Joe Manchin

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. First of all, I did have a nice conversation with Governor Justice. He and I have disagreed on basic issues on Tax Code legislation, and we are trying to work through all of that. I explained it to him. I said that it doesn't do a thing in that it doesn't impede you at all. If you want to cut, go ahead and cut. He is still moving through with the legislation. He might succeed on that, and he might not. With that, I will make it very clear that this is not new language. You cannot backfill. You cannot backfill. The only thing you can use your money for is for COVID expenses. Basically, if your revenues were down through no fault of your own, business dropped off, and your tax collections were down through no fault of your own, then that is what this is for. COVID caused you a problem. It caused you an imposition and put strain on the services that you are basically providing to the people of West Virginia and Indiana. We want to make sure that your first responders are there and your education is there, that everything is still running the way it is supposed to. That is why we have passed five bills in trying to keep things afloat, and we think we have done that. So it does not impede that whatsoever. We have also looked at it constitutionally, and we are solid on the Constitution. All we are asking is, does the Federal Government have a responsibility to backfill with Treasury dollars a decision that could be self-inflicted? That is all. You should live with that or my State should live with it or reap the benefits. We are not penalized. Even if your revenues went up, you still had COVID expenses you could offset. Those were legitimate expenses that you incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is what we are talking about. So if your revenues went up after that, we are not penalizing you. If they went down, that is a whole other story because COVID caused that, but you just can't cause it yourself. I think this is it in a nutshell.

Mr. MANCHIN. Yes, I will yield.

Mr. MANCHIN. Senator Braun has always been very kind and very reasonable, and I look forward to sitting down with him on this. What he has said is absolutely correct in that we are not penalizing. We don't intend to penalize anybody who has made that decision, but the Senator is talking about a State that has a balanced budget amendment year in and year out. There is a time when a Governor has to make a decision and go to his legislature and say: Hey, we are going to be X amount of dollars short, so we need to cut. So they start cutting and cutting services. That is what happens in order to balance the budget usually--services are cut to the people. We are just saying in our piece of legislation here that we have that we don't want that to happen because it is of no fault of your own, but if you cut your taxes and you are thinking, well, 5 years down the road, we are going to have more revenue, then that is fine. You just can't backfill for that short period of time and use it for something for which you have cut revenues, basically, in a self-inflicting way. It might be a self-ingratiating way to where it will help you down the road, but you still can't backfill for that. Now, for any COVID expenses you have, absolutely, you can fill that hole. Show that you have had COVID expenses. If you were to say, ``OK. We filled all of our holes for COVID, and now we have water, sewer, and internet''--and trust me, there is not a place in Indiana or in West Virginia that doesn't need help there. I thank the Senator. I appreciate it I yield the floor.

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. MANCHIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for 3 minutes.

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to speak today on the nomination of Representative Debra Haaland to be the Secretary of the Interior. Her nomination was carefully considered by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which I am privileged to chair. Her hearing went well, and it went for 2 days. Every member of the committee questioned her. Most asked her two rounds of questions, and some asked three. We then asked her 70 pages of questions for the record--nearly 300 questions, many with multiple subparts. The committee questioned her closely on her beliefs, her opinions, the President's policies, and what she will do if confirmed. In the end, the committee voted to report her nomination favorably, 11 to 9. I am proud to have voted to report her nomination, and I am proud to speak in favor of her confirmation today. While I may not personally agree with some of Congresswoman Haaland's past statements and policy positions, as Secretary she will be carrying out President Biden's agenda, the agenda that the voters elected President Biden to pursue. At her hearing, she confirmed that she and the administration recognize that our country will remain dependent on fossil fuels for years to come, and a transition to a cleaner energy future must come through innovation, not elimination. She also affirmed her strong commitment to bipartisanship. She understands the need to work across the aisle to find the bipartisan solutions needed to address the diverse needs of our country and has demonstrated that she can do so effectively. I was also deeply impressed by the strong endorsement she received by Congressman Don Young, for whom I have the utmost respect. Don Young has been in Congress long enough to be able to read people and know their heart and soul. He took the time and trouble to appear before the committee and testified to the productive working relationship he has had with Congresswoman Haaland and her willingness to work with him on important issues. That meant a lot to me, and I hope it will also resonate with my colleagues. President Biden is in perhaps the most difficult position a modern- day President has ever been in, bringing us back from the brink after January 6. That day changed me, and I feel strongly that with the deep divisions running through our country and the Halls of Congress today, we have to have people who have demonstrated they have the temperament and willingness to reach across the aisle. Congresswoman Haaland has demonstrated she does and she will. As the President works to bind together a nation split by deep political, racial, social, and economic divisions, he is also trying to assemble a Cabinet that reflects the rich diversity of our Nation, one that looks like America. And 230 years after Washington called his first Cabinet meeting, it is long past time to give a Native American woman a seat at the Cabinet table. For these reasons, I support Deb Haaland's nomination and will vote to report her and to support her, and I look forward to working with her to protect our public lands and ensure the responsible use of our natural resources in the most bipartisan manner. I strongly support her nomination. I urge all of my colleagues to vote to invoke cloture today and to confirm her nomination next week.

