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Vol. 163 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017 No. 209 Senate The Senate met at 10:01 a.m. and was Senator from the State of Alabama, to per- provide students with tuition-free edu- called to order by the Honorable LU- form the duties of the Chair. cation. They chose to do it after the THER STRANGE, a Senator from the ORRIN G. HATCH, same provision had already passed the State of Alabama. President pro tempore. Senate before we went to conference. Mr. STRANGE thereupon assumed f They didn’t have to raise this chal- the Chair as Acting President pro tem- lenge. It is not required. They chose to. PRAYER pore. In the process, they knowingly hurt The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- f schools that provide tuition-free education to students who can’t otherwise fered the following prayer: RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY afford to go to college. Let us pray. LEADER Answer us, Eternal One, as we lift Let me give you an example. Berea our hearts to You. Have mercy upon The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- College, in my home State of Ken- our lawmakers and hear their prayers. pore. The majority leader is recog- tucky, is dedicated to educating stu- Remind them that You have set apart nized. dents from the Appalachian region who the godly for Yourself, surrounding f have limited economic resources—in other words, poor kids from Appa- them with the shield of Your favor. TAX REFORM BILL May they never forget that You alone lachia. Their students’ average house- can keep a nation safe. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, hold income is less than $30,000 a year. Lord, lead them on the path that will throughout this process of tax reform, These are kids from families making bring them to abundant life, telling Senate Republicans explained time and less than $30,000 a year. They are from them what to do and showing them again that we are fighting for the mid- Appalachia, and their families don’t which way to turn. As Hanukkah ended dle class. Our opponents lobbed one at- have the means to pay for their edu- last evening and Christmas approaches, tack after another, claiming we were cation. may Your blessings and peace rest on selling hard-working families short. Of Here is what they do at Berea. Every our Nation and world. course, that is completely wrong. The single student receives a scholarship, We pray in Your Holy Name. Amen. tax bill we passed was written to help which covers the cost of their tuition— middle-class families from the very be- every student. The students work at f ginning. Our goal was to make their the school and in their communities to PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE taxes lower, simpler, and fairer. help cover additional living expenses Under our legislation, the typical beyond the costs of attending school. The Presiding Officer led the Pledge family of four making the median fam- In fact, the vast majority of Berea stu- of Allegiance, as follows: ily income can expect nearly $2,000 in dents are able to graduate debt-free be- I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the tax relief next year. Just yesterday, we cause of the model. For example, they United States of America, and to the Repub- saw that tax reform has already in- lic for which it stands, one nation under God, have a great restaurant there. You go indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. spired job creators to increase take- there and eat lunch. The kids are cook- home pay for thousands of their em- ing, and they are serving. They are f ployees. Yet not a single Democrat working their way through school. APPOINTMENT OF ACTING joined us to pass this tax relief for When they graduate, they don’t have PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE American families. any debt. What is worse, just before we voted, Berea College, located in one of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate Democrats raised a point of most economically challenged areas of clerk will please read a communication order that proved who is really going my State, offers a quality education to to the Senate from the President pro after low-income families. When given students with the greatest financial tempore (Mr. HATCH). the chance, Senate Democrats, led by need, and it has done so since 1855— The senior assistant legislative clerk the junior Senator from Vermont, 1855. It was founded by abolitionists. read the following letter: raised a procedural challenge to strike In fact, as my friend in the Chair U.S. SENATE, out a provision that protects colleges knows, I am originally from his State. PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, that provide students with tuition-free Let me tell you about when I first Washington, DC, December 21, 2017. To the Senate: education. Let me say it again. The heard of Berea College. My grand- Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, junior Senator from Vermont raised a mother and my grandfather had an Af- of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby procedural challenge to strike out a rican-American family who helped appoint the Honorable LUTHER STRANGE, a provision that protects colleges that them around the house, and they had

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.

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VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Dec 21, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.000 S21DEPT1 S8188 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 an adopted daughter. I was a little kid, is free college to everyone except at Republicans agree. We support a pro- and I remember them talking about Berea College, where it is already free, vision that would fund CHIP not just her going to college. thanks to generations of donors who for a few weeks but for 5 years. Unfor- I said: Where are you going? built their endowment. tunately, our Democratic colleagues She said: I am going to Berea. I am at a loss for words. I don’t un- are unwilling to make that commit- I said: Where is that? derstand how they can claim to fight ment to American families. Thus far, She said: It is up in Kentucky. for students one moment and then they have opposed all of our efforts to It was the closest college that would make it harder for students to afford include 5 years of CHIP funding in this take African-American students at college the next. They chose to attack week’s agreement. Whatever partisan that time. Since they didn’t have the the tax bill by any means necessary, politics are leading my colleagues on means to pay for the tuition, it was a even though they knew the outcome the other side to this mystifying con- great opportunity to get a tuition-free and, in the process, launched a direct clusion, it is time to put them aside education. attack on the ability of schools like and do right by our constituents. I A few years ago, I called the presi- Berea to provide tuition-free education hope we can all work together and give dent of Berea College and said: I would to needy students. Americans the peace of mind they de- like to try to locate somebody. This action by Senate Democrats is serve, particularly going into the He said: Well, the privacy rules are deeply disappointing and will provide Christmas season. such that all I can do is to see if we can real and lasting harm. I hope my f find them and see if they want to meet friends on the other side of the aisle re- TRIBUTE TO LUTHER STRANGE you. alize the American people will see their I said: That is fair enough. This partisan tactics for what they really Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, on would be a person about a certain age, are—an attack on low-income students a completely different matter, I would who would have originally been from who want to pursue opportunity and like to say a few words in tribute to a Athens, AL. If you can identify this find success. fine colleague whose all-too-brief time student, I would love to meet her. A number of my colleagues in Con- in the Senate will soon draw to a close. He did. When she came to my office gress have said they are interested in Senator LUTHER STRANGE of Alabama in the Capitol with her daughter, who fixing this problem, including my col- is the newest Member of this body, lives in the area, I found out that she league from Kentucky, Congressman having been sworn in just this past graduated from Berea and went on to ANDY BARR. I am committed to work- February, but he did not waste any be a nurse. She lived in the north most ing with him and other Members of time in making an impact. In this his- of her life and is now relocated in Ath- Congress, and with schools like Berea, toric year for the Senate, LUTHER ens, AL. to help right this wrong. It is hard not quickly emerged as a strong voice on This is Berea College. This is the col- to repeat. This amendment was offered policy and an important vote on land- lege these guys over here—every single by the man who wanted to provide mark legislation. On a personal level, it didn’t take one of them—voted to target by mak- every student in America with free col- anyone long to realize that this new- ing their endowment subject to a tax lege tuition but at the same time want- comer would rank among the most dili- that would otherwise only apply to the ed to reduce the number of scholar- really big schools in the country—the gent, dedicated, and public-spirited ships at a college where it is already Members of this institution. At first, Ivy League schools. free, actually, thanks to the generosity we even wondered whether LUTHER Every year, Berea uses the returns on of decades of wealthy people who gave its endowment solely for scholarships, might be a little too diligent. to their endowment, believing the mis- Upon his arriving in Washington, the and that sets it apart from nearly sion of providing a college education Senator dived into the task of meeting every other college and university in for poor kids from Appalachia was a his colleagues with the friendly ear- the Nation. I worked with the Finance worthy goal. We are going to fix this nestness that is his calling card. The Committee to include a provision to problem. We are going to fix it as soon first time LUTHER passed Senator ROB- protect schools like Berea from taxes as we can. ERTS in a Capitol hallway, he stopped on endowments that apply to private f to introduce himself and share his ex- schools who choose to sit on these FUNDING THE GOVERNMENT citement to be joining the Agriculture, large funds rather than using them ag- Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. gressively to reduce the cost of attend- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, on There was nothing unusual there, but I ing school. But Senate Democrats iden- another matter, the Senate has impor- have it on good authority that the very tified this exemption as a bridge too tant business to conclude this week. next day, when LUTHER found himself far. Instead of allowing the provision The American people are counting on sharing an elevator with Senator ROB- Congress to reach a government fund- to stand, thereby protecting these stu- ERTS, the junior Senator from Alabama dents at schools like Berea, they de- ing agreement. If we were to fail to introduced himself all over again. Not cided to pick partisan politics and at- reach an agreement, we would be fail- long after, a chance meeting on the tack the measure simply because they ing to ensure that our all-volunteer train occasioned yet a third introduc- could. In the process, they assured that Armed Forces have all of the resources tion. PAT ROBERTS had to put a stop to Berea would bear the brunt of their they need to protect our country in the it. blatant political calculation. face of myriad threats from all around ‘‘Yes, Luther,’’ he broke in. ‘‘I think Because Democrats stripped this part the globe. We would be subjecting pro- we’ve met before—and we’re sure glad of the bill, Berea estimates it could pay grams that American families rely on to have you here, too.’’ We certainly a tax penalty of nearly $1 million every to draconian sequestration cuts that were glad as well. year. Berea’s president has already ex- none of us want to take effect. LUTHER came to the Senate with a plained to us the effect of this tax: The The Senate stands ready to take up national reputation for integrity and school will be forced to offer fewer an agreement as soon as one originates excellence in public service. That scholarships to kids. over in the House. We are ready to started young. The proud son of a Navy The junior Senator from Vermont work together, across the aisle, to en- veteran turned college professor, this and his allies, which included every sure there is no lapse in funding for Birmingham paperboy made Eagle single Member of the Democratic con- critical services. Furthermore, my Re- Scout at age 13—an accomplishment ference, have chosen to make it harder publican colleagues in the Senate stand that still shows up on his lapel from for low-income students to earn a col- ready and eager to ensure full and time to time. lege degree. This is especially hypo- long-term funding for the Children’s He received his bachelor’s from critical coming from the man who Health Insurance Program. There are 9 Tulane, where—and I know this may claims to support free college for all. million children who receive coverage come as a shock—the man the Senate During the Presidential campaign last through CHIP. They and their parents historian has apparently verified as the year, I remember he was promising free deserve to know that Congress is com- tallest Senator in history played schol- college to everyone. Apparently, that mitted to them. arship basketball.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:08 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.001 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8189 After graduation, to save for law to the Talladega Superspeedway to what really matters around here, at school, he spent a year on a boat that take in the Talladega 500, he convinced the end of the day, is policy, and the supplied oil rigs in the North Sea. He her to marry him anyway. Their loving first year of unified Republican govern- pitched in on everything—did whatever partnership has now spanned 36 years ment has delivered plenty of that. it took to help the team—and helped and counting. They have raised two In 2016, the American people faced a the crew navigate the ship through sons. I hear that Luke is just an inch stark choice. The Republicans prom- choppy waters. shy of his dad’s height and that Keehn ised a new era of deregulation and lim- These qualities will sound familiar to is an inch taller. In recent years, LU- ited government—a new policy ap- everyone who has worked with LUTHER THER and Melissa have become the proach that would entrust free markets since. proud grandparents of two young boys. and free citizens to drive us forward. He built a sterling reputation as an I have it on good authority that a The Democrats, on the other hand, re- up-and-coming lawyer in private prac- certain black Lab named Sophie might newed and restated their faith in the tice. He then set it aside to serve the be the most excited of all the Stranges effectiveness of government, centered people of the State he loves as Ala- to welcome the Senator back home to here in Washington, to direct and com- bama’s attorney general. Birmingham. mand the national welfare. The Amer- In the fine Alabama tradition of pub- Wherever LUTHER’s distinguished ca- ican people spoke loudly, and they lic servants, like his friends and men- reer takes him next, I know he is glad spoke decisively. The Republicans were tors Jeff Sessions and RICHARD SHELBY, it will involve more time with the peo- given the reins and were instructed to he combined a steel spine with a serv- ple he loves most. sort all of this out. ant’s heart. Whenever the people of the He has served with distinction in the Nobody needs to remind me that State needed defending—their busi- Senate during a year of historic elections are the beginning of the chal- nesses, their religious liberties, their achievements. On behalf of Alabam- lenge, not the end. The Republicans Second Amendment rights—their at- ians, he has made vital contributions may have prevailed in the campaign, torney general was there for them. on the Agriculture, Nutrition, and For- but an election won is nothing more Then as now, he fought fiercely when estry; Armed Services; Budget; and En- than an opportunity seized. It is noth- times