They are out of session for the entire month of june. The Democratic House of in town. It is critical to fighting the war against terrorists. The. Its most important funding the military. It is a piece of legislation the senate will process during the upcoming weeks in a month of june in fact it would probably take a good week to move across the floor of the senate. Theres nothing more important or critical to the National Security of the United States. We are passing a major parks built that will help fund the backlog and a model for National Parks for Many Democrats here in the chamber for a long time. Those that are cosponsoring a piece of legislation that would be called up later this weekend before next week something thats been around for a while as a legislative accomplishment that will w be a bipartisan accomplishment when it passes. So, i would just say that the fact that we are not doing the things he wants to do doesnt mean the senate isnt very busy. And the thing he wants to do and talks about wanting to do are the things we are doing. We are dealing with a virus on a daily basis around here. Officials from the fda for example, critical agencies when it comes to pharmaceuticals in the country and the purpose was the pharmaceutical supply chain and what we need to do to shore that up to make sure that the future pandemic and Lessons Learned from this one we are not dependent on the unreliable supply chain into places around the world but frankly may not be depended. Thats a pretty important issue when it comes to dealing with the effects and impact of the corona virus. Coronavirus. Today the Senate Congress committee and others on which i serve are going to be examining the impact of the coronavirus on our transportation infrastructure and how important the transportation has been throughout the course of the coronavirus and ensuring that we Keep Congress going and keep food and grocer in the grocery s looking at both the highway aspect, rail aspect, all of those and how they are infected by the virus and what we might need to do to ensure they continue to provide the services they do s going forward. So, madam president , we are consistently looking at on a basis the virus and the impact its having on our economy and the health in this ntcountry, health of the people, the Health Emergency and putting measures in place that would deal not only with that emergency but also the economic crisis created by it. In the meantime, we see the economy start to open up again which i think its a good thing and im hopeful that we will see the economy opens up people will get out and consumers will spend, investors will invest and we will see that economy start to grow again, jobs will come back. There is high unemployment right now, major concern. We also have a major Unemployment Insurance piece of legislation that was moved by this Congress Earlier to provide assistance and help for those that do no fault of their own have had to go on unemployment. But now im president , to suggest for a moment we are not focused on the virus completely misses the point and suggested we havent done a lot already. We passed major pieces totaling almost 3 trillion that is 3 trillion if you dont include the amount of leverage that we gave to the Federal Reserve and the treasury to extend credit with the power of leverage its somewhere on the order of about 6 trillion in assistance that weve put out there through different legislative vehicles to the American People and so youve seen that translated into the Paycheck Protection Program which is keeping people employed tin keeping jobs in this county and keeping business is functioning in operating your seeing the direct 150 billion put out there much of which hasnt been spent and that is on top of a lot of other assistance that total on the order of about 500 billion almost half a trillion dollars so far its gone out of state and local governments and much of that as i said is in the pipeline that hasnt been spent yet. It can be used as the treasury pointed out that in the states flexibility for emergency personnel, responders, police also think the senator from new york talked about. The older money thats going to hospitals and Nursing Homes providers in longterm care facilitiesci to help them get through this crisis. Its about 2. 9 million or it should stay trillion thats already beenthea authorized andi think that 40 navy has been spent. The. We ought to be very circumspect and Pay Attention to what is happening and what the needs are. If what we continue to need to do to support families in the country struggling through this crisis, but we ought to do that based on the need not just somebody saying lets throw a bunch more money out there and hope that it has an impact. Theres a tremendous amount of resources out there right now. Again some of which attract a lot of which has yet to be spent and strikes me at least in the eyes of most americans they would view it as a pretty important that before we spend more tax money, all of which i might add is going to be borrowed money that we see what we have i done already is workig and has been effective in so theres so much going on around the virus that it defies any sort of logic to thdemocratic leader suggested ws happening. He made one other comment and said the senate is in the process processing rightwing judges that have antipathy for the very civil rights issues that are being dealt with right now. I dont know how you can ascribe motive oron intent to judges. We know who these judges are. We have the judge we are going to be practicing for the dc circuit. Hes a district judgege from kentucky and he has been rated as very wellqualified by the association. It isnt a rightwing group at all in fact many on our side think that theyve said hes a wellqualified judge. They think they would be saying Something Like that about the judge that had antipathy for civil rights . That is i would say a reckless irresponsible statement unless you have something to back it up and support it. So, madam j president , i just thought that it would be important to respond to some ofc the things the