths might cross again later or he just saw two serious young guys in need of some livelier social lives. Now, this may shock the Presiding Officer, but I am afraid young Lamar Alexander and young Mitch McConnell did not exactly go crazy and paint the town red. But I will take a five-decade friendship any day. Both of us headed back home to continue our careers. It was already clear that a bright future in elected office likely lay in store for him. Lamar's reverence for public service started early. I believe he was about 10 years old when his father, himself a longtime local official, took him to meet his hometown Congressman, Howard Baker, Sr. The father of his future boss shook the boy's hand and handed him a dime. I think Lamar was hooked, then and there. Decades later, when Lamar announced his 1996 Presidential run, he was in his hometown of Maryville. His speech began with a story about his mother. She had read where he had lovingly described his upbringing as lower middle class, and she had taken umbrage to that. After all, Lamar had a library card and music lessons. In her words, ``everything you needed that was important.'' And I would certainly add loving parents to that list. This son of two educators grew up steeped in the importance of schooling. He would later reference his mother's work in early childhood education by saying he is probably the only Secretary of Education in history--in history--who spent 5 years in kindergarten. That passion would remain throughout Lamar's career. His cutting-edge focus on improving opportunities and reforming education benefited Tennessee hugely in the 1980s, and our whole Nation during his time in President Bush 41's Cabinet. But that isn't the only way Lamar has honored his roots. You couldn't walk across the entire State of Tennessee in a plaid shirt, get elected Governor before the age of 40, and serve more combined years as Governor and Senator than anyone else in the history of the Volunteer State without becoming entirely intertwined with the place. Every corner of the State is better for his service. His groundbreaking work to bring home good-paying auto jobs has paid dividends, so has his major focus on infrastructure and better roads. But alas, even building a statewide and then national reputation does not always, always, translate into honest-to-goodness celebrity status. I understand that following Lamar's Governorship, a stretch of highway in Maryville was fittingly named the Lamar Alexander Parkway to honor him. I further understand that sometime later, Lamar was driving on that very road and stopped for breakfast. When it was time to pay for his food, he handed over his credit card. The woman on the other side of the counter glanced at the name on the card, and then back at Lamar. ``Hey,'' she said, ``were you named after this road?'' Now, as a man of faith, I am certain Lamar knows Luke, chapter 4: ``No prophet is accepted in his hometown.'' Apparently, neither are statesmen to be recognized on their own highway. Here in the Senate, too, Lamar's impact has been massive, and the convictions that fueled it have been straightforward. He starts with a very firm framework: the right-of-center principles that Ronald Reagan used to rebuild a confident, prosperous America and beat communism. The Federal Government isn't meant to take over our States, neighborhoods, or our lives. But Lamar's career has also confirmed that conservative governance is not a contradiction in terms. There are genuine public goods it is the government's job to secure: public roads, public lands, public education, certain aspects of public health. He has dedicated himself to making those things better and stronger, especially for those who need opportunity the most. This vision aligns with the greatest traditions of the Republican Party and indeed of American history--government that is limited but effective and smart; a system where power stays close to the people and working families can thrive and prosper. These principles made our colleague a nationally known leader long before he was sworn in as a Senator. But I would say they have reached full flourishing with Chairman Alexander's astonishingly effective leadership right here in this body. Students, families, and teachers benefit every day from the Every Student Succeeds Act, Chairman Alexander's historic, bipartisan makeover following No Child Left Behind. One report called it ``the largest devolution of federal control to the states in a quarter century.'' Millions of medically vulnerable Americans also have their champion in our friend from Tennessee. The overwhelmingly bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act was the single most important law of the entire 114th Congress. It is paving the way for more innovation and faster innovation to benefit patients who have no time to waste--another Lamar Alexander production. His leadership was instrumental in the landmark legislation we passed 2 years ago to combat the opioid epidemic. Just this year, he was the driving force behind the Great American Outdoors Act, the Senate's historic project to secure our parks and public lands for generations to come. The list doesn't end there. There have been other education wins, like permanent funding for historically Black colleges and universities and simplifying the student loan process. There have been laws like the Music Modernization Act, which Lamar hammered out with our former colleague, Senator Hatch--a legislative duet from two musical virtuosos in their own rights. Senator Alexander knows about 50 different issues as well as most Senators know 3 or 4. He is hands down one of the most brilliant, most thoughtful, and most effective legislators any of us have ever seen. He likes to say this about the Senate: ``It's hard to get here; it's hard to stay here; so while you're here, you might as well try to accomplish something.'' Well, mission accomplished--and then some. If you reviewed Senator Alexander's resume and results without knowing the man, you might suspect he arrived as an established hotshot and threw his weight around. But even as Lamar has mastered the levers of power here, his character has never been captured by Washington. Lamar has remained clear that he has just been on loan from Tennessee the whole time. So we have had more than just a master legislator to call upon; we have been blessed with a sober, honest, and deliberate statesman--someone who cares as much about preserving this institution as the near-term results he can wring out of it. From daily conversations to committee business, to the most dramatic moments on the floor, whether in the minority or the majority, Lamar has taken pains to treat his colleagues exactly as he would hope to be treated in their shoes. He has worked to build consensus in a consensus-based body. He has cherished and defended the Senate the Framers designed. It is no exaggeration to say Lamar Alexander is one of the most brilliant people I have met in my life. His mind is a steel trap. I understand he likes to keep his staff experts locked around a conference table for long sessions, turning a complex issue over and over until they have arrived at the best path forward for the country and the most precise, concise way to communicate it. He has a mastery of policy, mastery of the English language, and I can't forget to mention my friend's good cheer. Lamar really does live by the motto he inherited from his good friend and fellow Tennesseean, the late author Alex Haley: ``Find the good and praise it.'' I myself have leaned on Lamar's wisdom for many years, but I think I have learned just as much from his optimism, his can-do spirit, and his ability to look on the bright side and then discern how some more hard work can make it brighter still. So I am going to miss our regular dinners, even with our weeknight scheduling and official one-drink limit. Like I said, we weren't exactly party animals in our twenties either. But here is something else that never changes: How reassuring it is to be weighing a thorny question and see Lamar Alexander seated across the table. You know, the Senate can be all-consuming. It is not only our colleagues but their spouses and loved ones who all get folded into the extended family around here. So I am extremely grateful that it turned out that Mitch McConnell was not the most important young person Lamar Alexander met during his stint in Washington--not by a mile. Honey Alexander is a remarkable woman. She is a force of nature and incredible partner for Lamar. She raised a young family in the Governor's mansion for 8 years. She charmed and impressed more voters during Lamar's various campaigns than Lamar himself, and she has devoted her own career to public health and philanthropy. Their shared love and mutual respect inspire everyone. Honey is just about the finest ``in-law'' the U.S. Senate could have ever had, so Elaine and I are grateful to call her our friend as well. So as much as I am dreading life in the Senate without my brilliant friend, even I can't begrudge him the silver lining. The most distinguished public servant has more than earned the right to spend more days fly-fishing or walking trails in the Smokies, more mornings waking up on Blackberry Farm, and a much larger share of his time with Honey and their family. About 6 years ago, it fell to Lamar to eulogize his friend and mentor, Howard Baker. Here on the floor, he quoted another Senator who had said that when it came to the Senate, there was Howard Baker, and then there was the rest of us. Well, my friend, for 18 years, there has been Lamar Alexander, and there has been the rest of us. So I am sorry that in a few more weeks, it will be just the rest of us left. But you are leaving this body and those of us in it and the Nation it exists to serve stronger and better because you were here. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgS7144 | null | 1,737 |
formal | Federal Reserve | null | antisemitic | The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the Waller nomination. The senior assistant legislative clerk read the nomination of Christopher Waller, of Minnesota, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a term of fourteen years from February 1, 2016. | 2020-01-06 | The PRESIDING OFFICER | Senate | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgS7157-2 | null | 1,738 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the Waller nomination. The senior assistant legislative clerk read the nomination of Christopher Waller, of Minnesota, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a term of fourteen years from February 1, 2016. | 2020-01-06 | The PRESIDING OFFICER | Senate | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgS7157-2 | null | 1,739 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Remembering Larry Willis Mr. President, this weekend we lost a great champion for American workers--Larry Willis, president of the Transportation Trades Department at the AFL-CIO. Larry dedicated his life to the labor movement, fighting for workers on the frontlines of our transportation system. He worked to empower busdrivers and ramp workers, flight attendants and train operators around the country so they could fight for better wages and protections on the job and they could build a middle-class life for their families We know the labor movement is the single biggest reason that we have a middle class in this country. We know that the decline of the labor union movement is the reason that the middle class is shrinking in this country. All of what Larry did said a lot about his character--that he took on that job and spent his whole career fighting to give power to the workers who have so often been denied a voice in this country. Everyone who worked with him attests to his skill, his compassion, his commitment to justice, and his love of life. One of his greatest strengths was his ability to find compromise in even the most difficult, thorniest issues in front of us. Make no mistake, Larry was always a fierce fighter for transportation workers. He never compromised when defending worker safety. He always challenged us to make legislation better, but he also understood that meaningful change sometimes comes in smaller steps, not in great bounds. He was willing to work for months, even years, behind the scenes to make real progress for transportation workers. Washington needs more advocates like Larry--someone who believes deeply in the cause and backs it up with relentless work to find a solution. I want to talk about his grace. He was very direct. He didn't hold back when Congress did something that was not in the best interests of workers, but he never closed the door on anyone, even his adversaries. Larry was always willing to pick back up a conversation to find a path forward. He did not let egos get in the way of progress--something that happens far too often in this town. He never let disputes make him jaded. He always kept his head up and his door open. My staff and I relied on Larry's guidance and wisdom for many years. He knew every angle of our Nation's transportation system. He used that knowledge to help millions of transportation workers. He was a wonderful person. We loved working with him. We are deeply saddened by his passing. We are keeping his wife Amy and daughter Samantha--oh, how he loved both of them and lit up when talking about them--we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers as they cope with this sudden, heartbreaking loss. We will honor Larry Willis the best way we can--by continuing to fight toempower transportation workers around the country and fight with a doggedness that would make him proud. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgS7167 | null | 1,740 |
formal | middle class | null | racist | Remembering Larry Willis Mr. President, this weekend we lost a great champion for American workers--Larry Willis, president of the Transportation Trades Department at the AFL-CIO. Larry dedicated his life to the labor movement, fighting for workers on the frontlines of our transportation system. He worked to empower busdrivers and ramp workers, flight attendants and train operators around the country so they could fight for better wages and protections on the job and they could build a middle-class life for their families We know the labor movement is the single biggest reason that we have a middle class in this country. We know that the decline of the labor union movement is the reason that the middle class is shrinking in this country. All of what Larry did said a lot about his character--that he took on that job and spent his whole career fighting to give power to the workers who have so often been denied a voice in this country. Everyone who worked with him attests to his skill, his compassion, his commitment to justice, and his love of life. One of his greatest strengths was his ability to find compromise in even the most difficult, thorniest issues in front of us. Make no mistake, Larry was always a fierce fighter for transportation workers. He never compromised when defending worker safety. He always challenged us to make legislation better, but he also understood that meaningful change sometimes comes in smaller steps, not in great bounds. He was willing to work for months, even years, behind the scenes to make real progress for transportation workers. Washington needs more advocates like Larry--someone who believes deeply in the cause and backs it up with relentless work to find a solution. I want to talk about his grace. He was very direct. He didn't hold back when Congress did something that was not in the best interests of workers, but he never closed the door on anyone, even his adversaries. Larry was always willing to pick back up a conversation to find a path forward. He did not let egos get in the way of progress--something that happens far too often in this town. He never let disputes make him jaded. He always kept his head up and his door open. My staff and I relied on Larry's guidance and wisdom for many years. He knew every angle of our Nation's transportation system. He used that knowledge to help millions of transportation workers. He was a wonderful person. We loved working with him. We are deeply saddened by his passing. We are keeping his wife Amy and daughter Samantha--oh, how he loved both of them and lit up when talking about them--we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers as they cope with this sudden, heartbreaking loss. We will honor Larry Willis the best way we can--by continuing to fight toempower transportation workers around the country and fight with a doggedness that would make him proud. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgS7167 | null | 1,741 |
formal | middle class | null | racist | Worker Safety Mr. President, this spring I was talking with a grocery store worker in Southwest Ohio, who told me: You know, they call me essential, but really I feel expendable. That grocery store worker and thousands of others are on the frontlines of this pandemic. They risk their lives so that Americans can keep food on their tables and get their packages delivered. They are changing linens in hospitals. They drive buses. They stock shelves in supermarkets and drugstores. Then workers go home at night. They worry they are going to bring to their home the virus and infect their family--always the anxiety they live with. We know that hundreds of thousands of workers have been exposed to the virus on the job. Thousands have died. We don't know exactly how many because the President hasn't directed his government to make it a priority to keep track of these numbers. Think of that. We know UFCW--United Food Commercial Workers--reports that more than 16,000 grocery store workers have been exposed at work. More than 100 have died. Sixteen-thousand exposed at work. More than 100 have died. National Nurses United has recorded at least 1,700 deaths, and 58 percent of those healthcare workers who died were people of color. Seventeen hundred have died; 58 percent, people of color. In meatpacking plants, we know the toll has been horrific. As of this summer, 16,000 workers in meatpacking plants, including in the Dakotas, the vast majority of them Black and Brown workers, and more than 230 have died. We can only expect those numbers to be higher. What is the President's response? In the White House, they are putting up holiday displays with a lit-up ceramic post office and ornaments in the shape of garbage trucks and nurses' hats. That is right. Workers are dying around the country, and instead of doing anything at all to protect them, the President of the United States is decking the halls with ornaments. Workers don't need Christmas ornaments; they need fair pay, and they need protections on the job. President Trump hasn't lifted a finger to protect frontline workers. Let me explain. I make a charge like that, I back it up. He spent 4 years in office putting corporate lawyers in charge of the Department of Labor. The Secretary of Labor made millions of dollars practicing law by representing corporations against workers--sometimes union workers, sometimes unorganized workers. The Department of Labor makes it easier for corporations to skirt safety rules. The point of the Department of Labor, the point of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is to protect workers. Yet this Secretary of Labor, this Department of Labor--including from IBEW workers to steelworkers, to meatpacking workers--he refused to issue workplace safety requirements throughout the pandemic. He failed to get workers the protective equipment and medical supplies they need to protect themselves. He forced people back to work in meatpacking plants around the country. In South Dakota, we know, in a meatpacking plant owned by the Chinese Communist Party, 1,300 workers got sick in one plant, and 4 of them have died that we know of. The Trump administration fined this multibillion-dollar meatpacking--Chinese Communist Party-owned meatpacking plant--fined them $10 a worker. Thirteen hundred workers got sick and OSHA, the government, the President, fined them $10 a worker. But don't worry, he and his wealthy contributors who come for White House tours without masks or social distancing will get to look at some sparkly ornaments. President Trump could crack down on corporations like Smithfield. He could mobilize American manufacturers to get every American worker the masks and the protective equipment they need. He could issue an OSHA temporary standard, as we have asked him repeatedly, that would provide clear enforceable requirements for keeping workers safe. He could stand up for workers, but he won't. That is fundamentally why he lost. Eighty million Americans decisively rejected this President and his total lack of empathy, his complete failure to understand the dignity of work. There are a lot of Senators in this body--not a lot. There are some Senators in this body whose mothers or fathers carried union cards and knew that was their ticket to the middle class and understood that their mothers and fathers were protected by OSHA, protected by the Department of Labor that cared about the safety of those workers in the workplace. But all that the President did do to ignore workers and didn't do to protect workers, none of that is stopping him from trying to do more damage on his way out the door. The Trump USDA, the Department of Agriculture, is trying to race through a new rule--trying to push through, in the last weeks, a new rule that actually speeds up chicken factory processing lines; that is right, not slow them down in the face of record infections at these plants but speed up the line. We know it is a trick. It is the oldest trick in the book. You make more money if you speed up the line. You speed up the line, and workers are more likely to get hurt. When you speed up the line during a pandemic, more workers are likely to get sick. They tried to pass the rule earlier. It was held up over concerns workers would get hurt and salmonella would spread. That is not even counting COVID. But to President Trump and his allies, more workplace injuries and more grandparents hospitalized by salmonella are a small price to pay if it means more profits for meatpacking companies. Trump and his corporate lawyer Secretary of Labor are pushing through a new policy to ensure that companies can continue to exploit workers by classifying them as independent contractors. Go back to the childhood of a number of Members of the Senate who had parents who worked in factories and parents who worked in construction jobs, parents who carried a union card. You know what that would mean to those workers and the threat that they could get sick. Think about it now. Corporations love this new business model. It is a way to classify people as independent workers. It is a way to pay people less for the same work, skirt labor laws, wash their hands of responsibility for the workers who make their businesses successful. These workers aren't working for a big insurance company that really does have a public image they are trying to protect. These workers aren't working for a hospital or a big bank that cares about its public image. These workers are working for an entity hired by these big banks or by these insurance companies to prepare the food or to provide the security or to do the custodial work--a company you have never heard of that has no public image because this company is all about being hired by large corporations. They then can pay them lower wages. They can then protect them less on the job, and they can then not provide benefits. That is what happens with contract workers--those independent contractors. We know they love this business model. They can pay workers less. They can skirt labor laws. President Trump wants to make that easier, partly, because he probably does that in his business, and he has a whole lot of corporate friends--big contributors to the Trump campaign who make more money by doing that. Fundamentally, President Trump, Senator McConnell, and their corporate allies just don't understand the dignity of work. They think workers are always a cost to be minimized instead of the engine behind our country's success. Think back again to those Members of the Senate whose parents carried union cards who cared about all this, who had a chance--in a job like this, who had a chance for opportunity because those workers carried a union card and were treated decently on the job. Because those workers carried a union card, their bosses couldn't think of them only as a cost to be minimized. They did think of them as the engine behind their country's success. The American people rejected that--the 80-plus million people who votedfor a new President. They voted against the President who treated workers as expendable. They voted for the candidate who put workers at the center of his campaign. Joe Biden had the most pro-worker campaign in a generation, and in January we get to work to deliver results. The new President, right now, on January 20 can immediately issue an OSHA emergency temporary standard forcing corporations to take important, critical, decisive steps to protect their workers from contracting or spreading the virus in their workplaces. What is more important than protecting workers, especially essential workers who deliver our food, who prepare food, who do custodial work, who do security work, who are helping people in our country live every day? With cases rising and hospitals filling up all over the country, the end of January isn't soon enough. Workers put themselves at risk in nursing homes and hospitals. They deliver packages of holiday gifts. They stock supermarket shelves with supplies for holiday meals. Some of those workers are going to get sick. Some of them are going to die. They are going to die because they are essential workers, but we don't treat them like essential workers. We can do something about it now. We could pass a real plan that invests in protective equipment for them. We can pass a real plan of testing and contact tracing. We could get money to small businesses like Liz Valenti's business in Dayton, OH, so they can protect their workers--her two restaurants in Dayton. Well, what is Leader McConnell doing? Ramming through more Trump nominees like Mr. Hauptman and Mr. Waller, who keep stacking the deck in favor of their Wall Street friends, trying to hold on to their power even after Americans said: No, we want something different--80 million of them. Mitch McConnell needs to stop letting Donald Trump sabotage our economic recovery on his way out the door and get to work for the people he serves. It is time to remember what makes this country great. If you love this country, you fight for people who make it work--our workers who organized in union halls and church basements and fought for workers' rights, women's rights, and civil rights. In closing--I know that Senator Lee wants to speak. I have worn for my time in the Senate and before that, I wore this pin on my lapel. It is a depiction of a canary in a birdcage. You may remember the old labor story of the worker, the coal miner who took the canary down into the mines. If the canary died by suffocation or lack of oxygen or some contaminant in the air, the mine worker got out of the mines. He had no union in those days to protect himself, and he had no government that cared enough, that was strong enough to protect him, and he had no government that cared enough to protect him. He was essentially on his own. This pin was given to me at a workers' Memorial Day rally by a steelworker who told me about this pin and what it stood for. He knows that the labor movement changed this country for the better. It created the greatest economy and the strongest middle class on Earth. It said the opposite of what Mitch McConnell says to workers all over the country: Sorry. You are on your own. What this canary pin represents is, we are all in this together. It means we fight for the dignity of work. It means if you love your country, you fight for the people who make it work. We can do that again. We can protect workers from this virus. We can build a better system centered on the dignity of work I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgS7168 | null | 1,742 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of our country. It is my privilege to recognize a family-owned business that invests heavily in its customers, employees, and community. Today, it is my honor to name the Lucky Goat Coffee Company of Tallahassee, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. In 2010, Ben Pautsch founded Lucky Goat Coffee Company as a coffee wholesale and distribution company. Ben, a graduate of Florida State University--FSU--focused on providing high-quality beans to local coffee cafes. The Tallahassee-based business grew quickly as orders poured in. Their reputation for roasting the best grounds led to the creation of the first Lucky Goat coffee shop in 2015. The appealing storefront and large warehouse allowed Lucky Goat to spread their knowledge and passion for coffee through various classes and tours, strengthening their customer relationships in the process. Today, Lucky Goat Coffee has grown to include five coffee shops in Tallahassee and a franchise location in Jacksonville. Their Tallahassee-based headquarters provides more than 350 wholesale customers across the country withpremium coffee beans. Ben keeps his strong relationship with FSU. Lucky Goat Coffee products are featured on campus, and Ben regularly hires FSU students and alumni. From the start, Ben has been committed to creating dignified work. He prioritizes career development and professional growth for his employees, with one-time baristas moving up to serve in senior management within the company. Over the years, Lucky Goat Coffee has been recognized for its growth and remained committed to investing in its community. In 2017, then-Governor Rick Scott recognized Lucky Goat Coffee with a Governor's Business Ambassador Award. As one of the 100 fastest growing companies owned or led by Florida State University alumnus, Lucky Goat Coffee was named to the Seminole 100 in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Ben mentors young entrepreneurs interested in the coffee industry, and Lucky Goat Coffee supports local youth-focused organizations, including local Little League teams and Cub Scouts. They also help Leon County Schools, donating much-needed school supplies for students and equipment, including coffee, for the teachers. Like many Florida small businesses, Lucky Goat Coffee suffered a severe decline in revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. In April 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration launched the Paycheck Protection Program, a small business relief program that I was proud to author. The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. A PPP loan gave Lucky Goat the support it needed to retain its employees and survive the pandemic. Lucky Goat Coffee is a notable example of a small business that provides dignified work to its employees and invests in its community. Through their passion and generosity, Lucky Goat fuels Floridians every day with its delicious coffee and supports them through community service. Congratulations to Ben and the entire team at Lucky Goat. I look forward to your continued success. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. RUBIO | Senate | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgS7174-3 | null | 1,743 |
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-5976. A communication from the President of the United States, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the issuance of an Executive Order declaring a national emergency to deal with the threat posed by the People's Republic of China (PRC) increasing exploitation of United States Capital to resource and to enable the development and modernization of its military, intelligence, and other security apparatuses which continues to allow the PRC to directly threaten the United States forces overseas, including by developing and deploying weapons of mass destruction, advanced conventional weapons, and malicious cyber-enabled actions against the United States and its people; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-5977. A communication from the Director of Legislative Affairs, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Final Rule - Branch Application Procedures'' (RIN3064-AF54) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-5978. A communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the six-month periodic report on the national emergency with respect to serious human rights abuse and corruption that was declared in Executive Order 13818 of December 20, 2017; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-5979. 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 stabilization of Iraq that was declared in Executive Order 13303 of May 22, 2003; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-5980. 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 ``CY 2021 Inpatient Hospital Deductible and Hospital and Extended Care Services Coinsurance Amounts'' (RIN0938-AU14) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5981. 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 ``CY 2021 Part A Premiums for the Uninsured Aged and for Certain Disabled Individuals Who Have Exhausted Other Entitlement'' (RIN0938-AU15) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5982. 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 ``Medicaid Program; Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) Managed Care (CMS- 2408-F)'' (RIN0938-AT40) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5983. A communication from the Regulations Writer, Office of Regulations and Reports Clearance, Social Security Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Hearings Held by Administrative Appeals Judges of the Appeals Council'' (RIN0960-AI25) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5984. A communication from the Director, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Department of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Nondiscrimination Obligations of Federal Contractors and Subcontractors: Procedures to Resolve Potential Employment Discrimination'' (RIN1250-AA10) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5985. A communication from the Director, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Department of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Nondiscrimination Obligations of Federal Contractors and Subcontractors: Procedures to Resolve Potential Employment Discrimination'' (RIN1250-AA10) received in the Office of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5986. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Registration Requirements for Pooled Plan Providers'' (RIN1210-AB94) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5987. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Financial Factors in Selecting Plan Investments'' (RIN1210-AB95) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5988. A communication from the Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Administration's Performance and Accountability Report for fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5989. A communication from the Chairman, International Trade Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Commission's fiscal year 2020 Annual Financial Report (AFR); to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5990. 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 2021-02, Small Entity Compliance Guide'' (FAC 2021- 02) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5991. 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 2021-02, Technical Amendments'' (FAC 2021-02) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5992. 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: FAR Case 202-002, Removal of Obsolete Definitions'' (RIN9000-AO05) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5993. A communication from the Chairman of the Board, Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Corporation's consolidated report addressing the Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA or Integrity Act) and the Inspector General Act of 1978 (IG Act); to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5994. 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: FAR Case 2019-002, Recreational Services on Federal Lands'' (RIN9000-AN85) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5995. A communication from the Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to law, four (4) reports relative to vacancies in the Department of Justice, received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-5996. A communication from the Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ``Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) Quarterly Report to Congress; Fourth Quarter of fiscal year 2020''; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgS7175-3 | null | 1,744 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | SA 2689. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Grassley) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 578, to amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the five-month waiting period for disability insurance benefits under such title for individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. SA 2690. Mr. LEE proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 1044, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, to increase the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants, and for other purposes. SA 2691. Mr. INHOFE (for Mr. Sullivan) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 496, to preserve United States fishing heritage through a national program dedicated to training and assisting the next generation of commercial fishermen, and for other purposes | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-02-pt1-PgS7182-2 | null | 1,745 |
formal | XX | null | transphobic | The SPEAKER. Under clause 5(d) of rule XX, the Chair announces to the House that, in light of the administration of the oath of office to the gentleman from Georgia, the whole number of the House is 431. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER | House | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgH6057 | null | 1,746 |
