Joni Ernst

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and the waiver provisions of applicable budget resolutions, I move to waive all applicable sections of that act and applicable budget resolutions for purposes of Senate amendment No. 132, and I ask for the yeas and nays.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, on January 20, I joined my colleagues on the front steps of the Capitol for the inauguration of our 46th President, Joe Biden. At a time when divisions run deep within our country, I thought President Biden's call for unity, where he pledged to be a President for all Americans, struck just the right tone. As my Democratic colleagues in this body can attest to, I am always willing to work with anyone--Republicans, Democrats and Independents-- on issues that will improve the lives of my fellow Iowans and all Americans. Sadly, the actions we have seen in the first few days of this administration do not seem to honor the promise President Biden made to Americans throughout his campaign and again on Inauguration Day. In just 2 weeks, the President has already signed over 25 Executive orders, that is a significantly more amount than any President in recent history in a short amount of time. Let's be clear, folks. He is not just breaking norms, he is obliterating them. Even the New York Times editorial board called on him to ``Ease up on the Executive Actions.'' And they are not wrong, folks. That is something that I don't say very often. Now, I fully understand that the power of Executive order is often unpopular when your party does not control the White House, but when you set out to be a ``unifier-in-chief,'' which is something we hoped President Biden would be, one would hope that the actions you take would unify or at least be a little more mainstream. The reality is, that has just not been the case. What the new President has done in just 2 weeks on the job is show us his true colors and his desire to appease the more radical wing of his party. It is disheartening for someone who believes that the way we should be working together is a bipartisan path. We have already seen disastrous decisions harmful to American businesses and workers--decisions that resemble the likes of the radical Green New Deal. Keeping our air and water clean and protecting our environment for generations to come are shared concerns of every Iowan and all Americans. But on day one, as many predicted he would do at some point during his tenure, President Biden issued a harsh punishment for American businesses by rejoining the Paris climate agreement. This agreement saddles hard-working folks with overburdensome government regulations, all while letting one of the world's biggest polluters, Communist China, completely off the hook. Instead of inhibiting economic growth, we should be focused on reducing our emissions and meeting our energy needs through market-driven, innovative solutions. Iowa actually leads the way in creating renewable energy sources, from wind and solar to biodiesel and ethanol, but we haven't done it through heavyhanded government mandates. The President has also raised concerns for folks in my home State of Iowa who work hard to grow and produce clean ethanol and biodiesel with his recent action to begin transitioning Federal Government vehicles to electric vehicles. Ethanol and biodiesel are actually cleaner choices of fuel for folks at the pump. A recent study found that greenhouse gas emissions from corn ethanol are 46 percent lower than gasoline. At the same time, renewable fuels provide for the livelihoods of folks across the heartland. It is critical we continue to invest in our biofuel industry, not move away from it. That is why I urge President Biden not to give in to the misguided political demands of the left. Change course and, instead, promote the adoption of higher biofuel blends and invest in expanding biofuel infrastructure. On the same day he got us back into the Paris climate accord, President Biden unilaterally canceled the Keystone XL Pipeline, destroying thousands of jobs during a pandemic when millions of hard- working Americans are already struggling to make ends meet. Even Canada's Prime Minister, one of our top allies and closest trade partners, expressed his disappointment in the decision. Unfortunately, the Green New Deal lite is not the only policy of the liberal left the Biden administration has already chosen to implement. As many Iowans know, I have long been working to pass Sarah's Law, my bill in honor of Sarah Root, a 21-year-old Iowan who was tragically struck and killed by Edwin Mejia, who entered the country illegally and was driving drunk--three times the legal limit. While Mejia was initially detained by local law enforcement and faced State charges of motor vehicle homicide, a loophole in immigration policy under the Obama-Biden administration allowed him to post bond, disappear, and escape justice. Sarah's Law would close that loophole and require U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement to take custody of an illegal immigrant who is charged with a crime resulting in the death or serious bodily injury of another person. It is common sense, folks, and it would prevent tragedies like what happened to the Root family from ever happening again. The Trump administration was successful in implementing parts of this important legislation. But as many expected, the Biden administration is already working to roll back immigration enforcement. That is why, last week, I reintroduced Sarah's Law with the support of 19 of my colleagues--more than ever before--and I am going to keep fighting to get this bill across the finish line. If the November elections taught us anything, it is that the American people want us to work together. They elected a 50-50 Senate and a slim majority in the House of Representatives. So, Mr. President, it is time the Biden administration follows its own advice. I am an eternal optimist, and I believe we can come together and truly deliver for all Americans, but I need my colleagues across the aisle and our new President to do the same so that his calls for unity don't fall on deaf ears March for Life and Abortion Madam President, on another topic, we did have the March for Life this past week. So I want to begin today by recognizing the grassroots advocates of our pro-life movement. Last Friday, thousands of Americans and many Iowans joined in this year's virtual March for Life. These folks are the ones who actively serve our vulnerable women and families who need support in order to choose life. These hard-working Americans are the ones who are on the ground, changing hearts and minds all year long. Even though things looked a lot of different for this year's event, I have no doubt that our grassroots pro-life movement will continue to grow in communities all across the country, thanks to these inspiring folks who understand that protecting life is not just a political issue for debate. In DC, lawmakers and executive branch bureaucrats get easily trapped into looking at abortion as just another issue. But that mindset, even from the pro-life perspective, is a dehumanized approach. I challenge my friends and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to instead approach the sanctity of human life as more than just a policy issue. Surely, the challenges of 2020 reminded us how very precious life is, taking to heart that we must cherish life--all life at all stages. If we devalue life in the womb, then we are only setting the groundwork for diminishing human worth and value at every other stage of life. This mindset is why I approach the duty to protect life with steadfast determination. And it is why I know preserving life is a cause that can and should bring us together. President Biden and his administration have clearly stated their goal is to unify our country, but the recent policy changes and Executive actions surrounding the abortion issue have certainly signaled a different message to many Americans. There was a time when the most basic policy stance was that taxpayer dollars should not support the abortion industry. It was a bipartisan, noncontroversial stance--one that many of my Democratic colleagues used to hold. But the abortion lobby has moved the goalpost so far down the field by making commonsense safety regulations on abortion absolutely untouchable; whereas, my pro-life colleagues and I have always been willing to meet in the middle. Think about it. I believe life begins long before 5 months in the womb, but we know many colleagues feel differently. So Senator Graham has repeatedly brought the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act forward each Congress in the hopes that protecting our most vulnerable from painful death at the 5-month mark of pregnancy would be a unifying and humanitarian cause. Sadly, that has not been the case. We had an estimated 143 babies who died between 2003 and 2014 after surviving abortion attempts. This shows the current law obviously needs to be strengthened there, which is why Senator Sasse brought forward the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act--but, no, even that bar was too high. Last year, Senator Cotton and I first introduced a bill that would ensure we have complete and accurate abortion-related data from every State. Wouldn't a full picture of the abortion landscape in our country be knowledge that any lawmaker would want in order to make informed and responsible decisions? And when it comes to ensuring women are treated with dignity and respect as patients, I will be introducing the Informed Consent Act to solidify this commonsense cause. My colleagues may recall a whistleblower report from September 2020, claiming that hysterectomies and other sterilization procedures were being performed on immigrant women held at the Irwin County Detention Center in Georgia without their consent. As it turns out, a sterilization or abortion procedure that occurs without informed consent from the patient is not already established as a crime in our Federal Code. My House colleague, Congressman Chris Smith, and I are introducing this legislation to strengthen the law here. Surely, this is another baseline that we can find common ground on. I welcome my pro-choice colleagues to join us in this effort and take a step toward unity. I believe once you focus the heart and mind to approach life as more than just a policy issue, you will find that preserving life promotes unity. If you really look at how our culture is shifting, life is winning. At the State level, nearly 60 life-affirming laws were enacted across the country in 2019. The vast majority of Americans agree that Federal tax dollars should not be used to support the abortion industry. So, folks, we do have common ground to stand on going into this new Congress. Protecting life brings us together, so we must stand up for the most vulnerable. We will be a stronger nation for it. With that, I yield the floor.