[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 160 (Wednesday, September 16, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S5617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                BELARUS

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I imagine the people of the United 
States have been able to follow the demonstrations in Belarus in 
opposition to the President declaring victory there. Since Aleksandr 
Lukashenko came to power in Belarus in 1994, he has consolidated power, 
and, in the process, suppressed democratic opposition.
  So the fact that the Belarus August Presidential election was a sham, 
as we all know, and he was once again declared to be the winner by a 
highly implausible margin, should not surprise anyone. However, this 
time, the Belarusian people have had enough. This time, brutal 
crackdowns by security forces have not crushed grassroots demands for 
democracy.
  The quest for liberty is embedded in the DNA of the American 
Republic, so the Americans naturally watch with interest as the people 
of Belarus continue to demand their God-given rights. The American 
people stand with the people of Belarus.
  I also appreciate very much the strong stance taken by European 
governments supporting the Belarusian people as the American people 
have.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________