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-2020-12-03-pt1-PgH6068-2 | null | 1,747 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3682) to provide for greater consultation between the Federal Government and the governing bodies of land grant-mercedes and acequias in New Mexico and to provide for a process for recognition of the historic-traditional boundaries of land grant-mercedes, and for other purposes, as amended. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. CASE | House | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgH6124 | null | 1,748 |
formal | urban | null | racist | Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4153) to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to authorize urban Indian organizations to enter into arrangements for the sharing ofmedical services and facilities, and for other purposes. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. CASE | House | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgH6126 | null | 1,749 |
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. 1244) providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3884) to decriminalize and deschedule cannabis, to provide for reinvestment in certain persons adversely impacted by the War on Drugs, to provide for expungement of certain cannabis offenses, and for other purposes, on which the yeas and nays were ordered. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgH6134 | null | 1,750 |
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. 1380) to amend the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to clarify provisions enacted by the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, to further the conservation of certain wildlife species, and for other purposes, as amended, on which the yeas and nays were ordered. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgH6136 | null | 1,751 |
formal | illegal immigrant | null | anti-Latino | Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, anyone who has heard me speak about coronavirus relief going back months has heard one central principle: Let's deliver right away on all the subjects where everybody agrees and argue over the rest later. The solution to this impasse has been in plain sight for a long time now for anybody willing to see it: Agree where we agree, bank that progress, make law, take a whole lot of pressure off struggling people, and then keep debating the areas where we don't agree. There is no actual reason why the fates of commonsense policies like a second round of the job-saving Paycheck Protection Program had to be linked to the fates of fringe proposals like stimulus checks for illegal immigrants. There is no reason why the fate of funding for vaccine distribution or extending unemployment aid or legal certainties for universities should have been tied to radical ideas like paying people more not to work than essential workers earn on the job. These linkages have been totally arbitrary, just a political decision that Democratic leaders made many months back. Democratic leaders have tried to create a narrative where it is taken for granted that the most bipartisan, commonsensical relief policies would live or die with their side's most outlandish ideas. Well, that just isn't so. They have tried to create a dynamic where they move from one made-up number to a second slightly smaller arbitrary number and call it a meaningful concession. The truth is simple. This has always been about policy differences. We have two sides with two different visions for the best way to support our Nation through what we hope will be the last chapter of the pandemic. That isn't new. We have disagreements all the time. Our system can handle disagreements, but both sides have to be willing to compile theircommonalities and make law here, and, up to now, our Democratic colleagues have declined to do that. Remember, their side said in March this pandemic was ``a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision.'' So when Republicans tried to pass commonsense relief measures in July, in September, and in October, as well, our Democratic colleagues actually blocked policies they do not even oppose. It has been heartening to see a few hopeful signs in the past few days. After months of arbitrary attachment to sky-high dollar amounts that the Speaker of the House claimed were essential--that it would be an insult to settle for a nickel less--those baseless claims have suddenly evaporated. That is at least movement in the right direction, but the underlying reality is still with us. There are many important policies that have strong bipartisan support. There are many others that do not, and the way to help the country is for our Democratic colleagues to finally let the former group be signed into law while we keep arguing over the rest. The targeted second round of paycheck protection that we have been trying to establish since July would help a huge number of small businesses survive to the finish line and help huge numbers of workers to keep their jobs. And it can pass the Senate today, probably with 95 votes. With the apparent success of Operation Warp Speed, it makes no sense to skimp on the systems to distribute and deliver vaccines around the country. Those funds could pass the Senate today, possibly unanimously. University presidents have made it clear they need certainty for their reopenings. Let me say that again. University presidents have made it clear they need legal certainty for their reopenings. That shouldn't be partisan. Liability protections should be able to pass the Senate today. A number of our Democratic colleagues have focused especially on several of the unemployment relief programs that are set to expire in a matter of days. I specifically made sure to include those programs in my framework a few days ago. That extension could pass the Senate today. The House of Representatives is spending this week on pressing issues like marijuana--marijuana--you know, serious and important legislation befitting this national crisis. But here in the Senate, I put forward a serious and highly targeted relief proposal including the elements which we know the President is ready and willing to sign into law. Why should these impactful and noncontroversial life preservers be delayed one second longer? At long last, let's do what Congress does when we want an outcome. Let's make law on all the subjects where we agree and on all the areas where President Trump is ready to sign bipartisan relief into law. I promise, our deep differences will still be here to debate. Our disagreements will be right where we left them. But do you know what can't wait? What can't wait are American workers, American small businesses, K-12 schools, the vulnerable Americans and frontline healthcare workers for whom speedy vaccine distribution will literally be a life-or-death matter. Yesterday, my home State of Kentucky experienced yet another dreadful--dreadful--record-setting day. But Kentuckians also know that hope is in sight. Our State's workers are standing by at the UPS Worldport in Louisville and the DHL Express American Hub in northern Kentucky, key logistics centers that will play crucial roles in sending vaccines all around the country. Our people are hurting, but they are ready to finish this fight. Congress should not keep them waiting for reinforcements that should have arrived literally months ago. So compromise is within reach. We know where we agree. We can do this. Let me say it again. We can do this, and we need to do this. So let's be about actually making a law | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7191-6 | null | 1,752 |
formal | illegal immigrants | null | anti-Latino | Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, anyone who has heard me speak about coronavirus relief going back months has heard one central principle: Let's deliver right away on all the subjects where everybody agrees and argue over the rest later. The solution to this impasse has been in plain sight for a long time now for anybody willing to see it: Agree where we agree, bank that progress, make law, take a whole lot of pressure off struggling people, and then keep debating the areas where we don't agree. There is no actual reason why the fates of commonsense policies like a second round of the job-saving Paycheck Protection Program had to be linked to the fates of fringe proposals like stimulus checks for illegal immigrants. There is no reason why the fate of funding for vaccine distribution or extending unemployment aid or legal certainties for universities should have been tied to radical ideas like paying people more not to work than essential workers earn on the job. These linkages have been totally arbitrary, just a political decision that Democratic leaders made many months back. Democratic leaders have tried to create a narrative where it is taken for granted that the most bipartisan, commonsensical relief policies would live or die with their side's most outlandish ideas. Well, that just isn't so. They have tried to create a dynamic where they move from one made-up number to a second slightly smaller arbitrary number and call it a meaningful concession. The truth is simple. This has always been about policy differences. We have two sides with two different visions for the best way to support our Nation through what we hope will be the last chapter of the pandemic. That isn't new. We have disagreements all the time. Our system can handle disagreements, but both sides have to be willing to compile theircommonalities and make law here, and, up to now, our Democratic colleagues have declined to do that. Remember, their side said in March this pandemic was ``a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision.'' So when Republicans tried to pass commonsense relief measures in July, in September, and in October, as well, our Democratic colleagues actually blocked policies they do not even oppose. It has been heartening to see a few hopeful signs in the past few days. After months of arbitrary attachment to sky-high dollar amounts that the Speaker of the House claimed were essential--that it would be an insult to settle for a nickel less--those baseless claims have suddenly evaporated. That is at least movement in the right direction, but the underlying reality is still with us. There are many important policies that have strong bipartisan support. There are many others that do not, and the way to help the country is for our Democratic colleagues to finally let the former group be signed into law while we keep arguing over the rest. The targeted second round of paycheck protection that we have been trying to establish since July would help a huge number of small businesses survive to the finish line and help huge numbers of workers to keep their jobs. And it can pass the Senate today, probably with 95 votes. With the apparent success of Operation Warp Speed, it makes no sense to skimp on the systems to distribute and deliver vaccines around the country. Those funds could pass the Senate today, possibly unanimously. University presidents have made it clear they need certainty for their reopenings. Let me say that again. University presidents have made it clear they need legal certainty for their reopenings. That shouldn't be partisan. Liability protections should be able to pass the Senate today. A number of our Democratic colleagues have focused especially on several of the unemployment relief programs that are set to expire in a matter of days. I specifically made sure to include those programs in my framework a few days ago. That extension could pass the Senate today. The House of Representatives is spending this week on pressing issues like marijuana--marijuana--you know, serious and important legislation befitting this national crisis. But here in the Senate, I put forward a serious and highly targeted relief proposal including the elements which we know the President is ready and willing to sign into law. Why should these impactful and noncontroversial life preservers be delayed one second longer? At long last, let's do what Congress does when we want an outcome. Let's make law on all the subjects where we agree and on all the areas where President Trump is ready to sign bipartisan relief into law. I promise, our deep differences will still be here to debate. Our disagreements will be right where we left them. But do you know what can't wait? What can't wait are American workers, American small businesses, K-12 schools, the vulnerable Americans and frontline healthcare workers for whom speedy vaccine distribution will literally be a life-or-death matter. Yesterday, my home State of Kentucky experienced yet another dreadful--dreadful--record-setting day. But Kentuckians also know that hope is in sight. Our State's workers are standing by at the UPS Worldport in Louisville and the DHL Express American Hub in northern Kentucky, key logistics centers that will play crucial roles in sending vaccines all around the country. Our people are hurting, but they are ready to finish this fight. Congress should not keep them waiting for reinforcements that should have arrived literally months ago. So compromise is within reach. We know where we agree. We can do this. Let me say it again. We can do this, and we need to do this. So let's be about actually making a law | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7191-6 | null | 1,753 |
formal | Federal Reserve | null | antisemitic | The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the following nomination, which the clerk will report. The senior assistant legislative clerk read the nomination of Christopher Waller, of Minnesota, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a term of fourteen years from February 1, 2016. | 2020-01-06 | The PRESIDING OFFICER | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7192-3 | null | 1,754 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the following nomination, which the clerk will report. The senior assistant legislative clerk read the nomination of Christopher Waller, of Minnesota, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a term of fourteen years from February 1, 2016. | 2020-01-06 | The PRESIDING OFFICER | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7192-3 | null | 1,755 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam President, here is my view of serving in the U.S. Senate: It is hard to get here, it is hard to stay here, and while you are here, you might as well try to accomplish something good for the country. Accomplishing something good in the U.S. Senate means working with a superior staff. Today, I want to pay tribute to the 270 men and women who have served on my staff since I came to the Senate in 2003, in my personal office, both here in Washington, DC, and in the six Tennessee offices; in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; the Senate Rules Committee; the Senate Appropriations Committee; and at the Senate Republican conference. Some who started with me in 2003 are still working for me after 18 years, and some have moved on to other opportunities, but each has played a major role in the Senate, whether they were helping to pass laws, serve our constituents, or answering the front-office phone. We have some important traditions here in the Senate, including the maiden speech, which I delivered 17 years ago, in my case, and the farewell speech, which I delivered yesterday, but for me, something is missing. Usually staff is acknowledged in the farewell address, which either makes the address way too long or at least too little time to properly acknowledge their contributions. I am here today to make a ``Salute to the Staff'' speech. I know my colleagues agree that their own accomplishments are the result of working with superior staff, so perhaps, if I may not be presumptuous, a ``Salute to the Staff'' speech might become an additional Senate tradition. When I say ``superior staff,'' here is what I mean: superior in being what Senator Howard Baker used to call an eloquent listener--that the constituent on the phone might be right or even the staffer in the other office might be right; superior in courtesy to the Tennesseans for whom we work; superior in insight; superior in resolving complex issues and wrapping up the result in a nice package with a ribbon tied around it, ready to be passed and signed into law whenever the moment came that it could be passed, which would usually be a surprise and at an inconvenient time; and superior in writing and speaking plain English in order to persuade at least half the people we are right; and superior in working well together--something you are supposed to learn in kindergarten--so we have a good time while we are working. Unlike almost every other Senate office, at the suggestion of my chief of staff, David Cleary, we created a single team composed of personal office staff here and in Washington, DC, and the committee staff, with David in charge of all of that. I originally thought that was a big mistake. I didn't see how anyone could be in charge of all of that, but I was wrong about it because what it did was break down barriers and eliminate jealousy, improve communication, and create a much happier and effective working condition. The results have been exceptional. For 18 years, I have gotten up every morning thinking I might be able to do something good to help our country, and I have gone to bed most nights thinking that I have. That couldn't have happened without the privilege of working with an exceptional staff. The truth is--we all know this--that there is just no physical way for any U.S. Senator to see every single one of our constituents every time we want tosee them or talk to them on the phone, although we all make our best efforts to do that. And you learn pretty quickly that constituents expect and deserve to be treated not just with courtesy but promptly. For example, Senator Estes Kefauver held this seat that I now hold when I was a high school student. One day, Maude from Madisonville, his hometown, called Senator Kefauver's office and said: ``I want to speak to Estes.'' The staffer said: ``I'm sorry but Senator Kefauver is tied up on the floor.'' There was a long silence. Maude said: ``Well, you go down and untie the son of a gun and get him up off the floor and tell him Maude's on the phone and wants to speak to him.'' So our constituents expect to talk with us when they want to. My first visit to the Senate was when I was a junior in high school. It was part of the American Legion Boys Nation Program. I was invited to visit Senator Kefauver. I was 17 years old. I was reluctant to do that because I was sure he had many more important people to see than a 17-year-old boy from Maryville, TN. I was even more sure of that when I arrived at his office because his office was just filled with people who looked important and looked like they had come from all over the world to see him. But his assistant came out and swished me in through all the important people, doing her best to make me feel comfortable. Kefauver had a reputation for being accessible, and it was because his staff made it appear that he always was. I remind my staff that there are many people who want to see us who suspect that we feel we are too important to see them, and we should do everything we can to help them understand that we know that they are the important ones. The staff and I have done our best to try to do that. With all of the Senators with whom I have served from Tennessee, we have what we call Tennessee Tuesday, which are breakfasts where any Tennessean can come and visit with both Senators, have a little breakfast, and have their photograph taken. In 18 years, 270 people have worked on my Senate staff--as I mentioned, in Jackson, Nashville, Tri-Cities, Knoxville, Memphis, Chattanooga, or in Washington, DC, on my personal staff or the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions staff or the Rules Committee or Appropriations Committee or at the Senate Republican conference. There are a lot of places to have a lot of staff--153 women, 117 men. Our staff has also benefited from the work of 433 interns. These interns usually stay with us 1 to 3 months, and they have some real work experiences while they are here, and they are pretty good. In fact, 30 staff members--that is 11 percent of our staff--began their work in our office as interns. Our staff has experienced some great personal joys. We celebrated the birth or adoption of 30 babies over those 18 years. Just as I met my wife Honey while we were both working in the Senate, some of our staffers met their spouses while working on my staff, including: Mackensie Burt and Paul McKernana, Will Patterson and Katherine Knight, Virginia Heppner and Bobby McMillin, Laura Lefler and John Herzog, Will Campbell and Victoria Souza, and Patrick Jaynes and Jill Salyers. They are all married now. We also have experienced some profound sorrows. Some have lost parents, nursed seriously injured children, or been through their own health emergencies. In November 2007, Trey Lefler, a very special staffer and friend, was involved in a serious car accident and died as a result of his injuries. Many staff members have stayed. We have worked together for a long time. Some have been a part of our team--meaning we worked together--since I became a Senator: Patrick Jaynes, State director; Lindsey Seidman, deputy staff director on the HELP Committee; Jane Chedester, field representative in Knoxville; Kay Durham, constituent services representative in Nashville; Charlotte Jackson, who knows more about how to help people with a visa problem than anybody in the world; Matt Varino, field representative in Jackson; Gina Parkerson in Tri-Cities; Stephanie Chivers, a senior adviser in Nashville. It is pretty remarkable. It is not so easy to be on the staff of a U.S. Senator in the State they represent. Everybody knows who you are. Everywhere you go, you are likely to be sought out by people who need help, people who are hurting. It is easy to get burned out. It is hard to stay in a job like that for that long. Patrick Jaynes says that while these might be jobs in politics, the politics end when you start the job. You have to work with everyone and help everyone. Our Tennessee field representatives have traveled thousands of miles, meeting with mayors, businesses, schools, hospitals, and other organizations across our 95 counties. Caseworkers have handled about 20,000 cases over the years, like getting disability benefits, helping a World War II veteran get a medal, helping a family stranded overseas get home. For example, Laura Ray Goodrich is a staffer in Jackson. She heard of a single mother having desperate issues getting her tax refund. The mother needed the money to help pay rent and the rest of her bills. Laura got to work and reached out to the IRS. She discovered the mother's returns had been wrong for several years and helped the thrilled single mother recover far more money than she was expecting. Keith Abraham, who works in the Knoxville office, heard from a Tennessee company about an employee with a grim cancer diagnosis. The employee's parents lived in China. They were unable to see the employee because of COVID-19 restrictions. Long and short, Keith worked it out so they could receive the appropriate paperwork and fly here to be with their daughter. One story that I got to see in person was about Wilbur ``Bill'' Hoffman from World War II. Mary Wooldridge, in our Memphis office, was asked if there was some way he could be recognized for his World War II service. She worked with the service and discovered that he was not only eligible for a Purple Heart after he had been wounded at Pointe du Hoc on D-Day in 1944, he had also earned the Bronze Star and the Ranger Tab awards. In 2012, he was presented with these awards by our State's highest ranking military officer, General Haston at a ceremony I attended. He died a year later. Each fall, Kay Durham in our office works through about 150 Tennesseans' applications to attend our Nation's service academies. She has worked with over 2,500 candidates applying for those academies. There is no better State director than Patrick Jaynes. He also served as deputy chief of staff. He worked to create a smooth relationship between what happens in Tennessee and what happens here. I have traveled thousands of miles with Patrick. He has not run into anybody, but we have been through a lot of flat tires and some speeding tickets. Patrick and I have seen it all. He is full of insights. He always has energy for the next event and can always solve a problem. During my time in the Senate, the conference elected me three times as chairman of the Senate Republican conference. That is a little bit of a political job. What you are supposed to do is come up with something that Republicans can say to counter what Democrats are saying. It is especially a challenge to do that for Republicans to get them to talk on a single message. All of the Senators--every one of us--are experts in politics or we wouldn't have gotten here. And Republican Senators are especially independent-minded. Republicans and Democrats will often all do things together as a caucus, but we do it differently than they do. Democrats will all hold hands and jump off the cliff together. Republicans will also all jump off the cliff at the same time, but one will do a somersault, one will do a back flip, one will do a dive, and so forth. The goal was to come up in the caucus with a catchy phrase. For example, on energy, ``Find more, use less,'' or about ObamaCare, ``step by step,'' instead of ``comprehensive.'' To persuade Senators to say the same thing, staff would record clips of them saying what I thought they should say, and then we would show that back to them at lunch. I found that Senators paid a lot more attention to watching themselves say thingsthan they did to watching me suggest to them what to say. It wasn't me doing all that; it was staff doing it. They came up with catchy phrases, many of them. They made sure we communicated them at the conference. While I was on the Rules Committee, I had a chance--I worked with Senator Schumer on that. We were ranking--really, like this year, we didn't know who would be the new President. I had an opportunity to speak at President Obama's inauguration. We talked about the peaceful transfer or the reaffirmation of power as a conspicuous symbol of our democracy. There is no possible way to organize a Presidential inauguration without a superior staff. Mary Jones and Lindsey Seidman were the ones who were in charge of all that for us. Then, in 2012, on the Senate HELP Committee--as the senior Republican for 2 years, then 6 years as chairman--the staff grew a lot. Senator Ted Kennedy used to say that the HELP Committee had about one-third of the jurisdiction of the Senate. It certainly does a lot of work, and it needs a lot of talented staff members. During my 8 years as the senior Republican, the staff helped organize 209 hearings, 752 witnesses, mostly bipartisan--meaning that I agreed with Senator Harkin first, then Senator Murray for the last 6 years, on whom the witnesses would be. We produced 90 bills that have become law. That is a lot of work--weeks of work by the staff. Securing each witness often takes a host of conversations with Democratic committee staff, numerous phone calls with experts. Every bill that becomes law takes efforts that are hard to comprehend outside the walls of Congress, from the consultations with constituents and experts to the drafting of the legislation, to the work with other members and outside groups, to consulting, to trying to soothe bruised feelings, to working with other committee members, bring it to the attention of the majority leader, try to find an opportunity for it to be on the Senate calendar, then bill support, then remove holes. There is a lot of work to do in passing a bill and making a law, and staff does most of the work. Senators do a lot, but they can't do it all. Here are some of the achievements worth highlighting. I mentioned many of them yesterday in my farewell address, so I won't go into great detail about them today; for example, the Every Student Succeeds Act. This was the bill to fix No Child Left Behind. It affects 50 million children in 100,000 schools. President Obama called it ``a Christmas miracle.'' The Wall Street Journal said it was the largest devolution of power from Washington to the States in 25 years. I will never forget what, to me, was a truly emotional moment, when every Senator on our committee--this is from Rand Paul to Elizabeth Warren--voted to recommend the bill to the Senate. This law was the result of complicated and nimble work by Peter Oppenheim, Lindsay Fryer, Matt Stern, and David Cleary. FAFSA Simplification. Twenty million Americans fill out this ridiculously complex form for Federal aid for Pell grants and student loans. You have seen me hold it up on the Senate floor. Everyone agrees it can be 33 instead of 108 questions. Almost everyone agrees it is the major obstacle to low-income students getting Federal aid to go to college because they are intimidated by it. Bob Moran, Lauren Davies, and Andrew LaCasse have worked hard with Senator Murray's staff. We have it about half done. We would like to get it across the finish line before the end of the year. Head Start. In 2007, we came up with the idea. Sarah Rittling was the staffer. It was to establish 200 centers of excellence for the Head Start Program. Then, in 2005, Katrina came and Rita came, two big hurricanes. Kristin Bannerman was critical to legislation, where we worked with Senator Kennedy, Senator Dodd, and Senator Landrieu for voucher funding to assist with the cost of educating 150,000 public and nonpublic school students in grades K-12 displaced by the hurricane. Then, reauthorizing the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. Education Week said it was ``a watershed moment.'' Staffer Jake Baker worked on that. Senator Enzi did a lot of the heavy work. I have been fortunate to have two extraordinary women whom I work with on the team of staff on the HELP Committee who handle family health policy: Mary-Sumpter Lapinski and Grace Graham. Before they started, Melissa Pfaff, Page Kranbuhl, and Marguerite Salee Kondracke were instrumental in passing the PREEMIE Act in 2003, getting the bill well written and signed into law, working with the March of Dimes to help give more babies a chance to live long and healthy lives. Once I became senior on the HELP Committee, we began to work on the 21st Century Cures Act. Senator McConnell said it was the most important law of that Congress. It helps speed medical innovations to patients in doctors' offices. Margaret Coulter, Andy Vogt, Melissa Pfaff, Brett Meeks, and others spent countless hours getting ready for that. FDA user fees. This showed Grace Graham's ability to be a traffic cop working with Senator Murray's staff and with House committees. We had a really fairly seamless effort to take these complicated pieces of law to collect user fees from drug and device makers and include significant new provisions to speed those drugs and devices into doctors' offices. The most popular bill that never became a law was called Alexander-Murray. I even bought a case of Scotch called Alexander-Murray to give out to everybody when it passed, but it never was passed. The result of the immense efforts--the whole goal--was to reduce the cost of healthcare premiums in the individual insurance market. President Trump worked well with us on that. Virginia McMillin and Liz Wroe did countless hours of work, but we couldn't quite get it across the finish line. Then, this year, there was the shark tank. With the support of Senators Blunt and Shelby, we worked together with Francis Collins, of the National Institutes of Health, to create an initiative of $2.5 billion to produce 50 million more COVID diagnostic tests a month than current technologies would do. Grace Graham, Melissa Pfaff, and Laura Friedel on Senator Blunt's staff worked on that. During all of this, Grace Graham was in her third trimester--not during all of it. During the latter part of this, she was in her third trimester. She was working on design policies and being a traffic cop between here and the House. To date, she and Stash, her husband, have had their first child, Penn. She is back at work, and the country is better off for everything that she has contributed. Our committee leadership positions are often considered the plum positions, but you can do a whole lot with a talented personal staff. Ours has put in long hours and has met expectations. For example, on the Great American Outdoors Act, Anna Newton and Lindsay Garcia did yeoman's work. This is a bill that good people have literally been trying to pass since the Eisenhower years. It was the most important piece of outdoor legislation in that period of time. With the Music Modernization Act, we worked with Senator Hatch and his staff. We eventually got 85 cosponsors, but this one nearly ran off the road several times. Lindsay Garcia and Paul McKernan made sure it became law. The America COMPETES Act was back in my early years as a Senator, when I was very junior, so I got the Republican leader and the Democratic leader to cosponsor it. It passed with, I think, more than 60 cosponsors to improve our competitive position in the world. Matt Sonnesyn and David Cleary were the key staffers on that. They were not just working with staff people around here. For example, with the America COMPETES Act, the bill wouldn't have passed if it had not been for 800 outdoor recreation environmental groups outside of Congress who supported the bill and encouraged Senators to get off planes and come back here to cast crucial votes. We are grateful for that. Matt Sonnesyn worked with the Iraq Study Group recommendations that we made during the George W. Bush years, and Erin Reif and Lucas DaPieve have been experts on foreign affairs and appropriations. While I have been chairman of the Energy and Water Appropriations, wehave had 5 straight years in a row--hopefully, we will have 6--of funding the Office of Science, which supports our 17 National Laboratories. We have also stepped up funding for all of the inland waterways, like Chickamauga Lock, and for supercomputing in order to keep us first in the world. Tom Craig, Tyler Owens, Meyer Seligman, Jen Armstrong, and Adam DeMella all played key roles in that. I met every week with what I called my Energy Working Group. I found the intersection of energy and environment to be, really, the most fascinating new subject for me during my time as a Senator, and we did a lot of work on that both on the Committee on Appropriations and with other Senators. Meeting with that energy policy staff helped to get the America COMPETES Act passed. It stopped the Road to Nowhere in the Smokies. It pushed back on the efforts to promote Big Wind on our mountain ridges, and it resulted in record funding for energy and water development. Sharon Segner, Jessica Holliday, Conrad Schatte, and Lindsay Garcia all led those teams. We spend a lot of time working with staff to get the policy right and trying to get the message right. You have to be able to persuade at least half the people that you are right in this business. Words matter. We spend a lot of time on headlines so that we convey what we are trying to do. The individuals who have led our communications unit include Alexia Poe, Harvey Valentine, Lee Pitts, Jim Jeffries, Brian Reisinger, Margaret Atkinson, Liz Wolgemuth, Ashton Davies, and Taylor Haulsee. You can't run an effective office without a good office manager. We have had the best--Trina Tyrer and Debbie Paul. Misty Marshall came to us from the White House, where she was the director of correspondence for Laura Bush. One of the toughest, most important jobs in the Senate office that people outside the Senate don't really appreciate as much is the job of scheduling. It requires constant changes, great discretion, enormous promptness, and attention to detail. Every day is a mismatch of meetings and calls. There is no schedule, really, in the U.S. Senate. You just kind of keep up with what is going on, and you put it down on a piece of paper. Suddenly, everything can get wiped out by an emergency call. Bonnie Sansonetti, Sarah Fairchild, and Alicyn York have been the very best. The legislative director conducts the office orchestra. I have been very fortunate that Allison Martin has been our conductor. She used to work for Bill Frist and Fred Thompson. She is a West Tennessean, but the whole State is what she cares about as well as the country. If you were to look for somebody with her skill and talent, you would be looking for a very long time. David Cleary, Richard Hertling, Matt Sonnesyn, and David Morgenstern were also legislative directors. One thing I know is I wouldn't be very good as a chief of staff, so I needed a very good chief of staff to do some things that I don't do as well. My first one was Tommy Ingram, whom I have known since 1966 when he was a Tennessean reporter, and I was working for Howard Baker in his second campaign. We have been friends ever since. He was my campaign manager and chief of staff as Governor. He did the same thing. He is really responsible for much of my success in politics. David Morgenstern joined my staff in 2005 as legislative director, and he became chief of staff in 2009. Matt Sonnesyn came to me from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He was initially a senior policy adviser. He was one of the few Republican students in the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, so he was well trained in defending his views. Ryan Loskarn served as chief of staff starting in 2007. Then, in my personal office, David Cleary has been the chief for the past 7 years. You can see him somewhere in an outrageous red and black suit on the Senate floor. David and I have worked together for almost 15 years. First, he served as staff director for the HELP Subcommittee on Children and Families. He used to work for John Boehner in the House In 2014, after becoming the ranking member of the HELP Committee, David suggested, as I said earlier, that he be both chief of staff and staff director of the committee. I recounted how, at first, I thought that was a bad idea, but it was one of the best ideas suggested to me because it made our staff so much more effective and work so much better. It was the key to our success, really, and I do not know of a more effective chief of staff of the Senate than David Cleary. He led our efforts to fix No Child Left Behind, the 21st Century Cures, the reauthorizing of Perkins, and the FDA user fees legislation. I appreciate how much time Marci, his wife, and Maria, their daughter, have given to our team. To close, I would like to thank all 270 staff members who have given time and energy to our office. One of those, Reynard Graham, has been my administrative right hand for many years. His bigger job is that he is a minister on the weekends. There isn't time to recognize the accomplishments of each one by name, but there are many, and I am grateful to every single individual. It has been a tremendous gift to work with a skilled and dedicated staff. Each person who has served in this office should be proud of what we have accomplished. I have been so fortunate to have been on the same team with each of you for the last 18 years. In a farewell address yesterday, I said that I wake up every day thinking I might be able to do something good for our country and that I go to bed most nights thinking that I have. It has been a great privilege to be a U.S. Senator. It has been a great privilege over these 18 years to work with such an exceptional staff. I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a list of the names of my staff | 2020-01-06 | Mr. ALEXANDER | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7199-3 | null | 1,756 |
