Chuck Schumer

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. SCHUMER. I ask to dispense with further reading of the amendment.

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on PNTR, as President Biden begins the most important foreign trip of his Presidency, the best thing the Senate can do this week is pass PNTR legislation to land another devastating blow on Putin's economy. Over the past few weeks, Republicans have complained that President Biden hasn't acted quickly enough against Putin. Yet for the past few days, they have stymied swift action on PNTR, despite the fact that the House approved it 424 to 8, with Leader McCarthy supporting it. In particular, the senior Senator from Idaho has sought to amend the bill to include an oil ban. We are willing to work with Senator Crapo to address his concerns, but there are a few reasons we should move quickly with PNTR. First, President Biden has already implemented a ban on Russian oil and gas. So passing this legislation is not a priority the way PNTR is. Second, there remain serious questions about whether the proposal from Republicans would delay the ban on buying Russian oil for a period of time. This is a consequence no one wants. Senator Manchin brought this up when he saw the language, and it is something that we have to make certain that this proposal isn't weaker than what the President has put into effect. Third, showing unity, particularly at this time when the President is meeting with our European allies, is especially important. Finally, the House is not in session. Any changes we make to the PNTR legislation delays enactment by at least a week. There is no reason--absolutely no reason--to change what the House has already approved on PNTR and delay action by a week or more. Again, Democrats are willing to work with Senator Crapo on this issue if he can agree to let this process move forward. So let me say it again. PNTR has already been approved overwhelmingly by the House, and it is the most logical next step in the fight against Putin's barbaric war, and the Senate should thus act. Republicans who complain of delay are the ones who are delaying. The Senate has been most effective when working quickly and in unison to support the President and our European allies against Vladimir Putin. Passing PNTR with overwhelming bipartisan support is another chance to do just that. Insulin Mr. President, on insulin, yesterday I held a handful of conversations with colleagues from both sides of the aisle on one of the most confounding problems facing millions of Americans--the skyrocketing cost of insulin. Making insulin more affordable is a top priority to Democrats, so right now, there are bipartisan talks underway by Senators Shaheen and Collins to cap insulin at $35 a month and make changes to drive the cost down in a comprehensive way. I intend to put a proposal on the floor as soon as we can after Easter. There should be nothing remotely partisan about making sure Americans don't go broke to manage their diabetes. So Democrats are eager to work wherever we can on legislation that will cap insulin at $35 a month and give millions a long-overdue break at the pharmacy. It is reported that at least one in four insulin users has to ration their use of insulin because they can't afford it. The exponential spike in the cost of insulin is truly one of the most frustrating trends of the past two decades. This is a drug with no patent on which millions of Americans rely to manage their diabetes. Today, a 40-day supply of insulin can exceed $600 a month--a prohibitive and downright immoral price that makes no sense at all. Over the past few weeks, a number of my colleagues, including Senator Warnock, Senator Shaheen, Senator Murray, and Senator Collins, have worked assiduously on proposals for bringing down the price of insulin, bringing it back down, as part of our larger effort to lower costs for American families. The latest bipartisan effort will combine elements from Senator Warnock's and other proposals, and it has my enthusiastic backing because lowering the cost of insulin is so important. I commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for working on this issue in good faith. Bipartisanship has been the kindling for a number of recent Senate accomplishments, and insulin should be another issue where we deliver. In addition, incidentally, while we are talking about cost-cutting, we are having hearings this week on a number of issues relating to high cost. Senator Casey, in the Aging Committee, is leading a hearing on home care and the high cost there today. Senator Carper is leading a hearing on clean energy and national security and the high cost of energy. In Agriculture, Senator Stabenow had a hearing yesterday on the cost of rural childcare, rural elder care, and healthcare.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. So please stay nearby so we can get this done.

