{"database": "openregs", "table": "congressional_record", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where congress = 116 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgD1143-2", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/Senate Committee Meetings", "SENATE", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDSCMEETINGS", "D1143", "D1143", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. D1143", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Page D1143]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\nCommittee Meetings\n(Committees not listed did not meet)\n  No committee meetings were held."], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgD1143-3", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/House of Representatives", "HOUSE", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDHCHAMBER", "D1143", "D1145", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"221\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"371\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"965\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"1273\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"1310\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1923\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1925\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"2678\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"2744\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"3153\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4704\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"5076\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"8169\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9057\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9067\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. D1143", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Pages D1143-D1145]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                        House of Representatives\n\nChamber Action\nPublic Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 11 public bills, H.R. 9057-\n9067; and 1 resolution, H. Res. 1273 were introduced.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Page H9178\nAdditional Cosponsors:\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Page H9179\nReports Filed: A report was filed on December 29, 2020 as follows:\n  Committee on Small Business. Report on the Activity of the Committee\non Small Business of the One Hundred Sixteenth Congress (H. Rept. 116-\n702).\n  Reports were filed today as follows: Committee on Ethics. Committee\non Ethics Summary of Activities 116th Congress (H. Rept. 116-703);\n  H.R. 8169, to amend the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act to\nauthorize the Elder Justice Initiative, to require that online\nresources of such initiative are made available in Spanish, and for\nother purposes (H. Rept. 116-704);\n\n[[Page D1144]]\n\n  H.R. 2678, to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for the\ntolling of the statute of limitations with regard to certain offenses\ncommitted by the President of the United States during or prior to\ntenure in office, and for other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rept.\n116-705);\n  Committee on the Budget. Activities and Summary Report of the\nCommittee on the Budget (H. Rept. 116-706);\n  Committee on House Administration. Activities of the Committee on\nHouse Administration During the 116th Congress (H. Rept. 116-707);\n  Select Committee on Climate Crisis. Activities of the Select\nCommittee on the Climate Crisis (H. Rept. 116-708);\n  Committee on Armed Services. Activities of the Committee on Armed\nServices (H. Rept. 116-709);\n  Committee on Oversight and Reform. Activity Report Committee on\nOversight and Reform (H. Rept. 116-710);\n  Committee on Education and Labor. Report on the Activities of the\nCommittee on Education and Labor (H. Rept. 116-711); and\n  Committee on Natural Resources. Report on the Activities of the\nCommittee on Natural Resources (H. Rept. 116-712).\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\nPage H9178\nCommunication from the Sergeant at Arms: The House received a\ncommunication from Paul D. Irving, Sergeant at Arms. Pursuant to\nsection 1(b)(2) of House Resolution 965, following consultation with\nthe Office of Attending Physician, Mr. Irving notified the House that\nthe public health emergency due to the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2\nremains in effect.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Page H9169\nAnnouncement by the Chair: The Speaker announced the further extension,\npursuant to section 1(b)(2) of House Resolution 965, effective December\n31, 2020, of the covered period designated on May 20, 2020.\n                                                             Page H9169\nAdvancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act: The House agreed to take\nfrom the Speaker's table and concur in the Senate amendment to H.R.\n4704, to direct the Director of the National Science Foundation to\nsupport multidisciplinary research on the science of suicide, and to\nadvance the knowledge and understanding of issues that may be\nassociated with several aspects of suicide including intrinsic and\nextrinsic factors related to areas such as wellbeing, resilience, and\nvulnerability.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Pages H9169-70\nExpanding Findings for Federal Opioid Research and Treatment Act: The\nHouse agreed to take from the Speaker's table and concur in the Senate\namendment to H.R. 3153, to direct the Director of the National Science\nFoundation to support research on opioid addiction.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Page H9170\nDesignating the Manhattan Campus of the New York Harbor Health Care\nSystem of the Department of Veterans Affairs as the ``Margaret Cochran\nCorbin Campus of the New York Harbor Health Care System'': The House\nagreed to take from the Speaker's table and concur in the Senate\namendment to H.R. 1925, to designate the Manhattan Campus of the New\nYork Harbor Health Care System of the Department of Veterans Affairs as\nthe ``Margaret Cochran Corbin Campus of the New York Harbor Health Care\nSystem''.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Page H9170\nUSAID Branding Modernization Act: The House agreed to take from the\nSpeaker's table and concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 2744, to\nauthorize the Administrator of the United States Agency for\nInternational Development to prescribe the manner in which programs of\nthe agency are identified overseas.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Page H9170\nOrganization of American States Legislative Engagement Act: The House\nagreed to take from the Speaker's table and pass S. 1310, to strengthen\nparticipation of elected national legislators in the activities of the\nOrganization of American States and reaffirm United States support for\nOrganization of American States human rights and anti-corruption\ninitiatives.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Pages H9170-72\nSpecial Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act: The House agreed\nto take from the Speaker's table and concur in the Senate amendment to\nH.R. 221, to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956\nto monitor and combat anti-Semitism globally.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Page H9172\nWomen's History and Nineteenth Amendment Centennial Quarter Dollar Coin\nProgram Act: The House agreed to take from the Speaker's table and\nconcur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 1923, to amend title 31, United\nStates Code, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue\nquarter dollars in commemoration of the Nineteenth Amendment.\n                                                             Page H9172\nBuilding Up Independent Lives and Dreams Act: The House agreed to take\nfrom the Speaker's table and pass S. 371, to provide regulatory relief\nto charitable organizations that provide housing assistance.\n                                                             Page H9172\nAuthorizing the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate to\ndelegate authority to approve payroll and personnel actions: The House\nagreed to take from the Speaker's table and pass S. 5076, to authorize\nthe Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate to delegate authority\nto approve payroll and personnel actions.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Pages H9172-73\n\n[[Page D1145]]\n\nQuorum Calls--Votes: There were no yea and nay votes, and there were no\nRecorded votes. There were no quorum calls.\nAdjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 10:11 a.m."], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgD1143", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/Senate", "SENATE", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDSCHAMBER", "D1143", "D1143", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1472\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3985\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4044\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6395\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. D1143", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Page D1143]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                                        Thursday, December 31, 2020\n\n[[Page D1143]]\n\n                              Daily Digest\n\n                                 Senate\n\nChamber Action\nRoutine Proceedings, pages S7985-S7993\nMeasures Passed:\n  Protect and Restore America's Estuaries Act: Senate passed H.R. 4044,\nto amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the\nNational Estuary Program.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Page S7993\n  Homestead National Historical Park: Committee on Energy and Natural\nResources was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1472, to\nrename the Homestead National Monument of America near Beatrice,\nNebraska, as the Homestead National Historical Park, and the bill was\nthen passed.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Page S7993\nMeasures Considered:\nJUSTICE Act: Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to\nconsideration of S. 3985, to improve and reform policing practices,\naccountability, and transparency.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Page S7985\nVeto Messages:\nWilliam M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act--Veto\nMessage: Senate continued consideration of the veto message to\naccompany H.R. 6395, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021\nfor military activities of the Department of Defense, for military\nconstruction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,\nto prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year.\n                                                         Pages S7987-91\n  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further\nconsideration of the veto message to accompany the bill at\napproximately 12 noon, on Friday, January 1, 2021.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\nPage S7993\nMessages from the House:\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Pages S7992-93\nEnrolled Bills Presented:\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Page S7993\nAdditional Cosponsors:\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Page S7993\nStatements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:\nAdditional Statements:\nAdjournment: Senate convened at 12 noon and adjourned at 3:40 p.m.,\nuntil 12 noon on Friday, January 1, 2021. (For Senate's program, see\nthe remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S7993.)"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgD1145-2", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR 2021-01-01", "", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDCOMMITTEEMEETINGS", "D1145", "D1145", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. D1145", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Page D1145]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                     COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY,\n\n                            JANUARY 1, 2021\n\n        (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)\n\n                                 Senate\n\n  No meetings/hearings scheduled.\n\n                                 House\n\n  No hearings are scheduled."], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgD1145-3", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/Next Meeting of the SENATE + Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES + Other End Matter", "SENATE", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDENDMATTER", "D1145", "D1146", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6395\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. D1145", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Pages D1145-D1146]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n\u0000CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087-390).\n\n\u0000The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C.\n\u0000 The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported\n\u0000 by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to\n\u0000 directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by\n\u0000 appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code,\n\u0000 and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session,\n\u0000 excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually\n\u0000 small consecutive issues are printed one time.\n\u0000\u0014Public access to the Congressional Record is available online\n\u0000 through the U.S. Government Publishing Office, at www.govinfo.gov,\n\u0000 free of charge to the user. The information is updated online each day\n\u0000 the Congressional Record is published. For more information,\n\u0000 contact the GPO Customer Contact Center, U.S. Government Publishing Office.\n\u0000 Phone 202-512-1800, or 866-512-1800 (toll-free). E-Mail,\n\u0000 contactcenter@gpo.gov.\n\u0000\u0014To place an order for any of these products, visit\n\u0000 the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at: bookstore.gpo.gov. Mail\n\u0000 orders to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 979050, St. Louis,\n\u0000 MO 63197-9000, or phone orders to 866-512-1800 (toll-free),\n\u0000 202-512-1800 (D.C. area), or fax to 202-512-2104. Remit check or\n\u0000 money order, made payable to the Superintendent of Documents, or use\n\u0000 VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or GPO Deposit Account.\n\u0000\u0014Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record\n\u0000 is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the\n\u0000 Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets.\n\u0000\u0014With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no\n\u0000 restrictions on the republication of material from the\n\u0000 Congressional Record.\n\n\u0000 POSTMASTER:\n\n\u0000 Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents,\n\u0000 Congressional Record,\n\u0000 U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402,\n\u0000 along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received.\n\n[[Page D1146]]\n\n_______________________________________________________________________\n\n                       Next Meeting of the SENATE\n                       12 noon, Friday, January 1\n\n                             Senate Chamber\nProgram for Friday: Senate will continue consideration of the veto\nmessage to accompany H.R. 6395, William M. (Mac) Thornberry National\nDefense Authorization Act, and vote on the motion to invoke cloture\nthereon at 1 p.m.\n\n              Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES\n                       10 a.m., Sunday, January 3\n\n                             House Chamber\nProgram for Sunday: House will meet in Pro Forma session at 10 a.m.\n\n_______________________________________________________________________\n\n            Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue\n              HOUSE\n\nCarter, Earl L. ``Buddy'', Ga., E1217\nDunn, Neal P., Fla., E1217\nHagedorn, Jim, Minn., E1217\nJackson Lee, Sheila, Tex., E1217\nKuster, Ann M., N.H., E1217\nNunes, Devin, Calif., E1219\nPeterson, Collin C., Minn., E1217"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgD1145", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/House Committee Meetings", "HOUSE", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDHCMEETINGS", "D1145", "D1145", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. D1145", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Page D1145]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\nCommittee Meetings\n  No hearings were held.\n\nJoint Meetings\n  No joint committee meetings were held."], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgE1217-2", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "PERSONAL EXPLANATION", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "PERSONALEXPLAIN", "E1217", "E1217", "[{\"name\": \"Ann M. Kuster\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "166 Cong. Rec. E1217", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E1217]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION\n\n                                 ______\n\n                           HON. ANN M. KUSTER\n\n                            of new hampshire\n\n                    in the house of representatives\n\n                      Thursday, December 31, 2020\n\n  Ms. KUSTER of New Hampshire. Madam Speaker, on Monday, December 28,\n2020 I was unavoidably detained and missed Roll Call vote No. 253. Had\nI been present, I would have voted AYE on Roll Call vote No. 253.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgE1217-3", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "CONGRATULATING DOUG CRANDALL ON HIS RETIREMENT", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "CONGRATULATIONS", "E1217", "E1217", "[{\"name\": \"Collin C. Peterson\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "166 Cong. Rec. E1217", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E1217]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n             CONGRATULATING DOUG CRANDALL ON HIS RETIREMENT\n\n                                 ______\n\n                        HON. COLLIN C. PETERSON\n\n                              of minnesota\n\n                    in the house of representatives\n\n                      Thursday, December 31, 2020\n\n  Mr. PETERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Doug\nCrandall, who will retire at the end of this year after 13 years with\nthe U.S. Forest Service. The Members and staff of the House Agriculture\nCommittee wish to express our thanks and best wishes to Doug for his\nservice. We had the opportunity to work closely with Doug and his staff\nas Director of Legislative Affairs for the Forest Service, and we'll\nmiss his dedication and professionalism. Together we've worked on\nseveral important efforts, including the landmark Wildfire Funding Fix\nin 2018, and most recently the Great American Outdoors Act. During his\ntime with the Forest Service, Doug has answered the Secretary's call\nseveral times, serving as Acting Assistant Secretary of Congressional\nRelations for one year, as well as Acting Deputy Under Secretary of\nNatural Resources and Environment. Doug came to the Forest Service from\nright here in the House, where he served for eight years as Staff\nDirector for the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest\nHealth. Prior to that, Doug represented the Society of American\nForesters, the National Forest Foundation, and the American Forest and\nPaper Association. We will miss Doug's hard work and we send our\nsincere gratitude and wish him all the best in retirement.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgE1217-4", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "PERSONAL EXPLANATION", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "PERSONALEXPLAIN", "E1217", "E1217", "[{\"name\": \"Jim Hagedorn\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6395\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9051\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. E1217", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E1217]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION\n\n                                 ______\n\n                           HON. JIM HAGEDORN\n\n                              of minnesota\n\n                    in the house of representatives\n\n                      Thursday, December 31, 2020\n\n  Mr. HAGEDORN. Madam Speaker, had I been present for the vote on the\nmotion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 9051, I would have voted\n``nay.'' Had I been present for the vote to Override the President's\nVeto Message on H.R. 6395--Mac Thornberry National Defense\nAuthorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, I would have voted ``nay.''\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgE1217-5", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "PERSONAL EXPLANATION", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "PERSONALEXPLAIN", "E1217", "E1217", "[{\"name\": \"Neal P. Dunn\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "166 Cong. Rec. E1217", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E1217]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION\n\n                                 ______\n\n                           HON. NEAL P. DUNN\n\n                               of florida\n\n                    in the house of representatives\n\n                      Thursday, December 31, 2020\n\n  Mr. DUNN. Madam Speaker, I was unable to travel to Washington, D.C.\non December 28 due to illness. Had I been present, I would have voted\nYEA on Roll Call No. 253.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgE1217-6", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "CONGRATULATING BILL DAWSON", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "CONGRATULATIONS", "E1217", "E1217", "[{\"name\": \"Earl L. \\\"Buddy\\\" Carter\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "166 Cong. Rec. E1217", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E1217]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                       CONGRATULATING BILL DAWSON\n\n                                 ______\n\n                     HON. EARL L. ``BUDDY'' CARTER\n\n                               of georgia\n\n                    in the house of representatives\n\n                      Thursday, December 31, 2020\n\n  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate\nBill Dawson on his retirement from the Georgia Ports Authority after\nmore than forty years of dedicated work.\n  Bill was born and raised in Brunswick, Georgia, and he has been a\npillar in his community for many years. The Georgia Ports Authority,\nwhich was founded in 1945, operates port facilities in the state of\nGeorgia. Bill has been with them as long as they have been in\nBrunswick.\n  He was previously employed as Assistant Manager for the Brunswick\nPort Authority and then joined the GPA as Terminal Manager for\nBrunswick Operations.\n  Throughout his career, Bill has been a professional and a mentor to\nmany. He has been known as the go-to person for the GPA customers and\ncommunity, and he set the tone for GPA's business at the Port of\nBrunswick for decades.\n  Bill's contributions to GPA expanded beyond his job responsibilities\nin operations, as he always went above and beyond to oversee the\nsuccess of GPA in many other areas such as sales and public relations.\nAlthough he is very passionate about the Georgia Ports Authority, he is\nmost passionate about his grandchildren. I hope that Bill is able to\ncherish many more special times with them as he begins his retirement.\n  I wish Bill the best, and I want to thank him for his lasting impact\non Brunswick.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgE1217-7", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "CARING FOR AMERICANS WITH SUPPLEMENTAL HELP ACT OF 2020", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "ALLOTHER", "E1217", "E1219", "[{\"name\": \"Sheila Jackson Lee\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9051\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. E1217", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Pages E1217-E1219]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n        CARING FOR AMERICANS WITH SUPPLEMENTAL HELP ACT OF 2020\n\n                                 ______\n\n                               speech of\n\n                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE\n\n                                of texas\n\n                    in the house of representatives\n\n                       Monday, December 28, 2020\n\n  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the Committees\non the Judiciary, on Homeland Security, and on the Budget, I rise in\nstrong support of H.R. 9051, the ``Caring For Americans With\nSupplemental Help Act of 2020, or CASH Act, which provides an\nadditional $1,400 in recovery payments directly to Americans, who are\ndesperately struggling to get by during the twin disasters of COVID-19\nand a faltering economy.\n  Because I had seen first-hand the pain and devastation caused by the\npandemic, in March of this year, during the debate on the CARES Act, I\nadvocated that the amount of direct payment should be $3,000.\n  Madam Speaker, I see the disparities in the lives of so many of my\nconstituents who suffer disproportionately from medical conditions that\nmake COVID-19 deadly.\n  They work low wage or no wage jobs to make ends meet, and they have\nno health insurance and rely on community health centers or pubic\nhealth services for routine care.\n  I call them friends and neighbors because they are that to me.\n  I am pleased to have this opportunity to vote in favor of this\nlegislation that will provide them with the help they need to survive\nand recover from COVID-19.\n  No one is benefiting from the COVID-19 economy.\n  The U.S. poverty rate has grown at a historic rate over the past five\nmonths, with 7.8 million Americans falling into poverty after the\nexpanded $600 a week in unemployment assistance expired at the end of\nJuly.\n  This represents the greatest increase since the government began\ntracking poverty sixty years ago.\n  In the city of Houston, nine key service sectors, accounting for 70\npercent of all jobs, hemorrhaged more 1,343,600 jobs, which to average\nfolks is another way of saying that more than 1.34 million persons lost\ntheir livelihoods.\n  Houston workers lost jobs in the following areas: Healthcare:\n391,000; Retail: 303,600; Food services: 267,000; Finance: 166,000;\nPrivate Education: 63,400; Arts and Entertainment: 37,400;\nAccommodations: 28,700; Air Transportation: 20,200; Other Services:\n115,800.\n  In addition to these positions, jobs were also lost in other areas,\nthe largest of which was the construction industry, which shut down\n30,700 jobs.\n  Professional and business services followed, with 25,300 jobs lost,\nalthough 13,900 were in temporary and provisional jobs in employment\nservices; upstream oil lost 12,300 in March/April; and non-oil\nmanufacturing lost 7,700 jobs.\n  Americans out of work due to COVID-19 have generated 86 million\njobless claims, with new claims being filed in recent weeks topping\n800,000.\n  Millions of Americans who lost their jobs during the pandemic have\nfallen thousands of dollars behind on rent and utility bills, a clear\nwarning sign that people are running out of money for basic needs.\n  If this is not enough evidence of what is happening just look at the\nmiles of vehicles lined up outside of food distribution centers for\nassistance, we see nightly on our television screens and in our\ncommunities.\n\n[[Page E1218]]\n\n  Moody's Analytics warned in November 2020 that 9 million renters said\nthey were behind on rent, according to a Census Bureau survey.\n  The Bureau of the Census reports that twenty-one percent of all\nrenters are behind on their rent, of which twenty-nine percent are\nAfrican American families and seventeen percent are Hispanic\nhouseholds.\n  According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's analysis of\npersons who were employed prior to the pandemic, 1.3 million of these\nhouseholds are now, on average of $5,400 in debt on rent and utilities,\nafter the family breadwinners lost their jobs.\n  The new COVID-19 relief legislation passed last week by Congress and\nreluctantly but finally signed by the President Trump restores\nunemployment assistance, but cuts that assistance from $600 a week to\n$300 a week without consideration of the facts on the ground, which are\nthat millions of Americans remain out of work due to COVID-19 public\nhealth policy, and have been without sufficient income since August 1,\n2020.\n  Today, we have twenty million Americans who are receiving some kind\nof unemployment aid, and about 12 million of the unemployed stopped\nreceiving their benefits.\n  The nation is on the cusp of a recession that is in danger of\nbecoming a double dip event that would plummet the economy into a\nprecarious economic state that will take much more than a $2000 payment\nto each individual to overcome.\n  These are the reasons why I will vote for the CASH Act--it increases\ndirect payments to individuals from $600 to $2000, which will be of\nhelp to families struggling with the economic impacts of COVID-19.\n  COVID-19 is not waning or wearying as it continues its deadly work,\nand there are new reports indicating there is a new strain that is\nseventy percent more contagious.\n  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that as\nof December 23, 2020, 18.17 million cases of COVID-19, resulting in\n321,734 deaths, had been reported in the United States.\n  The new year will mark a terrible milestone for the United States--\nthe last time we witnessed death on this scale in our nation was during\nthe 1918 Flu Pandemic, which recorded a total of 675,000 deaths in the\nUnited States.\n  What the costs will be to our nation for the over 320,000 deaths have\nyet to be fully calculated.\n  It is a tragedy that too many households who have lost a member to\nCOVID-19 are struggling to accept these deaths, but it is also the\nfriends, co-workers, business owners, professionals, students,\nteachers, wives, husbands, brothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, and\ngrandparents who also are feeling these losses because someone that\nmattered to them is no longer here.\n  Each of these lives impacted dozens of other lives, too many of whom\nwere not allowed to be present with them during their final moments on\nthis earth, but whose suffering is too often overlooked because we\nunduly preoccupy ourselves with only the immediate family.\n  My deepest concerns are for the medical professionals who are seeing\nmore death day after day than our soldiers saw on distant battlefields\nin foreign lands defending our nation going back to World War II.\n  Our medical professionals and health care deliverers pride themselves\non robbing death by keeping the very ill or critically injured alive\nbut they are themselves wounded by each loss in ways that we cannot\nunderstand.\n  Too many of our medical professionals are losing the battle with\ndeath as they attempt to treat extremely ill COVID-19 patients because\nthey do not have access to sufficient amounts of essential therapies or\nthe special trained staff to administer interventions that could save\nlives .\n  Medical people also have not had the universal support of political\nleaders who are willing to promote wearing of face coverings, social\ndistancing and handwashing to limit the spread of severe acute\nrespiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) the infection that\ncauses COVID-19.\n  There is a hidden cost to this foolhardy disregard for the\nseriousness of this moment in American history.\n  My concerns are for the economic impact and the long-term damage to\nour nation's health care delivery system .\n  Today we will focus on the economic injuries caused by COVID-19, and\nI look forward to working with my colleagues on addressing the systemic\nlong-term damage caused by unequal access to the health care.\n  Small businesses and working men and women of this great nation, who\nare the life blood of the economy and who pay the lion's share of\nfederal taxes now find themselves, through no fault of their own, in\nneed of assistance in the form of direct payments that will provide a\nbridge to them and to the economy for the next few weeks so that the\nnext Administration will have time to assess and craft the relief\npackage needed to get the nation over the last hurdles of the\npandemic's economic impact.\n  Since the 1980s, corporate income tax revenues have become a smaller\nshare of overall tax revenues paid to the federal government.\n  In 2017, President Trump signed into law P.L. 115-97, the tax scam\nwhich substantially and permanently changed the U.S. federal tax system\nfor the wealthy and large corporations.\n  Most of the changes to the individual income tax system in P.L. 115-\n97 for those less well-off are temporary and scheduled to expire at the\nend of 2025, after which the rates for these individuals will return to\nwhat it was for 2017.\n  In contrast, many of the tax cuts made in P.L. 115-97 affecting\ncorporations and wealthy individuals are permanent, in other words they\nwill keep the drastic cut in corporate taxes.\n  The facts are that working individuals and small businesses support\nthe U.S. government's federal tax system.\n  The largest source of revenue to the federal government is the\nindividual income tax, which in 2019, generated $1.7 trillion.\n  The second-largest source of federal revenue is payroll taxes, which\nis collected by employers and is often paid quarterly.\n  In FY2019, payroll taxes generated $1.2 trillion in federal revenue\nor thirty-six percent of the total revenue for the federal government.\n  The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that federal income\ntax revenues in FY2020 will be $1.5 trillion, and payroll tax revenue\nwill be $1.3 trillion.\n  In FY2020, it is projected that about 47 percent of federal revenue\nwill be generated through the individual income tax.\n  In FY2019, corporate tax receipts were only $230 billion, or nearly 7\npercent of federal revenue, and in FY2020, corporate tax receipts are\nexpected to be $151 billion, less than 5 percent of federal revenue.\n  Receipts from other sources are also projected to increase in FY2020\nto $298 billion, from $271 billion in FY2019, which will result in 9\npercent of total revenue up by from the 8 percent the previous year.\n  Obligated social insurance federal program payments for Social\nSecurity and Medicare are paid through payroll taxes and are expected\nto generate an additional estimated $1.3 trillion, or 35 percent of\nrevenue in FY2020.\n  The $2,000 in payments to individuals will be used to pay bills,\nrent, utilities, car notes, or purchase needed items like food and\nwinter coats, and other essentials, which will translate into income\nfor small businesses.\n  All of this spending will generate local, state and federal tax\nrevenue as it fuels consumption and the provision of services that are\nstill available through the economy.\n  Overtime basic Keynesian economics has proven itself to be the most\ndurable and reliable economic model and has repeatedly proven that\nmoney turning over in the economy makes more money.\n  There is a reason why it is important to stimulate the economy during\na deadly unchecked pandemic, chief of which is to stem the depressing\nof the national and global economies which exacerbate negative economic\nconditions.\n  We know the end of the COVID-19 pandemic's grip on the economy is in\nsight with the development and distribution of a vaccine, but we are\nnot there yet; we must help the American people, and our small\nbusinesses, endure until we reach seventy percent inoculation in the\ngeneral population.\n  The use of direct payments is the Keynesian solution that is winning\nthe day across the globe for countries able to support their economies\nin this way.\n  Payments to individuals allows them and not the government to make\nspending decisions on their household's essential life sustaining needs\nsuch as paying for housing, utility bills, food, and clothing which\nallows money they spend to circulate through the economy like blood\nthroughout the body.\n  The American people can and should be trusted to make decisions\nregarding how they spend the funds provided by the stimulus because\nthey best know the needs of their own families.\n  Consumers will spend money with small businesses who should have the\nfreedom to pay their workers and suppliers, workers and suppliers will\nbe free to buy goods from other businesses, and those businesses will\npay their workers and suppliers, and so on.\n  In this way, the $2,000 in spending by each individual is actually\nspent more than once as the effect of each dollar spent creates more\nspending.\n  This is called the ``money multiplier'' effect: an initial increase\nin spending, cycles repeatedly through the economy and has a larger\nimpact than the initial $2,000 amount spent.\n  The economy needs to be inoculated against recession, which is what\nthe $2,000 in individual payments will do, and it will need a booster\nin about thirty to sixty days.\n  This is why the decision to provide a $600 a week addition to\nunemployment benefits is a\n\n[[Page E1219]]\n\ngood idea for those in labor markets with high costs of living like New\nYork and Washington, D.C., but may have far out stripped the going rate\nfor labor where the cost of living is much lower and $600 a week\nexceeded the going rate for labor.\n  The Congress may need to revisit models for future programs of this\ntype and provide a formula that is based on the actual spending power\nof funds provided so the ability of meeting the cost-of-living needs\ncan be more in line with the intent of the funds provided, while\nensuring that the spending power is equal.\n  This may mean that depending on where someone lived at the time a\ndisaster of this nature was declared the amount, they would qualify for\nreceiving may be different depending on the spending power of a dollar\nwhere they live.\n  If the overwhelming majority of those who will receive the $2,000\npayment were planning to deposit the funds in a bank account rather\nthan spend it, then this bill would not be needed, but we know this is\nnot the case.\n  For all these reasons, I urge all Members to join me in voting for\nH.R. 9051, the CASH Act, to increase individual payments from $600 to\n$2,000.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgE1219", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "FAREWELL REMARKS FOR CONGRESSMAN KENNY MARCHANT", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "ALLOTHER", "E1219", "E1219", "[{\"name\": \"Devin Nunes\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "166 Cong. Rec. E1219", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E1219]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n            FAREWELL REMARKS FOR CONGRESSMAN KENNY MARCHANT\n\n                                 ______\n\n                            HON. DEVIN NUNES\n\n                             of california\n\n                    in the house of representatives\n\n                      Thursday, December 31, 2020\n\n  Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, public service calls us at different times\nand in different ways. Some lead with loud voices, but often the most\nsignificant leaders are humble folk who quietly and tirelessly work to\nserve their constituents. My friend Kenny Marchant is one of those\ngreat leaders, and I am proud to have served with him.\n  Service comes natural for the Bonham, TX native, something he learned\nfrom his father Hobart, who was a barber and World War II Veteran.\nThroughout his thirty-five years of public service, from zoning\ncommittee and city council to state representative to the U.S. House of\nRepresentatives, Kenny has ceaselessly worked to make both Texas and\nAmerica great.\n  Everyone that knows Kenny knows of his love and adornment for his\nfamily, his wife Donna, sons Matthew, Luke, and Kenny, Jr., and his\ndaughter Dallas. But if you really want to see him smile, ask him about\nhis grandchildren, Kendall, Hayden, Carolina, Sadie, Walker, Neyland,\nConway, and Carter Bailey.\n  Congressman Marchant served this House, the state of Texas, and the\npeople of District 24 with honor, respect, and dignity. I will greatly\nmiss him on the Ways and Means Committee where we served together for\nmany years. His impact in helping pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of\n2017 and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement cannot be understated.\nAnd, during this Congress, Congressman Marchant was selected as Ranking\nMember of the House Ethics Committee, a position in which he continued\nhis devotion to humble public service.\n  I very much wish Kenny wasn't retiring at the end of this Congress,\nbut he has earned a well-deserved retirement. I ask all of my\ncolleagues to join me in congratulating our friend and colleague on his\nmany years of service. We wish him, and the Marchant family, all the\nbest on his retirement."], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH-FrontMatter-2", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "House of Representatives", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "FRONTMATTER", "H9169", "H9169", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. H9169", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9169]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n             H O U S E  O F  R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S\n\nVol. 166\n\nWASHINGTON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020\n\nNo. 223"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9169-2", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "PRAYER", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "PRAYER", "H9169", "H9169", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. H9169", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9169]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                                 PRAYER\n\n  The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick J. Conroy, offered the following\nprayer:\n  Lord, Father of us all, we give You thanks for giving us another\nday--another year.\n  Today, the last day of 2020, a most difficult year in so many ways,\nwe ask Your blessing on this House and upon our Nation this penultimate\npro forma session of the 116th Congress.\n  As we ``gather,'' virtually like the rest of our world in this time,\nwe mourn the death of the first Member of Congress, Luke Letlow, newly\nelected and not yet sworn in, of COVID. Only 41, his death brings the\nbrutal nature of this coronavirus plague to the doorstep of Congress.\nMay all here find, with Your grace O Lord, the renewed energy and\nresolve to put our Nation's assets to the suppression of this disease.\nLord, have mercy.\n  Bless as well those who have labored in these Halls and offices\nduring this extraordinary year. Without their steady and faithful\nservice, the work of Congress would not have been possible.\n  May all that is done be for Your greater honor and glory.\n  Amen.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9169-3", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "THE JOURNAL", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "HJOURNAL", "H9169", "H9169", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"967\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"967\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9169", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9169]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                              THE JOURNAL\n\n  The SPEAKER. Pursuant to section 4(a) of House Resolution 967, the\nJournal of the last day's proceedings is approved.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9169-4", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "PLEDGE", "H9169", "H9169", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. H9169", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9169]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                          PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE\n\n  The SPEAKER. Will the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell) come\nforward and lead the House in the Pledge of Allegiance.\n  Mrs. DINGELL led the Pledge of Allegiance as follows:\n\n       I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of\n     America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation\n     under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9169-5", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "COMMUNICATION FROM THE SERGEANT AT ARMS", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H9169", "H9169", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"965\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9169", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9169]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                COMMUNICATION FROM THE SERGEANT AT ARMS\n\n  The SPEAKER laid before the House the following communication from\nthe Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives:\n\n                                   Office of the Sergeant at Arms,\n\n                                     House of Representatives,\n\n                                Washington, DC, December 28, 2020.\n     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,\n     Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.\n       Dear Madam Speaker: Pursuant to section 1(b)(2) of House\n     Resolution 965, following consultation with the Office of\n     Attending Physician, I write to provide you further\n     notification that the public health emergency due to the\n     novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 remains in effect.\n           Sincerely,\n                                                   Paul D. Irving,\n     Sergeant at Arms.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9169-6", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER The SPEAKER. The Chair announces the Speaker's further extension, pursuant to section 1(b)(2) of House Resolution 965, effective December 31, 2020, of the ``covered...", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "HANNOUNCEMENT", "H9169", "H9169", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"965\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9169", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9169]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n  ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER\n  The SPEAKER. The Chair announces the Speaker's further extension,\npursuant to section 1(b)(2) of House Resolution 965, effective December\n31, 2020, of the ``covered period'' designated on May 20, 2020.