Floor Statements

Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Space Tango of Lexington, KY, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

Growing up on a family farm outside Bardstown, Twyman Clements loved building and launching model rockets with his three brothers. His passion for innovation and engineering led him to the University of Kentucky, UK, where he earned a BS and MS in mechanical engineering. As a graduate student at UK, Twyman worked with Kentucky Space, a nonprofit consortium of universities and public and private groups supporting space entrepreneurship. At the time, Kentucky Space was using miniature satellites called cubesats to conduct experiments on the International Space Station. Realizing the need to simplify and reduce the cost of spacebased research and development, R&D, Twyman founded Space Tango in 2015.

Today, Space Tango is a thriving small business enabling R&D and manufacturing in zero gravity. Since 2017, thanks to a National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, Space Act Agreement, Space Tango provides facilities on the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory. Their CubeLabs generate scalable and efficient research and manufacturing in microgravity. Space Tango has worked with several commercial partners, including Anheuser-Busch and LambaVision. They regularly partner with educational institutions such as the University of Florida, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.

Over the years, local and national organizations have recognized Space Tango's groundbreaking work. Twyman was inducted into the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame in 2017, and ranked No. 25 on Fast Company's list of the 100 Most Creative People in Business in 2018. Jim Bridenstine, former NASA Administrator, visited Space Tango in 2020, commending their biomedical research and manufacturing capabilities. In addition to working on projects for various Federal agencies, Space Tango won three NASA Utilization Awards for Low Earth Orbit of Biomedical Applications. Looking forward, Space Tango is developing ST- 42, an autonomous manufacturing facility for advanced materials and biomedical devices located in Earth's orbit.

Notably, Space Tango is committed to investing in the next generation of innovators, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Twyman and his colleagues regularly host and present at educational events at Kentucky schools, universities, and scientific institutions. Space Tango's robust internship program includes students from Kentucky's universities and colleges across the country, with several former interns joining their team.

Space Tango is a testament to Kentucky innovation, ingenuity, and industry. Small businesses like Space Tango form a critical part of American's domestic manufacturing base and play a unique role educating the next generation of Kentucky engineers and entrepreneurs. Congratulations to Twyman and the entire team at Space Tango. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to watching their continued growth and success in Kentucky and beyond.

Madam President, Kentucky has a rich cultural history and is the birthplace of musical artists from every genre and era. Proudly showcasing this heritage is the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Mount Vernon, KY.

John Lee Lair, who served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during WWII, returned to the States and joined WLS radio in Chicago, where he turned his lifelong love of music into a career. He founded the Renfro Valley Barn Dance, which was broadcast by several powerful AM stations and eventually moved to its final home in Renfro Valley, KY.

Today we honor one of John Lair's three daughters, Ann Lair Henderson, who developed the plan to house the hall of fame and museum in the family's vintage horse stable. Following an act of the Kentucky General Assembly in 2002, this special tribute to Kentucky's storied musicians was born.

The iconic building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is filled with memorabilia and tributes to over 60 artists as diverse as Rosemary Clooney, Ricky Skaggs, Lionel Hampton, Boots Randolph, and Mary Travers. Nearly 20 years since its founding, Ann Lair Henderson, who recently celebrated her 98th birthday, is still a vital part of the organization that helps recognize the enormous contribution of Kentucky's incredible musical talents. We are grateful for Ann's passion for preserving history and for promoting some of the Commonwealth's finest treasures. She is a treasure in her own right to her local community and a great reminder for us all to keep pursuing those things about which we are truly passionate through every season of life.

Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I will recognize an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize a family-owned small business and southern Kentucky staple, Hunter's Bar-B-Q of Albany, KY, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

On Hunter Shearer's 13th birthday, when other boys wanted skateboards or baseball gloves, Shearer asked for a new Weber gas grill. From that point on, he was cooking for family and friends every chance he could. As a welder, Shearer built his own mobile grill and smoker, which he used to cook at family and church events. He first sold barbeque to the public in 2009, at the 127 Yard Sale. Seeing a business opportunity, Shearer decided to pursue his boyhood dream of owning a restaurant. In 2012, Hunter began working with his father-in-law Mike Duvall to convert an old service station into a restaurant. Sixteen months later, Hunter's Bar-B-Q welcomed its first customers in 2014.

