District judge for illinois. Live to the floor of the senate here on cspan2. The presiding officer the senate will come to order. The chaplain, dr. Barry black, will lead the senate in prayer. The chaplain let us pray. Eternal god, the sky clearly reveals your glory. It sings melodies about what you have done. Today, teach our senators to do things your way, embracing your precepts and walking in your path. Remind them that the narrow and difficult road leads to life and true freedom. As you teach them to live with integrity, replace their anxiety with calm, their confusion with clarity and their doubts with certainty. May your heavenly peace which transcends Human Understanding guard their hearts and minds today and all. We pray in your loving game. Amen. The presiding officer please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The presiding officer the clerk will read a communication to the senate. The clerk washington, d. C. , july 19, 2022. To the senate under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable raphael warnock, a senator from the state of georgia, to perform the duties of the chair. Signed patrick j. Leahy, president pro tempore. The presiding officer under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved. Morning business is closed. Under the previous order, the senate will proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the following nomination, which the clerk will report. The clerk nomination, the judiciary, nina ninyuen wang, of colorado, to be United States district judge for the district of colorado. The Homeland SecurityCommittee Representative green thank you for joining us again on cspan. Its an honor and a privilege. We saw two pieces of legislation passed on abortion last week there were seeing another potentially pass on contraception but they may go nowhere in the senate. What you think about that prospect and what should happen from there . Thank you for the question because this is been an important issue. Yes, we did pass legislation last week but we also have two pieces of legislation we will be taking up this week. One is the right to contraception and the other is h. R. 1804 the respect for marriage act. I think we should pass these pieces of legislation so that we can show the American People that in the house of representatives we are concerned about a womans right to choose. Women have that right. They still have it what it is been now place in the hands of the state. And for many people these estate rights are state wrongs. I heard someone say they were very proud to know that the people would make these decisions after having roe overturned. I can only contemplate what my feet would be if brown v. Board of education was overturned and is placed in hands of the state. If itd been overturned 30 years ago i probably wouldnt be in congress and of not sure what my state is status in this country would be. Returning certain things to the state is an abomination. I would not want my state to be in hands of the state even today in terms of my freedom, to be the person that i am. I am proud we are doing this. I think the senate will at some point hopefully find their duty, responsibility and obligation to take up the legislation that the house since over and pass it, or at least give it a boat thats meaningful. I understand we have the filibuster. I. I understand that you have to get the cloture and i also understand with that process the minority rules. The minority has to have its rights respected but the minority doesnt have it to rule and thats the circumstances we find yourselves in in the training center. My naughty rule, the rights of the majority are being disrespected. We have seen some democrats on capitol hill call for the president when it comes to abortion related matters call for a Public Health emergency. Would you advocate for the call and if so what would it accomplish . Public of emergency in the sense of the president doing it as i think something entirely reasonable. The president in so doing has executive authority, and with his executive authority he can do things to make sure that women will have the right to choice, protected at the federal level, at the federal level. Because you do have states with the authority to make the rules but the federal government has a role as well. We in congress can pass laws as well. Its notr. Todays going to be an exceedingly busy and productive day on the senate floor. Later today, after months of hard work and countless rounds of talks, senators will vote to move forward on legislation that our country desperately needs. A chips bill that will lower costs, boost American Manufacturing and protect American Security interests. Over the past 24 hours, both parties have continued working on the final details to the chips package that well vote on later today. We will see if members can come to an agreement on adding other provisions to the bill, but the bottom line is that we must come up with a package that is capable of passing this chamber without delay. We must act as soon as we can to make sure we bring chip manufacturing back to america, because our nations security depends on it. I urge my colleagues, if you want to fight inflation, if you want to create more goodpaying jobs right here at home, if you want to keep america strong and competitive and innovative in the 21st century so that we can lead the economy as we did in the 20th, then this chips bill is the way to go. It is a very important bill. The chip shortage is one of the most damaging trends over the past few years. Of this technology, which originated, of course, right hear in america, is the bedrock of much of modern life. Cars, refrigerators, cell phones, medical devices, they all depend on chips to function. But when chips suddenly become scarce, as is the case today, the consequences are felt across the board, by companies, but by average americans, americans seeing higher prices and longer wait times for all sorts of consumer goods because of this chips shortage. Mr. President , it wasnt always this way, but thanks to the pandemic this crisis is now being felt across the country. A quarter century ago the United States was the undisputed leader in global chip production. In 1990, we produced 40 , nearly 40 of the worlds semiconductors. Today, that figure is going down to 12 and it will get even lower if we dont pass this bill. We have a chance of leading the way on chip manufacturing once again if we pass this legislation. As we speak, the countrys most important chip manufacturer, these are american companies, are waiting on congressional action, mostly american companies, not all but theyre waiting on congressional action before they decide where to invest in chip production. From asia to europe, other nations have copied the american playbook and have already invested billions of dollars