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, I thank my colleague from North Carolina for joining us to talk about our veterans and about how important they are. North Carolina, of course, is home to many of our Active-Duty installations, which house many of our brave, young men and women from across the United States. Many Iowans will travel to the great Fort Bragg or other installations and call North Carolina home at least for a short while. So thanks to my colleague for joining us today. Thanksgiving dinner has become the single most celebrated meal of the year, with tens of millions of Americans gathering with family and friends to give thanks for their blessings and, of course, for one another. And, folks, I know that this year, it is a lot different. While we still have so much to be thankful for, the COVID-19 pandemic means folks will be traveling less and might not be celebrating in larger groups. As a result, many will be separated from their loved ones on this very special day. But, folks, this is a very familiar feeling for anyone who has ever served in our Nation's Armed Forces. There is no vacation from protecting our Nation. At any given moment, thousands of men and women, moms and dads, brothers and sisters, are stationed around the world, standing vigilant in the defense of freedom. Those wearing the uniform aren't the only ones making a sacrifice, either. Back home, there is an empty seat at the family table. There are kids missing their mom or dad, as my daughter missed me while I was deployed. Parents are missing a child, and husbands and wives are missing a spouse. Due to COVID, many who are stationed in the United States can't even travel home to be with their families. My own daughter will not be able to travel over Thanksgiving. Restrictions have been put in place prohibiting nonessential travel to or from many military installations, including Camp Dodge in my home State of Iowa. But every day, not just Thanksgiving, can be a sacrifice when serving in the Armed Forces. Those who enlist are well aware of this. Yet it is no deterrent. As a combat veteran with over 23 years of service between the Army Reserves and the Iowa Army National Guard, I understand what many families are going through, and I have a deep sense of gratitude for the sacrifice our men and women in uniform make for the good of their neighbors. Just last year, I visited our Iowa troops for Thanksgiving in Afghanistan. It was good to see them, and I know how much they were missing their families. They also want to make sure that the people back home remember them--remember that they are far from home, remember that they are working hard to protect our freedoms. Our courageous servicemembers know the real cost of freedom. They have seen and felt it firsthand. Many of them live with that price the rest of their lives. Far too many who survive combat continue fighting an internal battle when they return home. That is why I have made it a top priority to work across the aisle to combat suicide and mental health struggles among our veterans. My most recent effort would designate a Buddy Check Week to educate veterans on how to conduct peer wellness checks. It is a really simple measure that could go a long way to support the health and safety of those who have bravely served our Nation. During this Thanksgiving season, we also must continue to show our gratitude for those who are putting their own health and lives at risk by serving on the frontlines in our fight against COVID-19. Throughout this pandemic, there have been over 850 Iowa National Guardsmen working to deliver personal protective equipment, food, and medical supplies all across the State of Iowa. Having served in the Iowa Army National Guard for many, many years, I could not be more proud of their tireless and selfless efforts. That is why I have introduced legislation to provide tax-free hazardous duty pay for our National Guard men and women to recognize the work they are doing during this pandemic and provide them the pay they deserve. I know I speak on behalf of all Iowans when I say I am truly thankful for all of those who have ever served our Nation in uniform, and also to their families. This month we honor and appreciate all the sacrifices our military families make to support loved ones who are serving our Nation in uniform. While this Thanksgiving might look a little different, let's not forget to be grateful for the freedoms and the blessings we have in this truly great country. May God bless all Iowans, including those serving overseas and those caring for strangers during this pandemic. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve you. I yield the floor.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a wise, experienced, compassionate, and strong woman. This past week, Iowans and all Americans had the chance to see that. No matter the question or the topic, she was calm, cool, and collected. She invoked the rule set by the late Justice Ginsburg in providing no hints, previews, or forecasts as to how she would decide any given case. That is how judges should act, because, as Judge Barrett points out, judges aren't legal pundits; their role is to rule on the law. Certainly, that seemed to frustrate some folks. It is like they wanted that big TV moment to score just one more point on the political scoreboard this election cycle. They weren't focused on understanding Judge Barrett's judicial philosophy and temperament. What has become crystal clear to me throughout this process is that Judge Barrett's academic and professional qualifications are above reproach. As a law professor at Notre Dame, her alma mater, she offered numerous academic articles on the topic of constitutional law. As a Seventh Circuit Court judge, she has authored 79 majority opinions. Of those majority opinions, they have been unanimous 95 percent of the time. Judge Barrett has shown a commitment to the law and Constitution and has an even hand in applying the sacred tenets of our democracy. Like most Iowans, I firmly believe in the role of our Supreme Court. It is the defender of our Constitution. At the end of the day, that is my test for a Supreme Court Justice: Will she defend the Constitution? Why is this so important? Because far too often, politicians in Washington want the Supreme Court to be a superlegislature to push policy that can't make it through Congress. But that is not the job of the Supreme Court. We must resist with all effort the push to make this happen now and in the future. Last week, Judge Barrett demonstrated that she would be a defender of the Constitution--a soon-to-be Justice who will rule based on the Constitution, who will leave the policy decisions to Congress and decide the cases at hand, not the political winds of the moment. This week, the Senate will consider adding another woman to the highest Court in the land. This is something all women of every political party or persuasion should be applauding. But it seems like the left can't bring themselves to see this nomination as a great story for women. I am struck by the irony of how demeaning to women some of the left's accusations really are--that Judge Barrett, a working mother of seven with a strong record of professional and academic accomplishment, couldn't possibly respect the goals and desires of today's women. The great freedom of being an American woman is that we can decide how to live our lives, whom to marry, what kind of person we are, and where we want to go. I served in the military--something not exactly popular at various points in America's history. We don't have to fit into the narrow definition of womanhood. We create our own path. So, folks, I implore you to recognize this nominee for who she is. Judge Barrett has shown that she has the utmost qualifications and the character to serve on our Nation's highest Court. She is a role model for young women in Iowa and all around this Nation--a wife, a mom of seven, a woman of faith, a midwesterner. She did not receive her law degree from an Ivy League school. Some folks may not like that, but I appreciate someone, like myself, who has lived and learned beyond America's upper crust and coastlines and has seen America through the eyes of a farmer and the soul of a railman--an accomplished jurist and truly a wonderful and decent person. Amy Coney Barrett has demonstrated to the world that this--becoming a Supreme Court Justice--is what a mom can do. I look forward to supporting her nomination, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. I yield the floor.