In 2021, Hunter's Bar-B-Q continues to serve up some of the best BBQ in southern Kentucky, and folks drive from all over the State to enjoy their signature hickory smoked meat and family-friendly hospitality. Hunter's care and attention to detail are evident in every aspect of his restaurant and catering business. At the restaurant, everything is made from scratch, from handmade picnic tables and cooking equipment to the smoke shack, pits, and charcoal makers. Even the charcoal is made on site, using hickory wood from local sawmills.

Locally, Hunter's Bar-B-Q is known as ``the place with the big flag.'' It

boasts a 25 by 40-foot American flag atop a 100-foot flagpole almost as big as the store. Thanks to the smokers and pits, Hunter's Bar-B-Q can feed around 3,000 people a day. The pulled pork and sliced shoulder are favorites, attracting customers from all over the country. Catering is also a large part of the business, with Hunter's Bar-B-Q catering events as far away as Louisville.

Together with his wife, Shannon, Hunter seeks to give back to their community in any way possible. Locally, Hunter's Bar-B-Q sponsors Little League and high school sports teams. They regularly support community organizations, including sponsoring Project Graduation, the All for Benny Fundraiser, and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Additionally, Hunter's Bar-B-Q has supported numerous fundraisers that have covered emergency and medical expenses for local members of the community. Hunter's Bar-B-Q is a proud member of the Albany/Clinton County Chamber of Commerce. Notably, Hunter's Bar-B-Q is one of two caterers designated by the Lake Cumberland District Health Department to provide food for events in Clinton County, Kentucky.

Hunter's Bar-B-Q is a remarkable example of how hard work, ingenuity, and discipline can turn a childhood dream into reality. Small businesses like Hunter's Bar-B-Q form the heart of communities across Kentucky, regularly stepping up to support their communities. Congratulations to Hunter, Shannon, and the entire team at Hunter's Bar-B-Q. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to watching their continued growth and success in Kentucky.

Mr. President, at 10 p.m. on March 30, 2021, Stanford, KY, Police Officer Andy Ferguson and Detective Ryan Kirkpatrick were dispatched to the parking lot of a local eatery after receiving a 911 call from Maria Vergara, a teenager who witnessed a heinous crime: a young woman being assaulted and dragged, screaming, into the cab of a semitruck.

Once on the scene, these law enforcement professionals gained access to the vehicle, rescued the victim, and eventually arrested the 29- year-old perpetrator who was later charged with sexual assault and kidnapping.

Working with SPD Chaplain Jeremy Johnson and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the out-of-State victim received medical treatment at the hospital and was reunited with her family.

But the story does not stop there. A locket containing the ashes of the victim's mother had been ripped from her neck and discarded during the assault, and officers were unable to locate it during the night. The next day, Chaplain Johnson and Stanford Mayor Dalton Miller returned to the scene and eventually found the necklace, which has since been returned to the victim.

These actions remind us all of several things: of one person's ability to change the course of history for another--in this case, the teenager who reported the crime, of the mix of professionalism and heroism that sends police officers into unknown but certain danger; and of the never-give-up attitude of our best public servants who are moved by compassion to go the extra mile for those who are hurting. We honor each of these individuals today and thank them for their example.

Mr. President, in 2010, Congress passed what is known as pay-go. Pay-go was signed into law and requires that if you want to spend new money, you have to spend for it, hence the name ``pay as you go.''

The idea was that if you wanted to spend money on something, you would either need to cut spending or raise taxes, but you couldn't just simply borrow more money. And if you don't cut something, the cuts would be automatic. Except we have now waived pay-go 60 times since we passed pay-go. Debt has gone from $13.5 trillion to $30 trillion because Congress continues to evade the rules they put in place.

It brings us back to the $1.9 trillion spending bill the other side just passed. They want to now waive the pay-go rule. This will be the 61st time to waive pay-go.

