[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 43 (Thursday, March 10, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1089-S1093]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               H.R. 2471

  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, before I even start, I do want to 
compliment the staff--later, I will put all of the names in the 
Record--who worked weekends and late at night. I remember times when I 
would get off the phone with them at 11 o'clock at night and 12 
midnight. I could go to bed, but they were still there working until 3 
or 4 in the morning.
  Yet, after all of those months of negotiations, the Committee on 
Appropriations introduced the $1.5 trillion fiscal year 2022 Omnibus 
appropriations bill. As I will explain, this is the consolidation of 12 
annual appropriations bills to fund the Federal Government for the 
remainder of the fiscal year. Last night, the House passed it on a 
bipartisan basis. It is now before us, and we need to act on it 
quickly.
  Our annual appropriations bills are where we reflect on our national 
priorities. In total, this bill includes $730 billion in nondefense 
funding. That is a $46 billion increase over fiscal year 2021. This 
6.7-percent increase is the largest in 4 years for nondefense programs. 
It allows for significant investments in the American people that will 
expand the middle class.
  The bill also provides urgent funding for the people of Ukraine as 
they battle Vladimir Putin's immoral, unprovoked, and brutal invasion--
an invasion which, actually, labels Vladimir Putin as a ``war 
criminal.''
  It is unquestionably in the interest of the American people that the 
Senate act quickly to pass this bill and send it to President Biden. I 
will tell you why it is so important.
  In the wake of the pandemic, children and schools across the country 
have been falling behind in math and reading, and children in low-
income and minority communities have been falling even further behind 
their peers. One study found that third graders who are attending 
school in low-income communities tested 17 points lower in math than 
they did just in 2019. We can't allow a global pandemic to set these 
children further back on the path to a bright future.
  The bill includes $17.5 billion--the largest increase in more than a 
decade--for title I-A grants. These grants provide funding for more 
than half of our Nation's public schools to help students, particularly 
in low-income communities, meet college and career-ready academic 
standards.
  And to help these children succeed before they even step foot in the 
classroom, the bill includes more than $11 billion for Head Start. The 
bill also increases the maximum Pell Grant award by $400--also the 
largest increase in more than a decade--so that as these students 
succeed they can go on to pursue a college education. Pell Grants help 
more than 7 million students pursue a postsecondary education every 
year.
  Now, of course, we are investing in these children, but we are also 
investing in their families. Ask any young family and they will tell 
you that the pandemic exacerbated the childcare crisis. Parents, and 
particularly women, are being forced out of the

[[Page S1090]]

labor market because they cannot afford the high cost of childcare. The 
bill provides more than $6 billion for childcare and development block 
grants. That is a 4.4-percent increase over last year. These grants 
will assist low-income families in gaining quality childcare that fits 
their needs to prepare their children to succeed in school.