democratic leader said with respect to the agenda here on the senate which as i pointed out earlier is very full and if you compare it to the edge and the our colleagues in the democratic controlled house which is nothing because they are not here for the entire month, it seems to me the senate is getting a lot of work done. So, madam president , but i came here to talk about, i came to the floor to talk about how the coronavirus highlighted the importance of a strong Internet Networks and despite the surge we have seen an internet traffic, it has produced with americans using internet for everything from work to school to family dinners in the u. S. Networks that have held up tremendously well. Americans have been able to enjoy the same speed and streaming quality they typically enjoy, something that hasnt happened in a lot of other countries. That is the direct result of the United States light touch approach to internet regulation which is encouraged American Companies to invest in the latest Communications Infrastructure and technologies to make more efficient use of spectrum. Our nation is currently preparing a good Widespread Adoption of the next generation. We need to make sure that our networks will be strong or as strong as the Current Networks but still have work to do to get to that point. I come down here frequently to the floor to discuss network which includes paving the way for the widespread installation of the small so necessary for the networks enhancing the availability of the five g. Deployment and investing in a workforce. Theres also another aspect we ted to think about when it comes to sometimes not talked about as much and that is Network Security. With this incredible speed and connectivity it will usher in a new era of innovation and advances inin medical care, largescale deployment of agriculture, transportation technology, it will bring all of these things, madam president , and orbits like any new technology, it will present new risks and vulnerabilities. Thats why the central part has to be looking at how we can mitigate the security risks. We need to ensure that the Component Parts of the devices are critically Telecommunications Networks that will be required are secure and a primary way to do that is ensuring that the equipment comes from trusted senders. Currently one of the biggest suppliers of the equipment worldwide is a Chinese Company which is supported by the Chinese Government. The 2017 nationall intelligence law requires the companies to support the intelligence activities. American Security Officials have raised concern air filled with doctors to give the Chinese Government access to Global Communications networks. I dontwo need to tell anyone we should be weary of their motives and their interests are frequently opposed to those of the United States. The handling of the coronavirus is a striking current example of the government prioritizing its own interest while five over the public good. As an article noted in february, the Chinese Government initial handling of the epidemic about d the virus to gain a tenacious hold. The. The communist state has for the wellbeing of its own citizens china was not transparent to the grave danger. They failed to release Accurate Information about the nature and spirit of ththe spread of the vk active steps to make sure the truth didnt get out in a other ways. Whistleblowers wereheth punishe. Journalists were expelled and despite the fact that its negligence contributed to the global spread, china still. And to strip them of their autonomy and freedom. Its preoccupied in this pandemic to notice what should be the autonomy under the one state to the system construct. The. We must consider the response that will rebuke the Party Without negatively affecting the people of hong kong, the wellbeing and democratic aspirations. Mr. President , we didnt need covid19 the recent actions to know that giving the Chinese Government the back door into a American Communications networks was a i bad idea. But it certainlye underscores te need to make sure that the infrastructure is not made m by companies beholden to the Chinese Government. The United States has taken a number of steps to prevent equipment from other suspect Chinese Companies from being used in the communications e networks. But these Companies Still pose a risk to the United States. For starters and some u. S. Broadband providers often have equipment in their Communications Networks and a member of trade partners and entities that we regularly share information and putting sensitive National Security information have used or are using technology so what can we do . The initiative is already underway to respect the Telecommunications Components in u. S. Networks with hardware from trusted companies. The presiden president signed ln developed by the Commerce Committee chairman the secure trusted Communications Networks act to help this process. The legislation which i cosponsored will help smalltalk mitigation providers with the cost of replacing Network Components with security risks. Also in march introduced legislation to help address the other part of the problem and that is the use of the technology by our allies and trading murders. We regularly Exchange Information and putting sensitive National Security information with our allies and trading partners and this information can only be secured, theonly be secure if networks on both ends are secure and that is why the u. S. Has called for other countries to reject telecommunicationsol technology. A number of countries have been committed to using the companies to build out the Telecommunications Networks but other countries are still planning to make use of the technologies. By legislation the security trade act would make the telecommunication securities the key object is when negotiating future trade deals. We should be using the agreements to push for enhanced Network Security globally which would benefit not onlyur our country, but every country with which we do business. We recently opened negotiations on a new trade deal with the United Kingdom which has been using the