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9169-7", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "ADVANCING RESEARCH TO PREVENT SUICIDE ACT", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H9169", "H9170", "[{\"name\": \"Debbie Dingell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4704\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4704\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9169", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Pages H9169-H9170]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n               ADVANCING RESEARCH TO PREVENT SUICIDE ACT\n\n  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the\nSpeaker's table the bill (H.R. 4704) to direct the Director of the\nNational Science Foundation to support multidisciplinary research on\nthe science of suicide, and to advance the knowledge and understanding\nof issues that may be associated with several aspects of suicide\nincluding intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to areas such as\nwellbeing, resilience, and vulnerability, with the Senate amendment\nthereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.\n  The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n  The SPEAKER. The Clerk will report the Senate amendment.\n  The Clerk read as follows:\n  Senate amendment:\n\n        Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the\n     following:\n\n     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.\n\n       This Act may be cited as the ``Advancing Research to\n     Prevent Suicide Act''.\n\n     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.\n\n       Congress finds the following:\n       (1) The rate of Americans dying by suicide is on the rise,\n     increasing 10.7 to 14.0 deaths per 100,000 people from 2001\n     to 2017.\n       (2) Suicide is the tenth-leading cause of death among\n     people in the United States and the second-leading cause of\n     death for young people between the ages of 15 and 34.\n       (3) The National Science Foundation funds research that is\n     improving our basic understanding of factors with potential\n     relevance to suicide, including potential relevance to\n     prevention and treatment.\n       (4) Despite progress in mental health research, current\n     gaps exist in scientific understanding and basic knowledge of\n     human neural, genetic, cognitive, perceptual, behavioral,\n     social, and environmental factors with potential relevance to\n     suicide.\n\n     SEC. 3. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION RESEARCH.\n\n       (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science\n     Foundation, in consultation with the Director of the National\n     Institutes of Health and the Director of the National\n     Institute of Mental Health and taking into consideration\n     prioritized research agendas or strategic plans, as\n     appropriate, shall, subject to the availability of\n     appropriations, award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed\n     basis to institutions of higher education (or consortia of\n     such institutions) to support multidisciplinary, fundamental\n     research with potential relevance to suicide, including\n     potential relevance to prevention and treatment, including,\n     but not limited to--\n       (1) basic understanding of human social behavior;\n       (2) the neural basis of human cognition;\n       (3) basic understanding of cognitive, linguistic, social,\n     cultural, and biological processes related to human\n     development across the lifespan;\n\n[[Page H9170]]\n\n       (4) basic understanding of perceptual, motor, and cognitive\n     processes, and their interaction, in typical human behavior;\n     and\n       (5) basic understanding of the relevance of drug and\n     alcohol abuse.\n       (b) Encouraging Applications From Early Career\n     Researchers.--To promote the development of early career\n     researchers, in awarding funds under subsection (a), the\n     Director of the National Science Foundation shall encourage\n     applications submitted by early career researchers, including\n     doctoral students or postdoctoral researchers.\n\n  Mrs. DINGELL (during the reading). Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous\nconsent to dispense with the reading of the amendment.\n  The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman\nfrom Michigan?\n  There was no objection.\n  The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the original request of the\ngentlewoman from Michigan?\n  There was no objection.\n  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9169", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "House of Representatives", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CALLTOORDER", "H9169", "H9169", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. H9169", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9169]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n[[Page H9169]]\n\nHouse of Representatives\n\n  The House met at 10 a.m. and was called to order by the Speaker.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9170-2", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "MARGARET COCHRAN CORBIN CAMPUS OF THE NEW YORK HARBOR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H9170", "H9170", "[{\"name\": \"Debbie Dingell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1925\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1925\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9170", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9170]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n   MARGARET COCHRAN CORBIN CAMPUS OF THE NEW YORK HARBOR HEALTH CARE\n                                 SYSTEM\n\n  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the\nSpeaker's table the bill (H.R. 1925) to designate the Manhattan Campus\nof the New York Harbor Health Care System of the Department of Veterans\nAffairs as the ``Margaret Cochran Corbin Campus of the New York Harbor\nHealth Care System'', with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in\nthe Senate amendment.\n  The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n  The SPEAKER. The Clerk will report the Senate amendment.\n  The Clerk read as follows:\n  Senate amendment:\n\n        Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the\n     following:\n\n     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF MANHATTAN CAMPUS OF THE NEW YORK\n                   HARBOR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF\n                   VETERANS AFFAIRS, NEW YORK.\n\n       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:\n       (1) Margaret Cochran was born in Franklin County,\n     Pennsylvania, on November 12, 1751, and married John Corbin\n     in 1772.\n       (2) Three years after the marriage, when John Corbin left\n     to fight in the Revolutionary War as an artilleryman,\n     Margaret Corbin accompanied him to war to support the\n     Revolutionary Army.\n       (3) Margaret Corbin supported the Revolutionary Army by\n     caring for injured and sick soldiers as well as by cooking\n     and cleaning. During battle, she also helped her husband load\n     the cannon he was responsible for manning.\n       (4) On November 16, 1776, John Corbin was manning a cannon\n     during the Battle of Fort Washington on Manhattan Island, New\n     York, when he was killed. Margaret Corbin heroically took her\n     husband's place, firing the cannon until she, too, was hit by\n     enemy fire and seriously wounded.\n       (5) Having lost the use of her left arm, Margaret Corbin\n     was assigned to the ``Invalid Regiment'' at West Point, New\n     York.\n       (6) The Continental Congress awarded Margaret Corbin a\n     lifelong pension for her injuries, making her the first woman\n     to receive a pension from the United States by virtue of\n     military service for the United States.\n       (7) Margaret Corbin died in 1789 in Highland Falls, New\n     York. She is honored nearby at West Point as a hero of the\n     Revolutionary War.\n       (b) Designation.--The Manhattan Campus of the New York\n     Harbor Health Care System of the Department of Veterans\n     Affairs in New York, New York, shall after the date of the\n     enactment of this Act be known and designated as the\n     ``Margaret Cochran Corbin Campus of the New York Harbor\n     Health Care System'' or the ``Margaret Cochran Corbin VA\n     Campus''.\n       (c) Reference.--Any reference in any law, regulation, map,\n     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the\n     Campus referred to in subsection (b) shall be deemed to be a\n     reference to the Margaret Cochran Corbin Campus of the New\n     York Harbor Health Care System.\n\n  Mrs. DINGELL (during the reading). Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous\nconsent to dispense with the reading of the amendment.\n  The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman\nfrom Michigan?\n  There was no objection.\n  The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the original request of the\ngentlewoman from Michigan?\n  There was no objection.\n  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9170-3", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "USAID BRANDING MODERNIZATION ACT", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H9170", "H9170", "[{\"name\": \"Debbie Dingell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"2744\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"2744\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9170", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9170]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                    USAID BRANDING MODERNIZATION ACT\n\n  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the\nSpeaker's table the bill (H.R. 2744) to authorize the Administrator of\nthe United States Agency for International Development to prescribe the\nmanner in which programs of the agency are identified overseas, and for\nother purposes, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the\nSenate amendment.\n  The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n  The SPEAKER. The Clerk will report the Senate amendment.\n  The Clerk read as follows:\n  Senate amendment:\n\n       Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:\n\n     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.\n\n       This Act may be cited as the ``USAID Branding Modernization\n     Act''.\n\n     SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR BRANDING.\n\n       (a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States\n     Agency for International Development (referred to in this\n     section as ``USAID''), in coordination with the Secretary of\n     State, as appropriate, and with due consideration for the\n     safety and security of implementing partners and\n     beneficiaries, is authorized to prescribe, as appropriate,\n     the use of logos or other insignia of the USAID Identity, or\n     the use of additional or substitute markings, including the\n     United States flag, to appropriately identify, including as\n     required by section 641 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961\n     (22 U.S.C. 2401), overseas programs administered by USAID.\n       (b) Audit.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the\n     enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of USAID shall\n     submit to Congress an audit of compliance with relevant\n     branding and marking requirements of USAID by implementing\n     partners funded by USAID, including any requirements\n     prescribed pursuant to the authorization under subsection\n     (a).\n\n  Mrs. DINGELL (during the reading). Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous\nconsent to dispense with the reading of the amendment.\n  The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman\nfrom Michigan?\n  There was no objection.\n  The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the original request of the\ngentlewoman from Michigan?\n  There was no objection.\n  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9170-4", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES LEGISLATIVE ENGAGEMENT ACT OF 2020", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H9170", "H9172", "[{\"name\": \"Debbie Dingell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"1310\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"1310\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9170", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Pages H9170-H9172]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n   ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES LEGISLATIVE ENGAGEMENT ACT OF 2020\n\n  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from\n\n[[Page H9171]]\n\nthe Speaker's table the bill (S. 1310) to strengthen the participation\nof elected national legislators in the activities of the Organization\nof American States and reaffirm United States support for Organization\nof American States human rights and anti-corruption initiatives, and\nfor other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the\nHouse.\n  The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n  The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman\nfrom Michigan?\n  There was no objection.\n  The text of the bill is as follows:\n\n                                S. 1310\n\n       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of\n     the United States of America in Congress assembled,\n\n     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.\n\n       This Act may be cited as the ``Organization of American\n     States Legislative Engagement Act of 2020''.\n\n     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.\n\n       Congress makes the following findings:\n       (1) The Charter of the Organization of American States\n     establishes that ``representative democracy is an\n     indispensable condition for the stability, peace and\n     development of the region''.\n       (2) Article 2 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter of\n     the Organization of American States affirms that ``the\n     effective exercise of representative democracy is the basis\n     for the rule of law and of the constitutional regimes of the\n     member states of the Organization of American States''.\n       (3) Article 26 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter\n     states that ``the OAS will continue to carry out programs and\n     activities designed to promote democratic principles and\n     practices and strengthen a democratic culture in the\n     Hemisphere''.\n       (4) In accordance with the OAS Charter and the Inter-\n     American Democratic Charter, the OAS General Assembly, OAS\n     Permanent Council, and OAS Secretariat have established a\n     wide range of cooperative agreements with domestic and\n     international organizations, including national legislative\n     institutions.\n       (5) In 2004, OAS General Assembly Resolution 2044 (XXXIV-O/\n     04) appealed for the ``strengthening of legislatures, as well\n     as inter-parliamentary cooperation on key items of the inter-\n     American agenda, with a view, in particular, to generating\n     initiatives to fight corruption, poverty, inequality, and\n     social exclusion''.\n       (6) In 2005, OAS General Assembly Resolution 2095 (XXXV-O/\n     05) called on the OAS Secretariat to ``invite [. . .] the\n     presidents or speakers of the national legislative\n     institutions of the Americas, i.e., congresses, parliaments,\n     or national assemblies, [. . .] to attend a special meeting\n     of the Permanent Council [. . .] for the initiation of a\n     dialogue on topics on the hemispheric agenda''.\n       (7) In 2014 and 2015, the OAS Secretariat expanded its\n     engagement with elected national legislators from OAS member\n     states by convening two meetings of presidents of national\n     legislatures, first in Lima, Peru and subsequently in\n     Santiago, Chile.\n       (8) However, no permanent procedures exist to facilitate\n     the participation of elected national legislators from OAS\n     member states in OAS activities.\n       (9) The Organization for Security and Co-operation in\n     Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly has proven successful at\n     strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation among its\n     member states.\n\n     SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.\n\n       It is that sense of Congress that--\n       (1) elected national legislators play an essential role in\n     the exercise of representative democracy in the Americas,\n     including by--\n       (A) promoting economic freedom and respect for property\n     rights;\n       (B) promoting the rule of law and combating corruption;\n       (C) defending human rights and fundamental freedoms; and\n       (D) advancing the principles and practices expressed in the\n     Charter of the Organization of American States, the American\n     Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man, and the Inter-\n     American Democratic Charter;\n       (2) establishing procedures and mechanisms to facilitate\n     the participation of elected national legislators from OAS\n     member states in OAS activities could contribute to the\n     promotion of democratic principles and practices and\n     strengthen a democratic culture in the Western Hemisphere;\n       (3) increasing and strengthening the participation of\n     elected national legislators from OAS member states in OAS\n     activities could advance the principles and proposals\n     expressed in section 4 of the Organization of American States\n     Revitalization and Reform Act of 2013 (Public Law 113-41; 127\n     Stat. 549);\n       (4) the OAS General Assembly, OAS Permanent Council, and\n     OAS Secretariat should take steps to facilitate greater\n     participation of elected national legislators from OAS member\n     states in OAS activities;\n       (5) the OAS Permanent Council resolutions titled\n     ``Guidelines for the Participation of Civil Society in OAS\n     Activities'' and ``Strategies for Increasing and\n     Strengthening Participation by Civil Society Organizations in\n     OAS Activities'' should serve as important references for\n     efforts to bolster the participation of elected national\n     legislators from OAS member states in OAS activities; and\n       (6) the successful experience of the Organization for\n     Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly\n     should serve as a model to the OAS in creating a similar\n     mechanism.\n\n     SEC. 4. STRENGTHENING PARTICIPATION OF ELECTED NATIONAL\n                   LEGISLATORS AT THE OAS.\n\n       (a) In General.--The Secretary of State, acting through the\n     United States Mission to the Organization of American States,\n     should use the voice and vote of the United States to support\n     the creation of procedures for the Organization of American\n     States that--\n       (1) enhance the participation of democratically elected\n     national legislators from OAS member state countries in OAS\n     activities that advance the principles of the Inter-American\n     Democratic Charter and the core values of the OAS consistent\n     with the principles and proposals expressed in section 4 of\n     the Organization of American States Revitalization and Reform\n     Act of 2013 (Public Law 113-41; 127 Stat. 549);\n       (2) create an annual forum for democratically elected\n     national legislatures from OAS member states to discuss\n     issues of hemispheric importance, including regional efforts\n     to defend human rights and combat transnational criminal\n     activities, corruption, and impunity;\n       (3) permit elected national legislators from OAS member\n     states to make presentations, contribute information, and\n     provide expert advice, as appropriate, to the OAS\n     Secretariat, OAS Permanent Council, and OAS General Assembly\n     about OAS activities on issues of hemispheric importance;\n       (4) lead to the creation of a mechanism to regularly\n     facilitate the participation of elected national legislators\n     in OAS activities; and\n       (5) reinforce OAS Secretariat programs that provide\n     technical assistance for the modernization and institutional\n     strengthening of national legislatures from OAS member\n     states.\n       (b) Expenses.--The Secretary of State, acting through the\n     United States Mission to the Organization of American States,\n     as appropriate, shall seek to ensure that expenses related to\n     the procedures set forth in this Act do not increase member\n     quotas, assessed fees, or voluntary contributions and that\n     the Secretariat of the OAS shall seek to ensure shared\n     financial responsibilities among the member states in\n     facilitating the financial support necessary to carry out\n     this initiative.\n\n     SEC. 5. SUPPORT FOR OAS HUMAN RIGHTS AND ANTI-CORRUPTION\n                   INITIATIVES.\n\n       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--\n       (1) the efforts of the OAS Secretary General and\n     Secretariat to combat corruption and impunity in the Americas\n     represent important contributions to strengthening the rule\n     of law and democratic governance in the Americas; and\n       (2) the United States should support efforts to ensure the\n     effectiveness and independence of OAS initiatives to combat\n     corruption and impunity in the Americas.\n       (b) Anti-corruption and Human Rights Promotion Strategy.--\n     Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of\n     the Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee\n     on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on\n     Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a strategy\n     for supporting OAS anti-corruption and human rights promotion\n     efforts. The strategy should include--\n       (1) an assessment of United States programs, activities,\n     and initiatives with the OAS to support anti-corruption and\n     human rights promotion in the Americas;\n       (2) a summary of the steps taken by the United States\n     Mission to the OAS to strengthen anti-corruption and anti-\n     impunity efforts in the Americas;\n       (3) an assessment of necessary reforms and initiatives to\n     prioritize and reinforce the OAS Secretary General and\n     Secretariat's efforts to advance human rights and combat\n     corruption and impunity in the Americas;\n       (4) a detailed plan to facilitate increased OAS\n     collaboration, as appropriate, with relevant stakeholders,\n     including elected national legislators and civil society, in\n     support of an approach to promote human rights and combat\n     transnational criminal activities, corruption, and impunity\n     in the Americas; and\n       (5) a detailed plan for implementing the strategy set forth\n     in this section of the Act.\n\n     SEC. 6. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.\n\n       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of\n     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall\n     submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate\n     and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of\n     Representatives a report on OAS processes, initiatives, and\n     reforms undertaken to implement section 4, actions taken to\n     implement the strategy required under section 5(b), and steps\n     taken to implement the Organization of American States\n     Revitalization and Reform Act of 2013 (Public Law 113-41).\n     The report should include--\n       (1) an analysis of the progress made by the OAS to adopt\n     and effectively implement reforms and initiatives to advance\n     human rights and combat corruption and impunity in the\n     Americas; and\n       (2) a detailed assessment of OAS efforts to increase\n     stakeholder engagement to advance human rights and combat\n     corruption and impunity in the Americas.\n       (b) Briefings.--Not later than one year after the Secretary\n     of State submits the report required under subsection (a),\n     and annually thereafter for two additional years, the\n\n[[Page H9172]]\n\n     Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Foreign Relations\n     of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the\n     House of Representatives a briefing on the information\n     required to be included in such report.\n\n     SEC. 7. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ELECTED NATIONAL LEGISLATOR.\n\n       It is the sense of Congress that an elected national\n     legislator participating in the activities outlined in this\n     Act should be an individual that--\n       (1) was elected as a result of periodic, free and fair\n     elections; and\n       (2) is not known to be under investigation or convicted for\n     corruption or transnational criminal activities, including\n     trafficking of people, goods, or illicit narcotics, money-\n     laundering, terrorist financing, acts of terrorism, campaign\n     finance violations, bribery, or extortion.\n\n  The bill was ordered to be read a third time, was read the third\ntime, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9170", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "EXPANDING FINDINGS FOR FEDERAL OPIOID RESEARCH AND TREATMENT ACT", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H9170", "H9170", "[{\"name\": \"Debbie Dingell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"3153\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"3153\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9170", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9170]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n    EXPANDING FINDINGS FOR FEDERAL OPIOID RESEARCH AND TREATMENT ACT\n\n  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the\nSpeaker's table the bill (H.R. 3153) to direct the Director of the\nNational Science Foundation to support research on opioid addiction,\nand for other purposes, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur\nin the Senate amendment.\n  The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n  The SPEAKER. The Clerk will report the Senate amendment.\n  The Clerk read as follows:\n  Senate amendment:\n\n        Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the\n     following:\n\n     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS.\n\n       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Expanding\n     Findings for Federal Opioid Research and Treatment Act'' or\n     the ``EFFORT Act''.\n       (b) Findings.--The Congress finds that--\n       (1) research gaps currently exist in the prevention and\n     treatment of opioid addiction;\n       (2) the National Science Foundation's research on opioid\n     addiction has increased understanding of the neuroscience of\n     addiction, substance abuse intervention, the role of illicit\n     supply networks, the secondary effects on families, the use\n     of technology to address the opioid epidemic, and options for\n     alternative, non-addictive therapeutics for pain; and\n       (3) the National Science Foundation and the National\n     Institutes of Health have recognized that fundamental\n     questions in basic, clinical, and translational research\n     would benefit greatly from multidisciplinary approaches and\n     collaboration.\n\n     SEC. 2. NSF SUPPORT OF RESEARCH ON OPIOID ADDICTION.\n\n       The Director of the National Science Foundation, in\n     consultation with the Director of the National Institutes of\n     Health, shall support merit-reviewed and competitively\n     awarded research on the science of opioid addiction.\n\n  Mrs. DINGELL (during the reading). Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous\nconsent to dispense with the reading.\n  The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman\nfrom Michigan?\n  There was no objection.\n  The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the original request of the\ngentlewoman from Michigan?\n  There was no objection.\n  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9172-2", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "CIRCULATING COLLECTIBLE COIN REDESIGN ACT OF 2020", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H9172", "H9172", "[{\"name\": \"Debbie Dingell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1923\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1923\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9172", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9172]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n           CIRCULATING COLLECTIBLE COIN REDESIGN ACT OF 2020\n\n  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the\nSpeaker's table the bill (H.R. 1923) to amend title 31, United States\nCode, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue\ncertain circulating collectible coins, and for other purposes, with the\nSenate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.\n  The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n  The SPEAKER. The Clerk will report the Senate amendment.\n  The Clerk read as follows:\n  Senate amendment:\n\nAt the end, add the following:\n\n     SEC. 8. COST.\n\n       No coin or medal minted and issued under this Act, or an\n     amendment made by this Act, may be sold at a price such that\n     would result in a net cost to the Federal Government.\n\n  Mrs. DINGELL (during the reading). Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous\nconsent to dispense with the reading of the amendment.\n  The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman\nfrom Michigan?\n  There was no objection.\n  The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the original request of the\ngentlewoman from Michigan?\n  There was no objection.\n  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9172-3", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "BUILDING UP INDEPENDENT LIVES AND DREAMS ACT", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H9172", "H9172", "[{\"name\": \"Debbie Dingell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"371\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"371\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"371\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9172", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9172]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n              BUILDING UP INDEPENDENT LIVES AND DREAMS ACT\n\n  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the\nSpeaker's table the bill (S. 371) to provide regulatory relief to\ncharitable organizations that provide housing assistance, and for other\npurposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.\n  The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n  The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman\nfrom Michigan?\n  There was no objection.\n  The text of the bill is as follows:\n\n                                 S. 371\n\n       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of\n     the United States of America in Congress assembled,\n\n     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.\n\n       This Act may be cited as the ``Building Up Independent\n     Lives and Dreams Act'' or the ``BUILD Act''.\n\n     SEC. 2. MORTGAGE LOAN TRANSACTION DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS.\n\n       (a) TILA Amendment.--Section 105 of the Truth in Lending\n     Act (15 U.S.C. 1604) is amended by inserting after subsection\n     (d) the following:\n       ``(e) Disclosure for Charitable Mortgage Loan\n     Transactions.--With respect to a mortgage loan transaction\n     involving a residential mortgage loan offered at 0 percent\n     interest with only bonafide and reasonable fees and that is\n     primarily for charitable purposes by an organization\n     described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code\n     of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such\n     Code, forms HUD-1 and GFE (as defined under section 1024.2(b)\n     of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations) together with a\n     disclosure substantially in the form of the Loan Model Form\n     H-2 (as depicted in Appendix H to part 1026 of title 12, Code\n     of Federal Regulations) shall, collectively, be an\n     appropriate model form for purposes of subsection (b) of this\n     section.''.\n       (b) RESPA Amendment.--Section 4 of the Real Estate\n     Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (12 U.S.C. 2603) is amended\n     by adding at the end the following:\n       ``(d) Disclosure for Charitable Mortgage Loan\n     Transactions.--With respect to a mortgage loan transaction\n     involving a residential mortgage loan offered at 0 percent\n     interest with only bonafide and reasonable fees and that is\n     primarily for charitable purposes, an organization described\n     in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and\n     exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code may\n     use forms HUD-1 and GFE (as defined under section 1024.2(b)\n     of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations) together with a\n     disclosure substantially in the form of the Loan Model Form\n     H-2 (as depicted in Appendix H to part 1026 of title 12, Code\n     of Federal Regulations), collectively, in lieu of the\n     disclosure published under subsection (a) of this section.''.\n       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a)\n     and (b) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of\n     this Act.\n\n  The bill was ordered to be read a third time, was read the third\ntime, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9172-4", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "AUTHORIZING THE SERGEANT AT ARMS AND DOORKEEPER OF THE SENATE TO DELEGATE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE PAYROLL AND PERSONNEL ACTIONS", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H9172", "H9173", "[{\"name\": \"Debbie Dingell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"5076\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"5076\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"5076\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9172", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Pages H9172-H9173]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n   AUTHORIZING THE SERGEANT AT ARMS AND DOORKEEPER OF THE SENATE TO\n      DELEGATE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE PAYROLL AND PERSONNEL ACTIONS\n\n  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the\nSpeaker's table the bill (S. 5076) to\n\n[[Page H9173]]\n\nauthorize the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate to delegate\nauthority to approve payroll and personnel actions, and ask for its\nimmediate consideration in the House.\n  The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n  The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman\nfrom Michigan?\n  There was no objection.\n  The text of the bill is as follows:\n\n                                S. 5076\n\n       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of\n     the United States of America in Congress assembled,\n\n     SECTION 1. AUTHORITY TO DELEGATE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE PAYROLL\n                   AND PERSONNEL ACTIONS.\n\n       Section 1201 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1984\n     (2 U.S.C. 6598) is amended--\n       (1) by striking ``all vouchers, for payment of moneys,''\n     and inserting ``any voucher for payment of moneys, payroll\n     action, or personnel action''; and\n       (2) by striking ``any voucher, for payment of moneys,'' and\n     inserting ``any voucher for payment of moneys, payroll\n     action, or personnel action''.\n\n  The bill was ordered to be read a third time, was read the third\ntime, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9172", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "SPECIAL ENVOY TO MONITOR AND COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM ACT", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H9172", "H9172", "[{\"name\": \"Debbie Dingell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"221\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"221\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9172", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9172]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n         SPECIAL ENVOY TO MONITOR AND COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM ACT\n\n  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the\nSpeaker's table the bill (H.R. 221) to amend the State Department Basic\nAuthorities Act of 1956 to monitor and combat anti-Semitism globally,\nand for other purposes, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur\nin the Senate amendment.\n  The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n  The SPEAKER. The Clerk will report the Senate amendment.\n  The Clerk read as follows:\n  Senate amendment:\n\n        Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the\n     following:\n\n     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.\n\n       This Act may be cited as the ``Special Envoy to Monitor and\n     Combat Anti-Semitism Act''.\n\n     SEC. 2. FINDING.\n\n       Congress finds that, since the Global Anti-Semitism Review\n     Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-332) was enacted, in many foreign\n     countries acts of anti-Semitism have been frequent and wide\n     in scope, the perpetrators and variety of threats to Jewish\n     communities and their institutions have proliferated, and in\n     some countries anti-Semitic attacks have increased in\n     frequency, scope, violence, and deadliness.\n\n     SEC. 3. MONITORING AND COMBATING ANTI-SEMITISM.\n\n       Section 59(a) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act\n     of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2731(a)) is amended--\n       (1) in paragraph (2)--\n       (A) in subparagraph (A)--\n       (i) by inserting before the period at the end the\n     following: ``, who shall be appointed by the President, by\n     and with the advice and consent of the Senate''; and\n       (ii) by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``The\n     Special Envoy shall report directly to the Secretary.''; and\n       (B) in subparagraph (B)--\n       (i) in the heading, by striking ``Appointment'' and\n     inserting ``Nomination'';\n       (ii) by striking the first sentence;\n       (iii) in the second sentence, by striking ``If the\n     Secretary determines that such is appropriate, the Secretary\n     may appoint'' and inserting ``If the President determines\n     that such is appropriate, the President may nominate''; and\n       (iv) in the third sentence, by striking ``The Secretary may\n     allow such officer or employee to retain the position (and\n     the responsibilities associated with such position) held by\n     such officer or employee prior to the appointment'' and\n     inserting ``Such officer or employee may not retain the\n     position (or the responsibilities associated with such\n     position) held by such officer or employee prior to the\n     nomination''; and\n       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:\n       ``(3) Duties.--The Special Envoy shall serve as the primary\n     advisor to, and coordinate efforts across, the United States\n     Government relating to monitoring and combating anti-Semitism\n     and anti-Semitic incitement that occur in foreign countries.\n       ``(4) Rank and status of ambassador.--The Special Envoy\n     shall have the rank of ambassador.\n       ``(5) Qualifications.--The Special Envoy should be a person\n     of recognized distinction in the field of combating anti-\n     Semitism.''.\n\n  Mrs. DINGELL (during the reading). Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous\nconsent to dispense with the reading of the amendment.\n  The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman\nfrom Michigan?\n  There was no objection.\n  The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the original request of the\ngentlewoman from Michigan?\n  There was no objection.\n  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9173-2", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "SENATE ENROLLED BILL SIGNED", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ENROLLEDSIGNED", "H9173", "H9173", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"4996\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9173", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9173]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                      SENATE ENROLLED BILL SIGNED\n\n  The Speaker announced her signature to an enrolled bill of the Senate\nof the following title:\n\n       S. 4996. An act to ensure funding of the United States\n     trustees, extend temporary bankruptcy judgeships, and for\n     other purposes.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9173-3", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "JOINT RESOLUTION PRESENTED TO THE PRESIDENT", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H9173", "H9173", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HJRES\", \"number\": \"110\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9173", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9173]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n              JOINT RESOLUTION PRESENTED TO THE PRESIDENT\n\n  Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk of the House, reported that on December 20,\n2020, she presented to the President of the United States, for his\napproval, the following joint resolution:\n\n       H.J. Res. 110. Making further continuing appropriations for\n     fiscal year 2021, and for other purposes.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9173-4", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "ADJOURNMENT", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ADJOURNMENT", "H9173", "H9173", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"967\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"967\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9173", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9173]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                              ADJOURNMENT\n\n  The SPEAKER. Pursuant to section 4(b) of House Resolution 967, the\nHouse stands adjourned until 10 a.m. on Sunday, January 3, 2021.\n  Thereupon (at 10 o'clock and 11 minutes a.m.), under its previous\norder, the House adjourned until Sunday, January 3, 2021, at 10 a.m.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9173-5", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "EXPENDITURE REPORTS CONCERNING OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "HEXPENDITURE", "H9173", "H9175", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. H9173", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Pages H9173-H9175]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n         EXPENDITURE REPORTS CONCERNING OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL\n\n  Reports concerning the foreign currencies and U.S. dollars utilized\nfor Official Foreign Travel during the first, second, third and fourth\nquarters of 2020, pursuant to Public Law 95-384, are as follows:\n\n                        REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN JAN. 1 AND MAR. 31, 2020\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n                                                 Date                                           Per diem \\1\\             Transportation            Other purposes                 Total\n                                        ----------------------                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n                                                                                                       U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar\n       Name of Member or employee                                       Country             Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent\n                                          Arrival   Departure                               currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.\n                                                                                                         currency                  currency                  currency                  currency\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\----\nHon. Lloyd Doggett.....................     2/19        2/22   Austria..................  ...........     1,942.68  ...........        22.00  ...........  ...........  ...........     1,964.68\n                                            2/22        2/23   UK.......................  ...........       462.30  ...........        24.00  ...........  ...........  ...........       486.30\n                                                                                         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n      Committee total..................  ........  ..........  .........................  ...........     2,404.98  ...........        46.00  ...........  ...........  ...........     2,450.98\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\\1\\ Per diem constitutes lodging and meals.\n\\2\\ If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended.\nHON. JOHN A. YARMUTH, Dec. 11, 2020.\n\n                        REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN APR. 1 AND JUNE 30, 2020\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n                                                 Date                                           Per diem \\1\\             Transportation            Other purposes                 Total\n                                        ----------------------                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n                                                                                                       U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar\n       Name of Member or employee                                       Country             Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent\n                                          Arrival   Departure                               currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.