formal | single mother | null | racist | Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam President, here is my view of serving in the U.S. Senate: It is hard to get here, it is hard to stay here, and while you are here, you might as well try to accomplish something good for the country. Accomplishing something good in the U.S. Senate means working with a superior staff. Today, I want to pay tribute to the 270 men and women who have served on my staff since I came to the Senate in 2003, in my personal office, both here in Washington, DC, and in the six Tennessee offices; in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; the Senate Rules Committee; the Senate Appropriations Committee; and at the Senate Republican conference. Some who started with me in 2003 are still working for me after 18 years, and some have moved on to other opportunities, but each has played a major role in the Senate, whether they were helping to pass laws, serve our constituents, or answering the front-office phone. We have some important traditions here in the Senate, including the maiden speech, which I delivered 17 years ago, in my case, and the farewell speech, which I delivered yesterday, but for me, something is missing. Usually staff is acknowledged in the farewell address, which either makes the address way too long or at least too little time to properly acknowledge their contributions. I am here today to make a ``Salute to the Staff'' speech. I know my colleagues agree that their own accomplishments are the result of working with superior staff, so perhaps, if I may not be presumptuous, a ``Salute to the Staff'' speech might become an additional Senate tradition. When I say ``superior staff,'' here is what I mean: superior in being what Senator Howard Baker used to call an eloquent listener--that the constituent on the phone might be right or even the staffer in the other office might be right; superior in courtesy to the Tennesseans for whom we work; superior in insight; superior in resolving complex issues and wrapping up the result in a nice package with a ribbon tied around it, ready to be passed and signed into law whenever the moment came that it could be passed, which would usually be a surprise and at an inconvenient time; and superior in writing and speaking plain English in order to persuade at least half the people we are right; and superior in working well together--something you are supposed to learn in kindergarten--so we have a good time while we are working. Unlike almost every other Senate office, at the suggestion of my chief of staff, David Cleary, we created a single team composed of personal office staff here and in Washington, DC, and the committee staff, with David in charge of all of that. I originally thought that was a big mistake. I didn't see how anyone could be in charge of all of that, but I was wrong about it because what it did was break down barriers and eliminate jealousy, improve communication, and create a much happier and effective working condition. The results have been exceptional. For 18 years, I have gotten up every morning thinking I might be able to do something good to help our country, and I have gone to bed most nights thinking that I have. That couldn't have happened without the privilege of working with an exceptional staff. The truth is--we all know this--that there is just no physical way for any U.S. Senator to see every single one of our constituents every time we want tosee them or talk to them on the phone, although we all make our best efforts to do that. And you learn pretty quickly that constituents expect and deserve to be treated not just with courtesy but promptly. For example, Senator Estes Kefauver held this seat that I now hold when I was a high school student. One day, Maude from Madisonville, his hometown, called Senator Kefauver's office and said: ``I want to speak to Estes.'' The staffer said: ``I'm sorry but Senator Kefauver is tied up on the floor.'' There was a long silence. Maude said: ``Well, you go down and untie the son of a gun and get him up off the floor and tell him Maude's on the phone and wants to speak to him.'' So our constituents expect to talk with us when they want to. My first visit to the Senate was when I was a junior in high school. It was part of the American Legion Boys Nation Program. I was invited to visit Senator Kefauver. I was 17 years old. I was reluctant to do that because I was sure he had many more important people to see than a 17-year-old boy from Maryville, TN. I was even more sure of that when I arrived at his office because his office was just filled with people who looked important and looked like they had come from all over the world to see him. But his assistant came out and swished me in through all the important people, doing her best to make me feel comfortable. Kefauver had a reputation for being accessible, and it was because his staff made it appear that he always was. I remind my staff that there are many people who want to see us who suspect that we feel we are too important to see them, and we should do everything we can to help them understand that we know that they are the important ones. The staff and I have done our best to try to do that. With all of the Senators with whom I have served from Tennessee, we have what we call Tennessee Tuesday, which are breakfasts where any Tennessean can come and visit with both Senators, have a little breakfast, and have their photograph taken. In 18 years, 270 people have worked on my Senate staff--as I mentioned, in Jackson, Nashville, Tri-Cities, Knoxville, Memphis, Chattanooga, or in Washington, DC, on my personal staff or the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions staff or the Rules Committee or Appropriations Committee or at the Senate Republican conference. There are a lot of places to have a lot of staff--153 women, 117 men. Our staff has also benefited from the work of 433 interns. These interns usually stay with us 1 to 3 months, and they have some real work experiences while they are here, and they are pretty good. In fact, 30 staff members--that is 11 percent of our staff--began their work in our office as interns. Our staff has experienced some great personal joys. We celebrated the birth or adoption of 30 babies over those 18 years. Just as I met my wife Honey while we were both working in the Senate, some of our staffers met their spouses while working on my staff, including: Mackensie Burt and Paul McKernana, Will Patterson and Katherine Knight, Virginia Heppner and Bobby McMillin, Laura Lefler and John Herzog, Will Campbell and Victoria Souza, and Patrick Jaynes and Jill Salyers. They are all married now. We also have experienced some profound sorrows. Some have lost parents, nursed seriously injured children, or been through their own health emergencies. In November 2007, Trey Lefler, a very special staffer and friend, was involved in a serious car accident and died as a result of his injuries. Many staff members have stayed. We have worked together for a long time. Some have been a part of our team--meaning we worked together--since I became a Senator: Patrick Jaynes, State director; Lindsey Seidman, deputy staff director on the HELP Committee; Jane Chedester, field representative in Knoxville; Kay Durham, constituent services representative in Nashville; Charlotte Jackson, who knows more about how to help people with a visa problem than anybody in the world; Matt Varino, field representative in Jackson; Gina Parkerson in Tri-Cities; Stephanie Chivers, a senior adviser in Nashville. It is pretty remarkable. It is not so easy to be on the staff of a U.S. Senator in the State they represent. Everybody knows who you are. Everywhere you go, you are likely to be sought out by people who need help, people who are hurting. It is easy to get burned out. It is hard to stay in a job like that for that long. Patrick Jaynes says that while these might be jobs in politics, the politics end when you start the job. You have to work with everyone and help everyone. Our Tennessee field representatives have traveled thousands of miles, meeting with mayors, businesses, schools, hospitals, and other organizations across our 95 counties. Caseworkers have handled about 20,000 cases over the years, like getting disability benefits, helping a World War II veteran get a medal, helping a family stranded overseas get home. For example, Laura Ray Goodrich is a staffer in Jackson. She heard of a single mother having desperate issues getting her tax refund. The mother needed the money to help pay rent and the rest of her bills. Laura got to work and reached out to the IRS. She discovered the mother's returns had been wrong for several years and helped the thrilled single mother recover far more money than she was expecting. Keith Abraham, who works in the Knoxville office, heard from a Tennessee company about an employee with a grim cancer diagnosis. The employee's parents lived in China. They were unable to see the employee because of COVID-19 restrictions. Long and short, Keith worked it out so they could receive the appropriate paperwork and fly here to be with their daughter. One story that I got to see in person was about Wilbur ``Bill'' Hoffman from World War II. Mary Wooldridge, in our Memphis office, was asked if there was some way he could be recognized for his World War II service. She worked with the service and discovered that he was not only eligible for a Purple Heart after he had been wounded at Pointe du Hoc on D-Day in 1944, he had also earned the Bronze Star and the Ranger Tab awards. In 2012, he was presented with these awards by our State's highest ranking military officer, General Haston at a ceremony I attended. He died a year later. Each fall, Kay Durham in our office works through about 150 Tennesseans' applications to attend our Nation's service academies. She has worked with over 2,500 candidates applying for those academies. There is no better State director than Patrick Jaynes. He also served as deputy chief of staff. He worked to create a smooth relationship between what happens in Tennessee and what happens here. I have traveled thousands of miles with Patrick. He has not run into anybody, but we have been through a lot of flat tires and some speeding tickets. Patrick and I have seen it all. He is full of insights. He always has energy for the next event and can always solve a problem. During my time in the Senate, the conference elected me three times as chairman of the Senate Republican conference. That is a little bit of a political job. What you are supposed to do is come up with something that Republicans can say to counter what Democrats are saying. It is especially a challenge to do that for Republicans to get them to talk on a single message. All of the Senators--every one of us--are experts in politics or we wouldn't have gotten here. And Republican Senators are especially independent-minded. Republicans and Democrats will often all do things together as a caucus, but we do it differently than they do. Democrats will all hold hands and jump off the cliff together. Republicans will also all jump off the cliff at the same time, but one will do a somersault, one will do a back flip, one will do a dive, and so forth. The goal was to come up in the caucus with a catchy phrase. For example, on energy, ``Find more, use less,'' or about ObamaCare, ``step by step,'' instead of ``comprehensive.'' To persuade Senators to say the same thing, staff would record clips of them saying what I thought they should say, and then we would show that back to them at lunch. I found that Senators paid a lot more attention to watching themselves say thingsthan they did to watching me suggest to them what to say. It wasn't me doing all that; it was staff doing it. They came up with catchy phrases, many of them. They made sure we communicated them at the conference. While I was on the Rules Committee, I had a chance--I worked with Senator Schumer on that. We were ranking--really, like this year, we didn't know who would be the new President. I had an opportunity to speak at President Obama's inauguration. We talked about the peaceful transfer or the reaffirmation of power as a conspicuous symbol of our democracy. There is no possible way to organize a Presidential inauguration without a superior staff. Mary Jones and Lindsey Seidman were the ones who were in charge of all that for us. Then, in 2012, on the Senate HELP Committee--as the senior Republican for 2 years, then 6 years as chairman--the staff grew a lot. Senator Ted Kennedy used to say that the HELP Committee had about one-third of the jurisdiction of the Senate. It certainly does a lot of work, and it needs a lot of talented staff members. During my 8 years as the senior Republican, the staff helped organize 209 hearings, 752 witnesses, mostly bipartisan--meaning that I agreed with Senator Harkin first, then Senator Murray for the last 6 years, on whom the witnesses would be. We produced 90 bills that have become law. That is a lot of work--weeks of work by the staff. Securing each witness often takes a host of conversations with Democratic committee staff, numerous phone calls with experts. Every bill that becomes law takes efforts that are hard to comprehend outside the walls of Congress, from the consultations with constituents and experts to the drafting of the legislation, to the work with other members and outside groups, to consulting, to trying to soothe bruised feelings, to working with other committee members, bring it to the attention of the majority leader, try to find an opportunity for it to be on the Senate calendar, then bill support, then remove holes. There is a lot of work to do in passing a bill and making a law, and staff does most of the work. Senators do a lot, but they can't do it all. Here are some of the achievements worth highlighting. I mentioned many of them yesterday in my farewell address, so I won't go into great detail about them today; for example, the Every Student Succeeds Act. This was the bill to fix No Child Left Behind. It affects 50 million children in 100,000 schools. President Obama called it ``a Christmas miracle.'' The Wall Street Journal said it was the largest devolution of power from Washington to the States in 25 years. I will never forget what, to me, was a truly emotional moment, when every Senator on our committee--this is from Rand Paul to Elizabeth Warren--voted to recommend the bill to the Senate. This law was the result of complicated and nimble work by Peter Oppenheim, Lindsay Fryer, Matt Stern, and David Cleary. FAFSA Simplification. Twenty million Americans fill out this ridiculously complex form for Federal aid for Pell grants and student loans. You have seen me hold it up on the Senate floor. Everyone agrees it can be 33 instead of 108 questions. Almost everyone agrees it is the major obstacle to low-income students getting Federal aid to go to college because they are intimidated by it. Bob Moran, Lauren Davies, and Andrew LaCasse have worked hard with Senator Murray's staff. We have it about half done. We would like to get it across the finish line before the end of the year. Head Start. In 2007, we came up with the idea. Sarah Rittling was the staffer. It was to establish 200 centers of excellence for the Head Start Program. Then, in 2005, Katrina came and Rita came, two big hurricanes. Kristin Bannerman was critical to legislation, where we worked with Senator Kennedy, Senator Dodd, and Senator Landrieu for voucher funding to assist with the cost of educating 150,000 public and nonpublic school students in grades K-12 displaced by the hurricane. Then, reauthorizing the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. Education Week said it was ``a watershed moment.'' Staffer Jake Baker worked on that. Senator Enzi did a lot of the heavy work. I have been fortunate to have two extraordinary women whom I work with on the team of staff on the HELP Committee who handle family health policy: Mary-Sumpter Lapinski and Grace Graham. Before they started, Melissa Pfaff, Page Kranbuhl, and Marguerite Salee Kondracke were instrumental in passing the PREEMIE Act in 2003, getting the bill well written and signed into law, working with the March of Dimes to help give more babies a chance to live long and healthy lives. Once I became senior on the HELP Committee, we began to work on the 21st Century Cures Act. Senator McConnell said it was the most important law of that Congress. It helps speed medical innovations to patients in doctors' offices. Margaret Coulter, Andy Vogt, Melissa Pfaff, Brett Meeks, and others spent countless hours getting ready for that. FDA user fees. This showed Grace Graham's ability to be a traffic cop working with Senator Murray's staff and with House committees. We had a really fairly seamless effort to take these complicated pieces of law to collect user fees from drug and device makers and include significant new provisions to speed those drugs and devices into doctors' offices. The most popular bill that never became a law was called Alexander-Murray. I even bought a case of Scotch called Alexander-Murray to give out to everybody when it passed, but it never was passed. The result of the immense efforts--the whole goal--was to reduce the cost of healthcare premiums in the individual insurance market. President Trump worked well with us on that. Virginia McMillin and Liz Wroe did countless hours of work, but we couldn't quite get it across the finish line. Then, this year, there was the shark tank. With the support of Senators Blunt and Shelby, we worked together with Francis Collins, of the National Institutes of Health, to create an initiative of $2.5 billion to produce 50 million more COVID diagnostic tests a month than current technologies would do. Grace Graham, Melissa Pfaff, and Laura Friedel on Senator Blunt's staff worked on that. During all of this, Grace Graham was in her third trimester--not during all of it. During the latter part of this, she was in her third trimester. She was working on design policies and being a traffic cop between here and the House. To date, she and Stash, her husband, have had their first child, Penn. She is back at work, and the country is better off for everything that she has contributed. Our committee leadership positions are often considered the plum positions, but you can do a whole lot with a talented personal staff. Ours has put in long hours and has met expectations. For example, on the Great American Outdoors Act, Anna Newton and Lindsay Garcia did yeoman's work. This is a bill that good people have literally been trying to pass since the Eisenhower years. It was the most important piece of outdoor legislation in that period of time. With the Music Modernization Act, we worked with Senator Hatch and his staff. We eventually got 85 cosponsors, but this one nearly ran off the road several times. Lindsay Garcia and Paul McKernan made sure it became law. The America COMPETES Act was back in my early years as a Senator, when I was very junior, so I got the Republican leader and the Democratic leader to cosponsor it. It passed with, I think, more than 60 cosponsors to improve our competitive position in the world. Matt Sonnesyn and David Cleary were the key staffers on that. They were not just working with staff people around here. For example, with the America COMPETES Act, the bill wouldn't have passed if it had not been for 800 outdoor recreation environmental groups outside of Congress who supported the bill and encouraged Senators to get off planes and come back here to cast crucial votes. We are grateful for that. Matt Sonnesyn worked with the Iraq Study Group recommendations that we made during the George W. Bush years, and Erin Reif and Lucas DaPieve have been experts on foreign affairs and appropriations. While I have been chairman of the Energy and Water Appropriations, wehave had 5 straight years in a row--hopefully, we will have 6--of funding the Office of Science, which supports our 17 National Laboratories. We have also stepped up funding for all of the inland waterways, like Chickamauga Lock, and for supercomputing in order to keep us first in the world. Tom Craig, Tyler Owens, Meyer Seligman, Jen Armstrong, and Adam DeMella all played key roles in that. I met every week with what I called my Energy Working Group. I found the intersection of energy and environment to be, really, the most fascinating new subject for me during my time as a Senator, and we did a lot of work on that both on the Committee on Appropriations and with other Senators. Meeting with that energy policy staff helped to get the America COMPETES Act passed. It stopped the Road to Nowhere in the Smokies. It pushed back on the efforts to promote Big Wind on our mountain ridges, and it resulted in record funding for energy and water development. Sharon Segner, Jessica Holliday, Conrad Schatte, and Lindsay Garcia all led those teams. We spend a lot of time working with staff to get the policy right and trying to get the message right. You have to be able to persuade at least half the people that you are right in this business. Words matter. We spend a lot of time on headlines so that we convey what we are trying to do. The individuals who have led our communications unit include Alexia Poe, Harvey Valentine, Lee Pitts, Jim Jeffries, Brian Reisinger, Margaret Atkinson, Liz Wolgemuth, Ashton Davies, and Taylor Haulsee. You can't run an effective office without a good office manager. We have had the best--Trina Tyrer and Debbie Paul. Misty Marshall came to us from the White House, where she was the director of correspondence for Laura Bush. One of the toughest, most important jobs in the Senate office that people outside the Senate don't really appreciate as much is the job of scheduling. It requires constant changes, great discretion, enormous promptness, and attention to detail. Every day is a mismatch of meetings and calls. There is no schedule, really, in the U.S. Senate. You just kind of keep up with what is going on, and you put it down on a piece of paper. Suddenly, everything can get wiped out by an emergency call. Bonnie Sansonetti, Sarah Fairchild, and Alicyn York have been the very best. The legislative director conducts the office orchestra. I have been very fortunate that Allison Martin has been our conductor. She used to work for Bill Frist and Fred Thompson. She is a West Tennessean, but the whole State is what she cares about as well as the country. If you were to look for somebody with her skill and talent, you would be looking for a very long time. David Cleary, Richard Hertling, Matt Sonnesyn, and David Morgenstern were also legislative directors. One thing I know is I wouldn't be very good as a chief of staff, so I needed a very good chief of staff to do some things that I don't do as well. My first one was Tommy Ingram, whom I have known since 1966 when he was a Tennessean reporter, and I was working for Howard Baker in his second campaign. We have been friends ever since. He was my campaign manager and chief of staff as Governor. He did the same thing. He is really responsible for much of my success in politics. David Morgenstern joined my staff in 2005 as legislative director, and he became chief of staff in 2009. Matt Sonnesyn came to me from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He was initially a senior policy adviser. He was one of the few Republican students in the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, so he was well trained in defending his views. Ryan Loskarn served as chief of staff starting in 2007. Then, in my personal office, David Cleary has been the chief for the past 7 years. You can see him somewhere in an outrageous red and black suit on the Senate floor. David and I have worked together for almost 15 years. First, he served as staff director for the HELP Subcommittee on Children and Families. He used to work for John Boehner in the House In 2014, after becoming the ranking member of the HELP Committee, David suggested, as I said earlier, that he be both chief of staff and staff director of the committee. I recounted how, at first, I thought that was a bad idea, but it was one of the best ideas suggested to me because it made our staff so much more effective and work so much better. It was the key to our success, really, and I do not know of a more effective chief of staff of the Senate than David Cleary. He led our efforts to fix No Child Left Behind, the 21st Century Cures, the reauthorizing of Perkins, and the FDA user fees legislation. I appreciate how much time Marci, his wife, and Maria, their daughter, have given to our team. To close, I would like to thank all 270 staff members who have given time and energy to our office. One of those, Reynard Graham, has been my administrative right hand for many years. His bigger job is that he is a minister on the weekends. There isn't time to recognize the accomplishments of each one by name, but there are many, and I am grateful to every single individual. It has been a tremendous gift to work with a skilled and dedicated staff. Each person who has served in this office should be proud of what we have accomplished. I have been so fortunate to have been on the same team with each of you for the last 18 years. In a farewell address yesterday, I said that I wake up every day thinking I might be able to do something good for our country and that I go to bed most nights thinking that I have. It has been a great privilege to be a U.S. Senator. It has been a great privilege over these 18 years to work with such an exceptional staff. I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a list of the names of my staff | 2020-01-06 | Mr. ALEXANDER | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7199-3 | null | 1,757 |
formal | blue | null | antisemitic | Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, I rise today to talk of one of West Virginia's very own--Police Officer Cassie Johnson. Officer Johnson was a member of her hometown of Charleston's police department, where she joined less than 2 short years ago. She was a devoted daughter, sister, a loyal friend, and a lover of animals.She had three dogs. She was formerly a humane officer, as well, in our community. And, boy, did she have a bright future ahead of her. On Tuesday, the Charleston Police Department received a call about a traffic complaint. Officer Johnson answered that call and responded accordingly, just as she would have any other call. Shortly after arriving at that location, she was shot in the chest. The bullet hit her badge and deflected into her neck, where it eventually struck a main artery. She was rushed to the hospital, and every effort was made to save her life. She was 28. She was 28 years old. Sadly, we learned yesterday that the decision was made to remove her from life support, and she will not be able to pull through. We also learned that Officer Johnson is an organ donor, which means she will be able to share the gift of life with others. I had the opportunity to speak with Officer Johnson's mother Sheryl just this morning, and she expressed to me her daughter's commitment to organ donation. She said that her daughter felt very strongly about giving this gift to others in the event that something like this could happen. She was very clear about her wishes, and I think that is a testament to the kind of person Officer Johnson was. As former Charleston Police Department Lieutenant Paul Perdue said, ``The end of her life will be the second beginning for others and that's just who she was.'' As you can imagine, our community is hurting, and all of our law enforcement across the country is hurting today for our community and Officer Johnson's family. But the outpour of support has just been incredible to witness. Throughout this week, West Virginians have been honoring Officer Johnson's life in so many ways, such as in Charleston, where our beautiful coliseum and civic center has been lit in blue in honor of her and our law enforcement. There has been a great money-raising effort to help Officer Johnson's family meet what is going to be a financial challenge. And what do we do with her pets? There has been an effort to have her pets adopted. I just read before I came in here that the GoFundMe page for Officer Johnson had already exceeded its goal, and, hopefully, it will continue to grow. Last night a candle vigil was held outdoors to honor her life and legacy, where the community leaders spoke and Officer Johnson's mother Sheryl spoke. It is a tough duty, a tough assignment for any mom. During the vigil, her mother spoke about Officer Johnson's love for her community, about her desire to protect everyone she was surrounded by. You know, when I talked to her mother this morning, she echoed those same sentiments in the phone conversation that we had, and she said that hundreds of West Virginians had reached out to her personally. Many had stopped by the hospital, wanting to say goodbye to Officer Johnson. These gestures have just been so touching, and I could tell it really helped her family and, in particular, her mother Sheryl. Charleston Police Chief Tyke Hunt told Officer Johnson's mother that she raised her right, and that Officer Johnson was ``a good-hearted soul who had to pay the ultimate sacrifice.'' Chief Hunt is right. It is a bitter pill. In a local interview following her swearing-in, Officer Johnson said: ``I am really happy to finally getting to follow my dreams in working with Charleston PD.'' She continued by saying: ``I've grown up and lived in Charleston my whole life. I just wanted to help make my city a better place--and be there and to be able to help the citizens of this city.'' This job was a dream come true for Officer Johnson. She loved her community, and our community loved her back. Like all of our law enforcement, Officer Johnson cared for us and was fiercely dedicated to protecting her community--and that is my community. When I think of Officer Johnson, I think of her protecting my family and my neighbors, my community, the larger community of Charleston. Police officers like Officer Johnson selflessly put their lives on the line every day for the safety of our communities. They never know what is around the corner. They never know. She thought she was going for a parking violation. It is a hard job and one that is rarely appreciated enough. I ask--if you have heard this today or if you have read about this--that we all take a minute today and every day to thank our law enforcement and recognize the sacrifices that they make to ensure that our communities are safe and protected. I would also ask you to keep the Johnson family in your hearts and prayers--our chief, Chief Hunt of the Charleston Police Department, and all of her brothers and sisters in the police department and the first responders. Our mayor, Mayor Amy Goodwin, has done a wonderful job of bringing the community together and showing a wonderful show of support for Officer Cassie Johnson and her family, and I thank her. The entire city of Charleston is hurting, so please keep them in your hearts and prayers as well. With that very difficult time, I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | Mrs. CAPITO | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7203-2 | null | 1,758 |