Mr. SCHUMER. OK. Folks, once again, it is Wednesday night. We are going to try to repeat the same success we had the last few Wednesdays and not drag this out for too long. So I urge Members to either sit in their chairs or be around the Chamber. We have a whole bunch of votes. I ask unanimous consent that any remaining votes tonight be 10-minute votes.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Well, Mr. President, today, the Senate Judiciary Committee continues a most historic hearing with a most qualified nominee to the most consequential Court in all of the land. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is unlike any other Supreme Court nominee in American history, but yesterday she made clear her approach will be the same as the great jurists who came before her, ``to support and defend the Constitution and this grand experiment of democracy that has endured over these past 246 years.'' Her record shows that she is up to the task: a clerk for three judges, including Justice Breyer; a Federal judge for nearly 10 years; and a nominee who commands the endorsements of groups across the political spectrum, including both law enforcement and victims' rights groups. Two days ago, a cohort of nine organizations that aid survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence announced their support of Judge Jackson, citing her ``mix of common sense'' and ``thoughtfulness,'' while adding that ``Judge Jackson's rulings reflect the judicial consensus.'' A few weeks ago, the International Association of Chiefs of Police also celebrated the judge for ``her dedication to ensuring that our communities are safe and that the interests of justice are served.'' And in early March, nearly 60 former DOJ officials, including scores of former U.S. attorneys, expressed their confidence that the judge's appreciation for how the criminal justice system works would be a critical addition to the Court. Now, when the facts aren't on your side, some are tempted to change the subject, and that is precisely what some Republicans tried to do yesterday. Republicans showed they don't have a plan for addressing Judge Jackson on her merits, so they expended a lot of ink and paper pushing arguments that range from irrelevant to downright misleading. As the judge's confirmation hearing continues today, I am confident that Americans are going to see right through these flimsy broadsides and focus on the judge's impressive, impressive record. So, as we enter day 2 of the hearing, I thank my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee who will engage seriously with the judge. I again express my confidence she is on track for final confirmation before the end of this work period.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 22; that following the prayer and the pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 282, H.R. 4521, the America COMPETES Act postcloture; further, that all time during adjournment, recess, leader remarks, and morning business count postcloture; that the Senate recess from 12:30 to 2:15 to allow for the weekly caucus meetings; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Tuesday's session of the Senate, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. First, Madam President, I want to offer condolences to the family of Don Young, the dean of the House and longest serving Republican in history, who passed away last Friday at the age of 88. The State of Alaska has lost a titan, the House of Representatives has lost a legend, and my thoughts are with his family in this difficult time. Nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson Madam President, now on SCOTUS, earlier today, the Senate Judiciary Committee commenced their hearings on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's historic nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. The daughter of public educators, the pride of Miami Palmetto Senior High School, and a Federal judge for nearly a decade, Judge Jackson began her testimony by returning to what matters most: her family, her upbringing, her qualifications, and, most of all, her fidelity to the Constitution. Over the course of the week, I expect the American people will finally see for themselves why Judge Jackson is one of the most qualified individuals ever to be nominated to the Supreme Court of the United States. They will see, for instance, why the American Bar Association unanimously rated Judge Jackson as ``well qualified'' for the Supreme Court, their highest rating possible. They will see why the president of the Fraternal Order of Police said there is ``little doubt that [Judge Jackson] has the temperament, intellect, legal experience, and family background to earn this appointment.'' They will see why even conservative judges, like retired DC Circuit Judge Thomas Griffith, who introduced Judge Jackson today, wrote that ``Judge Jackson is immensely qualified to serve on the Supreme Court and should be confirmed by the Senate.'' And I also trust that Americans will see right through the misleading and desperate broadsides that a few Members of the other side have launched against the judge in recent weeks. We need not pretend that wild accusations from self-interested actors deserve to be taken seriously, so color me skeptical that the American people will give them much weight. Finally, as these hearings begin, I want to thank Chairman Durbin for organizing a speedy and fair confirmation process. His work has been outstanding. Every member of the Senate Judiciary Committee has met with the judge, which will allow for thoughtful and thorough hearings, just as the chairman had promised. I, thus, remain confident that as these hearings begin, the Senate is on track to confirm Judge Jackson as the 116th Justice of the Supreme Court by the end of this work period. Business Before the Senate Madam President, now on Senate business, as the Judiciary Committee begins a busy week of hearings, the Senate, likewise, begins a busy week here on the floor. Later this afternoon, the Senate will vote to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the House-passed America COMPETES Act, the next important step toward enacting major jobs and competitiveness legislation that both Republicans and Democrats widely support. Over the past year, the House and Senate have acted independently to pass their own versions of competitiveness legislation. To reconcile the differences between these bills, both Chambers must enter a conference before we send the final product to the President's desk. In order to go to conference, the Senate needs to amend the House- passed COMPETES bill with the Senate- passed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act and then send it back to the House. That is what we are working toward starting today. It is of the highest urgency we move forward on competitiveness legislation. It will lower costs--the words of the day are ``lowering costs stop inflation.'' This bill will do a lot in that regard. The competitiveness legislation will lower costs by bringing manufacturing jobs back to America, by fixing bottlenecks in our supply chains, and by fueling scientific research. Importantly, this bill would also help ensure that the United States has a long-term and resilient supply of chips--crucial for our military, our auto industry, our tech industry, and for American families who feel the sting through price hikes and maddening delays in available goods. As the war in Europe reminds us, our country is vulnerable when we import too many goods from a single country, particularly semiconductors so needed in so many sectors of the economy. We need to make more of these products here in America instead of overseas to shore up our supply chains, preserve our national security. For that reason alone, let's not tarry any longer. Let's pass this important bill--no more delay. I want to thank my Republican colleagues, especially Senators Cornyn and Young, for continuing to work in good faith in this process. Most of us want to see a conference happen soon, and I believe we can reach that goal in the coming weeks. Now, as important as Judge Jackson's hearings are, I urge everyone not to sleep on a handful of other hearings happening this week that are crucial for our country's agenda and, frankly, our Democratic agenda. In the Senate HELP Committee, Chairman Murray will hold a hearing tomorrow on something Democrats have pushed for months: cutting the cost of childcare and preschool for American families. The Senate Committee on Aging, meanwhile, will hold a hearing this Wednesday on increasing home care services to seniors, something I strongly support. And I thank Chairman Casey for organizing this hearing. And, finally, the Committee on Environment and Public Works will also meet Wednesday for a hearing on clean energy, combating climate change, and increasing America's energy independence in the 21st century. All these issues--fighting climate change, lowering the costs of childcare, taking care of our seniors--remain at the top of our caucus's priorities. These hearings will inform us immensely as our caucus continues working on legislation that will lower costs and expand opportunity for the American people. russia Madam President, finally on PNTR, last week, the House acted in near- unanimous fashion to pass legislation revoking Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Russia. This legislation is very much needed for fighting Russia and holding Putin accountable for the carnage--the despicable, nasty, devilish carnage--he has waged, he has levied upon the Ukrainian people. This bill is one way to make sure he continues to pay a heavy price for starting this bloody and savage war. We need this legislation passed without delay. It got overwhelming support from Republicans in the House, including from Leader McCarthy. There is no reason to hold it up. Let's move it forward. Let's move it forward. No nation has so thoroughly soaked the blood of innocent civilians as Russia. No nation like that deserves to have any kind of normal trade relations with the United States. I call on my Republican colleagues to work with us to pass this legislation quickly. There is no reason--absolutely no reason--to delay its passage. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, due to the current events happening in Europe, the Republican leader and I have agreed to increase the membership to the Senate NATO Observer Group by two additional Senators. The additional Democratic Senator will be named at a later date.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 282, H.R. 4521.

Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum call for the cloture motion filed today, March 17, be waived and that following the 1:45 p.m. vote, the Senate resume legislative session.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, first, I see that you and many on the podium are decked in green. Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of you and to all of America.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I have an announcement to make for the information of Senators. In a few moments, I will take the next procedural step to advance the jobs and competitiveness legislation so important to so many of us in this Chamber. Last summer, the Senate passed an overwhelmingly bipartisan bill that will bring manufacturing jobs back to America, fix supply chains, fuel scientific research, and ultimately lower costs by a significant amount. The bipartisan bill will be great news for our economy, our entrepreneurs, our innovators, and especially families who are feeling the sting because of the chip shortage. We all know the chip shortage is hurting so many people. It is hurting the auto industry that has had to temporarily shut down factories. It has hurt our tech industry, our healthcare industry, and so many others. So let's solve this quickly. In order to go to conference, the Senate needs to amend the House- passed COMPETES bill with the Senate-passed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act and send it back to the House. That is what we will aim to do next week as quickly as we can. Again, this jobs and supply chains legislation will help lower costs. Let us have bipartisan cooperation on this bill. Now, despite cloture, it is far better for Democrats and Republicans to reach an agreement to vote on this bill quickly, and we will keep working on that over the next few days. It is regrettable that a small band of Republicans are determined to stand in the way of quick action after all the good work we have done in recent weeks passing bipartisan legislation. Let's add to that tally by quickly passing this bill. Creating jobs, lowering costs, and fixing supply chains shouldn't be partisan, and I hope to see an agreement to expedite this process soon. In the meantime, the process is moving forward.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m., Thursday, March 17; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Nathan nomination; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Thursday's session, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. SCHUMER. For the information of Senators, there will be two rollcall votes at 11:45 and one at 1:45.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, that vote took too long. Will Members please stay around so we can get these done quickly. We have many more votes to go.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to legislative session for a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Let me reiterate. Members, please stay on or near the floor during the votes so we can get this done quickly. Thank you. I yield the floor.

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, this vote took a long time. If the others take that amount of time, we are going to be here until very late because we are going to get this done. So I hope everyone will--now that we are on the second vote--hang close. I ask unanimous consent that the remaining votes tonight be 10-minute votes.