  Across this country--the wealthiest and most powerful Nation on 
Earth--more than 38 million people, including 12 million children, are 
what can be called food insecure. Many of us in this room cannot even 
imagine the heartbreak and pain a parent must feel when they cannot put 
enough food on the table for their child. So the bill increases support 
for nutrition programs. These programs are a lifeline to these American 
families.
  It also ensures that over 4 million low-income women and children 
will not see their benefits reduced at the end of April by extending 
the WIC Cash-Value Voucher Program. It is a special $35 monthly benefit 
for purchasing fruits and vegetables. It fully funds $6 billion for the 
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and 
Children--WIC--to help support 6.2 million low-income women, infants 
and children younger than 5 years old every month. It also includes 
more than $140 billion, which is a 23-percent increase, for SNAP. SNAP 
provides assistance to more than 40 million people every year in this 
country.
  It also keeps families in their homes by providing billions of 
dollars to build and support public housing. This includes a 75-percent 
increase for Choice Neighborhoods, which helps to transform communities 
by revitalizing public and assisted housing. It provides an 11-percent 
increase to build new affordable housing through the HOME program. And 
it includes $4.8 billion for community and economic development.
  We understand that hundreds of thousands of Americans are homeless. 
The 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report found that on a single night 
more than 580,000 people experienced homelessness. People who are 
struggling with homelessness have been robbed of a central pillar of 
the American Dream--having a place that they can call their own. The 
bill provides $3 billion--a 6.6-percent increase--for homeless 
assistance grants.
  We know it is a bipartisan priority in Congress to keep our 
communities safe so the bill provides a 15-percent increase for 
Department of Justice grants to State and local law enforcement and 
communities to prevent and respond to crime. It provides COPS Hiring 
grant funding to place more than 1,700 officers on the streets to keep 
our communities safe. But as a country, we have collectively grieved 
the loss of life that inspired the Black Lives Matter movement. So this 
bill provides new resources to fund deescalation training, implicit 
bias training, training that emphasizes the duty of fellow officers to 
intervene, and providing crisis intervention teams.
  It is also a commitment to the future of scientific research, 
development, and innovation in this country. It provides the largest 
increase in 12 years for the National Science Foundation. The NSF funds 
a quarter of all federally supported basic research conducted by 
colleges and universities in this country. It provides a 6-percent 
increase for the Department of Energy Office of Science and a 5.3-
percent increase for the National Institutes of Health to speed the 
development of new therapies, diagnostics, and preventative measures.
  I think it also, importantly, includes $1 billion to launch the 
Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, the ARPA-H, as President 
Biden's bold and promising proposal to revolutionize how we prevent, 
treat, and cure devastating diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, and 
diabetes.
  Marcelle, my wife, and I had the opportunity to listen to then-Vice 
President Biden speak about this at the University of Vermont's medical 
school a few years ago and then again to hear President Biden, Vice 
President Kamala Harris, and Dr. Jill Biden speak about it at the White 
House. I was committed to making sure that it would be in the Omnibus 
bill, and I am pleased that it was included and that that request was 
joined by numerous other Senators.
  The bill closes the chapter on 4 years of denying the existence of 
the climate crisis by the previous administration. It provides billions 
of dollars to support climate research, mitigation, and adaptation. 
This includes $900 million in NSF funding to support climate and clean 
energy research, $40 million for NOAA climate-related projects, $425 
million for clean air programs, and an historic investment in Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, EERE.
  We also provide hundreds of millions of dollars to support 
international climate change adaptation and mitigation programs. We 
included this funding because the scientific communities are in 
agreement that we are running out of time before the damage to our 
planet is irreversible. So we are taking a small but long-overdue step 
to confront that reality.
  The bill also backs up our commitment to our veterans. It provides 
$97.5 billion--an 8.7-percent increase--for VA medical care. That 
provides essential health services for 9.2 million veterans, those men 
and women who have served our country and whom we always promised to 
back up, as they did us. Now, we are. This includes funding for rural 
health programs, veterans' homelessness prevention, and mental health 
resources.
  Consistent with long tradition, the bill includes billions of dollars 
for food and other humanitarian aid for victims of war and natural 
disasters, $700 million to support global health security programs to 
prevent and prepare for future pandemics, and it provides the funds to 
support PEPFAR's global HIV-AIDS program.
  It provides the funds to support our embassies and other foreign 
missions around the world. And it supports organizations like the 
Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria, the National Endowment 
for Democracy, the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Peace Corps, the 
Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the International Development 
Finance Corporation.
  Anybody who is watching the news knows what is happening with the war 
crimes that are being imposed on Ukraine by a much larger neighbor, 
Russia, under the unbelievable, irresponsible leadership of Vladimir 
Putin.
  So we have included a $13.6 billion bipartisan agreement to provide 
emergency assistance to Ukraine and our NATO allies--$13.6 billion. 
That has the necessary resources to bolster the defense capabilities of 
the Ukrainian military but also our regional allies and partners. It 
also supports the implementation of economic sanctions and export 
restrictions on Russia.
  Importantly, it addresses the evolving humanitarian crisis--this 
horrible, tragic humanitarian crisis--that has resulted from President 
Putin's unprovoked attack on the Ukrainian people, an attack I call a 
war crime. The escalating crisis President Putin has inflicted on 
Europe poses the greatest threat to democracy and sovereignty in a 
generation.
  The American people overwhelmingly support the people of Ukraine. 
This is not a Democratic or Republican issue; this is a human rights 
issue. This is where America stands with the people of Ukraine.
  I remember a few years ago when I was chairman of the Senate 
Judiciary Committee, I joined with my friend Mike Crapo, another 
Senator, and we reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act. We 
dramatically increased it and improved it. We added Native Americans, 
we added the LGBTQ community, and we added the sexual exploitation of 
children.
  Well, the Violence Against Women Act has been stuck. It hasn't been 
reauthorized. This bill reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act.
  VAWA continues to be one of the most consequential laws addressing 
the scourge of violence against women and domestic violence in our 
country. I remember how bad it was when I was a prosecutor, but it has 
become far, far worse today. We need the tool of VAWA, and the bill 
includes the highest funding level ever of grants to support these 
programs. It provides crucial support for programs and initiatives 
designed to support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, 
dating violence, and stalking.
  Of note, this bill also reforms and reauthorizes the EB-5 Visa 
program, which has been abused by corrupt actors for too long. I have 
championed