\n                                                                                                         currency                  currency                  currency                  currency\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\----\n                                                                                        HOUSE COMMITTEES\n                         Please Note: If there were no expenditures during the calendar quarter noted above, please check the box at right to so indicate and return. x\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\\1\\ Per diem constitutes lodging and meals.\n\\2\\ If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended.\nHON. JOHN A. YARMUTH, Dec. 11, 2020.\n\n                        REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN JULY 1 AND SEPT. 30, 2020\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n                                                 Date                                           Per diem \\1\\             Transportation            Other purposes                 Total\n                                        ----------------------                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n                                                                                                       U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar\n       Name of Member or employee                                       Country             Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent\n                                          Arrival   Departure                               currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.\n                                                                                                         currency                  currency                  currency                  currency\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\----\n                                                                                        HOUSE COMMITTEES\n                         Please Note: If there were no expenditures during the calendar quarter noted above, please check the box at right to so indicate and return. x\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\\1\\ Per diem constitutes lodging and meals.\n\\2\\ If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended.\nHON. JOHN A. YARMUTH, Dec. 11, 2020.\n\n[[Page H9174]]\n\n                    REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN APR. 1 AND JUNE 30, 2020\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n                                                 Date                                           Per diem \\1\\             Transportation            Other purposes                 Total\n                                        ----------------------                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n                                                                                                       U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar\n       Name of Member or employee                                       Country             Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent\n                                          Arrival   Departure                               currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.\n                                                                                                         currency                  currency                  currency                  currency\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\----\n                                                                                        HOUSE COMMITTEES\n                         Please Note: If there were no expenditures during the calendar quarter noted above, please check the box at right to so indicate and return. x\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\\1\\ Per diem constitutes lodging and meals.\n\\2\\ If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended.\nHON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT, Oct.\n 22, 2020.\n\n                   REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN JULY 1 AND SEPT. 30, 2020\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n                                                 Date                                           Per diem \\1\\             Transportation            Other purposes                 Total\n                                        ----------------------                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n                                                                                                       U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar\n       Name of Member or employee                                       Country             Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent\n                                          Arrival   Departure                               currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.\n                                                                                                         currency                  currency                  currency                  currency\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\----\n                                                                                        HOUSE COMMITTEES\n                         Please Note: If there were no expenditures during the calendar quarter noted above, please check the box at right to so indicate and return. x\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\\1\\ Per diem constitutes lodging and meals.\n\\2\\ If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended.\nHON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT, Oct.\n 22, 2020.\n\n                     REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN JULY 1 AND SEPT. 30, 2020\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n                                                 Date                                           Per diem \\1\\             Transportation            Other purposes                 Total\n                                        ----------------------                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n                                                                                                       U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar\n       Name of Member or employee                                       Country             Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent\n                                          Arrival   Departure                               currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.\n                                                                                                         currency                  currency                  currency                  currency\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\----\n                                                                                        HOUSE COMMITTEES\n                         Please Note: If there were no expenditures during the calendar quarter noted above, please check the box at right to so indicate and return. x\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\\1\\ Per diem constitutes lodging and meals.\n\\2\\ If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended.\nHON. ELIOT L. ENGEL, Dec. 15, 2020.\n\n                      REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN OCT. 1 AND DEC. 31, 2020\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n                                                 Date                                           Per diem \\1\\             Transportation            Other purposes                 Total\n                                        ----------------------                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n                                                                                                       U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar\n       Name of Member or employee                                       Country             Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent\n                                          Arrival   Departure                               currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.\n                                                                                                         currency                  currency                  currency                  currency\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\----\n                                                                                        HOUSE COMMITTEES\n                         Please Note: If there were no expenditures during the calendar quarter noted above, please check the box at right to so indicate and return. x\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\\1\\ Per diem constitutes lodging and meals.\n\\2\\ If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended.\nHON. ELIOT L. ENGEL, Dec. 15, 2020.\n\n                         REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, EXPENDED BETWEEN JAN. 1 AND MAR. 31, 2020\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n                                                 Date                                           Per diem \\1\\             Transportation            Other purposes                 Total\n                                        ----------------------                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n                                                                                                       U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar               U.S. dollar\n       Name of Member or employee                                       Country             Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent    Foreign     equivalent\n                                          Arrival   Departure                               currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.      currency     or U.S.\n                                                                                                         currency                  currency                  currency                  currency\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\-----------------------\\2\\----\nShannon Simrell........................    10/03        1/12   Austria..................         Euro    26,724.00  ...........     1,517.43  ...........  ...........  ...........    28,241.43\nAlex Tiersky...........................     1/13        1/15   Norway...................    Norwegian       972.30  ...........     4,437.95  ...........  ...........  ...........     5,410.25\n                                                                                                Krona\nEverett Price..........................     1/22        1/26   Sweden...................      Swedish     1,038.00  ...........       959.15  ...........  ...........  ...........     1,997.15\n                                                                                                Krone\nShannon Simrell........................     2/03        2/05   Albania..................     Albanian       366.95  ...........     1,124.20  ...........  ...........  ...........     1,491.15\n                                                                                                  Lek\nEverett Price..........................     2/06        2/11   Azerbaijan...............   Azerbaijan     1,188.35  ...........    12,509.65  ...........  ...........  ...........    13,698.00\n                                                                                                Manat\nMark Toner.............................     2/06        2/11   Azerbaijan...............   Azerbaijan     1,188.35  ...........     9,286.25  ...........  ...........  ...........    10,474.60\n                                                                                                Manat\nHon. Alcee L. Hastings.................     2/19        2/22   Austria..................         Euro     3,416.48  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........     3,416.38\n                                            2/22        2/23   United Kingdom...........        Pound       536.99  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........       536.99\n                                                                                             Sterling\nHon. Joe Wilson........................     2/19        2/22   Austria..................         Euro     2,087.57  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........     2,087.57\n                                            2/22        2/23   United Kingdom...........        Pound       536.99  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........       536.99\n                                                                                             Sterling\nHon. Emanuel Cleaver...................     2/19        2/22   Austria..................         Euro     2,087.57  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........     2,087.57\n                                            2/22        2/23   United Kingdom...........        Pound       536.99  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........       536.99\n                                                                                             Sterling\nHon. Gwen Moore........................     2/20        2/22   Austria..................         Euro     1,535.68  ...........     6,951.20  ...........  ...........  ...........     8,486.88\n                                            2/22        2/23   United Kingdom...........        Pound       536.99  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........       536.99\n                                                                                             Sterling\nHon. Steven Cohen......................     2/19        2/22   Austria..................         Euro     2,087.57  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........     2,087.57\n                                            2/22        2/23   United Kingdom...........        Pound       536.98  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........       536.98\n                                                                                             Sterling\nHon. Robert Aderholt...................     2/19        2/22   Austria..................         Euro     2,087.57  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........     2,087.57\n                                            2/22        2/22   United Kingdom...........        Pound  ...........  ...........       663.35  ...........  ...........  ...........       663.35\n                                                                                             Sterling\nHon. Richard Hudson....................     2/19        2/22   Austria..................         Euro     2,087.57  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........     2,087.57\n                                            2/22        2/23   United Kingdom...........        Pound       536.98  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........       536.98\n                                                                                             Sterling\nAlex T. Johnson........................     2/19        2/22   Austria..................         Euro     1,423.12  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........     1,423.12\n                                            2/22        2/23   United Kingdom...........        Pound       536.98  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........       536.98\n                                                                                             Sterling\nJennifer McCuiston.....................     2/19        2/22   Austria..................         Euro     1,423.12  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........     1,423.12\n                                            2/22        2/23   United Kingdom...........        Pound       536.98  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........       536.98\n                                                                                             Sterling\nAlex Tiersky...........................     2/19        2/22   Austria..................         Euro     1,423.12  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........     1,423.12\n\n[[Page H9175]]\n\n                                            2/22        2/23   United Kingdom...........        Pound       536.99  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........       536.99\n                                                                                             Sterling\nEverett Price..........................     2/19        2/22   Austria..................         Euro     1,423.12  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........     1,423.12\n                                            2/22        2/23   United Kingdom...........        Pound       536.99  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........       536.99\n                                                                                             Sterling\nFrancois Hernandez.....................     2/19        2/22   Austria..................         Euro     1,423.12  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........     1,423.12\n                                            2/22        2/23   United Kingdom...........        Pound       536.99  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........       536.99\n                                                                                             Sterling\nRobert Hand............................     2/17        2/23   Austria..................         Euro     2,194.68  ...........     1,552.15  ...........  ...........  ...........     3,746.83\nPaul Massaro...........................     2/16        2/25   Austria..................         Euro     2,144.51  ...........     2,055.45  ...........  ...........  ...........     4,199.96\n                                         ........  ..........  United Kingdom...........        Pound  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........\n                                                                                             Sterling\n      Committee total..................  ........  ..........  .........................  ...........    64,229.60  ...........    41,056.78  ...........  ...........  ...........   105,286.38\n                                                                                         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\\1\\ Per diem constitutes lodging and meals.\n\\2\\ If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended.\nHON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS, May 5, 2020.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9173", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ENROLLEDSIGNED", "H9173", "H9173", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1418\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1492\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"2502\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"3250\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"5126\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9173", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9173]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                         ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED\n\n  Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk of the House, reported and found truly\nenrolled bills of the House of the following titles, which were\nthereupon signed by the Speaker:\n\n       H.R. 1418. An act to restore the application of the Federal\n     antitrust laws to the business of health insurance to protect\n     competition and consumers.\n       H.R. 1492. An act to update the map of, and modify the\n     maximum acreage available for inclusion in, the Yucca House\n     National Monument.\n       H.R. 2502. An act to amend title 40, United States Code, to\n     require certain prospectuses for public buildings to be made\n     publicly available, and for other purposes.\n       H.R. 3250. An act to require the Secretary of the Interior\n     to conduct a special resource study of the sites associated\n     with the life and legacy of the noted American philanthropist\n     and business executive Julius Rosenwald, with a special focus\n     on the Rosenwald Schools, and for other purposes.\n       H.R. 5126. An act to require individuals fishing for Gulf\n     reef fish to use certain descending devices, and for other\n     purposes.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9175-2", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, ETC.", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "EXECUTIVECOMM", "H9175", "H9178", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"133\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9175", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Pages H9175-H9178]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                     EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, ETC.\n\n   Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive communications were taken from\nthe Speaker's table and referred as follows:\n\n       EC-6026. A letter from the General Counsel, Railroad\n     Retirement Board, transmitting the Board's Performance and\n     Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2020, pursuant to 31\n     U.S.C. 3515(a)(1); Public Law 101-576, Sec. 303(a)(1) (as\n     amended by Public Law 107-289, Sec. 2(a)); (116 Stat. 2049);\n     to the Committee on Oversight and Reform.\n       EC-6027. A letter from the Congressional Review\n     Coordinator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,\n     Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's\n     final rule -- Removal of Emerald Ash Borer Domestic\n     Quarantine Regulations [Docket No.: APHIS-2017-0056] (RIN:\n     0579-AE42) received December 28, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n     801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868);\n     to the Committee on Agriculture.\n       EC-6028. A letter from the Deputy Secretary, Commodity\n     Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the Commission's\n     final rule -- Bankruptcy Regulations (RIN: 3038-AE67)\n     received December 28, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n     801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868);\n     to the Committee on Agriculture.\n       EC-6029. A letter from the Deputy Secretary, Commodity\n     Futures Trading Commission, transmitting the Commission's\n     final rule -- Swap Execution Facility Requirements (RIN:\n     3038-AE94) received December 9, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n     801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868);\n     to the Committee on Agriculture.\n       EC-6030. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of\n     Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final rule --\n     National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance (RIN:\n     0596-AD31) received December 9, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n     801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868);\n     to the Committee on Agriculture.\n       EC-6031. A letter from the President of the United States,\n     transmitting a designation of funding as an emergency\n     requirement all funding so designated by the Congress,\n     pursuant to Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021; H.R. 133\n     (H. Doc. No. 116--175); to the Committee on Appropriations\n     and ordered to be printed.\n       EC-6032. A letter from the President of the United States,\n     transmitting a designation of all funding for Overseas\n     Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism, pursuant to\n     Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021; H.R. 133 (H. Doc. No.\n     116--176); to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to\n     be printed.\n       EC-6033. A letter from the Senior Counsel, Legal Division,\n     Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, transmitting the\n     Bureau's Major final rule -- Qualified Mortgage Definition\n     under the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z): General QM\n     Loan Definition [Docket No.: CFPB-2020-0020] (RIN: 3170-AA98)\n     received December 28, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n     801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868);\n     to the Committee on Financial Services.\n       EC-6034. A letter from the Director, Bureau of Consumer\n     Financial Protection, transmitting the Bureau's final rule --\n     Amendments Relating to Disclosure of Records and Information\n     [Docket No.: CFPB-2016-0039] (RIN: 3170-AA63) received\n     December 28, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public\n     Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on\n     Financial Services.\n       EC-6035. A letter from the Senior Counsel, Legal Division,\n     Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, transmitting the\n     Bureau's final rule -- Qualified Mortgage Definition under\n     the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z): Seasoned QM Loan\n     Definition [Docket No.: CFPB-2020-0028] (RIN: 3170-AA98)\n     received December 28, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n     801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868);\n     to the Committee on Financial Services.\n       EC-6036. A letter from the Counsel for Legislation and\n     Regulations, Office of Housing -- Federal Housing\n     Commissioner, Department of Housing and Urban Development,\n     transmitting the Department's final rule -- Housing\n     Counseling Program: Revision of the Certification Timeline\n     [Docket No.: FR-6215-I-02] (RIN: 2502-ZA34) received December\n     9, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-\n     121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Financial\n     Services.\n       EC-6037. A letter from the Program Specialist, Chief\n     Counsel's Office, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency,\n     Department of the Treasury, transmitting the Department's\n     interim final rule -- Temporary Asset Thresholds [Docket ID:\n     OCC-2020-0044] (RIN: 1557-AF06) received December 31, 2020,\n     pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.\n     251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Financial Services.\n       EC-6038. A letter from the Program Specialist, Chief\n     Counsel's Office, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency,\n     Department of the Treasury, transmitting the Department's\n     final rule -- Activities and Operations of National Banks and\n     Federal Savings Associations [Docket ID: OCC-2020-0003] (RIN:\n     1557- AE74) received December 31, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n     801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868);\n     to the Committee on Financial Services.\n       EC-6039. A letter from the Program Specialist, Chief\n     Counsel's Office, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency,\n     Department of the Treasury, transmitting the Department's\n     final rule -- Appraisals for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans\n     Exemption Threshold [Docket No.: OCC-2020-0039] (RIN: 1557-\n     AF04) received December 31, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n     801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868);\n     to the Committee on Financial Services.\n       EC-6040. A letter from the Secretary, Division of\n     Corporation Finance, Securities and Exchange Commission,\n     transmitting the Commission's Major final rule -- Disclosure\n     of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers [Release No.: 34-\n     90679; File No.: S7-24-19] (RIN: 3235-AM06) received December\n     28, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-\n     121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Financial\n     Services.\n       EC-6041. A letter from the Secretary, Division of\n     Investment Management, Securities and Exchange Commission,\n     transmitting the Commission's Major final rule -- Use of\n     Derivatives by Registered Investment Companies and Business\n     Development Companies [Release No.: IC-34084; File No.: S7-\n     24-15] (RIN: 3235-AL60) received December 16, 2020, pursuant\n     to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110\n     Stat. 868); to the Committee on Financial Services.\n       EC-6042. A letter from the Secretary, Division of Trading\n     and Markets, Securities and Exchange Commission, transmitting\n     the Commission's Major final rule -- Market Data\n     Infrastructure [Release No.: 34-90610. File No.: S7-03-20]\n     (RIN: 3235-AM61) received December 16, 2020, pursuant to 5\n     U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat.\n     868); to the Committee on Financial Services.\n       EC-6043. A letter from the Chairman, Federal Deposit\n     Insurance Corporation, transmitting the Corporation's\n     Integrated Digital Experience Act Report, pursuant to 44\n     U.S.C. 3501 note; Public Law 115-336, Sec. 3(b)(2); (132\n     Stat. 5026); to the Committee on Financial Services.\n       EC-6044. A letter from the Acting Deputy Director -- OLA,\n     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, transmitting the\n     Corporation's interim final rule -- Temporary Asset\n     Thresholds (RIN: 3064-AF67) received December 17, 2020,\n     pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.\n     251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Financial Services.\n       EC-6045. A letter from the General Counsel, Federal Housing\n     Finance Agency, transmitting the Agency's Major final rule --\n     2021 Enterprise Housing Goals (RIN: 2590-AB04) received\n     December 28, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public\n     Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on\n     Financial Services.\n\n[[Page H9176]]\n\n       EC-6046. A letter from the Secretary, Securities and\n     Exchange Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule\n     -- Exemption from the Definition of ``Clearing Agency'' for\n     Certain Activities of Security-Based Swap Dealers and\n     Security-Based Swap Execution Facilities [Release No.: 34-\n     90667; File No.: S7-08-11] (RIN:3235-AK74) received December\n     28, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-\n     121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Financial\n     Services.\n       EC-6047. A letter from the Acting Assistant Secretary,\n     Department of Labor, transmitting the Department's final rule\n     -- Fiduciary Duties Regarding Proxy Voting and Shareholder\n     Rights (RIN: 1210-AB91) received December 28, 2020, pursuant\n     to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110\n     Stat. 868); to the Committee on Education and Labor.\n       EC-6048. A letter from the Acting Assistant Secretary,\n     Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of\n     Labor, transmitting the Department's final rule --\n     Grandfathered Group Health Plans and Grandfathered Group\n     Health Insurance Coverage (RIN: 1210-AB89) received December\n     28, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-\n     121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Education\n     and Labor.\n       EC-6049. A letter from the Assistant General Counsel for\n     Regulatory Affairs, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation,\n     transmitting the Corporation's final rule -- Allocation of\n     Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Valuation of Benefits and\n     Assets; Expected Retirement Age received December 28, 2020,\n     pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.\n     251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Education and\n     Labor.\n       EC-6050. A letter from the Assistant General Counsel for\n     Regulatory Affairs, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation,\n     transmitting the Corporation's final rule -- Allocation of\n     Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for\n     Valuing Benefits received December 28, 2020, pursuant to 5\n     U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat.\n     868); to the Committee on Education and Labor.\n       EC-6051. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for\n     Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services,\n     transmitting the 2019 National Healthcare Quality and\n     Disparities Report, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 299b-2(b)(2);\n     Public Law 106-129, Sec. 2(a); (113 Stat. 1658); to the\n     Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6052. A letter from the Attorney, Regulatory Affairs\n     Division, Office of the General Counsel, Consumer Product\n     Safety Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule\n     -- Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act Drain Cover\n     Standard [Docket No.: CPSC-2019-0012] received December 16,\n     2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121,\n     Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and\n     Commerce.\n       EC-6053. A letter from the Attorney, Regulatory Affairs\n     Division, Office of the General Counsel, Consumer Product\n     Safety Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule\n     -- Safety Standard for Hand-Held Infant Carriers [Docket No.:\n     CPSC-2012-0068] received December 16, 2020, pursuant to 5\n     U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat.\n     868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6054. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for\n     Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services,\n     transmitting the Administration's Fiscal Year 2019 annual\n     report to Congress for the Office of Combination Products; to\n     the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6055. A letter from the Regulations Coordinator,\n     Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting the\n     Department's final rule -- Grandfathered Group Health Plans\n     and Grandfathered Group Health Insurance Coverage [CMS-9923-\n     F] (RIN: 0938-AT49) received December 17, 2020, pursuant to 5\n     U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat.\n     868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6056. A letter from the Assistant Chief Counsel for\n     Regulatory Affairs, Department of Transportation,\n     transmitting the Department's final rule -- Hazardous\n     Materials: Miscellaneous Amendments Pertaining to DOT-\n     Specification Cylinders [Docket No.: PHMSA- 2011-0140 (HM-\n     234)] (RIN: 2137-AE80) received December 28, 2020, pursuant\n     to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110\n     Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and\n     Infrastructure.\n       EC-6057. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n     Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n     Agency's final rule -- Hazardous and Solid Waste Management\n     System: Disposal of CCR; A Holistic Approach to Closure Part\n     B: Alternate Demonstration for Unlined Surface Impoundments;\n     Correcting Amendments [EPA-HQ-OLEM-2019-0173; FRL-10017-88-\n     OLEM] (RIN: 2050-AH11) received December 16, 2020, pursuant\n     to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110\n     Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6058. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n     Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n     Agency's withdrawal of direct final rule -- Implementation of\n     the Revoked 1997 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality\n     Standards; Updates to 40 CFR Part 52 for Areas That Attained\n     by the Attainment Date [EPA-HQ-OAR-2019-0611; FRL-10017-82-\n     OAR] (RIN: 2060-AU54) received December 16, 2020, pursuant to\n     5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110\n     Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6059. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n     Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n     Agency's final action -- Review of the National Ambient Air\n     Quality Standards for Particulate Matter [EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-\n     0072; FRL-10018-11-OAR] (RIN: 2060-AS50) received December\n     16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-\n     121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy\n     and Commerce.\n       EC-6060. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n     Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n     Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Approval; California; Placer\n     County Air Pollution Control District, Antelope Valley Air\n     Quality Management District, Mariposa County Air Pollution\n     Control District, and Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control\n     District [EPA-R09-OAR-2020-0435; FRL-10017-70-Region 9]\n     received December 28, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n     801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868);\n     to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6061. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n     Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n     Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Approval; California; South\n     Coast Air Quality Management District [EPA-R09-OAR-2019-0176;\n     FRL-10017-96-Region 9] received December 28, 2020, pursuant\n     to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110\n     Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6062. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n     Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n     Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Partial Approval, Partial\n     Disapproval, and Partial Conditional Approval; Arizona:\n     Maricopa County Air Quality Department; Reasonably Available\n     Control Technology State Implementation Plan and Surface\n     Coating Rule [EPA-R09-OAR-2020-0358 and EPA-R09-OAR-2019-\n     0423; FRL-10017-89-Region 9] received December 28, 2020,\n     pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.\n     251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and\n     Commerce.\n       EC-6063. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n     Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n     Agency's final rule -- Broflanilide; Pesticide Tolerances\n     [EPA-HQ-OPP-2018-0053; FRL-10016-42] received December 28,\n     2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121,\n     Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and\n     Commerce.\n       EC-6064. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n     Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n     Agency's final rule -- 2,4-D; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-\n     OPP-2019-0233; FRL-10017-30] received December 28, 2020,\n     pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.\n     251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and\n     Commerce.\n       EC-6065. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n     Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n     Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Approval; Kansas;\n     Infrastructure State Implementation Plan Requirements for the\n     Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard [EPA-R07-OAR-\n     2020-0422; FRL-10018-59-Region 7] received December 28, 2020,\n     pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.\n     251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and\n     Commerce.\n       EC-6066. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n     Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n     Agency's final rule -- Bacillus Thuringiensis Cry1Ab/Cry2Aj\n     Protein and G10-evo Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-Phosphate Synthase\n     (G10evo-EPSPS) Protein; Exemptions from the Requirement of a\n     Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2018-0403; FRL-10015-98] received\n     December 28, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public\n     Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on\n     Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6067. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n     Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n     Agency's final rule -- Reclassification of Major Sources as\n     Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act;\n     Correction [EPA-HQ-OAR-2019-0282; FRL-10014-50-OAR and FRL-\n     10019-02-OAR] (RIN: 2060-AM75) received December 28, 2020,\n     pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.\n     251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and\n     Commerce.\n       EC-6068. A letter from the Program Analyst, Policy\n     Division, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the\n     Commission's final rule -- Expanding Consumers' Video\n     Navigation Choices [MB Docket No. 16-42] and Commercial\n     Availability of Navigation Devices [CS Docket No. 97-80]\n     received December 31, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n     801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868);\n     to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6069. A letter from the Program Analyst, Office of the\n     Managing Director, Federal Communications Commission,\n     transmitting the Commission's final rule -- Implementation of\n     State and Local Governments' Obligation to Approve Certain\n     Wireless Facility Modification Requests Under Section 6409(a)\n     of the Spectrum Act of 2012 (WT Docket No.: 19-250) received\n     December 31, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public\n     Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on\n     Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6070. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,\n     Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the\n     Commission's final rule -- All-Digital AM Broadcasting [MB\n     Docket No. 19-311] and Revitalization of the AM Radio Service\n     [MB Docket No. 13-249] received December 31, 2020, pursuant\n     to 5\n\n[[Page H9177]]\n\n     U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat.\n     868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6071. A letter from the Assistant Chief, Media Bureau,\n     Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the\n     Commission's final rule -- Promoting Broadcast Internet\n     Innovation through ATSC 3.0 [MB Docket No. 20-145] received\n     December 28, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public\n     Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on\n     Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6072. A letter from the Acting General Counsel, Federal\n     Energy Regulatory Commission, transmitting the Commission's\n     final rule -- Implementation Issues Under the Public Utility\n     Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 [Docket Nos.: RM19-15-001 and\n     AD16-16-001; Order No. 872-A] received December 28, 2020,\n     pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.\n     251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and\n     Commerce.\n       EC-6073. A letter from the Regulations Coordinator, Health\n     Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health\n     and Human Services, transmitting the Department's final rule\n     -- 340B Drug Pricing Program; Administrative Dispute\n     Resolution Regulation (RIN: 0906-AB26) received December 17,\n     2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121,\n     Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and\n     Commerce.\n       EC-6074. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,\n     Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the\n     Commission's final rule -- Amendment of Section 73.622(i),\n     Post-Transition Table of DTV Allotments, Television Broadcast\n     Stations (Mesa, Arizona) [MB Docket No. 20-331] received\n     December 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public\n     Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on\n     Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6075. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,\n     Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the\n     Commission's final rule -- Amendment of Section 73.622(i),\n     Post-Transition Table of DTV Allotments, Television Broadcast\n     Stations (Minneapolis, Minnesota) received December 16, 2020,\n     pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.\n     251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and\n     Commerce.\n       EC-6076. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,\n     Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the\n     Commission's final rule -- Amendment of Section 73.622(i),\n     Post- Transition Table of DTV Allotments, Television\n     Broadcast Stations (Portland, Oregon) received December 16,\n     2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121,\n     Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and\n     Commerce.\n       EC-6077. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,\n     Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the\n     Commission's final rule -- Amendment of Parts 15, 73 and 74\n     of the Commission's Rules to Provide for the Preservation of\n     One Vacant Channel in the UHF Television Band for Use by\n     White Space Devices and Wireless Microphones [MB Docket No.\n     15-146] and Expanding the Economic and Innovation\n     Opportunities of Spectrum Through Incentive Auctions [GN\n     Docket No. 12-268] received December 16, 2020, pursuant to 5\n     U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat.\n     868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6078. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,\n     Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the\n     Commission's final rule ---- Amendment of Part 74 of the\n     Commission's Rules Regarding FM Translator Interference [MB\n     Docket No. 18-119] received December 16, 2020, pursuant to 5\n     U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat.\n     868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6079. A letter from the Director, Office of\n     Congressional Affairs, Nuclear Regulatory Commission,\n     transmitting the Commission's issuance of regulatory guide --\n     Physical Protection Programs at Nuclear Power Reactors\n     Safeguards Information [NRC-2020-0246] received December 7,\n     2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121,\n     Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and\n     Commerce.\n       EC-6080. A letter from the Regulations Coordinator, Office\n     of General Counsel, Department of Health and Human Services,\n     transmitting the Department's final rule -- Department of\n     Health and Human Services Good Guidance Practices (RIN: 0991-\n     AC17) received December 28, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n     801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868);\n     to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n       EC-6081. A letter from the Secretary, Department of the\n     Treasury, transmitting a six-month periodic report on the\n     national emergency with respect to the Western Balkans that\n     was declared in Executive Order 13219 of June 26, 2001,\n     pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1641(c); Public Law 94-412, Sec.\n     401(c); (90 Stat. 1257) and 50 U.S.C. 1703(c); Public Law 95-\n     223, Sec 204(c); (91 Stat. 1627); to the Committee on Foreign\n     Affairs.\n       EC-6082. A letter from the Chairman of the Board of\n     Directors, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, transmitting\n     the Corporation's FY 2020 Annual Report, pursuant to 29\n     U.S.C. 1308; Public Law 93-406, Sec. 4008 (as amended by\n     Public Law 109-280, Sec. 412); (120 Stat. 936); to the\n     Committee on Oversight and Reform.\n       EC-6083. A letter from the Associate General Counsel for\n     General Law, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security\n     Agency, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting\n     notification of a federal vacancy and designation of acting\n     officer, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3349(a); Public Law 105-277,\n     Sec. 151(b); (112 Stat. 2681-614); to the Committee on\n     Oversight and Reform.\n       EC-6084. A letter from the Associate General Counsel,\n     Department of Agriculture, transmitting three (3)\n     notifications of a nomination and action on nomination,\n     pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3349(a); Public Law 105-277, Sec.\n     151(b); (112 Stat. 2681-614); to the Committee on Oversight\n     and Reform.\n       EC-6085. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Labor,\n     transmitting the Department's Semiannual Report to Congress\n     of the Office of Inspector General for the period April 1,\n     2020 through September 30, 2020, pursuant to Sec. 5 of the\n     Inspector General Act of 1978; to the Committee on Oversight\n     and Reform.\n       EC-6086. A letter from the Director, Office of Financial\n     Management, Department of Transportation, transmitting the\n     Department's FY 2020 agency financial report, pursuant to 31\n     U.S.C. 3515(a)(1); Public Law 101-576, Sec. 303(a)(1) (as\n     amended by Public Law 107-289, Sec. 2(a)); (116 Stat. 2049)\n     and 31 U.S.C. 1115(b); Public Law 111-352, Sec. 3; (124 Stat.\n     3867); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform.\n       EC-6087. A letter from the Secretary, Department of the\n     Interior, transmitting the Department's Semiannual Report of\n     the Office of Inspector General for the 6-month period of\n     April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020, pursuant to Sec. 5\n     of the Inspector General Act of 1978, Public Law 95-452; to\n     the Committee on Oversight and Reform.\n       EC-6088. A letter from the Director, Office of Management\n     and Budget, Executive Office of the President, transmitting\n     the Statistical Programs of the United States Government:\n     Fiscal Years 2019/2020 report; to the Committee on Oversight\n     and Reform.\n       EC-6089. A letter from the Chairman, Federal Maritime\n     Commission, transmitting the Commission's Office of the\n     Inspector General's Semiannual Report to Congress for the\n     period April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020; to the\n     Committee on Oversight and Reform.\n       EC-6090. A letter from the Chief Financial Officer,\n     National Labor Relations Board, transmitting the Board's\n     Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2020,\n     pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3515(a)(1); Public Law 101-576, Sec.\n     303(a)(1) (as amended by Public Law 107-289, Sec. 2(a)); (116\n     Stat. 2049); to the Committee on Oversight and Reform.\n       EC-6091. A letter from the Chairman of the Board, Pension\n     Benefit Guaranty Corporation, transmitting the Corporation's\n     Semiannual Report to Congress of the Office of Inspector\n     General, pursuant to Sec. 5 of the Inspector General Act of\n     1978; to the Committee on Oversight and Reform.\n       EC-6092. A letter from the Deputy Director, Office of\n     Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Department of the\n     Interior, transmitting the Department's final rule --\n     Clarification of Provisions Related to the Issuance of Ten-\n     Day Notices to State Regulatory Authorities and Enhancement\n     of Corrective Action for State Regulatory Program Issues\n     [Docket ID: OSM-2019-0010; S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000\n     212S180110; S2D2S SS08011000 SX064A00 21XS501520] (RIN: 1029-\n     AC77) received December 28, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n     801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868);\n     to the Committee on Natural Resources.\n       EC-6093. A letter from the Assistant Attorney General,\n     Department of Justice, transmitting the report on the\n     Administration of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of\n     1938, as amended, for the six months ending December 31,\n     2018, pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 621; June 8, 1938, ch. 327, Sec.\n     11 (as amended by Public Law 104-65, Sec. 19); (109 Stat.\n     704); to the Committee on the Judiciary.\n       EC-6094. A letter from the Director, Administrative Office\n     of the United States Courts, transmitting a compilation and\n     summary of reports received from chief district judges\n     detailing each public event conducted in accordance with the\n     law's requirements during the previous fiscal year, pursuant\n     to Public Law 115-237, Sec. 4(b)(1); (132 Stat. 2449); to the\n     Committee on the Judiciary.\n       EC-6095. A letter from the Director, Administrative Office\n     of the United States Courts, transmitting the 2019 annual\n     report on bankruptcy statistics, pursuant to 28 U.S.C.\n     159(b)(3); Public Law 109-8, Sec. 601(a); (119 Stat. 119); to\n     the Committee on the Judiciary.\n       EC-6096. A letter from the Director, Administrative Office\n     of the United States Courts, transmitting the annual report\n     to Congress concerning intercepted wire, oral, or electronic\n     communications, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 2519(3); Public Law 90-\n     351, Sec. 802 (as amended by Public Law 111-174, Sec. 6(3));\n     (124 Stat. 1217); to the Committee on the Judiciary.\n       EC-6097. A letter from the Agency Representative, United\n     States Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce,\n     transmitting the Department's final rule -- PTAB Rules of\n     Practice for Instituting on All Challenged Patent Claims and\n     All Grounds and Eliminating the Presumption at Institution\n     Favoring Petitioner as to Testimonial Evidence [Docket No.:\n     PTO-P-2019-0024] (RIN: 0651-AD40) received December 16, 2020,\n     pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.\n     251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on the Judiciary.\n       EC-6098. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n     Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n     Agency's final rule -- Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation\n     Adjustment [FRL-10018-13-OECA] received December 16, 2020,\n     pursuant to 5\n\n[[Page H9178]]\n\n     U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat.\n     868); to the Committee on the Judiciary.\n       EC-6099. A letter from the Secretary, Judicial Conference\n     of the United States, transmitting the Report of the\n     Proceedings of the Judicial Conference of the United States\n     for the March 2020 session; to the Committee on the\n     Judiciary.\n       EC-6100. A letter from the Secretary, Judicial Conference\n     of the United States, transmitting the Conference's report on\n     the continuing need for bankruptcy judgeships, pursuant to 28\n     U.S.C. 152(b)(3); Public Law 98-353, Sec. 104(a) (as amended\n     by Public Law 102-361, Sec. 4); (106 Stat. 966); to the\n     Committee on the Judiciary.\n       EC-6101. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n     Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n     Agency's final rule -- Withdrawal of Certain Federal Water\n     Quality Criteria Applicable to Maine [EPA-HQ-OW-2015-0804;\n     FRL-10017-97-OW] (RIN: 2040-AG00) received December 16, 2020,\n     pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.\n     251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and\n     Infrastructure.\n       EC-6102. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for\n     Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services,\n     transmitting the Department's report entitled, ``Computation\n     of Annual Liability Insurance (Including Self-Insurance), No-\n     Fault Insurance, and Workers' Compensation Settlement\n     Recovery Threshold'', pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1395y(b)(9)(D);\n     Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, Sec. 1862(b)(9)(D) (as\n     added by Public Law 112-242, Sec. 202(a)(2)); (126 Stat.\n     2379); jointly to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and\n     Ways and Means.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9178-2", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "HPUBBILLS", "H9178", "H9178", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"1273\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9057\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9058\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9059\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9060\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9061\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9062\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9063\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9064\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9065\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9066\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9067\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9178", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9178]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                      PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS\n\n  Under clause 2 of rule XII, public bills and resolutions of the\nfollowing titles were introduced and severally referred, as follows:\n\n           By Mr. CARTWRIGHT:\n       H.R. 9057. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to\n     develop and test an expanded and advanced role for direct-\n     care workers who provide long-term services and supports to\n     older adults and people with disabilities in efforts to\n     coordinate care and improve the efficiency of service\n     delivery, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy\n     and Commerce.\n           By Mr. KENNEDY:\n       H.R. 9058. A bill to require the Director of the National\n     Institutes of Health to enter into a contract with the\n     National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to\n     study addiction to and dependence on social media\n     applications, and for other purposes; to the Committee on\n     Energy and Commerce.\n           By Mr. KENNEDY:\n       H.R. 9059. A bill to require Federal financial supervisory\n     agencies to evaluate a financial institution's record of\n     meeting community environmentally sustainable investment\n     needs as part of examinations, and for other purposes; to the\n     Committee on Financial Services.\n           By Mr. KENNEDY (for himself and Mr. Cicilline):\n       H.R. 9060. A bill to amend section 1979 of the Revised\n     Statutes of the United States to clarify that States are\n     persons for purposes of liability under that section, and for\n     other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.\n           By Mr. KENNEDY:\n       H.R. 9061. A bill to amend the Outer Continental Shelf\n     Lands Act to establish a credit to any bid for a lease that\n     includes a commitment to use a project labor agreement, and\n     for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources.\n           By Mr. KING of Iowa:\n       H.R. 9062. A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality\n     Act to modify provisions relating to assistance by States,\n     and political subdivision of States, in the enforcement of\n     Federal immigration laws, and for other purposes; to the\n     Committee on the Judiciary.\n           By Mr. KING of Iowa:\n       H.R. 9063. A bill to require agencies of the Federal\n     Government to define the term service animal in accordance\n     with the regulations of the Department of Justice, and for\n     other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Reform.\n           By Mr. KING of Iowa:\n       H.R. 9064. A bill to Amend and Improve Federal law\n     regarding in the areas of immigration, health care, the\n     Constitution, education, trade, veterans affairs, welfare,\n     tax, and other matters; to the Committee on the Judiciary,\n     and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce,\n     Ways and Means, Education and Labor, Natural Resources, House\n     Administration, Rules, Appropriations, Agriculture, Oversight\n     and Reform, Veterans' Affairs, and Foreign Affairs, for a\n     period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each\n     case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the\n     jurisdiction of the committee concerned.\n           By Mr. NADLER:\n       H.R. 9065. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to\n     amend provisions relating to the release or detention of a\n     defendant pending trial, sentence, or appeal, and for other\n     purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.\n           By Ms. SCHRIER (for herself and Mr. Budd):\n       H.R. 9066. A bill to direct the Assistant Secretary of\n     Commerce for Communications and Information to establish a\n     pilot program to provide innovation grants to established\n     State broadband offices, and for other purposes; to the\n     Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n           By Mr. SOTO:\n       H.R. 9067. A bill to establish an office within the\n     Department of Commerce to coordinate all non-defense related\n     deployment and activities related to blockchain technology\n     within the Federal Government; to the Committee on Energy and\n     Commerce.\n           By Mr. KING of Iowa:\n       H. Res. 1273. A resolution nullifying the impeachment of\n     Donald John Trump; to the Committee on the Judiciary.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9178-3", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "MEMORIALS", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "HMEMORIALS", "H9178", "H9178", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. H9178", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9178]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                               MEMORIALS\n\n  Under clause 3 of rule XII, memorials were presented and referred as\nfollows:\n\n       ML-221. The SPEAKER presented a memorial of the General\n     Assembly of the State of New Jersey, relative to Assembly\n     Resolution No. 92, urging Congress to pass the ``Community\n     Broadband Act''; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n       ML-222. Also, a memorial of the General Assembly of the\n     State of New Jersey, relative to Assembly Resolution No. 139,\n     condemning hate crimes and any other form of bias crime in\n     New Jersey; to the Committee on the Judiciary.\n       ML-223. Also, a memorial of the General Assembly of the\n     State of New Jersey, relative to Assembly Resolution No. 193,\n     urging the federal government to raise the state and local\n     tax deduction to $25,000; to the Committee on Ways and Means.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9178-4", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Constitutional Authority Statement", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CASTATEMENT", "H9178", "H9178", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. H9178", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9178]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                   CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT\n\n  Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of the Rules of the House of\nRepresentatives, the following statements are submitted regarding the\nspecific powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact the\naccompanying bill or joint resolution."], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9178-5", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Constitutional Authority Statement for H.R. 9057", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CASTATEMENT", "H9178", "H9178", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9057\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9178", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9178]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n            By Mr. CARTWRIGHT:\n        H.R. 9057.\n        Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant\n     to the following:\n        Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (relating to the power of\n     Congress to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among\n     the several States, and with the Indian Tribes.)"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9178-6", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Constitutional Authority Statement for H.R. 9058", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CASTATEMENT", "H9178", "H9179", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9058\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9178", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Pages H9178-H9179]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n            By Mr. KENNEDY:\n        H.R. 9058.\n        Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant\n     to the following:\n\n[[Page H9179]]\n\n        Article I, Section 8"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9178", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "HPUBCOMMREPORT", "H9178", "H9178", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"2328\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"2678\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"8169\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9178", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9178]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n         REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS\n\n  Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of committees were delivered to\nthe Clerk for printing and reference to the proper calendar, as\nfollows:\n\n       Ms. VELAZQUEZ: Committee on Small Business. Report on the\n     Activity of the Committee on Small Business of the One\n     Hundred Sixteenth Congress (Rept. 116-702). Referred to the\n     Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.\n       Mr. DEUTCH: Committee on Ethics. Committee on Ethics\n     Summary of Activities 116th Congress (Rept. 116-703).\n     Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of\n     the Union.\n       Mr. NADLER: Committee on the Judiciary. H.R. 8169. A bill\n     to amend the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act to\n     authorize the Elder Justice Initiative, to require that\n     online resources of such initiative are made available in\n     Spanish, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-704). Referred to\n     the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.\n       Mr. NADLER: Committee on the Judiciary. H.R. 2678. A bill\n     to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for the\n     tolling of the statute of limitations with regard to certain\n     offenses committed by the President of the United States\n     during or prior to tenure in office, and for other purposes;\n     with an amendment (Rept. 116-705). Referred to the Committee\n     of the Whole House on the state of the Union.\n       Mr. YARMUTH: Committee on the Budget. Activities and\n     Summary Report of the Committee on the Budget (Rept. 116-\n     706). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the\n     state of the Union.\n       Ms. LOFGREN: Committee on House Administration. Activities\n     of the Committee on House Administration During the 116th\n     Congress (Rept. 116-707). Referred to the Committee of the\n     Whole House on the state of the Union.\n       Ms. CASTOR of Florida: Select Committee on Climate Crisis.\n     Activities of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis\n     (Rept. 116-708). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House\n     on the state of the Union.\n       Mr. SMITH of Washington: Committee on Armed Services.\n     Activities of the Committee on Armed Services (Rept. 116-\n     709). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the\n     state of the Union.\n\n                         discharge of committee\n\n  Pursuant to clause 2 of rule XIII, the Committee on Transportation\nand Infrastructure discharged from further consideration. H.R. 2328\nreferred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9179-10", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "ADDITIONAL SPONSORS", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "HADDSPONSORS", "H9179", "H9179", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"12\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"114\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1052\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1763\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"2573\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"3938\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"5141\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"7499\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"8433\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"8641\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"8925\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"8941\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9179", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9179]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                          ADDITIONAL SPONSORS\n\n  Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added to public bills and\nresolutions, as follows:\n\n       H.R. 12: Mr. Wenstrup and Ms. Foxx of North Carolina.\n       H.R. 1052: Ms. Finkenauer and Mr. Steube.\n       H.R. 1763: Mr. Mfume.\n       H.R. 2573: Ms. Adams.\n       H.R. 3938: Mr. Crow.\n       H.R. 5141: Ms. Barragan.\n       H.R. 7499: Ms. Speier and Mr. Scott of Virginia.\n       H.R. 8433: Mr. Pascrell and Mr. Crow.\n       H.R. 8641: Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Panetta, and Mr. Lowenthal.\n       H.R. 8925: Ms. Jackson Lee.\n       H.R. 8941: Ms. Jackson Lee.\n       H. Res. 114: Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York."], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9179-2", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Constitutional Authority Statement for H.R. 9060", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CASTATEMENT", "H9179", "H9179", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9060\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9179", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9179]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n            By Mr. KENNEDY:\n        H.R. 9060.\n        Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant\n     to the following:\n        Article I, Section 8"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9179-3", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Constitutional Authority Statement for H.R. 9061", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CASTATEMENT", "H9179", "H9179", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9061\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9179", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9179]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n            By Mr. KENNEDY:\n        H.R. 9061.\n        Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant\n     to the following:\n        Article 1, Section 8."], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9179-4", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Constitutional Authority Statement for H.R. 9062", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CASTATEMENT", "H9179", "H9179", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9062\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9179", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9179]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n            By Mr. KING of Iowa:\n        H.R. 9062.\n        Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant\n     to the following:\n        Article I, Section 8, Clause 4"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9179-5", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Constitutional Authority Statement for H.R. 9063", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CASTATEMENT", "H9179", "H9179", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9063\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9179", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9179]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n            By Mr. KING of Iowa:\n        H.R. 9063.\n        Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant\n     to the following:\n        Article I, Section 8, Clause 18"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9179-6", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Constitutional Authority Statement for H.R. 9064", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CASTATEMENT", "H9179", "H9179", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9064\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9179", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9179]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n            By Mr. KING of Iowa:\n        H.R. 9064.\n        Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant\n     to the following:\n        Article I, Section 8, Clause 1\n        Article I, Section 8, Clause 3\n        Article I, Section 8, Clause 4\n        Article I, Section 8, Clause 18"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9179-7", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Constitutional Authority Statement for H.R. 9065", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CASTATEMENT", "H9179", "H9179", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9065\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9179", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9179]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n            By Mr. NADLER:\n        H.R. 9065.\n        Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant\n     to the following:\n        Article I, Section 8, clauses 9 and 10 of the Constitution\n     of the United States."], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9179-8", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Constitutional Authority Statement for H.R. 9066", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CASTATEMENT", "H9179", "H9179", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9066\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9179", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9179]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n            By Ms. SCHRIER:\n        H.R. 9066.\n        Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant\n     to the following:\n        Article 1"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9179-9", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Constitutional Authority Statement for H.R. 9067", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CASTATEMENT", "H9179", "H9179", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9067\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9179", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9179]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n            By Mr. SOTO:\n        H.R. 9067.\n        Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant\n     to the following:\n        Article I, Section 8, of the United States' Consitution.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgH9179", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Constitutional Authority Statement for H.R. 9059", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CASTATEMENT", "H9179", "H9179", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9059\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. H9179", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[House]\n[Page H9179]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n            By Mr. KENNEDY:\n        H.R. 9059.\n        Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant\n     to the following:\n        Article I, Section 8"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS-FrontMatter-11", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Senate", "SENATE", "SENATE", "FRONTMATTER", "S7985", "S7985", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7985", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7985]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                              S E N A T E\n\nVol. 166\n\nWASHINGTON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020\n\nNo. 223"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7985-2", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "PRAYER", "SENATE", "SENATE", "PRAYER", "S7985", "S7985", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7985", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7985]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                                 PRAYER\n\n  The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer:\n  Let us pray.\n  Eternal Lord God, as the new year beckons, our souls rise to meet\nYou, for You are the source of our strength and the hope of our lives.\nWe put our lives in Your hands, trusting You with all our tomorrows.\n  Lord, You bless us with Your peace, even in the midst of life's\nstorms.\n  Uphold our Senators. Give them hours that sustain rather than stress.\nPermit the rhythm of Your truth to free them from the bondage that\ndebilitates. May they find strength in You as they give You their\nrestlessness and doubts.\n  We pray in Your wonderful Name. Amen.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7985-3", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE", "SENATE", "SENATE", "PLEDGE", "S7985", "S7985", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7985", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7985]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                          PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE\n\n  The Presiding Officer led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows:\n\n       I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of\n     America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation\n     under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7985-4", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7985", "S7985", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7985", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7985]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n              APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE\n\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will please read a communication to\nthe Senate from the President pro tempore (Mr. Grassley).\n  The senior assistant legislative clerk read the following letter:\n\n                                                      U.S. Senate,\n\n                                        President pro tempore,\n\n                                Washington, DC, December 31, 2020.\n     To the Senate:\n       Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, of the\n     Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby appoint the Honorable\n     Deb Fischer, a Senator from the State of Nebraska, to perform\n     the duties of the Chair.\n                                                   Chuck Grassley,\n                                            President pro tempore.\n\n  Mrs. FISCHER thereupon assumed the Chair as Acting President pro\ntempore.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7985-5", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7985", "S7985", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7985", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7985]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                   RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER\n\n  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The majority leader is recognized.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7985-6", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "JUST AND UNIFYING SOLUTIONS TO INVIGORATE COMMUNITIES EVERYWHERE ACT OF 2020--MOTION TO PROCEED", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7985", "S7985", "[{\"name\": \"Mitch McConnell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3985\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3985\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. S7985", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7985]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\nJUST AND UNIFYING SOLUTIONS TO INVIGORATE COMMUNITIES EVERYWHERE ACT OF\n                        2020--MOTION TO PROCEED\n\n  Mr. McCONNELL. I move to proceed to Calendar No. 480, S. 3985.\n  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the motion.\n  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:\n\n       Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 480, S. 3985, a bill to\n     improve and reform policing practices, accountability and\n     transparency.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7985-7", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7985", "S7985", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7985", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7985]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                       RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME\n\n  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the\nleadership time is reserved.\n  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The majority leader.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7985-8", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7985", "S7986", "[{\"name\": \"Mitch McConnell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7985", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Pages S7985-S7986]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                   NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT\n\n  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, yesterday, the Senate was finally\nable to proceed to this year's National Defense Authorization Act. A\nfew of our Democratic colleagues have pulled out all the stops to hold\nback this crucial bill, but last night, a big bipartisan majority of 80\nSenators voted to proceed.\n  There should be nothing controversial about giving our brave men and\nwomen in uniform the tools and training they need to stay safe. There\nshould be nothing controversial about continuing the work of rebuilding\nand modernizing our capabilities. It should be a nonpartisan\nproposition that America should keep pace with Russia and China rather\nthan slip behind.\n  We have enacted an annual NDAA for 59 straight years and counting. In\nthe next few days, the easy way or the hard way, we are going to do our\njob once again. This body will fulfill our responsibility to the men\nand women who protect our country. The Senate will be here until we\nfinish this bipartisan legislation.\n  Now, for several days, we heard some Senators say Congress must send\nmore cash to high-earning households that haven't seen any income\ndisruption during COVID-19. Our colleagues who purport to be the\nchampions of vulnerable Americans now say that what struggling people\nreally need is for Congress to stop focusing on targeted relief for\nthem specifically and, instead, to send thousands of dollars to people\nwho don't need the help.\n  Experts from across the political spectrum agree that our colleague\nfrom Vermont is dead wrong on this. Socialism for rich people is a\nterrible way to help the American families who are actually struggling.\nLet me say that again. Borrowing from our grandkids to do socialism for\nrich people is a terrible way to get help for families who actually\nneed it.\n  Washington Democrats took President Trump's suggestion and skewed it\nso the checks would benefit even more high-earning households.\n  Imagine a family of five where the parents earn $250,000 per year and\nhave not seen any income loss this past year. Speaker Pelosi and\nSenator Sanders want to send them $5,000 from Uncle Sam. They make a\nquarter of a million dollars, nobody is out of work, but our so-called\nprogressive friends say the household needs ``survival\n\n[[Page S7986]]\n\nchecks.'' In fact, they believe a family of five should have to earn\n$350,000 before the spigot of government money would stop entirely.\n  Socialism for rich people. That is what Speaker Pelosi and Senator\nSanders have sketched out. A terrible way to help those who need it,\nand experts across the political spectrum agree.\n  The liberal editors of the Washington Post have blasted so-called\nprogressives demanding a nontargeted giveaway that would give ``huge\namounts'' to ``perfectly comfortable families.''\n  Larry Summers, who ran the Treasury Department for President Clinton\nand the National Economic Council for President Obama, says there is\n``no good economic argument'' for more nontargeted checks with no\nlinkage to need.\n  The liberal New York Times reported this morning that a majority of\nthe households that get nontargeted checks do not end up spending them\non urgent needs but rather just add it to their savings. ``We know\nwhere the pockets of need are,'' said one economist, and ``putting\n[money] there would be a much more efficient use.''\n  Fortunately, though some of our colleagues seem to have forgotten,\nthat is exactly what we did only a week ago. It has been less than 5\ndays since President Trump signed into law another historic bipartisan\nrescue package targeted to Americans who actually need the help.\n  We passed an entire second round of PPP loans to save small business\njobs, targeted to the hardest hit. We renewed multiple kinds of\nadditional benefits for unemployed workers, including an extra $300\nsupplement every week. There are billions for targeted food assistance,\nbillions for targeted rental assistance, and many billions of dollars\nfor vaccine distribution so we can finally beat this virus and reopen\nthe economy in full.\n  These are the kinds of targeted emergency programs that directly help\nthe most vulnerable, and we just poured almost another trillion dollars\ninto them, less than 5 days ago, along with more direct checks that are\nalready arriving in households' accounts. That is what we did just 5\ndays ago.\n  This crisis has not affected everyone equally. The data show that\nmany upper middle-class Americans have kept their jobs, worked\nremotely, and remained totally financially comfortable. On the other\nhand, some of our fellow citizens had their entire existence turned\nupside down and continue to suffer terribly.\n  We do not need to let the Speaker of the House do socialism for rich\npeople in order to help those who need help. Our duty, both to\nstruggling Americans and to taxpayers, is to focus on targeted relief\nthat will have the maximum impact and help the people who need it the\nmost. That is what the experts say we should do. That is where there is\nbroad bipartisan support, and that is exactly what we did less than 1\nweek ago, when nearly $900 billion in more targeted relief was signed\ninto law for our people\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7985", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "Senate", "SENATE", "SENATE", "CALLTOORDER", "S7985", "S7985", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7985", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7985]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n[[Page S7985]]\n\nSenate\n\n  The Senate met at 12 noon and was called to order by the Honorable\nDeb Fischer, a Senator from the State of Nebraska.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7986-2", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--H.R. 9051", "SENATE", "SENATE", "SCONSENTREQUEST", "S7986", "S7987", "[{\"name\": \"Charles E. Schumer\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Mitch McConnell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9051\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9051\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. S7986", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Pages S7986-S7987]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                  UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--H.R. 9051\n\n  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, the Senate today meets for a rare New\nYear's Eve session for one reason and one reason only: The Republican\nleader has refused to allow us to vote on legislation to provide the\nAmerican people $2,000 checks. He has twice objected to my requests to\nset a time for a vote on the measure, claiming yesterday that direct\nstimulus checks were ``poorly targeted,'' bemoaning the idea that some\nof these checks might go into ``the hands of Democrats' rich friends\nwho don't need the help.'' Senator Toomey said much the same thing.\n  Well, funny, I don't remember the Republican leader and Senator\nToomey complaining about how a $2 trillion across-the-board corporate\ntax cut was ``poorly targeted'' because some large companies didn't\nneed the help. No, when corporations get a blanket tax break, that is\nfine by the Republican majority. When the average American gets a\nlittle help from their government, it is ``poorly targeted.''\n  I hope that every American heard the objections by these Republican\nSenators. I hope every American who has their water or heat or\nelectricity shut off or had eviction notices stapled on top of one\nanother to their door or had to choose which meal to skip on a given\nday--I hope they all heard the reason they will not receive $2,000\nchecks is because Leader McConnell thinks it could wind up in the hands\nof ``Democrats' rich friends.''\n  Let's be very clear. There is one way and only one way to pass $2,000\nchecks before the end of the year, and that is to pass the House bill.\nIt is the only way to get the American people the $2,000 checks they\nneed and deserve.\n  The House is gone for the session. Any modification or addition to\nthe House bill can't become law. Either the Senate takes up and passes\nthe House bill or struggling Americans will not get $2,000 checks\nduring the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.\n  Leader McConnell knows this. So he has said that the Senate can only\nvote on a bill that combines the checks with other unrelated partisan\npolicies: a repeal of section 230 and an investigation into the\nPresident's dishonest and bogus claims of election fraud.\n  The Republican leader claims that President Trump insists that all\nthree issues must be addressed in one bill, but, of course, the\nPresident has made no such demand. President Trump couldn't care less\nabout how the bills are packaged in Congress.\n  So the Republican leader has invented an excuse to prevent a clean,\nup-or-down, yes-or-no vote on $2,000 checks from coming to the floor.\nThis maneuver to combine all three issues is intended to kill the\npossibility of $2,000 checks ever becoming law.\n  Just to prove it, let me make this offer to the Republican majority.\nWe are willing to vote on the other issues that President Trump\nmentioned--all the issues the Republican leader says must be\naddressed--so long as we vote on them separately. That way, $2,000\nchecks could become law, and we could debate all the President's\nsupposed concerns.\n  We can vote on setting up a commission to look at the President's\nroundly rejected claims of voter fraud. We would also have the\ncommission look at voter suppression and gerrymandering. That is\ncompletely unrelated to helping Americans pay their bills, but we are\nwilling to take a look at the whole picture. Just give us a vote on the\nHouse-passed bill so we can get help now for people who desperately\nneed it.\n  Heck, we can also have a vote on repealing 230. We can do it today.\nWe will use Leader McConnell's exact language. He wouldn't agree to\nthat because he knows his caucus wouldn't actually support such an act.\nUnlike the President, some Members of this body understand what 230\nmeans. They understand that section 230, which certainly needs change,\nactually enables the President to spew his lies.\n  We all know the 117th Congress will have to take a close look at the\nrelationship between liability and reckless speech on the internet. But\nif Leader McConnell wants a vote on these issues, we are here for it.\nJust give us a vote on the House-passed bill, and we can vote on\nwhatever rightwing conspiracy theory you would like.\n  We can even vote to set up a special blue-ribbon commission to\ndetermine whether Georgia's secretary of State has a brother named Ron,\nif that would make our Republican friends happy.