technology to build its networks. I am pleased that it now looks like the uk is reconsidering its use of components. I hope they will decide to reject the suspect technology. And i hope the trade negotiations will emphasize the importance of using trusted companies to build out the uk Telecommunications Networks. Ule security of our communications with trading partners and allies particularly those like britain need to be a priority. Mr. President , as we move forward we need tone make sure that our Technological Advancements are matched with advancements in Network Security and that starts with keeping other suspect technology is out of the networks and if at all possible out of the networks of our allies. I will continue to do everything i can to ensure we have not only the infrastructure but the security needed to keep American Networks at the forefront of the telecommunications revolution. Before i close with me just say one more word out of china. As i said earlier, the coronavirus deception is on how to be partly responsible for the fact this virus has now spread to every corner of the world. Chinas recent actions with regard to hong kong the hostility the Chinese Government and the values that freedom loving countries hold dearly. China has a lot of work to do if it ever hopes to rebuild trust with other nation. At a bare minimum, we expect china to uphold its recent trade ricommitments which are critical to americas hardhit farmers and ranchers. I will be looking in our entire government will be looking to see if chinas words on trade agreements can be relied upon. I hope, mr. President , that the Chinese Government will live up to its commitments. I yiel yield back the four. The senator from ohio. I ask unanimous consent following remarks that the seniors in or from oklahoma is recognized. Without objection. In the early spread of the coronavirus, no question they deserve a lot of blame for the outbreak in the early spread and whining about it, but keep in mind we are fighters and both population and 30 of the deaths from the coronavirus have been americans. And this president continues to make excuses and point fingers. And they always compliant and obedient sheep like members of the conference continue to stay quiet and continue to do nothing about this president s behavior and the 105,000 deaths from coronavirus in this country. This is a test. Instead of offering leadership and rising to be the moment every one of his predecessors both parties did President Trump fails yet again instead of uniting he divides instead of comforting he points fingers and places blame and put salt in the wounds of black americans the president s turned the arm of this day on Peaceful Protesters. We saw the video to tear gas the citizens he is supposed to serve he can walk across the street to stage a photo op that a church he does not attend and hold the above bible that he does not read you choose the adjective spineless timid cowardly republican colleagues in the senate remain silent how offended they would have been if the democratic president had done what this does and failed to do uis tear gassing citizens he is supposed to serve a photo up at a Church Holding of the bible he does not read. The excuses and the divisiveness. All of that. Re mr. President people are tired and angry our sons and daughters those that are killed by Police Officers those that are supposed to protect when many are already nd the loss of family members and friends with the coronavirus this pandemic has caused is a great reveal are we know black and brown communities are more likely to get sick with less access to healthcare make up the communities hurt by jim crow and redlining now by the rules and regulations by the Trump Administration black and brown communities but disproportionately make up workers not because they dont work as hard or individual choices we all work hard we are all trying to do something productive for our families and communities we all want to build a better country but its because of our racist system making it harder for the work to pay off and partying at risk their lives for generations long before this virus appeared. I was told i was essential but i feel expendable dbl they dont pay me very much i feel expendable. Long before the pandemic millions of americans has a system that treats them like expendable for some it feels like the system is broken for black and Brown Workers it never worked to begin with in the midst of the trauma and grieving may still go to work day after day and week after week in Grocery Stores drugstores as best driversivoplt that change the beds in hospitals and Food Service Workers and custodians and first responders. In the midst of those Americans Still go to work day after day our job is to show the victims of systemic racism the same government canea and will protect them from the pandemic. And the response must be to stand behind the people who make this country work with you swipe a badge or punch a clock if youre raising children are caring for an aging parent. Orbits never paid off the way that it should doctor king said one day our society will come to respect the sanitation worker the person who picks up your garbage with he doesnt do his job diseases are rampant it is black and Brown Workers far too long have been robbed of their dignity on the job to be a country where all people have dignity you must start by recognizing that all labor has dignity response of the crisis isnt that believes that this president can always find trillions of dollars from corporations for tax cut when hard working families need help with rent to put food on the table President Trump a leader mcconnell says we cant afford it theyve already made it worsey w they have been clear they are willing to put americas workers lives that risk President Trump in the administration believes millions of americans are expendable those that they consider expendable are black and Brown Workers the president is unwilling to protect people whether their lives or their financial future we must feel the leadership working for change the best ideas dont cannot of washington to address wealth inequality and disparities of healthcare communities that have been hurt by redlining in jim crow and so much more bring of the ways the system has failed so Many Americans with a protest march there are always naysayers almost always white usually been pretty well off how can you be so negative why do you want to dwell on the worst part of history . To the na b gover those of them. Under t w about an personnel were attacked at their are very hearing 2000 pounds of explosive by terrorists who are trained by iranian. 