[[Page S1091]]

these bipartisan reforms for many years, and I am proud that we are 
finally going to enact them.
  In total, the bill includes $730 billion in nondefense funding, a 
6.7-percent increase. The bill includes, $782 billion in defense 
funding, a 5.6-percent increase over fiscal year 2021.
  This is a product of months of negotiations--sometimes weekends, 
sometimes evenings, sometimes days, over and over again--negotiations 
between myself and dear friends Vice Chairman Shelby and House Chair 
DeLauro and Ranking Member Granger.
  I mentioned earlier our staffs who spent countless late nights 
working through the details of this bill. Those are not just weekday 
nights; those are weekends too, giving up plans they might have had, 
personal plans, family plans, whatever. So I think of specifically 
Charles Kieffer, Chanda Betourney, Jessica Berry, and Jay Tilton on my 
staff and Bill Duhnke and David Adkins on Vice Chairman Shelby's staff 
and so many, many more who worked those nights and days--far too many 
names to say right now.
  Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to have a list of the staff 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was orderd to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

  Chairman Leahy List for H.R. 2471 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
                       2022) Staff for the Record

       Charles Kieffer, Chanda Betourney, Jessica Berry, Jay 
     Tilton, Maddie Dunn, Megan Fariel, William Duhnke, David 
     Adkins, Blair Taylor, Margaret Wiles, Ann Tait Hall, Robin 
     Juliano, Matt Washington, Jason Gray, Anne Marie Chotvacs, 
     Johnnie Kaberle, Sara Peters, Dianne Nellor, Rachel 
     Erlebacher, Hannah Chauvin, Morgan Ulmer, Patrick Carroll, 
     Elizabeth Dent, Jean Toal Eisen, Jennifer Eskra, Blaise 
     Sheridan, Michael Bednarczyk, Angela-Gussi Caalim, Brian 
     Daner, Allen Cutler, Kevin Wheeler, Erik Raven, Mike 
     Clementi, Katy Hagan, Kate Kaufer, Brigid Kolish, Robert 
     Leonard, John Lucio, Andy Vanlandingham, Abigail Grace, 
     Andrew Platt, Hanz Heinrichs, John Forbes, Rachel Littleton, 
     Todd Phillips, Doug Clapp, Jennifer Becker-Pollet, Aaron 
     Goldner, Laura Powell, Christopher Crowley, Jen Armstrong, 
     Nora Khalil, Anna Newton, Sirisha Rayaprolu, Ellen Murray, 
     Diana Hamilton, Reeves Hart, Andrew Newton, Alexandra Adcock, 
     William Tutt, Lauren Nunnally, Kamela White, Jennifer Piatt, 
     Jim Daumit, Frank Reed, Teri Curtin, Jason Yaworske, Chris 
     Cook, Daniel Mencher, Thompson Moore, LaShawnda Smith, 
     Melissa Zimmerman, Ryan Hunt, Martha Roberts, Anthony 
     Sedillo, Emy Lesofski, Lucas Agnew, Nona McCoy, Alex Keenan, 
     Kelly Brown, Michael Gentile, Mark Laisch, Meghan Mott, 
     Kathryn Toomajian, Fiona O-Brien, Laura Friedel, Anna Lanier 
     Fischer, Ashley Palmer, Emily Slack, Michelle Dominguez, 
     Joanne Hoff, Jason McMahon, Patrick Magnuson, Jennifer 
     Bastin, Tim Rieser, Kali Farahmand, Sarita Vanka, Madeleine 
     Granda, Paul Grove, Katherine Jackson, Adam Yezerski, Dabney 
     Hegg, Kelsey, Daniels, Rajat Mathur, Jessica Sun, Amanda 
     Wahlig, Alison Graab, Michael Ciamarra, Jason Woolwine, 
     Courtney Young, Clint Trocchio, Christy Greene, Jenny 
     Winkler, Valerie Hutton, George Castro, Hong Nguyen, Elmer 
     Barnes, Penny Myles, Karin Thames, Lynn Cookley.