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I also proudly rise with my colleague on this piece of legislation. There is not one of us in this room who doesn't have rising homelessness for our children in your State, not one of us. We are all experiencing that right now. We are 10,000 in the State of West Virginia alone. These are children--basically, if you look at it, it is estimated that there are one in four homeless children. That is about 420,000 kids who are potentially unidentified and not even connected with a school system, not even connected. They are couch surfing. It is horrible what is going on. I am so proud. This is such a bipartisan piece of legislation. Less than 1 percent, $800 million, is all we asked for to use for this, and everyone supported it. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Vote on Amendment No. 1233

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, first, I ask unanimous consent that upon the disposition of the Granholm nomination, the Senate resume consideration of the Cardona nomination.

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, first of all, I am delighted to speak today on the nomination of Jennifer Granholm to be Secretary of Energy. I have known Jennifer since we were Governors together more than a decade ago. She served two terms as Governor of Michigan from 2003 to 2010. That was a particularly challenging time in her State's history, and I saw how she handled the difficult challenges facing her during the Great Recession and when the bottom dropped out of the auto industry in her State. She was up to those challenges. She helped save the domestic auto industry. She diversified Michigan's economy. She brought in new investment and new industry, and she created new jobs, leaving no worker behind. I know she will continue to apply the mindset at the national level. She has the leadership skills, the vision, and the compassion for people that we need at the helm of the Department of Energy to face the climate challenge and, at the same time, preserve our energy security, protect our national security, clean up the Cold War legacy, and preserve our scientific and technological prowess. Moreover, she is someone you can talk to and work with. She listens, and she is an honest broker. She may not always agree with you, but she will listen to your concerns and will try to address them. Finally, she is just simply a good person. That is a quality that I value and expect all of my colleagues would benefit from. I believe she is extremely well qualified to lead the Department of Energy, and I urge--I truly urge--all of my colleagues to show in this bipartisan vote to confirm her nomination today. I also yield back the remaining time of our presentation.

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, in accordance with rule XXVI, paragraph 2, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I submit the rules governing the procedure of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for publication in the Congressional Record. I ask unanimous consent that they be printed in the Record.

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I send a question to the desk directed to the House managers.

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. Please let him explain, Mr. President. Why was it false? What was false about it?

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I call up amendment No. 775 and ask that it be reported by number. I also ask for unanimous consent that the time be split between myself and the Senator from Maine.

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, American families in every corner of our country are struggling right now, and I don't think a single person on this floor would disagree that the decent, compassionate thing is for us to target relief to our neighbors struggling every day to get by, to the families who are struggling to pay rent and put food on the table. This $1,400 will make a significant impact on their ability to get by. These families need our support right now. Still, there are other families who have not missed a single paycheck as a result of this pandemic. It does not make sense to send a check to those individuals who are still working, earning a decent living over the wages that we talked about. My bipartisan amendment would simply ensure those Americans who are truly struggling through no fault of their own--

Mr. MANCHIN. Are given the support they need during this difficult time.

Mr. MANCHIN. I ask unanimous consent for 30 seconds.

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, 18 rural hospitals across America closed last year--three in my own State. Do any of you have any sympathy for people who live in rural America? Twenty percent of the population in America is rural. We only got 6 percent of the money that was associated that we sent out in the last CARES package, and that is 6 percent to rural hospitals. We need to treat them fair. That is all we are asking for. A 20- percent set-aside is fair. Thank you, and I would appreciate your support.

