mrs. blackburn: thank you, mr. president. last week i received the very sad news that the fifth special forces group, which is stationed

mrs. blackburn: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from tennessee. mrs. blackburn: are we in a quorum call? the presiding officer: yes. mrs. blackburn: i ask the quorum call be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. mrs. blackburn: thank you. i want to thank senator ernst for organizing this today to come to the floor and talk about the good things that are happening in our states because we know that the pandemic has changed a lot about the way that we live and work and do business and tennesseans are certainly no exception to that. one thing that has been a consistent in this entire episode with the pandemic is the way tennesseans step up to take care of one another. and the numerous acts of kindness and graciousness that have been shown from neighbor to neighbor and community to community is something that shows the goodness of the american spirit and we are just blessed to be home to thousands of people who have demonstrated their desire to help make life a little bit better for their neighbors and friends and sometimes for people that they

mrs. blackburn: thank you mr. president. i ask that the quorum call be suspended. the presiding officer: without objection. mrs. blackburn: thank you mr. president. i just returned from being in tennessee this weekend and lots of phone calls seeing a lot of people out and about, and i will tell you this covid-19 has changed a lot about how we go about our daily lives, but it has not changed the way congress works out its differences and we're still arguing about spending and debt. we're still debating the importance of federalism and how the constitution can help us determine what we can and should do on a federal level to help our communities back at home. now, in tennessee our cities all across the state from one corner to another, they are getting back to that daily routine. many of those businesses were able to improvise their way through the early weeks of lockdown and now they are finding what they are calling their new normal, their new processes. some of them received emergency loans from the s.b.a. others became one

mrs. blackburn: thank you, mr. president. last week i received the very sad news that the fifth special forces group, which is stationed at fort campbell, which is there in tennessee, was going to have to forego and cancel their annual memorial day gold star ceremony. this is a tradition at the post. it is something that is so special to those gold star families, and we're disappointed with that but understand. and i've really been pleased that t

mrs. blackburn: mr. president, i have five requests for committees to meet during today's session of the senate. they have the approval of the majority and minority leaders. the presiding officer: duly noted. mrs. blackburn: thank you, mr. president. last week i received the very sad news that the fifth special forces group, which is stationed at fort campbell, which is there in tennessee, was going to have to forego and cancel their annual memorial day gold star ceremony. this is a tradition at the post. it is something that is so special to those gold star families, and we're disappointed with that but understand. and i've really been pleased that today senator ernst had organized a time for us to come to the floor and to really come together to honor not only our fallen but also their loved ones who have had to spend this year's remembrance separated from their gold star families. and we know that is a time that they cherish, having that togetherness. although the formal ceremonies are canceled, pleas

mrs. blackburn: thank you, mr. president. i so agree with the comments the senator from wyoming was just making and i hear them repeated every day in tennessee by my constituents, and i will tell you, mr. president, i want to thank my colleagues who have asked me this week how tennessee is doing. you know, we had another terrible storm. it was our third this year. we've had two tornadoes, and we had lots of power outages and damage on trees that were down in middle tennessee, and the tornadoes, the storm on sunday evening and covid is a lot for anybody to handle, but i think the -- the senator's point is so well taken. wyoming, tennessee, these are states that are saying, we can do this. we're going to use the resources that are there for us because, yes, we want to get back to work and we want to get back to normal. now, what is normal is a question and the right question for people to be asking because what is it going to look like and how is it that -- is that daily routine going to be reshaped and how do we give up these

mrs. blackburn: thank you, mr. president. i so agree with the comments the senator from wyoming was just making and i hear them repeated every day in tennessee by my constituents, and i will tell you, mr. president, i want to thank my colleagues who have asked me this week how tennessee is doing. you know, we had another terrible storm. it was our third this year. we've had two tornadoes, and we had lots of power outages and damage on trees that were down in middle tennessee, and the tornadoes, the storm on sunday evening and covid is a lot for anybody to handle, but i think the -- the senator's point is so well taken. wyoming, tennessee, these are states that are saying, we can do this. we're going to use the resources that are there for us because, yes, we want to get back to work and we want to get back to normal. now, what is normal is a question and the right question for people to be asking because what is it going to look like and how is it that -- is that daily routine going to be reshaped and how do we give up these

