[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 195 (Thursday, December 15, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7243-S7244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                           GOVERNMENT FUNDING

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, stop me if you have heard this one 
before: Two atoms walk into a bar, they collide into one other at 
extreme speeds, under extreme heat, and they leave later that evening 
combined--as one, single element.
  The process I have just described is known as nuclear fusion. For the 
past 60 years, it is a process that has only existed in theory--written 
on chalkboards and debated in lecture halls. But last week, everything 
changed, when the brilliant minds at the Lawrence Livermore National 
Laboratory in California made a breakthrough. For the first time in 
human history, these American researchers achieved what is known as 
fusion ignition.
  They constructed the world's largest laser system--the size of a 
sports stadium--to recreate conditions that can only be found in the 
cores of stars and giant planets. And they harnessed that power to 
combine two particles into one, and as a result, they created more 
energy than was used to start the process. In other words, these 
federally funded researchers achieved a scientific feat that could pave 
the way for unlimited, carbon-free energy. And in the words of our 
Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, it is a breakthrough that 
``[only] happened because we invested in our national labs . . . and we 
invested in fundamental research.''
  Now, let's be clear, this technology is a long way off from powering 
our homes and businesses, but it is a revolutionary proof of concept. 
These American researchers have proven that nuclear fusion--and, 
potentially, a carbon-free future--are possible.
  And this remarkable breakthrough is a return to form for America: 
Throughout our history, our government has funded the revolutionary 
research considered too risky for investors in the private sector--the 
kinds of discoveries

[[Page S7244]]

that cost too much and take too long for private investors--but can 
change the world. And time and again, these Federal investments have 
paid off. Could you imagine the world economy today without the 
internet or the microchip? Well, both were the products of federally 
funded research. And both have created well-paying jobs for generations 
of families in our country. This new breakthrough in nuclear fusion 
proves that America is at its best when we pioneer the inventions and 
industries of tomorrow.
  And that is exactly why we, in this Senate today, need to invest our 
Nation's capacity to innovate. We can't face tomorrow's challenges with 
yesterday's budget. But sadly, that is the reality we are faced with if 
Congress fails to pass a spending package by the end of this month.
  Yes, it is that time of the year again in Washington: the end-of-year 
sprint to pass a government funding bill--also known as an omnibus. And 
as we approach the closing days of this Congress, we need to answer a 
fundamental question: Will we pass a government funding bill that 
adequately addresses our Nation's greatest challenges? Or we will give 
up and kick the can to the next Congress?
  And this isn't just about funding for fundamental research; we are 
talking about the fundamental problems Americans face every single day. 
If we don't pass an omnibus in the next several days, the Federal 
Government will have to rely on what is known as a continuing 
resolution; it is essentially copying and pasting last year's budget 
into next year. Imagine if a high school student did that on a term 
paper; they would fail the class--and for good reason.
  Fortunately, earlier this week, Senator Leahy, Senator Shelby, and 
Congresswoman DeLauro announced a spending framework that will 
hopefully lead to an omnibus appropriations package to fully fund the 
government through the next fiscal year. That omnibus bill will support 
healthcare for our senior citizens and veterans, infrastructure 
projects to rebuild and revitalize our communities, and community 
violence prevention programs to keep our kids and families safe. These 
are real solutions to the urgent problems American families deal with 
every single day. In fact, over the past 2 years, this Senate has 
passed a number of policies to address those same problems--many of 
them bipartisan.
  We passed the biggest infrastructure bill in a generation, to rebuild 
our roads and bridges and replace lead pipes in cities like Chicago. We 
passed the CHIPS and Science Act, to bring manufacturing jobs back to 
our shores and secure our domestic supply of a component that is 
critical in the 21st century economy. We passed the PACT Act, to keep 
our promise to America's veterans and help those suffering from toxic 
exposure during their time on the battlefield. And we also passed the 
Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, to combat the scourge of gun violence 
that has now become the No. 1 killer of America's children.
  But here is the issue: If we leave Washington without passing a 
spending package, these policies will be little more than words on 
paper--because none of these initiatives will receive the funding they 
need to start helping American families. That is unacceptable; the 
American people have already shown that they support these policies.
  How do we know that? Well, as members of this Senate, we voted on 
every one of those measures I just mentioned. They all passed. Last 
month, many of these same Senators touted their support for these 
measures in their reelection campaigns. And every single one of them 
was reelected--every single one. That hasn't happened since 1934. That 
is about as clear a message as you get in politics: The policies we 
have passed are popular--and even more important, they are necessary.
  So how can we now turn around and tell the American people: Sorry, 
you will just have to wait a little longer. We have decided not to fund 
those promises we made? How can we tell that to the veteran who needs 
lifesaving medical care today? Or the mother whose child is at risk of 
gun violence today? Or Americans who don't have access to safe drinking 
water today? These Americans have already waited too long, and they 
shouldn't have to wait a moment longer. We should do our job and fund 
the government.
  Passing an omnibus also will bring millions of dollars in earmark 
funding that Senator Duckworth and I have worked to secure for 
community projects in Illinois. These projects will improve our State's 
transportation systems, clean up our water, strengthen community 
violence prevention initiatives, expand access to healthcare, create 
jobs, and much more. But if we leave Washington without passing an 
omnibus, these projects will not receive the funding they need to move 
forward.
  And worse yet, public safety will suffer. In my town of Springfield, 
our U.S. Attorney tells me his office needs Federal funding to hire 
more assistant U.S. Attorneys, who are on the frontlines of combating 
gun violence and violent crime. And across the country, there is a 
shortage of more than 750 assistant U.S. Attorneys. If we fail to pass 
a spending package, those shortages, which are a risk to public safety, 
will extend into next year. That would be a pitiful closing act for the 
117th Congress, which has done a lot of good work for the American 
people.
  So let's come together and finish the job. Let's fully fund the 
government before we leave for the holidays, so hard-working Americans 
can finally get the solutions they have been waiting on.

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