1983. 241 died these terrace later became what we knew thats the so has the last truck and then 20 years the United StatesDistrict Court ruled in a civil suit brought by the families of the victims of the 241 that were killed that iran had used hezbollah as a proxyru i to bomb the Marine Barracks on that october day not much has changed with a man unfortunately the way they operate they dont play by the rules. They never have they are worse than terrorists because i became even more apparent and with no true allegiance that twisted interpretation thats the way they operated the Ayatollah Khomeini and the Supreme Leader as well said nothing has changed. A lot of people have died because i ran is provide the weapons and in yemen continuing to support terrorist groups to repeatedly attack our partners across the region to seek a new the weapon capability with president obamas iran deal to ultimately have exactly what they wanted now we have a president who takes a stand against iran to pull out of the slide nuclear deal and by the way i had a conversa reminding me i was in israel and in his office at the very moment President Trump pulled weriui. The area dealn i have never seen him so jubilant. We talked about that yesterday. Now back at 1983 those killed from the a radiant backed suicide. And to be responsible as Us Court Ruling in 2003 that suit was brought by the families and those who have died for punitive and compensatory release for iranian assets. The District Court awarded just over two. 5 billion to the families of those that were murdered. That nearly one. 7 billion and the lesson ey tet o so we need to make sure theres this nine feeling that iran has one. 7 billion to spread out terrorism is the largest bill that we do each year with the Defense Authorization we pass it every year. To make those assets available. But the president is anxious to do this. And with that activity by the second circus. And then out to be played out. And this is a clear opportunity to continue President Trumps maximum Pressure Campaign against the Iranian Regime and that reaction as has been a lot. And to make had a top priority. Those of the 241 victims that were killed to be receiving as opposed the money going back. And that the trying time for the nation. George floyd was a horrible crime and has caused a groundswell of people to stand against injustice and not just for george floyd that for so many others. Jenni dignity and respect us here and that the peaceful protest should be celebrated. And this is not the same as the same this dangerous destructive activity in the last couple of days that is understandable to move forward and were trying to have a tough conversation that he are facing a lot of misinformation when it comes to the military if we let this spread it will make things worse all the people out there they want to lie to the American Peoples i would like to correct the record this is very important and what is happening right now. The National Guard has not been federalized. Right now the activeduty troops have not been sent into any city if i was looking around to make sure that was the case that there were no activeduty troops despite weve heard to the contrary on contrary all these supported only when requested by amanage resor we do to before that and also after that. That was a fact. He also told me that he intends to honor his oath and uphold the delicate balance between civilians and military, and i fully believe him. Hes always done that in the past. He always will do that. So the accusations against general milley are especially troubling to me because i know from working with him, his commitment to our nation, to the constitution, and to the American People to keep them safe and give his best military advice. Its striking below the belt to make these accusations and try to scare the American People. Its my duty as chairman of the Armed Services committee to remain strong oversight over this issue. We have oversight over them. If what theyre saying is true, we still have the oversight, and i assure you were watching. Right now our military is doing what they always have done, and thats their duty within the law of the constitutional limits. Thats exactly what general milley has done and is doing. Right now were seeing a lot of finger pointing and blame going around. We owe it to ourselves and our neighbors to believe the very best in each other, not assume the worst. We need to recognize everyones inherent value and dignity and treat each other with respect and dignity as christ calls us to do. Only then can we listen to both with both of our ears and our hearts. Thats what im asking the American People to do. Now, the protests, many of them, who they are and where they came from but then at the white house. And everyone can agree and then to provide the best military advice. With that Statutory Authority and responsibility. And then i know that he did and then after that. That is a fact and he told me to uphold that between the military so those accusations are especially troubling to me and this commitment to the nation and the constitution and the American People to keep them safe with the best military advice. And then to make these accusations its my duty as chairman of Armed Services committee we have oversight what they say is true and i assure you we are watching what the military is doing with a have always done within the law constitutional limits thats exactly what general millie has done and is doing right now we see allied fingerpointing and we owe it to ourselve the do. Some in the protest,f ants. Some