Some will say that Republicans didn't seem to care about the debt when they voted to cut taxes. However, honest observers will note that I also forced a vote on pay-go when we cut taxes. Interestingly, every Democrat in this body at that time voted to evade the pay-go rules and add taxes to the deficit, as I am sure they will today.

So do deficits matter? The answer is a resounding yes. There is no free money. When we borrow or print new money, that money must be repaid. We have racked up nearly $30 trillion in debt. That is almost 150 percent of our entire economy. We borrow $6.6 million every minute. Get that. We borrow $6.6--

I ask unanimous consent to have 1 minute to conclude my remarks.

The deficit has gone from $3 trillion last year; it will be $3.5 trillion this year.

In Washington, every day is a good day to spend money. Big spenders like to say the Federal Government is no different than a family budget. We have the Federal Reserve that can print money to buy our debt, but all that does is cause inflation. Even with inflation not spiking, we have lost 17 percent of the dollar over the last several years.

Who is responsible for the $30 trillion debt? Republicans? Democrats? The answer is yes and yes. Both parties are to blame. The vote I have called for is a litmus test for fiscal responsibility. Anyone who cares about the debt should vote to enforce the pay-go rule.

According to the CBO, the bill before us will increase the deficit by $15 billion in fiscal year 2021; therefore, I raise a point of order against the measure pursuant to section 404(a) of S. Con. Res. 13 of the 111th Congress.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent for 6 minutes, 3 minutes equally divided.

Since the implementation of PPP last April, 38 Planned Parenthood affiliates applied for and received $80 million in taxpayer funds meant for small business relief.

Pursuant to the longstanding affiliation rules, which stipulate that affiliated organizations are considered one organization, the Small Business Administration found that Planned Parenthood was ineligible for PPP funds and sent letters to each of the 38 organizations that wrongfully received funds.

After months of delay, though, SBA finally revealed that they have now given secondary loans to more Planned Parenthood organizations. These approvals come long after the SBA had determined that the initial ones were illegal.

Further extending the PPP program could allow all 49 Planned Parenthood affiliates time to access both the first or second draw of PPP loans, given the Biden administration's apparent recent actions.

I urge everyone who believes that taxpayers should not be forced to pay for abortion to vote no.

Mr. President, on March 18, I voted against the confirmation of Xavier Becerra to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. Mr. Becerra has no substantive experience in public health policy, and he has proven himself to be an extremist on the few occasions he has engaged on health care issues. In October 2017, he told FOX News, ``I've been a supporter of Medicare for All for the 24 years that I was in Congress.'' As attorney general of California, he filed over 100 lawsuits against the Trump administration, including leading a group of attorneys general in opposing Texas's legal challenge to Obamacare in Texas v. Azar. He also won lawsuits to reclassify gig economy companies like Uber and Lyft as employers. In response, California's Prop 22 was drafted, with a description saying it ``changes employment classification rules for app-based transportation and delivery workers.'' Becerra's office, which has authority to summarize ballot measures, seemingly tried to sabotage Prop 22 by changing its summary to say it ``exempts app-based transportation and delivery companies from providing employee benefits to certain drivers and delivery workers.'' Californians passed Prop 22 anyway, with over 58 percent support.

Mr. Becerra's history suggests he will use this Cabinet post for political activism, not for advancing our Nation's public health. For that reason, I opposed his confirmation.

Mr. President, I voted against the nomination of Merrick Garland to be Attorney General because President Biden's campaign promises included permitting the Department of Justice to take unilateral and unconstitutional actions to infringe upon Second Amendment rights. Gun control advocacy groups applaud these promises and encourage even more executive actions to erode the right to keep and bear firearms. Absent an explicit promise from Judge Garland to respect the Second Amendment, my oath to defend the Constitution prevented me from voting to confirm him as Attorney General.

Mr. President, I call up my amendment 1014 and ask that it be reported by number.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent for 2 minutes of debate, equally divided.

Mr. President, the Paycheck Protection Program was created to help small businesses. We should all agree that an organization with thousands of employees working in dozens of cities across the country is not a small business, but this bill has a provision that would extend small business assistance to these kinds of large organizations.