Mr. ERNST

Mr. ERNST. Mr. President, I have 2 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing. Committee on Veterans' Affairs The Committee on Veterans' Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing. Unanimous Consent Agreement--Executive Calendar

Mrs. ERNST

Mrs. ERNST. Mr. President, I am honored to congratulate Waverly's Randy Druvenga on the conclusion of his tenure as Chair of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies--NAMIC--a member organization of property and casualty insurance companies. Randy has helped lead this organization through its 125th year of existence, including the NAMIC Mutual Insurance Foundation's drive to raise $125,000 for scholarships to help talented young Americans pursue their college degrees toward careers in insurance. It is fitting that Randy led NAMIC during this milestone anniversary as the association was founded by Iowans in 1895. While the Hawkeye State is happy to share Randy with NAMIC, we are most proud of his servant leadership in his home State. Randy has served as the past president of the Mutual Insurance Association of Iowa and is currently president of First Maxfield Mutual Insurance Association, a farm mutual insurance company serving more than 7,900 policyholders in northeast Iowa. He is a constant presence in his community, supporting numerous causes including the Waverly-Shell Rock Community Schools Foundation, and as a former referee and member of the Iowa High School Athletic Association Officials Hall of Fame. I want to again congratulate Randy Druvenga for his leadership. Iowans are famous for their commitment to their communities, and Randy embodies that spirit at home and beyond.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I grew up on a family farm with modest means. As a young girl, I saw Washington, DC, as a place for men in big fancy suits and big fancy houses. While a lot has changed since that time--for one, there are a lot more women like me serving in the Senate--so much here is still the same. You see, too many folks in Washington get their paychecks from American taxpayers but don't honor the folks who pay their salary. Instead of holding bad actors accountable, whether it is reckless spending or raunchy behavior on taxpayers' time, it gets swept under the rug. Let me give you an example. I have a bill right now. It is called the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act. It passed committee unanimously. It is actually one of the simplest bills I have ever introduced. It literally requires the government to report on projects that are, No. 1, behind schedule and, No. 2, overbudget. It is a simple reporting requirement. Again, it passed through the committee unanimously. The bill has the support of my Republican colleagues, but I am being stonewalled by my friends across the aisle. Folks, I cannot fathom why some Senate Democrats would oppose a reporting requirement to identify wasteful spending. You might ask: If this bill is so simple, why does it mean so much to you? Because it matters to my fellow Iowa taxpayers. They expect Washington to use their tax dollars wisely, not throw them down bottomless sinkholes that go unnoticed. Ask any small business owner in Iowa whether the bottom line allows them to be over-budget or behind schedule. They would be out of business. They would be out of business in a heartbeat. Yet we can't even pass a bill to report on these cost overruns, much less address them. I guess it is perfectly fine for Washington to take more and more from working families and small businesses. Folks, I think it is downright shameful that we just can't pass this simple bill. I will remind you again, it passed unanimously through committee. While there is a heck of a lot of political posturing that goes on in the Senate, we have had moments when we have come together to rein in the ticker tape parade of Washington's excesses. For instance, we passed my SQUEAL Act, which was signed into law as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. I am proud of that effort because there is no reason Members of Congress should enjoy tax perks that don't get enjoyed by everyone else. My bipartisan Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act was signed into law, creating more efficiency and oversight in the Federal Government. I certainly have not stopped fighting to rein in Presidential perks. I have also worked with colleagues who couldn't be more different from me politically, and we have actually accomplished really important things for the American people. I will name a few of those. We have fought against abuse in the Olympics. We have worked to stop prison rape. We have expanded telehealth and mental health services for our veterans. We have fought against opioids in our communities, and so much more. Working across the aisle really does take humility. It takes honesty, and it takes a firm belief in America and her people. But we can do this. I would urge all of my colleagues to support my bill and move it through the Senate. Living in Iowa, I am so blessed to be around the best people America has to offer. I am lucky not just to call these people farmers but also friends and neighbors. Iowans are strong. Iowans are resilient. And Iowans are brave. I have long said we need more of Iowa in Washington. I will keep fighting to make sure that happens. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. ERNST

Mr. ERNST. Mr. President, I have 8 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Armed Services The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing. Committee on Environment and Public Works The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on the nomination of Chad F. Wolf to be Secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Committee on Indian Affairs The Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing. Committee on Veterans' Affairs The Committee on Veterans' Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at time to be determined, to conduct a hearing. Select Committee on Intelligence The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at 2 p.m., to conduct a closed roundtable.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. I yield the floor.