\n  Just don't let these conspiracy theories and Presidential fantasies\nget in the way of helping actual people--people whose livelihoods have\nbeen torn apart by this pandemic, people whose lives have been torn\napart by the administration's mismanagement of this pandemic, people\nwho need just a little direct assistance.\n  The President's term, thankfully, will end in 20 days. It is a term\nthat has been marked by hate and division and turmoil. He has so far\nused his term to enrich himself and the wealthy.\n  Let's close out the term on a good note. For once, he wants to help\nregular people, to give Americans a leg up. Let's allow him to do that.\n  We have a chance at the end of this painful year to give Americans a\nreason to have some hope in 2021. The only\n\n[[Page S7987]]\n\nthing standing in the way is the Republican Senate majority. In a\nmoment, I will, once again, ask consent that the Senate set a time for\na vote on the House bill to provide $2,000 checks to the American\npeople. Remember, the Democrats are willing to vote on all of the other\nissues that the Republicans say the President supposedly cares about.\nJust let us vote on a clean bill with the $2,000 checks.\n  Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to\nthe immediate consideration of Calendar No. 645, H.R. 9051, a bill to\nincrease the recovery rebate amounts to $2,000 for individuals; that\nthe bill be read a third time and the Senate vote on passage; and that\nif passed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon\nthe table with no intervening action or debate.\n  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection?\n  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I object.\n  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection is heard.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7986", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "RECOGNITION OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER", "SENATE", "SENATE", "RECOGNIZING", "S7986", "S7986", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7986", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7986]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                  RECOGNITION OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER\n\n  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The minority leader is recognized.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7987-2", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "LEGISLATIVE SESSION", "SENATE", "SENATE", "SLEGISLATIVE", "S7987", "S7990", "[{\"name\": \"Bernard Sanders\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Mitch McConnell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Richard J. Durbin\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Richard Blumenthal\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6395\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6395\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9051\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9051\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. S7987", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Pages S7987-S7990]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                          LEGISLATIVE SESSION\n\n                                 ______\n\n  WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR\n           FISCAL YEAR 2021--VETO--MOTION TO PROCEED--Resumed\n\n  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the\nSenate will resume consideration of the veto message on H.R. 6395,\nwhich the clerk will report.\n  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:\n\n       Veto message, a bill (H.R. 6395) to authorize\n     appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for military activities\n     of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and\n     for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to\n     prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year,\n     and for other purposes.\n\n  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Vermont\n\n           Unanimous Consent Request--H.R. 9051 and H.R. 6395\n\n  Mr. SANDERS. Madam President, let me briefly respond to some of the\npoints that Majority Leader McConnell has made, to his inaccurate\nstatements.\n  Now, I am delighted that, after years of talking on the floor of the\nSenate about socialism for the rich, apparently, that has gotten across\nto my Republican friends. Of course, that is what we do every single\nday. That is why we have the incredible level of income and wealth\ninequality that exists in this country, because, decade after decade,\nwe have used this body to provide massive tax breaks to the rich and\nprovide corporate welfare to corporations that don't need it. That is\nsocialism for the rich. The majority leader is right, but let's talk\nabout, in fact, what is in this bill.\n  According to the Tax Policy Center, fewer than 1 percent of the\nbenefits of the direct payments--that is the $2,000 per working-class\nadult that Senator Schumer and I are talking about--would go to the top\n5 percent of Americans. Virtually nothing would go to the very, very\nrich. The overwhelming majority of those funds would go to the middle\nclass, the working class, low-income people, who in the midst of this\npandemic are in desperate economic condition.\n  Again, I am delighted to hear the majority leader talking about\nsocialism for the rich, and I hope we will continue that discussion in\nthe next session. Let me talk about the socialism for the rich that the\nmajority leader is enthusiastically supportive of as the majority\nleader helped to lead this body to pass Trump's tax bill.\n  Now, do you want to talk about socialism for the rich, Mr. Majority\nLeader?\n  Under that bill, Charles Koch--one of the very richest people in\nAmerica, who has a net worth of $113 billion--received a $1.4 billion\ntax break.\n  Mr. Majority Leader, that sounds, to me, like socialism for the rich.\nAh, but that is not all.\n  In Nevada, you have a gentleman named Sheldon Adelson, who is a major\ncontributor to the Republican Party and a big funder for Donald Trump.\nUnder that same tax bill led by the majority leader, Sheldon Adelson\nreceived a $560 million tax break. A guy who is worth $34 billion\ndesperately needed that tax break of $560 million.\n  Do you want more tax breaks for the rich? Do you want to talk about\nsocialism for the rich?\n  Senator McConnell had no problem giving a $104 million tax refund to\nAmazon over the past 3 years despite the fact that the company made $30\nbillion in profits. So the argument that this bill, in any significant\nway, benefits the rich is just not accurate, but let us talk about whom\nthis bill does benefit.\n  This bill benefits tens of millions of Americans who, as a result of\nthis pandemic, have lost their jobs and have lost their incomes. Some,\nin fact, have lost their lives. These are people who are going hungry\ntoday. We are seeing today a recordbreaking level of hunger in\nAmerica--the richest country in the history of the world. All over this\ncountry--and I receive emails from people all over this country--people\nare frightened to death that they are going to be evicted from their\nhomes. Think about what a $4,000 check or a $5,000 check would mean to\nthose struggling families--husband, wife, kids. In fact, let me give\nyou an example.\n  This is a problem taking place all over this country. It is taking\nplace in Vermont. It is taking place in Senator Schumer's State. It is\ntaking place in Kentucky. In fact, the State of Kentucky--a very\nbeautiful State; I have had the pleasure of being there a number of\ntimes--a beautiful State--is the State in which 10 out of the 25\npoorest counties in America exist. I am sure Senator McConnell is aware\nthat, throughout his State, you have thousands and tens of thousands of\npeople living in economic desperation. I am talking about counties\nwhere 30 to 40 percent of people are living in poverty and where many\nthousands of residents are trying to survive on less than $20,000 a\nyear.\n  I am just using Kentucky as an example because that is the State\nSenator McConnell represents, but it is true all over this country.\n  In Kentucky, over 22 percent of the children are living in poverty.\nDo you think they might need a little bit of help?\n  In the State of Kentucky, more than 190,000 workers are making\nextremely low wages, and over a half a million people earn less than\n$15 an hour. Somebody might want to ask those people what a $2,000\ncheck per adult would mean. I am talking about Kentucky, and I will\nnever forget this because I visited Kentucky and talked to some of the\npeople there. Kentucky has suffered from a particular opioid crisis. I\nwill never forget talking to a football coach who told me that a bunch\nof the kids on his football team were living with their grandparents or\non couches because of the opioid epidemic.\n\n  In other words, the people in Kentucky, the people in New York, and\nthe people in Vermont are hurting. They need help.\n  So I say today to Senator McConnell, the leader here, let us address\nthe horrendous economic crisis facing tens of millions of Americans.\n  The pandemic today is worse than it has ever been. Hopefully,\nhopefully, the vaccine will make a profound difference, but, right now,\npeople are hurting, and they are looking to this institution. They are\nlooking to Congress. The House did the right thing. They are now\nlooking to the Senate. They are looking to Senator McConnell.\n  After all is said and done and after all of the legalese--and I am\ngoing to be introducing some legalese in a moment--it comes down to one\nthing: Senator McConnell disagrees with the proposal that Senator\nSchumer and I are making. I got it. That is fine. This is a democracy.\nHe has the right to his point of view. I would love to have the debate\non the floor with Senator McConnell about this legislation. All that we\nare asking is to give us the opportunity to vote up or down on whether\nor not working families in this country should be able to receive a\n$2,000 check. Senator McConnell disagrees.\n  Come to the floor. Tell us why you disagree. Then we will do what\nthis institution is supposed to do. We will have a vote.\n\n[[Page S7988]]\n\n  The truth is, in the House, Senator McConnell knows that 44\nRepublicans voted for the House bill, which won, by the way, by a 2-to-\n1 majority. Two-thirds of the House voted to make sure that working\nAmericans would get a $2,000 check. Right here in the Senate, there are\na number of Republicans--it is not clear how many--who have already\ngone public in saying they think it is a good idea that we go forward\nwith the House bill.\n  So all that I am asking Senator McConnell is to give us a vote. What\nis the problem? You can vote no. By the way, we need 60 votes--a\nmajority. There is no question in my mind that a majority of the\nSenators will vote yes, but because of house rules, we need 60 votes.\nSo we are going to have to get 48 Democrats--that is what we have--plus\n12 Republicans. Can we get 12 Republicans? I don't know--maybe we can;\nmaybe we can't--but give us a vote. What is the problem? What is the\nproblem with having the American people see how their Senators vote on\nthis issue of such enormous importance?\n  As Senator Schumer indicated, Senator McConnell has some other\nconcerns.\n  He is concerned about section 230 of the 1996 Federal\nTelecommunications Act. I am sure that this is absolutely on the minds\nof everybody in Vermont, in New York, and in Kentucky. It is probably\nall that they are talking about, the 1996 Telecommunications Act. Fine.\nIf he wants a vote on that, bring it to the floor. Let's vote on it as\na separate bill.\n  Do you want to talk about election security? Senator Schumer is\nright. There are a lot of issues out there. I am concerned about voter\nsuppression. I am concerned about people waiting online for 5 hours to\ncast a vote. I am concerned about voter intimidation. Senator McConnell\nhas different points of view. Let's have that discussion. Put together\na commission. No problem. Bring that bill to the floor. Yet everybody\nunderstands that, when you combine all three elements, this is a poison\npill designed to kill that legislation.\n  After everything is said and done, all of this comes down to one\nsimple fact: Will Senator McConnell, the Republican leader of the U.S.\nSenate, allow this body to vote on a bill which will provide $2,000 per\nperson to working-class families all across this country? That is what\nthis whole debate is about. It is not whether you like the bill or you\ndon't like it. We can have that debate. We have 3 days left in this\nCongress. The House did the right thing. It is now time for the Senate\nto have that vote.\n  Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that at 3 p.m. today,\nThursday, December 31, the Senate proceed to the consideration of\nCalendar No. 645, H.R. 9051, to provide a $2,000 direct payment to the\nworking class; that the bill be considered read a third time and the\nSenate vote on the passage of the bill; and that if passed, the motion\nto reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; further, that\nfollowing the vote on H.R. 9051, the Senate resume consideration of the\nveto message on H.R. 6395, the National Defense Authorization Act, and\nthe Senate vote on the passage of the bill, the objections of the\nPresident to the contrary notwithstanding, all with no intervening\naction or debate.\n  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection?\n  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I object.\n  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection is heard.\n  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.\n  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.\n  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.\n  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order\nfor the quorum call be rescinded.\n  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so\nordered.\n  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I would like to for a moment just\nreflect on where we are at this session of the U.S. Senate and the\nchoices that have been made.\n  I want to thank Senator Sanders and Senator Schumer for bringing\nthis, with clarity, to the floor of the Senate.\n  We support $2,000 as a helping hand to people across the United\nStates. There is a limitation on the amount that individuals receive if\nthey make more than $75,000 or if their family makes more than\n$150,000, but we are following the template that has been employed both\nwith the CARES Act and with our own COVID relief act of just a few days\nago.\n  We have been told by the Department of the Treasury that if you want\nto put money into the hands of Americans who desperately need it, this\nis the best way to do it, the quickest way to do it. There are better\nways, I am sure, but in a time of crisis, we need to respond and\nrespond in a timely way.\n  So Senator Sanders and Senator Schumer have brought to the floor for\nconsideration, we hope, a bill that has already passed the House of\nRepresentatives. The significance of this is that the House is now in\nrecess and not scheduled to return in this congressional session. So\nwhatever happens over here cannot be a new bill--there is no House to\nsend it to and no time to pass it--but, rather, has to be an up-or-down\nvote on a bill that has passed the House as is. That is what they have\ncome to the floor now for 3 straight days asking.\n  Senator Schumer has asked repeatedly of Senator McConnell, the\nRepublican leader, a simple request: Whether you are for the House bill\nor against the House bill, allow the Senate to be the Senate. Allow us\nto vote on the bill--for those of us who support it, to vote on it.\n  It isn't a lock; it isn't guaranteed that we are going to win and\nprevail with that vote. There are 48 Democratic Senators, and you need\n60 votes. We need help from the other side. Four or five Republican\nSenators say they support it as well, but we don't know if we have the\n12, if all of our Members can be here. In this era of COVID-19, sadly,\neven some of our Senators have illnesses in the family, which may make\nit impossible for them to be here. So there is no guarantee we win, but\nthere will be a guarantee that we are recorded and our positions are\nknown to the voters across America. That is a simple request. Yet, time\nand again, the Republican leader, Senator McConnell, has said no.\n  I am worried about what is happening to this institution, not just in\nthis instance but with what we have seen over the past several years.\n  We will conclude this calendar year having voted on the floor of this\nU.S. Senate 29 times on amendments--29 in the course of a year in what\nis supposedly the world's greatest deliberative body. I guess I\nshouldn't complain--it is a 30-percent increase over last year, when we\nvoted on 22 amendments in the entire calendar year. The Senate is out\nof business and out to lunch when it comes to legislating, and that is\na fact.\n  All we are asking for is the chance to legislate a $2,000 helping\nhand to families across America. I have heard over and over again that\nwe are just trying to featherbed the rich, that we are trying to give\nbig checks to rich people. Well, Senator Sanders made a point on that\nearlier. Less than 1 percent of the money we are asking for is going to\ngo to the top 5 percent.\n  When it came time for tax policy and tax breaks, many of the people\ncomplaining the loudest about $2,000 were giving away millions of\ndollars to the richest people in America without any hesitation. Well,\ntoday is another day, and today is a different America. Today, we are\nfacing a country that is in the depths of the crisis created by COVID-\n19. The numbers coming back to us every night on the news are\nheartbreaking numbers.\n  I understand--and most of us do--that those wonderful women and men\nwho are in the healthcare business usually are very stoic and calm in\nreporting the reality of their lives. Not so anymore. More and more\ndoctors and nurses are breaking down on television as they describe the\nscenes in emergency rooms across this country. They describe the\nreality of telling families that they cannot be by the bedside of one\nof their loved ones who is about to die, and they break down in tears\nand tell us they don't know how much more of this they can take.\n\n  That is the reality of America. It is not an America of vastly rich\npeople sitting by the swimming pool hoping Congress sends them more\nmoney; it is an America of those patients and their families and the\npeople who are out of\n\n[[Page S7989]]\n\nwork and the business men and women who have lost everything, who need\na hand from this government.\n  If there is one thing about America, I hope it is clear, no matter\nwhat your political persuasion, we are a caring people. If a hurricane\nhits Florida, I care about it. If a tornado hits the State of Nebraska,\nI care about it. And we come together on a bipartisan basis to help\nthose families. Now more than ever, those families need us to do\nsomething significant in their lives. How can you see the scenes on\ntelevision every night of the parade of cars lined up in Texas, in\nKentucky, in Illinois, hoping they can get some food to give to their\nfamilies? Are those grifters and chiselers who are just trying to get a\nfree meal? I don't think so. Would you sit in your car for an hour or\ntwo for food unless you really needed it? I think those people really\nneed it. Many of them are heartbroken that they are in this situation.\nSome are even embarrassed--and they shouldn't be--that they have been\nthe victims of this economy.\n  So all we are asking, Senator McConnell, is, give us a chance to\nvote. You can vote no if you wish. Give us a chance to vote for the\n$2,000 that can make a difference in a person's life; $4,000 for a\nhusband and wife who are struggling to get by--rent checks, mortgage\npayments, car payments, utility bills, things that really are basic to\nfamilies' survival. We are trying to help, and I think we should be\ngiven that chance.\n  We have tried time and again. We have the support of President Trump\nin this effort, and I am glad to have it. I think we have enough\nsupport in this Chamber to come up with 60 votes. I pray that we will,\nif we are given that chance, and I hope the Senate Republican leader is\nnot afraid of that outcome. He shouldn't be.\n  He has two of his incumbent Republican Senators in a runoff election\nwho have both publicly said they want to vote for this, and yet he\nstops them. He is the one who has put an end to their opportunity. Why?\nShouldn't he give them the opportunity to vote yes? He even refuses, in\nthis situation, with this looming election, to bring this matter to the\nfloor for an honest up-or-down, bipartisan vote.\n  I listened to the stories that were told by Senator Sanders and\nothers about the plight of people in this country and how much they\ncount on us and, frankly, how many of them have given up on us. They\njust don't believe the Congress of the United States is in touch with\nthe reality of America.\n  If we are in touch with the reality in our home States, in our home\ntowns, we should do something--something significant--to end this year\non the right note.\n  I plead with the Republican leader, who has the power. The sole\nMember of Congress of 100 Members--he has the power to bring this\nmatter to a vote and to do it immediately, within the hour. We could\ncall the Members who returned to Washington yesterday together, take a\nvote soon, in a matter of minutes, and know once and for all whether we\nhave the 60 votes that are necessary to pass this measure. Then we can\npass the override of the President's veto of the Defense authorization\nbill--a critical piece of legislation.\n  That would be the right way to end this year. Let us not end it in\nsuspense as to whether or not we are going to come to the aid and\nassistance of American families who rely on us time and again to be\nthere when America needs a helping hand. Let's do our job. Let's fill\nthis Chamber with Senators who will actually vote on an issue that\nmakes a difference in the lives of Americans. That is what we were\nelected to do. We have no excuse if we fail.\n  I yield the floor.\n  I suggest the absence of a quorum.\n  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.\n  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.\n  Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order\nfor the quorum call be rescinded.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cramer). Without objection, it is so\nordered.\n  Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, we are here in the waning hours of\n2020, expectant and hopeful about the coming year, and I want to wish\nall of my colleagues a very healthy and happy new year in the hope that\nwe will fulfill the promise of our constituents, our country, our\nConstitution in moving forward to meet and conquer the pandemic that\nstill ravages our Nation and to renew our economy that still is\nfailing.\n  We are the greatest Nation in the history of the world, and Americans\nare hurting. This body has taken positive and important steps toward\nmeeting this public health and economic crisis, as well as the hurt and\nharm that continue to plague Americans.\n  In a number of important relief packages, we have helped to meet\nthose needs and enabled the Nation to bridge the gap created by this\npandemic--an economic gap that has become a chasm, a cliff that seems\nwithout end and, for many of our fellow citizens, a time of\nunparalleled and unanticipated pain.\n  The relief package that we passed most recently--I think we can be\nproud to say--is the second largest in our Nation's history, and it\nwill provide a second round of paycheck protection loans, forgivable,\nbecoming grants, so that small businesses can keep their doors open;\nmore aid for our transportation and education systems; money to\ndistribute the vaccine that will be a lifesaver for so many Americans;\nand other important aid, including a $600 stimulus payment for every\nAmerican who is making less than $75,000. That is real assistance for a\nfamily of four--$2,400--because every child, as well as adult, will\nreceive that money.\n  But all of that $906 billion is only a downpayment. It is a life\nraft, and it has to be followed by an even more robust, bigger, bolder\npackage to provide real relief and sustenance for the survival of our\neconomy and, literally, the survival of Americans who are struggling to\nput food on the table and to buy medicine, pay rent and mortgages,\nclothe their children.\n  We have all told our stories on the floor of the Senate during 2020\nabout constituents waiting in food lines, hurting for the funds needed\nto stay in their home or apartment and to pay for the medicine that is\nliterally a matter of life and death.\n  We have told those stories. We have talked about Americans who are\nstruggling. We have the opportunity now to do something about it, so I\nappeal to my Republican colleague very bluntly and simply: Give us a\nvote on the CASH Act. Let us vote on a stand-alone $2,000 stimulus\npayment bill. Allow every one of us to go on record on that $2,000\nstimulus payment bill that would add $1,400 to that $600 already\nprovided--not to minimize the importance of $600, but it is\ninadequate. It is insufficient. It is unacceptable because it fails to\nprovide the basic needs to meet the desperate and dire straits of so\nmany Americans.\n\n  We are talking about families who need that money to buy bread and\nmilk, paper towels and toilet paper, goods and services that are\nnecessary to the survival of their families. Six hundred dollars is\nsimply not enough, and that is why I call on my fellow colleagues to\npersuade their leaders that we should be permitted this vote, because I\nbelieve that if there is a vote, it will pass. Having spoken to\nRepublican colleagues here, I have no doubt--none--that the stand-alone\n$2,000 stimulus payment measure would pass overwhelmingly, just as did\nthe $600 payment as part of the larger bill.\n  The simple fact is, that measure is the only viable vehicle. Any\nother measure loaded with other provisions, whether it is the section\n230 reform or a commission to investigate the last election on\nfictitious fraud, is doomed. It is doomed logistically. It is doomed\nlegally and physically. There is no way for the House to pass it.\n  Only the House bill, if passed, can provide Americans with the $2,000\nstimulus payment that they so desperately need. Only the House bill\nprovides that relief. Any other measure will be doomed because the\nHouse cannot come back to pass it in the time we have left in this\nsession. So the majority leader is essentially blocking a step that\nwill literally save lives, supported by the vast majority of the\nAmerican people, a significant part of his own conference, and every\nDemocrat.\n  Have no doubt--every Democrat will vote for it. We clamored for a\nhigher stimulus payment for months when the majority leader refused to\ncome to the table and then when the President of the United States\nfailed to lift a finger--he was on the golf course--when it\n\n[[Page S7990]]\n\nmight have made a difference in raising that $600 amount higher during\nthe negotiating.\n  Looking forward, there is a way to provide this relief to Americans\nwithout leaving here in a contest of blame but in a new year of mutual\ncongratulation. Pass the $2,000 stimulus payment plan as a stand-alone,\nclean bill.\n  I just want to say that I am probably the only Senator who has\nsupported two measures--one of them actually passed by the Congress and\nsigned by the President to reform section 230 and the other unanimously\nvoted out of the Judiciary Committee. They reformed section 230, and I\nsupport reforming section 230. I have hardly been uncritical of section\n230. There should be major reform of section 230, but it has to be done\nin a careful, deliberate, and considered way as a separate measure, not\nas a meat ax in a totally unrelated bill, the $2,000 payment bill that\nprovides real relief for the country.\n  Loading the CASH Act with poison pills is obstruction. It is not\nconstructive legislating, and it fails to meet the test of this moment.\nIt is vital that we move forward to provide struggling Americans with\nthis relief, and scuttling the $2,000 stimulus payment bill with a\nhalf-baked, meat-ax evisceration of section 230 is cruel and downright\nstupid. It betrays the mission and obligation that we have in these\nwaning days of 2020.\n  Americans need more help, and they need hope. Help and hope are\nembodied in the vaccine. Unfortunately, the rollout of this vaccine,\ndespite the $8 billion contained in the latest pandemic relief bill,\nhas been hopelessly behind schedule. The number of doses distributed is\nroughly one-tenth of what it should be even under the scaled-back\nschedule that this administration has adopted. Twenty million\nvaccinations were promised by the end of the year. That number was way\nbelow the initial promise, and only about one-tenth of them--probably 2\nmillion--will actually be provided.\n  Instead of taking responsibility or taking control, President Trump\nis still tweeting; instead of action, more talk. Only action will save\nlives, and either he doesn't care enough, or he doesn't really see what\nis necessary to do in order to save these lives, because the\ndistribution of this vaccine is a matter of life and death.\n  Using the Defense Production Act, mobilizing America, making sure\nStates have the resources they need, providing money to hospitals, and\nmaking sure there are the vials, syringes, training for workers, as\nwell as the facilities to transport, store, and distribute this\nvaccine, are essential now. They are missing at this moment, and the\nPresident is where the buck stops.\n  Now I look forward to a 2021 when a new President will expand the\nstimulus payments to individuals and when many of the other gaps left\nunfinished--action that still is necessary--will be fulfilled by\nanother, more robust, bigger, bolder pandemic relief program. I hope we\nwill have the same bipartisan support that we saw at the end of this\nyear for the latest. I hope we will overcome the divisions that\nprevented us from doing what is really necessary and adding $1,400 to\nthe $600 already provided.\n  We need to do more for small businesses. Yes, there will be another\nround of PPP payments, but this chasm faced by restaurants, retailers,\nand small businesses struggling to keep their doors open, keep their\npeople on payroll during the holidays--we have seen them all and talked\nto them. Their stories are riveting and heartbreaking. Businesspeople\nhave poured their hearts and souls and lives into these businesses,\nonly to see them threatened with extinction.\n  This crisis has a racial justice aspect that cannot be ignored\nbecause disproportionately, the businesses that have failed are Black-\nand Brown-owned. Disproportionately, the lives lost have been in Black\nand Brown communities. Disproportionately, the jobs lost have been in\nthose same communities--Black and Brown communities that have suffered\nmore than any other as a result of this pandemic. So we need to make\nsure that they receive the vaccine as well as the therapeutics and\ntesting that are necessary to save lives.\n  We are in the midst of a racial justice moment that affects policing\nand criminal justice, but it also affects our schools, where the ZIP\nCode of a child's residence can mean the difference between a quality\neducation or not; where Black and Brown communities suffer twice or\nthree times the death rate of others as a result of this pandemic;\nwhere job discrimination still exists and where, in housing, redlining\nstill afflicts these communities; and where environmental quality--\nrivers, lakes, air can still be disproportionately contaminated and\npolluted in communities inhabited by Black and Brown people.\n  We are here in the last day of an unprecedented and catastrophic\nyear. More than 342,000 of our fellow Americans are dead as a result of\nthis insidious virus--over 342,000 gifts unwrapped, places at the table\nleft open, and many of them without a final goodbye. This past year\nwill go down as one of the hardest in our history.\n  I think we all hope for a better year, but it will come only if we\ntake the kind of action that apparently my Republican colleagues are\nfailing to provide today, which is to meet the need to match the moment\nof the desperate and dire straits of so many Americans.\n  The failure to approve an additional $1,400 and pass the CASH Act is\na haunting omission. My hope is that the hopes of a hurting nation will\nbe met in this new year, that the calls for justice and relief will be\nheard, and that the ailing and sick--not just physically but\nemotionally--will be met. This crisis has been one of physical health\ncare but also mental health care, and the emotional strains can be seen\nin the rising rates of domestic violence, substance abuse disorder and\naddiction, and so many other areas where mental and emotional stress\nand anxiety have taken a toll. The hopes of a fearful and grieving\nnation rests on our shoulders, and we cannot let them down.\n  I yield the floor.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Utah.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7987", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "CONCLUSION OF MORNING BUSINESS", "SENATE", "SENATE", "SCONBUSINESS", "S7987", "S7987", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7987", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7987]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                     CONCLUSION OF MORNING BUSINESS\n\n  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Morning business is closed.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7990", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "TRIBUTE TO GARY HERBERT", "SENATE", "SENATE", "TRIBUTETO", "S7990", "S7991", "[{\"name\": \"Mike Lee\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Mitch McConnell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7990", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Pages S7990-S7991]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                        TRIBUTE TO GARY HERBERT\n\n  Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I stand today to honor my friend Gary\nHerbert, Governor of the State of Utah for the last 12 years, who,\nafter a long career in public service, is now embarking on a really\nwell-deserved, hard-earned retirement.\n  He served the State of Utah and has done so with great enthusiasm and\ndedication and spirit, and I am grateful to have worked alongside him\nthroughout his tenure serving our great State.\n  Gary Herbert was born in American Fork, UT, and grew up in Orem. He\nserved a 2-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day\nSaints on the east coast and later attended Brigham Young University,\nmy alma mater.\n  He first began his public service in college, serving in the Utah\nArmy National Guard for 6 years and eventually becoming a staff\nsergeant. After his time in the National Guard, he set up a real estate\nfirm and was very successful, eventually becoming the president of the\nUtah Association of Realtors. He also served as president of the Utah\nAssociation of Counties, by the way.\n  Starting in 1990, he served as a commissioner on the Utah County\nCommission. He served there for 14 years, and it was at that point that\nhe began his statewide service within Utah. You see, in 2004, when Jon\nHuntsman ran for the Governor's seat, Gary became his running mate,\nrunning alongside Huntsman as his Lieutenant Governor, with the pair\ngoing on to win the race in November.\n  It was then that I first got to know Gary Herbert personally, when I\nwas hired to be Governor Huntsman's general counsel. One of my first\nmemories of Gary Herbert--which, to me, seems like it was just the day\nbefore yesterday--occurred when we all began moving into the Governor's\noffice suite, just the day before Herbert and Huntsman were sworn into\noffice.\n  Gary came in and provided us all with a warm welcome, but he didn't\nstop at the welcome. He offered really sound and heartfelt advice about\nthe importance of staying grounded as we were entering the political\nfray. He explained that long after our service and the Huntsman-Herbert\nadministration expired, we want to be able to look back and be pleased\nabout the relationships that we had formed with each other, but\nespecially the relationships\n\n[[Page S7991]]\n\nthat we had maintained with our families, our children, and God.\n  I soon learned that Governor Herbert, in addition to being wise and\nin addition to being a skilled and valuable statesman, was also a\nformidable athlete. Right after he and Governor Huntsman were sworn in,\nthe staff got together as a team several times in the Governor's\nmansion, where we soon discovered there was a ping-pong table in the\nbasement. I then learned the hard way that Governor Herbert's athletic\nskills, including his ping-pong skills, are off the charts.\n  While severing Governor Huntsman, I always found Gary to be friendly,\napproachable, and always willing to tackle every single assignment with\neagerness and poise. Whenever Governor Huntsman's schedule became\nchaotic or changed unexpectedly, which happens in any Governor's office\nor any Senator's office, for that matter, particularly at certain times\nof the year, Lieutenant Governor Herbert would routinely be dispatched\nto speak on Huntsman's behalf, often sending him to remote corners of\nthe State and often at really inconvenient times.\n  He never once complained. And he was not only willing, but he was\nalways eager and happy. He felt fortunate for the opportunity to help.\nThat is the kind of enthusiasm that the people of the State of Utah\nhave benefitted from for so long as a result of Gary Herbert's service.\nYou see, he has never lost that--not during his entire time as\nLieutenant Governor and not during his entire time as Governor. You can\ntell that he is exactly where he wants to be and that he feels\nprivileged and he has been blessed to be able to serve the people of\nUtah.\n  Likewise, whenever there was an issue that needed to be addressed by\nthe Governor, even within the office or around the capitol compound,\nbut where the Governor was unable to meet with the particular group in\nquestion, Gary was always assigned to the case. He would meet with, as\nhe described it, all the different stakeholders. He would get together\nthe legislators, county commissioners, citizens from this or that part\nof the State, lobbyists, lawyers who may have been involved, in\naddition to other members of Governor Huntsman's administration. He\nwould bring them all in together, and he would wade through all the\nintricate and often pedestrian details of the matter. You see, he\nwanted to get to the bottom of the issue. He wanted to understand it.\nWhat is more, he had the skill of figuring out the best path forward\nfor all parties involved and for making everyone feel heard and\nunderstood. If ever, whenever, there was a way to achieve a win-win,\nGary found it, and he brought people to it, and they were always\ngrateful as a result.\n\n  The same traits that I saw in him as Lieutenant Governor would go on\nto make him an effective and beloved Governor himself. In office now as\nGovernor since 2009, Gary Herbert is currently the Nation's longest\nserving Governor, and our State has seen exciting achievement and\ntremendous prosperity with Governor Herbert at the helm.\n  In the last 8 years, Utah has seen continued, steady growth in our\neconomy, with improvements in our GDP, number of jobs, and unemployment\nrate. We have seen the boom of Silicon Slopes. We celebrated the\nsesquicentennial of the driving of the Golden Spike, when it was an\nhonor to stand alongside Governor and Mrs. Herbert at that celebratory\nreenactment.\n  On that particular occasion, Governor Herbert and his wife Jeanette\nshowed their characteristic enthusiasm by arriving in their finest 1869\napparel just to commemorate the moment, and it made all the difference.\nIt made it all feel much more authentic.\n  So, too, was it an honor to join Gary when President Trump came to\nUtah to announce his decision to shrink the Bears Ears National\nMonument, when we could all stand together and celebrate the fact that\nsomeone in Washington had heard our concerns within the State and saw\nfit to redraw the boundaries in a manner more compatible with local\ninterests and concerns.\n  Through his enthusiasm and his zeal, Gary Herbert has championed our\nState and the things that we stand for. He has done so very\nconsistently and very enthusiastically. He can rattle off figures and\nmetrics about Utah at the drop of a hat. I am convinced this man can do\nit in his sleep and do so infectiously and persuasively. And he is a\ncompelling spokesman for our State's values.\n  His spirit has helped Utah to attract talent and investment not only\nfrom throughout the United States but from throughout the world and to\nmake it the good place that it is to live.\n  Not only that, but Gary has been an instrumental partner in\nsupporting initiatives that reflect and strengthen the values of our\nState. To champion the reclamation of our lands, he signed into law the\nUtah Transfer of Public Lands Act. He also signed into law innovative\ncriminal justice reforms in Utah. He was at the cutting edge of that\nmovement, making a far-reaching impact across our State and that ended\nup having impacts elsewhere.\n  In fact, his work in Utah in criminal justice reform helped pave the\nway for the work that Congress and President Trump were able to achieve\nat the Federal level through the passage of the First Step Act.\n  He has been a strong supporter of Utah's family culture and was\nhelpful in the Senate's work promoting the child tax credit during our\ntax reform discussions just 3 years ago.\n  On a more personal note, Gary Herbert also had the wisdom to put my\nbrother Tom on the Utah Supreme Court. In so doing, he has been a\nchampion for textualism, the notion that judges are there to interpret\nthe law based on what the law says, rather than on the basis of what it\nmight have said.\n  For all of his public achievements, Gary is perhaps most proud and\nalways most conscious of and most aware of and most concerned about his\nown role as a husband, as a father, and as a grandfather. Gary and his\nwife Jeanette have 6 children together, as well as 16 grandchildren,\nand he is known to encourage them to ``follow in his footsteps and\nmarry up.''\n  In a myriad of ways, Governor Herbert has been a champion and a\nspokesman for all that is good about our State. It has been an honor to\nserve the people of Utah with him, and I wish Governor Herbert and his\nwife Jeanette all the best as they embark on the next chapter of their\nlives together.\n  I yield the floor.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Scott of Florida). The majority leader.\n\n            Unanimous Consent Agreement--Executive Calendar\n\n  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask\nunanimous consent that with respect to the Soskin nomination, the\nmotion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the\nPresident be immediately notified of the Senate's action.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7991-2", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "UGANDA", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7991", "S7992", "[{\"name\": \"Robert Menendez\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"SRES\", \"number\": \"807\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. S7991", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Pages S7991-S7992]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                                 UGANDA\n\n  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I rise with grave concern to speak about\nthe troubling political situation in Uganda in the runup to that\ncountry's elections on January 14 and to call on President Museveni to\ntake immediate action to stop the country's downward political spiral.\n  Uganda has been an important if not critical security and\ncounterterrorism partner to the United States for well over a decade,\nplaying a prominent role in the African Union's Mission to Somalia and\nhosting over 1.4 million refugees. Its leadership and influence in East\nAfrica and the African continent writ large is difficult to overstate.\nHowever, these are troubling times in Uganda, and longstanding efforts\nto advance its democracy are now in peril.\n  National elections in Uganda have not met internationally accepted\nstandards for free and fair polls since 1996, when they were held for\nthe first time after a long-running conflict that brought President\nMuseveni to power. For decades, Museveni's ruling National Resistance\nParty, NRM, has leveraged access to and influence over\n\n[[Page S7992]]\n\nstate resources and institutions to tilt the electoral balance in its\nfavor. These efforts are not new. Under President Museveni's\nleadership, the NRM successfully moved to change the Ugandan\nConstitution in 2005 to remove Presidential term limits and again in\nand 2017 to lift age limits. These changes allow President Museveni,\nwho has been in power since 1986, to remain in office indefinitely. Not\nonly have Museveni and the NRM engineered a constitutional coup, they\nhave undertaken a campaign of political repression that has only become\nworse since the last general elections. Ugandan authorities have\nincreasingly used coercive measures, including arbitrary arrests and\ndetentions, torture, extrajudicial killings, and intrusive surveillance\ntechnology to intimidate and silence critics, place a strangle hold on\nmedia, and stifle political opposition in the country.\n  Leading opposition figures have been targeted in brazen and shocking\nways. Members of Parliament have been arrested and detained on numerous\noccasions, and there is strong evidence to support their claims of\nbeing tortured by President Museveni's security forces while in\ncustody. Last week, prominent human rights attorney Nicholas Opiyo,\nalong with several other attorneys, was arrested in what appears to be\na blatant act of intimidation for their investigation into killings\nthat occurred as a result of the arrest of rival Presidential candidate\nRobert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu in November. Just this past weekend, one of\nKyagulanyi's bodyguards was killed by security forces in a violent\nconfrontation that also saw two journalists injured. Imagine that\nhappening to any political candidate here in the United States to one\nof our colleagues as they were out on the campaign trail this fall. We\nshould all be outraged by such acts.