are in a group that is referred to referred to as antitheft. Certainly George Floyd Death is a tragedy with the unthinkable dimensions so i would always say this. And in answer to the accusations i would only quote those two sentences out of a speech the president made two days ago in front of the rose garden that is very self explanatory to explain the situation and he said you cannot allow the prize a peaceful protest and as the president will fight to keep them safe i am the president of law and order and allies of all Peaceful Protesters and i yield the floor. Thank you for allowing me to speak with this Judiciary Committee. Thank you mr. President. I want to say just the couple of things everyone is expressing their rage over the murder of george floyd. Please events of may 25th cannot be written off as a use of force oreoso y w unfortunate or regrettable. We all know on that day he was killed and the officers responsible to the full extent of the law. And to the floyd family just as so many other members of this chamber have dead and to call for the Justice Department to investigate the country was built on the premise of the senate and we have seen that peaceful protest to bring at every level of government when shadowy professionals exploit these public expressions of pain and every single day americans are waking up to find out their neighborhoods have been destroyed and those news reports are dominated by lawlessness. Many activists and members of the Mainstream Media forced us into choosing between solidarity and maintaining law and order it is a false choice and wanted we ought to reject and instead we should fight for compatibility understanding and at the same time we must condemn to wi toesponsored on social mediav have the platform labeled as inflammatory and to five days is the war against content moderation policy that acts as a dragnet for dissenting opinions. With the fact check keying feature almost immediately they line staff fact check on one of the president s tweets the president was not afraid to point out how easy it is for those that turn tha moderation into speech police. We the social Media Companies have their new algorithms to capture conservative opinions and conservative elected officials they have been doing this too long is just mere mistake they are not intended consequences President Trump signed an executive order to the issues and we thank him for that and of the Judiciary Committee we look forward to working with the white house and the Justice Department to preserve free speech outline for all americans thank you mr. President i yield the floor. Mr. President we know america is hurtingiv bde. From a pandemic that has taken more than 100,000 lives and witnessing the broad daylight murder, murder of another black man of an officer of the law. Seething with rage about the racial injustices that still plague our society. America is suffering from political divisions and then to be deepened by a president so. I was a prosecutor when i first saw the video George Floyds murder and then to desperately call out to his mother i was shocked to my core. And for millions of americans that shot swiftly turned into anger. How third a Police Officer who has sworn an oath to protect and serve so casually take a human being his life . Said why did his fellow officers, witnessing the murder that we witness a video standing there doing nothing to stop it, how could this happen is laid and stopped i was left second and shaken. And i do not know or did not know july 1 george floyd but imagine if hes your neighbor or your friend or your brother were set her husband or your grandchild. Imagine if he simply looks like a loved one, sharing the same skin color and imagining that concern you have for such a person. In cons protect us all. Ththlyo it is no surprise the protest swept our nation in the wake of this murder communities of color and all those that sympathize. To be sick and tired because they are two and half times as likely as white americans to be killed by Police Officers. Africanamerican lives are treated with less worth. Protestersen and those that engage in lawless violence. Is not simply justice for george floyd that Michael Brown and eric gardner. And a list can go on and on which is why the protest go on and on. Too often people feel the Police Officers are treated like they are above the law and the Justice System has been fueled by a culture of impunity those that abuse the public stress too often that accountability such as a dme video and the public debate is justice. All i can say is to serve is Law Enforcement and in the senate ultimately accountability is required to those two we build trust in communities of color. The protesters demand more that congress has to also. As it is taking place peacefully, they will not bring the change what the country so badly needs. A dear friend who is called me is brother john lewis just a right str instinct is to divide and escalate during every crisis will manufacturers are making to see every past president t but then to show he only knows how to be instigator in chief. And has revealed himself to be a president in name only. I there a team to certainly evolve so how do we heal our country . At the local state and national levels, we must carry on the cause of criminal justice and police reform. We must push for systematic lot elect leaders to prioritize social justice. We must work to build bridges and communities to better empathize with the struggles of those who have been marginalized for decades Terrence Floyd stood in the spot where his brother died and made an emotional appeal to the hundreds of people watching into the nation, he pled for the d te protests to remain peaceful for those that are marginalized and disenfranchised not to give up hope. And pleaded for justice the family says we take a breath for justice and for peace and for george we should honor his memory there is so much to do Congress Must get to work and during my years in the senate this is in america increases with exception to see a more stronger nation crisis today is overwhelming with that existential