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I now ask for a second reading, and in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I understand there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Thank you, Senator Hoeven and Senator Fischer, as well. We have so many of our great ag State friends here on the floor today to join in this colloquy. I did grow up on a small family farm in Southwest Iowa and grew up around hogs. We have row crops, of course, coming out of Iowa--soybeans and corn, which are very, very important. This is an important discussion today because our farmers need certainty--I hear it time and again from Iowa's ag community--whether it is trade, biofuels, or the supports that are coming from USDA. Just yesterday, I heard the message loud and clear as I was on a phone call with our farmers from the Iowa Farm Bureau. They said we need to make sure the CCC is fully funded. This isn't just because of COVID-19 aid payments. That is something different. Those have been helpful to most of our farmers. This is because our farm bill programs depend on the CCC being funded. The important supports out there for dairy, for conservation, for young and beginning farmers--you name it; it is the CCC. Just a couple of weeks ago, USDA Secretary Perdue was in Iowa, and we toured one of the many conservation sites across the State and saw firsthand the good work that is being done with our farmers through USDA's conservation programs. They are working to improve their operations while also cleaning Iowa's water, air, and keeping our soil healthy. Without these conservation programs funded through the CCC, this work simply would not be happening. Folks, since 1987, Congress has replenished the CCC back to $30 billion every year. This is not the year to stop. Iowa farmers in particular have been suffering through COVID-19; plus we had a derecho and a drought. The last thing we need is to take away something they have come to depend on. Madam President, 2020 has been hard on everyone, and there is no time to play games with our farmers' futures. I hope our friends on the other side of the aisle join us in supporting the replenishment of the CCC in the upcoming funding bill. I yield back to Senator Hoeven, the great Senator from North Dakota. Again, my thanks to the Senator and all of our farm State participants today for joining in the colloquy.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I would like to thank my colleagues for joining me on the floor today. It is clear that America is facing two separate, very different paths. Last Thursday, the Democrats in this Chamber blocked much needed assistance to families and small businesses struggling to make ends meet amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and they did it for one reason only--politics. Our friends across the aisle didn't want to provide $15 billion in childcare, more than $250 billion of additional Paycheck Protection Program loans for small businesses, $105 billion for schools, and $20 billion for farmers. While this aid is vital to my fellow Iowans, it would have helped families and communities all across the Nation, in red and blue States. There is no denying that the damage being caused by this pandemic is real. Businesses are being shut down, schools are being closed, and lives are being lost. Yet this toll is apparently not enough for the other side to set politics aside, even momentarily, to come together and help our fellow citizens with their daily struggles. This senseless obstruction is leaving Iowa families to fend for themselves when they most need a helping hand. In so many ways, this represents the distinct difference between the two political parties at this very moment. While Senate Republicans are leading efforts to get America back up and running and guarantee opportunities for everyone, Democrats are embracing obstruction and anarchy. Following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, my friend Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina introduced legislation to tackle police reform in a meaningful way. The bill he proposed would have enacted long overdue policies, such as finally making lynching a Federal crime, ending the use of police choke holds, expanding the use of body cameras by law enforcement, and increasing other forms of transparency and accountability. Yet despite the impassioned pleas of Americans across the country demanding justice for George Floyd and other African-Americans who have died in police custody, Democrats blocked the Senate from even debating Senator Scott's thoughtful police reform bill this past summer. Shouldn't we all be able to agree, regardless of our party affiliation, that Congress needs to take action to guarantee that no American should fear walking on the streets, especially in their own neighborhood? That guarantee should include people of color and peaceful protesters, as well as our law enforcement officers doing their jobs. As a consequence of the Democrats' obstruction, the streets in some of America's great cities have descended into a state of chaos and lawlessness, immersed in violence and vandalism, arson and murder. When taxpayers turn to their elected leaders--whether for assistance to provide for their families during a pandemic, for protection from unfair policing practices, or for simple safety when walking down the street--the Democrats have responded with silence and inaction. Even when I attempted to call up a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act--a bill that is very personal to me and that also had bipartisan support--the Democrats objected to that bill as well. And the same was true for my commonsense bill, Sarah's Law, which would hold illegal immigrants who harm or murder an American citizen accountable. It is no wonder that folks across this country are so frustrated with Washington and fed up with politicians. Folks, just one friendly reminder: Our country's direction will soon be decided by her people. America must now choose between two paths to take into the future, and that choice could not be starker. At a time when we need leadership and reassurance, the Democrats are instead offering obstruction, lockdowns, and anarchy. Our friends across the aisle are actually promising--folks, they are promising--to increase taxes on hardworking Americans and even promising to defund the police. That is right, folks. You get to pay more taxes in exchange for less safety and security. That doesn't sound like a good deal to me. Speaking of bad bargains, you can expect the Democrats to pass their Green New Deal if they are given the chance. This radical environmental plan would destroy our very way of life in Iowa. The roadmap offered by Republicans is much brighter, to say the least: reopening America safely; real reforms to end excessive use of force by police without putting the safety of everyone at risk by defunding the police; building upon the successful pro-growth policies that created the greatest economy and historically low unemployment rates for every demographic; and bringing the jobs that were exported under the previous administration back to America and ending our dependency on foreign nations like Red China. Folks, with our country and the world facing one of the greatest health and economic emergencies in history, we simply cannot risk our recovery on the radical designs of the Democrats. Let's pursue the path towards a renewed United States of America that guarantees safety and greater opportunities for every citizen to pursue the American dream. I yield the floor.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, if you are a person just watching politics back home, you probably see a common theme: talking. No matter the topic, people in DC like to talk but not much gets done. There is one topic that is especially guilty of this, and that is immigration. Democrat or Republican, conservative or liberal, we know our immigration system is broken. That is an easy statement to make, but nothing ever changes, and we need to start getting things done. In Iowa, we learned this in a very tragic way. On January 31, 2016, the same day as her college graduation, Sarah Root was killed by an illegal immigrant named Eswin Mejia. He was drag racing with a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit. Despite repeated requests by local law enforcement, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement failed to detain Mejia because of a nonsensical policy that allows ICE to use discretion when determining whether to detain a criminal alien charged with a violent offense. He posted bond; he was released; and he disappeared. Still, more than 4 years later, he remains a fugitive, denying Sarah's loved ones any sense of justice for closure. As a mother, I cannot fathom the grief her family and friends continue to feel after such a devastating loss. Sarah had her whole future ahead of her, but her opportunity to make her mark on the world was tragically cut short. Yet even in death, she touched the lives of others, saving six different individuals through organ donation. Sadly, what happened to Sarah is not an isolated incident. We have seen this story play out time and again in the more than 4 years since Sarah's killing--innocent lives taken by criminals who enter the United States illegally through a porous border, but nothing ever changes. Although nothing can bring Sarah back to her family, we can ensure that ICE never makes the same mistake again. Today, I rise to call upon my Senate colleagues to end this senseless madness, to do something and stop another tragedy like this from happening with a simple and clean fix. I am asking the Senate to join 26 of their colleagues and pass my bill, S. 285, Sarah's Law. Sarah's Law is simple. It requires that ICE take custody of a person who is in the country illegally if they are charged with a crime that seriously injures another person It also mandates a better victim notification system that lets victims and their families know what happened to their loved ones. Sarah's Law is about as commonsense a reform as there is. It recognizes the simple fact that all criminals should be held accountable for their actions and not simply be allowed to slip back into the shadows. If Sarah's Law is passed, people who are in this country illegally who murder another person would be prioritized for deportation if released. Who could be opposed to this? Here is a bit of good news. President Trump implemented parts of Sarah's Law through an Executive order in 2017, including directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to prioritize the removal of violent criminals. Despite provisions of Sarah's Law being put into place by President Trump's order, it is critical that the Senate codify these enforcement priorities so they cannot be removed by future administrations. This may seem crazy to those watching at home, but criminal aliens charged with homicide were allowed to escape detention in previous administrations. No family should ever have to endure such a tragedy, especially one that could have been prevented. I recognize that the immigration debate has become a political football, but justice for victims and their families is not a game. This bill isn't about the southern border or the wall or visa numbers or the larger immigration debate at all. This bill is about changing the system for the better and ensuring that families have the promise of justice. I intend to fulfill that promise to Sarah's loving parents, Michelle Root and Scott Root--the promise that I will do everything I can to ensure that not one more parent has to go through what the Roots have faced--the loss of both their daughter and the promise of justice. I yield the floor to my colleague from Iowa, Senator Grassley.