required it and his principles de- ergy and Natural Resources Commit- ing more than a charge to carry out manded it, but no matter how impor- tees. He has cast votes to help middle- the promises offered on the trail, and tant the issue at hand, from the Su- class families and set America on a that is precisely what we are doing. preme Court to the Senate floor, LU- brighter trajectory for years to come. Here in the Senate, despite fits and THER never loses his good humor or his We thank him and wish him every starts, we are moving the ball forward. conviction that we serve in order to success in his future endeavors, and we Notwithstanding often vicious treat- help our constituents, not to aggran- salute him for the dedicated service he ment by the media and the constant dize ourselves. has rendered to his country and to the obstruction of the Democrats here in LUTHER STRANGE reminds us that people of the great State of Alabama. Congress, we are getting work done. character counts. He reminds us that Promises made in 2016 have become deeply held conservative values do not f promises kept in 2017. The American in any way stand opposed to RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME people were promised the removal of collegiality and common decency. To The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- redtape and infuriating bureaucratic the contrary, our values require these pore. Under the previous order, the encumbrances on economic growth. As things. leadership time is reserved. soon as we took office in early 2017, we He reminds us that the American moved to do just that. people need not choose between leaders f We confirmed Neomi Rao as the Ad- who share their principles and leaders MORNING BUSINESS ministrator of the Office of Informa- who dignify public service. They should tion and Regulatory Affairs. Under her hold their elected officials to a high The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- stewardship, the Executive has cut standard and demand that we do too. pore. Under the previous order, the over a dozen old rules for every single If you cannot tell, LUTHER’s col- Senate will be in a period of morning new rule created. Regulation has been leagues look up to him in more ways business, with Senators permitted to subjected to actual cost-savings anal- than one. We are sorry to see him go. speak therein for up to 10 minutes ysis, and, likely, billions have been In the farewell speech that Senator each. saved in the process. STRANGE delivered on this floor, he Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Here in Congress we passed a dozen challenged his colleagues to revive suggest the absence of a quorum. CRAs to cut down on costly and inef- greater comity in this body. He im- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- fective rules passed in the twilight plored us not to give up on bipartisan- pore. The clerk will call the roll. hours of the Obama administration. ship or on building friendships that run The senior assistant legislative clerk The list of deregulatory items speaks deeper than policy disagreements. He proceeded to call the roll. for itself: restoration of free markets reminded us that the Senate’s Marble Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask and free competition on internet, done; Room, across the hallway from this unanimous consent that the order for new environmental policy to unleash Chamber, used to be a popular gath- the quorum call be rescinded. the potential of American energy pro- ering place. Senators from both parties The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- duction, done; reform of public lands would relax and get to know one an- pore. Without objection, it is so or- designation and renewal of State and other above and beyond the specific dered. local control over western territories, disputes of the day. Today, LUTHER f done; Labor Department reform that pointed out, this room often sits restores bargaining power to employees empty. WORK OF THE REPUBLICAN-LED and employers rather than unions and His advice is well taken, and I have CONGRESS bureaucrats, done. On nearly every an idea how we could begin to put it Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, often front, from education to justice issues into practice. All of us on both sides of here in Washington, it can be difficult and everything in between, there has the aisle could try to approach our to focus on what counts. been substantial progress. work with more of the optimism, can- We live in an information environ- Personnel are often the catalyst to do spirit, and reverence for this great ment which is increasingly atomized policy, and we still have nominations institution that LUTHER STRANGE has and persistently polarized. Almost all in several agencies to come. The Con- brought to work every single day. will inevitably focus on who is up and sumer Financial Protection Bureau is Of course, the Senate’s loss will be a who is down in the endless cycle of par- in good hands with Mick Mulvaney and happy gain for LUTHER’s beloved fam- tisan gamesmanship. News cycles come will eventually be handed off to a capa- ily. and news cycles go. Poll numbers jump, ble permanent Director. Federal Trade Despite the fact that his bright idea then fall, then jump again, and fall Commission nominations should be ar- for a first date with Melissa was a trip again, but nobody should forget that riving shortly, and just recently the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:08 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.003 S21DEPT1 S8190 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 Senate Judiciary Committee unani- On top of it all, the individual man- continue to execute attacks across the mously reported the next Director of date has been repealed and ObamaCare globe. Violent state and nonstate ac- the USPTO, Andrei Iancu. As a long- is now firmly on its way out, thank tors continue to destabilize Syria, Af- time champion of intellectual property goodness. Despite earlier difficulties, ghanistan, Ukraine, Yemen, Nigeria, rights, and head of the High-Tech Task we are well on our way toward repeal. and others. We saw Russia continue Force, I encourage my colleagues to As we move toward 2018, we can look meddling in elections, just as they did swiftly confirm him to this post. forward to additional policy success on in ours last year. Overall, this President has delivered everything from entitlements to infra- This is a year of great volatility and on his nominations, and his nominees structure to immigration. uncertainty. However, we also saw the have delivered on his promises. While I In conclusion, I don’t want to hear U.S. military leading an international am on the topic of nominations, I want anyone claim that this President and coalition that is loosening the stran- to talk about the judiciary. Con- this Congress have not gotten things glehold ISIS had on parts of Iraq and troversy seems to be swirling, due to a done. Promises were made and prom- Syria. We saw the recovery of Amer- few recent—and I would say unfortu- ises were kept. Only a year into things, ican hostages, including constituents nate—bumps in the road, but we must we are making good on our pledge for of mine, held captive for years by ter- not miss the forest no matter how historic change in Washington. rorists. In Europe, U.S. and NATO much the press would like to harken on forces partnered to counter Russian ag- a few of the trees. The accomplish- f gression and dispel propaganda. U.S. ments of this administration and Sen- NOMINATION OF RYAN NELSON development assistance projects helped ate in addressing the judiciary have Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, on an- hundreds of millions of people across been historic. other matter, I would like to offer a Neil Gorsuch was a superb choice for the world, including 11 million farmers few words of support for the nomina- 1 the Supreme Court. At a critical junc- and 27 ⁄2 million children under the tion of Ryan Nelson to be the Solicitor Feed the Future Program. ture for our courts, he stands poised to for the Department of Interior. seize the mantle left by Justice Even when it seemed like there were Mr. Nelson has a distinguished legal many reasons to be afraid, the U.S. Antonin Scalia and carry the cause of background. He has worked in both the originalism and textualism forward for military, diplomats, and development private and public sector, including in professionals were responsible for a lot a new generation, but Justice Gorsuch all three branches of the Federal Gov- was only the beginning. From the cir- of good progress this year. ernment. Most importantly, he is re- On Monday of this week, President cuit courts to the district courts, judi- spected by those members of the Idaho cial nominations across the board have Trump laid out his administration’s State Bar who know him best. national security strategy. I commend really been outstanding. We have con- He has been endorsed by numerous the work of the national security pro- firmed more circuit court nominees colleagues representing a broad spec- fessionals who crafted the document this year than in any President’s first trum of political views. Mr. Nelson’s which warrants a thorough review. It is year in American history. exemplary legal background makes We accomplished this despite Demo- a substantial body of work, but it him ideally suited to serve as the De- crats using their time-tested obstruc- paints a very dark picture of the world partment of Interior’s Solicitor, and we tion tactics and even coming up with and our role in it. owe the people of Utah and the West some new ones. They forced us to take A little more than 2 years ago, I the opportunity to confirm him at 18 cloture votes on judicial nominees stood on this floor and invoked the once. alone this year, compared to just one words of Senator Vandenberg—the Sen- Once confirmed, I am very eager to cloture vote during the first year of all ator from Michigan back in the World work with Mr. Nelson and Secretary previous Presidents combined. Never- War II era—for ‘‘maximum united ef- Ryan Zinke to continue a shared mis- theless, we got the job done. The re- fort’’ and Senator Vandenberg’s admo- sion of restoring trust between the sults will be felt for decades to come. nition that politics should stop at the Federal Government and the people of Whatever our differences on other water’s edge. When I spoke these the West. issues, conservatives across the board words, this was at a time when it heartily approve of the way this ad- There have been some marvelous changes this year, and there will be seemed the only response my Repub- ministration has handled judicial lican colleagues had to the Obama ad- nominations. even more if we could just work together and quit all the bumbling ministration’s foreign policy moves I will continue to work with my col- was categorical condemnation. leagues in the Senate Judiciary Com- around here as though we hate each I will not categorically condemn the mittee, as well as Leader MCCONNELL, other. I am grateful for my colleagues administration’s new strategy, but I to confirm these judges. As the rest of on both sides of the aisle. I believe we will pose a challenge to reject the false our agenda gains steam, judicial selec- have made important strides this year, choice between investing at home and tion will remain the vanguard. There and I think we can make even more. I engaging abroad; utilize our diplomatic are more judges to come this new year, am grateful for what we have been able and development toolkit as much, if and we are going to keep on confirming to get done this year. not more, than we exercise our defense them. Each and every week, a new trial I yield the floor. or appellate court judge will add to the The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- capabilities; lead by example. The ranks of a rapidly improving judiciary. pore. The Senator from Pennsylvania. world will indeed become a dark place Finally, on the legislative front, this Mr. CASEY. Thank you, Mr. Presi- if we hide America’s light under a administration and Republican Con- dent. bushel basket, to use words from Scrip- gress have just delivered the most con- I ask to speak in morning business. ture. sequential and far-reaching tax reform The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- In the face of our adversaries’ aggres- package in 30 years. When other admin- pore. The Senator is recognized. sion, we can choose between competition and cooperation. The new strategy istrations and other sessions of Con- f gress couldn’t get it done, we did. Indi- outlined by the administration ref- viduals will see their tax rates drop. NATIONAL SECURITY erences competition nearly three times Businesses, from large corporations Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I rise this more than cooperation. I suggest to the that employ thousands to small busi- morning to outline some ideas about administration the words of President nesses paying passthrough rates, will our national security as we approach Franklin D. Roosevelt, who said: enjoy new capital for investment, ex- the end of the year. ‘‘Competition has been shown to be pansion, and more. In fact, seemingly Many Americans are heading into the useful up to a certain point and no fur- to the dismay of our Democratic col- holiday season with some very reason- ther, but cooperation, which is a thing leagues, businesses are already re- able fears about the threats facing our we must strive for today, begins where sponding to the good news with an- Nation. In 2017, we saw an emboldened competition leaves off.’’ nouncements of bonuses and new ven- North Korean regime testing missiles Mr. President, I yield to the distin- tures, and that is just the beginning. and nuclear weapons. Terrorist groups guished Democratic leader.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Dec 21, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.005 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8191 RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY They have overwhelming support. SPECIAL COUNSEL MUELLER LEADER These kids were brought here very Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- young, through no fault of their own. Special Prosecutor Mueller, I want to pore. The minority leader is recog- They learn in our schools, work at our take a moment to praise my friend nized. companies, serve in our military, and from Virginia, Senator MARK WARNER, pledge allegiance to our flag. They are f vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Americans in every single important Committee, for his speech yesterday THANKING THE SENATOR FROM way but one—their paperwork. This is about Special Counsel Mueller. It was PENNSYLVANIA an issue we have a moral imperative to an eloquent speech. I would like to as- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I very solve here in Congress. sociate myself with the substance of much thank my friend from Pennsyl- Democrats want to make sure that his fine remarks. If the President were vania. As always, he is a gentleman as we have equal bargaining, and we are to fire Special Counsel Mueller, our well as a great legislator and great not going to allow things like disaster country would face a constitutional leader. I meant those words very sin- relief go forward without discussing crisis. As my colleague from Virginia cerely, unrelated to his yielding to me. some of the other issues we care about said, it would cross a redline. Addition- that I have mentioned. We have to ally, there are steps below that brash f solve these issues together, even if that and brazen act that would also cross FUNDING THE GOVERNMENT means passing a clean, short-term CR redlines here in Congress, as Senator extension of government funding with WARNER noted, including the use of the Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on some anomalies—we always understand year-end issues, we are staring down a Presidential pardon on members of the there always have to be some anoma- Trump campaign who have been con- litany of unresolved issues, and we are lies but not those that change the quickly running out of time to solve victed, whether those pardons are in- structure—and continuing the negotia- tended to subvert the investigation or them. Not only do we need to pass an tions into January. extension of government funding, but prevent testimony and further coopera- as I have said many times, we need to f tion. deal with budget caps, CHIP, commu- So I say to my colleagues, just as fir- nity health centers, 702 FISA, a dis- REPUBLICAN TAX BILL ing Special