mr. senator marky. senator blackburn? >> thank you, mr. chairman. and thank you to our witnesses.i think it's fair to say that each of you have been on this subject for a long time. i enjoy working with you in the house as i crafted the act and moved that to passage and re-authorization of the fcc and, of course, we were so pleased that was able to be completed by the senate's action. and it did set up an expansion for high speed internet and for getting us on the right path for our 5-g. and, mr. chairmaberry, i apprec that you talked about that, about 5-g. and i will have to tell you in bringing up the usf, it is time for us to review that and reform it or either eliminate it. and be able to address that component of the portion of an individual's will that goes to that. ms. bloomfield, we talked about maps. one of my topics that we know that the maps have been incorrect. there is quite a bit of discussion today. and my hope is that the ntia bill address this. in tennessee, we have 20.3% of our state that is still without access to high speed internet. i'm one of those. without i

mr. chairman, i am going to steal my time back. sen. graham: thank you, senator blackburn. senator booker, are you with us ?ere senator booker? apparently not. ok. we will get back to him if that works out. senator hawley. awley: thank you, mr. chairman. the judge, good to see you again. congratulations on your nomination. good to have you before us. judge wilson: thank you senato., discussley: i wanted to some of the statements you made as a legislator versus your time on the bench. i understand that has been a point of conversation among some of my colleagues today. you are a federal unique person, will become if confirmed to the bench, and there are not many former legislators on the federal bench these days, anymore. talk to us a little bit, if you would, about having been a legislator, now being a judge, how you understand the difference between those positions and how you have, in your experience on the bench so far, how you have worked to cabin your own views, set those aside. i am sure you have had decisions that you would personally disagree with or rule on laws tha

mr. booker. and thoughts and prayers with your state and hit hard. we'll do many things you talked about in the coming days. senator blackburn. >> thank you, mr. chairman and i'm coming on video. and judge walker, thank you for your service-- to-- >> we're having a bit of a hard time hearing. can we bring up the volume? >> let's see. the volume is good on my end. >> that's better. that's better. >> so wonderful. mr. walker, thank you for your dedication. coming to us today. mr. chairman, i just have to say in response to a couple of my colleagues that when we talk about why we're here and doing our jobs, and while we're holding this committee today, it's important to realize the u.s. senate can do two things at one time. we're all deeply concerned about the-- and we see every life that has been lost and individuals who see their livelihood lost and those that have lost their jobs and definitely dealing with that is important. it's important for us to come back to work and just as my home state of tennessee is going back to work and going back to regular order, and pushing to get that day when they're returning to normalcy, it is important that

mr. i yield back. thank you so much, senator markey. senator blackburn. chairman, and r. thank you to our witnesses. i think it's fair to say that ach of have you been on this subject for a long time. in the working with you ouse, as i crafted -- act and moved that to passage and re-authorization of the fcc and we were so pleased. able to be completed by the senate action. it did set up an expansion for and for d internet right path forhe 5g. barry, i appreciate that you 5g, ed about that, about it's time for us to review that or either it eliminate it. that able to address roponent of the portion of an ndividual's bill that goes to that. we talked about matches. has f the topics, there been quite a bit of discussion today, and my hope is that the ntia will address this. n tennessee we have 24.3% of our state that's still without access to high speed internet. those without it. in order to work during this staff ended up that wea mobile hotspot our land to use, but line provider is still on copper, doesn't have fiber, and area.at you're right. it makes life difficult for spralter, i d mr. hope that