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I also support this and, I think, basically, that transparency is something we all want, and that is all we have asked for--to see the numbers and work from there in an honest fashion. I support it.

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor an American hero and one of West Virginia's native sons who was larger than life and an inspiration for generations of Americans--General Charles Elwood ``Chuck'' Yeager. Chuck bravely served our Nation as a pilot for more than 30 years in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and Vietnam. When he became the first pilot to break the sound barrier he challenged each of us to test the limits of what is possible. I am grateful to have known this legendary West Virginian and to call him my dear friend. Chuck truly embodied what it means to be from the Mountain State. Born in 1923 in rural Lincoln County, Chuck grew up the way many of us do in West Virginia--hunting and fishing and learning early to be respectful of nature and our fellow man. Like his father, A. Hal Yeager, who was a gaswell driller, Chuck showed an aptitude for mechanics, and by the time he was a teenager, he was able to assemble a car engine on his own. His work ethic and natural talent would serve him well throughout the rest of his remarkable life. In 1941, Chuck enlisted in the Army Air Forces right out of high school and trained as a mechanic before heading to flight school. In 1944, he experienced a harrowing encounter when his plane was shot down over German-occupied France. He and another American travelled on foot through mountainous terrain and snow toward neutral Spain. As they stopped to rest, the Nazis opened fire, wounding the man traveling with Chuck. Chuck carried him into Spain, where they met British forces. Despite the treacherous journey he had just endured, to everyone's astonishment, Chuck was determined to fly again. He climbed his way through the ranks, pursuing a return to combat duty, which was eventually granted. For his service, Chuck received the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Air Medal. He also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian award, from President Ronald Reagan in 1985. There are so few Veterans left from the World War II era, and it is our responsibility and our privilege to recognize the service of these noble heroes. In 1957, Chuck became an air squadron commander and then commander of the Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards in 1961. He also commanded a fighter wing and flew combat missions during the Vietnam war. He retired as an Air Force brigadier general in 1975, and in an honorary gesture, he was promoted to the rank of major general in 2005. We all of course know the story of the day Chuck became the first pilot to break the sound barrier. On October 14, 1947, Chuck flew an orange Bell X-1 aircraft at nearly 700 mph and made history. Flying F- 15 planes, he broke the sound barrier again on the 50th and 55th anniversaries of his pioneering flight, and he was a passenger on an F- 15 plane in another breaking of the sound barrier to commemorate the 65th anniversary. I knew Chuck very well and he was a dear friend to me and Gayle. As Governor, I was fortunate to host Chuck at least once a year for the One Shot Deer Hunt, which gives proceeds to helping the hungry. He told me so many incredible stories of his service, including all the intricate details of his legendary flight. I recall him telling me that the only reason he got to fly the Bell X-1 that day was because the previous pilot they asked wanted too much money. They offered Chuck an extra 60 dollars a month, and he jumped at the chance. Not only is the story true about Chuck pushing through with a broken rib, but he wasn't even supposed to break the sound barrier that day. He thought if he didn't go for it that first day, he wouldn't get another chance. Chuck truly had nerves of steel. Long after his record-breaking flight, Chuck remained in our hearts as a symbol of patriotism and bravery. His life is full of tales of his bravery, his stoicism in the face of danger, and his determination to perform his duty no matter the cost. The legacy Chuck leaves is such an important part of our heritage as West Virginians. Our little State has mined the coal that forged the steel that built the tanks and ships that keep our country the strongest in the world. It is an honor to remember Chuck as part of our military service heritage and our way of life that sinks deep into the roots of West Virginia's rich culture. I encourage all Americans to learn what they can about this legendary West Virginian. Gayle and I are praying for Chuck's wife Victoria, daughters, Susan and Sharon, son, Don, and all who loved and admired him.

