[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 15, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S680-S681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              THE ECONOMY

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, now on lowering costs, in President 
Biden's first year, the economy added an amazing 6.6 million new jobs, 
the most ever--ever--for a President's first year. This figure 
surpassed just about every forecast from a year ago. It is a reflection 
of how far our economy has come since the start of COVID and that the 
right leadership in office makes all the difference.
  But we all know Americans still need more help, especially when it 
comes to lowering the cost of living. Democrats know what the American 
people know. The pandemic decimated our supply chains, our labor 
supply, and much more, causing prices to increase for everyday items. 
We never had a pandemic to this extent in 100 years, and obviously it 
interrupted the economy and its supply chains and labor supply.
  For the past year, Democrats have been the party focused on finding 
solutions to lowering the cost of living for everyday Americans. As 
early as last summer, Democrats pushed to have the Senate approve 
legislation to relieve U.S. supply chains and increase domestic 
manufacturing, which, thankfully, was bipartisan and which the House 
passed recently as well. Soon the conference process for that bill will 
begin.
  But this is just one example out of many. For the past few weeks, I 
have heard from my colleagues about a number of proposals they have 
been working on aimed squarely at helping Americans better afford the 
basics, from medications, to the cost of food, to the cost of cars, to 
more. Later today, Democrats will use our weekly caucus lunch to talk 
more about some of the ideas my colleagues are working on.
  Lowering costs must--must--be a bipartisan effort. Americans in 
States, those blue and red and in between, need relief as soon as 
possible.
  While many on the other side of the aisle have spent a lot of time 
giving floor speeches and presenting charts about rising costs, where 
are their actual proposals? We don't hear what they would do to solve 
the problem. Attacking the problem doesn't make it any better; 
proposing solutions, as Democrats are doing, does. Republicans should 
step up and say what their plan is to fight inflation, not just point 
fingers. That solves no problem.
  Democrats will continue to propose legislation on cost cutting, and 
we are going to continue to focus on helping everyday Americans find 
relief. Some of my Democratic colleagues have already released their 
proposals publicly, and I am sure many of them would welcome Republican 
cooperation. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, Republicans should 
join Democrats in our efforts to help Americans reap the full benefits 
of our historic recovery.
  Our goal: to have the wages that have increased stay up but lower the 
costs down so the average American has more money in his or her pocket.
  We Democrats are committed to working in good faith to get things 
done in this Chamber. I hope our Republican colleagues will 
constructively join us instead of just pointing fingers.
  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. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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