\n  To date there have been no meaningful investigations into these\nincidents and no accountability for these abuses. The question we must\nask ourselves is, Why? Why has President Museveni failed to take swift\nand decisive action to ensure the safety and security of members of the\nUgandan Parliament and other opposition figures, and bring those\nresponsible to justice? Is President Museveni protecting particular\nindividuals? Or perhaps direct responsibility for the violence against\nthe Uganda opposition lies even further up the chain of command?\n  Journalists and nongovernmental organizations have been under\npressure as well. Ugandan authorities continue to use a range of\nrestrictive and onerous administrative measures against NGOs, including\nderegistration of more than 12,000 mostly local NGOs in November 2019.\nEarlier this month, Ugandan authorities froze the bank accounts of some\nNGOs, and in the past, the Museveni administration has denied entry and\ndeported some leaders of international NGOs in what were clear acts of\nintimidation. Journalists working for foreign media outlets are now\nrequired to reregister with Ugandan authorities or risk criminal\npenalties, and some foreign journalists have also been deported from\nthe country.\n  Government has also attacked digital rights and academic freedoms.\nIndividuals with large social media followings are subject to onerous\nadministrative regulation. Burdensome taxes have been imposed on social\nmedia users, and some individuals who have criticized the Museveni\nadministration on social media platforms have even been prosecuted.\nUgandan authorities have taken repeated action to suppress academic\nfreedom and intimidate students and faculty who have been critical of\nthe Museveni administration, including by firing and jailing professors\nwho criticize the regime.\n  In short, the longstanding effort to build democracy in Uganda is\nunder grave threat, and we must take action in support of those\ndefending political freedoms in the country. That is why I introduced\nS. Res 807. It not only condemns the actions of the Museveni\nadministration, it calls on the Secretary of State and the heads of\nrelevant departments and agencies of the U.S. Government to undertake\nthree essential actions: first, to consider the imposition of targeted\nsanctions and visa restrictions on actors involved in undermining\ncredible, transparent elections, and those who have perpetrated or\nabetted human rights abuses; second, to work with African partners,\nlike-minded countries, and international institutions and organizations\nto develop and implement strategies and actions to promote and defend\nhuman, civil, and political rights and multiparty democracy in Uganda;\nand third, to immediately conduct a review of U.S. assistance and\ncooperation with Uganda for the purposes of reprioritizing such\nassistance should neutral observers determine that the January 2021\npolls do not meet internationally accepted standards for credible\nelections.\n  If the outcome of the elections in Uganda does not reflect the will\nof the people, I will be calling for the Biden administration to\nreevaluate our relationship with the Museveni administration, and I\nplan to pursue binding legislation in the 117th Congress that builds on\nS Res 807. Uganda's stature and importance as a security partner should\nnot prevent the United States from speaking out in support of democracy\nand taking action in support of those Ugandans fighting for democratic\nfreedoms.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7991", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "MORNING BUSINESS", "SENATE", "SENATE", "SMBUSINESS", "S7991", "S7991", "[{\"name\": \"Mitch McConnell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7991", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7991]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                            MORNING BUSINESS\n\n  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate\nbe in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak\nfor up to 10 minutes each.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7992", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE", "SENATE", "SENATE", "SMSGHOUSE", "S7992", "S7993", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"221\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"371\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"1310\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1418\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1492\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1923\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1925\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"2502\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"2744\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"3153\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"3250\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4704\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"4996\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"5076\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"5126\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"5472\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. S7992", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Pages S7992-S7993]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                        MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE\n\n  At 12:02 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered\nby Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has\npassed the following bills, without amendment:\n\n       S. 371. An act to provide regulatory relief to charitable\n     organizations that provide housing assistance, and for other\n     purposes.\n       S. 1310. An act to strengthen the participation of elected\n     national legislators in the activities of the Organization of\n     American States and reaffirm United States support for\n     Organization of American States human rights and anti-\n     corruption initiatives, and for other purposes.\n       S. 5076. An act to authorize the Sergeant at Arms and\n     Doorkeeper of the Senate to delegate authority to approve\n     payroll and personnel actions.\n\n  The message further announced that the House has agreed to the\namendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 221) to amend the State\nDepartment Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to monitor and combat anti-\nSemitism globally, and for other purposes.\n  The message also announced that the House has agreed to the amendment\nof the Senate to the bill (H.R. 1923) to amend title 31, United States\nCode, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue\ncertain circulating collectible coins, and for other purposes.\n  The message further announced that the House has agreed to the\namendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 1925) to designate the\nManhattan Campus of the New York Harbor Health Care System of the\nDepartment of Veterans Affairs as the ``Margaret Cochran Corbin Campus\nof the New York Harbor Health Care System''.\n  The message also announced that the House has agreed to the amendment\nof the Senate to the bill (H.R. 2744) to authorize the Administrator of\nthe United States Agency for International Development to prescribe the\nmanner in which programs of the agency are identified overseas, and for\nother purposes.\n  The message further announced that the House has agreed to the\namendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 3153) to direct the Director\nof the National Science Foundation to support research on opioid\naddiction, and for other purposes.\n  The message also announced that the House has agreed to the amendment\nof the Senate to the bill (H.R. 4704) to direct the Director of the\nNational Science Foundation to support multidisciplinary research on\nthe science of suicide, and to advance the knowledge and understanding\nof issues that may be associated with several aspects of suicide\nincluding intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to areas such as\nwellbeing, resilience, and vulnerability.\n\n                         Enrolled Bills Signed\n\n  The message further announced that the Speaker has signed the\nfollowing enrolled bills:\n\n       S. 4996. An act to ensure funding of the United States\n     trustees, extend temporary bankruptcy judgeships, and for\n     other purposes.\n       H.R. 1418. An act to restore the application of the Federal\n     antitrust laws to the business of health insurance to protect\n     competition and consumers.\n       H.R. 1492. An act to update the map of, and modify the\n     maximum acreage available for inclusion in, the Yucca House\n     National Monument.\n\n[[Page S7993]]\n\n       H.R. 2502. An act to amend title 40, United States Code, to\n     require certain prospectuses for public buildings to be made\n     publicly available, and for other purposes.\n       H.R. 3250. An act to require the Secretary of the Interior\n     to conduct a special resource study of the sites associated\n     with the life and legacy of the noted American philanthropist\n     and business executive Julius Rosenwald, with a special focus\n     on the Rosenwald Schools, and for other purposes.\n       H.R. 5126. An act to require individuals fishing for Gulf\n     reef fish to use certain descending devices, and for other\n     purposes.\n       H.R. 5472. An act to redesignate the Jimmy Carter National\n     Historic Site as the ``Jimmy Carter National Historical\n     Park''.\n\n  The enrolled bills were subsequently signed by the Acting President\npro tempore (Mrs. Fischer).\n\n                         Enrolled Bills Signed\n\n  At 3:31 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered\nby Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, announced that the Speaker pro\ntempore (Mr. Connolly) has signed the following enrolled bills:\n\n       S. 371. An act to provide regulatory relief to charitable\n     organizations that provide housing assistance, and for other\n     purposes.\n       S. 1310. An act to strengthen the participation of elected\n     national legislators in the activities of the Organization of\n     American States and reaffirm United States support for\n     Organization of American States human rights and anti-\n     corruption initiatives, and for other purposes.\n       S. 5076. An act to authorize the Sergeant at Arms and\n     Doorkeeper of the Senate to delegate authority to approve\n     payroll and personnel actions.\n       H.R. 221. An act to amend the State Department Basic\n     Authorities Act of 1956 to monitor and combat anti-Semitism\n     globally, and for other purposes.\n       H.R. 1923. An act to amend title 31, United States Code, to\n     require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue\n     certain circulating collectible coins, and for other\n     purposes.\n       H.R. 1925. An act to designate the Manhattan Campus of the\n     New York Harbor Health Care System of the Department of\n     Veterans Affairs as the ``Margaret Cochran Corbin Campus of\n     the New York Harbor Health Care System''.\n       H.R. 2744. An act to authorize the Administrator of the\n     United States Agency for International Development to\n     prescribe the manner in which programs of the agency are\n     identified overseas, and for other purposes.\n       H.R. 3153. An act to direct the Director of the National\n     Science Foundation to support research on opioid addiction,\n     and for other purposes.\n       H.R. 4704. An act to direct the Director of the National\n     Science Foundation to support multidisciplinary research on\n     the science of suicide, and to advance the knowledge and\n     understanding of issues that may be associated with several\n     aspects of suicide including intrinsic and extrinsic factors\n     related to areas such as wellbeing, resilience, and\n     vulnerability.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7993-2", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS", "SENATE", "SENATE", "SCOSPONSORS", "S7993", "S7993", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"5085\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"5085\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"5085\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. S7993", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7993]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                         ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS\n\n                                S. 5085\n\n  At the request of Mr. McConnell, the name of the Senator from Georgia\n(Mr. Perdue) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5085, a bill to amend the\nInternal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the additional 2020 recovery\nrebates, to repeal section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934, and\nfor other purposes\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7993-3", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "PROTECT AND RESTORE AMERICA'S ESTUARIES ACT", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7993", "S7993", "[{\"name\": \"Mitch McConnell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4044\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4044\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. S7993", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7993]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n              PROTECT AND RESTORE AMERICA'S ESTUARIES ACT\n\n  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate\nproceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 4044, which was received\nfrom the House.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.\n  The clerk will report the bill by title.\n  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:\n\n       A bill (H.R. 4044) to amend the Federal Water Pollution\n     Control Act to reauthorize the National Estuary Program, and\n     for other purposes.\n\n  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.\n  Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered\nread a third time.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.\n  The bill was ordered to a third reading and was read the third time.\n  Mr. McCONNELL. I know of no further debate on the bill.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no further debate on the bill, the\nbill having been read the third time, the question is, Shall the bill\npass?\n  The bill (H.R. 4044) was passed.\n  Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider\nbe considered made and laid upon the table.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7993-4", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "HOMESTEAD NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7993", "S7993", "[{\"name\": \"Mitch McConnell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1472\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"1472\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. S7993", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7993]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                   HOMESTEAD NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK\n\n  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the\nCommittee on Energy and Natural Resources be discharged from further\nconsideration of H.R. 1472 and the Senate proceed to its immediate\nconsideration.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.\n  The clerk will report the bill by title.\n  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:\n\n       A bill (H.R. 1472) to rename the Homestead National\n     Monument of America near Beatrice, Nebraska, as the Homestead\n     National Historical Park.\n\n  There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the\nSenate proceeded to consider the bill.\n  Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered\nread a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered\nmade and laid upon the table.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.\n  The bill (H.R. 1472) was ordered to a third reading, was read the\nthird time, and passed.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7993-5", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "ORDERS FOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2021", "SENATE", "SENATE", "SORDERFOR", "S7993", "S7993", "[{\"name\": \"Mitch McConnell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6395\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6395\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. S7993", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7993]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                   ORDERS FOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2021\n\n  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the\nSenate completes its business today, it adjourn until 12 noon, Friday,\nJanuary 1; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning\nhour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date,\nmorning business be closed, and the time for the two leaders be\nreserved for their use later in the day; finally, that following leader\nremarks, the Senate resume consideration of the veto message on H.R.\n6395.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7993-6", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "ADJOURNMENT UNTIL TOMORROW", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ADJOURNMENT", "S7993", "S7993", "[{\"name\": \"Mitch McConnell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7993", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7993]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                       ADJOURNMENT UNTIL TOMORROW\n\n  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come\nbefore the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned\nunder the previous order.\n  There being no objection, the Senate, at 3:40 p.m., adjourned until\nFriday, January 1, 2021, at 12 noon."], ["CREC-2020-12-31-pt1-PgS7993", "2020-12-31", 116, 2, null, null, "ENROLLED BILL PRESENTED", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ENROLLEDPRESENTED", "S7993", "S7993", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"4996\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. S7993", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 223 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7993]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                        ENROLLED BILL PRESENTED\n\n  The Secretary of the Senate reported that on today, December 31,\n2020, she had presented to the President of the United States the\nfollowing enrolled bill:\n\n       S. 4996. An act to ensure funding of the United States\n     trustees, extend temporary bankruptcy judgeships, and for\n     other purposes.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgD1140-2", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/Senate Committee Meetings", "SENATE", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDSCMEETINGS", "D1140", "D1140", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. D1140", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Page D1140]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\nCommittee Meetings\n(Committees not listed did not meet)\n   No committee meetings were held."], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgD1140-3", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/House of Representatives", "HOUSE", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDHCHAMBER", "D1140", "D1140", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. D1140", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Page D1140]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                        House of Representatives\n\nChamber Action\n  The House was not in session today. The House is scheduled to meet in\nPro Forma session at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2020."], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgD1140-4", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/House Committee Meetings", "HOUSE", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDHCMEETINGS", "D1140", "D1141", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. D1140", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Pages D1140-D1141]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\nCommittee Meetings\n  No hearings were held.\n\n Joint Meetings\n   No joint committee meetings were held.\n\n[[Page D1141]]"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgD1140", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/Senate", "SENATE", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDSCHAMBER", "D1140", "D1140", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3985\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6395\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. D1140", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Page D1140]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                                       Wednesday, December 30, 2020\n\n[[Page D1140]]\n\n                              Daily Digest\n\n                                 Senate\n\nChamber Action\nRoutine Proceedings, pages S7971-S7984\nMeasures Considered:\nJUSTICE Act: Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to\nconsideration of S. 3985, to improve and reform policing practices,\naccountability, and transparency.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Page S7972\nVeto Messages:\nWilliam M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act--Veto\nMessage: Senate began consideration of the veto message to accompany\nH.R. 6395, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for\nmilitary activities of the Department of Defense, for military\nconstruction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,\nto prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, after\nagreeing to the motion to proceed.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Pages S7982-83\n  A motion was entered to close further debate on the veto message to\naccompany the bill, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII\nof the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on\nFriday, January 1, 2021.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\nPages S7982-83\n  During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the\nfollowing action:\n  By 80 yeas to 12 nays (Vote No. 290), Senate agreed to the motion to\nproceed to consideration of the veto message to accompany the bill.\n                                                             Page S7982\n  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further\nconsideration of the veto message to accompany the bill at\napproximately 12 noon, on Thursday, December 31, 2020.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\nPage S7983\nNominations Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of\nthe following nominations:\n  Shon J. Manasco, of Texas, to be Under Secretary of the Air Force,\nwhich was sent to the Senate on May 4, 2020.\n  Eric M. Ueland, of Oregon, to be an Under Secretary of State\n(Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights), which was sent to the\nSenate on July 29, 2020.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\nPages S7983-84\nMeasures Placed on the Calendar:\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Page S7983\nAdditional Cosponsors:\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Page S7983\nStatements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:\nAdditional Statements:\nQuorum Calls: One quorum call was taken today. (Total--5)\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n  Page S7982\nRecord Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--290)\n                                                             Page S7982\nAdjournment: Senate convened at 3 p.m. and adjourned at 5:51 p.m.,\nuntil 12 noon on Thursday, December 31, 2020. (For Senate's program,\nsee the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page\nS7983.)"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgD1141-2", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/Next Meeting of the SENATE + Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES + Other End Matter", "SENATE", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDENDMATTER", "D1141", "D1142", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6395\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. D1141", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Pages D1141-D1142]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n\u0000CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087-390).\n\n\u0000The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C.\n\u0000 The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported\n\u0000 by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to\n\u0000 directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by\n\u0000 appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code,\n\u0000 and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session,\n\u0000 excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually\n\u0000 small consecutive issues are printed one time.\n\u0000\u0014Public access to the Congressional Record is available online\n\u0000 through the U.S. Government Publishing Office, at www.govinfo.gov,\n\u0000 free of charge to the user. The information is updated online each day\n\u0000 the Congressional Record is published. For more information,\n\u0000 contact the GPO Customer Contact Center, U.S. Government Publishing Office.\n\u0000 Phone 202-512-1800, or 866-512-1800 (toll-free). E-Mail,\n\u0000 contactcenter@gpo.gov.\n\u0000\u0014To place an order for any of these products, visit\n\u0000 the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at: bookstore.gpo.gov. Mail\n\u0000 orders to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 979050, St. Louis,\n\u0000 MO 63197-9000, or phone orders to 866-512-1800 (toll-free),\n\u0000 202-512-1800 (D.C. area), or fax to 202-512-2104. Remit check or\n\u0000 money order, made payable to the Superintendent of Documents, or use\n\u0000 VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or GPO Deposit Account.\n\u0000\u0014Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record\n\u0000 is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the\n\u0000 Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets.\n\u0000\u0014With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no\n\u0000 restrictions on the republication of material from the\n\u0000 Congressional Record.\n\n\u0000 POSTMASTER:\n\n\u0000 Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents,\n\u0000 Congressional Record,\n\u0000 U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402,\n\u0000 along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received.\n\n[[Page D1142]]\n\n_______________________________________________________________________\n\n                       Next Meeting of the SENATE\n                    12 noon, Thursday, December 31\n\n                             Senate Chamber\nProgram for Thursday: Senate will continue consideration of the veto\nmessage to accompany H.R. 6395, William M. (Mac) Thornberry National\nDefense Authorization Act.\n\n              Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES\n                     10 a.m., Thursday, December 31\n\n                             House Chamber\nProgram for Thursday: House will meet in Pro Forma session at 10 a.m."], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgD1141", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR 2020-12-31", "", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDCOMMITTEEMEETINGS", "D1141", "D1141", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. D1141", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Page D1141]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                    COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY,\n\n                           DECEMBER 31, 2020\n\n        (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)\n\n                                 Senate\n\n  No meetings/hearings scheduled.\n\n                                 House\n\n  No hearings are scheduled."], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgE1215-2", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS", "SENATE", "EXTENSIONS", "ESENATECOMMITTEE", "E1215", "E1215", null, "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"SRES\", \"number\": \"4\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"SRES\", \"number\": \"4\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. E1215", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E1215]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                       SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS\n\n  Title IV of Senate Resolution 4, agreed to by the Senate of February\n4, 1977, calls for establishment of a system for a computerized\nschedule of all meetings and hearings of Senate committees,\nsubcommittees, joint committees, and committees of conference. This\ntitle requires all such committees to notify the Office of the Senate\nDaily Digest--designated by the Rules Committee--of the time, place and\npurpose of the meetings, when scheduled and any cancellations or\nchanges in the meetings as they occur.\n  As an additional procedure along with the computerization of this\ninformation, the Office of the Senate Daily Digest will prepare this\ninformation for printing in the Extensions of Remarks section of the\nCongressional Record on Monday and Wednesday of each week.\n  Meetings scheduled for Thursday, December 31, 2020 may be found in\nthe Daily Digest of today's Record.\n\n                           MEETINGS SCHEDULED\n\n                               JANUARY 6\n     10 a.m.\n       Select Committee on Intelligence\n         To receive a closed briefing on certain intelligence\n           matters.\n                                                           SVC-217"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS-FrontMatter-3", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "House of Representatives", "SENATE", "SENATE", "FRONTMATTER", "S7971", "S7971", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7971", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7971]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n             H O U S E  O F  R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S\n\nVol. 166\n\nWASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020\n\nNo. 222"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7971-2", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "House of Representatives", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7971", "S7971", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7971", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7971]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                        House of Representatives\n\nThe House was not in session today. Its next meeting will be held on\nThursday, December 31, 2020, at 10 a.m.\n\n                   _________________________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7971-3", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "Senate", "SENATE", "SENATE", "CALLTOORDER", "S7971", "S7971", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7971", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7971]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                                 Senate\n\nWednesday, December 30, 2020\n  The Senate met at 3 p.m. and was called to order by the President pro\ntempore (Mr. Grassley).\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7971-4", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "PRAYER", "SENATE", "SENATE", "PRAYER", "S7971", "S7971", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7971", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7971]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                                 PRAYER\n\n  The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer:\n  Let us pray.\n  Almighty God, our gracious King, You are the one clear power of love\nin the midst of lesser powers. Thank You for giving us the confidence\nthat You hear and answer prayers.\n  Lord, use the Members of this body as ambassadors of reconciliation.\nHelp them to bring wholeness, healing, and unity to a fragmented nation\nand world. Inspire them to discover Your love in each other and to see\nYour image in all creation.\n  Lord, settle our Senators down into a contemplative stillness that\nwill make them yearn for righteousness, justice, and peace. May they\nspeak wise words from a reservoir of wisdom that will transform discord\ninto harmony.\n  We pray in Your loving Name. Amen.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7971-5", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE", "SENATE", "SENATE", "PLEDGE", "S7971", "S7971", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7971", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7971]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                          PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE\n\n  The President pro tempore, led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows:\n\n       I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of\n     America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation\n     under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7971-6", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7971", "S7971", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7971", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7971]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                   RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER\n\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Young). The majority leader is recognized.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7971-7", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7971", "S7971", "[{\"name\": \"Mitch McConnell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7971", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7971]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                   NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT\n\n  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, today, the Senate was supposed to\nfinish legislation securing critical tools, training, and support for\nAmerica's Armed Forces, but the junior Senator from Vermont had other\nideas.\n  Remember, Senator Sanders spent last summer, literally, trying to\ndefund our military. Not my words, but the title of a piece he\npublished: ``Defund the Pentagon: The Liberal Case.'' Our colleague\noffered an amendment to strip 10 percent of funding from our\nservicemembers and decimate our defense budget. The Russians aren't\ncutting military funding. China isn't cutting funding. But last summer,\nSenator Sanders and fellow Democrats, including the Democratic leader,\nvoted to make America unilaterally disarm and cut ours.\n  The left took a break from trying to defund the police to try to\ndefund our Armed Forces. Their amendment went down in a landslide, but\nnow our colleague from Vermont is again putting political stunts before\nthe needs of our men and women in uniform.\n  Our colleague says he will slow down this vital bill unless he gets\nto muscle through another stand-alone proposal from Speaker Pelosi that\nwould add roughly half a trillion dollars to the national debt, which\ndoes not align with what President Trump has suggested and which has no\nrealistic path to quickly pass the Senate.\n  Well, as I have said, the Senate will not let our national security\nbe shoved off course, certainly not by Senators who have spent years--\nliterally years--trying to gut America's capabilities while our\nadversaries continue ramping up. The Senate will stay on this important\nbill until we complete it one way or another.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7971-8", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "CORONAVIRUS", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7971", "S7972", "[{\"name\": \"Mitch McConnell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7971", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Pages S7971-S7972]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                              CORONAVIRUS\n\n  Mr. McCONNELL. Now let's talk about COVID-19 relief. Four days ago,\nPresident Trump signed the second largest rescue package in American\nhistory. The largest one was the CARES Act back in March. Due to this\npandemic and our massive response, we now have a national debt far\nlarger than our entire economy for the first time since World War II,\nbut we knew our people needed more help, so Congress just passed\nanother nearly $900 billion in emergency relief targeted to those who\nneed it most, a second round of payroll support to save small business\njobs, more unemployment aid, vaccine distribution money, funding for\nsafe schools, and much more.\n  In addition to historic amounts of targeted help at the request of\nPresident Trump and his team, the package also included another round\nof direct checks to households, whether or not each household needs the\nhelp, whether or not their finances have changed dramatically this past\nyear.\n  Yesterday, Secretary Mnuchin announced households should begin\nreceiving these payments as early as today and this week. That is more\ngood news to a lot of people.\n  After Congress and the administration finalized the bipartisan bill,\nthe President expressed interest in further\n\n[[Page S7972]]\n\nexpanding nontargeted direct payments. So to ensure the President was\ncomfortable signing the bill into law, the Senate committed to\nbeginning one process that would combine three of the President's\npriorities: larger direct checks, a repeal of section 230 of the\nCommunications Decency Act, and further efforts to review the integrity\nof our democracy--three of the President's priorities in one Senate\nprocess. That was the commitment, and that is what happened yesterday\nwhen I introduced text reflecting just what the President had, in fact,\nrequested.\n  Now House and Senate Democrats want something very different. As they\ntried to do countless times in the past 4 years, Speaker Pelosi and\nLeader Schumer are trying to pull a fast one on the President and the\nAmerican people.\n  First of all, they are hoping everyone just forgets about election\nintegrity and Big Tech. They are desperate to ignore those two parts of\nPresident Trump's requests, and you can draw your own conclusions. Even\non the question of larger checks, the Democrats have tried to warp what\nPresident Trump actually laid out.\n  Look, it is no secret that Republicans have a diversity of views\nabout the wisdom of borrowing hundreds of billions more to send out\nmore nontargeted money, including to many households that have suffered\nno loss of income during the crisis. COVID-19 has not affected all\nhouseholds equally--not even close.\n  It is hardly clear that the Federal Government's top priority should\nbe sending thousands of dollars to, for example, a childless couple\nmaking well into six figures who have been comfortably teleworking all\nyear. Our duty is to help get help to the people who actually need\nhelp, like we did, to a historic degree, just 4 days ago.\n  But above and beyond that discussion, the Democratic leaders have\nbroken from what President Trump proposed. They quietly changed this\nproposal in an attempt to let wealthy households suck up even more\nmoney. Speaker Pelosi structured her bill so that a family of four\nwould have to earn more than $300,000 in order not--not to qualify for\nmore cash. A family of three could pull in $250,000 per year--a quarter\nof a million dollars--and still qualify for some money.\n  Democratic leaders want to call this scheme ``survival checks.'' Only\nmy friends Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic leader could look at\nhouseholds in New York and California who make $300,000, in households\nwhere nobody has been laid off, where earnings have not even dropped\nduring the past year, and conclude these rich constituents of theirs\nneed ``survival checks'' financed by taxpayer dollars and borrowed\nmoney\n  Everyone sees the game here. These are the same Democrats who proudly\nblocked the entire aid package for months because they tried to hold\nout their special tax cuts for rich people in rich States. Now they say\nit is a matter of survival to send another boatload of cash to people\nmaking $300,000, regardless of whether they have experienced any\ndisruption at all this past year.\n  Even the liberal Washington Post today is laughing at the political\nleft for demanding more huge giveaways with no relationship to actual\nneed. Here is what the Washington Post wrote: ``Especially wrongheaded\n. . . is the progressive left, spearheaded by Sen. Bernie Sanders . . .\nwho depicts the $2,000 as aid to `desperate' Americans despite the huge\namounts destined for perfectly comfortable families.''\n  That is from the editors of the Washington Post.\n  The Wall Street Journal, usually their opposite number, actually\nagrees. These nontargeted ``checks are unnecessary,'' and struggling\nhouseholds can access targeted support like ``expanded jobless\nbenefits, food stamps, child-care subsidies and much more.''\n  The liberal economist Larry Summers, President Clinton's Treasury\nSecretary and President Obama's NEC Director, says: ``There is no good\neconomic argument'' for universal $2,000 checks at this moment. He\npoints out the CARES Act and the brandnew law will already have boosted\noverall household income, relative to the economy, back to its\nprepandemic levels, if not higher.\n  If specific struggling households need still more help after the\nhuge, historic package that was just signed into law 4 days ago has\ntaken effect, then what they will need is smart, targeted aid, not\nanother firehose of borrowed money that encompasses other people who\nare doing just fine.\n  So, in my view, colleagues like Senator Cornyn and Senator Toomey\nhave pointed this out persuasively. But, more broadly, here is the\ndeal. The Senate is not going to split apart the three issues that\nPresident Trump linked together just because Democrats are afraid to\naddress two of them. The Senate is not going to be bullied into rushing\nout more borrowed money into the hands of the Democrats' rich friends\nwho don't need the help.\n  We just approved almost a trillion dollars in aid a few days ago. It\nstruck a balance between broad support for all kinds of households and\na lot more targeted relief for those who need help the most.\n  We are going to stay smart; we are going to stay focused; and we are\ngoing to continue delivering on the needs for our Nation.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7972", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "LEGISLATIVE SESSION", "SENATE", "SENATE", "SLEGISLATIVE", "S7972", "S7973", "[{\"name\": \"Mitch McConnell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Charles E. Schumer\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3985\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"5085\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"5085\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9051\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9051\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. S7972", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Pages S7972-S7973]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                          LEGISLATIVE SESSION\n\n                                 ______\n\nJUST AND UNIFYING SOLUTIONS TO INVIGORATE COMMUNITIES EVERYWHERE ACT OF\n                        2020--MOTION TO PROCEED\n\n  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 480,\nS. 3985.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the motion.\n  The legislative clerk read as follows:\n\n       Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 480, S. 3985, a bill to\n     improve and reform policing practices, accountability and\n     transparency.\n\n         Measures Placed On The Calendar--S. 5085 and H.R. 9051\n\n  Mr. McCONNELL. I understand there are two bills at the desk due a\nsecond reading en bloc.\n\n =========================== NOTE ===========================\n\n  On page S7972, December 30, 2020, third column, the following\nappears: Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 480, S. 3985, a bill to\nimprove and reform policing practices, accountability and\ntransparency. MEASURES PLACED ON THE CALENDAR--S. 3985 AND H.R.\n9051 Mr. McCONNELL. I understand there are two bills at the desk\ndue a second reading en bloc.\n\n  The online version has been corrected to read: Motion to proceed\nto Calendar No. 480, S. 3985, a bill to improve and reform\npolicing practices, accountability and transparency. MEASURES\nPLACED ON THE CALENDAR--S. 5085 AND H.R. 9051 Mr. McCONNELL. I\nunderstand there are two bills at the desk due a second reading en\nbloc.\n\n ========================= END NOTE =========================\n\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the bills by title for the\nsecond time.\n  The legislative clerk read as follows:\n\n       A bill (S. 5085) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986\n     to increase the additional 2020 recovery rebates, to repeal\n     section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934, and for other\n     purposes;\n       A bill (H.R. 9051), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of\n     1986 to increase recovery rebate amounts to $2,000 for\n     individuals, and for other purposes.\n\n  Mr. McCONNELL. In order to place the bills on the calendar under\nprovision of rule XIV, I object to further proceedings en bloc.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection having been heard, the bills will be\nplaced on the calendar.\n\n                   Recognition Of The Minority Leader\n\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic leader is recognized.\n\n                           Electoral College\n\n  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I was prepared this afternoon to speak\nabout the business the Senate must address, and I will do that, but,\nfirst, I must respond to the recent announcement by the junior Senator\nof Missouri that he intends to contest the certified votes of the\nelectrical college when Congress meets to count those votes next week.