That means that an organization operating in 100 cities across America, with thousands of employees, will get money that was really intended for small businesses. My amendment would remove this provision, and I urge a ``yes'' vote.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, this amendment is an insult to every cashier at Walmart or bagger at Kroger who comes to work every day in person. This amendment is an insult to every meatpacker or waiter or waitress who comes to work every day in person.

Supporters of this amendment care more about government contractors making $100,000 a year than they do about the people who serve your food. If food servers and grocery store clerks can go to work in person, I think government contractors can, too.

I urge a ``no'' vote.

Vote on Amendment No. 1391

Mr. President, in times of conflict and peace, nations should discuss and resolve disputes. We cannot expect to achieve peace without effort and dialogue. The post of Ambassador to the United Nations is a position where engagement is of the utmost importance. Throughout Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield's 35-year tenure at the State Department, under both Republicans and Democrats, she developed a long track record of engaging diplomatically with other countries through a very unique approach. Based on Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield's career, I believe she will tackle international challenges and engage with friends and adversaries, alike, and I support her nomination.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor one of America's finest, MG Brian Winski, who served a 24-month tour as the commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell, KY. Major General Winski's unparalleled mastery across the tactical, operational, and strategic spectrums in combination with his infectious and inspirational leadership provided a continuous source of motivation for soldiers and leaders alike.

In a time of uncertainty, Major General Winski exhibited the most valued traits of a leader. As the senior commander of Fort Campbell, KY, Major General Winski oversaw support services for 33,000 soldiers, 50,000 family members, 10,000 civilian employees, and 150,000 retirees. Prior to the global Covid-19 pandemic, Major General Winski shaped the way in which the 101st Airborne Division plans and executes emergency deployment readiness exercises leading the 531st Hospital Center EDRE and later watched their successful domestic deployment to New York to provide help in crisis.

Major General Winski's impressive contributions enabled mission success in some of the toughest and most challenging conditions. The distinctive accomplishments of Major General Winski reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the XVIII Airborne Corps, the U.S. Army, and the Department of Defense. I join my fellow Kentuckians in honoring Major General Brian Winski with the Award of Distinguished Service Medal as he served his country with class and courage.

I second.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the subsequent votes be 10 minutes in duration.

Mr. President, I call up my amendment, No. 1, and ask that it be reported by number.

Mr. President, every American family must balance its own family's budget, and voters wonder why Congress never balances its budget. The Democratic budget before us will add $15 trillion of debt over the next decade. The Pennies Plan budget, which is consistent with the balanced budget amendment that most Republicans have voted for, balances the budget in just 5 years.

When I first introduced this budget a few years ago, all you had to do was cut one penny over 5 years, and the budget balanced, but as Congress has blown through the budget caps, it has

become much more difficult. Last year, it was two pennies--a 2-percent cut per year to balance in 5 years. Now it is a three-penny plan, and you have to have a 3-percent cut, but it is still foreseeable that we could balance our budget.

It is the right thing to do. It is good for America. It will make us a stronger country to leave for our kids and our grandkids, and I urge a ``yes'' vote.

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

Mr. President, I call up my amendment No. 441 and ask that it be reported by number.

Probably nothing makes Americans madder than to see their hard-earned tax dollars sent overseas to boondoggle after boondoggle-- countries that laugh at us, burn our flag, take our money, and then ask for more. Meanwhile, our roads and bridges are crumbling in our country. We can't fix our own infrastructure because we keep building roads and bridges in other countries.

My amendment would take the $26 billion we send in foreign aid welfare and keep it here and put it into our infrastructure in our country.

I urge a ``yes'' vote.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Madam President, I voted to confirm the nomination of Pete Buttigieg to be Secretary of the Department of Transportation. As a former mayor, Secretary Buttigieg understands that infrastructure in a state of good repair is crucial to economic growth. For too long, American infrastructure has gone without proper investment, while we simultaneously engage in a two-decade-long adventure to remake and rebuild the Middle East. Rather than increase gas taxes, I hope to work with Secretary Buttigieg and the rest of the Biden administration to put an end to endless wars, stop building infrastructure in Afghanistan, and start building infrastructure in America.

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