blackburn. >> can i begin by thanking all of our nurses in their efforts of keeping us safe and looking after us? and applaud yesterday as the international nurses day. mr. speaker, last week the prime minister, in response to my questioning, noted the ability of the government's of all four nations to come together and deliver a clear message to our people. events on sunday could not have been more disastrous for this government. the prime minister has made confusion costly. ,dministration shut out widespread confusion among the public, and a total disregard from this government for worker safety. many, sadly, have seen the images of london buses being packed this morning. mr. speaker, will the prime minister accept that the clear message in scotland is stay home to protect the nhs to save lives? speaker corbyn: prime minister. pm johnson: mr. speaker, indeed the message throughout the country is of course that you should stay at home, if you can. unless there are specific circumstances that we have outlined that apply. i don't accept the characterization of the cooperation we have had across the four nations that the leader of the s&p makes. it has be

blackburn, welcome back. >> thank you, shannon. >> shannon: okay, this is what the campaign has said so far in the statement deputy campaign manager said he firmly believes mr. biden that women have a right to be heard and heard respectfully. such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press. what is clear about this claim, it is untrue, absolutely did not happen. what will you be listening for tomorrow from the former vice president as he addressed his this publicly? >> the former vice president should step forward and say there should be no double standard when it comes to dealing with women. and these accusations of sexual assault. and just as chrysostom -- christine blasey ford, tara reade deserves to be heard. you know, shannon, as i talk to women about this, they are saying, hey, wait a minute, where is fairness in this? brett kavanaugh was treated one way and all over brett kavanaugh and they turned it into a kangaroo court. with the help of the democrats on the judiciary committee, and now there is nothing being said about tara reade. an interesting thing to a lot of women about this is that tara reade can say this is who i talk

mr. durham's work will lead to a criminal investigation of either man. maria: joining me right now is senate judiciary committee member, senator marsh marsha blackburn.t to see you. thanks so much for joining us. >> thank you. yes. maria: a lot has been said about what took place in the 2016 election and certainly the spying on president trump and candidate trump. when do you expect the durham report, senator? >> we don't know exactly when that is going to come. and maria, one of the reasons is because as that has taken place, as that investigation has rolled out, it has been expanded. and this is a good indication of what happens when you follow the evidence. and you follow the facts. and indeed, in judiciary committee as we meet and start our process of subpoenas, then we're going to do the same thing and just follow the facts and whenever we finish, whenever we get the durham report, is when you're going to be hearing and seeing more of those developments. of course, we can bring -- maria: if we don't hear from john durham soon or in the summertime, then you're getting up close to the election. so senator, i mean, if president trump doesn't win, y

mrs. blackburn: thank you, mr. president. last week i received the very sad news that the fifth special forces group, which is stationed at fort campbell, which is there in tennessee, was going to have to forego and cancel their annual memorial day gold star ceremony. this is a tradition at the post. it is something that is so special to those gold star families, and we're disappointed with that but understand. and i've really been pleased that today senator ernst had organized a time for us to come to the floor and to really come together to honor not only our fallen but also their loved ones who have had to spend this year's remembrance separated from their gold star families. and we know that is a time that they cherish, having that togetherness. although the formal ceremonies are canceled, please know that each of these families are in our prayers. they're in our thoughts and that we grieve alongside them. this memorial day reflections are framed by a world that has really been made much smaller by our shared experiences

mrs. blackburn: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from tennessee. mrs. blackburn: are we in a quorum call? i ask unanimous consent the quorum call be suspended. the presiding officer: without objection. mrs. blackburn: thank you, mr. president. to all of our colleagues and our staff here in the chamber, those that are mothers, i hope they had a wonderful mother's day weekend. it's a joy to return to work today, and i will tell you, mr. president, i'm really blessed to have some of those moms and their policy experts, and they are a part of my staff, and i listen a lot to what they have to say. like with all of our staff, i admire their dedication and their focus, especially now and especially when it comes to discussing how this covid-19 crisis is affecting their children and how they are learning and how they are utilizing technology to communicate and practicing distance learning and hearing what schools are doing as they are all going through a learning curve. we're all going through a learning curve on how to utilize technology. but the thing that is