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, it is an honor to rise today to recognize the unwavering service of a true West Virginian, CSM Phillip R. Cantrell, as he retires from Active military service and transitions to a new chapter of public service. Phillip Cantrell is simply the best of the best. He is humble, competent, compassionate, and a warrior scholar. He has served in the toughest of environments, leading generations of men and women while having an immeasurable and positive influence on them. I know this because I was fortunate to have Phillip on my staff for a year as a congressional fellow and am fortunate to call him my friend. Command Sergeant Major Cantrell is retiring from his final assignment, where he served as the senior enlisted leader of the West Virginia National Guard, a duty that he assumed in 2018 where he advised the Adjutant General on all matters pertaining to the nearly 6,400 enlisted soldiers and airmen of the West Virginia National Guard. Before this assignment with the West Virginia National Guard, Phillip served in the toughest and most elite Active Army units, in combat and in peace. Phillip is the Soldier's Soldier, having trained a generation of leaders as a drill sergeant, led infantry units in combat as a first sergeant and command sergeant major, and paid reverence to our Nation's veterans as the command sergeant major of the Old Guard. Growing up in Logan County, Phillip enlisted in the Active Army Infantry in May of 1988 as soon as he graduated high school. He attending infantryman training at Fort Benning, GA, and would add many qualifications along the way, including Master Jumpmaster, Air Assault, Combat Infantry, and Drill Sergeant Badges. He married his wife Sherry in June 1989, and they have been together through numerous deployments, traveling the world together to serve their country and State. Anyone who has served in the military knows that the noncommissioned officer is the backbone of the Army. Throughout his career, Phillip has done the heavy lifting and served at every level of noncommissioned officer leadership, to include team and squad leaders, platoon sergeant, first sergeant, operations sergeant major and battalion and brigade command sergeant major. Command Sergeant Major Cantrell served in the 82nd Airborne Division from 1988 to 1996, participating in Operation Just Cause and Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm before being reassigned to Fort Leonard Wood to serve as a drill sergeant. Upon his completion of drill sergeant duty, he returned to the 82nd Airborne Division and Fort Bragg, where he was deployed on a peacekeeping mission to Kosovo with the 3/504th Infantry Regiment. In 2005, while first sergeant of D Company, 2/505th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Command Sergeant Major Cantrell was deployed in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and subsequently deployed two companies to Iraq in 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was deployed to Iraq in one of the most dangerous locations during 2006-2007, the time period known as the surge, when troop deployments were unexpectedly extended from 12 months to 15 months. My State director served on the ground with him in Iraq during this time and attests to his solid leadership, having seen him operate during the most challenging, life-and-death conditions. She called him ``the best in a unit of the bests,'' which is a testament to his leadership in the most difficult of conditions. After his combat deployments to Iraq, he was promoted to sergeant major in 2008 and after completion of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy was assigned as the 8th Army Operations and Protection Sergeant Major in Yongsan, Korea. Command Sergeant Major Cantrell was then competitively selected to serve as the battalion command sergeant major of 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment at Fort Myer and in 2012 was hand-selected as the brigade command sergeant major of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, ``The Old Guard.'' This hallowed unit is America's oldest Active Duty infantry unit where only the best are selected to serve. The Old Guard is the official ceremonial unit of the Army, providing a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and performing countless commemorations at Arlington National Cemetery, amongst other missions. Phillip's service at The Old Guard is of the highest caliber and reflects great credit upon his patriotism and abilities. After serving as the most senior enlisted member of The Old Guard, Phillip was again competitively selected as an Army congressional fellow, an honor awarded to very few highly competitive servicemembers. That is where I really got the chance to know Phillip and see him in action when he served as a member of my staff for a year. I have come to know Command Sergeant Major Cantrell well throughout the years as a valuable part of my team as an Army congressional fellow and can attest to his strength of character and profound leadership. It is a privilege to recognize him for his service to our State and Nation. Following the year in my office, he was a congressional legislative liaison in the Army Senate Liaison Division, traveling around the world with congressional delegations. Command Sergeant Major Cantrell holds a master's degree in legislative affairs from George Washington University and a bachelor's in human resource management from American Military University. Because of Phillip's career and his unique leadership talents, it is my greatest honor to recognize his service. When visitors come to West Virginia, I jump at the chance to tell them we have fought in more wars, shed more blood, and lost more lives for the cause of freedom than most any State. We have always done the heavy lifting and never complained. We have mined the coal and forged the steel that built the guns, ships, and factories that have protected and continue to protect our country to this day. I am so deeply proud of what West Virginians have accomplished and what they will continue to accomplish to protect the freedoms we hold dear. Command Sergeant Major Cantrell is a part of this legacy of excellence and an inspiration to all who will follow in his footsteps. I want to wish Phillip, his wife Sherry who has been with him every step of the way, along with his family and many friends, a heartfelt congratulations and warm wishes for future health and happiness.