  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, this is a good bill. It is a bill that 
reflects American priorities and invests in future prosperity and our 
health. It reduces everyday costs for millions of Americans, such as 
childcare, a college education, and heating and cooling costs. It is a 
bill that invests in us--us--the American people.
  We know that a government shutdown on Saturday would be senseless. 
Look at the impression it would give the rest of the world when we are 
telling everybody to stand up and be strong. We know that a delay would 
be senseless, so I strongly urge all Members to vote aye when the bill 
comes to the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. MORAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


                    Remembering George Nettels, Jr.

  Mr. MORAN. Madam President, I rise today on a solemn occasion. I rise 
in memory of George Nettels, Jr., a man who lived a life of service to 
his community and to our State.
  Affectionately referred to as ``the face of Pittsburg''--Pittsburg, 
KS, that is--George was a loving husband to Josie and a devoted father 
to Chris, Meg, Kate, and Becky. He was born in Pittsburg, KS--the very 
southeast corner of our State--where his dedication, hard work, and 
thirst for adventure was cultivated.
  As a young man, George joined the U.S. Army in the closing years of 
World War II. Upon his return home, he attended the University of 
Kansas, where he was a letterman on the swim team and graduated with a 
degree in civil engineering.
  George spent most of his career in his beloved hometown, where he 
became the proud owner of Midwest Minerals, a crushed limestone 
aggregate and agricultural lime supplier with a strong four-State 
presence.
  In 1966, he served as the chairman of the Kansas Republican Party and 
the National Limestone Institute, so civic and politics, as well as his 
devotion to his profession and those it employed. It was the preceding 
association to what we in Washington, DC, and across the country know 
as the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association.
  His work at the National Limestone Institute led to his appointment 
in 1970 as president and CEO of McNally Manufacturing, which started as 
a small boiler shop and helped transform Pittsburg into a Southeast 
Kansas industrial powerhouse.
  George's leadership included serving as chairman of the National 
Association of Manufacturers and as director of Kansas City Power and 
Light.
  In 1986, the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas honored him with the 
distinction of Kansan of the Year--a fitting tribute for his life of 
service to his community, State, and profession.
  His deep involvement in civic business and philanthropic endeavors 
kept him busy in Pittsburg, where he served as president of the chamber 
of commerce, chairman of the Mt. Carmel Hospital board of trustees, a 
member of the United Way, and president of USD--Unified School 
District--250 Board of Education. His devotion to Pittsburg's public 
schools is one he inherited from his father, who spearheaded a campaign 
to build an elementary school that ultimately would be named for him.
  George Nettels' appetite for adventure led him to 24 countries, 
skydiving in tandem with his grandson, Jack--he did that at age 84--and 
taking a 6-day bike tour through the hills of Italy. Whether around the 
world or at home, he never turned down a new physical challenge, which 
led him to being named the honorary starter of the Get Busy Livin' 5K 
Run and Friendship Walk in Pittsburg at 87 years old.
  I heard this story from one of my staff, who saw George jogging in 
100-degree heat just over 2 years ago. Worrying about his age and the 
heat, my staffer offered George a ride, to which he replied:

       I grew up working in this heat and it doesn't bother me one 
     bit.