formal | Federal Reserve | null | antisemitic | Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, it might be hard to believe it is actually December. In normal times, a lot of families in Michigan would be focused on getting ready for the holidays, and while Michigan children might still be counting down the days until Santa arrives, their parents have a lot bigger issues weighing on their minds. A Michigan dad has been out of work for months and is wondering how long his family will be able to keep scraping by in the new year after his unemployment runs out. A Michigan single mom whose hours have been cut and who has been unable to pay the rent for months is wondering just how long it will be until her family will be out on the street. The owner of a Michigan small business is wondering if he will see enough of a holiday boost to keep the doors open and his three employees on the payroll. A Michigan retiree who struggles to buy enough groceries is wondering if it is safe to wait in a long line at her local food bank or if that is where she will get sick. Michigan families who have seen almost 9,300 of their grandparents and neighbors and uncles and cousins and friends and community leaders get sick and die from this horrible virus are wondering who is going to be next. The truth is that we are not just facing a health crisis right now--we are facing an economic crisis; we are facing a housing crisis; and we are facing a hunger crisis all at the same time. Coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths keep rising, and we haven't even seen the effects of Thanksgiving gatherings yet. We are seeing unemployment claims tick up, and those are expected to get worse after seasonal jobs will be cut in January. Some studies have estimated that about 40 million renters in the United States are at risk of losing their homes. There are already 10,000 eviction actions that have been filed in a number of States. Those are 10,000 families who need to find new places to live right now, in the winter, in the middle of a health pandemic. We have all seen the massive lines of cars at food banks across the country. In a normal year, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan helps about 14 percent of the population in 22 counties get enough food to eat. This year, it is helping 40 percent to put food on the table. Before COVID-19, the South Michigan Food Bank provided food to about 80 families a week. Now it is helping more than 500 families a week. This is an emergency. These families, businesses, community organizations, and seniors can't just wait around, hoping for a Christmas miracle. They need help now, and it is our responsibility to do it now. That is why I am so pleased that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been working to come together on additional help. There are still a lot of details to work out, but I am hopeful, in being part of the process on the workings of the details, that we are going to be able to come together on an agreement that will help families and businesses and communities get through these tough times. Whatever agreement we reach won't be perfect. We know that. It won't be everything everybody wants. Yet we can't wait because time is quickly running out. On December 26--only 23 days from now--vital unemployment programs will expire, cutting off benefits that millions of workers will need to be able to provide for their families. If you are self-employed, if you are a contract worker, if you are a gig worker, suddenly you will have zero help--zero. Five days after that, on December 31, the Federal Reserve's emergency lending program ends. That will cut off crucial credit that is keeping businesses open and helping State and local governments provide necessary services. Also on December 31, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's eviction moratorium expires, and the Federal foreclosure moratorium and some opportunities for forbearance expire. Imagine what it would be like to begin a new year with no roof over your head or your family's, no place for your children to sleep, and no place to stay clean in the middle of a raging pandemic. And on January 1, millions of student loan borrowers will have to resume their payments whether they can afford them or not. These programs have been, literally, a lifeline for families, for communities, for businesses during the pandemic. And while vaccines are on the horizon and we are so happy to hear the progress, this pandemic is far from over. Cutting off this vital help now would be like an ambulance driver stopping 2 miles short of the hospital and making the accident victim get out and walk the rest of the way to the emergency room. We need to face this health crisis, this economic crisis, this housing crisis, this hunger crisis with seriousness and boldness. People in Michigan and across the country are crying out for help. It is time for this body to listen. It is time for Congress to lead. We should not go home until we have passed at least a short-term survival package to help Americans through the next few months. That is our job. That is our job, and we should not go home until that job is done. We are the United States of America--United States of America. Nothing is holding us back from helping our citizens other than people's unwillingness to do it. Nothing. We are the United States of America. There is no reason we are not coming together, and shame on the Congress and the White House if we don't act now to help our citizens. There is nothing holding us back but the political will to do it, and it needs to get done. There are many of us now on both sides of the aisle working to do that, and we need to make sure that people lean in together and get this done. I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | Ms. STABENOW | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7203 | null | 1,759 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, it might be hard to believe it is actually December. In normal times, a lot of families in Michigan would be focused on getting ready for the holidays, and while Michigan children might still be counting down the days until Santa arrives, their parents have a lot bigger issues weighing on their minds. A Michigan dad has been out of work for months and is wondering how long his family will be able to keep scraping by in the new year after his unemployment runs out. A Michigan single mom whose hours have been cut and who has been unable to pay the rent for months is wondering just how long it will be until her family will be out on the street. The owner of a Michigan small business is wondering if he will see enough of a holiday boost to keep the doors open and his three employees on the payroll. A Michigan retiree who struggles to buy enough groceries is wondering if it is safe to wait in a long line at her local food bank or if that is where she will get sick. Michigan families who have seen almost 9,300 of their grandparents and neighbors and uncles and cousins and friends and community leaders get sick and die from this horrible virus are wondering who is going to be next. The truth is that we are not just facing a health crisis right now--we are facing an economic crisis; we are facing a housing crisis; and we are facing a hunger crisis all at the same time. Coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths keep rising, and we haven't even seen the effects of Thanksgiving gatherings yet. We are seeing unemployment claims tick up, and those are expected to get worse after seasonal jobs will be cut in January. Some studies have estimated that about 40 million renters in the United States are at risk of losing their homes. There are already 10,000 eviction actions that have been filed in a number of States. Those are 10,000 families who need to find new places to live right now, in the winter, in the middle of a health pandemic. We have all seen the massive lines of cars at food banks across the country. In a normal year, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan helps about 14 percent of the population in 22 counties get enough food to eat. This year, it is helping 40 percent to put food on the table. Before COVID-19, the South Michigan Food Bank provided food to about 80 families a week. Now it is helping more than 500 families a week. This is an emergency. These families, businesses, community organizations, and seniors can't just wait around, hoping for a Christmas miracle. They need help now, and it is our responsibility to do it now. That is why I am so pleased that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been working to come together on additional help. There are still a lot of details to work out, but I am hopeful, in being part of the process on the workings of the details, that we are going to be able to come together on an agreement that will help families and businesses and communities get through these tough times. Whatever agreement we reach won't be perfect. We know that. It won't be everything everybody wants. Yet we can't wait because time is quickly running out. On December 26--only 23 days from now--vital unemployment programs will expire, cutting off benefits that millions of workers will need to be able to provide for their families. If you are self-employed, if you are a contract worker, if you are a gig worker, suddenly you will have zero help--zero. Five days after that, on December 31, the Federal Reserve's emergency lending program ends. That will cut off crucial credit that is keeping businesses open and helping State and local governments provide necessary services. Also on December 31, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's eviction moratorium expires, and the Federal foreclosure moratorium and some opportunities for forbearance expire. Imagine what it would be like to begin a new year with no roof over your head or your family's, no place for your children to sleep, and no place to stay clean in the middle of a raging pandemic. And on January 1, millions of student loan borrowers will have to resume their payments whether they can afford them or not. These programs have been, literally, a lifeline for families, for communities, for businesses during the pandemic. And while vaccines are on the horizon and we are so happy to hear the progress, this pandemic is far from over. Cutting off this vital help now would be like an ambulance driver stopping 2 miles short of the hospital and making the accident victim get out and walk the rest of the way to the emergency room. We need to face this health crisis, this economic crisis, this housing crisis, this hunger crisis with seriousness and boldness. People in Michigan and across the country are crying out for help. It is time for this body to listen. It is time for Congress to lead. We should not go home until we have passed at least a short-term survival package to help Americans through the next few months. That is our job. That is our job, and we should not go home until that job is done. We are the United States of America--United States of America. Nothing is holding us back from helping our citizens other than people's unwillingness to do it. Nothing. We are the United States of America. There is no reason we are not coming together, and shame on the Congress and the White House if we don't act now to help our citizens. There is nothing holding us back but the political will to do it, and it needs to get done. There are many of us now on both sides of the aisle working to do that, and we need to make sure that people lean in together and get this done. I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | Ms. STABENOW | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7203 | null | 1,760 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, it might be hard to believe it is actually December. In normal times, a lot of families in Michigan would be focused on getting ready for the holidays, and while Michigan children might still be counting down the days until Santa arrives, their parents have a lot bigger issues weighing on their minds. A Michigan dad has been out of work for months and is wondering how long his family will be able to keep scraping by in the new year after his unemployment runs out. A Michigan single mom whose hours have been cut and who has been unable to pay the rent for months is wondering just how long it will be until her family will be out on the street. The owner of a Michigan small business is wondering if he will see enough of a holiday boost to keep the doors open and his three employees on the payroll. A Michigan retiree who struggles to buy enough groceries is wondering if it is safe to wait in a long line at her local food bank or if that is where she will get sick. Michigan families who have seen almost 9,300 of their grandparents and neighbors and uncles and cousins and friends and community leaders get sick and die from this horrible virus are wondering who is going to be next. The truth is that we are not just facing a health crisis right now--we are facing an economic crisis; we are facing a housing crisis; and we are facing a hunger crisis all at the same time. Coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths keep rising, and we haven't even seen the effects of Thanksgiving gatherings yet. We are seeing unemployment claims tick up, and those are expected to get worse after seasonal jobs will be cut in January. Some studies have estimated that about 40 million renters in the United States are at risk of losing their homes. There are already 10,000 eviction actions that have been filed in a number of States. Those are 10,000 families who need to find new places to live right now, in the winter, in the middle of a health pandemic. We have all seen the massive lines of cars at food banks across the country. In a normal year, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan helps about 14 percent of the population in 22 counties get enough food to eat. This year, it is helping 40 percent to put food on the table. Before COVID-19, the South Michigan Food Bank provided food to about 80 families a week. Now it is helping more than 500 families a week. This is an emergency. These families, businesses, community organizations, and seniors can't just wait around, hoping for a Christmas miracle. They need help now, and it is our responsibility to do it now. That is why I am so pleased that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been working to come together on additional help. There are still a lot of details to work out, but I am hopeful, in being part of the process on the workings of the details, that we are going to be able to come together on an agreement that will help families and businesses and communities get through these tough times. Whatever agreement we reach won't be perfect. We know that. It won't be everything everybody wants. Yet we can't wait because time is quickly running out. On December 26--only 23 days from now--vital unemployment programs will expire, cutting off benefits that millions of workers will need to be able to provide for their families. If you are self-employed, if you are a contract worker, if you are a gig worker, suddenly you will have zero help--zero. Five days after that, on December 31, the Federal Reserve's emergency lending program ends. That will cut off crucial credit that is keeping businesses open and helping State and local governments provide necessary services. Also on December 31, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's eviction moratorium expires, and the Federal foreclosure moratorium and some opportunities for forbearance expire. Imagine what it would be like to begin a new year with no roof over your head or your family's, no place for your children to sleep, and no place to stay clean in the middle of a raging pandemic. And on January 1, millions of student loan borrowers will have to resume their payments whether they can afford them or not. These programs have been, literally, a lifeline for families, for communities, for businesses during the pandemic. And while vaccines are on the horizon and we are so happy to hear the progress, this pandemic is far from over. Cutting off this vital help now would be like an ambulance driver stopping 2 miles short of the hospital and making the accident victim get out and walk the rest of the way to the emergency room. We need to face this health crisis, this economic crisis, this housing crisis, this hunger crisis with seriousness and boldness. People in Michigan and across the country are crying out for help. It is time for this body to listen. It is time for Congress to lead. We should not go home until we have passed at least a short-term survival package to help Americans through the next few months. That is our job. That is our job, and we should not go home until that job is done. We are the United States of America--United States of America. Nothing is holding us back from helping our citizens other than people's unwillingness to do it. Nothing. We are the United States of America. There is no reason we are not coming together, and shame on the Congress and the White House if we don't act now to help our citizens. There is nothing holding us back but the political will to do it, and it needs to get done. There are many of us now on both sides of the aisle working to do that, and we need to make sure that people lean in together and get this done. I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | Ms. STABENOW | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7203 | null | 1,761 |
formal | single mom | null | racist | Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, it might be hard to believe it is actually December. In normal times, a lot of families in Michigan would be focused on getting ready for the holidays, and while Michigan children might still be counting down the days until Santa arrives, their parents have a lot bigger issues weighing on their minds. A Michigan dad has been out of work for months and is wondering how long his family will be able to keep scraping by in the new year after his unemployment runs out. A Michigan single mom whose hours have been cut and who has been unable to pay the rent for months is wondering just how long it will be until her family will be out on the street. The owner of a Michigan small business is wondering if he will see enough of a holiday boost to keep the doors open and his three employees on the payroll. A Michigan retiree who struggles to buy enough groceries is wondering if it is safe to wait in a long line at her local food bank or if that is where she will get sick. Michigan families who have seen almost 9,300 of their grandparents and neighbors and uncles and cousins and friends and community leaders get sick and die from this horrible virus are wondering who is going to be next. The truth is that we are not just facing a health crisis right now--we are facing an economic crisis; we are facing a housing crisis; and we are facing a hunger crisis all at the same time. Coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths keep rising, and we haven't even seen the effects of Thanksgiving gatherings yet. We are seeing unemployment claims tick up, and those are expected to get worse after seasonal jobs will be cut in January. Some studies have estimated that about 40 million renters in the United States are at risk of losing their homes. There are already 10,000 eviction actions that have been filed in a number of States. Those are 10,000 families who need to find new places to live right now, in the winter, in the middle of a health pandemic. We have all seen the massive lines of cars at food banks across the country. In a normal year, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan helps about 14 percent of the population in 22 counties get enough food to eat. This year, it is helping 40 percent to put food on the table. Before COVID-19, the South Michigan Food Bank provided food to about 80 families a week. Now it is helping more than 500 families a week. This is an emergency. These families, businesses, community organizations, and seniors can't just wait around, hoping for a Christmas miracle. They need help now, and it is our responsibility to do it now. That is why I am so pleased that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been working to come together on additional help. There are still a lot of details to work out, but I am hopeful, in being part of the process on the workings of the details, that we are going to be able to come together on an agreement that will help families and businesses and communities get through these tough times. Whatever agreement we reach won't be perfect. We know that. It won't be everything everybody wants. Yet we can't wait because time is quickly running out. On December 26--only 23 days from now--vital unemployment programs will expire, cutting off benefits that millions of workers will need to be able to provide for their families. If you are self-employed, if you are a contract worker, if you are a gig worker, suddenly you will have zero help--zero. Five days after that, on December 31, the Federal Reserve's emergency lending program ends. That will cut off crucial credit that is keeping businesses open and helping State and local governments provide necessary services. Also on December 31, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's eviction moratorium expires, and the Federal foreclosure moratorium and some opportunities for forbearance expire. Imagine what it would be like to begin a new year with no roof over your head or your family's, no place for your children to sleep, and no place to stay clean in the middle of a raging pandemic. And on January 1, millions of student loan borrowers will have to resume their payments whether they can afford them or not. These programs have been, literally, a lifeline for families, for communities, for businesses during the pandemic. And while vaccines are on the horizon and we are so happy to hear the progress, this pandemic is far from over. Cutting off this vital help now would be like an ambulance driver stopping 2 miles short of the hospital and making the accident victim get out and walk the rest of the way to the emergency room. We need to face this health crisis, this economic crisis, this housing crisis, this hunger crisis with seriousness and boldness. People in Michigan and across the country are crying out for help. It is time for this body to listen. It is time for Congress to lead. We should not go home until we have passed at least a short-term survival package to help Americans through the next few months. That is our job. That is our job, and we should not go home until that job is done. We are the United States of America--United States of America. Nothing is holding us back from helping our citizens other than people's unwillingness to do it. Nothing. We are the United States of America. There is no reason we are not coming together, and shame on the Congress and the White House if we don't act now to help our citizens. There is nothing holding us back but the political will to do it, and it needs to get done. There are many of us now on both sides of the aisle working to do that, and we need to make sure that people lean in together and get this done. I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | Ms. STABENOW | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7203 | null | 1,762 |
formal | safeguard | null | transphobic | Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, the legislative year is quickly drawing to a close, but the lights on the 116th Congress haven't gone out yet. Before the House and the Senate gavel out for the final time this Congress, we still have a lot of work to do. Headlines have focused on the large, ``must-pass'' legislation, which will require a good amount of debate and compromise in the coming days--things like government funding, the National Defense Authorization bill, and another COVID-19 relief package. But there are actually countless other bills that have already passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support and continue to linger in purgatory on the House's legislative calendar. After weeks, months, and, in some cases, more than a year of waiting, the Speaker and the House leadership refuse to let these commonsense bipartisan bills have a vote on the House floor. Just to give you an idea of the type of legislation they are holding up, let's start with the Jenna Quinn Law. This legislation carries the name of an inspiring young Texan who is a survivor of child sexual abuse and who has made it her mission in life to end the cycle of abuse that harms our children in communities across the country. Jenna was the driving force behind a 2009 Texas law requiring training for teachers, caregivers, and other adults who work with children on how to prevent, recognize, and report child sexual abuse. You can imagine the teachers, in particular, who spend--at least before COVID--day after day after day with children. They are actually in the best position, sometimes, to identify symptoms of sexual abuse, if properly trained. Since 2009, a number of other States have passed similar laws, but the training often lacks adequate funding, and that is where our Federal legislation comes in. I introduced this bipartisan bill with Senator Hassan from New Hampshire to finally back that training with Federal funding through grants from the Department of Health and Human Services. At a time when the experts believe that abuse is on the rise as families are isolated at home due to COVID-19 mitigation efforts, this legislation could not be more urgent. Despite the fact that this bill will deliver real change for the most vulnerable in our communities and that it passed the Senate with unanimous support, the House refuses to even vote on it. House Democrats have chosen to hold this lifesaving legislation hostage in order to advance a partisan bill that they know has no chance of becoming law. Unfortunately, those are the types of games that, sadly, we have had to become accustomed to when it comes to House Democrats. But, as I said, this is only one of a long list of bills that they are sitting on. Over the summer, the Senate passed legislation that had taken aim at another crisis harming our children, which is e-cigarettes. Prior to COVID-19, headlines were dominated by storiesabout mysterious vaping-related illnesses and healthy teenagers being admitted to emergency rooms with symptoms usually associated only with decades-long smokers. Well, to state the obvious, the most effective way to prevent children from becoming addicted to these devices is to stop them from getting their hands on them in the first place. If the 16-year-old went to a gas station or convenience store and attempted to buy an e-cigarette, they would be turned away because that sale could not take place without a proper ID, but those same age-verification requirements don't apply to online purchases. Devices can be ordered and delivered without any proof of age or an ID. Senator Feinstein, the senior Senator from California, and I introduced legislation to change that and ensure that online purchases are subject to the same age verification requirements as those made in person. Once again, this legislation passed the Senate unanimously, but the House has refused to take any action. And here is another one. Last month, we passed a bill to provide mental healthcare to those transitioning out of the criminal justice system. More than half of the individuals in the criminal justice system have experienced a mental health issue, and our justice system too often fails to provided adequate diagnosis and treatment. But even when these individuals do receive treatment while incarcerated, they are rarely given the tools they need to succeed upon release. Approximately 80 percent of the people are uninsured after being released, making it nearly impossible for them to continue mental health treatment without additional safety net provisions. Senator Blumenthal, our colleague from Connecticut, and I introduced legislation to support those who have become part of our criminal justice system who have decided to turn their lives around and to provide them stable treatment if they suffer from a mental illness as they transition out of incarceration. That is not only in their best interest, but it is in the best interest of the larger community, because these people, rather than being a danger to the community, can contribute to the community. This legislation passed the Senate with unanimous support, but, once again, no movement in the House, and the list goes on and on and on. We unanimously approved legislation to provide justice to families of human smuggling victims and assistance to local communities battling the problem, to help State and local governments strengthen their cyber security and safeguard their elections, and to increase cross-border economic and educational partnerships with Mexico. Those half dozen bills I just named are only a handful of the ones I introduced that have passed the Senate but are collecting dust on the House calendar. Add in the long list of bills led by our Republican and Democratic colleagues, and we have a major legislative logjam in the House. As I understand it, next week is set to be the House's last workweek of the 116th Congress. That means that, unless Speaker Pelosi and House Democratic leadership allow movement on these compromise, commonsense bipartisan bills, we are going to have to start from square one. We are going to have to start all over again in the next Congress. Now, I know it is not unusual for a Member of Congress to take legislative hostages to advance their own agenda, but this is not a time to play those kinds of politics, particularly on these kinds of subjects. These aren't controversial bills. We are talking about grants to prevent child sexual abuse, reform to stop kids from buying e-cigarettes online, a lifeline of hope for folks who suffer from mental illness and are transitioning from our criminal justice system, and so much more. As I said, these bills are just one step away from heading to the President's desk for his signature, so it is time for Speaker Pelosi and the leadership of the House to quit playing games and allow the House to vote on these life-changing bills. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. CORNYN | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7204 | null | 1,763 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, the Presiding Officer and I are here, and we have been meeting today in Washington at, really, a groundbreaking moment as we continue this battle for our health, for our economy, and against the virus. What makes this such a critical moment are the developments we have seen in the last 10 days regarding a vaccine. Public health experts around the world have agreed, almost from day one, that the way to really find the end of this pandemic--the ultimate weapon--would be to develop a vaccine that worked. Less than a year ago, which was in January and February of this year, we were hearing that 2 years would set a record for developing a vaccine and that sometimes a vaccine that has been developed on a new disease like this has taken 3 and 5 and even 10 years or more. Yet here we are, less a year from the discovery of COVID-19, with not just one vaccine but two vaccines that have already applied for their use permits. Both vaccines have shown an effectiveness of more than 90 percent, and a third vaccine with a similar response is about to get to the place at which it, too, can apply for use. These are incredible numbers. It wasn't that many months ago that healthcare experts were saying, if we get a vaccine that is effective 50 percent of the time or more, that the government should consider accepting that vaccine and making it available to people, and here we are with a 90 percent effective vaccine. I had the measles, and my kids had the measles shot, which seemed to pretty much eliminate the measles. It was 90 percent effective. This is the kind of vaccine that has been the most effective among the most effective vaccines we have ever had. Pfizer and Moderna have both come forward and asked for their emergency use authorizations. The emergency use doesn't really mean they have cut any corners. The only thing we have failed to do is to watch the 30,000 or so people for another 2 or 3 years who were in both of these trials. That is why we can't say with certainty if this vaccine will last for a lifetime or if this vaccine will be a 3-year vaccine or even a 1-year vaccine. What we can say with certainty is that, about 95 percent of the time, it will prevent you from getting the disease. Of course, if people are prevented from getting the disease, they can't spread the disease, and that is why a 90 percent effective vaccine, like the measles vaccine, was basically 100 percent effective as long as people took it. So we need to step back, really, I think, and look at the unconventional way we got here. How did we get from 3 to 5 to, maybe, 10 years to less than a year of discovering a virus for the very first time to our having a vaccine? The way that researchers have been able to move forward with this and the way that Congress and the Trump administration have responded to this pandemic has been extraordinary. In our country, Operation Warp Speed has accelerated the development of this new vaccine through a fast-track process that could be described, really, in one word--unprecedented. Normally, vaccines take years. Researchers have to go out and secure funding, get approvals, and study results step by step to get to where we are today. Only then would a vaccine be determined to be safe and effective, and only then would manufacturing begin. Normally, with a vaccine, the day the vaccine is approved is the day you start manufacturing. We know that this is not what is happening here. In fact, in just a few minutes, I am going to mention that the head of distribution is saying, on the day the vaccine is approved, we will start shipping millions of copies of that vaccine all over the country. This all really started with Congress's deciding, as we put these COVID relief packages together from the very first couple of packages, that when it came to a cure, we were not going to let funding stand in the way nor were we going to let it stand in the way of investing some money somewhere that just simply didn't work because, by investing money where it didn't work, it allowed us to invest money where it did work. Congress appropriated $18 billion for vaccines and testing. About $12.5 billion has gone into the vaccine side. Most of the rest has gone into testing, with some going into therapy. This is a decision Congress made. With this vaccine, we are going to become partners in developing how we fight back. There was a risk that some of the vaccine candidates we supported wouldn't make it, but there was never a risk that the vaccine candidates that did make it wouldn't be as safe as any vaccine has ever been. In fact, many of these vaccines have had more people involved in the studies than ever before. Because of the virulence of the virus, the people in the studies, frankly, were more likely than not to be exposed to COVID, and a bunch of them were more likely than not to catch it. Of course, that is the moment when you decide if the group that caught the virus was the group that had the virus--the group that had the vaccine in these studies--or if it were the group that didn't have the vaccine. What we found out was, 95 percent of the time, it was the group that didn't have the vaccine, which is where you get that 95 percent number. Congress provided that we would take some risk. We so often hear that failure is not an option. In this case, if you didn't fail, you were not trying hard enough. If all you wind up with are things that have gotten approved, then you probably have left some things on the table that you should have tried. The Presiding Officer is a great businessman, and he knows, if you are in a business that is growing, you are going to have some failures. If you have never had failures in your business, you have not tried anything new, which means you probably haven't grown. So we would have failures not in a vaccine that we would give to people but by thinking: This would appear like it would have a good chance of being approved, so let's put it in the group of vaccines that we are working on. President Trump and Operation Warp Speed stepped up and decided they were going to move at a faster pace than ever before but with more safety than we have had in most vaccine developments in the history of the country. So we decided to support several vaccines that, again, we thought had a better chance of being approved than not. Now, you take some risk in that because all of the vaccines won't be approved, but you take no risk if you are going to support a vaccine that is approved but that is not safe. Yet that is not what happened at all. You just put a lot of racehorses in the race. The dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor University says, if you are racing to get a vaccine quickly, one way to do it is to put as many horses in the race as you can, and that is exactly what we have done. We have invested in several potential vaccines and, I think, three different paths to a vaccine, which means that all of the vaccines that are approved will not be exactly the same in how you have to store them, in how you have to transport them, and whether you have to have one shot or two to have the full vaccine. And we have signed contracts with six leading candidates already. We have invested $2.5 billion to help develop and purchase 100 million doses of the vaccine being developed by Moderna. That was jointly developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the company. We have dedicated $2 billion in a different pattern to purchase 100 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and we have done that with that investment in a way that allows us to shorten the processing time, combining various study phases and clinical trials going on at the same time and moving forward in a way that also allowed us to be manufacturing vaccines while we were still studying and moving toward final approval by the FDA. So we have two vaccines standing and ready now for final approval, another one to join them soon, and another one to join them quickly after that. But all of them are already in the stage of manufacturing. So what is the worst thing that could have happened to taxpayers? We invest in a vaccine that turns out not to work, and, at that point we step in, meet our commitment--in essence, buy the vaccine that didn't work--be sure that it is effectively destroyed, and realize that that was a chance that we took that didn't produce a result. But the other vaccines that did work had a result and had vaccine available as soon as they were approved. In fact, General Perna, Operation Warp Speed's chief operating officer, said the government would begin vaccinations within 24 hours after a vaccine secures FDA approval. In the past, I would say you would be closer to saying it will be 12 or 24 months after approval before the first vaccine is ready to go to the first person, but now we are saying 24 hours, and we are on the edge of that 24 hours. I talked today with the Governor of my State, the Governor of Missouri, Mike Parson, and the head of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Dr. Randall Williams, about what they were doing. They submitted a plan early. I was with the Governor--I think it was in mid-August--when the Centers for Disease Control told all the Governors: We want to have a plan by the end of October of how you are going to distribute this vaccine when you get it. I said at about that same time that if we failed in our effort to get the vaccine effectively distributed after the effort we made to get it, it would be one of the great government failures of all time. But Governor Parson, Dr. Williams, and others who have worked hard on this in our State put a plan in and put it in pretty early and now are ready to execute that plan as soon as they have the vaccine available to them. About 2 percent of the population of the country lives in Missouri, and so about 2 percent of every distribution will go to Missouri as vaccines are ready. Pfizer will have about 25 million vaccines to distribute almost immediately. Moderna will have about 20 million to distribute almost immediately. And we know that others are standing right behind them. Another thing that Congress asked the Centers for Disease Control to do was to come up with a recommendation on who the vaccine should be given to. And just this week the CDC advisory committee made their recommendation to the Centers for Disease Control. Either today or sometime soon after today, the CDC, in all likelihood, will adopt those recommendations as they have in this past. The recommendations go something like this: First, you want to prioritize healthcare workers and people most likely to have the worst result if they catch the virus. So if you take all the healthcare workers in America and all the people in a senior living kind of condition in America, you are talking about around 15 percent of the population. Somewhere in there, either in that group or the next group, you include all the first responders and police officers in the country, who come into situations so often that they have no control over, and then you go to the other essential employees in America--the childcare center worker, the schoolteacher, the busdriver, the grocery store clerk, the food processing person who is out there making this happen. I think there has been some decision made on the healthcare workers that we should include clergy in the healthcare workers because they are so often present in hospitals and with people in circumstances where they would like to see someone from their faith present, but that person also is a healthcare provider in the healthcare network and, just like others working in the hospital, will be able to get that early vaccination. But let's go back to the essential workforce. The essential workforce of the groups we have talked about and others who come into lots of contact with people are often least able to make arrangements in their own time to even get a vaccine if it is for free. They are going to be a bi priority. When I go to the grocery store and I ask someone for help, which I often need to do to find the one thing on my list I don't know how to find, or when I go by to check out with the grocery store clerk, if the grocery store clerk, no matter how big the shield is between them and me, if they couldn't possibly get it from the person who checked out 2 days earlier or early that day, they can't possibly give it to me. So every step of the way, the whole country becomes safer until, hopefully, by the end of April or so, we are at a place where everybody has access to the vaccine. By the way, by the time you do the 15 percent of the population that is most likely to have a bad result if they get the virus and healthcare workers andadd that to the 35 percent of the population that is the essential workforce, that is 50 percent of the population that could have the vaccine if they chose to have it. I think most people think that we are there, in our State and other places, by sometime in April. In fact, Dr. Fauci said that Americans determined to be at the highest risk--healthcare workers, frontline workers, seniors, those with underlying conditions--could be vaccinated by the end of the year. Certainly, if there is a second shot, it might be by the end of January, and you have 15 percent of the whole population vaccinated by the end of January or sometime in January, and another 35 percent would have the vaccine available to them by sometime in April. Then we look at the rest of the population. But in each step of the way--let me say again--every time you take somebody off the playing field of where contact with the virus could successfully occur, everybody else gets safer too. If a person who has been vaccinated is where the germs happen to land instead of the person standing beside them who wasn't vaccinated, the life of that particular germ is gone, and eventually that is how you emerge from a pandemic. There just aren't enough people left for this to land on that either haven't had it or haven't had the vaccine to prevent it. It is a critical time. It is an important time. I think we have written two new chapters in pandemic response, both in testing and in vaccines. Operation Warp Speed has done in months what typically can take 10 to 15 years and, even in an expedited way, can take 2 to 3 to 5 years. Given the urgent need to beat this virus, I think Operation Warp Speed, with the great scientific community--a lot of this is built on research that was funded by NIH. One of the priorities of the Congress for the last 5 years has been to increase NIH funding, at a time when we know more about genetics. Two of these vaccines are basically based on the molecular code that is sort of the software for genetics. It is a different way than vaccines have been developed before and would not have been developed without government-encouraged research. Having a diverse selection of vaccines means there are different people producing vaccines at the same time in different places, and we will have, more likely, a quick and fair distribution of any FDA-authorized vaccines. Certainly, I have been frustrated, as many of us have, to think that we have not been able to reach an agreement on what money we might need to finish this vaccine effort, the distribution effort. Hopefully, we can come to the next round of COVID relief sooner rather than later. As I said earlier this week, a targeted funding package now will have a lot more impact than a much bigger package would have 4 or 5 months from now. There is no reason we shouldn't be able to find common ground. This is a time when we can make that effort to finish the job. The pandemic is affecting Americans every day. I have talked to a lot of people who have seen greater numbers of drug dependency and huge declines in mental health because that support network is gone and isolation has taken over, and worry about family, finances, and health has become a big part of that. Let's show the people we work for that we are going to be able to continue this job, and let's praise the great researchers in our country and others who stepped forward in incredible ways to do things that just 9 months ago nobody thought could possibly be established in the timeframe we are working on right now. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. BLUNT | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7206-7 | null | 1,764 |