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, it is a great privilege of mine to rise and honor a pillar of strength in my home State of West Virginia, Carmine Cann, Sr., as we celebrate his 90th birthday on July 27, 2020. Carmine has been like family to me for much of my life, and if there is anything to know about Carmine, it is that family is everything. It is one of the countless things I have always admired most about him, in addition to his unwavering devotion to our home State and his unparalleled knowledge of business and the law. Throughout my own life and career, I have always kept Carmine in the back of my mind-- remembering to stay strong for my State and my family. A native of Clarksburg, Carmine practiced law with his father upon graduating from West Virginia University College of Law. In 1954, their firm merged with another and became Young, Morgan and Cann, where he practiced until joining Flaherty's Clarksburg office in 2017. Carmine served in the West Virginia Legislature for 8 years as a member of the House of Delegates. Throughout government circles, he was widely known for his keen political awareness. The Charleston Gazette dubbed him ``Mighty Mouse'' for his accomplishments in and behind the scenes. After choosing not to run for reelection, Carmine served the West Virginia Coal Association and West Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association as a governmental relations consultant for over 25 years. Some of his awards and honors include St. Mary's Irish Legend in 2011, Italian American Man of the Year by the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival in 2005, and recipient of the Distinguished West Virginian Award in 1995. Among his many roles in the community, Carmine is also well known as a founding member of the Italian Heritage Festival's Board of Directors. The Italian Heritage Festival is such a special event for me and for people not only in West Virginia but for people from across the country. The Italian immigrants who came to this country didn't know where they were going, couldn't speak the language, and were unfamiliar with Appalachian culture. All they knew is that they had to work hard and were determined to provide a good life for their families. That is what the Festival represents, and those are the ideals that Carmine upheld. His lovely wife Florence, their 7 children, 25 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and their entire family, 73 people altogether, have all been active in this beloved festival. After Florence's passing, Carmine endowed the Florence Chico Cann Children's Creative Arts Program as well as the Children's Chorus. Carmine is committed to the beautiful North Central region of our State, and I know I join countless West Virginians in thanking him for his service to his community for so many years. Carmine will tell you that much of his success is rooted in faith, and he is forever thankful for the blessings that his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has provided. He is never one to accept acclaim very well, instead deferring all praise and thanks to the Almighty. He is a shining beacon of his faith, family, community, and State. Carmine's expertise has been sought-after by Senators, Congressmen, Governors, budding community leaders, and his friends and family. He has never been one to shy away from a friendly debate with those who have opposing views. Carmine has the greatest respect for all opinions--people from all walks of life. He is first and foremost an outstanding person, a gentleman in the old sense, and a true broker of compromise in a world so in need of that leadership and trust. Carmine, despite that we aren't able to have a birthday party in your honor this year, I know this will still be a memorable occasion for you to reflect on your many accomplishments and experiences, while you enjoy the well wishes from your loved ones. You have provided so much happiness and wisdom to the lives of those around you, myself included. It is my wish that the memory of this special day remains with you just as your guidance and influence will remain in all the lives you have touched. I know that Florence, a true angel, is smiling down on you. Gayle and I are thinking fondly about you on this special day, and we sincerely appreciate your many years of loyal friendship.