Prosecutor Mueller would aster supplemental, and of course the Mr. SCHUMER. Now, Mr. President, cross a redline, so would pardoning Dreamers. on tax. Earlier this week, the Senate people like Manafort and Flynn. The I believe we could have resolved all of passed one of the worst pieces of legis- bottom line is this: President Trump these issues had my Republican col- lation in at least a decade, maybe must allow this investigation to pro- leagues, especially in the House, not longer. The Republican tax bill will go ceed without a scintilla of interference. put them on the back burner while down in history as a rushed, sloppy, He would be wise to listen to Senator jamming through their tax bill. It is partisan rewrite of the Tax Code that WARNER’s speech yesterday and act ac- unclear still what the House is going to benefited those who already have so cordingly. send us to keep the government open much while doing little or hurting f and whether it will be acceptable to those who have too little. It will be re- the Senate. membered as throwing the extraor- THE REPUBLICAN-LED SENATE At the same time, the House may dinary income inequality we see today Mr. SCHUMER. Finally, Mr. Presi- move forward on an unacceptable dis- into overdrive and fulfilling very few of dent, since this is the last time I might aster supplemental which still does not the ambitious Republican promises be able to address this Chamber before treat fairly California, Puerto Rico, about growth, job creation, and deficit the end of the year—let’s hope so—I and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It doesn’t reduction. But perhaps most of all, the would like to look back at what the include, as best we know—they are still Republican tax bill will define the Re- Senate has accomplished this year. The working on it—cost sharing for Puerto publican Party as the party of the rich long and short of it, though, is that the Rico and additional funding for Med- and powerful, the party against the Senate has not accomplished much to icaid, mitigation resiliency, and drink- middle class, and that will be a rubric be proud of. ing water infrastructure. While House we will hear from now until next No- Despite winning only a slim majority Republicans included some tax provi- vember and even further on. in the last election—a condition that sions in the disaster supplemental, Yesterday in the Oval Office, Presi- made this year ripe for cooperation be- they failed to extend the ITC for Puer- dent Trump admitted that cutting the tween the parties—the Republicans to Rico, extend the childcare tax credit corporate tax rate was ‘‘probably the used their power not to seek consensus consistent with other States, and the biggest factor in our plan.’’ Despite all or bipartisanship but, rather, to try to tax bill also includes a devastating new his rhetoric about this being a middle- jam through a partisan agenda. business tax that treats Puerto Rico as class tax bill, as soon as it passes, he My friend the majority leader once if it is a foreign country, which could admits that lowering the corporate promised that if he were ever given the encourage manufacturers to leave the rate was the Republicans’ primary majority, he would return the body to island. This tax could cost thousands of goal. regular order. He cautioned against the jobs and decimate Puerto Rico’s econ- As corporations get a massive, per- Senate becoming an ‘‘assembly line for omy at exactly the time when Puerto manent tax break, individuals will get one party’s partisan legislative agen- Rico is hurting from the hurricanes small and temporary ones. By 2027, 145 da.’’ That is what MITCH MCCONNELL and needs all the help it can get. Those million American families making said a few years ago. Sadly, that is ex- issues must be fixed before a disaster under $200,000—83 percent of the middle actly what the Senate has become supplemental can move forward. Be- class—will be either paying more in under his leadership this year. For a cause of these inadequacies, the dis- taxes or get a cut of less than $100. man who professed to love the Senate aster supplemental may have to slip to That is according to the Joint Com- and relish bipartisanship, this is prob- next year. I think we can work it out mittee on Taxation—no partisan affili- ably the most partisan Senate that I in a bipartisan way—I certainly do— ation. Meanwhile, the top 1 percent of have served in in all the years I have but just jamming it through without income earners in our country will been here, and we have departed from consulting us and not being fair to so reap 83 percent of the benefits from regular order and the customs of the many other parts of the country this tax plan. Those facts are what Senate in ways never seen before. For doesn’t make sense. make this bill so dramatically unpopu- what end? Well, this Chamber, under Unfortunately, we still have not lar with the American people by a 2-to- Republican leadership, has devoted reached a deal yet on the Dreamers, 1 margin in some polls, and next year itself to furthering the interests of the who are very important not only to my the American people will have the op- wealthy and powerful, while ignoring caucus, not only to some on the Repub- portunity to reject this bill and move or harming the interests of the middle lican side but to the American people. our country in a different direction. class and working America.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Dec 21, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.006 S21DEPT1 S8192 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 Republicans will argue that they had chance to move our country in a dra- bates with family members or friends a great year, pointing to three things— matically different direction in 2018. whose views differ from ours. However, Judge Gorsuch, the use of the Congres- We are already seeing a yearning for in that fictitious, oppressive country sional Review Act to roll back regula- that new direction in elections in Vir- that I described earlier, you can’t have tions, and their tax bill. All three of ginia, New Jersey, Tennessee, and even these debates, or you can try, but you those things help the rich and they will in deep red Alabama. If the Repub- won’t last too long because the au- help corporations, but they won’t help licans continue to hurt the middle thorities will come knocking. the middle class. class and give handouts to big corpora- That is what is great about our coun- Senate Republicans engaged in his- tions and the wealthy, they are in for a try. The United States is the land of toric obstruction to keep a Supreme reckoning next November. the free and the home of the brave, and Court seat open so the Heritage Foun- I yield the floor, and I thank my col- I am reminded of that every time I dation and Federalist Society could league from Pennsylvania for his cour- meet with servicemembers and vet- pick a Justice who would rule on the tesy. erans who are willing to put their lives side of corporations instead of people. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- on the line every day to defend our in- Senate Republicans jammed through pore. The Senator from Pennsylvania. alienable rights to criticize and to dis- Congressional Review Act bills that f agree with our leaders. rolled back protections for women, stu- So what about this new strategy that NATIONAL SECURITY dents, and workers, while lifting re- the administration just outlined this quirements placed on bad actors in the Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I want to week? This new strategy states, in per- big oil, gas, mining, and gun industries. thank the Democratic leader for his re- tinent part, that ‘‘America possesses They capped the year by passing a marks. unmatched political, economic, mili- tax bill that provides huge tax breaks When I was speaking a few moments tary, and technological advantages.’’ for the rich and biggest corporations, ago about national security, I had That is what the strategy says, and while providing crumbs and even tax made a suggestion to the administra- that is certainly true. But I think we hikes for the middle class. tion that there is a national security should add a few other advantages, They tried for months to repeal the strategy that has been outlined and even attributes, that are part of the Affordable Care Act, which would send that the administration reject the false American story, part of the American costs soaring for millions of Americans choice between investing at home and advantage. and cause millions more to lose cov- engaging abroad and make sure that Certainly, our history of generosity erage. they utilize our diplomatic and devel- sets us apart from the world, a tradi- They failed to fully authorize CHIP, opment toolkits as much as if not more tion of pluralism as well, the freedom the Children’s Health Insurance Pro- than they exercise our defense capa- to debate and dissent without fear, the gram, and failed to rebuild our infra- bilities. respect for the rule of law, and finally structure, despite the President’s We have major challenges, and that a culture of innovation unmatched promises. is why I think it is important to out- anywhere in the world. As I have said The stock market is up, but wages line this morning some of those chal- before, Americans don’t wait for the fu- are flat or nearly flat. The President lenges and some of our responses as we ture; we invent the future. and Republicans promised that they head into the new year. Through the execution of its strat- would stop outsourcing, and that Just for discussion purposes, I want- egy, the administration has an oppor- hasn’t happened. Even companies the ed to paint the picture of a nation tunity to invent the future of our Na- President said he would personally that—it doesn’t describe one nation, tion, as well as its role in the world— save have sent jobs to Mexico, leaving but I think we can imagine a country a future where the American economy families in the Midwest and across the that fits this description or at least a is firing on all cylinders, where invest- country without the income they need number of countries that might. Imag- ments here at home lift up everyone, this holiday season. ine a sovereign state, a member of the where our researchers and manufactur- Time and time again, the middle United Nations, a nation whose leaders ers lead the world in the production of class was an afterthought or simply are singularly focused on staying in cutting-edge technologies. forgotten by Senate Republicans and power and who will do anything to re- For the last 11 months, this adminis- President Trump. That has been the main in power, including undermining tration has sent the world mixed sig- story of the year. Republicans haven’t their colleagues and erstwhile friends. nals about what ‘‘America first’’ really accomplished much, but what they In this country I am describing, those means, from pulling out of the Paris have accomplished has only benefited who speak truth to power are dis- climate agreement, to threatening to the wealthy and well connected. missed, ridiculed, or, at worst, treated walk away from NATO, to hollowing The Senate’s record this year has ex- as criminals. This particular country out the State Department. I believe the posed the faux populism at the center or profile of a country looks inward, strategy implementation presents an of President Trump’s political identity. putting its domestic troubles first as opportunity to reverse that course. We Although he rode into office promising its reputation in the world declines. cannot turn away from the world and to help the forgotten man and woman, Out of fear of its near-peer competi- try to go it alone. We should ask our those are exactly the people he has for- tors, the country retreats from diplo- allies, certainly, to pull their weight gotten, abandoning them in favor of matic engagement and doubles down on and pay their fair share. Whether it is wealthy special interests. Populism, military capabilities. Does this sound NATO or the counter-ISIS coalition, unfortunately, under President Trump, familiar? It might to some. It may de- the United States can always press our has been traded for plutocracy. scribe a number of countries in whole partners to do more, but not by threat- The millions of Americans in 2016 or in part. ening that we will abandon these alli- who were frustrated at a Washington Of course, there are a number of ances or by creating any uncertainty that didn’t work for them feel more countries that fit this description. Cer- about these alliances. Simply put, we frustrated today, and the millions of tainly, the dictatorial regimes that need partners to tackle some of the working men and women who voted for rule North Korea, Syria, and Iran greatest threats facing our Nation and President Trump—many of them are prioritize self-preservation over the the world. already feeling betrayed. welfare of their citizens. In Russia and Let’s go through a couple of them. We hope that the future will be dif- China, journalists and opposition lead- North Korea is first on the list. The ferent and that our Republican friends ers are regularly silenced, jailed, or North Korean regime is unpredictable realize that their legislative and polit- worse. and armed with nuclear, chemical, and ical goals are better served by biparti- Here in the United States, we are biological weapons and the means to sanship and compromise rather than going through an especially turbulent deliver them. Just across the demili- gridlock and strife. If they do, we are chapter in the American story. As we tarized zone are tens of thousands of willing and ready to work with them, celebrate the holidays, we might be U.S. forces and our South Korean al- but if they don’t, voters will have a dreading the inevitable political de- lies. Just across the water are more

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Dec 21, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.007 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8193 U.S. military personnel and our Japa- sition plan that leaves Bashar al-Assad China systemically, perniciously nese allies. This regime is a significant in power for at least another 4 years. games the international trade system threat—the North Korean regime. It is This is unacceptable and dangerous. to its advantage. I firmly believe a threat exacerbated by reckless ridi- Assad is responsible for terrible war American workers and industry can cule, bombastic statements, and ill- crimes that led to the deaths of hun- outinnovate and outproduce any others considered tweets. One miscalculation dreds of thousands of Syrians and the in the world when the playing field is can be disastrous. The administration displacement of millions more. The level. Driven by similar motives, Rus- should accelerate serious, sober diplo- strategy outlined by the administra- sia has meddled in elections across the macy in lockstep with our allies. For tion says: ‘‘We will seek a settlement Western world, trying to undermine the New Year, let’s agree to a new rule to the Syrian civil war that sets the confidence in one of our most funda- for all of us—both branches of govern- conditions for refugees to return home mental institutions of democracy. ment: Leave the tweets for domestic and rebuild their lives and safety.’’ Again, there are concrete steps the ad- policy only. Sound foreign policy and I agree with that goal. Most people ministration can take to counter these security policy cannot be done in 280 would agree with that goal, but the ad- threats from both China and Russia: characters. ministration has missed the bigger pic- No. 1, shore up our electoral systems Congress has offered the administra- ture. We need a strategy that pushes and help others do the same; No. 2, tion powerful leverage in this cir- back on Russian and Iranian influence counter propaganda; No. 3, fight cor- cumstance in the form of several pieces in Syria and addresses the underlying ruption; and No. 4, get serious about of legislation. First, the Countering grievances that led to the conflict in holding trade cheaters like China ac- America’s Adversaries Through Sanc- the first place. countable. tions Act passed this summer, and the Let me move to Iran. The Iranian re- Through engagement and coopera- Banking Restrictions Involving North gime remains a powerful force for in- tion, we can lead the rest of the world Korea Act is pending before the Senate stability in the Middle East, especially away from the Cold War-era clash of now. I support these tough, bipartisan through its support of terrorist proxies major powers that Russia and China sanctions measures because I believe and militias. We know that the Ira- want to create. turning the economic screws, coupled nians want to maintain control of ter- In conclusion, if this outline of some with genuine diplomacy, can yield re- ritory linking Tehran with Beirut. So of the threats and challenges posed sults. In the New Year, I urge the they will continue to act against U.S. seems like a tremendous challenge—a President to tone down the rhetoric interests in Iraq and Syria. Here, great challenge for our Nation—it is and to empower the Secretary of State again, Congress has offered powerful because it always has been so. It has and our senior diplomats to find a dip- tools to the administration in the form always been a challenge. lomatic path toward a stable North of the Countering America’s Adver- President Truman once said: Korea that doesn’t threaten the United saries Through Sanctions Act. America was not built on fear. America States or our allies. The nuclear deal with Iran is giving was built on courage, on imagination and on How about terrorist groups around us an unprecedented visibility on the unbeatable determination to do the job at the world? Over the last 16 years, the Iranian nuclear program, but the mul- hand. U.S. military, the intelligence commu- tilateral diplomatic channels built When faced with a challenge, whether nity, and our homeland security profes- alongside that agreement have atro- it is Pennsylvanians or Americans, we sionals have worked hand in hand to phied under this administration. Every don’t shrink inward. We step up. Our meet the rise of terrorist groups head time the President threatens to walk adversaries want us to be divided and on. We owe the men and women in uni- away from the Iran nuclear deal, he dispirited. These adversaries underesti- form a debt of gratitude for tirelessly sends a clear signal to our allies and mate the courage, the imagination, and leading the coalition fight that has adversaries alike: U.S. commitments the determination of the American rolled back ISIS’s territorial gains. Im- are written in disappearing ink. people. plementing the administration’s new If the administration wants to get President Trump might see it dif- strategy and its call to fight terrorism tough on Iran’s nonnuclear bad behav- ferently, but as we close out 2017, I see at its source is not just about the mili- ior, there are concrete steps to take a world that needs American leadership tary fight. The United States should today: more than ever. To paraphrase Presi- also lead the international community No. 1, work with our allies to step up dent Kennedy, we should seek not a in addressing the underlying issues maritime interdictions of any illicit Pax Americana enforced on the world that drive terrorist recruitment and weapons traffic to or from Iran. by American weapons of war but a gen- help to rebuild communities newly lib- No. 2, push the Europeans to do more uine peace that makes life on Earth erated from terrorist control. to combat the financial networks that worth living. The American people are Think about this. More than 65 mil- enrich the Iranian terrorist proxy, ready to rise to that challenge. I hope lion people around the world are dis- Hezbollah. My bipartisan Stop Ter- the administration is too. placed from their homes right now. rorist Operational Resources and I yield the floor. There is no purely military solution for Money Act, or the so-called STORM The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. SUL- this refugee crisis. A successful coun- Act, which is bipartisan, could help LIVAN). The majority whip. terterrorism strategy requires us to with that. f work with our partners for information No. 3, begin diplomatic conversations sharing and for contributions of devel- with our allies about a multilateral SENATE ACCOMPLISHMENTS opment assistance. strategy to curtail the Iranian ballistic Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I would Another trouble spot in the world is missile program. like to speak briefly today about the Syria. In Syria, the connection be- All of these efforts take cooperation year we have had here in Washington, tween instability, displacement, and with our allies, which the President DC. terrorism is clear. This conflict has makes harder every time he calls into At times along the way, it wasn’t been raging for nearly 7 years. In the question the future of the nuclear deal, easy. There were more than one or two absence of U.S. engagement on a polit- known as the Joint Comprehensive bumps in the road, and there were ical solution to this crisis, regional Plan of Action. times when we got discouraged because powers—namely, Russia, Iran, and Tur- Finally, as to Russia and China, the we weren’t able to accomplish every- key—have run the table, to the benefit new strategy by this administration re- thing we wanted to accomplish on the of the murderous Assad regime and at peatedly describes Russia and China as part of the American people. But look- the expense of the Syrian people. The our competitors. Let me be clear. ing back, I am proud of what we were United States has abdicated its leader- These countries are not our friends. able to get done. ship role and ceded control of the out- They actively work against U.S. inter- The first thing is to notice the speed comes to nations with interests often ests. They are threatened by American with which President Trump was able in direct conflict with our own. military dominance and economic to nominate and we were able to con- Recently, we learned that the admin- power, and both are trying to game the firm Federal judges. Everyone remem- istration will endorse a political tran- system to undermine our advantages. bers last January when President

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:08 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.009 S21DEPT1 S8194 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch to the We started out this year with 11 bills was wrong. We are taking things we U.S. Supreme Court. This was an excel- introduced for the Veterans’ Adminis- learned are right, and we are enhancing lent choice. He is an experienced Fed- tration improvements in terms of them. I hope every Member of the Sen- eral judge and accomplished scholar healthcare. Ten of those eleven have ate who can hear my voice today will who understands the proper role of a passed. There is one left. We are going join me sometime in the next few judge under our Constitution. to have a perfect 11-for-11 year, if we weeks ahead to finish the job and pass I think the weather and my sinuses get the votes before the end of this the Care Act. Our committee passed it are not cooperating here at this mo- year, we get the CARE bill passed for out 14 to 1, with Democrats and Repub- ment. our veterans, but even if that doesn’t licans alike, shoulder to shoulder, vot- I will be back later. make it, we have dealt with long waiting for it. It is the right thing to do for I suggest the absence of a quorum. ing lines for determination of benefits our vets. We are hopefully going to do The PRESIDING OFFICER. The for the VA. Those long waiting lines the same thing on the floor. clerk will call the roll. are beginning to dissipate. The Care Act does a lot of amazing The legislative clerk proceeded to We don’t have hospitals being shut things, but it takes what we have call the roll. down because they can’t be finished. learned in 3 years and applies it to the Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I ask real world for our veterans. It says a unanimous consent that the order for We have CBOCs being opened because veteran has a choice for his healthcare, the quorum call be rescinded. they are being finished. We don’t have public or private, VA or private sector. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without near as many cases of horror stories in The veteran and his or her doctor may objection, it is so ordered. a VA health facility because the facilities are being run better. determine where they want to go. The f Do we have problems? Sure, we have physician providing the services who is VETERANS HEALTHCARE problems. Anytime you have the sec- outside the system will cooperate with Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I am ond largest agency of the Federal Gov- the VA, so we have good medical glad to join my colleague Senator ernment—which the VA health system records for that veteran, and they will TESTER from Montana on the floor for is—you are going to have problems, but work together to choose doctors who a discussion of our Veterans’ Affairs, we are meeting them head-on. We are have the quality, the reputation, and our accomplishments over the last 3 not running away from them. We have the ability to deliver the service, years and our challenges for the future. a Secretary who is really willing to whether they are in the VA or outside I want to start out my part of the work to make it happen. the VA. conversation by saying this. Three I cannot say enough about Secretary The veteran comes first in Veterans years ago, the Veterans’ Administra- Shulkin. He has been fantastic. He has Choice. In the Caring for Our Veterans tion was making big headlines. Those been a great worker. He has given Act, the veteran comes first, not Mem- headlines were that they weren’t work- President Trump the message, in terms bers of the Senate, not employees of ing well, our veterans were waiting too of what our veterans need, the chal- the VA. The veteran comes first, which long for care, there were failures in our lenge that we need from the White is what we need to do. I hope everyone will join Senator system throughout, and people were House to join us, and the White House TESTER and me in seeing to it, when we looking for an alternative to the VA has substantially done so, to help make get this to the floor—and we are trying system because it was in such a quag- a lot of improvements. every day—that they join us in helping mire. Thanks to the work of our com- Working with our ranking member, we decided we would do a number of pass the Care Act. mittee, which the Presiding Officer One last thing I want to mention things: We would end the long wait today is one of those members, we set about the Care Act is it also contains times for determination of disability, out to fix a lot of the problems. No. 1 the funding necessary to complete the and we have done that. That is in proc- was the hospital in Denver, which is 40 year for the Veterans’ Administration ess. We wanted to see to it that the percent finished. It was 3 years behind, in terms of health services. More im- modern access to healthcare was avail- and we closed in. That hospital is open portantly, it consolidates the stove- able to all of our veterans, one way or today and operating because the Vet- pipes of funding in the VA so we no another. We wanted to make sure we erans’ Affairs Committee of the Senate longer have this Mickey Mouse game, buckled its shoes, got to work, got the came up with creative ideas by using which we have all experienced for the VA fixed, and got the hospital finished. telemedicine and other techniques to last 5 or 6 years, where the VA is al- The most challenging thing we faced deliver healthcare to our veterans. ways running out of money. were long wait times for appointments Most importantly, we knew the The Congress has never cut off the for our veterans and veterans’ services Choice Act we passed 3 years ago, led VA. When we had the biggest shutdown for healthcare. It was longer than 30 by Senator MCCAIN—who is in our 5 or 6 years ago—or potential shutdown days just for a routine appointment, prayers and thoughts every day. I for the government that we had, we sometimes being as long as 6 months to might add from the floor of the Senate passed bills that exempted the VA to wait, and sometimes they were dying today, we wish him the very best if he demonstrate long and hard that we before they got called up from the is listening. Senator MCCAIN went to would never leave our veterans in need waiting list, which happened in the Ar- work and came up with the first aspect of healthcare coverage waiting because izona case in Phoenix. of Choice, which passed 3 years ago. I we couldn’t act in the Congress, and We had some tragic stories that came was on the conference committee. We that would happen today if that was through. Our committee came together had this crazy idea that we were going threatening us. and said: We are going to fix this. We to let veterans choose where they want I want to underline, this is not a are going to put our shoulders to the to go for their healthcare. We set up matter of anybody threatening any- grindstone, we are going to work out the system to do that. The system body. This is a matter of finishing the hard, and we are going to make it hap- worked pretty well in some cases. Sen- job for our veterans and seeing to it pen. Like always, fixing anything re- ator TESTER will say in rural America that the Veterans’ Administration has quires one element, and that is hard it didn’t work all that well, in some the resources necessary to deliver the work. cases, but it was a good effort of ours services to our veterans. This Committee has worked hard— to take the private sector in America For those who can hear this plea— Democrats and Republicans alike. and make it a force multiplier for the and it is a plea—understand I am com- They have been willing to get the new healthcare services delivered to our ing before us today to say three things: Secretary, Secretary Shulkin, con- veterans and expand the access of One is thank you. Thank you to every firmed. To all of his aides—Tom Bow- healthcare to our vets. Member of the Senate who voted with man, who has been a great aide to our Well, now we have before the Senate us to get us where we are today. We committee for a long time, and now is what we call the Care Act. It is the fin- have passed 10 of the 11 bills we a direct aide to the Secretary. The ishing touches of what was originally brought in this year for veterans’ committee has asked: What is it we in the Choice Act. We are taking the healthcare services. Thank you very need to do to get it fixed? things we learned and repealing what much.