formal | Chicago | null | racist | Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I would like to take a few moments to say farewell to a friend and a public servant who served my State of Illinois and our Nation well. His name was Charles Carroll Smith, but his friends called him Charlie. He died on the day after Thanksgiving. Our paths crossed often over the years. Charlie served as Illinois' deputy secretary of state under then-Secretary of State Alan Dixon. When Alan Dixon was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1980, Charlie came to Washington with him. He was a key member of the Dixon staff, serving as both legislative director and senior national security adviser. When Alan Dixon left the Senate, Charlie joined the staff of Kentucky Senator Wendell Ford, then the Senate's Democratic whip. Charlie was Senator Ford's legislative staff director and a trusted adviser to Senator Ford on matters involving national security and foreign relations. He helped craft and pass many important pieces of legislation, including the 1990 law establishing the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission in 1990. He went on to serve as executive director of the 1995 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission-a massive task to try to realign America's military bases with the realities of the post-Cold War world. The work of the Base Closure Commission was necessary, complex, and historic, and Charlie's intricate understanding of both the Defense Department and the security needs of America and our allies was critical to the commission's success. Despite the gargantuan task, Charlie was never too busy to listen. I and all of the Members of the Illinois congressional delegation appreciated his willingness to always consider fairly our explanations about the national security importance of the military bases in our State. He never put his thumb on the scale for Illinois, but he made sure that we received a fair hearing. The day the commission announced its recommendations in 2005, Charlie called me to explain in layman's language just what the recommendations meant for Illinois and for America. I have never met anyone with a greater understanding of the workings of the Defense Department and the ability to translate that knowledge into plain English. He was a rare one. Charlie came by his political and legislative skills the old-fashioned way. He inherited them. He grew up in an Irish Catholic Democratic family on the North Side of Chicago. His father was in politics; his mother was a professor. Charlie was the first-born and only son in the family of three children. The Smith family took politics and democracy seriously. Charlie and his father were both named Charles Carroll Smith, senior and junior. Family legend has it that they were descended from Charles Carroll, one of the signers of America's Declaration of Independence and a member of the Continental Congress. Whether it was true or not--this was before at-home DNA testing--the Smith family strove to live up to Charles Carroll's patriotic example. When Charlie was about 11, his father decided that the Smith family home should be a laboratory of democracy. They would discuss important events at the dinner table, and once a week, they would have a meeting to vote on matters involving the family. After just one or two of these family meetings, Charlie had an epiphany. He told his sister Sheila: ``You know, if we three kids stick together, we can outvote Mom and Dad.'' He said: ``I want a bike. What do you want?'' Charlie figured out what both of his sisters wanted and how to deliver it. At the next family meeting, the girls supported Charlie's proposal to buy him a bike. The kids won, and Charlie got his bike. The Smith family never held another family vote, but Charlie would go on to use his coalition-building skills in the interest of public service for the rest of his life. In 1968, Charlie joined the U.S. Army and served as an intelligence officer in Vietnam during the Tet offensive. He left public service in 1999 and began his second career as a lobbyist. He was respected by members of Congress on both sides of the aisle as a straight shooter and a good man. Besides his family, politics, and public service, Charlie loved the Chicago Bears and the Cubs and playing golf. Every Christmas season, Charlie hosted a party for his friends at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA. It was always a great, bipartisan celebration. This Friday, Charlie's friends will gather by Zoom to remember him on what would have been his 26th annual Christmas party. He will be missed there, and he will be missed in the halls of Congress, in his old neighborhood in Chicago, and many other places. Loretta and I send our condolences to Charlie's wife Patti Turner; his sisters, Sheila Smith and Catherine Wilson; and his many, many friends. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. DURBIN | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7208-3 | null | 1,765 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I am pleased to recognize Mr. Roy Lee Lindsey for his 22 years of service at the Oklahoma Pork Council. Since 1998, he has served as a steadfast advocate for pork producers and the agriculture industry in Oklahoma and we are grateful for his years of service. Over the years, I have had the experience of working directly with Roy Lee on a number of issues, and I have greatly valued his insight, partnership, and dedication to ensuring the hardworking pork producers in the State of Oklahoma have access to the Federal resources they need. Anyone who has had the pleasure to meet and work with Roy Lee can attest for his love of the state of Oklahoma and the pork industry. His unwavering passion and dedication have enabled him to be an extraordinary ambassador for Oklahoma, both regionally and nationally. From sharing producers' perspectives on multiple farm bill reauthorizations to engaging in workforce development initiatives to educate our future generation of farmers, Roy Lee has always provided a judicious, thoughtful, and considerate perspective on Federal policy. His understanding of the challenges of agriculture production and appreciation for the producers he represents has consistently been apparent in his advocacy efforts and instrumental in the pork industry's growth and prosperity in Oklahoma. I know I join his family and all that know him in thanking him for his years of service and contributions to Oklahoma and our entire agriculture community. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7209-2 | null | 1,766 |
formal | family values | null | homophobic | Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, along with my colleague Senator Mike Crapo, I rise today to recognize Idaho State Senate President Pro Tempore Brent Hill's 19 years of service to the State of Idaho. In 2001, Brent Hill was appointed to lead Idaho's 34th District as a State senator. He quickly developed a reputation as a legislator who led with integrity, civility and kindness--characteristics that earned him reelection to serve nine consecutive terms in the Idaho State Senate. In the Idaho Senate and throughout the 34th District, Brent was known as a stalwart supporter of small businesses, family values, natural resources, and public education. Brent's expansive knowledge of the Federal and State tax codes from his experience as a CEO, CPA, and a financial planner allowed him to shape Idaho's tax policy and communicate complex tax legislation to fellow legislators and constituents. He considered tax dollars sacred and took great care in spending them responsibly. As he climbed the ranks of leadership to become president pro tempore, Brent never forgot the people he served in Madison and Bonneville Counties and always demonstrated true concern for their challenges and concerns. Despite the demands on his time, he continued to serve his community on the board of the Citizens Community Bank and as president of the Rexburg Chamber of Commerce and Rexburg Kiwanis Club. He never stopped advocating on behalf of his constituents, regularly contacting our offices to secure assistance for those needing help with Federal agencies. Senator Brent Hill leaves behind a legacy of service and integrity, and we wish him and his wife Julie, their children and grandchildren the best as he transitions back to private life. His steadfast leadership will be missed in the Idaho Senate, but we know his community and our State will continue to be blessed by his influence for years to come. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. RISCH | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7209-3 | null | 1,767 |
formal | Federal Reserve | null | antisemitic | The following communications were laid before the Senate, together with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as indicated: EC-5997. A communication from the Deputy Administrator for Policy Support, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Child Nutrition Programs: Rescission of Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Flexibilities: Notice of Vacatur'' (RIN0584-AE84) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 02, 2020; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-5998. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Sethoxydim; Pesticide Tolerances'' (FRL No. 10016- 23-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-5999. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Adipic acid; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance'' (FRL No. 10015-57-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-6000. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Repeal of DFARS Clauses Related to Taxes Applied to Foreign Contracts in Afghanistan'' (RIN0750-AL11) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-6001. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Repeal of DFARS Provision and Clause on Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military Recruiting on Campus'' (RIN0750- AK89) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-6002. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Restriction on the Acquisition of Tantalum'' (RIN0750-AK94) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-6003. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Threshold'' (RIN0750-AK76) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-6004. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Repeal of DFARS Provision 'Alternate Preservation, Packaging, and Packing''' (RIN0750-AK59) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-6005. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Repeal of DFARS Clause 'Substitutions for Military or Federal Specifications and Standards''' (RIN0750-AK60) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-6006. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Treatment of Certain Items as Commercial Items'' (RIN0750- AK66) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-6007. A communication from the President of the United States, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the continuation of the national emergency that was originally declared in Executive Order 13851 of November 27, 2018, with respect to Nicaragua; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-6008. A communication from the Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Management's Discussion and Analysis, Selected Financial Data, and Supplementary Financial Information'' (RIN3235-AM28) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-6009. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Rhode Island; Final Approval of State Underground Storage Tank Program Revisions, Codification, and Incorporation by Reference'' (FRL No. 10015-22-Region 1) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-6010. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Chemical Data Reporting; Extension of the 2020 Submission Period'' (FRL No. 10016-96-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-6011. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``South Carolina: Final Authorization of State Hazardous Waste Management Program Revisions'' (FRL No. 10016-11-Region 4) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-6012. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Financial Responsibility Requirements Under CERCLA Section 108(b) for Facilities in the Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Industry; the Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing Industry; and the Chemical Manufacturing Industry'' (FRL No. 10017-87-OLEM) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-6013. 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 (20-2.B)'' (FRL No. 10015-16-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-6014. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency'' (RIN1210-AB98) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 10, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-6015. 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 ``Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency'' ((RIN1545- BP97) (TD 9931)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-6016. 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; Modernizing and Clarifying the Physician Self-Referral Regulations (CMS-1720- F)'' (RIN0938-AT64) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-6017. A communication from the Chief Counsel, Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States, Department of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Commission's annual report for calendar year 2019; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-6018. A communication from the Assistant Legal Adviser for Treaty Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to the Case-Zablocki Act, 1 U.S.C. 112b, as amended, the report of the texts and background statements of international agreements, other than treaties (List 2020-0101 - 2020-0103); to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-6019. A communication from the Assistant Legal Adviser for Treaty Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to the Case-Zablocki Act, 1 U.S.C. 112b, as amended, the report of the texts and background statements of international agreements, other than treaties (List 2020-0091 - 2020-0100); to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-6020. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Transparency in Coverage'' (RIN1210-AB93) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-6021. A communication from the Director, National Science Foundation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department's Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2020 and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the Report; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6022. A communication from the Commissioner, Social Security Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6023. A communication from the Chief Financial Officer, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department's Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6024. A communication from the Chair of the Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Inspector General's Semiannual Report for the six- month period from April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6025. A communication from the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Agency's Semiannual Report of the Office of Inspector General for the period from April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6026. A communication from the Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Commission's Semiannual Report of the Inspector General for the period from April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6027. A communication from the Inspector General of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Inspector General's Semiannual Report to Congress for the period from April 1, 2020, through September 30, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6028. A communication from the Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Commission's Performance and Accountability Report for fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6029. A communication from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department of Veterans Affairs' Semiannual Report of the Inspector General for the period from April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6030. A communication from the Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Board's Performance and Accountability Report for fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6031. A communication from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department of Veterans Affairs' Semiannual Report of the Inspector General for the period from October 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6032. 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 Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008'' (RIN1117- AB20) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 9, 2020; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-6033. 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 Combat Metamphetamine Epedemic Act of 2005; Retail Sales; Notice of Transfers Following Importation or Exportation'' (RIN1117-AB05) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-6034. A communication from the Executive Director, National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Museum's 2019 annual report and financial audit; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-6035. A communication from the President and Chief Executive Officer, National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to a request for additional funding as a part of a COVID-19 relief bill; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7210-6 | null | 1,768 |
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-5997. A communication from the Deputy Administrator for Policy Support, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Child Nutrition Programs: Rescission of Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Flexibilities: Notice of Vacatur'' (RIN0584-AE84) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 02, 2020; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-5998. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Sethoxydim; Pesticide Tolerances'' (FRL No. 10016- 23-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-5999. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Adipic acid; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance'' (FRL No. 10015-57-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-6000. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Repeal of DFARS Clauses Related to Taxes Applied to Foreign Contracts in Afghanistan'' (RIN0750-AL11) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-6001. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Repeal of DFARS Provision and Clause on Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military Recruiting on Campus'' (RIN0750- AK89) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-6002. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Restriction on the Acquisition of Tantalum'' (RIN0750-AK94) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-6003. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Threshold'' (RIN0750-AK76) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-6004. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Repeal of DFARS Provision 'Alternate Preservation, Packaging, and Packing''' (RIN0750-AK59) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-6005. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Repeal of DFARS Clause 'Substitutions for Military or Federal Specifications and Standards''' (RIN0750-AK60) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-6006. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Treatment of Certain Items as Commercial Items'' (RIN0750- AK66) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-6007. A communication from the President of the United States, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the continuation of the national emergency that was originally declared in Executive Order 13851 of November 27, 2018, with respect to Nicaragua; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-6008. A communication from the Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Management's Discussion and Analysis, Selected Financial Data, and Supplementary Financial Information'' (RIN3235-AM28) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-6009. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Rhode Island; Final Approval of State Underground Storage Tank Program Revisions, Codification, and Incorporation by Reference'' (FRL No. 10015-22-Region 1) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-6010. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Chemical Data Reporting; Extension of the 2020 Submission Period'' (FRL No. 10016-96-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-6011. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``South Carolina: Final Authorization of State Hazardous Waste Management Program Revisions'' (FRL No. 10016-11-Region 4) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-6012. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Financial Responsibility Requirements Under CERCLA Section 108(b) for Facilities in the Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Industry; the Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing Industry; and the Chemical Manufacturing Industry'' (FRL No. 10017-87-OLEM) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-6013. 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 (20-2.B)'' (FRL No. 10015-16-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-6014. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency'' (RIN1210-AB98) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 10, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-6015. 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 ``Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency'' ((RIN1545- BP97) (TD 9931)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-6016. 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; Modernizing and Clarifying the Physician Self-Referral Regulations (CMS-1720- F)'' (RIN0938-AT64) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-6017. A communication from the Chief Counsel, Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States, Department of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Commission's annual report for calendar year 2019; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-6018. A communication from the Assistant Legal Adviser for Treaty Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to the Case-Zablocki Act, 1 U.S.C. 112b, as amended, the report of the texts and background statements of international agreements, other than treaties (List 2020-0101 - 2020-0103); to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-6019. A communication from the Assistant Legal Adviser for Treaty Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to the Case-Zablocki Act, 1 U.S.C. 112b, as amended, the report of the texts and background statements of international agreements, other than treaties (List 2020-0091 - 2020-0100); to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-6020. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Transparency in Coverage'' (RIN1210-AB93) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-6021. A communication from the Director, National Science Foundation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department's Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2020 and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the Report; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6022. A communication from the Commissioner, Social Security Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6023. A communication from the Chief Financial Officer, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department's Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6024. A communication from the Chair of the Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Inspector General's Semiannual Report for the six- month period from April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6025. A communication from the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Agency's Semiannual Report of the Office of Inspector General for the period from April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6026. A communication from the Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Commission's Semiannual Report of the Inspector General for the period from April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6027. A communication from the Inspector General of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Inspector General's Semiannual Report to Congress for the period from April 1, 2020, through September 30, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6028. A communication from the Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Commission's Performance and Accountability Report for fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6029. A communication from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department of Veterans Affairs' Semiannual Report of the Inspector General for the period from April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6030. A communication from the Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Board's Performance and Accountability Report for fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6031. A communication from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department of Veterans Affairs' Semiannual Report of the Inspector General for the period from October 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-6032. 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 Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008'' (RIN1117- AB20) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 9, 2020; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-6033. 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 Combat Metamphetamine Epedemic Act of 2005; Retail Sales; Notice of Transfers Following Importation or Exportation'' (RIN1117-AB05) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-6034. A communication from the Executive Director, National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Museum's 2019 annual report and financial audit; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-6035. A communication from the President and Chief Executive Officer, National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to a request for additional funding as a part of a COVID-19 relief bill; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7210-6 | null | 1,769 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Durbin) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations: S. Res. 790 Whereas over 5,400,000 Venezuelans have been displaced across Latin America and the Caribbean--the world's second largest displacement crisis--and at least 7,000,000 people inside Venezuela are in need of humanitarian assistance as a result of the country's ongoing political and economic crisis; Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, given the country's weak health infrastructure, and posing particular risks for Venezuelan refugees and migrants such as eviction, loss of livelihoods, border closures and other travel restrictions, lack of access to health care for those without documentation, and gender-based violence; Whereas it is well-recognized that displacement crises-- (1) exacerbate pre-existing violence against women and girls; (2) interrupt children's education and increase their exposure to violence and exploitation; (3) cause major stress and trauma on individuals and families that can have profound effects on mental health and result in significant needs for psychological and social support; and (4) disrupt family and community connections that mitigate against such violence and trauma; Whereas, between 2015 and 2016, maternal mortality rates in Venezuela increased by 65 percent and infant mortality within the first week of life increased by 53 percent, and the dire state of Venezuela's public health system has compelled women to flee the country in order to give birth; Whereas one-third of Venezuelan households are food insecure, with the greatest risk of adverse nutritional impacts on children, pregnant and lactating women, and the elderly, according to the World Food Program; Whereas the growing prevalence of criminal violence, especially intimate partner violence, and human trafficking, endemic corruption, and impunity in Venezuela has contributed to a significant increase in femicides; Whereas Venezuelan women and girls report an increase in pregnancies of adolescent girls over the past 2 years, including many resulting from sexual violence and coercion; Whereas indigenous women and girls in Venezuela's border communities face heightened risks of violence as a result of extreme poverty, discrimination, and the encroachment of extractive mining industries on their land; Whereas women and girls fleeing Venezuela face grave threats of sexual violence, exploitation, and trafficking by armed groups operating in border regions, such as the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN), and these threats have grown since COVID-related border closures have forced asylum seekers into unofficial border crossing routes (``trochas''); Whereas the trafficking of Venezuelan women and children is linked to organized crime and armed groups, which often kidnap girls into trafficking networks in other countries and, in addition, forcibly recruit boys and young men; Whereas, despite the generous policies of host countries, less than half of Venezuelan refugee and migrant children were attending school prior to COVID-related closures, because of lack of documentation to enroll, limited space in public schools, and lack of resources to pay fees; Whereas governments throughout Latin America and the Caribbean have participated in a series of technical meetings to coordinate a regional strategy for the protection and regularization of Venezuelan refugees and migrants--known as the ``Quito Process''--and issued a joint declaration in November 2019 that agreed to strengthen measures against human trafficking, gender-based violence, discrimination, and xenophobia, and to establish a regional protection protocol for refugee and migrant children and adolescents; Whereas the United States has committed to strengthen international protection of women and children through the U.S. Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security, which aims to ``promote the protection of women and girls' human rights; access to humanitarian assistance; and safety from violence, abuse, and exploitation around the world'', as well as through the U.S. Government Strategy on Advancing Protection and Care for Children in Adversity; and Whereas the international community has prioritized addressing the issue of gender-based violence in humanitarian contexts by establishing a Safe from the Start initiative, implemented by the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) expresses grave concern for the massive and growing humanitarian needs of Venezuelans, including over 5,400,000 Venezuelan refugees and migrants, with particular concern for the impact of the displacement crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic on women and children; (2) recognizes the many communities across Latin America and the Caribbean that continue to generously receive and host Venezuelan refugees and migrants while also fighting to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) appreciates participation in the Quito Process by the Governments of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay, and encourages implementation of their commitments to strengthen national processes of documentation and registration and to bolster protections for Venezuelan refugees and migrants subject to gender-based violence, human trafficking, and xenophobia; (4) encourages governments hosting Venezuelan refugees and migrants, as well as international and nongovernmental organizations providing assistance, to ensure that shelter, health care, food assistance, mental health and psychosocial support, and other basic services are accessible to women and children; (5) calls on the international community, including both humanitarian and development actors, to focus greater attention and resources to address the violence, abuse, and exploitation suffered by Venezuelan women and children, including by disaggregating data by sex and age in needs assessments and program reporting; and (6) supports increasing United States diplomatic initiatives and humanitarian assistance to strengthen protections for Venezuelan refugees and migrants and their host communities, with an emphasis on the protection of women and children. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7217-2 | null | 1,770 |