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of one of West Virginia's finest. Patrolwoman Cassie Johnson of the Charleston Police Department represented the very best of who we are as a statewide community, and she was taken from us far too soon on December 3, 2020, at the age of 28. Cassie was the daughter of an ironworker; she shared her mother's steely resolve and iron constitution. Being a police officer in the city she loved and grew up in was a dream come true for Cassie. She was sworn in by Mayor Amy Goodwin in January of 2019 and had previously worked as a city humane officer. Cassie was born and raised in our State's capital. She could have gone anywhere, and she chose to stay and protect and serve the community that made her who she was. She was truly a beautiful person in every way. Growing up, Cassie was an athlete and particularly loved softball. She would one day find that the Little League field she played on as a child was on her beat, and so she watched over it with great care so the current generation of children could play in safety. One of the first things she did when she was assigned to the field was to clean up the drug paraphernalia to make it a safe place for kids. Because of her efforts, children and their families have been able to enjoy the field as a clean, safe, fun place to play. Cassie was an animal lover and dedicated her life to rescuing pets who had been cast aside, even taking an animal behavior class in Tennessee so she could better understand the language of dogs. Cassie's beloved dog, Emma, was a chocolate lab who passed away just a few months ago. Cassie grieved deeply for Emma because she had a special connection with her. Years ago, when Cassie was in high school, Emma had nine chocolate lab pups--in Cassie's bedroom. Her mom tells the story of taking the runt of the litter with her to pick Cassie up at school. When they got home, there were chocolate lab pups everywhere. That was just one of the many adventures Cassie had with Emma. No doubt, they are reunited again. Cassie was a music lover, most likely because her mother sang her to sleep as a child. She was surrounded by instruments and music throughout her life. She loved to make the world beautiful, and that is also why she enjoyed decorating for the holidays. The weekend before she passed, she decorated her mother's house for Christmas, alongside her dear sister, Chelsea. One of the last actions she took the day of her passing was to wipe the snow from those holiday decorations because she always looked out for her mother any way she could. Most importantly, Cassie was a genuinely good person and lived her whole life with West Virginia values. She worked hard and bought her own home at the age of 25. She was beloved in the community and in her profession, as evidenced in the tremendous outpouring of grief, support, and fellowship that followed her tragic passing. Her mother describes her as respectful and well-mannered throughout her whole life. Cassie will be deeply missed not only because of who she was but because we are all so keenly aware of and sorrowful for what might have been. No one can ever take away what Cassie represented to the Charleston community and the entire Mountain State. Every one of our female leaders in West Virginia is the epitome of strength and advancement in their fields and serve as inspiring role models for the next generation, and that is due in great part to the women who broke ground in generations past. Because of their accomplishments, more young women like Cassie have, and will, blaze their own trails and continue to make our State and entire Nation proud. I have such tremendous respect for our police officers and all of our first responders. Cassie's compassion, courage, and selflessness will live on through the memories of those who knew and loved her, as well as through the countless lives she touched and inspired every day. She leaves us having made a profound impact in the community she loved as well as in the lives of those around her. I had the tremendous and humbling honor of visiting with Cassie's family at her bedside in her final hours. It is clear to me that Cassie came from strong roots and that her life was filled with joy and love. She was a beloved daughter, sister, and a loyal friend, who adored her three dogs and all animals. True to her character, Cassie was an organ donor, and her final act of selflessness has given someone else a chance at life. The Charleston Police Department has retired Cassie's unit number, 146. I know I join the entire Mountain State in mourning our shared loss of this bright, generous, vibrant spirit. Gayle and I extend our deepest condolences to Cassie's mother Sheryl, her sister Chelsea, her brother Terry, and all her family and friends, her colleagues with the Charleston Police Department, as well as the city of Charleston, and will forever keep them in our prayers.