to incentivize chip manufacturers to come to them. If we do not match the efforts of other countries to boost chip manufacturing, the consequences could be dire and long lasting. Countless of goodpaying american jobs are on the line. Costs that americans are now paying higher costs, getting them lower is now on the line. Billions of dollars in Economic Activity is on the line. And our National Security is on the line. As secretary austin and secretary raimondo told us last week, our economic and National Security depends on our ability to invest in the technologies of today and tomorrow. If we allow other nations to lead the way on chips, the days of america leading the world in scientific innovation, the days of america being the leading economic and military power in the world may actually be over. Nobody wants that. So vote for this bill. This is a future none of us want to see. Again, vote for this bill. I urge my colleagues to move forward later today. Now, on judges, as we move forward on legislation to boost chip manufacturing, theres a lot to do on the nominations front too. Let me start with a very important number, 73. Let me say that again, 73. That is the total number of judges that the senate will hopefully have confirmed by the end of today. A year and a half into President Bidens term, that is nothing short of a towering achieving. Heres how well reach that figure today later this morning, the senate will vote to confirm nina ninyuen wang as u. S. District court judge for the district of colorado. This afternoon, we will hold a confirmation vote on nancy l. Maldonado for the Northern District of illinois. I expect these wellqualified nominees to move through this chamber with bipartisan support. As soon as today, the senate will also vote on the confirmation of judge Michelle Childs of South Carolina to serve on the d. C. Circuit. Judge childs will be the fourth, only the fourth black woman to ever sit on the d. C. Circuit, founded nearly 130 years ago. Confirming this remarkable jurist is an important step to reversing generations of underrepresentation and making our courts better reflect the nation. Lets not forget, after the Supreme Court the d. C. Court of appeals is the most important federal court in the country. Regularly taking up cases that the Supreme Court is unable to consider. Oftentimes, the d. Circuit the d. C. Circuit makes the final decision on some of the most important cases in the country, particularly those involving congress and the executive branch. It is a really important court. Remember, the Supreme Court only hears about 75 cases a year. So lots of very vital cases are decided by this Circuit Court of appeals. The judges who preside on the dick circuit must be on the d. C. Circuit must be individuals of unassailable qualification. Thats what we have in judge childs. Shes a native of detroit, a graduate of south florida, South Carolina and duke. Judge childs bit a reputation as a trailblazing jurist and staunch defender of the constitution. She already commands strong bipartisan support from both sides of the aisle, and i thank my democratic and republican colleagues for their support of the judge. As the Senate Continues to fulfill its duty of cisming more qualified confirming more qualified judges, we hope the trailblazers of today can be closer to the norm of tomorrow. We want our courts to include more women, more diverse candidates, both demographically and prools professionally, ard more judges and professionally, and more judges from unique back growns. Our courts, democracy and the American People are better off for this. Theres not a doubt in my mind judge childs will help advance this noble goal. I look forward to her final confirmation. Finally, on Marriage Equality. This week the house of representatives is scheduled to vote on two pieces of legislation that will enshrine some of the most fundamental rights every american should enjoy the right to Marriage Equality and access to contraceptives. These votes come at a disturbing and dangerous moment for our country. A few weeks ago, the Supreme Court concluded one of its worst and most destructsive terms in history, casting aside a half century of precedent, the conservative majority on the court shamefully and disgustingly eliminated the fundamental right of women to make their own decisions regarding their bodies. Its a decision that will live in infamy, an indelible stain on the legacy of the highest court of the land that will not be erased. Alarmingly, the nightmare is very far likely from over. The maga republicans on the court, and the maga radicals taking over the Republican Party, have made it abundantly clear theyre not satisfied with repealing roe. As i said, its an indelible stain and the attempts by some to talk it away and erase it will not happen, because its such a bad stain. Anyway, the maga republicans that are taking over the Republican Party have made it abundantly clear theyre not satisfied with repealing roe. As many have openly said, theyve now turned their attention now on the obergefell decision and Marriage Equality. A few days ago, the junior senator from texas said that the Supreme Courts decision protecting Marriage Equality was clearly wrong, and argued that partisan state legislatures could determine who can and cannot get married. Other maga republicans have echoed the same thing. We need to think, we need to pause and think about how unhinged, unhinged this idea is. Fresh off repealing the rights of every woman in this country, maga republicans now want to reopen the doors for discrimination and hatred targeted against samesex couples. Even one of the justices on the Supreme Court indicated in his opinion that gay marriage should be reconsidered by the courts. This is the future that maga republicans clamor for. , where women and samesex couples are branded as secondclass citizens. If they succeed, theyll take our country down a dark path from which there may be no return. Though we will fight it tooth and nail. Every single american should stand in opposition against these maga republican views. I yield the floor and note the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum call evidence of persons using the doors to run out to the automobile or perhaps some other location and then come back in quickly. Theres certain things a culture can develop when you dont have the right tone and tenor at the top. All of the doors the lock should be functioning and if the lock did not function properly there has to be accountability. If you needed the money you have to make sure that you make that only the proper request but the demand from persons who could help with that request. And the person in charge of School Safety has to make a demand that be corrected in those doors should never have been easily accessed. From david in new mexico