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Dec 21, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.010 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8195 I say to Senator TESTER, as the rank- I would just say, in a body that is full parency of VA’s spending. It requires ing member, thank you for your co- of impasse over this last year, Chair- the VA to give Congress more notice operation. We have worked together to man ISAKSON has been a great guy to when funding levels of programs that find a solution to every impasse we work with because the fact is, we have impact veterans are running low. It confronted throughout the year. set aside the political labels, and we forces the VA to put together a busi- To the Senator from Alaska, who is have worked for our veterans in that nesslike plan about how it is going to presiding today and is a member of the committee. It is not only JOHNNY and spend taxpayer dollars, and it gives committee, thank you for what you did myself, but members on both sides of Congress more visibility in the VA con- for those veterans in need in our States the aisle in that committee have tracts. It requires accountability at that have limited access to healthcare, worked very well together and commu- the medical center, regional, and the like Alaska. We need to make sure the nicated so very well to make sure we Federal levels. If the clinic isn’t Alaskan veteran has the same access could take care of the needs of our vet- brought back up to snuff, we know who and the same benefits they signed up erans across this country, whether it has failed to do their job. for as one does in Georgia or in any was in rural America or whether it was I could give you a timeline on what other State. in urban America, but our work is not has been going on in the last 3 years Senator TESTER from Montana has done. with the Choice Program—not having worked so hard to see to it that rural The Care Act Chairman ISAKSON enough money, having more than America has the same type of access. talked about is a very important piece enough money, not having enough There may not be as many doctors, of legislation. It is a bipartisan com- money. That will end when we pass there may not be as many VA facili- promise. It is a bill we all negotiated this bill. Congress will be able to have ties, but we can design a system that on, so not everybody got everything. the oversight over the Community gives them the very best access and the There are always things in it that you Care Program that it needs. very best care for that region where wish would be better, regardless of It will give long-term certainty to they choose to live. where you are in the spectrum, but this our veterans because a lack of long- That is our challenge. Our challenge program does a lot of good things for term certainty is devastating to those in the VA is not to say: Well, you our veterans. veterans, and it will give those who should have lived somewhere else. Our It, first of all, will eliminate the Vet- have served the consistency and the challenge is to say we should have con- erans First Program and replace it certainty they need. No more bandaids. centrated more in the VA to see to it with one that is much easier for vet- We need a cure. that where you live is the right place erans to navigate in a system that puts The third thing it does is it improves to be in terms of veterans’ services, in place where the veterans can seek VA resources in healthcare. Veterans and we are going to do that. care. It puts that system in the hands tell me, time and time again, once they Lastly, I thank Secretary Shulkin. of a veteran and their doctor. get through the door, they love the He was approved 100 to nothing by the This is a bill that passed out of com- care the VA gives them. I have been Senate. I believe I am right that he is mittee 14 to 1, and it has 26 veterans told by a number of veterans that VA the only Cabinet member who was con- service organizations, representing has saved their lives. The problem has firmed by the Senate 100 to nothing. As millions of veterans who have endorsed always been getting through the door, everybody knows from watching us the this bill. It is a good bill. last 8 or 9 months, we haven’t agreed I wish the Veterans’ Administration, and the biggest reason for those delays on much of anything. We haven’t had which we worked so closely with on to get through that door is workforce any unanimous consent votes on hard- this bill, would come out and forcefully shortages. So our bill incentivizes medical staff ly anything. We did with David endorse it. I think that would help a Shulkin, and he has delivered, in re- lot. to work in rural and underserved areas sponse to that 100-to-nothing vote, What it does is it establishes a Vet- and Tribal VA facilities. It deploys time and time again, working for our erans Community Care Program. It more mobile teams to provide addi- veterans, helping to direct problems, merges seven VA community care pro- tional care. It removes the barriers for helping to work with us together. grams into one program, with one set veterans to access telemedicine, in- I look forward to next year, as we of rules for both providers and the vet- cluding mental health care, closer to bring a close to the Care Act and pass erans. It puts the decision of where to home. It brings more nurses and heart it, moving forward with those new seek care in the hands of the veteran and lung specialists to work at the VA things we need to pay attention to. and their doctor. No more one-size-fits- and clinical staff to work at vet cen- I look forward to working with Sen- all eligibility. ters. ator TESTER from Montana and the If a local VA doesn’t have the equip- The answer to the VA is not privat- members of the Democratic Party and ment for a certain test and there is not ization. It is to build the VA and use the Republican Party in our com- another VA locally that can provide the private sector to fill in the gaps mittee. that test, the vet can go to the commu- that the VA cannot provide. That is Remember, we are veterans first. We nity doc. If the roads to another VA fa- what this bill does. are Americans first. God bless our vet- cility are closed for snow, veterans It also expands the VA caregiver pro- erans. May God bless the United States could go to their local doctor rather gram to veterans of all areas and their of America. than waiting for the roads to clear, caregivers. Right now, the VA care- I yield to Senator TESTER. which is a big issue in rural America. giver program only applies to post-9/11 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- If a nearer VA clinic has a type of veterans. We have a whole lot of vet- ator from Montana. doc a vet needs to see, but there is a erans—especially the folks from the Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I thank community doc closer and the vet has Vietnam war—who are getting a lot Senator ISAKSON for his words. I thank a bad back, that vet can see that doc in older, and this caregiver program ex- the Presiding Officer, who is currently that community, as an example. It of- pansion to the veterans before 9/11 is sitting in the chair, for his work on the fers convenient, walk-in care so vets absolutely critical. Veterans’ Affairs Committee. can get care closer to home for minor So the bottom line is this: We have I want to talk a little bit about illnesses. worked well on the committee. We Chairman ISAKSON before I talk about Third-party administrators—also have put out a good bill. We put out a the Care Act. Over the last year, I have known as government contractors— bill that works for the taxpayer and, been able to work with a great man will have a smaller role at the local most importantly, for the veterans. from Georgia who has done great work. level, and the local VA will have the This bill is a long-term solution. We When we started out, we talked about flexibility of when to use them for don’t need another bandaid fix. The doing stuff we could agree upon and set scheduling so what makes more sense Care Act is our long-term solution. It the stuff we disagree upon apart, and it for the local VA will not be decided by provides the VA what it needs to hire has ended up where we have agreed on bureaucrats in Washington. staff for top-notch care. It provides an a lot of stuff, and we have been able to The second thing it does is it im- integrated network of community pro- get a lot of stuff done. proves accountability and trans- viders to fill in the gaps for that care.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Dec 21, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.012 S21DEPT1 S8196 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 It is a balance between those two, and ents face every day. All too often, that first you have to have the boots. The the veterans win. important work doesn’t leave enough Federal Government, through Social The VSOs are on board. They were time for our families. I am grateful for Security survivor benefits and Pell part of the discussion on this bill. We my wife, my children, and their grants and the GI bill and title I, gave talked to the VA extensively to make spouses, who stood by me and who have my wife’s family the boots. That is sure this bill would work for the VA, helped me to do my work effectively. why I am a Democrat. That is why I and they agreed. Finally, as I leave the Senate, I take am a Democrat. As I said earlier, I would love to have great comfort in knowing that my suc- Over the years, I have heard Demo- the VA come out forcefully for this cessor, Senator-designate Tina Smith, crats and Republicans talk about their bill. I think it would help get it passed has a well-earned reputation for being own values, the things they believe in this body. a smart, diligent, hard-working public brought them to politics, the things One thing in closing. We are going to servant, and I have no doubt that Sen- that make them care about what hap- pass a temporary stopgap measure for ator Smith will serve Minnesotans and pens here. I have learned so much from our budget, and VA Choice funding will all Americans exceptionally well. listening to the arguments we have in probably be a part of it. I will tell my When most people think about poli- this country and the arguments we colleagues that this is the last bandaid tics, they think about arguments—the have here in this Chamber. I have that I am willing to put on the Choice arguments they have around the dinner learned from Republicans. I have Program. We need a long-term solu- table, the arguments they have online, learned to respect but not always agree tion, and if we don’t get that long-term and most of all, the arguments we have with their opinions, and I have learned solution, we are not doing right by our here in Washington. That is a big part how their backgrounds can lead them veterans in this country. of the reason why a lot of people just to reach, in good faith, a conclusion With that, I would again like to don’t like politics. that I never could have imagined. And, thank Chairman ISAKSON for his leader- Often, the debate here in Washington of course, I have learned so much from ship and for his good work on the VA can sometimes seem arcane and tough my fellow Democrats. Committee. When we come back here to understand. Other times—especially But the person I learned the most in 2018, hopefully we can get this bill in recent years—it can be so bitter that from is someone who isn’t here. For 12 passed early in the session because it is it doesn’t even feel like we are trying years, the seat I currently occupy was the right thing to do for our veterans. to resolve anything, just venting our held by Paul Wellstone. As I have said I yield the floor. spleens at each other. I get that. I get before, Paul was a tireless, passionate I suggest the absence of a quorum. why people want us to stop arguing and champion for working families—for The PRESIDING OFFICER. The start doing stuff. working families in Minnesota and clerk will call the roll. But since I am leaving the Senate, I across the Nation. He fought for vet- The legislative clerk proceeded to thought I would take a big risk and say erans, for farmers, and for those who call the roll. a few words in favor of arguments. simply needed a voice. Mr. FRANKEN. Mr. President, I ask After all, there is no single magic solu- Paul was my friend. Paul had a say- unanimous consent that the order for tion that can bring all 100 of us to- ing that I think perfectly represents the quorum call be rescinded. gether because there is no one set of the values and the principles for which The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without values that brought all of us here in he fought. He used to say: ‘‘We all do objection, it is so ordered. the first place. I think many of my col- better when we all do better.’’ That Mr. FRANKEN. Mr. President, I ask leagues have heard me talk about what was Paul’s creed. What Paul meant by unanimous consent to speak for as brought me to politics and what makes that is that the whole country—the much time as I may consume. me a Democrat, and it is my wife Fran. working poor, the middle class, and the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without When she was 17 months old, her fa- well off—the whole country does better objection, it is so ordered. ther, a decorated World War II veteran, when each and every one of us is able f died in a car accident, leaving her mom to contribute to and participate fairly widowed at age 29 with five kids. There in our economy and in our democracy. FAREWELL TO THE SENATE was one sibling younger than Franni, I think Paul was right, but not every- Mr. FRANKEN. Mr. President, this is Bootsie, who was 3 months old. body does. Some people’s values are my final speech on the floor of the U.S. Franni’s family made it—barely, but different. Some people believe that Senate. I have come to the floor many they made it—thanks to Social Secu- those at the top are there for a reason times, as we all have. We come to the rity survivor benefits. Sometimes they and that they shouldn’t have to con- floor to cast our votes on bills and had to turn the heat off in the winter. cern themselves with what is going on amendments. We come here to discuss This was in Portland, ME. Some- in the lives of people who haven’t been and debate the issues that are impor- times—often—they were hungry be- so lucky or even so accomplished. tant to our States and to the country. cause there wasn’t enough food. But Some people believe honestly—hon- We introduce and explain legislation. they made it. estly, legitimately, believe—that not We talk about our States and what we Franni and her three sisters all went everyone deserves to have the same learned on our latest visit to a commu- to college on combinations of scholar- standing in this country. They believe nity health center, a farm, or a small ships and Pell grants. At the time, a that your standing as a citizen should business. What we don’t talk about all full Pell grant paid for about 80 percent depend, in part, on where you were that often is the work of all the men of a public college education, but today born or what you believe or whom you and women on our staffs who make all it only pays about 35 percent. love or what you do for a living. Some of this possible. When Bootsie went to high school, people believe that at some funda- I have been fortunate to have had a my mother-in-law got a GI loan for $300 mental level, we are all in this on our dedicated, hard-working staff both in and went to college. She got three own. I don’t agree with any of those Washington and in Minnesota, and I more loans, graduated from college, values, but I respect that some people have no doubt that they will go on to and became an elementary school hold them, and that is why arguments do great things and to serve our Nation teacher. And because she taught title I matter. well. kids—poor kids—all her loans were for- When we argue, whether it is across I am also very lucky to have a won- given. the fence with your neighbor or on a derful family who has stood by me My brother-in-law went into the cable news show or here on the floor of throughout the good times and the Coast Guard and became an electrical the Senate, it can help us sharpen our tough times of being a Senator. As engineer. ability to articulate what we want and Senators, we have packed schedules. Every member of Franni’s family be- challenge us to examine our own views There are late nights. There are dif- came a productive member of society with a more critical eye and help high- ficult votes on divisive issues and a lot and a member of the middle class. light the choice for the American peo- of time invested in better under- They tell you in this country to pull ple, because, after all, in a democracy, standing the challenges our constitu- yourself up by your bootstraps, but the people get to choose.