formal | public school | null | racist | Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Durbin) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations: S. Res. 790 Whereas over 5,400,000 Venezuelans have been displaced across Latin America and the Caribbean--the world's second largest displacement crisis--and at least 7,000,000 people inside Venezuela are in need of humanitarian assistance as a result of the country's ongoing political and economic crisis; Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, given the country's weak health infrastructure, and posing particular risks for Venezuelan refugees and migrants such as eviction, loss of livelihoods, border closures and other travel restrictions, lack of access to health care for those without documentation, and gender-based violence; Whereas it is well-recognized that displacement crises-- (1) exacerbate pre-existing violence against women and girls; (2) interrupt children's education and increase their exposure to violence and exploitation; (3) cause major stress and trauma on individuals and families that can have profound effects on mental health and result in significant needs for psychological and social support; and (4) disrupt family and community connections that mitigate against such violence and trauma; Whereas, between 2015 and 2016, maternal mortality rates in Venezuela increased by 65 percent and infant mortality within the first week of life increased by 53 percent, and the dire state of Venezuela's public health system has compelled women to flee the country in order to give birth; Whereas one-third of Venezuelan households are food insecure, with the greatest risk of adverse nutritional impacts on children, pregnant and lactating women, and the elderly, according to the World Food Program; Whereas the growing prevalence of criminal violence, especially intimate partner violence, and human trafficking, endemic corruption, and impunity in Venezuela has contributed to a significant increase in femicides; Whereas Venezuelan women and girls report an increase in pregnancies of adolescent girls over the past 2 years, including many resulting from sexual violence and coercion; Whereas indigenous women and girls in Venezuela's border communities face heightened risks of violence as a result of extreme poverty, discrimination, and the encroachment of extractive mining industries on their land; Whereas women and girls fleeing Venezuela face grave threats of sexual violence, exploitation, and trafficking by armed groups operating in border regions, such as the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN), and these threats have grown since COVID-related border closures have forced asylum seekers into unofficial border crossing routes (``trochas''); Whereas the trafficking of Venezuelan women and children is linked to organized crime and armed groups, which often kidnap girls into trafficking networks in other countries and, in addition, forcibly recruit boys and young men; Whereas, despite the generous policies of host countries, less than half of Venezuelan refugee and migrant children were attending school prior to COVID-related closures, because of lack of documentation to enroll, limited space in public schools, and lack of resources to pay fees; Whereas governments throughout Latin America and the Caribbean have participated in a series of technical meetings to coordinate a regional strategy for the protection and regularization of Venezuelan refugees and migrants--known as the ``Quito Process''--and issued a joint declaration in November 2019 that agreed to strengthen measures against human trafficking, gender-based violence, discrimination, and xenophobia, and to establish a regional protection protocol for refugee and migrant children and adolescents; Whereas the United States has committed to strengthen international protection of women and children through the U.S. Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security, which aims to ``promote the protection of women and girls' human rights; access to humanitarian assistance; and safety from violence, abuse, and exploitation around the world'', as well as through the U.S. Government Strategy on Advancing Protection and Care for Children in Adversity; and Whereas the international community has prioritized addressing the issue of gender-based violence in humanitarian contexts by establishing a Safe from the Start initiative, implemented by the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) expresses grave concern for the massive and growing humanitarian needs of Venezuelans, including over 5,400,000 Venezuelan refugees and migrants, with particular concern for the impact of the displacement crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic on women and children; (2) recognizes the many communities across Latin America and the Caribbean that continue to generously receive and host Venezuelan refugees and migrants while also fighting to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) appreciates participation in the Quito Process by the Governments of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay, and encourages implementation of their commitments to strengthen national processes of documentation and registration and to bolster protections for Venezuelan refugees and migrants subject to gender-based violence, human trafficking, and xenophobia; (4) encourages governments hosting Venezuelan refugees and migrants, as well as international and nongovernmental organizations providing assistance, to ensure that shelter, health care, food assistance, mental health and psychosocial support, and other basic services are accessible to women and children; (5) calls on the international community, including both humanitarian and development actors, to focus greater attention and resources to address the violence, abuse, and exploitation suffered by Venezuelan women and children, including by disaggregating data by sex and age in needs assessments and program reporting; and (6) supports increasing United States diplomatic initiatives and humanitarian assistance to strengthen protections for Venezuelan refugees and migrants and their host communities, with an emphasis on the protection of women and children. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7217-2 | null | 1,771 |
formal | public schools | null | racist | Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Durbin) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations: S. Res. 790 Whereas over 5,400,000 Venezuelans have been displaced across Latin America and the Caribbean--the world's second largest displacement crisis--and at least 7,000,000 people inside Venezuela are in need of humanitarian assistance as a result of the country's ongoing political and economic crisis; Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, given the country's weak health infrastructure, and posing particular risks for Venezuelan refugees and migrants such as eviction, loss of livelihoods, border closures and other travel restrictions, lack of access to health care for those without documentation, and gender-based violence; Whereas it is well-recognized that displacement crises-- (1) exacerbate pre-existing violence against women and girls; (2) interrupt children's education and increase their exposure to violence and exploitation; (3) cause major stress and trauma on individuals and families that can have profound effects on mental health and result in significant needs for psychological and social support; and (4) disrupt family and community connections that mitigate against such violence and trauma; Whereas, between 2015 and 2016, maternal mortality rates in Venezuela increased by 65 percent and infant mortality within the first week of life increased by 53 percent, and the dire state of Venezuela's public health system has compelled women to flee the country in order to give birth; Whereas one-third of Venezuelan households are food insecure, with the greatest risk of adverse nutritional impacts on children, pregnant and lactating women, and the elderly, according to the World Food Program; Whereas the growing prevalence of criminal violence, especially intimate partner violence, and human trafficking, endemic corruption, and impunity in Venezuela has contributed to a significant increase in femicides; Whereas Venezuelan women and girls report an increase in pregnancies of adolescent girls over the past 2 years, including many resulting from sexual violence and coercion; Whereas indigenous women and girls in Venezuela's border communities face heightened risks of violence as a result of extreme poverty, discrimination, and the encroachment of extractive mining industries on their land; Whereas women and girls fleeing Venezuela face grave threats of sexual violence, exploitation, and trafficking by armed groups operating in border regions, such as the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN), and these threats have grown since COVID-related border closures have forced asylum seekers into unofficial border crossing routes (``trochas''); Whereas the trafficking of Venezuelan women and children is linked to organized crime and armed groups, which often kidnap girls into trafficking networks in other countries and, in addition, forcibly recruit boys and young men; Whereas, despite the generous policies of host countries, less than half of Venezuelan refugee and migrant children were attending school prior to COVID-related closures, because of lack of documentation to enroll, limited space in public schools, and lack of resources to pay fees; Whereas governments throughout Latin America and the Caribbean have participated in a series of technical meetings to coordinate a regional strategy for the protection and regularization of Venezuelan refugees and migrants--known as the ``Quito Process''--and issued a joint declaration in November 2019 that agreed to strengthen measures against human trafficking, gender-based violence, discrimination, and xenophobia, and to establish a regional protection protocol for refugee and migrant children and adolescents; Whereas the United States has committed to strengthen international protection of women and children through the U.S. Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security, which aims to ``promote the protection of women and girls' human rights; access to humanitarian assistance; and safety from violence, abuse, and exploitation around the world'', as well as through the U.S. Government Strategy on Advancing Protection and Care for Children in Adversity; and Whereas the international community has prioritized addressing the issue of gender-based violence in humanitarian contexts by establishing a Safe from the Start initiative, implemented by the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) expresses grave concern for the massive and growing humanitarian needs of Venezuelans, including over 5,400,000 Venezuelan refugees and migrants, with particular concern for the impact of the displacement crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic on women and children; (2) recognizes the many communities across Latin America and the Caribbean that continue to generously receive and host Venezuelan refugees and migrants while also fighting to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) appreciates participation in the Quito Process by the Governments of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay, and encourages implementation of their commitments to strengthen national processes of documentation and registration and to bolster protections for Venezuelan refugees and migrants subject to gender-based violence, human trafficking, and xenophobia; (4) encourages governments hosting Venezuelan refugees and migrants, as well as international and nongovernmental organizations providing assistance, to ensure that shelter, health care, food assistance, mental health and psychosocial support, and other basic services are accessible to women and children; (5) calls on the international community, including both humanitarian and development actors, to focus greater attention and resources to address the violence, abuse, and exploitation suffered by Venezuelan women and children, including by disaggregating data by sex and age in needs assessments and program reporting; and (6) supports increasing United States diplomatic initiatives and humanitarian assistance to strengthen protections for Venezuelan refugees and migrants and their host communities, with an emphasis on the protection of women and children. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7217-2 | null | 1,772 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. BOOKER (for himself, Mr. Markey, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Coons, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Warren, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Durbin) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary: S. Con. Res. 50 Whereas the first ship carrying enslaved Africans to what is now known as the United States of America arrived in 1619; Whereas that event 400 years ago was significant not only because it ushered in the institution of chattel slavery of African Americans, but also because it facilitated the systematic oppression of all people of color that has been a devastating and insufficiently understood and acknowledged aspect of our Nation's history over those past 400 years, and that has left a legacy of that oppression that haunts our Nation to this day; Whereas the institution of chattel slavery in the United States subjugated African Americans for nearly 250 years, fractured our Nation, and made a mockery of its founding principle that ``all men are created equal''; Whereas the signing of the Constitution of the United States failed to end slavery and oppressions against African Americans and other people of color, thus embedding in society the belief in the myth of a hierarchy of human value based on superficial physical characteristics such as skin color and facial features, and resulting in purposeful and persistent racial inequities in education, health care, employment, Social Security and veteran benefits, land ownership, financial assistance, food security, wages, voting rights, and the justice system; Whereas that oppression denied opportunity and mobility to African Americans and other people of color within the United States, resulting in stolen labor worth billions of dollars while ultimately forestalling landmark contributions that African Americans and other people of color would make in science, arts, commerce, and public service; Whereas Reconstruction represented a significant but constrained moment of advances for Black rights as epitomized by the Freedman's Bureau, which negotiated labor contracts for ex-enslaved people but failed to secure their own land for them; Whereas the brutal overthrow of Reconstruction failed all individuals in the United States by failing to ensure the safety and security of African Americans and by emboldening States and municipalities in both the North and South to enact numerous laws and policies to stymie the socioeconomic mobility and political voice of freed Blacks, thus maintaining their subservience to Whites; Whereas Reconstruction, the civil rights movement, and other efforts to redress the grievances of marginalized people were sabotaged, both intentionally and unintentionally, by those in power, thus rendering the accomplishments of those efforts transitory and unsustainable, and further embedding the racial hierarchy in society; Whereas examples of government actions directed against populations of color (referred to in this resolution as ``discriminatory government actions'') include-- (1) the creation of the Federal Housing Administration, which adopted specific policies designed to incentivize residential segregation; (2) the enactment of legislation creating the Social Security program, for which most African Americans were purposely rendered ineligible during its first 2 decades; (3) the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (commonly known as the ``G.I. Bill of Rights''; 58 Stat. 284, chapter 268), which left administration of its programs to the States, thus enabling blatant discrimination against African American veterans; (4) the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which allowed labor unions to discriminate based on race; (5) subprime lending aimed purposefully at families of color; (6) disenfranchisement of Native Americans, who, until 1924, were denied citizenship on land Native Americans had occupied for millennia; (7) Federal Indian Boarding School policy during the 19th and 20th centuries, the purpose of which was to ``civilize'' Native children through methods intended to eradicate Native cultures, traditions, and languages; (8) land policies toward Indian Tribes, such as the allotment policy, which caused the loss of over 90,000,000 acres of Tribal lands, even though two-thirds of that acreage was guaranteed to Indian Tribes by treaties and other Federal laws, and similar unjustified land grabs from Indian Tribes that occurred regionally throughout the late 1800s and into the termination era in the 1950s and 1960s; (9) the involuntary removal of Mexicans and United States citizens of Mexican descent through large-scale discriminatory deportation programs in the 1930s and 1950s; (10) the United States annexation of Puerto Rico, which made Puerto Ricans citizens of the United States without affording them voting rights; (11) racial discrimination against Latino Americans, which has forced Latino Americans to fight continuously for equal access to employment, housing, health care, financial services, and education; (12) the Act entitled ``An Act to execute certain treaty stipulations relating to Chinese'', approved May 6, 1892 (commonly known as the ``Chinese Exclusion Act''; 22 Stat. 58, chapter 126), which effectively halted immigration from China and barred Chinese immigrants from becoming citizens of the United States, and which was the first instance of xenophobic legislation signed into law specifically targeting a specific group of people based on ethnicity; (13) the treatment of Japanese Americans, despite no evidence of disloyalty, as suspect and traitorous in the very country they helped to build, leading most notably to the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans beginning in 1942; (14) the conspiracy to overthrow the Kingdom of Hawaii and annex the land of the Kingdom of Hawaii, without the consent of or compensation to the Native Hawaiian people of Hawaii; and (15) the United States history of colonialism in the Pacific, which has resulted in economic, health, and educational disparities among other inequities, for people in United States territories, as well as independent nations with which the United States has treaty obligations; Whereas those discriminatory government actions, among other government policies that have had racially disparate impacts, have disproportionately barred African Americans and other people of color from building wealth, thus limiting potential capital and exacerbating the racial wealth gap; Whereas research has shown that the persistent racial wealth gap has had a significant negative impact on other racial disparities, such as the achievement gap, disparities in school dropout rates, income gaps, disparities in home ownership rates, health outcome disparities, and disparities in incarceration rates; Whereas United States civic leaders and foundations have spearheaded critical efforts to advance racial healing, understanding, and transformation within the United States, recognizing that it is in our collective national interest to urgently address the unhealed, entrenched divisions that will severely undermine our democracy if they are allowed to continue to exist; Whereas many of the most far-reaching victories for racial healing in the United States have been greatly enhanced by the involvement, support, and dedication of individuals from any and all racial groups; Whereas at the same time, much of the progress toward racial healing and racial equity in the United States has been limited or reversed by our failure to address the root cause of racism, the belief in the myth of a hierarchy of human value based on superficial physical characteristics such as skin color and facial features; Whereas the United States institution of slavery, as well as other examples enumerated in this resolution, represent intentional and blatant violations of the most basic right of every individual in the United States to a free and decent life; Whereas the consequences of oppression against people of color have cascaded for centuries, across generations, beyond the era of active enslavement, imperiling for descendants of slaves and other targets of oppression what should have otherwise been the right of every individual in the United States to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; Whereas more than 40 countries have reckoned with historical injustice and its aftermath through forming Truth and Reconciliation Commissions to move toward restorative justice and to return dignity to their citizens; Whereas for 3 decades there has been a growing movement inside and outside Congress to have the Federal Government develop material remedies for the institution of slavery, including through a Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans described in H.R. 40, 116th Congress, as introduced on January 3, 2019; Whereas the formation of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation does not supplant the formation of a Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans, but rather complements that effort; and Whereas contemporary social science, medical science, and the rapidly expanding use of artificial intelligence and social media reveal the costs and potential threats to our democracy if we continue to allow unhealed, entrenched divisions to be ignored and exploited: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That Congress-- (1) affirms, on the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first slave ship to the United States, that the Nation owes a long-overdue debt of remembrance to not only those who lived through the egregious injustices enumerated in this resolution, but also to their descendants; and (2) urges the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation to properly acknowledge, memorialize, and be a catalyst for progress toward-- (A) jettisoning the belief in a hierarchy of human value; (B) embracing our common humanity; and (C) permanently eliminating persistent racial inequities. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7219-3 | null | 1,773 |
formal | disloyalty | null | antisemitic | Mr. BOOKER (for himself, Mr. Markey, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Coons, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Warren, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Durbin) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary: S. Con. Res. 50 Whereas the first ship carrying enslaved Africans to what is now known as the United States of America arrived in 1619; Whereas that event 400 years ago was significant not only because it ushered in the institution of chattel slavery of African Americans, but also because it facilitated the systematic oppression of all people of color that has been a devastating and insufficiently understood and acknowledged aspect of our Nation's history over those past 400 years, and that has left a legacy of that oppression that haunts our Nation to this day; Whereas the institution of chattel slavery in the United States subjugated African Americans for nearly 250 years, fractured our Nation, and made a mockery of its founding principle that ``all men are created equal''; Whereas the signing of the Constitution of the United States failed to end slavery and oppressions against African Americans and other people of color, thus embedding in society the belief in the myth of a hierarchy of human value based on superficial physical characteristics such as skin color and facial features, and resulting in purposeful and persistent racial inequities in education, health care, employment, Social Security and veteran benefits, land ownership, financial assistance, food security, wages, voting rights, and the justice system; Whereas that oppression denied opportunity and mobility to African Americans and other people of color within the United States, resulting in stolen labor worth billions of dollars while ultimately forestalling landmark contributions that African Americans and other people of color would make in science, arts, commerce, and public service; Whereas Reconstruction represented a significant but constrained moment of advances for Black rights as epitomized by the Freedman's Bureau, which negotiated labor contracts for ex-enslaved people but failed to secure their own land for them; Whereas the brutal overthrow of Reconstruction failed all individuals in the United States by failing to ensure the safety and security of African Americans and by emboldening States and municipalities in both the North and South to enact numerous laws and policies to stymie the socioeconomic mobility and political voice of freed Blacks, thus maintaining their subservience to Whites; Whereas Reconstruction, the civil rights movement, and other efforts to redress the grievances of marginalized people were sabotaged, both intentionally and unintentionally, by those in power, thus rendering the accomplishments of those efforts transitory and unsustainable, and further embedding the racial hierarchy in society; Whereas examples of government actions directed against populations of color (referred to in this resolution as ``discriminatory government actions'') include-- (1) the creation of the Federal Housing Administration, which adopted specific policies designed to incentivize residential segregation; (2) the enactment of legislation creating the Social Security program, for which most African Americans were purposely rendered ineligible during its first 2 decades; (3) the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (commonly known as the ``G.I. Bill of Rights''; 58 Stat. 284, chapter 268), which left administration of its programs to the States, thus enabling blatant discrimination against African American veterans; (4) the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which allowed labor unions to discriminate based on race; (5) subprime lending aimed purposefully at families of color; (6) disenfranchisement of Native Americans, who, until 1924, were denied citizenship on land Native Americans had occupied for millennia; (7) Federal Indian Boarding School policy during the 19th and 20th centuries, the purpose of which was to ``civilize'' Native children through methods intended to eradicate Native cultures, traditions, and languages; (8) land policies toward Indian Tribes, such as the allotment policy, which caused the loss of over 90,000,000 acres of Tribal lands, even though two-thirds of that acreage was guaranteed to Indian Tribes by treaties and other Federal laws, and similar unjustified land grabs from Indian Tribes that occurred regionally throughout the late 1800s and into the termination era in the 1950s and 1960s; (9) the involuntary removal of Mexicans and United States citizens of Mexican descent through large-scale discriminatory deportation programs in the 1930s and 1950s; (10) the United States annexation of Puerto Rico, which made Puerto Ricans citizens of the United States without affording them voting rights; (11) racial discrimination against Latino Americans, which has forced Latino Americans to fight continuously for equal access to employment, housing, health care, financial services, and education; (12) the Act entitled ``An Act to execute certain treaty stipulations relating to Chinese'', approved May 6, 1892 (commonly known as the ``Chinese Exclusion Act''; 22 Stat. 58, chapter 126), which effectively halted immigration from China and barred Chinese immigrants from becoming citizens of the United States, and which was the first instance of xenophobic legislation signed into law specifically targeting a specific group of people based on ethnicity; (13) the treatment of Japanese Americans, despite no evidence of disloyalty, as suspect and traitorous in the very country they helped to build, leading most notably to the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans beginning in 1942; (14) the conspiracy to overthrow the Kingdom of Hawaii and annex the land of the Kingdom of Hawaii, without the consent of or compensation to the Native Hawaiian people of Hawaii; and (15) the United States history of colonialism in the Pacific, which has resulted in economic, health, and educational disparities among other inequities, for people in United States territories, as well as independent nations with which the United States has treaty obligations; Whereas those discriminatory government actions, among other government policies that have had racially disparate impacts, have disproportionately barred African Americans and other people of color from building wealth, thus limiting potential capital and exacerbating the racial wealth gap; Whereas research has shown that the persistent racial wealth gap has had a significant negative impact on other racial disparities, such as the achievement gap, disparities in school dropout rates, income gaps, disparities in home ownership rates, health outcome disparities, and disparities in incarceration rates; Whereas United States civic leaders and foundations have spearheaded critical efforts to advance racial healing, understanding, and transformation within the United States, recognizing that it is in our collective national interest to urgently address the unhealed, entrenched divisions that will severely undermine our democracy if they are allowed to continue to exist; Whereas many of the most far-reaching victories for racial healing in the United States have been greatly enhanced by the involvement, support, and dedication of individuals from any and all racial groups; Whereas at the same time, much of the progress toward racial healing and racial equity in the United States has been limited or reversed by our failure to address the root cause of racism, the belief in the myth of a hierarchy of human value based on superficial physical characteristics such as skin color and facial features; Whereas the United States institution of slavery, as well as other examples enumerated in this resolution, represent intentional and blatant violations of the most basic right of every individual in the United States to a free and decent life; Whereas the consequences of oppression against people of color have cascaded for centuries, across generations, beyond the era of active enslavement, imperiling for descendants of slaves and other targets of oppression what should have otherwise been the right of every individual in the United States to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; Whereas more than 40 countries have reckoned with historical injustice and its aftermath through forming Truth and Reconciliation Commissions to move toward restorative justice and to return dignity to their citizens; Whereas for 3 decades there has been a growing movement inside and outside Congress to have the Federal Government develop material remedies for the institution of slavery, including through a Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans described in H.R. 40, 116th Congress, as introduced on January 3, 2019; Whereas the formation of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation does not supplant the formation of a Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans, but rather complements that effort; and Whereas contemporary social science, medical science, and the rapidly expanding use of artificial intelligence and social media reveal the costs and potential threats to our democracy if we continue to allow unhealed, entrenched divisions to be ignored and exploited: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That Congress-- (1) affirms, on the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first slave ship to the United States, that the Nation owes a long-overdue debt of remembrance to not only those who lived through the egregious injustices enumerated in this resolution, but also to their descendants; and (2) urges the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation to properly acknowledge, memorialize, and be a catalyst for progress toward-- (A) jettisoning the belief in a hierarchy of human value; (B) embracing our common humanity; and (C) permanently eliminating persistent racial inequities. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7219-3 | null | 1,774 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Mr. BOOKER (for himself, Mr. Markey, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Coons, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Warren, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Durbin) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary: S. Con. Res. 50 Whereas the first ship carrying enslaved Africans to what is now known as the United States of America arrived in 1619; Whereas that event 400 years ago was significant not only because it ushered in the institution of chattel slavery of African Americans, but also because it facilitated the systematic oppression of all people of color that has been a devastating and insufficiently understood and acknowledged aspect of our Nation's history over those past 400 years, and that has left a legacy of that oppression that haunts our Nation to this day; Whereas the institution of chattel slavery in the United States subjugated African Americans for nearly 250 years, fractured our Nation, and made a mockery of its founding principle that ``all men are created equal''; Whereas the signing of the Constitution of the United States failed to end slavery and oppressions against African Americans and other people of color, thus embedding in society the belief in the myth of a hierarchy of human value based on superficial physical characteristics such as skin color and facial features, and resulting in purposeful and persistent racial inequities in education, health care, employment, Social Security and veteran benefits, land ownership, financial assistance, food security, wages, voting rights, and the justice system; Whereas that oppression denied opportunity and mobility to African Americans and other people of color within the United States, resulting in stolen labor worth billions of dollars while ultimately forestalling landmark contributions that African Americans and other people of color would make in science, arts, commerce, and public service; Whereas Reconstruction represented a significant but constrained moment of advances for Black rights as epitomized by the Freedman's Bureau, which negotiated labor contracts for ex-enslaved people but failed to secure their own land for them; Whereas the brutal overthrow of Reconstruction failed all individuals in the United States by failing to ensure the safety and security of African Americans and by emboldening States and municipalities in both the North and South to enact numerous laws and policies to stymie the socioeconomic mobility and political voice of freed Blacks, thus maintaining their subservience to Whites; Whereas Reconstruction, the civil rights movement, and other efforts to redress the grievances of marginalized people were sabotaged, both intentionally and unintentionally, by those in power, thus rendering the accomplishments of those efforts transitory and unsustainable, and further embedding the racial hierarchy in society; Whereas examples of government actions directed against populations of color (referred to in this resolution as ``discriminatory government actions'') include-- (1) the creation of the Federal Housing Administration, which adopted specific policies designed to incentivize residential segregation; (2) the enactment of legislation creating the Social Security program, for which most African Americans were purposely rendered ineligible during its first 2 decades; (3) the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (commonly known as the ``G.I. Bill of Rights''; 58 Stat. 284, chapter 268), which left administration of its programs to the States, thus enabling blatant discrimination against African American veterans; (4) the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which allowed labor unions to discriminate based on race; (5) subprime lending aimed purposefully at families of color; (6) disenfranchisement of Native Americans, who, until 1924, were denied citizenship on land Native Americans had occupied for millennia; (7) Federal Indian Boarding School policy during the 19th and 20th centuries, the purpose of which was to ``civilize'' Native children through methods intended to eradicate Native cultures, traditions, and languages; (8) land policies toward Indian Tribes, such as the allotment policy, which caused the loss of over 90,000,000 acres of Tribal lands, even though two-thirds of that acreage was guaranteed to Indian Tribes by treaties and other Federal laws, and similar unjustified land grabs from Indian Tribes that occurred regionally throughout the late 1800s and into the termination era in the 1950s and 1960s; (9) the involuntary removal of Mexicans and United States citizens of Mexican descent through large-scale discriminatory deportation programs in the 1930s and 1950s; (10) the United States annexation of Puerto Rico, which made Puerto Ricans citizens of the United States without affording them voting rights; (11) racial discrimination against Latino Americans, which has forced Latino Americans to fight continuously for equal access to employment, housing, health care, financial services, and education; (12) the Act entitled ``An Act to execute certain treaty stipulations relating to Chinese'', approved May 6, 1892 (commonly known as the ``Chinese Exclusion Act''; 22 Stat. 58, chapter 126), which effectively halted immigration from China and barred Chinese immigrants from becoming citizens of the United States, and which was the first instance of xenophobic legislation signed into law specifically targeting a specific group of people based on ethnicity; (13) the treatment of Japanese Americans, despite no evidence of disloyalty, as suspect and traitorous in the very country they helped to build, leading most notably to the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans beginning in 1942; (14) the conspiracy to overthrow the Kingdom of Hawaii and annex the land of the Kingdom of Hawaii, without the consent of or compensation to the Native Hawaiian people of Hawaii; and (15) the United States history of colonialism in the Pacific, which has resulted in economic, health, and educational disparities among other inequities, for people in United States territories, as well as independent nations with which the United States has treaty obligations; Whereas those discriminatory government actions, among other government policies that have had racially disparate impacts, have disproportionately barred African Americans and other people of color from building wealth, thus limiting potential capital and exacerbating the racial wealth gap; Whereas research has shown that the persistent racial wealth gap has had a significant negative impact on other racial disparities, such as the achievement gap, disparities in school dropout rates, income gaps, disparities in home ownership rates, health outcome disparities, and disparities in incarceration rates; Whereas United States civic leaders and foundations have spearheaded critical efforts to advance racial healing, understanding, and transformation within the United States, recognizing that it is in our collective national interest to urgently address the unhealed, entrenched divisions that will severely undermine our democracy if they are allowed to continue to exist; Whereas many of the most far-reaching victories for racial healing in the United States have been greatly enhanced by the involvement, support, and dedication of individuals from any and all racial groups; Whereas at the same time, much of the progress toward racial healing and racial equity in the United States has been limited or reversed by our failure to address the root cause of racism, the belief in the myth of a hierarchy of human value based on superficial physical characteristics such as skin color and facial features; Whereas the United States institution of slavery, as well as other examples enumerated in this resolution, represent intentional and blatant violations of the most basic right of every individual in the United States to a free and decent life; Whereas the consequences of oppression against people of color have cascaded for centuries, across generations, beyond the era of active enslavement, imperiling for descendants of slaves and other targets of oppression what should have otherwise been the right of every individual in the United States to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; Whereas more than 40 countries have reckoned with historical injustice and its aftermath through forming Truth and Reconciliation Commissions to move toward restorative justice and to return dignity to their citizens; Whereas for 3 decades there has been a growing movement inside and outside Congress to have the Federal Government develop material remedies for the institution of slavery, including through a Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans described in H.R. 40, 116th Congress, as introduced on January 3, 2019; Whereas the formation of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation does not supplant the formation of a Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans, but rather complements that effort; and Whereas contemporary social science, medical science, and the rapidly expanding use of artificial intelligence and social media reveal the costs and potential threats to our democracy if we continue to allow unhealed, entrenched divisions to be ignored and exploited: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That Congress-- (1) affirms, on the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first slave ship to the United States, that the Nation owes a long-overdue debt of remembrance to not only those who lived through the egregious injustices enumerated in this resolution, but also to their descendants; and (2) urges the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation to properly acknowledge, memorialize, and be a catalyst for progress toward-- (A) jettisoning the belief in a hierarchy of human value; (B) embracing our common humanity; and (C) permanently eliminating persistent racial inequities. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-03-pt1-PgS7219-3 | null | 1,775 |