albuquerque democrats line. Caller yes, sir. With all due respect, to meet a politician is a politician. Doesnt matter if they are democrat, republican, black or white. My problem is with the democrats and i am a registered democrat, is we are being flooded in the south come from the south border, democrats are happy with this and trust me, but no disrespect, you and other people of color say were letting them come in and were saying we have to get the wages up to be an f Better Living condition. I agree but you let these people come in and work for certainly less than americans should, and that there is not helping the blacks or the whites. And one more thing. People are saying were letting them in because they are afraid in the country. They cant survive. And we have that here. And being a black person, theres black people say they dont like to get out of their own neighborhoods after dark because they are afraid. So to me america and americans first, we feel sorry for the other people and do but my family, my country, my American People should be first. If we can help others, if we think we should, we just have to apologize sometimes and say, you know, we do what we can win weekend. Gotshal point, caller. Thank you. Thank you, caller. Let me start with this. I love my country. I salute the flag, say the pledge of allegiance, sing the national anthem. But it also defend those who choose not to say the pledge of allegiance. I love my country. I respect the laws of my country. Right now as i speak, persons can come to this country seeking asylum, and they can make a claim for asylum based upon their being persecuted in their home country. Based upon fear of harm in their home country. And thats a legitimate claim for people to come and make, and for us to then have to sort through. I think we have to have comprehensive immigration reform. Reform. Im not for open borders. I believe we need to know whoss coming in and out of our country, but we have to have some reform of the law or we can just respect the law and to said real handed however we choose, which means that one party in you will get one set of circumstances in terms of how laws are going to be enforced, another party will enforce differently. I i dont think thats the way u do business. I think eventually there will have to be comprehensive immigration reform. Now im going to go to a step and a place we dont try what you call politicians will go. I think ultimately the two sides, democrats and republicans, are going to have to talk to each other about at least two issues. One, a wall. That discussion has to take place. Jew mac, we have to talk about two, how the people who are here already and how they will be properly inculcated into our society to the extent that many will be. These issues are preeminent in this debate, and until we decide were going to sit at the table and negotiate not dictate, when negotiation becomes dictation nobody wins. We have got to negotiate and those two issues have to be dealt with. I prepared to deal with those two issues. I think persons can apply for asylum from their home country. I think where to make sure that the system functions efficaciously but it can be done. I support making change, but you cant make change by yourself. You have got to have a willing partner who is willing to negotiate and not dictate. I i respect you greatly for the disrespect that you have for politicians, believe me i respect that. This is a guest al green democrat from texas joining as william from california and North Hollywood independent line. Thanks for waiting. Go ahead. How are you doing . I call on the independent line because im sort of as long as i can vote i was voting democrat and we certainly, i a part of a large group of individuals thats questioning my affiliation right now. You see the Approval Rating of joe biden is clearly stating hes a failure. One question for the representative. I just watched a few last night. Its ironic im watching this on tv right now. Video last night [inaudible] the lady asked and she said why are you genuity did as i was watching . He pointed the cigarette at her face and said what the hell are you going to do about it . Host im going to stop right there only because im going to let the representative respond to that tragic did he say i did this . Host caller, are you saying that . Caller [inaudible] host okay. Lets stop you there. Try to listen, it is not true. Theres no part of that, not a scintilla of that further proceedings under the quorum call be dispensed with. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Mcconnell a year ago today with prices already rising, President Biden said high inflation was, quote, expected to be temporary. One year later after nine straight months of inflation, over 6 , the prices are now rising at their fastest rate in over 40 years. Last weeks Inflation Report confirmed on paper what working families have been feeling for a year. President bidens prediction was dead wrong. Instead prices are skyrocketing and paychecks arent keeping up. Real hourly wages are declining at breakneck speeds, dropping a full 1 last month alone. The average American Worker got a full 1 pay cut just last month alone due to inflation. The Biden Administration has tried to claim that were, quote, stronger economically than we have been in history. Well, thats what the White House Press secretary told reporters earlier this month. Kentuckians know thats utterly absurd. They know the opposite is true. In my home state the average household now spends over 600 more, 600 more every month compared for the day President Biden took his oath of office. That comes out to more than 7,300 a year. Inflation is pushing kentucky families to the brink. As a result Food Bank Demand is rising and shelves are running low. A soup kitchen in Campbell County put out an urgent call for volunteers as surging visitors threatened to overwhelm its limited staff. As the executive director said in an interview w, inflation and milk at 4 they see people who never needed help before. Ive received messages from constituents all over the commonwealth facing the same crisis. Prices are rising while real wages fall. A 59yearold from louisville tell me she worked two jobs since they graduated from college in 1987 to save for retirement. Now shes afraid shell lose her hardearned money due to this inflation. Another constituent in Hopkins County tells me he worked 60 hours a week for years to afford the home he bought recently. Now with rising prices he cant even support his family anymore and might lose his new house as well. A couple in lexington in their late 70s spends almost all of their fixed income on rent, utilities, and medical bills. Theyre struggling to find enough left over for food. What are we supposed to do, they ask. Families across kentucky are asking themselves the same