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Dec 21, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.014 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8197 As I prepare to leave the Senate, I enough. After all, the top 1 percent of Almost every Republican in Congress have been thinking a lot about my val- the country’s population controls near- refuses to take the issue of climate ues and Paul’s values—the values we ly 40 percent of its wealth. The problem change seriously. They continue to share with many of my colleagues here is that too many working families have deny the underlying evidence and in the Senate and many of the progres- been left out of the economic growth science behind it, even as Americans sive activists I have met and worked that the top 1 percent has enjoyed in suffer the devastating consequences of alongside of in Minnesota and around recent years. But rather than use the their denial. This year alone, hurri- the country. That is because, regret- tax reform bill as an opportunity to canes ravaged Texas, Florida, Puerto tably, the policies pursued by the help those working families, Repub- Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Trump administration and congres- licans have instead decided to shower wildfires raged across the West, most sional Republicans today could not corporations and wealthy donors with recently in Los Angeles. stand in a starker contrast to the prin- tax breaks and special favors. We know that climate change makes ciples Paul championed and the values The tax bill didn’t just come out of these extreme weather events worse, I have fought for during my time here the blue—quite the contrary. This tax and this is just the beginning. What we in the Senate. bill comes on the heels of countless Re- are witnessing is the beginning of a The values being advanced by the publican attempts to shred policies new normal—a new normal that this President and his allies in Congress that offer protection to working fami- country simply cannot endure. simply don’t represent my belief that lies and the environment. But corpora- It doesn’t have to be this way. It is our economy, our democracy, and our tions and wealthy donors who support possible to address climate change country work best when they work for my Republican colleagues believe that while at the same time growing our everyone. Indeed, the values propelling these policies stand in the way of their economy and creating jobs. During the the Republican agenda today are about profits. Obama administration, the Federal consolidating political and economic Take healthcare, for example. De- Government increased research and de- power in the hands of corporations and spite President Trump’s campaign velopment investments in clean energy the very wealthy. promise that ‘‘We’re going to have in- technology, both through tax credits Just take the tax bill Congress surance for everybody,’’ when his ad- designed to incentivize investment and passed this week. At virtually each and ministration attempted to deliver on through the energy title that I was every step of the process, Republicans that promise, House Republicans de- proud to help write in the farm bill, drafting this bill chose to embrace the vised and passed a bill that would have which allowed people in rural America failed trickle-down policies of the past, resulted in 23 million fewer people hav- to participate in the clean energy revo- crafting an enormous—an enormous— ing health insurance, including 14 mil- lution. Those investments paid off. giveaway that benefits their corporate lion people who rely on Medicaid. Fac- Since 2009, the cost of wind power has campaign backers and wealthy donors. ing unprecedented public outcry, Re- decreased by 66 percent, and the cost of For instance, according to the non- publican Senators eventually proposed solar power has dropped by 85 percent. partisan Tax Policy Center, by 2027, 83 a narrower bill—one that didn’t repeal But we need to do more. percent of the benefits in the Repub- and replace the Affordable Care Act I championed an energy efficiency lican tax bill will accrue to the top 1 outright but instead undermined some standard that would require utilities to percent of income earners; that is, peo- of its foundational provisions. But this become more efficient. I led legislation ple who make more than $912,000 a narrower Senate bill still would have to encourage energy storage, a game year. Eighty-three percent of the bene- left 16 million more Americans unin- changer that allows wind and solar to fits go to the top 1 percent. Do we real- sured, all while spiking premiums by 20 be used when the wind isn’t blowing ly need any other data point? Well, percent, according to CBO. and the sun isn’t shining. I pushed to here is one: At the same time, the Re- The American people continued to deploy distributed energy that makes publican tax bill would increase taxes fight, demanding that the Senate kill our grid more resilient and reliable. on 35 million low- and middle-income the bill. Thanks to the incredibly hard Rather than join me and my Demo- families. work of organizers and activists, in- During his inaugural address, Presi- cluding the American Medical Associa- cratic colleagues in confronting the dent Trump vowed that ‘‘the forgotten tion and everyday Americans, that is challenge of climate change by driving men and women of our country will be exactly what happened. Republican at- innovation, Republicans ordered a re- forgotten no longer.’’ But the Repub- tempts to repeal the ACA failed, but it treat. At the behest of the fossil fuel lican tax bill represents a slap in the seems my Republican colleagues have industry and other corporate interests, face to those forgotten men and not learned their lesson. Republicans have put forward nomi- women. I guess the President forgot Finding themselves unable to sustain nees for key environmental posts who about them. an open assault on the Affordable Care cut their teeth defending corporate pol- Make no mistake, the Senate-passed Act, they instead included a measure luters, not enforcing the laws that version of the Republican tax bill was in the tax bill that will repeal an essen- keep our air and water clean, and they deeply flawed, but when Republicans tial component of that law—the indi- have pushed an agenda that guts fund- later attempted to reconcile dif- vidual mandate. As a result, 13 million ing for science and innovation. The Re- ferences between the House and Senate fewer Americans will have health in- publican strategy of denial and obfus- bills—a process that took place behind surance in the years to come. But that cation isn’t just an affront to the gov- closed doors—even more favors were doesn’t matter to President Trump and ernment; it is an affront to common doled out to Republican donors and to his allies, who claim they need to re- sense. special interests. New rules were cre- peal this central pillar of ObamaCare The Trump administration and its al- ated to give real estate developers like in order to pay for the massive tax cuts lies in Congress have never let science President Trump and his son-in-law the that their wealthy donors demand. or common sense stand in the way of ability to pay less tax on passthrough Those same wealthy donors also de- ideology. Time and again, they have income. The top individual rate, which mand that Republicans turn a blind acted to roll back evidence-based, com- applies to millionaires and billionaires, eye to climate change—an existential monsense protections put in place to was cut to 37 percent—a rate lower threat to humanity. Climate change is improve the lives of minority or than either the House or Senate not just an environmental problem. marginalized communities, including versions of the bill. And provisions in Climate change stands to affect vir- women and LGBT people. the original bills that were designed to tually every aspect of our lives, posing For example, in October, the Trump stop foreign corporations from avoid- a great threat to public health, na- administration announced a new rule ing taxes by shifting their profits over- tional security, our country’s infra- that guts a provision in the Affordable seas—a practice known as earnings structure, and our economy. Cir- Care Act that requires health insur- stripping—were dropped altogether. cumstances require that we take im- ance plans to cover birth control free The problem in this country is not mediate action in order to protect the of charge—a policy that has benefited that the wealthy aren’t doing well welfare of future generations. more than 62 million American women.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Dec 21, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.016 S21DEPT1 S8198 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 The ability to access affordable repro- Black people to vote. The court found know the answer to that question. ductive healthcare has a powerful ef- that ‘‘the new provisions target Afri- Really? fect on the choices that women and can Americans with almost surgical This episode could almost be consid- families make every day—choices precision.’’ ered funny if the ramifications weren’t about whether to finish college, buy a The fact that North Carolina’s reso deadly serious. Kobach’s voter fraud home, or start a business. Ensuring strictions stand as a blatant example commission requested sensitive infor- that women have access to contracep- of race discrimination is undeniable, mation about voters—including names, tion is vital to the economic security but the strategy behind adopting such dates of birth, party registration, and of our families, and that is why I filed harsh restrictions is even more insid- voting history—from all 50 States. This a brief in support of the ACA’s contra- ious. The strategy here is designed to is information that could lay the ceptive coverage requirement when it ensure that voters who don’t agree groundwork for disenfranchising scores was challenged before the Supreme with their candidates or their policies of eligible voters, which is why more Court. aren’t able to vote against them. than 40 States refused to comply with Despite the millions of women who Paul Wellstone’s words are more im- that request. At the same time, the have benefited from the policy, and de- portant today than ever before: ‘‘We all Trump-Sessions Justice Department spite the science demonstrating that do better when we all do better.’’ I be- quickly dropped legal challenges to dis- restricting access to contraception has lieve that to my core. But the policies criminatory voting practices in States, negative health consequences, the pursued by President Trump and his al- further signaling that protecting the Trump administration has eviscerated lies are not about lifting people out of right to vote will no longer be a pri- the policy. poverty or about giving the politically ority of the Justice Department. It is In February, the Trump administra- powerless a louder voice in our democ- all based on a lie—and not a lie Presi- tion rescinded Obama-era guidelines racy. These policies are intended to dent Trump came up with. Rightwing that instructed schools on how to pro- line the pockets of wealthy donors and conservatives have been raising a false tect transgender students under a Fed- to protect the power of those who al- alarm about so-called voter fraud for eral law called title IX. LGBT students ready wield outsized influence in our years despite the fact that no credible deserve to learn in an environment free democracy. That is a far cry from evidence has ever been produced to from discrimination, and they deserve Paul’s creed. demonstrate that it is a real problem. to be treated with dignity and respect. When I think about what has gone Or take the Trump administration’s But far too often, LGBT kids, particu- wrong here, when I reflect on how this attacks on LGBT rights. Again and larly transgender kids, experience bul- country has strayed so far from the again, lurking behind these polices are lying and harassment. When that hap- values that I believe a majority of lies—the lie that advocates of LGBT pens, those students are deprived of an Americans share, I have to say that I rights want to trample on people’s reli- equal education. That is why I led the think there is something wrong with gious freedom, the lie that families led Senate in calling on the Obama admin- the way we are arguing, and it started by a gay or a lesbian couple don’t pro- istration to issue those guidelines back long before 2016. Lurking behind each vide safe environments for children, in 2015. Nonetheless, the Trump admin- of those issues isn’t just a difference of the lie that allowing transgender peo- istration decided to scrap that guid- opinion or a difference of values. There ple to use the appropriate bathroom ance—a callous and mean-spirited deci- is something far worse: a lie. opens the door to sexual assault. Presi- sion that sent a terrible message to Take, for example, the Trump admin- dent Trump didn’t invent these lies, LGBT children and their parents and istration’s efforts to suppress votes. but he and his administration proudly took away a tool designed to protect Shortly after winning the Presidential repeat them. our children. It is our responsibility, election, then President-Elect Trump Or take the attacks on science, espe- not just as Senators but as adults—as was confronted with the unpleasant cially climate science. We now have adults—to protect our children, not fact that he lost the popular vote. He enough evidence to conclude that cli- turn a blind eye when they face preju- tweeted: ‘‘In addition to winning the mate change is real, and it is man- dice and cruelty. Electoral College in a landslide, I won made. It is a threat to our Nation’s se- Nothing that Republicans have done the popular vote if you deduct the mil- curity and is an existential threat to is more galling, nothing poses a greater lions of people who voted illegally.’’ the planet. Defense Secretary Mattis threat to the fabric of our democracy Let’s be clear. President Trump lost knows this; yet, for years, so-called sci- than their deliberate and sustained at- the popular vote by more than 2.8 mil- entists who have been funded by indus- tack on the right to vote. Let’s start lion votes. What he claimed in that try have been hard at work in casting with the Supreme Court’s disastrous tweet was that nearly 3 million fraudu- doubt on the well-established scientific 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Hold- lent votes were cast. In fact, he later consensus. Heck, a recent Washington er, a 5-to-4 decision in which the claimed that between 3 and 5 million Post report revealed that Trump ad- Court’s conservative Justices effec- illegal votes caused him to lose the ministration officials have prohibited tively gutted the Voting Rights Act popular vote, citing no evidence. the Centers for Disease Control and and eliminated a check on States with There were 138 million votes cast in Prevention—our Nation’s premier pub- a history of discrimination at the polls. the 2016 Presidential election. State lic health and research institute—from After the Shelby County decision, election and law enforcement officials using the terms ‘‘evidence-based’’ and States swiftly began to enact harsh re- found virtually no credible evidence of ‘‘science-based’’ in budget planning strictions on the right to vote, in many fraud, and no States—not one—re- documents. President Trump didn’t cases citing the myth of so-called voter corded any indication of widespread launch the war on science, but now he fraud as justification. fraud—none. But that didn’t stop the is leading the charge. Take North Carolina, for example. Trump administration from quickly Or take healthcare. President Trump Just a few months after Shelby Coun- turning the President’s tweets into pol- promised that everyone would have in- ty, the State enacted one of the Na- icy. The White House created a new surance, but an analysis by the non- tion’s strictest voter ID laws. Without commission to investigate the Presi- partisan Congressional Budget Office any evidence, the State described the dent’s wild and unsubstantiated revealed that under the House Repub- new restrictions as necessary to pre- claim—a commission led by Kansas lican healthcare bill, 23 million fewer vent fraud. Without the protections of Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a people would have had health insur- the Voting Rights Act, those changes rightwing extremist who has made a ance than are currently covered went into effect, keeping poor and mi- career out of trafficking in the voter today—23 million people. To add insult nority voters from casting a ballot. fraud myth and who was fined for re- to injury, the House bill would have hit When North Carolina’s restrictions peatedly lying to a Federal court in the most vulnerable among us, and it were eventually challenged in court, voter ID litigation. When Kobach was would have hit them the hardest. the Fourth Circuit found that the pri- asked whether he believed the Presi- According to the Congressional Budg- mary purpose of the restrictions wasn’t dent’s claim that millions of people et Office, 14 million of the 23 million to fight fraud but to make it harder for voted illegally, he said: We may never people who would have lost coverage