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a proud West Virginian, noble veteran, a beloved son, brother, uncle, godfather, great-uncle, and a dear friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. It is a privilege to recognize the life and legacy of a very dear friend to myself and Gayle, Dr. Richard Howard, for his many years of dedicated service to the city of Charleston and beyond. Born and raised in Charleston, WV, Richard attended West Virginia University, where he achieved many distinctions as a member of the National Blue Key, Helvetia, Sphinx and president of the freshman class in 1960. He received early acceptance into the West Virginia University School of Dentistry, earning his doctor of dental surgery degree in 1967. Put simply, when Richard put his mind to something, there was no stopping him from doing it at 100 percent. That mentality worked in his favor as he joined the U.S. Air Force as a captain, stationed during the Vietnam era at Dover Air Force Base. Following his honorable discharge, Richard returned to Charleston to start his long-tenured career in dentistry. After a year as a partner with a local dental office, Richard set up his own practice as Howard Family Dentistry, later known as a joint venture with his brother as Howard and Howard Family Dentistry. There is a lot to be said of someone who bravely serves our Nation, then returns home to continue giving back to the community that made them who they are. When visitors come to West Virginia, I jump at the chance to tell them we have fought in more wars, shed more blood, and lost more lives for the cause of freedom than most any State. We have always done the heavy lifting and never complained. We have mined the coal and forged the steel that built the guns, ships, and factories that have protected and continue to protect our country to this day. I am so deeply proud of what West Virginians have accomplished and what they will continue to accomplish to protect the freedoms we hold dear. That is Richard's legacy, and his courage, loyalty, and humility will never be forgotten. Richard was deeply involved in the community through the Kanawha Valley Dental Association, the West Virginia Dental Association, the American Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and was founder and twice-serving president of the Virginia Street Dental Study Club. He was a member of the Beni Kedem Shrine, the Legion of Honor, Shrine Jesters, a 32 degree Mason, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Charleston Symphony, the Charleston Community Music Association, and the West Virginia University Woodburn Circle of Honor. Richard was a major supporter of his church, St. George Orthodox Cathedral, of which he was knight in the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch. Richard had such a zest for life and was a true renaissance man in every sense of the word. Each challenge he took on, he conquered, and he did so with unparalleled generosity, humility, and leadership. When his father passed away, Richard truly stepped up as the family patriarch. He adored his siblings and his entire family, always willing to offer advice. He would be honest with you if you were wrong, but his judgement was always fair. His bright smile and vibrant personality made any occasion even more special. His accomplishments are endless and he was an inspiration to all. He is dearly missed. Put simply, Richard represented the very best of West Virginia, which is saying quite a lot. In the Mountain State, if you are hungry you will be fed. If you are lost, someone will not only give you directions but will offer to drive you to your destination. That is just who we are, and that is who Richard was. We have lost a shining star in our home State's capital, but his impact on the lives of his patients and his passion for this special community will last forever. It was an honor to have known him and to call him my friend. What is most important is that Richard lived a full and accomplished life, surrounded by dear friends and family. It is my hope that his loved ones are able to find peace, strength, and support in one another. I extend my condolences to his brother Dr. Edward E. Howard; sisters Jolene Howard, Janet M. Howard, Margaret Howard Teeter (Andrew), and Sabrina Howard Stump (James); nephew, Dr. Matthew D. Stump; and nieces Dr. Jacqueline H. Stump, Elizabeth Stevens Bloch (Tom), and great nephew Thomas M. Bloch III. Gayle and I, from our family to yours, extend to you our most sincere condolences for our shared loss of this wonderful person. The unwavering love Richard had for his family, friends, community, our home State, and our great Nation will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew him.