question every day. The answer from washington democrats is alarming but not surprising. After spending us into inflation, they now want to tax us into recession. I cant think of a more reckless response for struggling kentuckians. Now on another matter, unfortunately inflation and tax hikes dont exhaust washington democrats capacity to make trouble for the American People. Today the rules committee will be reviewing the disclose act, a seemingly annual liberal attempt to restrict political speech by threatening the privacy of those who see things differently from them. For decades washington democrats have looked for opportunities to expand the reach of unelected federal bureaucrats to police the Political Activities of private citizens. The disclose act is just one more example of a troubling tendency on todays political left. Quit trying to play by the rules and demanding a change in the rules instead. The disclose act was a key pillar of the sweeping election takeover democrats have been trying to pass since they lost an election in 2016. For years they failed to convince majorities in congress or among the American People that the future of our democracy requires the Playing Field to be tilted toward their side. But failing to overhaul the system hasnt stopped liberals from sabotaging the guardrails that protect political speech from the inside. Remember the naming and shaming of conservatives for wrong think was practically an official policy back in the obamabiden i. R. S. More recently leaked confidential taxpayer information from the i. R. S. Wound up in the hands of liberal publications just in time for tax debates on the hill. Our washington democrats want to grease the skids for more. Needless to say whether or not disclosure was legal hasnt been a primary concern for the liberals behind these leaks in recent years. But to the extent our democratic colleagues want to have a conversation about laws on the books, donations to Political Action committees are already disclosed to the f. E. C. So are donations to 051c4 organizations aimed at influencing federal elections. Existing law has already thought of this. What our colleagues want to do is newly expand the definition of political speech and stretch disclosure requirements. They want americans who oppose them politically to have to either abandon their privacy or abandon the public square. They want conservatives to choose between their livelihoods or their political beliefs. The Chilling Effect on american speech is by design, not by coincidence. The same liberal groups that urge radical mobs to intimidate the Supreme Court justices outside their private family homes and the same elected democratic officials who refuse to condemn that illegal intimidation now want to systematically out ordinary private citizens private donations and political speech. The pro intimidation, antiprivacy modern left wants less privacy surrounding the first amendment. It doesnt take much connecting the dots to see why. But even the liberal aclu warned years ago what liberals want here, quote, unconstitutionally fringes on freedom of speech and the right to associated privacy. Thats the aclu on the same side as myself. More recently the naacp and the aclu teamed up in fighting statelevel Public Disclosure laws at the Supreme Court. On the same side again as me and several other republican senators. They reiterated the landmark ruling in naacp v. Alabama, the viability of privacy and Group Association may in many circumstances be indispensable to preservation of freedom of association, particularly where a group espouses dissident beliefs. Aw, but todays democrats disagree. Over the years washington democrats have cycled through a litany of reasons for passing their sweeping takeover of american elections. But while the rationale has changed constantly, the goal never changes one inch. More power for elected democrats to rewrite the rules of their own elections and more power for the political left to harass and intimidate citizens who dont like them. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum call quorum call joining as that is mike johnson republican of louisiana who serves as a vice chair for the republican Conference Also a member of the come hes a member of the judiciary subcommittee on constitution civil rights and civil liberties. Good morning. Youre state what is a stand when it comes to trigger laws regarding abortion considering the decision by the Supreme Court . Guest louisiana we pride ourselves on being a prolife state. Wherefore long time. 2006 we passed the trigger law. 2020 would pass constitutional amendment to the state constitution to further ensure that. It would be a prolife jurisdiction except the trigger law has been challenged and so its tied up in state courts at the moment. Ultimately that will be resolved in a couple of weeks and then will be able to enforce the law. Host what is a challenge been brought forth against the law . Guest the plaintiffs had made a disingenuous claim. They say the trigger law is vague and they just cant possibly understand how that would be enforced here thats a legal fiction. People are making that argument argued against it in detail when its passed through the legislative process. It will be resolved pretty quickly. This is an overwhelming consensus of our state and we have the right to do that. Host if the law does go into effect what does it cover . Guest theres an exception for the life of the mother but we would be a prolife jurisdiction and thats always been the segment sentim. Its a very conservative state. They believe in god and country and this is right in line with that. Host as far as axis of those it may not have those beliefs where do they turn to and what message is delivered as far as her ability to resolve these issues . Guest we believe in the sanctity of every single human life. We that debate over the last couple of weeks and what we have to acknowledge this is an unborn child. Its not a clump of cells pick in 1973 when roe was handed down thats what itll ever addt now we have technology. We have 4d ultrasounds that this is a tiny person. There will be jurisdictions that go the other direction and those options are out there but in our state that the people haven repeatedly and decisively as recently as i said in 2020 to amend the state constitution so this is how our state feels. Host two pieces of legislation last week. Guest the democrats are doing a lot of fear mongering right now trying to delegitimize the Supreme Court and stoke fear. I dont think thats right. There never was a right to abortion in the constitution. The Court Finally acknowledge that after almost 50 years of this atrocity and it was a long time coming. That decision involves the people in individual states and states could make the decision. Host our guest with us until 8 30 