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Dec 21, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.017 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8199 under the House Republicans’ plan mittee; I thank the chairman for when I also saw it at the ballot box when would have been Medicaid bene- we have done that—or at least to have voters in Virginia and Alabama re- ficiaries. helped the American people make insisted the temptation to give in to That is right. Despite candidate formed choices about the issues that anger and cynicism and, instead, exer- Trump’s assurances that ‘‘everybody’s affect their lives. cised their right to vote. going to be taken care of much better So what is to be done? Who will stand ‘‘Politics is about the improvement than they’re taken care of now,’’ the up and fight for a more honest debate— of people’s lives.’’ The American people Republican bill would have cut funding to insist that even though we have a know that to be true, and they fill me to Medicaid—a vital safety net pro- different set of opinions, we cannot with hope for our country. gram that ensures that our seniors, honorably advance our competing Thank you. people with disabilities, pregnant agendas unless we use the same set of The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. women, and families with children facts? I hope that my colleagues on FISCHER). The Senator from Minnesota. have access to the healthcare they both sides of the aisle will stand up for Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Madam President, need. On top of that, the Republican truth. The thing is, I have spent I ask for 3 minutes to talk about my plan would have driven up the costs of enough time with my Republican colleague. premiums, with older and sicker people friends over the last 81⁄2 years to know The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- having experienced the deepest in- that they are motivated by values just ator is recognized. creases. like Democrats. I just hope that they f Indeed, the healthcare debate has will fight for those values forthrightly. TRIBUTES TO AL FRANKEN long been predicated on lies—lies that At the end of the day, it is going to ‘‘well over 90 percent of what Planned be up to the American people just as it Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Madam President, Parenthood does’’ is provide abortion has always been. We will always have you heard in Senator FRANKEN’s clos- services, the lie that women rely on the democracy we deserve, if not the ing words the passion he has for all of birth control only because they are government we want. It is going to the work that he has done in this sexually promiscuous, the lie that the take ordinary Americans deciding to Chamber and for the people of our Affordable Care Act is collapsing under become more informed consumers of State. You saw the love that he has for its own weight when, in fact, the political news and opinion and deciding his family—for Franni—and the love Trump administration and the Repub- that they are willing to be a part of the that he has for his staff. They are not licans here in Congress have been doing argument themselves instead of, sim- good staff; they are wonderful staff. everything they can do to sabotage it. ply, tuning out all of the noise. If they I think about all of the legacies that Then there is the tax debate. Over do, I know that we will get this coun- AL will leave. One of them is his staff, the last year, Republicans have repeat- try back on track. to whom he has been so devoted. An- edly claimed that they would advance In October, 15 years after we lost other is all of the work he has done for policies that are designed to benefit Paul, I took to the Senate floor to re- veterans, the work he has done for middle-class families, not the wealthy. member him and to celebrate his life. healthcare with the medical loss President Trump pledged not to forget Paul understood better than anyone I ratio—one of the major achievements the ‘‘forgotten men and women of our know the meaning and the power of in the Affordable Care Act. One is the country.’’ Steve Mnuchin, the Sec- politics, and I think he would have a work he has done, way ahead of his retary of the Treasury, promised that lot to say about where we find our- time, for the LGBTQ community, and the Republican tax plan would help the selves today. another is the work he has done for our middle class. He vowed that any tax Paul said: Tribal communities. That was his No. 1 cuts for upper income earners would be Politics is not about power. Politics is not ask when he arrived in the Senate—to offset by getting rid of deductions that about money. Politics is not about winning be on the Indian Affairs Committee. benefit the wealthy. That is what he for the sake of winning. Politics is about the That is not what other people ask for. said, that ‘‘there will be no absolute improvement of people’s lives. He did that. Another is the work he did tax cut for the upper class.’’ Again, 83 Even in the face of everything that is on bullying in schools. For the kids percent of the benefits in the Repub- happening today, I still believe in who had no voice, he gave them a lican tax bill go to the richest 1 per- Paul’s words: ‘‘Politics is about the im- voice. Another is the work he did in cent. What he said is not true. provement of people’s lives.’’ I know carrying on Paul Wellstone’s work for Just the other day, the White House those words to be true because I know those with mental illness. Press Secretary claimed that President that the American people still believe When I think about what I will miss Trump, himself, will pay more because in justice and equality and oppor- about AL, I will miss, first of all, how of this bill. We don’t know exactly tunity, and I see evidence of that every he defied expectations when he got what the effect will be on his personal day. elected. I think about all of those head- finances because the White House has I saw it in January when more than lines that he mentions in his book. No refused to release his tax returns. They 4 million people across the United matter what he did in the first few have claimed in another lie that he States joined in the Women’s March. years he was in office, they would read cannot release them because they are They stood in solidarity with their with things like: AL FRANKEN passes a under audit. You can release tax re- mothers and sisters and daughters and bill. That’s no joke. AL FRANKEN gets turns while you are under audit. What wives. reelected. That’s no joke. Yet he still we do know is that tax breaks in the I saw it later that same month after carried on and defied expectations Republican bill for real estate devel- President Trump issued an Executive every single day that he was here. opers like President Trump and his order that sought to ban travelers from Another thing I will miss is all of the family will save him millions upon mil- Muslim-majority countries from enter- Senators approaching him in his first lions of dollars. ing our country. Hundreds of lawyers few weeks in office with their bad I could go on and on. responded to the call to help. They jokes, which he would smile at, and Before I came to the Senate, I was rushed to airports and offered their then he would later tell me they were known as something of an obsessive on services in support of affected families. not good jokes. the subject of honesty in public dis- I saw it in May when a transgender Another thing I will always miss course, but as I leave the Senate, I boy in Wisconsin who was discrimi- about AL is the passion he had for his have to admit that it feels as though nated against by his school had the work. I think many people were cap- we are losing the war on truth. Maybe courage to take them to court, and he tivated by the pointed questioning of it is already lost. If that is the case, if won. witnesses and nominees in the last that is what happens, then we have lost I saw it in September when tens of year, but it was that kind of focus that the ability to have the kinds of argu- thousands of Americans mobilized in he took to all of his work when he ments that have helped to build con- opposition to attempts to repeal the would examine policies he thought sensus—I see LAMAR ALEXANDER here; Affordable Care Act and succeeded in were good or bad. He never gave up on we have done that on the HELP Com- killing the bill. that.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Dec 21, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.019 S21DEPT1 S8200 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 The other thing I will greatly miss is gles too often go unnoticed and That quote is often used to criticize those sitting next to AL in the Judiciary unaddressed in the places of power. on the other side who seem to forget the Committee. While he would do the seri- During his time in the Senate, AL human consequences of their political agenda. But progressives should keep it in mind, ous work, he would never miss an op- FRANKEN has always been there when as well. portunity to show me or Senator DUR- his Senate colleagues asked for help. The big fights—war and peace, justice and BIN or Senator WHITEHOUSE or anyone He was one of the most sought-after liberty—are important. But there aren’t any near him the latest pictures of his voices in our party. He never failed to small fights. And where Paul made the big- grandchildren and his family or, pack a bag, catch a plane, and spend gest impact—where his work resulted in the maybe, the doodles that he did of Sen- another night away from his family to greatest improvement of people’s lives—was ator GRASSLEY. help each and every one of us. on issues that don’t usually lead anyone’s The other thing I will miss greatly is Twenty years ago, when I first met stump speech: mental health, domestic vio- the way he would talk about Paul him, he was this well known, successful lence, homelessness among veterans. Wellstone. Today, he managed to do it comedian on ‘‘Saturday Night Live’’ When future historians look back at without crying, but so many times, who happened to play the role of a fel- the legacy of Senator AL FRANKEN, I whenever he would talk about Paul, he low named Paul Simon, a Senator from believe they will say: Here is a man would start to cry. He would do it in Illinois who was my predecessor. Paul who loved his State and his country, private, and he would do it in public Simon invited AL FRANKEN to come to who worked hard to be a good Senator, because he understood the legacy that Makanda, IL. It is not even close to and who never hesitated to take up an Paul left behind and the burden that Chicago. He agreed on a Sunday after- important issue, large or small. we all have to carry it on. noon to be there on behalf of my cam- AL FRANKEN and I served together on One thing I know, as you heard in his paign, although we had never met, and the Senate Judiciary Committee. Over last speech, is that when AL leaves he came. He limped onto Paul Simon’s the years, I have watched him mature here, he will not be quieted in any way. front porch, saying: ‘‘I twisted my into one of the best, most insightful His work will live on, and his voice will ankle playing squash.’’ I thought it questioners on that committee. His be stronger than ever. I think the last was another perfect example of a rea- questioning of Supreme Court Nominee call of action that he left us with of the son he could have used to avoid the in- Gorsuch, now Supreme Court Justice war for truth—for truth in what we do vitation, but he came anyway. We had Gorsuch, helped to expose the Justice’s and for truth in our politics—is some- a great afternoon and a terrific time troubling record of ruling against thing that no one should forget in this with Paul Simon of ‘‘Saturday Night workers and families. Chamber. It is one way that AL’s work Live’’ and the real Paul Simon and a It was a story about a truckdriver will live on because I know he will senatorial candidate who was grateful who deserted his position on the road- keep calling people on the truth. for AL FRANKEN’s presence that day. way, was freezing in the middle of the While I will no longer be sitting next When people ask me to describe my night, who finally got his day in court, to him in Judiciary, I know we will politics, I say that I follow the gospel and the decision by Judge Gorsuch at stay friends forever. I thank Senator of St. Paul. By that, I mean I try to the time, in my opinion and AL’s opin- FRANKEN so much for his work. emulate three of my greatest political ion, did not serve justice. Many of us I yield the floor. heroes, who happen to share that raised that issue; no one raised it more The PRESIDING OFFICER. The as- name. effectively than AL FRANKEN. sistant minority leader. The first Senator, Paul Douglas of Il- His probing questioning also exposed Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, linois, was a champion of honesty, eco- Attorney General Sessions for mis- years ago, a man with a famous name nomic justice, and civil rights, and the leading America about his meetings aspired to be President of the United man for whom I had the good fortune with Russians during the 2016 Presi- States. Critics dismissed this idea as of interning when I was a college stu- dential campaign. ridiculous. One of the leading political dent; Paul Simon, whom I just men- He has been equally effective on the columnists of the day wrote that the tioned, my predecessor from Illinois, HELP Committee. His questioning of man’s initials stood for ‘‘Feather Dust- who was one of the smartest, most de- the future Secretary of Education, er Roosevelt, a lightweight’’—nothing cent men I have ever met in any walk Betsy DeVos, showed her to be unfa- to him. of life; and Senator Paul Wellstone of miliar with some of the most basic and AL FRANKEN’s decision to run for a Minnesota, who has received many de- important debates in education policy seat in this Senate from Minnesota was served tributes today. Paul Wellstone and clearly exposed the fact that she met in many quarters with the same was the champion of farmers, hotel was unready to serve as our Nation’s sort of mockery. maids, grocery clerks, cafeteria work- leader at the Department of Education. Many people said: He is a comedian. ers, and everyone who worked hard and I guess some people seek elected of- He doesn’t have the knowledge or the struggled for dignity and enough fice to make a name for themselves, skill or the patience or the vision to be money just to pay the bills. but AL FRANKEN didn’t need to be a a lawmaker. You can’t joke your way Paul Wellstone, as we have heard Senator to achieve that. He already into the Senate. from both Senator KLOBUCHAR and had a well-known name as an enter- The pundits were wrong about FDR. from AL FRANKEN himself, is the man tainer, radio host, and best-selling au- He was one of our greatest Presidents AL FRANKEN chose to emulate in public thor before he entered politics. He and during one of our darkest hours. life. He stated Paul Wellstone’s famous his wife Franni have a good life, two Madam President, the doubters were quote: ‘‘We all do better when we all do great kids, and wonderful grand- wrong about AL FRANKEN too. AL better.’’ It is a simple statement, a pro- children who followed. FRANKEN has been my friend, my per- found truth, and it has been the guid- Mr. FRANKEN. Terrific. Terrific. sonal friend, for more than two dec- ing light for AL FRANKEN’s Senate ca- Mr. DURBIN. ‘‘Terrific’’ is the word. ades. For the last 7-plus years, he has reer. Terrific grandchildren who followed. been my colleague in the Senate. He Senator Wellstone died 15 years ago When it came down to it, AL has been a credit to the Senate, a pas- in a tragic plane crash. On the 10th an- FRANKEN wanted to do more than just sionate advocate for his home State of niversary of that terrible loss, Senator entertain and be well known; he want- Minnesota, a defender of our Constitu- FRANKEN wrote an essay about Paul ed to make a difference in the lives of tion, and a determined fighter for jus- Wellstone’s legacy for The Atlantic others. More than anyone, as he said tice. He became a better Senator every magazine. I want to read a short sec- this morning, his wife Franni inspired year. His work in the Senate has made tion from that essay. him. As he explained in his book, her life for millions of people better in Senator FRANKEN wrote: family wasn’t as lucky as a lot of us. Minnesota and far beyond. He and his Her dad died when she was a young One of Paul’s most famous quotes is this: dedicated staff can take pride in that ‘‘Politics is not about power. Politics is not baby girl. Her mom raised five kids on fact. AL FRANKEN has been and I am about money. Politics is not about winning Social Security survivor benefits and a sure will continue to be an effective for the sake of winning. Politics is about the paycheck from a local supermarket. champion for those whose daily strug- improvement of people’s lives.’’ But every member of Franni’s family