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 (S. 2981) to reauthorize and amend the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002, and for other purposes, on which the yeas and nays were ordered. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-12-04-pt1-PgH6840 | null | 1,776 |
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. 3884) to decriminalize and deschedule cannabis, to provide for reinvestment in certain persons adversely impacted by the War on Drugs, to provide for expungement of certain cannabis offenses, and for other purposes, offered by the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko), 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-2020-12-04-pt1-PgH6841 | null | 1,777 |
formal | EST | null | white supremacist | The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Harder of California) laid before the House the following resignation from the House of Representatives: House of Representatives, Washington, DC, December 7, 2020. Ms. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Pelosi: I hereby submit my resignation, effective Monday, December 7, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. EST, as the United States Representative of the 8th District of California. Attached is the letter I submitted to the California Secretary of State. Sincerely, Paul Cook. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-12-04-pt1-PgH6848 | null | 1,778 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive communications were taken from the Speaker's table and referred as follows: EC-5782. A letter from the Secretary, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the Commission's interim final rule -- Margin Requirements for Uncleared Swaps for Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants [RIN: 3038-AF02] received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Agriculture. EC-5783. A letter from the Deputy Director, Legislative Affairs, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the Commission's Major final rule -- Position Limits for Derivatives (RIN: 3038-AD99) received December 2, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Agriculture. EC-5784. A letter from the OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense, transmitting the Department's Major interim rule -- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Assessing Contractor Implementation of Cybersecurity Requirements (DFARS Case 2019-D041) [Docket DARS-2020-0034] (RIN: 0750-AJ81) received December 2, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-5785. A letter from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, transmitting the Department's Major final rule -- Transparency in Coverage (RIN: 1210-AB93) received November 17, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Education and Labor. EC-5786. A letter from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, transmitting the Department's Major final rule -- Financial Factors in Selecting Plan Investments (RIN: 1210- AB95) received November 17, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Education and Labor. EC-5787. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Chemical Recovery Combustion Sources at Kraft, Soda, Sulfite, and Stand-Alone Semichemical Pulp Mills; Standards of Performance for Kraft Pulp Mill Affected Sources for Which Construction, Reconstruction, or Modification Commenced After May 23, 2013 [EPA-HQ-OAR-2014- 0741; FRL-10015-72-OAR] (RIN: 2060-AU53) received November 4, 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. EC-5788. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Partial Approval and Partial Disapproval of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Arizona; Nonattainment Plan for the Hayden SO2 Nonattainment Area [EPA-R09-OAR-2020-0109; FRL-10014-84-Region 9] received November 4, 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. EC-5789. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Thiamine Mononitrate; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0112; FRL- 10015-69] received November 4, 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. EC-5790. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Trinexapac-ethyl; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0046; FRL-10012-51] received November 4, 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. EC-5791. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; New Jersey; Revisions to Emissions Reporting Requirements [EPA-R02-OAR-2019-0681; FRL-10014-13- Region 2] received November 4, 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. EC-5792. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Calcium Pantothenate; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0117; FRL- 10015-71] received November 4, 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. EC-5793. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Findings of Failure To Submit State Implementation Plans Required for Attainment of the 2010 1- Hour Primary Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) [EPA-HQ-OAR-2020-0377; FRL-10015-79- OAR] received November 4, 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. EC-5794. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; California; South Coast Moderate Area Plan and Reclassification as Serious Nonattainment for the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS [EPA-R09-OAR-2019-0145; FRL-10015-43-Region 9] received November 4, 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. EC-5795. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Approval; Pennsylvania; Attainment Plan for the Indiana, Pennsylvania Nonattainment Area for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard [EPA-R03-OAR-2017-0615; FRL-10015-78-Region 3] received November 4, 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. EC-5796. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Approval; Connecticut; Control of Particulate Matter and Visible Emissions [EPA-R01- OAR-2020-0255; FRL-10013-47-Region 1] received November 4, 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. EC-5797. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Approval; Ohio; Volatile Organic Compounds [EPA-R05-OAR-2019-0302, EPA-R05-OAR-2019- 0676; FRL-10015-49-Region 5] received November 4, 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. EC-5798. A letter from the Regulations Coordinator, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting the Department's Major final rule -- Information Blocking and the ONC Health IT Certification Program: Extension of Compliance Dates and Timeframes in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (RIN: 0955-AA02) received November 24, 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. EC-5799. A letter from the Regulations Coordinator, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting the Department's Major final rule -- 21st Century Cures Act: Interoperability, Information Blocking, and the ONC Health IT Certification Program (RIN: 0955-AA01) received November 24, 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. EC-5800. A letter from the Secretary, Department of the Treasury, transmitting a six-month periodic report on the national emergency with respect to Iran that was declared in Executive Order 12170 of November 14, 1979, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1641(c); Public Law 94-412, Sec. 401(c); (90 Stat. 1257) and 50 U.S.C. 1703(c); Public Law 95-223, Sec 204(c); (91 Stat. 1627); to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. EC-5801. A letter from the Secretary, Department of the Treasury, transmitting a six-month periodic report on the national emergency with respect to Somalia that was declared in Executive Order 13536 of April 12, 2010, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1641(c); Public Law 94-412, Sec. 401(c); (90 Stat. 1257) and 50 U.S.C. 1703(c); Public Law 95-223, Sec 204(c); (91 Stat. 1627); to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. EC-5802. A letter from the Assistant Legal Advisor, Office of Treaty Affairs, Department of State, transmitting a report concerning international agreements other than treaties entered into by the United States to be transmitted to the Congress within the sixty-day period specified in the Case- Zablocki Act, pursuant to 1 U.S.C. 112b(a); Public Law 92- 403, Sec. 1(a) (as amended by Public Law 108-458, Sec. 7121(b)); (118 Stat. 3807); to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. EC-5803. A letter from the Director, Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of The President, transmitting the Office's report on Other U.S. Contributions to the United Nations for FY 2018, pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 287b-1(a); Public Law 114-323, Sec. 312(a); (130 Stat. 1925); to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. EC-5804. A letter from the Secretary, American Battle Monuments Commission, transmitting the Commission's FY 2020 No FEAR Act report, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 2301 note; Public Law 107-174, 203(a) (as amended by Public Law 109-435, Sec. 604(f)); (120 Stat. 3242); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5805. A letter from the Deputy Secretary, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's Office of Inspector General's Semiannual Report to Congress, covering the period ending September 30, 2020; to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5806. A letter from the Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administration, transmitting the semiannual report of the Office of the Inspector General, pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended covering the period of April 1, 2020, through September 30, 2020; to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5807. A letter from the Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administration, transmitting the Administration's FY 2020 Performance and Accountability Report, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3515(a)(1); Public Law 101-576, Sec. 303(a)(1) (as amended by Public Law 107-289, Sec. 2(a)); (116 Stat. 2049); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5808. A letter from the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee, Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation, transmitting the Corporation's report addressing the requirements of the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act of 1982; to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5809. A letter from the Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, transmitting the Administration's annual inventory of commercial of activities performed by federal government sources, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 501 note; Public Law 105-270, Sec. 2(c)(1)(A); (112 Stat. 2382); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5810. A letter from the Chair, United States International Trade Commission, transmitting the Commission's Agency Financial Report for FY 2020, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3515(a)(1); Public Law 101-576, Sec. 303(a)(1) (as amended by Public Law 107-289, Sec. 2(a)); (116 Stat. 2049); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5811. A letter from the Director, Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's final regulations -- Income Tax Withholding From Wages [TD 9924] (RIN: 1545-B032) received November 4, 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. EC-5812. A letter from the Director, Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's Major final rule -- Meals and Entertainment Expenses Under Section 274 [TD 9925] (RIN: 1545-BP23) received November 4, 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. EC-5813. A letter from the Director, Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's final rule -- Income Tax Withholding on Certain Periodic Retirement and Annuity Payments Under Section 3405(a) [TD 9920] (RIN: 1545-BP69) received November 4, 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. EC-5814. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting a report titled, ``Supplemental Benefits to Treat or Prevent Substance Use Disorders under Medicare Advantage Plans'', pursuant to Public Law 115-271, Sec. 6084(a); (132 Stat. 3995); jointly to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. EC-5815. A letter from the Regulations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting the Department's Major final rule -- Medicare Program; Modernizing and Clarifying the Physician Self-Referral Regulations [CMS-1720-F] (RIN: 0938- AT64) received December 2, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); jointly to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. EC-5816. A letter from the Regulations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting the Department's Major final rule -- Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Organ Procurement Organizations Conditions for Coverage: Revisions to the Outcome Measure Requirements for Organ Procurement Organizations [CMS-3380-F] (RIN: 0938-AU02) received December 2, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); jointly to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. EC-5817. A letter from the Regulations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting the Department's Major interim final rule -- Most Favored Nation (MFN) Model [CMS-5528-IFC] (RIN: 0938-AT91) received November 24, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); jointly to the Committees on Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-12-04-pt1-PgH6856-3 | null | 1,779 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Under clause 3 of rule XII, memorials were presented and referred as follows: ML-214. The SPEAKER presented a memorial of the Legislature of the State of New Jersey, relative to Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 190, urging Congress and the President to enact legislation that provides additional emergency response funding to support the costs of safely reopening schools following the COVID-19; to the Committee on Education and Labor. ML-215. Also, a memorial of the House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, relative to House Resolution No. 234, memorializing the Congress of the United States to repeal the federal ban on Pell Grants for prison-based education; to the Committee on Education and Labor. ML-216. Also, a memorial of the House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, relative to House Resolution No. 323, discouraging Congress from expanding the size of the Supreme Court of the United States; to the Committee on the Judiciary. ML-217. Also, a memorial of the Legislature of the State of New Jersey, relative to Assembly Resolution No. 86, respectfully memorializing Congress of the United States to enact legislation to provide Medicare coverage for eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures; jointly to the Committees on Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-12-04-pt1-PgH6858 | null | 1,780 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Under clause 3 of rule XII, petitions and papers were laid on the clerk's desk and referred as follows: PT-150. The SPEAKER presented a petition of the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco, CA, relative to Resolution No. 518-20, condemning the hostile military attacks escalating the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia; affirming support of House Resolution 1165, authored by Congresswoman Jackie Speier; and urging the United States to help broker a peaceful resolution and return to a ceasefire agreement; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. PT-151. Also, a petition of the mayor and City Commission of Miami Beach, FL, relative to Resolution No. 2020-31414, affirming support for and a partnership with federal, state, and local leaders to ensure an accurate 2020 U.S. Census; to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. PT-152. Also, a petition of the Mayor and City Commission of Miami Beach, FL, relative to Resolution No. 2020-31413, requesting that the U.S. Congress pass legislation providing direct funding assistance to all cities to help mitigate expenditures and current and future losses as a result of the Novel Coronavirus (``COVID-19'') Pandemic; to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. PT-153. Also, a petition of the Legislature of Rockland County, NY, relative to Resolution No. 417 of 2020, support of the United States Postal Service and its workers and demanding that adequate funding, staffing and processing infrastructure be restored to handle mail-in ballots for the November 2020 election and beyond; to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. PT-154. Also, a petition of the Senate of the Government of Puerto Rico, relative to Senate Resolution 1378, to express the rejection of the Senate of Puerto Rico to H.R. 8113 of the United States House of Representatives, for this legislation disregards and interferes with the right to self- determination of the voters of Puerto Rico; perpetuates the antidemocratic territory status by suggesting that there may be a non-territorial status other than statehood, independence, or a nation associated with the United States, et al; to the Committee on Natural Resources. PT-155. Also, a petition of the Electors of the Town of Newbold, WI, relative to Resolution No. 2020-1, seeking to reclaim democracy from the expansion of corporate personhood rights and the corrupting influence of unregulated political contributions and spending; to the Committee on the Judiciary. PT-156. Also, a petition of the Legislature of Rockland County, NY, relative to Resolution No. 452 of 2020, opposing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) plan to eliminate rail service west of the Hudson and calling upon the Federal Government to provide the much-needed funding; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. PT-157. Also, a petition of the Mayor and City Commission of Miami Beach, FL, relative to Resolution No. 2020-31411, supporting House Bill H.R. 3872 and its related Bill, Senate Bill S. 2187 and urging the U.S. Congress to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance program; and further urging Congress to provide additional resources to FEMA to utilize the best technology and methods available to improve the flood mapping process; jointly to the Committees on Financial Services and Transportation and Infrastructure. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-12-04-pt1-PgH6859 | null | 1,781 |
formal | XX | null | transphobic | The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under clause 5(d) of rule XX, the Chair announces to the House that, in light of the resignation of the gentleman from California (Mr. Cook), the whole number of the House is 430. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-12-07-pt1-PgH6861-6 | null | 1,782 |
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-2020-12-07-pt1-PgH6862-5 | null | 1,783 |
formal | XX | null | transphobic | The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Davis of California). Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 461) to strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of historically Black colleges and universities through robust public-sector, private-sector, and community partnerships and engagement, and for other purposes, asamended, on which the yeas and nays were ordered. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Davis of California) | House | CREC-2020-12-07-pt1-PgH6883-2 | null | 1,784 |
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 agree to the resolution (H. Res. 512) calling for the global repeal of blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy laws, as amended, on which the yeas and nays were ordered. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-12-07-pt1-PgH6883 | null | 1,785 |
formal | Federal Reserve | null | antisemitic | Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive communications were taken from the Speaker's table and referred as follows: EC-5818. A letter from the Secretary, Division of Market Oversight, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule -- Retail Commodity Transactions Regarding Certain Digital Assets (RIN: 3038-AE62) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Agriculture. EC-5819. A letter from the Deputy Secretary, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule -- Margin Requirements for Uncleared Swaps for Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants (RIN: 3038-AE89) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Agriculture. EC-5820. A letter from the Deputy Secretary, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule -- Margin Requirements for Uncleared Swaps for Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants (RIN: 3038-AE77) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Agriculture. EC-5821. A letter from the Secretary, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule -- Exemption from the Swap Clearing Requirement for Certain Affiliated Entities -- Alternative Compliance Frameworks for Anti-Evasionary Measures (RIN: 3038-AE92) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Agriculture. EC-5822. A letter from the Secretary, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule -- Privacy of Consumer Financial Information (RIN: 3038-AE91) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Agriculture. EC-5823. A letter from the Secretary, Commodity Futures Treading Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule -- Cross-Border Application of the Registration Thresholds and Certain Requirements Applicable to Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants (RIN: 3038-AE84) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Agriculture. EC-5824. A letter from the Regulations Management Division, Rural Development-Innovation Center, Rural Development Agencies -- RBCS-RHS and RUS, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Special Authority To Enable Funding of Broadband and Smart Utility Facilities Across Select Rural Development Programs [Docket Numbers: RUS-20-TELECOM-0022] (RIN: 0572-AC50) received November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Agriculture. EC-5825. A letter from the Congressional Review Coordinator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Deregulation of Pine Shoot Beetle [Docket No.: APHIS-2016- 0065] (RIN: 0579-AE41) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Agriculture. EC-5826. A letter from the Deputy Administrator for Policy Support, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Commodity Supplemental Food Program: Implementation of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 [FNS-2019-0006] (RIN: 0584-AE66) received November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Agriculture. EC-5827. A letter from the Deputy Administrator for Policy Support, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) Integrity [FNS-2020- 0028] (RIN: 0584-AE80) received November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Agriculture. EC-5828. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Pesticides; Agricultural Worker Protection Standard; Revision of the Application Exclusion Zone Requirements [EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-0543; FRL-10016-03] (RIN: 2070-AK49) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Agriculture. EC-5829. A letter from the Secretary, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule -- Registration With Alternative Compliance for Non-U.S. Derivatives Clearing Organizations (RIN: 3038-AE87) received November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Agriculture. EC-5830. A letter from the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy, Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense, transmitting a determination that a negotiated comprehensive subcontracting plan did not meet the subcontracting goals negotiated in their prior fiscal year, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 637 note; Public Law 114-92, Sec. 872(d)(2); (129 Stat. 939); to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-5831. A letter from the Under Secretary, Comptroller, Department of Defense, transmitting a semi-annual report titled, ``Acceptance of contributions for defense programs, projects, and activities; Defense Cooperation Account'', pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2608(i); Public Law 101-403, title II, Sec. 202(a)(1) (as amended by Public Law 103-160, Sec. 1105(b)); (107 Stat. 1750); to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-5832. A letter from the Senior Legal Advisor for Regulatory Affairs, Office of Investment Security, Department of the Treasury, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Provisions Pertaining to Certain Investments in the United States by Foreign Persons (RIN: 1505-AC68) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Financial Services. EC-5833. A letter from the Acting Deputy Director, OLA, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, transmitting the Corporation's Major final rule -- Regulatory Capital Rule: Transition for the Community Bank Leverage Ratio Framework (RIN: 3064-AF47) received November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Financial Services. EC-5834. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting the 2019 Annual Report to the Congress on the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 2991b-1(g)(1); Public Law 88-452, Sec. 803A (as amended by Public Law 102-375, Sec. 822(2)); (106 Stat. 1296); to the Committee on Education and Labor. EC-5835. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting the 2019 Annual Report to the Congress on the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 2991b-1(g)(1); Public Law 88-452, Sec. 803A (as amended by Public Law 102-375, Sec. 822(2)); (106 Stat. 1296); to the Committee on Education and Labor. EC-5836. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting a Report to Congress: Pediatric Research in Fiscal Year 2019, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 284h(c)(3); Public Law 106-310, Sec. 1001; (114 Stat. 1128); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. EC-5837. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting that, as a result of continued consequences of the opioid crisis, a renewal, effective October 10, 2020, that a public health emergency exists and has existed since October 26, 2017, nationwide, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 247d(a); July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, Sec. 319(a) (as amended by Public Law 107-188, Sec. 144(a)); (116 Stat. 630); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. EC-5838. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting the Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Progress Report on the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and National Cord Blood Inventory Program, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 274k(a)(6); July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, Sec. 379 (as amended by Public Law 109-129, Sec. 3(a)); (119 Stat. 2554); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. EC-5839. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Clofentezine; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-0281; FRL-10015-25] received November 4, 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. EC-5840. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule- Dipropylene Glycol and Triethylene Glycol; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA- HQ-OPP-2013-0218 and EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0219; FRL-10015-39] (RIN: 2070-ZA16) received November 4, 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. EC-5841. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Fuels Regulatory Streamlining [EPA-HQ- OAR-2018-0227; FRL-10014-97-OAR] (RIN: 2060-AT31) received November 4, 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. EC-5842. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Hazardous and Solid Waste Management System: Disposal of CCR; A Holistic Approach to Closure Part B: Alternate Demonstration for Unlined Surface Impoundments [EPA-HQ-OLEM-2019-0173; FRL-10015-88-OLEM] (RIN: 2050-AH11) received November 4, 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. EC-5843. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Indoxacarb; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA- HQ-OPP-2019-0384; FRL-10012-78] received November 4, 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. EC-5844. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Mefenoxam; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA- HQ-OPP-2019-0346; FRL-10012-87] received November 4, 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. EC-5845. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Approval; California; Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District [EPA- R09-OAR-2019-0127; FRL-10014-90-Region 9] received November 16, 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. EC-5846. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Approval; Iowa; Air Quality Implementation Plan-Muscatine Sulfur Dioxide Nonattainment Area and Start-up, Shutdown, Malfunction SIP Call Withdrawal [EPA-R07-OAR-2017-0416; FRL-10016-10-Region 7] received November 16, 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. EC-5847. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -Air Plan Approval; Ohio; Technical Amendment [EPA-R05-OAR-2020-055; FRL-10016-32-Region 5] received November 16, 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. EC-5848. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Approval; Pennsylvania; Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Under the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) [EPA-R03-OAR-2019-0562; FRL- 10014-11-Region 3] received November 16, 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. EC-5849. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Air Quality Implementation Plan; California; Calaveras County Air Pollution Control District and Mariposa County Air Pollution Control District; Stationary Source Permits [EPA-R09-OAR-2019-0498; FRL-10015- 31-Region 9] received November 16, 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. EC-5850. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Approval; California; Butte County; El Dorado County; Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District; San Diego County; Ventura County [EPA- R09-OAR-2020-0122; FRL-10014-19-Region 9] received November 16, 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. EC-5851. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR): Project Emissions Accounting [EPA-HQ-OAR-2018-0048; FRL-10016-21-OAR] (RIN: 2060-AT89) received November 16, 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. EC-5852. A letter from the Program Analyst, Office of Managing Director, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule -- Process Reform for Executive Branch Review of Certain FCC Applications and Petitions Involving Foreign Ownership [IB Docket No.: 16-155] received November 16, 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. EC-5853. A letter from the Program Analyst, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule -- Facilitating Shared Use in the 3100-3550 MHz Band [WT Docket No.:19-348] received November 16, 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. EC-5854. A letter from the Secretary, Department of the Treasury, transmitting a six-month periodic report on the national emergency with respect to the stabilization of Iraq that was declared in Executive Order 13303 of May 22, 2003, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1641(c); Public Law 94-412, Sec. 401(c); (90 Stat. 1257) and 50 U.S.C. 1703(c); Public Law 95- 223, Sec 204(c); (91 Stat. 1627); to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. EC-5855. A letter from the Department of the Treasury, Secretary, transmitting a six-month periodic report on the national emergency with respect to serious human rights abuse and corruption that was declared in Executive Order 13818 of December 20, 2017, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1641(c); Public Law 94-412, Sec. 401(c); (90 Stat. 1257) and 50 U.S.C. 1703(c); Public Law 95-223, Sec 204(c); (91 Stat. 1627); to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. EC-5856. A letter from the Assistant Legal Advisor, Office of Treaty Affairs, Department of State, transmitting a report concerning international agreements other than treaties entered into by the United States to be transmitted to the Congress within the sixty-day period specified in the Case- Zablocki Act, pursuant to 1 U.S.C. 112b(a); Public Law 92- 403, Sec. 1(a) (as amended by Public Law 108-458, Sec. 7121(b)); (118 Stat. 3807); to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. EC-5857. A letter from the Assistant Legal Advisor, Office of Treaty Affairs, Department of State, transmitting a report concerning international agreements other than treaties entered into by the United States to be transmitted to the Congress within the sixty-day period specified in the Case- Zablocki Act, pursuant to 1 U.S.C. 112b(a); Public Law 92- 403, Sec. 1(a) (as amended by Public Law 108-458, Sec. 7121(b)); (118 Stat. 3807); to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. EC-5858. A letter from the Chair, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve system, transmitting the Board's Semiannual Report to Congress prepared by the office of Inspector General for the Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended; to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5859. A letter from the Acting Administrator and Chief Executive Officer, Bonneville Power Administration, Department of Energy, transmitting the 2020 Annual Report of the Bonneville Power Administration, pursuant to the Third Powerplant at Grand Coulee Dam Act, 16 U.S.C. 835j; to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5860. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Labor, transmitting the Department's Fiscal Year 2020 Agency Financial Report, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3515(a)(1); Public Law 101-576, Sec. 303(a)(1) (as amended by Public Law 107- 289, Sec. 2(a)); (116 Stat. 2049); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5861. A letter from the Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission, transmitting the Commission's Performance and Accountability Report for fiscal year 2020, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3515(a)(1); Public Law 101-576, Sec. 303(a)(1) (as amended by Public Law 107-289, Sec. 2(a)); (116 Stat. 2049); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5862. A letter from the Executive Director, Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, transmitting the Board's final rule -- Simplification of Catch-Up Contribution Process received November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5863. A letter from the Archivist of the United States, National Archives, transmitting the Archive's FY 2020 Commercial and Inherently Governmental Activities Inventory report, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 501 note; Public Law 105-270, Sec. 2(c)(1)(A); (112 Stat. 2382); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5864. A letter from the Archivist of the United States, National Archives and Records Administration, transmitting the Administration's Fiscal Year 2020 Agency Financial Report, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3515(a)(1); Public Law 101-576, Sec. 303(a)(1) (as amended by Public Law 107-289, Sec. 2(a)); (116 Stat. 2049); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5865. A letter from the Treasurer, National Gallery of Art, transmitting the Gallery's Performance and Accountability Report for the year ended September 30, 2020 which includes consolidated financial statements, federal financial statements (as supplementary schedules) and auditor's report, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3515(a)(1); Public Law 101-576, Sec. 303(a)(1) (as amended by Public Law 107- 289, Sec. 2(a)); (116 Stat. 2049); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5866. A letter from the Director, National Science Foundation, transmitting the Foundation's Fiscal Year 2020 Agency Financial Report, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3515(a)(1); Public Law 101-576, Sec. 303(a)(1) (as amended by Public Law 107-289, Sec. 2(a)); (116 Stat. 2049); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5867. A letter from the Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board, transmitting the Board's Performance and Accountability Report for fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5868. A letter from the Chairman, Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, transmitting the Commission's Fiscal Year 2020 Performance and Accountability Report, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3515(a)(1); Public Law 101-576, Sec. 303(a)(1) (as amended by Public Law 107-289, Sec. 2(a)); (116 Stat. 2049); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5869. A letter from the Director, Office of Government Ethics, transmitting the Office's Annual Financial Report for fiscal year 2020, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3515(a)(1); Public Law 101-576, Sec. 303(a)(1) (as amended by Public Law 107- 289, Sec. 2(a)); (116 Stat. 2049); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5870. A letter from the Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice, transmitting four (4) notifications of a vacancy, a designation of acting officer, a nomination, and an action on nomination, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3349(a); Public Law 105-277, 151(b); (112 Stat. 2681-614); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5871. A letter from the Chair, U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, transmitting the Board's Fiscal Year 2020 Agency Financial Report, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3515(a)(1); Public Law 101-576, Sec. 303(a)(1) (as amended by Public Law 107-289, Sec. 2(a)); (116 Stat. 2049); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. EC-5872. A letter from the Assistant Chief Counsel for General Law, Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Metrics and Minimum Standards for Intercity Passenger Rail Service [Docket No.: FRA-2019-0069; Notice No.: 3] (RIN: 2130-AC85) received November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5873. A letter from the Attorney-Advisor, Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Rail Integrity and Track Safety Standards [Docket No.: FRA-2018-0104, Notice No.: 2] (RIN: 2130-AC53) received November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5874. A letter from the Assistant Chief Counsel for Regulatory Affairs, Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule -- Hazardous Materials: Editorial Corrections and Clarifications [Docket No.: PHSMA-2018-0082 (HM-260A)] (RIN: 2137-AF43) received November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5875. A letter from the Assistant Chief Counsel for Regulatory Affairs, Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule -- Hazardous Materials: Editorial Corrections and Clarifications [Docket No.: PHMSA-2018-0082 (HM-260A)] (RIN: 2137-AF43) received November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. EC-5876. A letter from the Director, Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's Major final regulation -- Base Erosion and Anti- Abuse Tax [TD 9910] (RIN: 1545-BP36) received November 16, 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. EC-5877. A letter from the Director, Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's final regulations -- Computation and Reporting of Reserves for Life Insurance Companies [TD 9911] (RIN: 1545- BO13) received November 16, 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. EC-5878. A letter from the Director, Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's final regulations -- Meals and Entertainment Expenses Under Section 274 [TD 9925] (RIN: 1545-BP23) received November 16, 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. EC-5879. A letter from the Director, Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's IRB Only rule -- Requirement that Specified Tax Return Preparers Electronically File Form 1040-NT (U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return) [Notice 2020-70] received November 16, 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. EC-5880. A letter from the Regulations Writer-Federal Register Liaison, Office of Regulations and Report Clearance, Social Security Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule -- Hearings Held by Administrative Appeals Judges of the Appeals Council [Docket No.: SSA-2017-0073] (RIN: 0960-AI25) received November 20, 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. EC-5881. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting a Report to Congress on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) Section 1332 State Innovation Waivers, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 18052(a)(4)(C); Public Law 111-148, Sec. 1332(a)(4)(C); (124 Stat. 205); jointly to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. EC-5882. A letter from the Chief Counsel, Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States, Department of Justice, transmitting the annual report for CY 2019 of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 4107; July 3, 1948, ch. 826, Sec. 9 (as amended by Public Law 89-348, Sec. 2(6)); (79 Stat. 1312) and 22 U.S.C. 1622(c); Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, Sec. 3(c) (as amended by Aug. 9, 1955, ch. 645, Sec. 1); (69 Stat. 562); jointly to the Committees on Foreign Affairs and the Judiciary. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-12-07-pt1-PgH6902-4 | null | 1,786 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk of the House, reported that on November 24, 2020, she presented to the President of the United States, for his approval, the following bills: H.R. 1833. To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 35 Tulip Avenue in Floral Park, New York, as the ``Lieutenant Michael R. Davidson Post Office Building''. H.R. 3207. To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 114 Mill Street in Hookstown, Pennsylvania, as the ``Staff Sergeant Dylan Elchin Post Office Building''. H.R. 3317. To permit the Scipio A. Jones Post Office in Little Rock, Arkansas, to accept and display a portrait of Scipio A. Jones, and for other purposes. H.R. 3329. To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5186 Benito Street in Montclair, California, as the ``Paul Eaton Post Office Building''. H.R. 4734. To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 171 South Maple Street in Dana, Indiana, as the ``Ernest `Ernie' T. Pyle Post Office''. H.R. 4794. To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8320 13th Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, as the ``Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini Post Office Building''. H.R. 5384. To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Crosby Street in Mansfield, Louisiana, as the ``Dr. C.O. Simpkins, Sr., Post Office''. H.R. 5037. To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3703 North Main Street in Farmville, North Carolina, as the ``Walter B. Jones, Jr. Post Office''. H.R. 4981. To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2505 Derita Avenue in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the ``Julius L. Chambers Civil Rights Memorial Post Office''. H.R. 835. To impose criminal sanctions on certain persons involved in international doping fraud conspiracies, to provide restitution for victims of such conspiracies, and to require sharing of information with the United States Anti- Doping Agency to assist its fight against doping, and for other purposes. H.R. 1668. To establish minimum security standards for Internet of Things devices owned or controlled by the Federal Government, and for other purposes. H.R. 3589. To award a Congressional Gold Medal to Greg LeMond, in recognition of his service to the Nation as an athlete, activist, role model, and community leader. H.R. 4104. 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. 5901. To establish a program to facilitate the adoption of modern technology by executive agencies, and for other purposes. H.R. 8247. To make certain improvements relating to the transition of individuals to services from the Department of Veterans Affairs, suicide prevention for veterans, and care and services for women veterans, and for other purposes. H.R. 8276. To authorize the President to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Alwyn C. Cashe for acts of valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom. H.R. 1773. To award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the women in the United States who joined the workforce during World War II, providing the aircraft, vehicles, weaponry, ammunition and other material to win the war, that were referred to as ``Rosie the Riveter'', in recognition of their contributions to the United States and the inspiration they have provided to ensuing generations. H.R. 8472. To provide that, due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19, applications for impact aid funding for fiscal year 2022 may use certain data submitted in the fiscal year 2021 application. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-12-07-pt1-PgH6902 | null | 1,787 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Nominations Madam President, now, on nominations--another matter. The incoming Biden administration continues to name candidates it will tap to lead Cabinet agencies and other key positions in the Federal Government. Today, President-Elect Biden introduced his healthcare team, including Dr. Fauci, who will stay on--thank God--as Chief Medical Adviser; Dr. Vivek Murthy to serve as Surgeon General; Dr. Rochelle Walensky to head the CDC; and Xavier Becerra, the attorney general of California, to be the next Secretary of Health and Human Services. Like most of President-Elect Biden's selections so far, Mr. Becerra's nomination is groundbreaking. He will be the first Latino to ever run the Department of Health and Human Services. Now, these nominees, once confirmed, will face a monumental task. President-Elect Biden will inherit a once-in-a-generation healthcare crisis--a crisis made worse by the Trump administration's lack of focus, competency, and consistency over the past year. By naming a deeply experienced and tested team of senior healthcare advisers, President-Elect Biden is getting ready to right the ship and execute a whole-of-government approach to crushing the virus and providing affordable healthcare to all Americans. As safe and effective vaccines become available over the next year, President-Elect Biden's team will also have to work with States and healthcare providers to get Americans vaccinated. To state the obvious, healthcare is going to be the No. 1 challenge when the new administration takes office. We are in the middle of a once-in-a-century public health crisis. Accordingly, President-Elect Biden's team should be confirmed swiftly to ensure that no time is lost in the fight against the pandemic. Regrettably, there is a split screen this week between the seriousness of the incoming Biden administration and the activities of the Republican majority here in the Senate. On Tuesday, the Republican chairman of the Homeland Security Committee has invited Dr. Jane Orient to give testimony at a hearing in his committee. Dr. Orient is a member of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons--a benign-sounding name that obscures some dangerous policies. According to the New York Times, Dr. Orient's association ``opposes government involvement in medicine and views Federal vaccine mandates as a violation of human rights.'' Dr. Orient herself has expressed skepticism about coronavirus vaccines and continues to hawk hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment, following the lead of President Trump, who boosted the drug despite scientific evidence that it is ineffective. So while President-Elect Biden is nominating experienced, committed public servants to lead the next administration's healthcare policy, the Republican majority is inviting prominent anti-vaxxers to Senate committee hearings--a study in contrasts, to say the least. After one of the most difficult years in recent memory, we finally have a light at the end of the tunnel in the discovery of several effective and safe vaccines. They are the best chance we have of ending the terrible scourge of this disease and getting our lives back to normal. And yet, the effectiveness of the vaccine only matters insofar as the number of Americans who are willing to take it. The more Senate Republicans dip their toes into the water of these anti-science, anti-vax conspiracy theories, the more damage it does to our country. Public figures at all levels should be building up confidence in a vaccine, not giving a platform to those who would undermine it. The Senator from Wisconsin, the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, should revoke his invitation to Dr. Orient. I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-07-pt1-PgS7229 | null | 1,788 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | At 3:03 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, without amendment: S. 199. An act to provide for the transfer of certain Federal land in the State of Minnesota for the benefit of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. S. 2981. An act to reauthorize and amend the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002, and for other purposes. The message also announced that the House has passed the following bill, with an amendment, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: S. 212. An act to amend the Native American Business Development, Trade Promotion, and Tourism Act of 2000, the Buy Indian Act, and the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to provide industry and economic development opportunities to Indian communities. The message further announced that the House has passed the following bill, with an amendment, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: S. 914. An act to reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, to clarify the authority of the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with respect to post-storm assessments, and to require the establishment of a National Water Center, and for other purposes. The message also announced that the House has passed the following bill, with an amendment, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: S. 1342. An act to require the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere to update periodically the environmental sensitivity index products of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for each coastal area of the Great Lakes, and for other purposes. The message further announced that the House has passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: H.R. 306. An act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a reconnaissance survey of the site of the Kettle Creek Battlefield in Wilkes County, Georgia, and adjacent property, and for other purposes. H.R. 1049. An act to authorize a National Heritage Area Program, and for other purposes. H.R. 1380. An act to amend the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to clarify provisions enacted by the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, to further the conservation of certain wildlife species, and for other purposes. H.R. 1819. An act to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide for rewards for the arrest or conviction of certain foreign nationals who have committed genocide or war crimes, and for other purposes. H.R. 3682. An act to provide for greater consultation between the Federal Government and the governing bodies and community users of land grant-mercedes in New Mexico, to provide for a process for recognition of the historic- traditional uses of land grant-mercedes, and for other purposes. H.R. 4153. An act to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to authorize urban Indian organizations to enter into arrangements for the sharing of medical services and facilities, and for other purposes. H.R. 5517. An act to affirm the friendship of the governments of the United States of America and the Republic of India, and to establish a bilateral partnership for collaboration to advance development and shared values, and for other purposes. H.R. 7045. An act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on lands that could be included in a National Forest in Hawai'i, and for other purposes. H.R. 7903. An act to amend the Small Business Act to establish the Community Advantage Loan Program. H.R. 8199. An act to amend the Small Business Act to enhance the Office of Credit Risk Management, to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to issue rules relating to environmental obligations of certified development companies, and for other purposes. H.R. 8211. An act to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to improve the loan guaranty program, enhance the ability of small manufacturers to access affordable capital, and for other purposes. H.R. 8229. An act to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to issue a rule authorizing the Office of Hearings and Appeals to decide appeals relating to the status of HUBZone business concerns, and for other purposes. H.R. 8810. An act to establish a national program to identify and reduce losses from landslide hazards, to establish a national 3D Elevation Program, and for other purposes. Enrolled Bills Signed The message also announced that the Speaker has signed the following enrolled bills: S. 910. An act to reauthorize and amend the National Sea Grant College Program Act, and for other purposes. S. 945. An act to amend the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to require certain issuers to disclose to the Securities and Exchange Commission information regarding foreign jurisdictions that prevent the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board from performing inspections under that Act, and for other purposes. S. 1069. An act to require the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to establish a constituent-driven program to provide a digital information platform capable of efficiently integrating coastal data with decision-support tools, training, and best practices and to support collection of priority coastal geospatial data to inform and improve local, State, regional, and Federal capacities to manage the coastal region, and for other purposes. S. 1982. An act to improve efforts to combat marine debris, and for other purposes. S. 4054. An act to reauthorize the United States Grain Standards Act, and for other purposes. H.R. 3349. An act to authorize the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to establish the Republic of Texas Legation Memorial as a commemorative work in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. H.R. 3465. An act to authorize the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs, and for other purposes. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-07-pt1-PgS7239-2 | null | 1,789 |
formal | urban | null | racist | At 3:03 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, without amendment: S. 199. An act to provide for the transfer of certain Federal land in the State of Minnesota for the benefit of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. S. 2981. An act to reauthorize and amend the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002, and for other purposes. The message also announced that the House has passed the following bill, with an amendment, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: S. 212. An act to amend the Native American Business Development, Trade Promotion, and Tourism Act of 2000, the Buy Indian Act, and the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to provide industry and economic development opportunities to Indian communities. The message further announced that the House has passed the following bill, with an amendment, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: S. 914. An act to reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, to clarify the authority of the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with respect to post-storm assessments, and to require the establishment of a National Water Center, and for other purposes. The message also announced that the House has passed the following bill, with an amendment, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: S. 1342. An act to require the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere to update periodically the environmental sensitivity index products of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for each coastal area of the Great Lakes, and for other purposes. The message further announced that the House has passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: H.R. 306. An act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a reconnaissance survey of the site of the Kettle Creek Battlefield in Wilkes County, Georgia, and adjacent property, and for other purposes. H.R. 1049. An act to authorize a National Heritage Area Program, and for other purposes. H.R. 1380. An act to amend the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to clarify provisions enacted by the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, to further the conservation of certain wildlife species, and for other purposes. H.R. 1819. An act to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide for rewards for the arrest or conviction of certain foreign nationals who have committed genocide or war crimes, and for other purposes. H.R. 3682. An act to provide for greater consultation between the Federal Government and the governing bodies and community users of land grant-mercedes in New Mexico, to provide for a process for recognition of the historic- traditional uses of land grant-mercedes, and for other purposes. H.R. 4153. An act to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to authorize urban Indian organizations to enter into arrangements for the sharing of medical services and facilities, and for other purposes. H.R. 5517. An act to affirm the friendship of the governments of the United States of America and the Republic of India, and to establish a bilateral partnership for collaboration to advance development and shared values, and for other purposes. H.R. 7045. An act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on lands that could be included in a National Forest in Hawai'i, and for other purposes. H.R. 7903. An act to amend the Small Business Act to establish the Community Advantage Loan Program. H.R. 8199. An act to amend the Small Business Act to enhance the Office of Credit Risk Management, to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to issue rules relating to environmental obligations of certified development companies, and for other purposes. H.R. 8211. An act to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to improve the loan guaranty program, enhance the ability of small manufacturers to access affordable capital, and for other purposes. H.R. 8229. An act to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to issue a rule authorizing the Office of Hearings and Appeals to decide appeals relating to the status of HUBZone business concerns, and for other purposes. H.R. 8810. An act to establish a national program to identify and reduce losses from landslide hazards, to establish a national 3D Elevation Program, and for other purposes. Enrolled Bills Signed The message also announced that the Speaker has signed the following enrolled bills: S. 910. An act to reauthorize and amend the National Sea Grant College Program Act, and for other purposes. S. 945. An act to amend the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to require certain issuers to disclose to the Securities and Exchange Commission information regarding foreign jurisdictions that prevent the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board from performing inspections under that Act, and for other purposes. S. 1069. An act to require the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to establish a constituent-driven program to provide a digital information platform capable of efficiently integrating coastal data with decision-support tools, training, and best practices and to support collection of priority coastal geospatial data to inform and improve local, State, regional, and Federal capacities to manage the coastal region, and for other purposes. S. 1982. An act to improve efforts to combat marine debris, and for other purposes. S. 4054. An act to reauthorize the United States Grain Standards Act, and for other purposes. H.R. 3349. An act to authorize the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to establish the Republic of Texas Legation Memorial as a commemorative work in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. H.R. 3465. An act to authorize the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs, and for other purposes. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-07-pt1-PgS7239-2 | null | 1,790 |
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. 306. An act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a reconnaissance survey of the site of the Kettle Creek Battlefield in Wilkes County, Georgia, and adjacent property, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 1049. An act to authorize a National Heritage Area Program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 1380. An act to amend the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to clarify provisions enacted by the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, to further the conservation of certain wildlife species, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. H.R. 1819. An act to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide for rewards for the arrest or conviction of certain foreign nationals who have committed genocide or war crimes, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 3682. An act to provide for greater consultation between the Federal Government and the governing bodies and community users of land grant-mercedes in New Mexico, to provide for a process for recognition of the historic- traditional uses of land grant-mercedes, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 3884. An act to decriminalize and deschedule cannabis, to provide for reinvestment in certain persons adversely impacted by the War on Drugs, to provide for expungement of certain cannabis offenses, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. H.R. 5517. An act to affirm the friendship of the governments of the United States of America and the Republic of India, and to establish a bilateral partnership for collaboration to advance development and shared values, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 7045. An act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on lands that could be included in a National Forest in Hawai'i, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 7903. An act to amend the Small Business Act to establish the Community Advantage Loan Program; to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. H.R. 8199. An act to amend the Small Business Act to enhance the Office of Credit Risk Management, to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to issue rules relating to environmental obligations of certified development companies, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. H.R. 8211. An act to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to improve the loan guaranty program, enhance the ability of small manufacturers to access affordable capital, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. H.R. 8229. An act to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to issue a rule authorizing the Office of Hearings and Appeals to decide appeals relating to the status of HUBZone business concerns, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-07-pt1-PgS7240 | null | 1,791 |
formal | Reagan | null | white supremacist | Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself and Ms. Ernst) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 795 Whereas Roger William Jepsen was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and grew up on a nearby family farm; Whereas Roger William Jepsen attended Iowa State Teachers College, which is known today as the University of Northern Iowa, and later attended Arizona State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1950 and a master's degree in guidance counseling in 1953; Whereas Roger William Jepsen served his country in the United States Army for 14 years as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and later in the Army Reserve; Whereas Roger William Jepsen was elected to the Board of Supervisors of Scott County, Iowa, as an Iowa State Senator, and as the Lieutenant Governor of Iowa; Whereas Roger William Jepsen was elected to the Senate in 1978 and served the people of Iowa in the Senate with honor and distinction for 1 term; Whereas Roger William Jepsen was appointed by President Reagan as Special Representative of the President to Madagascar in 1985 and to the State of Israel on the occasion of the funeral of Moshe Dayan; and Whereas Roger William Jepsen was known for his dedication to the State of Iowa, his fiscal responsibility, and his work on farm policy: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That-- (1) the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Roger William Jepsen, former member of the United States Senate from the State of Iowa; (2) the Senate respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate-- (A) communicate this resolution to the House of Representatives; and (B) transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the family of the Honorable Roger William Jepsen; and (3) when the Senate adjourns today, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the Honorable Roger William Jepsen. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-07-pt1-PgS7241-2 | null | 1,792 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | SA 2692. Mr. MARKEY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2054, to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, in recognition of their contributions to the Nation; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. SA 2693. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Alexander) proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 1503, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act regarding the list under section 505(j)(7) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and for other purposes | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-12-07-pt1-PgS7242 | null | 1,793 |
formal | XX | null | transphobic | The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. McCollum). 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 (Ms. McCollum) | House | CREC-2020-12-08-pt1-PgH6935-2 | null | 1,794 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Ms. BASS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8161) to authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to operate one-stop reentry centers, as amended. | 2020-01-06 | Ms. BASS | House | CREC-2020-12-08-pt1-PgH7004 | null | 1,795 |
formal | XX | null | transphobic | The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Gomez). Pursuant to clause 8 of ruleXX, the unfinished business is the vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8354) to establish the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, and for other purposes, as amended, on which the yeas and nays were ordered. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Gomez) | House | CREC-2020-12-08-pt1-PgH7021-2 | null | 1,796 |
formal | XX | null | transphobic | The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the question on adoption of the conference report on the bill (H.R. 6395) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes, on which the yeas and nays were ordered. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-12-08-pt1-PgH7021 | null | 1,797 |
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. 2477. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a system to notify individuals approaching Medicare eligibility, to simplify and modernize the eligibility enrollment process, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-621, Pt. 1). Ordered to be printed. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 3361. A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize hydroelectric production incentives and hydroelectric efficiency improvement incentives, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-622). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 1426. A bill to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to address insufficient compensation of employees and other personnel of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-623). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. House Resolution 549. Resolution reaffirming the commitment to media diversity and pledging to work with media entities and diverse stakeholders to develop common ground solutions to eliminate barriers to media diversity (Rept. 116-624). Referred to the House Calendar. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 5541. A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to reauthorize programs to assist consenting Indian Tribes in meeting energy education, planning, and management needs, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-625, Pt. 1). Ordered to be printed. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 5758. A bill to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to make technical corrections to the energy conservation standard for ceiling fans, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-626). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. GRIJALVA: Committee on Natural Resources. H.R. 307. A bill to provide for partnerships among State and local governments, regional entities, and the private sector to preserve, conserve, and enhance the visitor experience at nationally significant battlefields of the American Revolution, War of 1812, and Civil War, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-627). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. GRIJALVA: Committee on Natural Resources. H.R. 877. A bill to amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to modernize the funding of wildlife conservation, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-628). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. GRIJALVA: Committee on Natural Resources. H.R. 2956. A bill to provide for the establishment of the Western Riverside County Wildlife Refuge; with an amendment (Rept. 116-629). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. GRIJALVA: Committee on Natural Resources. H.R. 3651. A bill to facilitate the use of certain land in Nebraska for public, outdoor recreational opportunities, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-630). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. GRIJALVA: Committee on Natural Resources. H.R. 7119. A bill to convey land in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-631, Pt. 1). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Ms. WATERS: Committee on Financial Services. H.R. 5929. A bill to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require reporting of certain expenditures for political activities, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-632). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Ms. WATERS: Committee on Financial Services. H.R. 1731. A bill to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to promote transparency in the oversight of cybersecurity risks at publicly traded companies; with an amendment (Rept. 116-633). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Ms. WATERS: Committee on Financial Services. H.R. 5930. A bill to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require issuers to disclose information about human capital management in annual reports, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-634). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Ms. WATERS: Committee on Financial Services. H.R. 4328. A bill to amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act to protect certain consumers affected by a shutdown, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-635). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Pursuant to clause 2 of rule XIII, the Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged from further consideration. H.R. 7119 referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-12-08-pt1-PgH7045 | null | 1,798 |
formal | terrorists | null | Islamophobic | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, this week, some Senators indicate they may attempt to move a privileged resolution to disapprove of the administration's proposed sale of advanced armaments to the United Arab Emirates, a critical partner in our fight against terrorists. It is a little baffling to suggest that now, of all times, a protest gesture with no chance of obtaining a veto-proof majority is of valuable use of the Senate's time. But above and beyond that, the strategic realities dictate that Congress should not stand in the way of this sale. In August, the UAE reached the first of the Abraham Accords, the landmark peace deal with Israel, brokered by the Trump administration, which Bahrain soon went on to reprise. That step, the first normalization of relations between the Arab nation and the State of Israel in nearly 30 years, cemented an important new chapter in the UAE's international relations and its close relationship with the United States. Of course, it is a key American objective to preserve and protect Israel's quantitative military edge. Fortunately, Israel's Ambassador, Defense Minister, and Prime Minister have all made sure they are comfortable with this deal. Senators considering this sale need to consider a reality we cannot escape. A significant competition for influence in the Middle East is underway, and China and Russia will be more than happy to meet the demand for advanced capabilities if the United States simply takes our ball and goes home. If our colleagues make the Senate vote on this measure, I urge all my colleagues to vote against it. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-12-08-pt1-PgS7247-6 | null | 1,799 |
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