if you want ask questions 2027488000 democrats, 2027488001 republicans and 2027488002 for independents. You can text is at 2027488903. Do you think the Supreme Court decision extends to other things like samesex marriage come right to contraception those kinds of things . Guest it very clear he does not and alito made that Crystal Clear in his decision. He specified this only applies to senate in a quorum call . The presiding officer it is. Mr. Thune mr. President june inflations numbers came out last wednesday, as is typical for the biden presidency, they werent good. In fact, they were bad. This is the worst inflation since november of 1981. The last time inflation was this bad, america was still a year and a half away from fining out whether hans solo would survival his survive his time in car binite. When democrats took office, Congress Passed a fifth bipartisan covid relief bill that met all current pressing covid needs. But now that they were in charge, democrats were eager to get spending. They passed legislation under the guise of covid relief and as expected the economy overheated. Despite steadily climbing inflation, democrats seemed incapable of learning from their mistake. They spent last fall attempting to double down on the strategy to get us in this mess in the first place. Fortunately their plans for a second spending spree failed last december. Its become clear theyre not giving up. In fact, right now theyre trying to pass a new version. In the latest iteration of their tax and spending spree, democrats intend to hike taxes on Small Businesses. Thats right, on Small Businesses. Our country is strengthening with soaring inflation and teetering on the brink of inflation and democrats want to hike taxes on Small Businesses, particularly on familyowned businesses, pass through businesses. It shouldnt be a surprise. After all tax and spend is the unofficial democrat motto. Democrats have made their hostility to tax relief very plain. President biden ran for president on repealing tax cuts from the tax cuts and jobs act, the legislation republicans passed in 2017 that helped increase wages, boost Economic Growth and drive the poverty rate to a record low. In addition to the natural economic recovery coming out of the pandemic, much of the residual strength in the economy that President Biden likes to tout in the tax cuts and jobs act. That hasnt stopped President Biden from claiming that the bill benefited corporations. The only problem with his narrative is that lower and middleincome americans are the ones who saw the benefits from republicans tax relief legislation. Wage growth was strongest for those in lower income brackets. From 2017 through the end of 2019, real wealth for the bottom 50 increased by an astounding 28. 4 compared to 8. 9 for the top 1 . Meanwhile government revenue, which democrats claimed would be hit hard by the republican tax cuts last year posted its largest increase in 44 years. Mr. President , before the enactment of the tax cuts and jobs act, democrats charged that reducing the u. S. Corporate tax rate from the highest rate i would add in the developed world, 35 , to a more globally competitive rate of 21 , would strip the government in Corporate Tax repeats. Thats receipts. Thats hardly been the case. Not only did tax reeve news come revenues come in high, Corporate Tax levels rose to the highest since 2015. It is expected to rise to 800 billion according to the Nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office after rising last year by 18 . Tax revenues year over year, 18 last year, 19. 5 increase in tax revenues this year. Which begs the question, mr. President , why do democrats want to raise taxes when youve got record revenue coming in to the federal government. The effects of tax reform on wages and tax revenue have been a boon to the American People and our economy. Mr. President , its fascinating how democrats claim to want one thing yet push for policies that will secure the exact opposite. The president claims he ran for office because he was tired of the trickledown economy and wanted to build an economy that works for working families. The ironic thing is that the precovid economy President Biden complains about was working for working families, thanks in large part to the tax cuts and jobs act and other republican economic policies. The biden economy, by contrast, is the very opposite of an economy that works for working families. Working families in the biden economy are suffering. Food prices have risen as ro nomically, and gas prices are nearly twice as high as when President Biden took office. Real average Hourly Earnings are currently declining at the fastest pace in 40 years. Americans continue to see a de facto pay cut under President Biden. Currently, a growing number of americans are digging into their savings when they have them, that is, to make ends meet. Others are relying on things like credit cards or visits to food banks where demand has soared, and now democrats want to make things worse by raising taxes on Small Businesses and other americans. Well, mr. President , thats likely to lead to a combination of lower wages for workers, lower returns for business owners, and higher prices for goods and services. When you combine that with soaring inflation and more unnecessary government spending, you have a recipe for continued economic misery for American Families. Mr. President , if democrats really wanted to help American Families theyd be focused on making all of the tax cuts and jobs act tax cuts permanent. Instead, theyre pursuing taxandspending policies that will make the economic havoc theyve created even worse. Lets hope that the newfest iteration of their build back better taxandspending spree will fail before American Families have to suffer any more consequences. Mr. President , i yield the floor. The presiding officer the majority whip. Mr. Durbin mr. President , i listened to the senator from south dakota, my friend, and i think he has fairly set out the republican agenda. Take the trump tax cuts, the cuts that appeared during the Trump Administration for the wealthiest people in america and make them permanent. Thats his idea of an economic boost that america needs. Its not mine. My idea is to try to address the challenges which working families in america face today, the challenges which many people in america of limited means face today. I think that the tax code should be written with those people in mind, not with the wealthiest people in mind, which the republicans did when we pushed through trump tax cuts, with the opposition of democrats. So what are we proposing that was characterized yesterday by the republican minority leader as socialistic . Well, what were proposing is trying to bring some fairness when it comes to Prescription Drug pricing. Ask americans about the cost of