The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“RECESS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the in the Senate section section on pages S8223-S8224 on Nov. 16.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECESS
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m.
Thereupon, the Senate, at 1:01 p.m., recessed until 2:15 p.m. and reassembled when called to order by the Presiding Officer (Ms. Sinema).
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan.
Nomination of Robert Farrell Bonnie
Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, I rise today to speak in support of Robert Bonnie's confirmation as Under Secretary of Farm Production and Conservation at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
If confirmed, Mr. Bonnie will oversee three Agencies at the USDA that are absolutely critical to the well-being of our Nation's farmers and ranchers and to our shared goal of addressing the climate crisis.
Taken together, the Farm Service Agency, the National Resources Conservation Service, and Risk Management Agency provide the first line of defense for our farmers and ranchers against droughts and floods and wildfires and other extreme weather.
These Agencies will also lead our efforts to provide voluntary solutions to help our farmers and ranchers lead the way in addressing the climate crisis.
In my home State of Michigan and across the Nation, producers are facing unseasonable freezes and thaws and dramatically unpredictable conditions that disrupt the planning and harvesting schedules they rely on for their livelihoods and for our food supply. As the climate crisis affects the way the agriculture sector operates, the work of the USDA and its staff to provide resources and knowledge for our farmers and ranchers is absolutely critical.
Without crop insurance, without disaster assistance, without our conservation programs, our farmers and ranchers will be left even more vulnerable. That is why we need competent, experienced leaders who are ready to lead these Agencies from day one.
Leading this mission area is a big responsibility but one that I know Mr. Bonnie is well-qualified to tackle. Throughout his career, Mr. Bonnie has built strong partnerships with farmers, with ranchers, with foresters, with communities.
This is also his second time leading a mission area at USDA as he was confirmed by voice vote as Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment in the Obama administration. There, he oversaw key public-
private partnerships with foresters and private land owners, while leading the U.S. Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
While working at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University, Mr. Bonnie worked closely with rural communities to tackle pressing conservation issues.
And at the Environmental Defense Fund, Mr. Bonnie focused on incentive-based approaches to promote stewardship on private lands.
At his hearing in the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, Democratic and Republican members alike praised Mr. Bonnie's extensive credentials and his commitment to tackling the climate crisis and boosting farm income at the same time.
That approach has earned him the support of many, many of the Nation's most respected farm and food organizations, including the American Farm Bureau and the National Farmers Union.
I am pleased to add my support to his nomination and urge my colleagues to vote yes on this extremely well-qualified nomination.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum unless we--are we at a point to move forward on the vote?
I yield back all time and ask that we proceed to the vote.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Mr. PADILLA. Madam President.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from California.
Ms. STABENOW. I withdraw my motion.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from California.
COVID Vaccines
Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I am proud to share with all of you the experience of California this last year in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. I am proud to say that California has led the way on COVID-19 prevention and vaccine because we have seen the devastation that surging cases can cause.
Last winter--remember where we were last winter? A catastrophic surge in my home county of Los Angeles overwhelmed local hospitals, as was the case, frankly, in many parts of the country. Families were desperate to find care for their loved ones. Ambulances struggled to find hospitals with capacity.
As we approach this winter season, I recognize that we made incredible progress turning the tide since those tragic times. Now, just a month ago, California achieved the lowest level of COVID-19 transmission of any State in the Nation, but today cases are beginning to rise again. We are seeing the effects of the changing weather.
We need to stay vigilant to prevent another devastating surge like the wave that peaked in California and across the country last winter.
Fortunately, today, we are armed with a powerful defense: an FDA-
approved vaccine that is safe, that is effective, and that is free for all. California's historic vaccination effort--made possible by the resources that we helped deliver when we passed the American Rescue Plan--has covered more than three-quarters of our residents, more than 55 million shots in arms of Californians.
But now is not the time to let up. Every person who gets the vaccine helps to stop spread of the virus in our community. And we just received two new critical weapons: One, booster shots to increase protections for adults and, two, approval of a vaccine for children older than 5.
Colleagues, during last week's State work period, I had the privilege of joining leaders of the Los Angeles Unified School District for the opening of their first vaccine clinic, a mobile clinic on school sites for students ages 5 and up. I saw firsthand the anxious excitement of families looking forward to a freer, safer life for children. Imagine that, play dates with friends, holiday celebrations with grandparents, and relief for those with family members at higher risk.
Now, as parents of younger children, Angela and I know that this pandemic has especially been hard on children. For more than a year, as we would gather together to pray as a family, our youngest, Diego, whom many of you met, would ask God for COVID to be over. And he would then ask when a vaccine would be ready for him and his brothers.
That is why it was such a big deal when the vaccine was approved for children ages 5 and older. Angela and I were vaccinated earlier this year. Our oldest son, Roman, was vaccinated months ago. And, finally, last week, Diego and Alex received their vaccines. So we know that we are sharing this moment of joy with millions of families across the country who are relieved that our children will be better protected against COVID-19.
Colleagues, as we approach this now second Thanksgiving since the start of the pandemic, we recognize that we have much to be thankful for. We are thankful for the scientists who drew on years of research to design and test one of the most effective vaccines that we have ever seen. We are thankful for the doctors and nurses who are helping to administer the vaccine to as many people as possible while caring for the sick. And we continue to be thankful for all the essential workers who take on high-risk jobs to keep food on our tables and keep the economy going.
So it is in the spirit of all this that I ask each and every one of you to do your part. To everyone at home, please, each and every one of you do your part. Protect yourself. Protect your family. Protect your community. Get vaccinated. Get your children vaccinated. Go check to see if you are eligible for a booster, and if you are, find one near you at vaccines.gov. We have come to appreciate how vaccination is the key to a safe holiday season, and it is key to ending the pandemic for all.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.
Vote on Bonnie Nomination
Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the vote that was scheduled to start at 2:30 begin immediately.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the Bonnie nomination?
Mrs. MURRAY. I ask for the yeas and nays.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?
There appears to be a sufficient second.
The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant bill clerk called the roll.
Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from New Hampshire (Ms. Hassan), the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey), the Senator from New Hampshire (Mrs. Shaheen), and the Senator from Massachusetts (Ms. Warren) are necessarily absent.
Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Inhofe).
The result was announced--yeas 76, nays 19, as follows:
YEAS--76
BaldwinBennetBlackburnBlumenthalBluntBookerBoozmanBrownBurrCantwellCapitoCardinCarperCaseyCollinsCoonsCornynCortez MastoCrapoDainesDuckworthDurbinErnstFeinsteinFischerGillibrandGrahamGrassleyHeinrichHickenlooperHironoHoevenHyde-SmithJohnsonKaineKellyKennedyKingKlobucharLeahyLujanManchinMarshallMcConnellMenendezMerkleyMoranMurphyMurrayOssoffPadillaPetersPortmanReedRischRomneyRosenRoundsSandersSchatzSchumerShelbySinemaSmithStabenowTesterThuneTillisToomeyVan HollenWarnerWarnockWhitehouseWickerWydenYoung
NAYS--19
BarrassoBraunCassidyCottonCramerCruzHagertyHawleyLankfordLeeLummisMurkowskiPaulRubioSasseScott (FL)Scott (SC)SullivanTuberville
NOT VOTING--5
HassanInhofeMarkeyShaheenWarren
The nomination was confirmed.
(Mr. SCHATZ assumed the Chair.)
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Sinema).
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 Senate's action.
The Senator from Illinois.
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