  George learned from his father that life is a gift and the length is 
not guaranteed. He took that lesson to heart, making sure that while he 
was on Earth, he bettered his hometown, made countless memories with 
his family and friends, and was always ready for an adventure.
  Southeast Kansas's dynamic industrial sector, the city of Pittsburg, 
and our entire State have George Nettels, Jr., to thank for his 
advocacy, leadership, and commitment to excellence.
  Robba and I extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends 
and all those who knew and loved him.


                         Remembering Roger Kemp

  Madam President, I rise as the entire Kansas City community mourns 
the death of Roger Kemp.
  Over the years, Roger and I became close friends, and I knew him to 
be a passionate member of the Kansas City community. Nowhere was this 
passion and drive more evident than his work following the death of his 
daughter.
  In 2002, Roger and his wife Kathy's daughter Ali was murdered at the 
age of 19 while she was working at a local pool as a lifeguard.
  Living through a parent's worst nightmare, Roger channeled his grief 
into bringing his daughter's murderer to account for this heinous 
crime. Roger demanded nothing less than absolute justice for his 
daughter. He worked tirelessly, including through a billboard 
advertisement campaign, to find Ali's killer. This campaign not

[[Page S1092]]

only worked to bring her killer to justice but led law enforcement, 
both locally and nationally, to adopt a similar strategy that has been 
credited with helping to apprehend hundreds of other suspected killers.
  His work did not stop there. Roger wanted to devote his life and his 
efforts to making certain that other women, other young girls, were not 
caught defenseless as Ali was and that no other parent had to 
experience the torment and loss that he and Kathy endured. So Roger 
founded The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation and T.A.K.E. Defense 
programs. An honor student, Ali was, at both Blue Valley North High 
School and Kansas State University; her life was just getting started. 
She had just finished her freshman year at K-State, where she was a 
member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and a volunteer in her church.
  But even though it was tragically cut short, Ali's tragic death 
touched thousands of people, and The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation 
continues to positively impact the lives of many and allows her legacy 
to live on.
  ``I don't care what it cost to do this program,'' Roger said. ``If we 
save one life out there, it's worth it.''
  That was Roger's mantra, and he lived up to it. Over the nearly 20 
years since its founding, The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation and its 
T.A.K.E. Defense programs have trained more than 70,000 girls and women 
across the country, ranging from the ages of 12 to 90, no doubt saving 
more than one life.
  Roger was an active member and served on the board of directors of 
the Ad Hoc Commission Against Crime and on the committee which reviewed 
and awarded grants to shelters and homes for victims of abuse for three 
different Kansas attorneys general.
  But it wasn't just those of us in Kansas that recognized just how 
special a person Roger was. In 2011, I had the honor of successfully 
nominating Roger to receive the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second 
highest civilian award presented by a President. He was 1 of 13 
recipients out of more than 6,000 nominees.
  I think a quote from the foundation he created in Ali's honor 
perfectly captures who he was, and it reads:

       Roger's faith in the American justice system; his belief 
     that 99 percent of the world is good, his powerful love for 
     his daughter Ali and sons Tyler and Drew and his deep 
     dedication to his wife Kathy drove him every day, fighting 
     the good fight, to make our world a better place.

  Roger Kemp was a loving father and husband, a dedicated member of his 
community, and a man who created good from the devastating disaster, 
the murder of his daughter.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with Kathy, Tyler, and Drew and all who 
knew and loved Roger in this time of sorrow. I am honored to have 
considered him a friend, and it comforts me to know that he has 
reunited once more with Ali.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.


                                Ukraine

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, Vladimir Putin's brutal invasion of 
Ukraine rests on the false historic claim that Ukraine is not a real 
country but a part of Russia.
  Both Ukraine and Russia trace their roots to ancient civilizations 
centered in Kyiv. Kyiv was a major city when Moscow was a backwater 
that no one had heard of.
  The devastating and brutal Mongol invasion in the 13th century 
changed everything. Collaboration with the Mongols allowed Muscovy, the 
predecessor of modern Russia, to become a dominant regional power. 
Meanwhile, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania exerted control over much of 
what is now Western Ukraine, giving it a very Western European 
perspective.
  Russia, since the Mongol invasion, has been ruled with an iron fist. 
By contrast, Ukraine has been home to the Cossacks, who embody a sense 
of freedom and individual autonomy. Just think of Ukrainian Cossacks as 
the equivalent of the American cowboys of the Wild West. They hated 
serfdom and oppressive government and sought to elect their own rulers, 
which they called a hetman.
  A Cossack state using the name Ukraine in what is now Ukraine's 
southeast became a major power in the mid-17th century. Then, when 
Catherine the Great conquered that Ukrainian state, she is recorded as 
having said:

       Every effort should be made to eradicate them and their age 
     from memory.

  Ukrainians' strong national identity threatens the claim of Russian 
nationalists to be the heir to the ancient Kyiv civilization. When 
Ukrainians revolted against the Soviet collectivization of agriculture 
dictated from Moscow, Stalin seized the Ukrainian wheat harvest and 
food stores, starving millions of Ukrainians to death. This is 
remembered as Holodomor, which means ``extermination by hunger'' in the 
Ukrainian language.
  Putin rehabilitated the image of Stalin and banned the human rights 
organization memorial which investigated Stalin's crimes against 
humanity. Putin is following, then, in a long tradition of Russian 
nationalists and the autocrats associated with it who have tried to 
stamp out Ukrainian national identity.
  When Putin talks about being threatened by NATO, he does not mean he 
thinks the Russian Federation faces a military threat. Until Russia 
invaded and occupied Crimea and portions of Eastern Ukraine, our NATO 
allies bordering Russia hosted no troops from other NATO countries. 
Today, there are a small number of U.S. troops in NATO's eastern flank 
which were reinforced only as a result of the current Russian invasion 
of Ukraine. But these defensive troops are still dwarfed by the number 
of Russian military personnel in Russia's western military district. 
NATO does not have enough troops deployed to repel an invasion, much 
less to be considered an offensive threat to Russia.
  What Putin is really threatened by is that Ukraine, true to the 
history I just gave you, is asserting an independent path. They don't 
like that independent path because it separates them from Russia. 
Ironically--in fact, very ironically--his aggressive actions to date 
have only unified Ukrainians in Ukraine's determination to be free of 
Russian influence. Putin has pushed Ukraine toward the European Union 
and toward NATO.
  Putin seems to believe his own twisted view of history, so he 
convinced himself that the current freely elected government of Ukraine 
is not supported by the Ukrainian people. Putin thought that he could 
topple President Zelenskyy and appoint a puppet government.
  Putin thought Ukrainians would not fight. Boy, has he been proven to 
be wrong--really wrong. Putin cannot achieve his goal since the 
Ukrainians will never, never accept Russian domination. So Putin has 
taken to leveling civilian areas, cynically agreeing to humanitarian 
corridors to allow families to escape, only to shoot those who have 
gathered, bombing maternity wards, killing many women and babies. And, 
of course, as you see every day on television, the atrocities can only 
get worse.
  We must provide Ukraine with everything it might need to stop the 
mass murders. That includes military aircraft, drones, anti-aircraft 
systems, anti-missile systems--almost anything they need--and we must 
do it now.
  I wanted more arms and sanctions before the invasion happened. We saw 
that invasion coming. Any bureaucratic delays now are unacceptable. Our 
Eastern European allies acted with lightning speed. We seem to follow 
them. Our European allies were giving up weapons that they need for 
deterrence in their own defense, and then we followed. We ought to 
continue to follow their example; but instead of following, we should 
be leading. And we should agree to fill any gaps caused by past and 
future donations of weapons to Ukraine by frontline allies.
  Ukraine's success and its defense will prevent a wider war that will 
cost more in lives and resources. It is in our interest to do 
everything we can to stop the Russian terror campaign now. We should be 
leading--not leading from behind. We should lead NATO--not follow NATO.
  We should be the great United States of America that we are because 
we are dealing with a sick autocrat, probably with an ego that has to 
be satisfied; and it is all totally understandable, except that 
somebody is very sick.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oregon.