Mr. MANCHIN

Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I want to start by thanking all of the Members--and I mean all of the Members--who have worked so diligently to produce this product. This is the product we produced with the so-called Gang of 8, but it turned into a bigger gang than that because more and more people want to work in a bipartisan way in the Senate. I have said: It is alive and well; we just have to exercise it more. We did that. We brought over the bicameral group, the Problem Solvers, and they were tremendously instrumental in being involved in this process. I am so pleased to have that bicameral work, bipartisan work. We need more of it, and we are going to basically demand more of it. But with this product right now, as the ``four corners'' are working, this is the template they have used. Leader Schumer has said that this is what they have used because the legislative language has already been produced. There might be some tweaks to it, but there are so many people. Let me tell you how it started. My dear friend Senator Durbin is here. After the election, we called each other back and forth, a few of us, saying: Something has to be done. Nothing is moving. People are hurting. We heard that all during the election, and they couldn't figure out why we hadn't done anything. I had no good explanation because, basically, the two leaders on both sides of the aisle were locked, and I said we didn't know how to break it. The only way we could break it is by doing something showing we could come together. We did that. We did that in a way that--we had a dinner. Senator Mark Warner from Virginia said: Let's have a dinner. Senator Lisa Murkowski said: Come to my house. So we go to Lisa Murkowski's house, and there were eight of us. We had four R's and four D's, and we grew from there. On our side, there was Senator Mark Warner, Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Jean Shaheen, myself. On the Republican side, there was Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Susan Collins, Senator Bill Cassidy, and Senator Mitt Romney. From there, it grew. Then we brought the bipartisan group over--Congressman Josh Gottheimer and Congressman Tom Reed and the Problem Solvers--and we kept growing from there, and we had more Senators coming in. So we got input from every quadrant we could possibly in order to do what we did, but it took quite a while. The biggest hurdle we had was how much we could agree that we need as an emergency. Democrats were at 1.2, 1.3. The Republicans were at 5 or 6. We couldn't move off of that, and it took us a while to say: Let's look at emergencies and everything that basically is going to run out of time in December and be nullified. People are going to lose their lifelines. We started putting all those figures together and came up with the $900 billion figure. That is where 908 came from. I understand they are still at the 900, which we appreciate very much. I am hopeful that we can help break that deadlock and be a part of this, but there is so much more that has to be done, and there is so much more need out there that will need to be done. We must all come together behind President- Elect Joe Biden to make sure that we do it and look at the need of America, not the greed of America. Trust me, if you are sending checks, everyone is in line, but if you are really getting to the people who are on the frontline, they need it. I have people who have said and we have all said: We are not going to go home. We can't go home until we do something. Guess what. If we don't do anything, a lot of people won't have a home to go to this holiday season. They truly won't. They are being evicted. They are losing their lifeline. They are losing their shelter. Food assistance--my goodness. Think about all the people in need. Have you ever seen the lines of people whom you have never seen before, who have never been to a food give-out or a food bank or a food line? These are the things that we addressed, and we addressed them in the most compassionate way. That is our job. I understand that our four corners are very close to a deal. I think it will be done. I know it will be done because we have to do it. Failure is not an option. So we are going to work very hard to continue to do that. Let me tell you, we have unemployment assistance for people who lost their jobs, food assistance, shelter assistance. We have small business debt relief. We have student loan forbearance. We have so many other things, and people are depending on us. We include $300 a week. I am not sure what the final bill will be on the safety net realm there. We had $13 billion for food assistance. We had SNAP benefits, helping people who are falling into that chasm of welfare who need help, and $35 billion for healthcare providers. We had 20 percent set aside for the rural hospitals and rural clinics. We had $16 billion for testing and tracing, and I understand they are increasing that, which is needed; $12 billion for community development financial institutions; $5 billion for emergency funding for substance abuse prevention and treatment and mental health services; $82 billion for education, including $20 billion for basically higher education; $10 billion to support childcare; $10 billion for broadband, including $3 billion for education and distance learning; and $45 billion in emergency funding for transportation. There are so many needs that we have out there. We have a second bill too. I am understanding that was a little bit more controversial, but I can tell you one thing: There was no controversy on the first bill--$748 billion; 100 percent Democrats and Republicans--all had input to make that happen. Again, I say the staffs have worked a yeoman's job over day and night for the last month. They have done a terrific job. Now for State and local, I really believe personally there is a need because I have seen the frontline workers and the amount of revenue we might lose for people not to have those services that are essential. They are depending on it. We might lose it because the States or the localities don't have the revenue. So we have to come back and address that. If we don't do it now, we have to do it as soon as President- Elect Joe Biden takes over, look at it again to try to help those in need, and we will do that. So we have come together. We have come together. Also what we are saying is the money that the Governors and everyone has left over, they are going to be able to have extensions on how that is used, and we have some direction. We want to make sure that the locals have some opportunities too. Some of the local communities and local municipalities or local counties did not get the revenue that they should have gotten in the first tranche of money, so we are hoping that is taken care of also. So all these protections that we put in there, we are trying to help. We are trying to get a pathway forward to bring our economy back, to make sure we are able to. But this is the product that got it all going, and this is the group of people who made it happen, the bipartisan group who worked day and night, and I can't thank them more. I couldn't be more proud to be with a group whom I consider true Americans who stepped up to the plate and got something done when we didn't think it could be done. But, again, I want to thank all of my colleagues, my Republican colleagues and friends and Democratic colleagues who worked so hard, and everybody who is going to benefit. I think it can be a merry Christmas. It can be a much happier Christmas for sure when we all go home and look at our constituents and say ``We have done everything we can to get you through the most challenging time,'' which will be the first quarter of 2021, and this bill is an emergency bill that goes through April 1. I would note--oh, we are ready to go. I yield the floor.