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. 285 and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; further, that the bill be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, once again, we are not talking about an overall immigration debate. We are talking about justice for those families who have received none, just as Scott Root and Michelle Root have seen the death of their daughter at the hands of an illegal immigrant and have yet to see justice because that illegal immigrant was allowed to evade justice. So the bill is not about immigration. It is about justice. I would further argue that, because this was an illegal immigrant and there was no detainer necessary by ICE, the illegal immigrant, who had no strong ties to the community and had operated under a number of assumed names, was able to slip away into the shadows. Most legal immigrants and citizens of the United States have roots somewhere and family somewhere, and they can be tracked and monitored until they are brought to justice. That is not true in this population. Because of that, Sarah Root will never have justice. Her killer will continue to evade authorities because he was, simply, not detained by ICE. We have the opportunity to correct this, and it is very unfortunate that, today, in the U.S. Senate, we have decided that Michelle Root and Scott Root should not see justice for Sarah, their daughter, and that other families who lose children to illegal immigrants should not have the opportunity for justice. Certain criminal elements, whether legal or illegal, can slip away, and that is exactly what Eswin Mejia did. He had no ties and was able to slip into the shadows but left a family wondering: How many others will be subjected to the pain and agony that they have gone through since the loss of Sarah? How many other families will go through that? I yield the floor.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I want to thank my colleagues today--the Senator from Mississippi, the Senator from Kansas, and so forth--for coming down and spending just a little bit of time talking about the wonderful heroes we have in our home States, and we really do have so, so many of them. While the country is anxiously awaiting Washington to come together and pass an updated COVID relief package, we are truly blessed to have everyday heroes back in our 50 States who are working around the clock to help out their neighbors. Essential workers haven't taken a break. They have been keeping our country running--and not just during this global pandemic but every single day. I have heard, time and again, stories of Iowans helping Iowans. Folks are volunteering their time and their talents to serve their communities and ensure no one feels alone during this time of social distancing. When my friend Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced that there was a shortage of face masks to protect frontline workers, Iowans, including my own mother, started sewing. Deb Siggins of Lisbon, IA, has made more than 400 masks that she has donated to a local hospital, her friends, and coworkers, the local fire department, grocery store employees, and elderly patients. She has even turned a tree near her home into a ``giving tree'' decorated with her homemade masks for people to take, which she is constantly updating. Deb plans to keep making the masks until they are no longer needed because she believes that sewing is her gift from God, which she can use to help others. Mary Shotwell of Des Moines wanted to give back to those helping her during this pandemic. In ``i-sew-lation,'' as she describes it, Mary sewed masks for her entire neighborhood and healthcare workers at Broadlawns Medical Center. In addition to the demand for masks, there has also been an increased need for food, especially to feed our hungry kiddos. Linn-Mar teacher Carla Ironside, who hasn't seen her students in the classroom since March, now sees some of them when they pick up meals at Feeding Lunches to Youth in Marion and Cedar Rapids, where she volunteers. Carla says the opportunity to serve these meals helps calm her anxious mind, knowing her students are fed. She said: ``I get to see their smiles . . . and it helps me, and I think it helps them.'' But it is not just our wonderful teachers; students are doing their part too. Allie Stutting of Princeton, IA, who is a University of Iowa student, launched an effort to mobilize her peers to serve and protect those at heightened risk. Worried about the threat COVID posed to her grandparents and the elderly, Allie set up a network of young people called the Iowa City Errand-ers to get groceries and food, pick up prescriptions, and run other errands for older folks and others in need. Allie's idea has inspired an army of over 400 volunteers--yes, 400 volunteers, folks. The story of these everyday heroes continues. To keep those who are venturing out safe, ambassadors from Operation Downtown are walking around Des Moines, cleaning and sanitizing handrailings, door handles, parking meters, and other high-touch surfaces. Julie Skalberg, an Operation Downtown ambassador, explains that it is an effort to help folks feel secure during what can be a very scary time. Despite the potential risk, Cynthia Allen--another Operation Downtown ambassador--says she feels that it is an honor to give back to our community. Folks, the actions of these and many, many others like them who are pitching in and doing their part are examples of what I like to call ``Iowa Nice.'' For each of them, serving others is not a chore but, rather, a gift greeted with gratitude. At a time filled with immeasurable uncertainty, these heartland heroes are bringing comfort to their communities, including complete strangers, many who are isolated and alone. Defeating this virus will require the development of an effective vaccine, and Iowa is helping to lead the way in this effort. Right now, the hard-working folks at the University of Iowa's Medical School are working with Pfizer to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. In the annual Defense bill that recently passed the Senate, I helped increase funding for these types of studies and developments. The efforts of our bright young Iowa college students, combined with the work of Operation Warp Speed and the administration, provide great hope for the future development of cures, treatments, and vaccines. Now, as we wait for the results, let's not forget the hope that the stories of our everyday COVID heroes bring. It is the Iowa way: stepping up and doing your part--meeting the needs of family, friends, and even strangers. Folks, I have said it before, and I will say it yet once again here today: We will get through these challenging times, and we will do it together. I yield the floor.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, 4 years ago, Jill Larsen opened Crayons 2 Pencils Early Learning Center in Norwalk, IA. This state of the art childcare center offers full day, before and after school care, and preschool-only programs for children from 6 weeks old to school age. They have even expanded to include a learning center and recreation center. It truly is topnotch. But when COVID-19 hit, Crayons 2 Pencils' enrollment dropped from 150 children to 32. And it was only through the Paycheck Protection Program that this childcare center was able to stay afloat and keep their workers paid. Jill Larsen's story is not unique. Without the help of the Paycheck Protection Program, so many of our small businesses and childcare programs across the country would have gone under. Ninety-nine percent of Iowa's businesses are small businesses, and the Paycheck Protection Program has been a critical lifeline for so many of them. I hear it time and again on my 99-county tour--most recently on a Main Street tour in Albia with some outstanding female small business owners. Nearly 60,000 small businesses in Iowa have received PPP loans, saving hundreds of thousands of jobs. But, folks, there are more funds left in the program, and many of these folks need additional help. That is why we should allow our most distressed businesses to receive a second PPP loan--so they can continue to keep workers paid and their doors open. The HEALS Act would make that possible. While the Paycheck Protection Program helped the Crayons 2 Pencils daycare center keep their employees paid, as folks are getting back to work, these critical facilities are facing new challenges--making up for losses from decreased enrollment, trying to expand to accommodate more kiddos due to school closures, or acquiring critical medical supplies or PPE to create a safe and clean environment for these families. Just recently, I held a telephone townhall, and I was joined by Iowa's director of health and human services, Kelly Garcia. We heard the concerns of Iowa parents and talked about the solutions we are working on at the State and Federal levels when it comes to childcare access and affordability. Our working parents are anxious and concerned about what lies ahead. Do they have to quit their jobs to stay at home with the kids? How much will childcare cost? What happens if childcare providers can't open back up? This is the reality for so many. That is why I made it a top priority to provide additional resources for our childcare programs and our families. Included in the HEALS Act is my bill to create back-to-work childcare grants, which would give providers the resources they need to make it through this crisis. It would also help them access PPE and other medical supplies so they can adhere to the safety guidelines and provide a clean and safe environment. But it doesn't stop there. I am also working to assist our lower income families, those who rely on the child care and development block grants and those who simply need access to clean diapers. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was in Davenport, IA, where I got to take part in a diaper distribution with the Hiney Heroes of the Quad Cities--yes, Hiney Heroes. As a result of this visit, the folks over at Huggies and the National Diaper Bank donated 25,000 diapers to this important diaper bank. We know that during this pandemic, the diaper supply has run short. I have teamed up with Democratic Senator Chris Murphy on this effort to include additional assistance for our diaper banks. COVID-19 has also created challenges for our farmers. These hard- working folks are facing new challenges while working around the clock to make sure Americans have adequate access to food and fuel. I was visiting with some farmers at the Bloomfield Livestock Market in Davis County not long ago, and they described these hardships firsthand. I hear the same from our ethanol and biodiesel producers. That is why I helped ensure more aid for our farmers and producers, including our ethanol producers and so many other important commodities in Iowa. In our rural communities--like Montgomery County, where I live-- COVID-19 has only amplified existing financial pressures on our healthcare centers. Most rural hospitals rely on services such as elective surgery to keep them financially afloat, but because of the pandemic and the response to it, many hospitals have had to cancel these elective surgeries as protective measures due to the pandemic. Additionally, the need for PPE and other equipment has significantly increased. Lower revenue combined with higher expenses has made it incredibly difficult for these rural hospitals to stay afloat. We absolutely can't leave these folks behind. We need our hospitals to keep their doors open so that quality healthcare is accessible to all Iowans, whether they live in the big cities like Des Moines and Polk County or small communities like Red Oak, where I live, in Montgomery County. As I have toured Iowa over the last several weeks, I have also visited with many of our essential workers. Our nurses, grocery store clerks, truckdrivers, childcare providers, and so many more have been working on the frontlines of this pandemic, rising to the challenge to care for and protect Iowans. That is why I am pushing hard to allow these essential workers to keep more of their hard-earned dollars by suspending Federal income and payroll taxes. These folks deserve a reward for their tireless efforts. No amount of financial relief will make this virus go away, but Congress has a role to play in helping families get back on their feet, but it is also every single one of us doing our part--wearing our masks, washing our hands, and social distancing as much as possible. Together, with the help of every individual and all levels of government, we will get through this. I yield the floor

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, the coronavirus doesn't come with a label saying ``Made in China,'' but perhaps it should. This pandemic, which began in Wuhan, China, has flooded the world just like so many products from China that we all now rely upon to protect ourselves against the spread of the contagion. The situation underscores the conundrum our Nation faces balancing the need to work with the Chinese Government and the challenges of holding the Communist Party accountable for its devious deeds. Plain and simple: The Chinese Communist Party attempted to cover up the outbreak of COVID-19 from the very beginning and continues to do so today. Rather than containing the spread of the virus, the regime has focused on containing knowledge of the outbreak, going so far as punishing Chinese scientists who dared to warn about the virus's imminent danger. As a result, we now face a worldwide pandemic that has claimed countless victims and could impact every aspect of our lives for months, if not years, to come. China doesn't play by the rules. They constantly seek to undermine the law. And if you ask an Iowa farmer, they will tell you the same. For years, China has stolen intellectual property and reneged on their trade agreements. While we have seen China still purchasing some of our corn and soybeans, they haven't completely held up their end of the deal when it comes to China phase one. Folks, when China cheats on trade deals, the impact is real: American jobs are lost and wealth is transferred from the United States to the Communist Party of China. This is unacceptable, especially after the damage already caused to our economy by China's mishandling of the coronavirus outbreak. For decades, our leaders in Washington played along, remaining quiet as China stole American intellectual property and scientific research, cheated on trade deals, and violated basic human rights. Those days are over. President Trump is standing up to China by taking decisive actions against the Communist regime for its flagrant violation of trade deals and crackdown on the autonomy and rights of Hong Kong. I have heard this from farmers in Iowa. They know that this President is standing up for them and pushing back on China. And here in the Senate, my colleagues and I are also holding China accountable. Right now, I am laser-focused on decreasing our dependency on China for critical supplies. The COVID-19 pandemic has been what I call a great awakening when it comes to the vulnerabilities in our supply chain. The United States has become far too dependent on Communist China for items like personal protective equipment, prescription drugs, and other essential medical supplies. We need to fix that. And that is what I am fighting to do. During my military service, including as a logistics battalion commander in the Iowa Army National Guard, I learned firsthand the importance of securing the defense supply chain. We cannot continue to rely on our adversaries, like China, for critically important national security materials. That is why, in this year's annual Defense bill, I made it a priority to boost support for university research in places like Iowa to ensure we can make and manufacture metals and materials here at home. This will help make sure China doesn't corner the world market on key materials. Retaking our supply chain from Red China also means removing unnecessary redtape imposed by Washington. I am working to waive the tax penalties for manufacturing and medical supply companies that choose to relocate to America. I have also demanded the Treasury Department investigate how Chinese companies are avoiding taxes that U.S. businesses have to pay. Iowans across the State have told me how much they appreciate this President standing up for them by pushing back on the years of bad actions by the Communist Party. They also want to end our dependence on that same Communist regime. Yes, we can and we should continue trading important agricultural products. But at the same time, we should bring jobs back and make critical supplies ourselves so that when you look at a product's label, it proudly reads ``Made in the U.S.A.'' I yield the floor.