living. Theyll certainly talk to you about gasoline and food and Prescription Drugs. Particularly our seniors. It was ironic yesterday that after the senator from kentucky, on the republican side, called cutting Prescription Drug pricing socialistic, just a few minutes later the senior senator, republican senator from iowa, took the floor and endorsed the very same policy. He said he was in favor of cutting Prescription Drug pricing for Senior Citizens. The two of them obviously are not talking with one another. Certainly, not agreeing on the basic issue. Heres what we think we believe the pharmaceutical industry in america is a great industry and very profitable. We believe that theyre spending more money to increase their profits, not as much on research as they are on marketing. What do i mean . Turn on the television station and try to avoid an ad for a drug. Theyre on constantly. Really, they spend a lot of money, the industry does, on those ads. More money than they spend on Actual Research for new drugs. What are they trying to do . Theyre trying to convince the American Consumers to ask for certain drugs when they go to the doctor. So theyve got to work overtime to try to get us to the point where we can spell xarelto and write it on a piece of paper and go to a doctor and ask for it. People do. And it works. And the money they spend on advertising works. There are only two countries on early that a on earth that allow Television Advertising for pharmaceutical drugs. The United States and new zealand. Most every other country says those decisions should be made by medical professionals. Consumers cant know the whole story, cant know the medical aspects, every aspect of a drug. It is best to leave to the professionals. But the american pharmaceutical industry sees it another way. If they can educate, inform, and motivate American Consumers to ask for drugs, many doctors will prescribe them without a battle, and the cost of health care goes up. Blue crossblue shield, based in chicago, illinois, told me that the push behind increases in Health Insurance premiums for families across america is the cost of Prescription Drugs. They are so expensive. So were trying to, on the democratic side, come up with a plan that reduces the cost of Prescription Drugs for americans and American Families, particularly for Senior Citizens. Its long overdue. Senior citizens who cant afford their prescriptions dont fill them or take half a dose when they should take a full dose for their good health and the future. They want to reach the point where these pharmaceuticals and Prescription Drugs are affordable. Right now, we have what i consider to be a fair deal between the Veterans Administration and the pharma companies. They negotiate the price of these drugs so that our veterans get the benefits of that negotiation. Incidentally, the pharmaceutical companies have to negotiate with governments in other countries. Canada, selling exactly the same drugs, made in the same place in the United States, charges a fraction for most drugs over whats charged to the American Consumers. Whats the difference . The difference is the canadian government said were not going to let you exploit our customers in canada. So they keep the cost of american drugs lower than what we pay in the United States. Theres no fairness there. If were going to have negotiation to bring pharmaceuticals down to an affordable level in canada, we should do it in the United States. The bill being pushed by the democrats and opposed by the republicans would do several things. It would say that medicare can negotiate prices for drugs. That will help Senior Citizens and it will save our treasury money. It also says that were going to limit the amount of outofpocket expenditures that seniors will face under medicare to 2,000 a year. Thats a real break for a lot of people who are struggling to make ends meet among our Senior Citizens. We also say that if the pharmaceutical companies dramatically increase the price of drugs theyll be subject to a penalty. There are conditions for that, but were trying to say to them, you can make a profit, but dont try to capitalize on that profit every year by raising the cost of drugs. What were talking about are actual family concerns for the affordability of lifesaving drugs. The democrats are for it. The republicans oppose it. They have said its socialism, its trying make a buck or whatever they want to characterize it. I dont know. They ought to sit and talk to some of these families. In fact, they ought to talk among themselves, when a republican senator took the floor yesterday on agreed with our position on pharmaceuticals. I would say to the senator from south dakota he can continue his campaign for the republican dream of making tax cuts for the wealthiest people permanent. I want to be part of the democratic aspiration, to make life more affordable, particularly for seniors and those in need of affordable drugs. I ask consent that this following statement be placed in a separate part of the record. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Durbin today, the senate will take up the chips act of 2022. Its critical to our economy and National Security. It will provide billions of dollars to boost our Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing industry. In 1990, the u. S. Produced 37 of the worlds semiconductors. 1990. Today, 12 . Semiconductors are used in everything from vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, cell phones, cars, fighter jets. And the ongoing global shortage of microchips has led us to supply chain constraints on goods, higher prices, layoffs and a great dependency on foreign suppliers. For germanrations, my state of for generations, my state has been a leader on auto manufacturing, including stelantis with a plant in belvedere, illinois. Unfortunately, this plant had to force shutdowns and layoffs in recent years. Not because they lack customers, he this lack chips they lack chips. The global shortage of semiconductors forced the company to slash its workforce more than 70 over the past three years. A similar story at fords Chicago Assembly plant repeatedly forced to stop production and lay off workers because of a shortage of chips of this isnt just an illinois problem. U. S. Automakers are building an estimated three million fewer vehicles than projected this year because of semiconductor shortage. The global chip shortage and resulting slowdown in auto manufacturing has driven up the cost of cars and trucks. A new car costs 17 more today than a year ago. Talk about dealing with inflation when it comes to the cost of vehicles, youre dealing with the shortage in semiconductor chips. Across america, layoffs, closed production lines, long waits in high prices for cars, appliances and other basics are evidence of the urgent need to invest