[[Page S1093]]

  

  Mr. WYDEN. I ask unanimous consent that the following Senators be 
permitted to speak prior to the scheduled votes: myself for up to 15 
minutes, Senator Paul for up to 15 minutes, Senator Menendez for up to 
7 minutes, and Senator Risch for up to 5.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


                      Nomination Of Maria L. Pagan

  Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, the Senate will soon vote on the 
nomination of Maria Pagan to serve as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative 
and our envoy to the World Trade Organization in Geneva.
  This vote has been a long time coming; and in a moment, I am going to 
talk about Ms. Pagan's extensive qualifications and her long 
experience. But, first, Madam President and colleagues, there is a new 
urgency today for the Senate to confirm Ms. Pagan with strong 
bipartisan support.
  The Russians' inhuman behavior means that they have forfeited the 
right to enjoy the fruits of the post-World War II international order.
  The World Trade Organization is one of the key venues where the 
United States and our economic allies must hold Russia accountable for 
its illegal and unjustifiable war in Ukraine. It means the United 
States and our economic allies basically have to go to the World Trade 
Organization and tell Russia: Go fly a kite.
  Now, here in the Congress, as the chairman of the Senate Finance 
Committee, I am working with the ranking member, Senator Mike Crapo; 
House Ways and Means Chairman Richie Neal; and Ranking Member Kevin 
Brady on legislation that would revoke Russia's permanent normal trade 
status with the United States. This is part of suspending Russia's 
benefits at the World Trade Organization and would mean Russia's 
exports to the United States would immediately be hit with significant 
tariffs.
  Our country has led the effort to ratchet up sanctions against Russia 
to levels nobody has seen.
  Russia's economy is in free fall, and there is no question that 
hitting Putin's tight circle of oligarchs who dominate Russia's largest 
industries will pay off. Taking away Russia's trade benefits is an 
essential next step that will help to freeze Russia out of key markets 
around the world.
  As our Envoy to the World Trade Organization, Ms. Pagan would be our 
point person coordinating this effort. She will be the one coordinating 
with like-minded countries and intervening in support of Ukraine. That 
is why it is so important that she be confirmed today and why it is so 
important that she have strong backing from both sides of the aisle.
  Now, her nomination won bipartisan support in the Senate Finance 
Committee. The Finance Committee approved her nomination by a vote of 
27 to 1, so we are talking about near-unanimous support--certainly 
something of a rare sight in the Congress these days. She got that 
support because she is a highly experienced public servant who knows 
how to get the best possible deal for our workers and our farmers and 
our businesses.
  Over three decades in government, she has served at both the 
Department of Commerce and at the Office of the USTR. She is an expert 
in a variety of fields. From trade in services to government 
procurement, she has litigated several disputes before the World Trade 
Organization. She now serves as deputy general counsel at the office of 
the U.S. Trade Representative, the person called in when issues are 
particularly challenging. She was recently at the center of the U.S.-
Mexico-Canada negotiations, and she was key to helping Democrats 
guarantee that the final deal would be enforceable. That was a must-
have for all Americans; otherwise, the agreement wasn't going to pass.
  Working through the WTO to isolate Russia is just going to be one 
part of her job. There are critical negotiations at WTO that absolutely 
have to move forward. These include COVID vaccines and the unfair 
fisheries subsidies that do so much damage to our environment and our 
fishing industry.
  The WTO itself has big issues that have to be addressed. Its rules 
are out of date, and its procedures move too slowly to keep up with a 
modern economy.
  The Chinese Government, for example, takes advantage of the World 
Trade Organization's current shortcomings to game the trade system, and 
they do it at the expense of American jobs, growth, and innovation. A 
system that is intended to produce ironclad, predictable rules is now 
opening up loopholes that trade rip-off artists are exploiting.
  Ms. Pagan understands these challenges that I described. She is 
equipped to confront these issues. She is a proven negotiator and a 
strong advocate for American workers and farmers and businesses.
  She has secured significant support from Democrats and Republicans on 
the Senate Finance Committee.
  There is urgent work that awaits her in Geneva. I urge my colleagues 
to support this nomination. It is priority business for today, given 
our trade challenges with Russia.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Warnock). The Senator from Kentucky.

                          ____________________