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, Americans are facing extremely challenging times, and, right now, folks are working hard just to make ends meet to put food on their table and to care for their families and their loved ones. As our communities continue to grapple with the devastating impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, the crisis of rising drug costs in the United States has only worsened. Now, more than ever, folks are operating on very thin margins and simply don't have room in their budgets for expensive prescriptions. No individual should have to make the decision between filling a lifesaving prescription and feeding their family. The skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs have become a matter of life and death for so many. We have heard the heartbreaking stories of individuals who could not afford their insulin, who were forced to ration and skip doses, and, as a result, they lost their lives. I remember quite vividly a conversation I had with an Iowa mother explaining how she lost her son who, as a young man, was rationing his insulin because he could not afford to do more. It was a heartbreaking discussion, and having that discussion with that mother, I could not help but think then of my own brother and sister who have been reliant on insulin as juvenile diabetics for nearly all of their lives. When we talk about the cost of prescription drugs, lives are literally on the line. Iowans have been very clear with me where they stand on this issue. They want to see us come together to advance solutions that drive down those drug prices. Seniors, families, and children all need to be assured that when they go to the pharmacy, they will be able to afford their medications and not have to skip a meal--or more--to do so. This is why I was proud to join my friend and my colleague, Senator Grassley, in introducing a piece of legislation that I know he has worked tirelessly on--the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2020. This vital piece of legislation would root out unfair pricing shenanigans and perverse payment incentives that allow pharmaceutical companies to take advantage of the system at the expense of taxpayers and patients. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this bill would save taxpayers $95 billion with a ``b,'' reduce out-of-pocket expenses by $72 billion with a ``b,'' and reduce premiums by $1 billion with a ``b.'' It needs to be said that Chairman Grassley worked for months on end to craft this bill in a bipartisan manner with his Democratic counterparts. In fact, two-thirds of the Senate Finance Committee approved our bipartisan Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act a year ago this very month--two-thirds of the Senate Finance Committee. Yet, at a time when Americans are struggling to afford rent and groceries, my colleagues across the aisle suddenly chose to drop their support for this bipartisan drug pricing reform bill that they helped write. Let me make that clear. The Democrats helped write the bill with Senator Grassley. Those who sat on the Finance Committee approved this bill last year. This year, they are refusing to assist my senior Senator, Chuck Grassley, in moving forward a bill they helped write. That begs the question: What changed over the course of one year? Do you know what, folks? That is exactly what happened. It was the year: 2020 is an election year, and that means Washington is not focused on solutions; it is all about the political scoreboard. We have seen it already this year with our friends across the aisle blocking us from even debating the JUSTICE Act, the police reform bill that contained about 70 percent of what our Democratic colleagues were asking for in police reform. Iowans put their partisanship aside and came together and got a police reform package passed; that is, Iowans in our State legislature. I wish we could say the same for Washington, not only on the JUSTICE Act but also this prescription drug pricing bill. Lowering prescription drug costs shouldn't be about who gets the credit. It should be about working across the aisle to save lives, which is the very reason that Senator Grassley worked hand in hand with Democrats on this bill. Iowans should expect more from Washington. They want more, and they should get it. Chairman Grassley, President Trump, and I will not back down from this fight. We will press on and do everything in our power to provide relief to Americans who desperately need it. I will continue to call on my Democratic colleagues to come to the table to work on improving our Nation's healthcare system and drive down the costs for Americans. Whether it is lowering drug costs, expanding childcare options for families, ensuring protections for individuals with preexisting conditions, like my sister and my brother, or simply making sure that children have access to clean diapers--simple things. These are all issues that Americans want to see Congress take action on. Just recently, I joined with my colleague Senator Braun of Indiana in introducing a bill that helps address yet another critical issue for Americans--increasing transparency and lowering healthcare costs. Our Healthcare PRICE Transparency Act would implement the administration's rules requiring hospitals and insurers to reveal their low, discounted prices and negotiated rates to patients before they receive medical care. Iowans should be able to know the costs associated with their healthcare in advance so they can make the best decisions for themselves and for their families. Folks, let's not forget that, outside the Halls of Congress, Americans are facing hard times. They are mourning the loss of loved ones who have been taken by this virus. They are worried about how they will take care of their children at home while they work to provide. They are concerned for their health and the well-being of their loved ones. Many of them are considering skipping a dose of their medication or cutting a pill in half to try to make those prescriptions stretch just a little bit further until their next paychecks. Let's put aside political interests. Let's work together on this. I will be standing at the ready, and it is my sincere hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join me in this effort. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, this week we debate, as the Senate should, the annual Defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act. I served 23 years in military uniform, as both a company commander in Iraq and Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom and as a logistics battalion commander with the Iowa National Guard. It is because of that experience that I understand that the work we do here on this bipartisan Defense bill matters immensely to our troops. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit us, 50,000 National Guard and Active- Duty troops answered the call without hesitation and are out there today running test sites, delivering medical supplies by ground and by air, and even running food banks to ensure no one goes without during this trying time. During a recent confirmation hearing for Lieutenant General Hokanson to be the head of the National Guard Bureau, I asked what the Governors would do without the National Guard. He said he shuddered to think what they would do because they are America's first response in communities across the Nation. Just a few weeks ago, on June 7, we had over 120,000 National Guard deployed, and that includes not only those within the United States but those that are deployed overseas. As a former National Guardsman, I can tell you these are some of our best and brightest. They are ready to go at a moment's notice, to respond to anything, whether it is civil unrest, pandemics, or natural disasters. That is why I am extremely pleased that this Defense bill includes my provision to provide hazardous duty pay for our National Guard and other troops who are deployed to fight COVID-19. Now, being a woman in the military has many challenges, and some of these obstacles are preventable and ones we here in the Senate can take action on--for example, ensuring our female servicemembers are properly equipped for the battlefield. Through my efforts and that of my fellow Army veteran, Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, this Defense bill ensures female troops will have body armor that fits them properly, and DOD will be forced to report to us on their progress in finally getting this done. It is not just the body armor. We are protecting troops in other areas as well. One issue I have worked on for quite some time is treating and preventing traumatic brain injury--or TBI. This year's NDAA funds effective treatments for TBI, such as noninvasive neurostimulation therapy that has been proven to work in clinical trials. Through my provisions in the bill, we are also improving safety for military vehicles and ensuring our troops have the best weapons and ammunition. Our soldiers have been carrying the same weapons and ammo for decades, and they are about to jump to the next generation