[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 112 (Wednesday, June 17, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S3052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          The COOL Online Act

  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam President, I rise today to encourage all 
Americans to join the fight to support our Nation and our jobs and 
stand up against the growing threat of Communist China. I have been 
saying it for months, but the best way each and every one of us can 
make a difference is to buy American products whenever possible. It is 
time we addressed the new Cold War occurring between the United States 
and the Chinese Communist Party and be crystal clear about the negative 
impacts of continuing to buy Chinese-made products.
  Communist China is stealing American jobs and technology and spying 
on our citizens. Data collected by Chinese companies is shared with the 
Communist Government of China, which is focused solely on global 
domination. Xi, the General Secretary of the China Communist Party, is 
a dictator and human rights violator who is denying basic rights to the 
people of Hong Kong, cracking down on dissidents, militarizing the 
South China Sea, and imprisoning more than 1 million Uighurs in 
internment camps simply because of their religion.
  The coronavirus pandemic should be the last straw. We can no longer 
rely on other countries like Communist China for our critical supply 
chain. Washington politicians have been too concerned with short-term 
political success and have long ignored the long-term threats to our 
way of life.
  It is time for action. Now, more than ever, Americans must remember 
that every time we buy a product made in China, we are putting another 
dollar into the pockets of the people who steal our technology, deny 
people their basic human rights, and are propping up dangerous 
dictators like Maduro in Venezuela.
  I am proud to lead my colleagues in a bipartisan resolution calling 
on Americans to buy products made in the United States whenever 
possible. Buying American is not partisan, and I am glad my colleagues 
on both sides of the aisle are coming together to encourage Americans 
to take a stand.
  I know it is not always easy, but it is an important step we can all 
take at home to support American jobs, American producers, and American 
manufacturers and help build up the U.S. supply chain.
  I am also working with Senator Baldwin to pass our COOL Online Act, 
which will make sure all goods sold online list their country of origin 
to create more transparency for American consumers.
  In my State, we take immense pride in products made in Florida. It is 
a driving force that led to our incredible economic turnaround. A 
return to this pride in homegrown businesses ensures America remains 
strong and the undisputed leader in the global economy. We must all do 
our part to support our Nation and make it clear to Communist China 
that the United States will not stand for their behavior.
  I am committed to supporting American businesses over Chinese 
products. I hope my colleagues will join me.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cramer). The Senator from Tennessee.