\nThe process for electing American Presidents is provided in our\nConstitution and laws.\n  The process has been followed fully, fairly. The results have been\nduly certified by the Governors of the States, and they have been\nreviewed and confirmed by the courts many times over. The result is\nthat Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the election by overwhelming\nmargins in both the popular vote and the electoral vote.\n  The Biden-Harris ticket received more than 81 million votes, more\nthan any ticket in American history. That was over 7 million more votes\nthan Trump-Pence. The Biden-Harris ticket won the electoral college 306\nto 232, the very same total that President Trump called a landslide for\nhimself then just 4 years ago.\n  Since the election process, President Trump and his acolytes have\nlost more than 50 lawsuits, falsely claiming fraud or other\nirregularities in the conduct of the 2020 election, including the\nunanimous decision by the Supreme Court to dismiss a lawsuit brought by\nthe attorney general of Texas and more than half the Republican Members\nof the House.\n  Today, we heard from the junior Senator from Missouri that he intends\nto object to the election results, particularly in Pennsylvania--a\nState where\n\n[[Page S7973]]\n\nthe Trump campaign and its allies have brought no fewer than 13\nlawsuits and lost every single one, many with Republican judges ruling.\nThere have been only three individuals--three--charged with voter fraud\nin Pennsylvania, and in each case, the person voted for Trump.\n  The effort by the sitting President of the United States to overturn\nthe results is patently undemocratic. The effort by others to amplify\nand burnish his ludicrous claims of fraud is equally revolting. This is\nAmerica. We have elections. We have results. We make arguments based on\nfact and reason, not conspiracy and fantasy.\n  On January 6, Congress will meet to formally recognize the electoral\ncollege result. There is a very clear process to handle and dispense\nwith the objections of Members of Congress to the counting of the\nresult, and that is just what we will do--dispense with them. On\nJanuary 6, Congress will ratify the electoral college's decision that\nJoe Biden will be President and Kamala Harris will be Vice President.\nMake no mistake about it--Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be sworn in\nas President and Vice President on January 20.\n\n                   National Defense Authorization Act\n\n  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, now let me return to the matters at hand.\n  Today, the Senate will begin the process of overriding the\nPresident's veto on the annual Defense bill. The House has already\noverridden the veto by a comfortable margin. I expect the Senate to\nfollow suit and enact the NDAA into law over President Trump's evolving\nand ridiculous objections. Congress has passed the annual Defense bill\nfor 59 years in a row. It is an important opportunity to ensure our\ndefense and security policies reflect the evolving challenges of our\nworld and provide our servicemembers and their families, as well as\nDefense Department civilians, the support, resources, and training they\nneed. The particular legislation includes a pay raise for troops and\nprovisions that will allow the executive branch to be better postured\nto identify and deter breaches to America's cyber security. In the wake\nof the SolarWinds hack, that might be a good policy to enact.\n  Nonetheless, President Trump vetoed this legislation because it\nprovides for renaming military installations that honor Confederate\nmilitary leaders or, maybe, because it doesn't address an unrelated\nsocial media issue. Think about it for a moment. The President vetoed a\npay raise to living American soldiers in order to defend the honor of\ndead Confederate traitors. Well, the Senate will soon have an\nopportunity to override the President's objection and do right by those\nbrave Americans who wear the uniform.\n  As I said yesterday, there are two major issues before the Senate\nright now--the annual Defense bill and the vital and important effort\nto send $2,000 stimulus checks to American families. There are only a\nfew days left in this session, and the Senate should consider both\nissues before adjourning.\n  There is a very simple solution to this dilemma: Leader McConnell\nshould bring both measures up for a vote and let the chips fall where\nthey may. I believe both measures--the defense override and the $2,000\nchecks to American families--will pass, but at the very least, the\nSenate deserves the opportunity for an up-or-down vote on increasing\nthe individual payments to the American people.\n  At the end of my remarks, I will ask the Senate to set a time tonight\nfor a vote on the House bill to provide $2,000 checks. The Republican\nleader objected to a similar request I made yesterday, and it appears\nhe may be considering a different bill that packages stimulus checks\nwith other unrelated and partisan policies.\n  I want to be very clear about one thing: There is no other game in\ntown besides the House bill. The only way to get the American people\nthe $2,000 checks they deserve and need is to pass the House bill and\npass it now. The House has recessed for the year. Any modification or\naddition to the House bill cannot become law before the end of this\nCongress. It is a way to kill the bill. Make no mistake about it:\nEither the Senate takes up and passes the House bill or struggling\nAmerican families will not get $2,000 checks during the worst economic\ncrisis in 75 years.\n  Over the past few days, the idea of increasing direct payments to the\nAmerican people has united folks from all points of the political\nspectrum. I salute the Senator from Vermont for the good job he has\ndone in bringing this forward to the American people's attention. An\noverwhelming bipartisan majority in the House supports the $2,000\nchecks. Senate Democrats strongly support these $2,000 checks, and our\nunlikely ally, President Trump, this morning, tweeted: ``$2000 ASAP!''\nFor once, the Democrats agree with something on President Trump's\nTwitter feed. Let's send $2,000 ASAP to working Americans who are\nfacing the hardest and darkest days of the pandemic.\n  After all of the insanity that the Senate Republicans have tolerated\nfrom President Trump--his attacks on the rule of law, an independent\njudiciary, the conduct that led to his impeachment--is this where the\nSenate Republicans are going to draw the line--with $2,000 checks to\nthe American people? That is a bridge too far? Please.\n  For the awareness of my colleagues, we can have this vote tonight and\nsend the bill directly to the President's desk for his signature. We\ncan vote on the NDAA bill tonight and finish the Senate's business\nbefore the end of the year. All it takes is our Republican colleagues\nto consent to a simple vote on the House bill to provide $2,000 checks\nto the American people. Yes or no, up or down, do you support sending\n$2,000 to the American people or not? Let's have the vote\n\n                  Unanimous Consent Request--H.R. 9051\n\n  I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate\nconsideration of H.R. 9051, a bill received from the House, to increase\nrecovery rebate amounts to $2,000 for individuals; that the bill be\nread a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be\nconsidered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or\ndebate.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?\n  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I object.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.\n\n                       Reservation Of Leader Time\n\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the leadership time\nis reserved.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7973-2", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUESTS--H.R. 9051 AND H.R. 6395", "SENATE", "SENATE", "SCONSENTREQUEST", "S7973", "S7974", "[{\"name\": \"Bernard Sanders\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Patrick J. Toomey\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6395\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6395\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9051\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9051\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. S7973", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Pages S7973-S7974]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n          UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUESTS--H.R. 9051 AND H.R. 6395\n\n  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I want to concur with what Senator\nSchumer said. What he said goes beyond economics. It goes beyond the\ndesperation that tens of millions of working families are facing. It\ngoes beyond the struggles of the people of Vermont or Kentucky.\n  Let me just make it clear for the majority leader that 10 out of the\npoorest 25 counties in the United States of America are located in\nKentucky. So my colleague the majority leader might want to get on the\nphone and start talking to working families in Kentucky and find out\nhow they feel about the need for immediate help in terms of a $2,000\ncheck per adult. I have the strong feeling that the people of Kentucky\nwill respond no differently than the people of Vermont or New York. The\nlast poll that I saw had 78 percent of the American people saying they\nwanted and needed that type of help.\n  This discussion, frankly, is not just about the economic struggling\nof working families in this country. It is not just about the massive\nlevels of income and wealth inequality. It is about basic democracy.\n  Now, what we have to do here on the floor, whether it is Senator\nSchumer or Senator McConnell or I, is to talk in legalese. That is the\nlanguage of the U.S. Senate. The stuff sounds pretty complicated to the\naverage person, but all that Senator Schumer and I are asking of the\nmajority leader is very simple: Allow the Members of the U.S. Senate to\ncast a vote. If you want to\n\n[[Page S7974]]\n\nvote against $2,000 checks for people in your State, vote against it. I\nsee Senator Toomey here. He has been clear about it. I suspect he will\nvote against it. I respect his opinion, but all that we are asking for\nis a vote. What is the problem? In the House, over two-thirds of the\nMembers of that body, including 44 Republicans, voted to say, in this\ntime of economic desperation, working families deserve help, and they\ndeserve a $2,000 check.\n  As Senator Schumer just indicated, we have a very unlikely ally in\nPresident Trump. Nobody here has disagreed with Trump more times than I\nhave; yet here is what the leader of the Republican Party writes:\n``$2000 ASAP!'' So, even on this issue, amazingly enough, the President\nof the United States is right.\n  What all of this comes down to, my fellow Americans, is not even\nwhether you agree with Senator Schumer and myself and 78 percent of the\nAmerican people or whether you agree with Senator McConnell and, I\nsuspect, Senator Toomey. That is fine. It is called democracy. We have\ndifferences of opinion. All that I am asking is to give us a vote. What\nis the problem? Allow the U.S. Senators to cast a vote as to whether\nthey are for the $2,000 check or whether they are against it.\n  We will need, as I understand it, 60 votes to win. That is a big\nhurdle. I don't know that we are going to win. There are a number of\nRepublicans, to their credit, who have said they are ready to vote for\nit. I suspect there may be more, when given the opportunity, who will\nvote for it. Maybe I am wrong. Maybe we will lose. I think that would\nbe unfortunate. All that I am asking for right now is to give us the\nopportunity to vote. What is the problem with that?\n  I will now go to Senate legalese.\n  I ask unanimous consent that at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 31,\nthe Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 9051, a bill\nto provide a $2,000 direct payment to the working class; that the bill\nbe considered read a third time; and that the Senate vote on the\npassage of the bill, without intervening action or debate; further,\nthat if passed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid\nupon the table; further, that immediately following the vote on H.R.\n9051, the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of the veto\nmessage on H.R. 6395 and that the Senate immediately vote on the\npassage of the bill, the objections of the President to the contrary\nnotwithstanding, with no intervening action or debate.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?\n  The Senator from Pennsylvania.\n  Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. President, in reserving the right to object, let me\nstart by pointing out that we are not in the same place that we were\nback in March. Our economy is in nothing like the situation we faced\nduring a moment in March when this body came together and voted\nunanimously, I believe, for the most extraordinary aid package--\nfinancial stimulus bill, however you care to characterize it--in the\nhistory of the world by far. Remember where we were. We had closed down\nthe economy. To a very large degree, the American economy had stopped\nfunctioning because State governments around the country decided they\nhad to close it down. We can discuss and we can argue about whether\nthat was a good decision or not, but given the limited knowledge we had\nabout the nature of the COVID-19 threat, it was deemed to be the right\nthing to do.\n  So we were on the verge of having no economy. That has never happened\nbefore in our history.\n  So what did we do? We decided this calls for extraordinary measures,\nand we would try to use Federal dollars as a substitute for the\neconomy--just replace lost income on a massive, unprecedented scale--\nand we did. We approved almost $3 trillion in that legislation.\n  At the time, we included $1,200 per person. You could make an\nargument that that was an extremely inefficient use of that $1,200 per\nperson, but at the time, given the circumstances, I understood why we\ndidn't have many good options, and that was something we decided to do.\n  So where are we now? We are in a very different place. Our economy is\nnot in a free fall. Our economy is in a recovery mode. We are not back\nto where we want to end up. We are not back to where we were before\nMarch, but we have taken big steps in that direction.\n  The economy grew at 33 percent last quarter--33 percent. That is a\ntremendous recovery that is underway. More than half of all the people\nwho lost their jobs earlier this year have regained their jobs. So we\nare not finished yet, but that is a huge step along the way.\n  And now we are being told, after passing another extraordinary bill--\nthis one almost $1 trillion and including $600 per person--that that is\nnot enough; we need to do $2,000 per person, despite the fact that we\nknow for sure, we know for a fact, that the large majority of those\nchecks are going to go to people who had no lost income.\n  How does that make any sense at all? We know for sure that the\nmajority of these people had no lost income. They didn't lose their\njobs, and yet we are going to send them not $600, not the $1,200, but\n$2,000.\n  So think about this. A married couple, who both are working and have\n2 kids, maybe they work for the Federal Government, like 2 million-odd\npeople do. Maybe they work for a large company, the vast majority of\nwhich did not have large numbers of layoffs. So this two-child, two-\nincome couple that makes six figures had no interruption, no\ndiminishment of their income whatsoever. They are going to get $8,000\nof money we don't have that is going to be either borrowed or printed.\nThat is what it is all going to come down to.\n  There are people who are still suffering from the economic fallout of\nthis terrible COVID crisis. There is no question about it. We know\nthere are people who are concentrated in a handful of industries, for\nthe most part--not exclusively--but people who have worked in the\nrestaurant industry, people who work for hotels, travel, entertainment.\nSo many of those people are still out of work and their prospects of\ngetting their old jobs back are not good in the short run. I sure hope\nthey will be good in the medium-term run, if not sooner.\n  And our bill addressed that. It addressed that problem. How did we do\nthat? With a new round of PPP loans, which are really grants to small\nbusinesses, if they will keep their workforce intact; expansion of\nunemployment insurance benefits, so that people who have historically\nbeen ineligible remain eligible so they can continue to collect\nunemployment benefits; an increase in the amount of unemployment\nbenefits, a $300-a-week overlay of Federal money on top of whatever\ntheir State program is; $600 per person, regardless of whether they\nlost income.\n  All of that was passed just a few days ago, and now we are told we\nneed to come back immediately, right now, and make sure that we are\nsending $2,000 checks to people who had no lost income.\n  So for that reason, I object.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.\n  The Senator from Massachusetts.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7973", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "MORNING BUSINESS", "SENATE", "SENATE", "SMBUSINESS", "S7973", "S7973", null, null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7973", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7973]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                            MORNING BUSINESS\n\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will be\nin a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak\ntherein for up to 10 minutes each.\n  The Senator from Vermont.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7974", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--H.R. 9051 AND H.R. 6395", "SENATE", "SENATE", "SCONSENTREQUEST", "S7974", "S7976", "[{\"name\": \"Edward J. Markey\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"John Cornyn\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6395\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6395\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9051\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"9051\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. S7974", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Pages S7974-S7976]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n           UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--H.R. 9051 AND H.R. 6395\n\n  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. President, I rise to echo the sentiments of the\nSenator from Vermont. He is right. The Republicans are wrong on this\nissue. On every single part of this debate, Senator Sanders is right;\nthe Republicans are wrong.\n  We are in the middle of an unprecedented crisis in our country. We\nhave a healthcare crisis, we have an unemployment crisis, we have a\nhunger crisis, we have a housing crisis, we have an addiction crisis,\nand we have a moral crisis in this country.\n  The U.S. Government should be responding to the needs, to the\ndesperation of families in our country at this time. There is a crisis\nof faith that the American people have in its government's ability to\nrespond to human suffering. Well, this institution has been created to\nrespond to human suffering. That is our job\n  Tony Fauci has made it very clear that the worst of the pandemic is\nahead of us, not behind us. We know what is coming, and yet we are not\nresponding. We know this is not going away soon, and yet we are not\nresponding.\n  A program, Operation Warp Speed, was created to create a vaccine, but\nbecause for 7 months the Republicans have refused to fund the public\nhealth\n\n[[Page S7975]]\n\nsystem of our country at the State and local level, we have ``Operation\nSnail Speed'' to put the vaccinations in the arms of the American\npeople.\n  It was anticipatable. Tony Fauci and others were warning us back in\nMay and June and July that there would be a second wave and the second\nwave could be bigger. We got the warning. The Republicans refused to\nheed that warning.\n  And here we are now, without the public health infrastructure to deal\nwith the overflow capacity in emergency rooms, in ICUs all across the\ncountry, while simultaneously asking those same medical institutions to\nput vaccinations in the arms of healthy people, without the resources\nprovided by the Federal Government to help those States and local\ncommunities to deal with that crisis.\n  Sometimes Daniel Patrick Moynihan would say that when you deal with\nan issue you deal with it with benign neglect if you don't want to help\nor you don't want to hurt--deal with benign neglect.\n  What has happened with the Republicans this year is that they created\na program which is designed neglect. It is an actual plan not to\nprovide the funding, not to provide the help for those families, for\nthose communities, for those institutions that are now being\noverwhelmed, and asked, on top of that, to put this extra burden of\nputting vaccinations in people's arms, but without the extra resources.\n  And what do they do on the Republican side? They throw out these red\nherrings--so many red herrings that you would need to build an aquarium\nin the well here of the Senate in order to deal with all of them--that\ngets away from the central issue: Yes or no, up or down, will you\nprovide $2,000 to Americans who are going to need it through what Tony\nFauci is saying will be the worst part of this pandemic? Yes or no, up\nor down, where do they stand on this issue?\n  Here is what we do know. Republicans seem more focused on funding the\nDefense Department than they do on funding the defenseless in our\ncountry, and Americans are becoming more defenseless as each day goes\nby. The headlines are screaming that this panic, which is absolutely\nunderstandable and based upon fact, is sweeping our country.\n  There is protection that the Federal Government should be providing\nto these families. We hear it. They are hungry. They could be without\ntheir homes. The addiction crisis is rising. They need help in their\nfamilies.\n  So from my perspective, we have a moment in time, and Donald Trump\nhappens to agree with us--even though a broken clock is right twice a\nday. And we do agree with him. He is right. We do need this help, which\nwe should be providing to these families.\n  As we watch more and more of our American loved ones fall sick and\ndie, families are facing a new and unprecedented hardship. They are\nhaving to make impossible decisions as to whether to put food on the\ntable or keep the heat on through the cold winter months, and the U.S.\nGovernment has an obligation to help working people who, through no\nfault of their own, are seeing all of the things that they care about,\nall of the success that they have worked for, and all the financial\nsecurity they have earned be washed away.\n  And yet the Republicans want to put another ``Operation Snail Speed''\nin place.\n  The damage to these families is anticipatable. We can see what is\nunfolding. Dr. Fauci is telling us that we are at the worst part of the\npandemic and it is going to continue. So let us act in anticipation.\n  Louis Pasteur used to say that ``chance favors the prepared mind.''\nThat is what Dr. Tony Fauci is telling us. Let us prepare. Let us help\nfamilies prepare for what is about to arrive.\n  Just in Massachusetts alone, 21,000 new people applied for\nunemployment insurance in the week before Christmas. Food banks across\nMassachusetts and across the country are seeing double-digit increases\nin demand with families who never faced food insecurity before. People\nare literally starving, cold, and without homes.\n  Meanwhile, the majority leader and Republican leadership would rather\nhead home for the New Year and ignore the financial and health crises\nthat are taking a toll on our families. For millions of Americans, this\nwill be a New Year holiday where they won't know if they can put food\non the table that night. Republicans are claiming that giving $2,000 in\ndirect cash payments to working Americans would be too expensive, that\nit would inflate our national deficit, that our budgets are already\nbloated.\n  I have to ask, though, where was this outrage when Republicans blew\nup our national deficit to give a $1.5 trillion tax cut to billionaires\nand corporations? These are the crocodile tears from the right, as\nAmericans are shedding real tears thinking about where their next meal\nwill come from, the eviction notice on the front door, or losing\nhealthcare in the midst of this crisis.\n  Americans are actually tired of being told that $600 is\n``sufficient'' as an amount of money as relief, as billionaires receive\ntheir tax breaks and grow their wealth by the trillions of dollars\nduring this crisis. The rich get richer, and the rest are there left\nsuffering. They have had enough of being told that there just isn't the\nmoney for support for the well-being of their communities when they can\nsee tax breaks going to those companies that are actually laying off\nworkers.\n  Americans are tired of being let down by their government time and\ntime again, as Donald Trump and his Republican allies have abandoned\nthem during this response to the pandemic.\n  Americans need support. They need to be able to trust their\ngovernment, and they need $2,000 now. So that is the issue: Yes or no,\nup or down, on providing $2,000 to Americans to help them make it\nthrough the worst part of this crisis.\n  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at 12:30 p.m. on\nThursday, December 31, the Senate proceed to the immediate\nconsideration of H.R. 9051, a bill to provide a $2,000 direct payment\nto the working class; that the bill be considered read a third time and\nthe Senate vote on passage of that bill without intervening action or\ndebate; further, that if passed, the motion to reconsider be considered\nmade and laid upon the table; and that immediately following the vote\non H.R. 9051, the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of the\nveto message on H.R. 6395; that the Senate immediately vote on passage\nof the bill, the objections of the President to the contrary\nnotwithstanding, with no intervening action or debate.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?\n  The Senator for Texas.\n  Mr. CORNYN. Reserving the right to object, Mr. President, Speaker\nPelosi's second bite at the apple, just after we voted on a $900\nbillion bill that has now been signed into law by the President of the\nUnited States, is not the way to send relief to the hardest hit\nAmericans. Under this legislation, a family of five with an annual\nincome of $350,000 would receive a stimulus check. This is reminiscent\nof the Heroes Act that the House passed, which cut taxes for\nmillionaires and billionaires. This isn't about helping the people that\nneed it the most. This is about helping millionaires and billionaires\nand people who frankly have not suffered the hardships economically\nthat others have during this pandemic. The median household in my State\nis $60,000, and the Speaker wants to send taxpayer-funded assistance to\nfolks earning nearly six times that much. Even the Washington Post\neditorial board agrees this is bad policy.\n  It doesn't differentiate between people who have been receiving a\npaycheck during this pandemic, such as government employees, and people\nwho, simply by virtue of their job, have been put out of work and are\nnot receiving any income or maybe at best unemployment compensation.\nThe Speaker's bill isn't about targeting folks who have lost their jobs\nor have seen their income reduced. It is a far cry from the additional\nassistance President Trump requested for the hardest hit Americans. The\nreality is, this bill would spend roughly $300 billion more on folks\nwho aren't even experiencing a financial strain from the pandemic.\n  We need to focus on the people who have been hurt. That is what our\nCOVID-19 relief bill, which was just recently signed into law, is\ndesigned to do, and I dare say this is not going to be the last time we\nvisit this topic. If there is more we need to do, I am confident we\nwill do it. But today, in this\n\n[[Page S7976]]\n\nway, is not the right way to do it. I object.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.\n  The Senator from Illinois.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7976", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "CORONAVIRUS", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7976", "S7977", "[{\"name\": \"Richard J. Durbin\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"John Cornyn\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Bernard Sanders\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7976", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Pages S7976-S7977]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                              CORONAVIRUS\n\n  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I listened carefully and watched three\noccasions on the floor this afternoon where Senators Schumer, Sanders,\nand Markey have tried to create an opportunity where the Senate would\nactually come together and vote, where the Senate might make a decision\nbased on the merits of this issue, rather than to keep talking around\nthe issue.\n  What is at stake is a substantial sum of money for families who are\nin the midst of the struggle of their lives--$2,000--characterized a\nfew moments ago by my friend from Texas as ``Speaker Pelosi's idea.''\nWell, I might remind him that it is also Donald Trump's idea and still\nis. The President has told us this morning that we should move on this\nas quickly as possible, and although I don't often come to the floor to\nagree with the President, he is right. In this instance he is clearly\nright.\n  What are we doing now? We are calling Senators back to Washington\nfrom the far reaches across the United States. This morning, I received\nsome email and text messages from some of my colleagues hopping on\nairplanes at 6 a.m. on the west coast to face a vote. What is this vote\nall about? Well, first, it is to override the veto of the President\nwhen it comes to the Defense authorization bill. This was certainly\nsomething that was occasioned by one Senator, the junior Senator from\nKentucky, who forced us into a position where that vote needed to be\ntaken here. It could have been handled much more efficiently and to the\nbenefit of all Members if it was scheduled for the weekend when we were\nassuming a new session of Congress. But he insisted, and we are\nreturning and, frankly, putting in peril again, in the midst of a\npandemic, Members of the Senate who are traveling from all the far\nreaches of this country to be part of this action in Washington\n  But it isn't just the junior Senator from Kentucky who is having us\nsit here in Washington and wait for things that could be taken care of\nwith dispatch. It is the senior Senator from Kentucky as well. He has\ndecided that we will not get a vote on the House measure to increase\nthe payments to $2,000. Make no mistake, there is only one way to bring\nthis relief to the families of America. It is to pass the bill already\nenacted by the House of Representatives--a bill which received 44\nRepublican votes in addition to a substantial number of Democrats, with\nonly 2 voting no. Forty-four Republican votes joined with the Democrats\nto call for this measure which many have been decrying on the floor\nhere as a class struggle or whatever their argument might be. There is\nno other measure, including Senator McConnell's alternative, which has\nany ghost of a chance to help the families in this country with this\n$2,000 benefit. The only thing that will do it--the only one thing that\nwill do it--is this bill that has already passed the House of\nRepresentatives.\n  The House has recessed. When they are going to return is uncertain.\nThey certainly don't have the time to work through the regular order of\nbusiness to consider any new legislation even if we could send it in\ntime, which I believe is very doubtful. So it is up to Senator\nMcConnell to decide right here and now, are we going to come together\nas a Senate this afternoon at 5 o'clock, when we are supposed to be\nback and voting, and get this matter done?\n  Bring it to the Senate for a vote. Let's have this vote up or down,\nand let the Democrats and Republicans express their will on behalf of\nthe families in this country.\n  I couldn't agree more with the Senator from Massachusetts and his\ncharacterization of what families face across this country and,\ncertainly, in my home State of Illinois.\n  I just wonder if any of the Republican Senators who are downplaying\nthis economic crisis facing these families have really looked into the\nissue. This morning, in the Senator's home State of Texas, they showed\nan early morning television show and the cars that were lining up for\nfood banks--long lines of people waiting for food banks. They\ninterviewed some of them in Texas who told heartbreaking stories of how\nthey once were volunteers at this same food bank and are now dependent\nfor a helping hand if they were going to be able to feed their\nfamilies.\n  These are people who are not lazy at all. Misfortune has come their\nway, and the question is, Will we help? This is our opportunity--today.\nIt is a measure that has passed the House of Representatives, not some\ntheory of some legislation that might be considered tomorrow--today.\nLet's have this vote today, this evening. When the Senators have\nreturned, let's determine whether or not this House-passed measure of\n$2,000 is going to be enacted into law, since the President is clearly\nanxious to sign it.\n  That to me is the reasonable thing to do. In fact, it might even\nsound like the U.S. Senate is taking a vote on a timely issue after a\ndebate. We do it so seldom around here that I think we have lost our\nmuscle memory when it comes to this activity in the Senate. It is time\nto return to it.\n  I thank the Senator from Vermont, the Senator from Massachusetts,\nand, of course, the Democratic leader for bringing this issue before us\nthis afternoon. But it shouldn't end with our great speeches. It ought\nto end with an important vote for the people of this country.\n  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, would the Senator from Illinois yield for\na question?\n  Mr. DURBIN. I am happy to yield.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.\n  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I wonder if the Senator from Illinois\nwould consider pairing their request for a $2,000 direct payment with a\nliability shield provision that would guard businesses that have been\noperating in good faith and following the guidelines put out by public\nhealth and government institutions, and preserve a right to sue for\nreckless and willful disregard of the rights for others? Would the\nSenator consider pairing those two together?\n  Mr. DURBIN. I would say in response to my colleague, I know his\npassionate defense of the notion for immunity from liability for\ncorporations in America. He has introduced a lengthy bill on the\nsubject. I don't believe that is consistent with keeping this Nation\nsafe during a pandemic, and it certainly is not responsive to any\nonslaught of lawsuits.\n  The Senator might be interested to know that the number of medical\nmalpractice cases filed in the name of COVID-19 since the onset of this\ncurrent pandemic is slightly higher than the total number of lawsuits\nfiled by Donald Trump in protesting the results of the November 3\nelection. This is not a tsunami of lawsuits.\n  I believe we can take reasonable measures to support and defend those\ncorporations and companies that are making a good-faith effort to\ncomply with public health standards and protect their employees and\ncustomers. His bill, I am afraid, goes way too far\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.\n  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, let me concur with my friend from\nIllinois on the issue.\n  I have a question for my colleague from Texas. It is a very simple\nquestion. You have concerns about the issue of corporate liability. I\nget that. I happen not to agree with you. You are entitled to your\nopinion. You may or may not be concerned about section 230 of the 1996\nFederal telecommunications bill. That is fine too. We might have a\ndiscussion about how we protect American democracy. It is a good\ndiscussion as well. But I have a strong feeling, Senator Cornyn, that\nin Texas, as in Vermont--you know what--people are not really talking\nabout corporate liability. It is a good issue. It is an important\nissue. I don't believe they are talking about section 230. What I think\nthey are talking about, as the Senator from Illinois just said, is how\nthey are going to feed their kids today. That is the issue. And what I\nwould ask my friend from Texas is, What is your problem with allowing\nthe Senate to vote on whether or not we are going to allow Americans,\nworking-class people to get a $2,000 check?\n  Now I gather that when that vote comes to the floor--and I hope it\ncomes\n\n[[Page S7977]]\n\nimmediately--you will vote no, and you will explain to the people of\nTexas why you voted that way. That is called democracy. I respect that.\nBut what is your problem with allowing the Senate to have a free\nstanding vote?\n  There are a number of people on your side, Republicans, who have\nalready come forward and said yes, they want to vote for this $2,000\ncheck.\n  Now, if you want to deal with corporate liability, that is fine.\nLet's deal with it at some point. Bring forward a bill, and we can vote\non it up or down. All that we are asking for is a simple, up-or-down\nvote on the issue that tens of millions of people are talking about\nright now: Will they survive economically in the midst of this terrible\npandemic?\n  I ask my colleague from Texas: What is the problem with allowing the\nU.S. Senate to vote on the bill passed by the House?\n  I yield to my colleague from Texas.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.\n  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I would say to our colleague from Vermont,\nI have no problem with providing assistance, whether it is to public\nhealth officials who are trying to struggle with this pandemic or to\nprovide money for research for the therapeutics or vaccines which,\nfortunately, are now being distributed around the country. I have no\nobjection to direct payments to individuals. I voted for the $1,200\ndirect payments contained in the CARES Act. I voted for the additional\nmoney that is provided for in the most recent COVID-19 legislation. But\nthis legislation that the Senator from Vermont is advocating would\nbenefit households with annual incomes of over $350,000. They would get\nthis money.\n  I would say that one way to deal with this--because, of course, we\nnegotiated back and forth on the last COVID-19 bill, and nobody got\neverything they wanted--but if our colleagues on the other side of the\naisle want an additional financial benefit for people making up to\n$350,000, why not couple it with liability protection for people who\nare acting in good faith?\n  This isn't just about corporations, and our colleagues across the\naisle know it. This is about schools. This is about churches,\nsynagogues, and mosques. This is about every business that is worried\nthat a game of ``gotcha'' is going to take place and they are going to\nend up paying the price. Even if they win the lawsuit, they will still\nhave to pay for the cost of defense, potentially losing their\nbusinesses outright.\n  Clearly, our colleagues across the aisle care more about trial\nlawyers and being able to bring litigation against businesses that have\ntried to do their best and have struggled with the evolving public\nhealth guidance provided by the CDC and other authorities. Clearly, if\nthey are not interested in engaging in a negotiation where people, who\nthrough no fault of their own, find themselves victimized by frivolous\nlitigation, then, we have no alternative but to continue to object to\nthis request.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.\n  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, if you listened carefully, you understood\nthat my friend from Texas did not answer my question. He has a concern\nabout corporate liability. It is a legitimate debate. Do you know what?\nBring it to the floor. Let's vote it up or down. I will vote against\nit. You will vote for it. But I asked you a very simple question, not\nabout linking things together--nobody in the real world understands\nthat stuff. That is inside-the-beltway stuff.\n  What people in the real world know--and I want to take a moment to\nread some of these statements. We have a lot of people on our social\nmedia, and we asked the American people, just the other day: Tell me;\nwhat would a $2,000 check mean to you? What is going on in your life?\n  And in just over 24 hours, I would say to my friend from Texas,\nnearly 6,000 people responded. Here is just what a few of them had to\nsay. This is Twitter stuff. So I don't have their names here, and I\nwouldn't use them publicly, anyhow. But this is what they say.\n  One person writes: ``$2,000 is the difference between keeping our\napartment and being evicted.'' Here is another one: ``$2,000 means I\ncan afford to feed my three kids.'' Another response: ``It would mean\nnot having to choose between rent and groceries and not having to\nration my partner's meds.'' Another response: ``I am raising my\ngrandson with medical needs. I am $4,000 behind on utilities. We need\nelectricity to run his medical equipment.'' Here is another response:\n``$2,000 would mean I wouldn't have to worry about making my mortgage\npayment this month, and I could get my medication.'' Another response:\n``$2,000 would mean paying my rent and getting lifesaving treatment\nbecause I can't afford the $50 copay through my work insurance just to\nsee my neurologist right now''--and on and on and on. Thousands of\npeople responded.\n  So, I want to get back to the point. I want to again say to my friend\nfrom Texas: If you have a concern about corporate liability--good\nissue--bring it to the floor. Let's vote on corporate liability.\n  I would yield for a question from my friend from Illinois.\n  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I yield for a question through the Chair.\n  I have listened to the figures used on the floor about families who\nwould qualify for the $2,000. It is my understanding that an individual\nwith an income of $75,000 or less could qualify for the $2,000 payment,\nand for a joint return--husband and wife--$2,000 could be given to them\nif their income is under $150,000. Is that your understanding?\n  Mr. SANDERS. That is my understanding. And I think, you know, as\nRepublicans do, they are going to let it be.\n  But I get back to my friend--my friend from Texas, Senator Cornyn. We\nare asking a simple question. If you want to bring up corporate\nliability, bring it up. If you want to bring up section 230, bring it\nup. If you want to bring up the man in the Moon, bring it up. But what\nthe American people want now is an up-or-down vote.\n  Look, you are going to vote against it if it comes to the floor. That\nis fine. It is your right. Explain it to the people of Texas. I will\nvote for it. But all that I am asking for is the right, as a U.S.\nSenator, to have the vote.\n  Again I ask you: What is your problem with Members of the U.S.\nSenate, including a number of Republicans, who have already indicated\nthey would like to vote for this? What is your problem with bringing\nthat up as a single stand-alone bill, not merged with corporate\nliability or anything else? What is your problem with that?\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.\n  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I would say to our colleague from Vermont:\nThis money is not targeted to people who have suffered financially.\n  Mr. SANDERS. Then vote against it.\n  Mr. CORNYN. It is not targeted to people who have suffered financial\nlosses. This money would go to members of your own staff if they meet\nthe financial requirements and to other government employees who have\nsuffered no financial loss during this pandemic.\n  We have all suffered in different ways during the pandemic, to be\nsure, but, financially, this money is designed to help the people who\nneed it the most. Why would you send money to government employees who\nhave been receiving their full paycheck during this pandemic?\n  Mr. SANDERS. That is a good question. And then I will have to explain\nthat to the people of the State of Vermont.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas has the floor.\n  Mr. SANDERS. He asked me a question, as I understood it.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.\n  Mr. SANDERS. Did the Senator from Texas ask me a question?\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.\n  Mr. CORNYN. It was more of a rhetorical question.\n  Mr. SANDERS. I took you literally.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7977", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "CORONAVIRUS", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7977", "S7979", "[{\"name\": \"John Cornyn\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7977", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Pages S7977-S7979]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                              CORONAVIRUS\n\n  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I wanted to come to the floor and talk\nabout what strikes me as something akin to Groundhog Day. Groundhog Day\nis only the day I was born. It is something I feel like we are living\nthrough here as we debate the same points over\n\n[[Page S7978]]\n\nand over and over again, forgetting what it is we have already done--\nthe good things we have done together on a bipartisan basis.\n  We have already appropriated roughly $4 trillion in response to this\npandemic, and it is appropriate that we have done so because this was a\ntrue public health crisis. But now this is--we are seeing politics\ncreep back in in an attempt to send money in an untargeted and wasteful\nsort of way to people who have suffered no financial loss.\n  These relief packages that we passed together have provided hundreds\nof billions of dollars to support our hospitals and healthcare workers\nwho are on the frontlines. I voted for it, and I think we were right to\ndo so.