of weapons with a new and better ammunition package. By bolstering funding for our Army's small arms rifles and automatic weapons, our infantry will finally be carrying the most effective assault weapons on the planet in a few short months. Now, when we look at waste in our Federal Government, folks know that I call it as I see it. As a former member of our military, I am not proud to say it, but the Department of Defense oftentimes is responsible for some of our most egregious spending. So to protect Iowa's taxpayers, I made sure in this NDAA that we require all DOD grant recipients who get Federal dollars to include a pricetag disclosing the cost to taxpayers for their projects if they put out a press release for their work. The Comptroller General will also investigate the most expensive cost overruns in weapons systems, and the Pentagon will tell Congress their top 10 most expensive weapons to fix and maintain. On duplication and waste, I was proud that my subcommittee--the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities--cut $300 million in research and development programs that were wasteful, duplicative, or simply not a priority; and we redirected this funding toward urgent research needs, such as getting a deployable coronavirus vaccine for our troops and for funding TBI programs. The NDAA also requires the most senior science and technology leaders to meet and discuss their research to ensure that it is coordinated and that the Pentagon doesn't continue to pay for the same research twice. Finally, and very importantly, this Defense bill starts the long and hard work to fix our overdependence on China, a near-peer adversary that we should always keep our guard up against. In the defense realm, the United States has grown too reliant on the Chinese Communist Party for components and materials and for our most advanced weapons systems. Through my efforts in the bill, we are helping secure the U.S. supply chain for rare earth metals and battery components so that we don't rely on China for our weapons. We are also working to deploy counterdrone weapons to stop unmanned aerial attacks on troops and invest in the latest technology for heads- up displays and wearable tech for our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines. Before I close, I want to remind everyone of something. The National Defense Authorization Act is largely bipartisan. It is through the work we did in our Armed Services Committee, led by Senator Jim Inhofe and Ranking Member Jack Reed, that we were able to move quickly and debate it on the floor this week. In what seems like a never-ending polarization of politics, important work like the NDAA often goes unnoticed or is only highlighted because of the newsworthy provisions in the bill. I wish that were not the case. As I have said many times over, America does not have a perfect history, and many of our heroes were flawed, but, folks, we still live in the greatest country on the face of this planet. That is because of men and women who have fought and died to protect our freedoms, liberties, and rights, and our troops continuing to serve on the frontlines to protect our homeland. Ensuring our troops are ready for the threats we face now and well into the future is something we should all celebrate. I yield the floor.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, the murder of George Floyd captured the attention and the emotions of the entire world. In the weeks that have followed, folks around the world have been crying out for a change, an end to racial inequality and the beginning of a new era of justice, understanding, and healing. While sometimes uncomfortable, this conversation is much needed, and, in my opinion, it is long overdue. It should not have taken the loss of a life for us to begin to talk and listen and to learn. I grew up in a predominantly White community, but as a young woman, I was truly blessed to live, learn, and work in communities that were rich in diversity. It is difficult to understand the unfairness someone faces due to their skin color, but we can make time to listen. I did this last week when I sat down with our own Senate Chaplain, Barry Black. For those who do not know him, Chaplain Black is a remarkable and inspiring person. After serving over 27 years in the U.S. Navy, he now serves as a spiritual guide for Senators and opens our proceedings every day with a thoughtful prayer. One of my favorite things he told me was about a lesson his mother had taught him. She told him that God gave us two ears, two eyes, but only one mouth--and we should use them proportionately. I believe the United States is, by far, the greatest country in the world, but that does not mean that we don't have past and current issues that we need to address. Let's be frank, it was not a single, isolated event--the murder of Mr. Floyd--that incited the raw emotions that are still burning weeks later. In Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds signed a historic police reform bill, which will add additional accountability for law enforcement. This will benefit both the community and the police. Here is what is remarkable about this new law: Partisanship wasn't a factor. Republican house majority leader Matt Windschitl and Democratic representative Ako Abdul-Samad, two of the extraordinary leaders that ushered this bill through the house and through our legislature, spoke with me this morning, and both of them said that, while they don't each view this as a perfect bill, it was more than cosmetic. It had real meaning and depth, and it was a first step. I agreed with them because any journey starts with a single step, a meaningful step. The bill passed the Iowa House by a vote--again, with these two extraordinary leaders--by a vote of 98-0, unanimous. It then went to the Iowa Senate, and it passed in the Iowa Senate 49-0. Partisanship wasn't a factor. The only thing that mattered was doing the right thing. Not a single dissenting vote was cast, and it even had the endorsement of the Iowa Police Officers Association. We are only going to improve as a nation if we come together and make everyone a part of the solution. We can do that. Iowa put politics aside, and they got it done. I wish we could see more of Iowa in this Chamber. We need both sides of the aisle to unite and to pass Senator Tim Scott's JUSTICE Act. The JUSTICE Act offers real solutions to police reform by increasing oversight, strengthening incident report requirements, and ensuring the correct use of body cameras. It includes an issue that I have been working to address: sexual misconduct within our law enforcement. The JUSTICE Act is simply a commonsense approach to effective police reform. The bill includes a number of bipartisan provisions, including the antilynching proposal put forward by Senators John Cornyn and Kamala Harris. It is heartbreaking that the bill to address these issues was blocked by Senate Democrats. The Senate exists so we can debate these issues in a civil manner and reach a consensus so they aren't resolved in the streets. We can't do that if the other side chooses to shut down meaningful debate or give in to radical ideas like defunding the police, which won't solve the problem of inequality or end violence. I ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle: Are you willing to come to the table? Are you willing to accept that amendment process? Are you willing to take the first step in our journey? Will you put politics aside and help us enact reforms to ensure the safety of our communities? Our Nation's journey toward becoming a more perfect union and securing the blessings of liberty for all Americans has taken a long and bumpy road, and we still have a lot farther to go. It starts with that one step. But at this moment, the country and the world are demanding we pick up the stride. Let's follow Iowa's lead. Let's come together and take meaningful action. To be clear, the passage of a single bill is not going to suddenly reverse centuries of injustice. Passing laws are a simple part. If we really want to change behavior, we need to commit ourselves to changing our hearts. The best way that we can personally commemorate the life of George Floyd and the many others before him who lost their lives or suffered injustice is to open our own hearts. Chaplain Black summed up the solution best when he quoted to me Mark 12:31: ``Love your neighbor as yourself.'' It is both that simple and that challenging. So I am asking all of us in this body to be more like Iowa. Let's find a solution. Let's take that first step and begin our journey together. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.