in our domestic Manufacturing Industry and Domestic Production of semiconductors. If we fail to make these investments, American Workers and consumers pay the price. This isnt only about our nations economy. Its also about our nations security. Many u. S. Defense systems and platforms rely on foreignmade chips for their performance and semiconductors are particularly critical for the next generation of domestic technology. Most of the chips that power u. S. Defense systems today are made in asia. Think about that for a minute. Were dependent on asia for the chips that we need to keep america safe. Weve seen what a pandemic can do to supply chains. Think about how military conflict could end up with supply chains, Global Supply chaibs, in danger. Imagine if china, for instance, decided to deliberately withhold microchips from a nation to weaken their national defense. Rebuilding americas microchip production is about defending our nation and allies in a dangerous world. I understand some have concern about the subsidies in the bill. Framing them as corporate giveaways. Its true that many of the chipmakers who would benefit from this bill are profitable or theyd move production overseas, despite receiving previous federal funding. But in this bill are incentives to bring microchip production back to the United States, and they are absolutely necessary for us to compete with other nations that are trying to lure chipmakers from the u. S. The bill also includes guardrails to protect and promote production in the United States, such as prohibiting the manufacture of certain chips in countries of concern, like china. Ultimately, this bill makes strategic domestic to boost our domestic supply chain, counter the threat posed by countries like china and russia and help American Consumers. I urge my colleagues to pass the chips act without delay. Mr. President , id like to make one last statement on the record. The presiding officer , would. Mr. Durbin its not every day we get to say this, but this week we have a chance to make history in the land of lincoln. Soon, the senate will vote to confirm nancy l. Maldonado as u. S. District court judge for the Northern District of illinois. If confirmed, this imminently qualified nominee will be the first hispanic woman to serve as an article 3 judge in illinois. It marks yet another proud accomplishment in our efforts to build a judiciary that really reflects america. Born in skokie, ms. Maldonado practiced law more than two decades, earned her a. B. From hharvard and j. D. From columbia law school. After graduating, she served two years for judge castillo. In the years since, shes dedicated herself to defending the rights of working people, a as plaintiffside Employment Law litigator and throughout her career continually answered the call to serve our state. In nearly 2010, she worked as special assistant states attorney in cook county to investigate fraud. In 2018, our state attorney general appointed her to serve as Consent Decree monitor in two employment discrimination cases. Again last year she was appointed to serve as special assistant attorney general to investigate consumer fraud. She was also confirmed by the Illinois State senate to join the state police merit board, a role in which shes worked to ensure members of Law Enforcement who protect panned serve our community are treated fairly. With such impressive credentials its no wonder that senator Tammy Duckworth and i enthusiastically support ms. Maldonado and the American Bar Association rated her well qualified. Given her extensive experience and long record of service, shell be an asset to the northern dirk. I hope all of my colleagues to the Northern District. I hope all of my colleagues join me in voting for her confirmation, and i yield the floor. 3 a senator mr. President. The presiding officer the senator from georgia. Mr. Warnock as it turns out, i rise to echo the sentiments of my colleague, the distinguished senate from the state of illinois of the senate is preparing to finally begin debating a targeted version of the jobs and competition bill that many of us have been working on for more than a year. I rise today to urge my colleagues not to waste any more time in getting this important bill across the finish line. We should not allow politics to get in the way of the peoples work. As a voice in the senate for my home state of georgia, i cannot stress enough how critical it is for us to get this bill done. For our National Security and to keep our economy competitive against global actors like the Chinese Communist party and to lower rising costs for hardworking families all across georgia and all across our country. Now i know that there might be disappointment from some of my colleagues that were not able to pass the more robust package right now that weve been working on. And negotiating. Since last april. And honestly i share that disappointment. As both a member of the Commerce Committee and a member of the committee thats been negotiating the final competition bill, ive been working hard to secure several priorities for georgia in that package. And im not about to stop fighting for those priorities. Im going to keep fighting to get investments and policies Like Fighting for regional tech hubs, for stem education, and education an Education Program that invests in all of our children and all of our young people. And Workforce Development passed into law. But let me be clear. Passing a bill that will strengthen Domestic Production of one of our countrys most vital resources, semiconductors or chips, is a crucial opportunity to invest in the economy, invest in our security, and our future. And we cannot wait another minute. I want to shine a spotlight on this because ive heard from georgians about the importance of this legislation and specifically investing in making more chips here in the United States. We know that chips are essential components in the products that support thousands of goodpaying jobs in georgia, not to mention things like cars, cell phones, computers, vacuum cleaners, a. Tnches m. s. Chips a. T. M. s. Chips are all around us, a host of products we rely on every single day. And we know that our chips supply chains are under significant strain both from production limits and geo political threats. But what you may not know is how these issues directly affect workers and companies on the ground all across the state of georgia, Companies Like kia which has a thriving facility out in west point, georgia, about halfway between atlanta and montgomery, alabama, on i85. Semiconductors are essential to the manufacturing of the roughly 340,000 vehicles kia produces in georgia every year. At least twice in the past year this facility which ive visited on more than one occasion has had to stop work at the plant because they didnt have enough chips. They had