\n  We have thrown small businesses and their employees a lifeline\nthrough the Paycheck Protection Program, and we were right to do so. We\nhave invested in research, development, and manufacturing of\ntherapeutics and vaccines that are currently being administered--thank\ngoodness--throughout the country and, indeed, around the world. And we\nhave sent unprecedented assistance to workers, families, and\nindividuals whose livelihoods have been upended by this crisis.\n  Thanks to President Trump's leadership, Congress has stepped up and\nmet this unprecedented challenge to deliver relief bill after relief\nbill for the American people. If you had told me a year ago I would\nhave voted this year alone for roughly $4 trillion worth of spending in\nthis pandemic, I would not have believed you. But I do believe this is\na domestic equivalent to World War II, where we have to do everything\nhumanly possible to try to help our fellow man, woman, and child during\nthis pandemic.\n\n  The latest round of relief came, of course, just this week, when\nPresident Trump signed the $900 billion rescue package into law. While\nI am glad Congress was able to send more relief out the door at the end\nof the year, I am disappointed that it took so long to do so. It is\namazing the sense of urgency our Democratic colleagues have today,\nsince at least three times--maybe four times--they blocked our attempts\nto pass half-trillion-dollar relief bills during the course of the\nsummer.\n  In July, our colleagues introduced the HEALS Act, which would have\nprovided just under a trillion dollars in relief, covering the same\ntypes of policies included in the most recent relief bill--direct\npayments, unemployment benefits, funding for schools, vaccines, and a\nhost of other priorities.\n  Our Democratic colleagues not only complained about the bill, but\nthey called it weak, little, pathetic, and unserious. They refused to\nengage in the sorts of negotiations that are customary around here when\nyou actually want to solve a problem or consider anything short of the\nHouse's multitrillion-dollar bill, which they knew had no chance of\npassing in the Senate because of things like tax cuts for millionaires\nand billionaires, which had nothing to do with COVID.\n  So our Democratic colleagues dragged their feet--July, August,\nSeptember, October, November. Months went by, and the cases soared, and\nthe economic squeeze tightened, and our Democratic colleagues refused\nto accept any sort of compromise.\n  That was until a few weeks ago, when they finally changed their tune\nright after the election. I am sure it comes as no surprise that once\nthe holdout agrees to negotiate, things can move pretty quickly, and\nthat is what happened here after the election. Democrats, Republicans,\nand the administration agreed to a $900 billion package, which looks\nvery similar to the one they dubbed pathetic just a few months ago.\n  In recent days, the President has expressed an interest in doing\nmore, and I have no doubt that we will do more in this area, but\nSpeaker Pelosi's bill goes far beyond what the President is talking\nabout. For one, it would dramatically widen the pool of recipients,\nenabling wealthy households to qualify for relief checks. This is\nunacceptable and wasteful.\n  When Congress provided the first round of direct payments through the\nCARES Act, we did so in a way that sent relief to the hardest hit\nAmericans. Individuals who made up to $75,000 received the full $1,200,\nand the amount gradually declined as income increased and completely\nphased out at $99,000. We kept the same formula for the $600 payments\nprovided for under the omnibus and further targeted the relief. Once\nagain, those who made up to $75,000 will receive the full amount, and\nthe amount phases out completely at $87,000.\n  Under the CARES Act, a family of four earning up to $150,000 received\n$3,400, and in the most recent rescue bill, the same family would\nreceive an additional $2,400. This was the most effective and targeted\nway to ensure that assistance goes to those who actually need it while\navoiding sending taxpayer dollars--borrowed, I might add--to those who\ndon't.\n  The House-passed legislation would provide $2,000 payments, but it\ndoesn't have a similar structure to keep these payments targeted. Let\nme give you an example.\n  If this bill were to become law, a person making $100,000 a year\nwould receive a $750 check from the Federal Government, whether or not\nthey lost income during the pandemic. This isn't someone who used to\nmake that much but was laid off or had a reduction in their income.\nSomeone who is currently earning a six-figure salary would receive an\nadditional $750 from American taxpayers.\n  For families, the income barrier goes higher. As I mentioned a moment\nago, if you have a family of five with an annual household income of\n$350,000 a year, that family would receive a stimulus check under the\nHouse-passed bill. Now, that is not being smart with taxpayer dollars,\nand that is not targeted at the people who actually need it. That is a\ngiveaway to people who have not suffered any financial losses during\nthis pandemic and clearly not targeted at those who need the most help.\n  I mentioned a moment ago that the median income for households in\nTexas is $60,000 a year, so this family of five is earning nearly six\ntimes as much and would still receive a check from taxpayers. That\ndefies all common sense. Even the Washington Post editorial board\ndubbed this policy as wasteful because of the huge amounts destined for\nwhat they call ``perfectly comfortable families.''\n  Even though Congress has already provided roughly $4 trillion in\nrelief to the American people, our Democratic colleagues are acting as\nthough this is the first and only way to help our country.\n  Like I said, for them, every day is Groundhog Day. They ignore\neverything we have done in the past and act like this is the only thing\nwe have or could do. It is just not true\n  This debate isn't about whether or not Congress should help families\nwho are struggling. We have. And there is no question we will continue\nto do so where needed. That is why we provided $1,200 in direct\npayments to the hardest hit Americans through the CARES Act and an\nadditional $600 through the most recent relief bill. That is why these\nbills also bolstered State unemployment benefits and expanded them to\ninclude independent contractors and the self-employed. That is why\nCongress passed legislation to provide food assistance to families,\nkeep more hard-working Americans on payroll, and ensure our economy is\non track for a strong recovery.\n  Again, we did this thanks to the leadership of President Trump and by\nworking together in a bipartisan way.\n  Countless Texans have told me about the impact of this relief on\ntheir businesses and their families, and we can't lose sight of the\nprogress that has already been made. But future relief must be\ntargeted. We need to support those who need it and avoid sending\nhundreds of billions of dollars, as this proposal would, to those who\ndon't need it.\n  Throughout the year, I have been an advocate for an incremental\napproach to these relief bills because I think it is hard to spend $3\ntrillion and know exactly how that bill is going to work. And, indeed,\nwe found out through the CARES Act that the mainstream lending\nfacility, which we funded at roughly half a trillion dollars, wasn't as\nuseful as we would have hoped.\n  Conversely, the Paycheck Protection Program was more successful than\nour wildest dreams. So I think by seeing what works and what doesn't\nwork, we can be better stewards of taxpayer dollars by spending the\nmoney more efficiently and in a more targeted way.\n\n[[Page S7979]]\n\n  This isn't like highway bills or farm bills or defense spending bills\nwhere we have an idea about what is needed for individual programs.\nThere was no precedent for this pandemic, no handbook, and no clear way\nto gauge how long this crisis would go on or what would be needed to\nsustain our response.\n  After the CARES Act passed, we knew it made the most sense to hit the\npause button and see what worked well, what didn't, and where more help\nwas needed. As I said, there were certain programs like the Paycheck\nProtection Program that almost immediately dried up. If I am not\nmistaken, in 2 weeks, roughly $350 billion was obligated under the\nPaycheck Protection Program--a strong indication that we really hit the\nsweet spot when it came to helping those small businesses. That is why\nwe added more funding in April, another $320 billion, and we extended\nthe program in July and reinvested in the Paycheck Protection Program\nagain in the omnibus.\n  As I said, there were other places where the money went unspent. But,\nfortunately, in the most recent bill we were able to repurpose hundreds\nof billions of dollars in unspent funds, again, to target it to where\nthe need was greatest and where it could help the most.\n  There is no question that tens of millions of workers and their\nfamilies have been hurt by this virus. We all know that. And I think we\nhave all acted together, by and large, responsibly, in trying to\nrespond to that. No one will be left out if we have a means and method\nof targeting this to those people--whether it is direct payments,\nenhanced unemployment benefits, incentives to their employers to\nmaintain them on payroll. And now that we have the beginning of the\ndistribution of the vaccine, my hope is that in the coming months we\nwill get back to, if not the new normal, whatever the next normal will\nbe.\n  But we are just a few days from kicking off the new Congress, and I\nhave no reason to believe that our coronavirus relief work is finished\nhere today. As a matter of fact, Vice President Biden said that he\nexpects to send us an additional request for help once he assumes\noffice.\n  Once the legislation we have passed has a chance to benefit the\nAmerican people, we will see if more relief is needed, and then, if it\nis needed, we should absolutely do more.\n  I still believe in the wisdom of the incremental approach, and I\nbelieve our Democratic friends will join us in responding to the true\nneeds of this crisis without monthlong delays or irresponsible\nspending.\n  Countless Texans have told me about the importance of the relief we\nhave provided through direct payments, unemployment benefits, food\nassistance, and other forms of support by the laws we passed throughout\nthis year. I was proud to support each of those policies, which have\neased the financial strains on millions of Texans and other Americans.\nI will continue to work with our colleagues to provide assistance as\nour war on COVID-19 rages on.\n  I yield the floor.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Ohio.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7979", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "CORONAVIRUS", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7979", "S7980", "[{\"name\": \"Sherrod Brown\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"James M. Inhofe\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7979", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Pages S7979-S7980]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                              CORONAVIRUS\n\n  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, we have heard a lot of revisionist history\nthis afternoon.\n  Look back in March, when Congress did the right thing and the Senate\nvoted unanimously. Because of our efforts, 13 million people were kept\nout of poverty--we know that--because we provided relatively generous\nunemployment insurance. We did the direct payments. We helped with\nsmall business loans. But then this Senate thought its work was done\nfor the year. We begged Senator McConnell month after month after month\nto come back and help.\n  As I said, 13 million people were kept out of poverty because of the\nwork this Congress did in March of this year, but now, since--many of\nthose benefits, especially the unemployment benefit and the direct\npayments, were not continued, of course. Those benefits expired in\nAugust, and we have seen 8 million people drop into poverty in this\ncountry since. Yet Senator McConnell refuses and refuses and refuses\n  I hear this revisionist history that Democrats just want to help\npeople who are already affluent and give them more money. Well,\nremember back in March, the only amendment that we considered, the only\namendment that Senator McConnell allowed on the floor of the Senate to\nthe CARES Act, the only amendment was to take away the $600-a-week\nunemployment insurance. The only place Republicans fought was the $600-\na-week unemployment insurance. That more than any single thing we did\nis why people were kept out of poverty. Now the best we could do was\n$300-a-week unemployment insurance--the best we could do. In spite of\nSenator Cornyn's and others' comments, Senator McConnell waited,\nwaited, waited, and waited. Finally, we were able to do that.\n  The President of the United States threatened to veto it, causing\nmillions of Americans to fall off their unemployment insurance. We know\nall that. It is just important to remember all that.\n  But there is one simple question before the Senate this week: Are we\ngoing to put more money into people's pockets? The American people made\nit clear on election day that they want a government that is on their\nside. This is our chance to deliver for them, to show people whom we\nserve that we can make a real difference in their lives, which we did\nback in March.\n  It is pretty simple. The best way to help Ohio workers and families\nis to put more money in their pockets, not in the bank accounts of the\nlargest corporations and biggest banks, hoping it will trickle down. We\nknow it never does. The CEOs just pay themselves instead.\n  We know that just recently there was more good news for American CEOs\nwho are able again to do stock buybacks, more dividend distributions. A\nlot of corporations have made a lot of money--more power to them--\nduring this pandemic, but those are the corporations that continue to\nget the big tax breaks.\n  We need, instead, to directly invest in people who make this country\nwork. It helps people pay the bills and stay in their homes and get\nthrough this downturn. It injects money into local economies that\nreally need it. The more money people have, the more they spend in\nsmall businesses that are hurting.\n  We know this works. It did in the spring. We came together. We\ncrossed the aisle, passed the CARES Act, expanded unemployment, and\nprovided direct stimulus checks, keeping 13 million people out of\npoverty. The bill we passed last week was a good step in that\ndirection, but we should make it stronger.\n  Back in March, my original plan that I tried to negotiate as I sat\nwith Secretary Mnuchin and a handful of other Senators was $2,000 per\nperson, adults and children. We called for it to be sent automatically\nthroughout the year, every quarter, as long as we remained in a public\nhealth emergency.\n  It is clear now what we could have done and should have done. No one\ncould predict how long this crisis would last. Today, we still aren't\nsure when everybody will be vaccinated and when the economy will return\nto full strength. We don't want to sit idly by. We don't want to wonder\nhow bad it could get. We are the strongest, richest country on Earth.\nWe have the resources to do something about it; we just need leadership\nwilling to use every tool we have.\n  If they refuse to support this $2,000 per person, if they refuse to\nsupport these direct payments, Leader McConnell and Senate Republicans\nwill again make it perfectly clear to the American people whose side\nthey are on.\n  Every time there is a fork in the road and Senator McConnell and\nSenate Republicans have to make a decision--either go with corporate\ninterests or go with working families--every single time, they choose\ncorporate interests. They had no problem pouring money into corporate\ncoffers with their tax cut and blowing up the deficit.\n  Just down the hall here in Senator McConnell's office, I remember\nlobbyists lining up, looking for those tax cuts back 3 years ago, and\nthey got those tax cuts. They didn't say anything about government\ndeficits back then--$1.5 trillion added to the deficit. They didn't\nmind that because that was money going into their contributors'\npockets, into big corporate coffers\n\n[[Page S7980]]\n\nfor the wealthiest people in this country. They were all too happy to\nlet the government shovel loans to the biggest banks and companies. But\nin the middle of the worst crisis of our lifetime, faced with the\nchance to give money directly to ordinary Americans, my colleagues\nclaim we can't afford it. That is just simply a lie. We are the richest\ncountry on Earth.\n  I remember Bill Spriggs--an economist at Howard University--told the\nBanking and Housing Committee in September: We didn't win World War II\nby worrying about whether or not we could afford it. We were in a\nglobal crisis. We marshalled all our vast resources and talents to rise\nto meet it. We grew the economy from the middle class out. We paid down\nthe debt with rising wages.\n  If we have learned anything from the crisis, it should be that we can\ndo the same again. Americans are tired of being told we can't. It is\nthe only answer that Senator McConnell and Senate Republicans ever have\nfor most people's problems: We can't help you. We can't solve your\nproblem. You are on your own.\n  Let's aim higher. Let's deliver for the people we serve. Let's put\n$2,000 into their pockets--money that will make such a difference for\nso many families. It will help a mother worried about how she will pay\nback rent. It will keep a laid off restaurant worker from turning to a\npayday lender. It will allow a father to buy a new computer so his kids\nare better able to learn online. These are millions of real people--\npeople we swore an oath to serve who would breathe a little easier this\nnew year if we pass this.\n  So let's be clear about the decision today and this week before the\nSenate. Are we going to give the people we serve $2,000, or are you\ngoing to stand in the way? It is that simple. Let's come together.\nLet's pass this. Let's make a real difference in people's lives.\n  I suggest the absence of a quorum.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.\n  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.\n  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for\nthe quorum call be rescinded.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7980-2", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7980", "S7982", "[{\"name\": \"Jack Reed\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"James M. Inhofe\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7980", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Pages S7980-S7982]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                   NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT\n\n  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I would like to rise and discuss the Fiscal\nYear 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.\n  First, I would like to salute the chairman. He has done an\nextraordinary job. We have both served on the committee for many years,\nand this is probably the most challenging year we have had due to many\ndifferent factors: the pandemic, the virtual hearings, all those\nthings.\n  And this has been particularly challenging, and the chairman, at\nevery point, stood up to the challenge and led us. I want to thank him\nfor that. It was a pleasure working with him.\n  We all recognize that this legislation passed both Chambers, the\nHouse and the Senate, by overwhelming bipartisan majorities. And it is\nvery important legislation. That is why it earned this bipartisan\nsupport.\n  It enhances our national security. It strengthens our military\nreadiness and defense capabilities. It protects our forces and their\nfamilies and supports the defense industrial base.\n  Despite all that it does for our troops and their families, President\nTrump waited until the 10th day after he received it and vetoed it the\nlast day he could exercise his veto. That was December 23, which made\nquite a Christmas for our military personnel and for all of my\ncolleagues who are here today to start the process of responding to\nthat veto.\n  The House already took the first step. They returned on Monday. Once\nagain, by an overwhelming vote, over 300 Members of the House overrode\nthe President's veto. Now we face the same task in the Senate. It is my\nhope we can quickly and resoundingly override\n\n[[Page S7981]]\n\nthe President's veto and provide our troops with what they need.\n  I will echo what the chairman said. You can go through all the\nthousands of pages, literally, but what is the most significant aspect\nof this legislation is keeping faith with the men and women who wear\nthe uniform of the United States. So if anyone has any thoughts about\ntheir vote, just think about those men and women who are all across the\nworld putting their lives at risk while their families share that risk\nand that sense of danger and sacrifice. That is what I think has\nmotivated the chairman and myself and all of our colleagues on the\ncommittee and throughout this Senate to work hard to get this bill\npassed.\n  There are several reasons being advanced by the President for\nsuggesting that this bill should be vetoed--the veto should be upheld.\nOne reason is that he claims the bill fails to include critical\nnational security measures. Yet this legislation provides critical\ntools and authorities for the Department of Homeland Security to\nperform network hunting for threats and vulnerabilities on Federal\nnetworks. These tools and authorities would help to counter breaches\nlike the SolarWinds hack, which is possibly the largest intrusion into\nour system we have ever seen by a foreign nation state adversary. We do\nnot yet know the extent and the degree of intrusion that we have\nsuffered. In fact, we weren't aware of this intrusion for many, many\nmonths.\n  One of the disconcerting aspects is that it was discovered by a\nprivate company that is one of the most, if not the most sophisticated\ncyber intrusion expert in the world. Yet they were penetrated.\n  So we have a serious, serious situation on our hands. This\nlegislation would start giving basic tools, which would allow our cyber\nsecurity experts to go into other Departments to look at their\nprocedures, their policies, all of their cyber activities, and\nrecommend corrections.\n  In fact, this bill has done more, I think, for cyber based on the\nwork of the Cyber Solarium Commission, which was chaired by Senator\nAngus King and Congressman   Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin and also aided\nsignificantly by my colleague Congressman  Jim Langevin of Rhode\nIsland. They put the work together. We took a lot of the Solarium's\nwork and put it into this bill. So there is absolutely no credence to\nthe issue that we have not dealt with national security and cyber\nintrusions in particular.\n  Then again, the President, in his veto message, wrote that one of the\nreasons is the failure to essentially repeal section 230 of the\nCommunications Decency Act. But this issue has nothing to do with the\nmilitary--nothing at all. It was designed years ago to provide legal\nprotections to social media companies so that they could expand and\ngrow. Frankly, I think it has worked beyond our wildest imaginations.\nEveryone recognizes it should be reformed, but reform requires\nthoughtful, responsible analysis of the legislation. The effects of the\nlegislation should offer both sides the opportunity to explain\npositions. None of that was done, and none of that can be done before\nwe conclude this legislative session.\n  It is more, I think, a personal feud of the President, the section\n230 repeal, than it is one of careful, deliberate, thoughtful\nlegislation by the Senate.\n  There is another reason the President has used, and that is we have\nestablished a commission to make recommendations for the renaming and\nremoval of symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia that honor\nor commemorate Confederates who served voluntarily with the\nConfederacy. There is a clear exemption, by the way, for gravestones\nthat we would absolutely respect. But these individuals--many of them\nwho were on Active service with our Army or Navy at the time--decided\nto consciously fight against the United States of America. It is that\nsimple. Yet we have bases that are named after them.\n  The President said this is part of the American heritage of victory\nand freedom, but, again, these are named after men who took up arms\nagainst the United States. In some cases--in most cases, they weren't\nparticularly exemplary generals, with some exceptions. And it was done\nin a way that I think was not to honor the service of these individuals\nbut to advance other forces.\n  I think it is time that this history be changed, that this chapter be\nclosed, and the senior Defense Department officials have indicated they\nare open to these changes. There is bipartisan support for cooperation\non this issue. It passed the committee. It passed the floor. It passed\nthe House. Now, it is in this legislation.\n  When the President vetoed the bill, he also said it is a ``gift to\nChina and Russia.'' I would strenuously disagree. This is one of the\nstrongest bills yet on countering the threat China poses to the United\nStates and our partners, including allies such as India, Taiwan, and\nother countries and regions.\n\n  Among the provisions of this legislation is the Pacific Deterrence\nInitiative. That is a new authority for the Department of Defense,\nmodeled after the European Deterrence Initiative and authorizes an\nadditional $150 million in funding.\n  This was the work--I was proud to collaborate, but the lead was the\nchairman, Chairman Inhofe, and I was his copilot on that one. This is\nthe first time we really stepped back and said: We have a new threat--\nsignificant threat--rising in the Pacific. We have to take a holistic\nreview of strategy, capabilities, equipment, and we have to make this a\ntop priority.\n  So rather than doing nothing about China, as the President alleges, I\nthink we have made one of the most significant steps forward in\nconsciously recognizing the relationship that has developed between\nChina and the United States.\n  With regard to Russia and Europe, the conference report enhances our\nability to deter Russian aggression, maintains strong support for\nUkraine, and reaffirms our commitment to the transatlantic partnership,\nincluding by calling for a strong U.S. force posture in Germany.\n  Now, President Trump also vetoed this legislation because he wants\nthe ability to remove our military from ``far away and very\nunappreciative lands.'' Those are his words. Particularly, I have\nconcern about the situation in Afghanistan. First--and I have been to\nAfghanistan somewhere close to 20 times--since the beginning.\n  In fact, I was on the first congressional delegation to go in January\nafter the invasion. I have tried to pay attention to what is going on\nthere. And one point is that the Afghan people have struggled and\nfought with us side by side. They have suffered greatly. I don't think\nit is right to say they are unappreciative. I think every day they have\nbeen suffering casualties. They have been fighting with our soldiers--\nin fact, in some cases, saving and helping our soldiers survive on the\nfield.\n  Second, essentially, the provision allows the President to make the\ndecision. In fact, he can waive all the provisions we built in by\nsimply declaring that it is in the national security interests of the\nUnited States and communicating that to the respective leaders in the\nHouse and the Senate. That is something that is almost pro forma. So\nthe notion that this seriously hampers his ability is misplaced.\n  What it does, though, is signal that we have to be very careful in\nrecognizing all of the equities that are involved in Afghanistan. The\nfact is that there are numerous terrorist groups there, and we have to\nmaintain a counterterrorism presence; the fact that, as I indicated\nbefore, the Government of Afghanistan, the Afghan people, in many\ncases, have suffered more than we have considering the onslaught of the\nTaliban and other forces. So, again, I don't think that reason measures\nup to the demands.\n  The National Defense Authorization Act has passed for 59 years. We\nneed to ensure it will pass for 60 years by overriding the President's\nveto. The House, as I said, has already done that--322 to 87. I\nencourage my colleagues to show similar support for our military\npersonnel and their families and override this veto.\n  I yield the floor.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oklahoma.\n  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, let me elaborate a little bit on something\nthat my good friend from Rhode Island said about China.\n  I think it is very, very significant that we realize that this is the\ntoughest bill on China that has ever been\n\n[[Page S7982]]\n\npassed. That didn't come just from me; that came from the American\nEnterprise Institute, which has all the credibility in the world. They\ntalk about the serious things that are going on, and they actually said\nthis bill has the most substantial and consequential China-related\nprovisions since--in, probably, history.\n  That is significant because all of us remember--I know that Senator\nReed and I have both spent time in the South China Sea, the seven\nislands that they are doing right now. China--it is illegal, but they\nhave taken over--no, they have created seven islands in the South China\nSea. When you go down there, it looks as if, on those islands, they are\npreparing for World War III. A lot of our allies in that area are very\nmuch concerned because they are making a lot more noise than we are,\nand they are demonstrating very clearly some of the things that they do\nthat we haven't done. Hypersonics is an example. That is a state-of-\nthe-art thing that we do in modernizing our military equipment and\nabilities. It has been very successful, but they are still ahead of us,\nso we are in catchup mode.\n  I would say this: When you go and you look and you see the buildups\nthat they have--I can remember--it wasn't long ago that every time\nChina got involved in any kind of an effort, they did it from their own\ncity limits there. Now they are all over Djibouti, Tanzania, and all\naround the world.\n  We made this bill to establish the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.\nThat is $2.2 billion for foreign posture to put ourselves in the\nposition where we are going to pass, with this bill--we will pass\nChina, and then we will be shifting the supply chains away from China--\nsemiconductors and printed circuit boards, the pharmaceuticals--\nstimulating the U.S. economy, protecting weapons systems and our\ntroops, and bringing China's malign national security activities into\nlight to make sure everybody knows what they are doing there.\n  We have a new report in this bill on the true China defense security\nspending, new assessments of China's industrial base, new list of\nChinese companies operating in the United States and making it more\ndifficult for them to do that. It is all in this bill. There is a new\nreport on the fishing fleets they have out there. It extends the\nsuccessful China Military Power Report, supports Taiwan and a new plan\nagainst--that is better than anything we have ever done before.\n  Yesterday, I put this into the record--all the things that we are\ndoing just concentrating on the threat that is posed to the United\nStates from the country of China. It is all in this bill. So this is\nsomething we have taken great pride in because we recognize the threat\nthat is posed to our country from the Chinese.\n  This is a good bill. It is one that deserves overwhelming support. I\nwill say one more time that a lot of work went into this from both\nsides of the aisle. We were in agreement on it with huge margins of\nsupport in both Chambers of the House and the Senate. We will have a\nchance to move procedurally toward that and make that a reality before\nthe end of the week.\n  I yield the floor.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oklahoma.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7980", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7980", "S7980", "[{\"name\": \"James M. Inhofe\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Jack Reed\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "166 Cong. Rec. S7980", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7980]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                   NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT\n\n  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, this is what I have considered to be--and\nI have heard my friend from the Democratic side, the minority side, say\nthe same thing, that this is the most significant bill that we pass\nevery year.\n  It is the NDAA, the National Defense Authorization Act. This will be\nthe 60th year--is it the 60th or 61st year?\n  Mr. REED. The 60th.\n  Mr. INHOFE. OK. It is the 60th year that we have passed this, and it\nhas passed every year. There were a few moments there where I thought\nmaybe it wasn't going to pass this year and we would set a record.\nSenator Reed and I don't want to set that kind of record. We want to\nmake sure we get this done.\n  The reason this is important is this is the blueprint. This tells us\nwhat we are going to be doing with our troops. I could make an argument\nthat it is really--we are in the most dangerous situation, I think,\nthat we have been in before. I have often talked about the good old\ndays when we had the Cold War with two superpowers. We knew what the\nSoviet Union had; they knew what we had. Mutually assured destruction\nmeant something at that time.\n  But now it is different in a lot of respects because you have rogue\ncountries out there that have weapons and have abilities to wipe out\nnations. That is why it is so significant.\n  So, anyway, we suffered through a little bit of a problem back during\nthe Obama administration, during the last 5 years, which would have\nbeen from 2010 to 2015. In his budget, he downgraded the military by 25\npercent, and that is the same time, during that timeframe, that China\nincreased theirs by 83 percent.\n  So it is a scary world out there, and it is one that, to me, I have\nno doubt that this is the most important bill that we will pass all\nyear because we have got our kids, and they are out there right now.\nThey are in the trenches, and we have to support them. That is what it\nis all about.\n  I do want to mention how many people are involved in this thing. We\nare actually starting this right now. We are starting next year's NDAA.\nSo this started a year ago. The ones working on this--you have Liz King\nand John Bonsell heading up the minority and majority part of the\ncommittee, doing a great job and working every weekend--almost every\nweekend--with a very large staff, all specialists in certain areas. And\nthey have got the bill.\n  So I am very proud of the bill that we have this year. I think that\nit passed, when it passed in the Senate, it was 84 to--I think it was\n84 to 14, I think it was. I think there were a couple of people not\nhere. But that is the largest--that doesn't happen very often, to pass\na bill with those margins, and we did.\n  So this is a long tradition. We have got to support our troops. They\nare in there doing the right thing. It has been a joy, personally, for\nme to be working with Senator Reed, and we have, together, kind of\nprovided the leadership on this thing. We didn't work as hard as the\nstaff did. I admit that. But we were there, and I am very proud of this\nbill.\n  So right now we have kids that are overseas, and they deserve the pay\nthat was increased--that would be increased when this bill is passed.\nRight now, we have critical areas like pilots and engineers, doctors,\nthat are in short supply because of the fact that we have had, up until\nthe pandemic, a good and probably, I would argue, the best economy we\nhave had in my lifetime.\n  Well, that is good news, of course, but it is bad news in one way\nbecause it is hard to keep the people in those critical fields--pilots,\nfor example. They have an opportunity to get out and do things that\nare--there are jobs out there that are paying a lot more. So we have to\nhave them on the flight hours if something happens. And they are out--\nthere are a lot of jobs on the outside that are paying more. So we just\nhave to make sure that we keep the resources in the right place to do\nthe right job.\n  So I think this is the--I know this procedural vote today is going to\nbring us, in the next couple of days, to pass the Defense authorization\nbill.\n  It is all about the guys and gals in the field. We owe it to them.\nThis is going to be the 60th year. I anticipate that this is going to\npass with very large numbers.\n  With that, I yield the floor.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Rhode Island.\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7982-2", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021--VETO--MOTION TO PROCEED", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7982", "S7982", "[{\"name\": \"Mitch McConnell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"John Thune\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Richard J. Durbin\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6395\"}, {\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6395\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. S7982", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S7982]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n  WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR\n               FISCAL YEAR 2021--VETO--MOTION TO PROCEED\n\n  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask that the Chair lay before the\nSenate the veto message on H.R. 6395, and I ask for the yeas and nays.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?\n  There is a sufficient second.\n  The clerk will call the roll.\n  The legislative clerk called the roll.\n  Mr. THUNE. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator\nfrom Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), the Senator from Arkansas (Mr.\nCotton), the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Gardner), the Senator from\nSouth Carolina (Mr. Graham), the Senator from Georgia (Mrs. Loeffler),\nthe Senator from Georgia (Mr. Perdue), and the Senator from Florida\n(Mr. Rubio).\n  Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Jones) is\nnecessarily absent.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there any other Senators in the Chamber\ndesiring to vote?\n  The result was announced--yeas 80, nays 12, as follows:\n\n                      [Rollcall Vote No. 290 Leg.]\n\n                                YEAS--80\n\n     Alexander\n     Baldwin\n     Barrasso\n     Bennet\n     Blumenthal\n     Blunt\n     Booker\n     Boozman\n     Brown\n     Burr\n     Cantwell\n     Capito\n     Cardin\n     Carper\n     Casey\n     Cassidy\n     Collins\n     Coons\n     Cornyn\n     Cortez Masto\n     Cramer\n     Crapo\n     Daines\n     Duckworth\n     Durbin\n     Enzi\n     Ernst\n     Feinstein\n     Fischer\n     Gillibrand\n     Grassley\n     Harris\n     Hassan\n     Heinrich\n     Hirono\n     Hoeven\n     Hyde-Smith\n     Inhofe\n     Johnson\n     Kaine\n     Kelly\n     King\n     Klobuchar\n     Lankford\n     Leahy\n     Manchin\n     McConnell\n     Menendez\n     Moran\n     Murkowski\n     Murphy\n     Murray\n     Peters\n     Portman\n     Reed\n     Risch\n     Roberts\n     Romney\n     Rosen\n     Rounds\n     Sasse\n     Schatz\n     Schumer\n     Scott (FL)\n     Scott (SC)\n     Shaheen\n     Shelby\n     Sinema\n     Smith\n     Stabenow\n     Sullivan\n     Tester\n     Thune\n     Tillis\n     Toomey\n     Udall\n     Warner\n     Whitehouse\n     Wicker\n     Young\n\n                                NAYS--12\n\n     Braun\n     Cruz\n     Hawley\n     Kennedy\n     Lee\n     Markey\n     Merkley\n     Paul\n     Sanders\n     Van Hollen\n     Warren\n     Wyden\n\n                             NOT VOTING--8\n\n     Blackburn\n     Cotton\n     Gardner\n     Graham\n     Jones\n     Loeffler\n     Perdue\n     Rubio\n  The motion was agreed to\n\n                          ____________________"], ["CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7982-3", "2020-12-30", 116, 2, null, null, "WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021--VETO", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S7982", "S7983", "[{\"name\": \"Mitch McConnell\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"116\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6395\"}]", "166 Cong. Rec. S7982", "Congressional Record, Volume 166 Issue 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 222 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]\n[Senate]\n[Pages S7982-S7983]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n  WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR\n                         FISCAL YEAR 2021--VETO\n\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.\n  The legislative clerk read as follows:\n\n       Veto message to H.R. 6395, to authorize appropriations for\n     fiscal year 2021 for military activities of the Department of\n     Defense, for military construction, and for defense\n     activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military\n     personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other\n     purposes.\n\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is, Shall the bill pass, the\nobjections of the President of the United States to the contrary\nnotwithstanding? The question is debatable.\n  The majority leader is recognized.\n\n                             Cloture Motion\n\n  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.\n  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under\nrule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion.\n  The legislative clerk read as follows\n\n                             Cloture Motion\n\n       We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the\n     provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate,\n     do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the veto message\n     on H.R. 6395, a bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal\n     year 2021 for military activities of the Department of\n     Defense, for military construction, and for defense\n     activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military\n     personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other\n     purposes.\n         Mitch McConnell, James M. Inhofe, Todd Young, John\n           Cornyn, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mike Braun, Deb Fischer, John\n           Barrasso, Roger F. Wicker, Richard\n\n[[Page S7983]]\n\n           Burr, Pat Roberts, Shelley Moore Capito, Mitt Romney,\n           Susan M. Collins, Richard C. Shelby, Thom Tillis, Lamar\n           Alexander.\n\n                          ____________________"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 54581, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["granule_id", "date", "congress", "session", "volume", "issue", "title", "chamber", "granule_class", "sub_granule_class", "page_start", "page_end", "speakers", "bills", "citation", "full_text"], "primary_keys": ["granule_id"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select granule_id, date, congress, session, volume, issue, title, chamber, granule_class, sub_granule_class, page_start, page_end, speakers, bills, citation, full_text from congressional_record where \"congress\" = :p0 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "116"}}, "facet_results": {"chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/openregs/congressional_record.json?congress=116", "results": [{"value": "HOUSE", "label": "HOUSE", "count": 33193, "toggle_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/congressional_record.json?congress=116&chamber=HOUSE", "selected": false}, {"value": "SENATE", "label": "SENATE", "count": 20946, "toggle_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/congressional_record.json?congress=116&chamber=SENATE", "selected": false}, {"value": "", "label": "", "count": 442, "toggle_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/congressional_record.json?congress=116&chamber=", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "granule_class": {"name": "granule_class", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/openregs/congressional_record.json?congress=116", "results": [{"value": "HOUSE", "label": "HOUSE", "count": 23061, "toggle_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/congressional_record.json?congress=116&granule_class=HOUSE", "selected": false}, {"value": "SENATE", "label": "SENATE", "count": 19411, "toggle_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/congressional_record.json?congress=116&granule_class=SENATE", "selected": false}, {"value": "EXTENSIONS", "label": "EXTENSIONS", "count": 9342, "toggle_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/congressional_record.json?congress=116&granule_class=EXTENSIONS", "selected": false}, {"value": "DAILYDIGEST", "label": "DAILYDIGEST", "count": 2767, "toggle_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/congressional_record.json?congress=116&granule_class=DAILYDIGEST", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "congress": {"name": "congress", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/openregs/congressional_record.json?congress=116", "results": [{"value": 116, "label": 116, "count": 54581, "toggle_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/congressional_record.json", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [{"name": "session", "toggle_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/congressional_record.json?congress=116&_facet=session"}, {"name": "date", "type": "date", "toggle_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/congressional_record.json?congress=116&_facet_date=date"}], "next": "2020-12-30,CREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7982-3", "next_url": "https://www.pawtectors.org/openregs/congressional_record.json?congress=116&_next=2020-12-30%2CCREC-2020-12-30-pt1-PgS7982-3&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 3151.438855100423, "source": "Federal Register API & Regulations.gov API", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/developers/api/v1", "license": "Public Domain (U.S. Government data)", "license_url": "https://www.regulations.gov/faq"}