to stop working not because they didnt have enough customers but because they didnt have enough chips. I visited that west point facility and ive met with some of those workers, and i can tell you that the last thing that those workers need is to miss days off work and money out of their paychecks because we dont manufacture enough of the materials that they work with every single day. Its not just Car Manufacturers in georgia, the chip shortage is hurting our states economy in myriad ways, big and small. For instance, Steven Milner is the c. E. O. Of Planters Telephone cooperative, a memberowned Telecommunications Provider that does broadband expansion as well as broadband maintenance. His Company Needs equipment to do that work that requires semiconductors. And as he explained recently in the Atlanta Journal constitution, is has become harder to expand telephone and Internet Services to new businesses and homes in the Rural Communities he services because his company cant guarantee that it will get the parts needed to complete the job. So think about take. The chip shortage isnt just hurting jobs and bottom lines. Its hobbling our ability to expand Rural Broadband and farmers all across georgia will tell you you cant even farm efficiently without good broadband connection. And so this is devastating, especially for rural georgians and if we dont act soon, it will get worse. Weve got tone sure that all of our citizens weve got to ensure that all of our citizens can take full advantage of every opportunity in our changing economy. And this is a problem we can solve. We can solve it. The only thing that gets in the way of this right now is politics. So weve got to pass this bill. If we produce more chips here at home, it would boost domestic manufacturing, ease supply chain issues and help began to lower rising costs for goods that folks are experiencing in georgia and around the country. Why wouldnt we want to take steps to drive down costs for hardworking families right now. We work for them. Lastly, this bill contains provisions i fought for that will expand these tax incentives to companies down the semiconductor supply chain, supporting the hightech Semiconductor Plant being built in covington, georgia, that will create 400 new jobs. There are real economic consequences for people in my state if we do not pass this chips bill and make these investments. These are the human faces of the Public Policy that we would p pass, but thats not the only reason we need to get this bill done as urgently as possible. Mr. President , it also bears repeating that passing this legislation is critical to our National Security and strengthening our competitiveness against global actors like the Chinese Communist party. Chips are used in Technology Critical to our National Security. According to a 2020 report from the Semiconductor Industry association, in 1990 listen in 1990 the United States represented a 37 share of the worlds chip manufacturing capacity. Today that number is 12 . From 37 to 12 . I submit that this is unacceptable and it is a threat to our National Security. Weve heard from defense secretary austin, commerce secretary raimondo and other administration officials, we are at a Tipping Point, a Tipping Point where International Companies are making significant decisions about where they are investing their capital and putting down roots. In fact, weve already seen several of these entities hesitate to invest in American Manufacturing due to inaction and political gamesmanship right here in washington. So, mr. President , our ability to rise to this occasion will demonstrate whether the United States is willing to creed to innovation and economic Higher Ground to the communist Chinese Party or whether we will stand up to the peoples republic of china and reinvest in the manufacturing and innovation prowess that has made america a lone super power for decades. I submit that if we fail to pass this bill immediately, we will set back americas competitiveness for a generation or more. This critical moment requires all of us to put the country above politics. Imagine that. Put the country above politics. Put hardworking American Families who are doing the best they can right now above politics, and strengthen our nations competitiveness. So i urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this strong chips legislation and lets ensure that the next century like the 20th century is the american century. Mr. President , i yield the floor. A senator mr. President , i ask the scheduled vote the presiding officer the senator from maine. Mr. King i ask the scheduled vote occur immediately. The presiding officer without objection. The question is on the nomination. Mr. King i ask for the yeas and nays. The presiding officer is there sufficient second . There appears to be. The clerk will call the roll. Vote vote vote vote vote the presiding officer the yeas are 58, the nays are 35, and the nomination let me correct that. The yeas are 58, the nays are 36 and the nomination is confirmed. Under the previous order, the motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table, and the president will be immediately notified of the senates actions. The clerk will report the motion to go invoke cloture. The clerk cloture motion, we, the undersigned senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of executive calendar number 988, nancy l. Maldonado of illinois to be United States district judge for the Northern District of illinois. Signed by 17 senators. The presiding officer by unanimous consent, the mandatory quorum call has been waived. The question is is it the sense of the senate that debate on the nomination of nancy l. Maldonado of illinois to be United States district judge for the Northern District of illinois shall be brought to a close. The yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule. The clerk will call the roll. Vote vote vote vote vote the presiding officer on this vote the yeas are 53. The nays are 41. The motion is agreed to. The clerk will report the nomination. The clerk the judiciary, nancy l. Maldonado of illinois to be United States district judge for the Northern District of illinois. The presiding officer under the previous order, the Senate Stands in recess until 2 15 p. M. To continue work on the 15 p. M. Nomination of Nancy Maldonado to be us district judge for illinois. Earlier they voted to confirm nina wong to district judge for colorado. Watch here oncspan2. Conversation now about Election Integrity from the center for election innovation and research. We hear from him officials from pennsylvaniaand nevada about theirefforts to secure the 20 20 election and the steps theyre taking to prepare for the upcoming midterms. Thisis about an hour. Everyone come on in and grab a seat. So thanks for getting back in so quickly. This one is hein