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Dec 21, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.020 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8201 made it to the middle class because of tory arbitration, and in championing Another such battle was the Dodd- Social Security, Pell grants, the GI LGBT kids, where he has real passion Frank battle, and again I doubt we bill, and title I of the Elementary and and expertise. would have been able to win that battle Secondary Education Act. Senate hearing witnesses who have without his coming to share in that ef- AL writes: been up to no good will breathe a lot fort. I think about the fact that we had They tell you in this country you have to easier knowing they won’t have to face seen so many millions of families dev- pull yourself up by your bootstraps. And we AL FRANKEN’s pointed questioning. The astated by predatory mortgages with all believe that. But first you’ve got to have Senate Secret Santa, a Franken leg- exploding interest rates—interest rates the boots. And the federal government gave acy, will probably continue. Selfishly, I that, upon presentation, started at 3 Franni’s family the boots. will miss Franni’s amazing homemade percent or 4 percent but 2 years later ‘‘Opportunity is supposed to be for pies. would jump to 9 or 10 percent, and a everyone.’’ That is one of the articles As my friend departs, I am left at family would end up in foreclosure. The of faith animating everything that AL this difficult moment with this fact is we had Wall Street writing secu- FRANKEN has done or sought to achieve thought: I have been fortunate in the rities based on those mortgages, which in the Senate. Senate to have had a colleague to then disintegrated in 2007, 2008 and I am going to miss my friend AL whom it is so hard to say good-bye. caused people not to just lose their FRANKEN, my colleague, and one of my I yield the floor. homes but to also lose their jobs, to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- fellow members of the Senate Judici- lose their retirement, and to be incred- ary Committee. I am sorry he is leav- ator from Oregon. Mr. MERKLEY. Madam President, ibly devastated and see their whole ing under these circumstances, but he lifetime’s work to become financially is going to be remembered, and he is back in 2007 and 2008, a group of us who had never run for Congress or for the stable evaporate, destroyed, exploded. going to have an opportunity to use his That CFPB portion, or Consumer Fi- voice for others in the future. Senate jumped into campaigns against incumbent Members of this body, hop- nancial Protection Bureau portion, has Every person who has ever lived has given us ongoing efforts to take on had moments they wish they could ing to fight for a vision of government of, by, and for the people. AL FRANKEN predatory mortgages and that enables erase and words they wish they could financial instruments to be a founda- take back. In this life of both calm and was one of those individuals taking on an incumbent, Republican Norm Cole- tion for families to thrive and to have stormy seas, we all draw strength from home ownership be the dream of home the healing power of redemption, and man, and as I heard Senator FRANKEN on the campaign trail, I heard what we ownership and not the nightmare of we can take heart in the knowledge heard today in his speech: a willingness home ownership. This, again, is an ex- that tomorrow is another day with new to fight for that vision so embodied in ample of a bill passed because AL opportunities to offer a helping hand our Constitution of government that FRANKEN threw himself into that bat- and make our lives count. would provide a foundation for families tle, and there are many more on this I am happy to hear AL FRANKEN say to thrive, that would lift everyone up; list. that while he may be giving up the not a government of, by, and for the I was particularly appreciative of his Senate, he is not giving up his voice in privileged; not a government of, by, support for the Employment Non-Dis- public life. I wish AL FRANKEN, Franni, and for the powerful. crimination Act. Senator Kennedy, as and their great family the very best It takes a lot of guts to throw your- he was in declining health, had asked and thank them again for what they self into the political world, but be- me to take on and carry the torch for have given to all of us. cause he did and because he won that that bill, which was a huge honor to Madam President, I yield. campaign, we were able to advance a me as an incoming freshman. I felt he The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- number of policies. was on my shoulder every day saying: ator from Rhode Island. I shared with AL the experience not Why haven’t you gotten it done yet? In Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Madam Presi- only of running against an incumbent 2013, we finally got it on the floor. I dent, I ask to speak for 3 minutes on Republican but not having results on had been pushing hard for leadership to behalf of my departing friend. election night. However, I only had to get it on the floor, and we got it on the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- wait 2 days; I didn’t have to wait the floor. I thought: What if we lose this ator is recognized. many months that he did to come and bill fighting for equality and to end Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Madam Presi- be part of this body. discrimination in employment? But be- dent, Senator FRANKEN will shortly go Because he came, we were able to cause AL was here helping in that on to his next chapter, which I hope pass the Affordable Care Act. My home fight, we won that bill. We did not win will be wonderful for him and for State of Oregon went from 15 percent it in the House because the House Franni and for their family. I hope and uninsured to 5 percent uninsured. Hun- didn’t put it on the floor of the House. believe that he leaves us with every- dreds of thousands of people gained ac- So it is unfinished business—fighting one’s good will here in the Senate. He cess to healthcare through the expan- for equality of opportunity, that vision certainly leaves with mine. sion of Medicaid and through the in our Constitution. AL FRANKEN has been an unusually healthcare exchange made affordable As we heard today, as we heard AL in good Senator, in part because he has by the tax credits provided by that bill. his campaign in 2008, as we heard AL on such a good staff. He has also, to me, In that bill, we were able to provide the floor today, and we have heard of been an unusually good friend, particu- free preventive healthcare practices. this fight for a country of, by, and for larly in this hard town where you are We all know that an ounce of preven- the people, I know that we are going to supposed to buy a dog if you want a tion is worth a pound of cure, and we hear his voice in that fight for many friend. We served together on the embodied that in the healthcare bill. In years to come. HELP and Judiciary Committees, that bill, we fought for folks to be able I thank Senator FRANKEN for being where he did great committee work. He to stay on their parents’ policies until willing to put himself in the public stood out particularly for his talent on age 26. In that bill, we fought to say world, for being willing to fight here on Judiciary without even being a lawyer. that if someone had a preexisting con- the floor of the Senate for bill after bill I will miss him. The Senate will dition, they wouldn’t have to pay any after bill that made life better for come to miss him, too, I expect. He was more than anyone else would, creating Americans and for the many battles he a lot of things that one would want in healthcare opportunities for millions will be in in the years to come. Thank a Senator: principled, innovative, hard- of people who thought they would you. working, supersmart, bipartisan, gen- never have a chance to have an insur- I suggest the absence of a quorum. erous, caring. Things will be different ance policy again. Mr. BLUNT addressed the Chair. around here without him. It will be AL FRANKEN threw himself into pub- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Will the quieter on the floor without his big, lic life, and he made that happen not Senator withhold his suggestion? bursting laugh. We will miss his pres- just for the folks back home in Min- Mr. MERKLEY. Yes. ence on personal privacy issues, on mo- nesota but for people across this entire The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- nopoly power issues, on forced manda- Nation. ator from Missouri.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:08 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.021 S21DEPT1 S8202 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 SENATE ACCOMPLISHMENTS get a credit that allows them to take trillion or so dollars into the economy. Mr. BLUNT. Madam President, we money for other taxes they have paid You make us the best, safest, and most are quickly approaching the end of this and take that home with them. predictable place in the world to invest year, and I think it is a good time to So this is after a decade of histori- money. Foreign investment in our reflect on what has been done this cally low growth, a decade that defies economy—not in their economy but in year. Certainly, the Senate and the virtually the entire history of the our economy—will increase, and it is Trump administration have been able country going back to 1789, where 3 time for that to happen. to do a number of things that are real- percent growth has been the normal This Tax Code will increase take- ly going to have a significant impact growth. Less than 2 percent growth has home pay immediately, and it will on hard-working families. been the normal growth for 9 of the make us more competitive, and we will Yesterday, we sent the most signifi- last 10 years. The 1 year that is going have jobs that pay more in the future. cant tax reform legislation in more to be an exception is this year. It looks The rolling back of redtape is one of than three decades to the President’s like we are going to get close to and the reasons that the economy in our desk, and we had a chance to hear the maybe even exceed 3 percent and get country is already growing faster than President and others respond to that. back to where the economy should be it has in a decade. People saw the regu- The President, at the end of that cere- growing. I think with the new tax bill, latory overreach. Most importantly, mony at the White House, turned to we may exceed that and most of peo- President Trump saw the regulatory the Congress and said: ‘‘This is the ple’s concerns about a lot of the things overreach. The House and the Senate work that you have done.’’ I think the in this bill will go away when the econ- saw the regulatory overreach. We were Members of Congress appreciated that. omy starts growing again. able to block 15 regulations before they That showed a President who is con- Buying power is almost 3 percent went into effect. Other regulations, stantly learning and constantly under- lower this year than it was in the 1990s. like the totally ridiculous power rule standing how important relationships Now, their wages may have gone up be- that was proposed, which in my State are here. tween now and the 1990s, but prices would have doubled the utility bill in I thought it was interesting that we have gone up more, and it is time to less than 12 years, is not going to hap- heard Chairman BRADY, the chairman get our economy growing again and let pen now. The waters of the United of the House Ways and Means Com- families have more of the money they States, which would have suddenly put mittee, say that there are three impor- have earned to spend on their family. If the EPA in charge of anything involv- tant dates about to occur for America’s you are a family of four earning about ing water, is not going to happen now. economy and America’s families. One $73,000 this year and $73,000 next year, The $52 million increase in just the is January 1, when the new tax bill next year, your tax is going to be $2,000 cost of getting something where you goes into effect, and as to the wages less than it is this year. If you are a could start, which was the anticipated people are earning, people are going to single parent with one child earning cost of the waters of the United States, be allowed more of those wages to stay $41,000, next year your tax will be $1,300 is not going to happen now. in their billfold rather than go to the less than it is this year. Chairman ISAKSON of the Veterans’ government’s billfold. It doesn’t stay Now, some will say—as a matter of Affairs Committee was on the floor very long in the government’s billfold; fact, I have heard it on the floor of the earlier, talking about what we have that is for sure. January 1 is impor- Senate—a few hundred dollars a month done with his leadership for veterans, tant. As for February 1, by then, that will not matter. Well, now that is and that list is long. The Veterans is the time by which we hope all of the clearly somebody who doesn’t know Choice Act continues to give veterans new information is out to employers, how much a few hundred dollars a more opportunity to get the care where and people are going to see in their month or a few hundred dollars a year they want it rather than to be stuck in February check more money than they does matter. a system that didn’t seem to always saw in that same-sized check this year This bill will give us ways to compete care that much whether veterans got going home with them. This is about that we don’t have now. The bill also care or not. It was more about the Vet- who is a better person to spend your will provide Missouri families and erans’ Administration than the vet- money—you or the government. It is other families more jobs and more op- erans, and competition and choice is in also about a debate about whether the portunities because we are going to be the process of ending that with good government is better off with higher more competitive. We will have moved leadership at the VA administration taxes or more taxpayers and, of course, our corporate tax rate. It will not be and being sure that happens. it is better off with more taxpayers. the lowest in the world, but it will no We were able to pass a bill that I Chairman BRADY said that the other longer be the highest in the world. It sponsored, the HIRE Vets Act. It is date is April 15, because that is the last will be in the very middle. Twenty-one being implemented right now to recog- time in the foreseeable future that percent is right in the middle of the nize companies that hire vets, that pro- families are going to have to deal with countries we compete with. At the mote vets, and that give vets credit for a Tax Code that they don’t understand, time that 35 percent was our rate in the skills they learned in the military. that they believe to be unfair, that 1986, it was the middle, too, but every The Department of Labor has worked they believe does not treat everybody other country that we compete with hard to put that on fast-forward and equitably in how that Tax Code is ap- has figured out that that gives you a get it done. plied. Many of the special provisions competitive disadvantage, and they In the military, the Military Family are going to be out of the Tax Code. have all lowered their taxes as our cor- Stability Act means that families, for Next April 15, probably 9 out of 10 tax- porate tax stayed the same. We are re- the first time, have the opportunity payers would have filled out an income storing our competitive position. We that they have always hoped to have tax form on a card about this big and, are hoping and actually going to go for the family to move a little earlier for 9 out of 10 taxpayers, they are going ahead and tax the money that is or stay a little longer, if that works for to look at double the personal exemp- trapped overseas, whether it comes education purposes or the spouse’s edu- tion from this year—that is $24,000, if back or not. So I think it is safe to as- cation or career purposes. This is a dra- you are a married couple, that you just sume that somewhere in the neighbor- matic step, appreciating the fact that subtract immediately from your in- hood of $2 trillion will come back into the strength of the military is in mili- come—and double the child tax credit, our economy. tary families. We recruit, generally in up to $2,000. Somebody said to me just There is more U.S. money overseas the military, single adults, and we re- yesterday: You mean my son with his that would like to come home—but tire from the military adults with three children is going to be able to wasn’t going to come home if we took spouses and children, and this looks at take $6,000 off of whatever their tax bill 35 percent out of it—than at any time that. would be at the bottom of that form, before. There is more U.S. capital in There is a lot to talk about as we end and the answer is yes. If they didn’t this country on the sidelines than at this session. It is never perfect, but have a tax bill, at the bottom of that any time before. You put that money that is why we come back for the next form that totals $6,000, those families into the economy, and you put that 2 session. There are going to be things

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Dec 21, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.023 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8203 that could have been done better, but will file on the smaller form and also age groups and the number of deaths so many things have happened that push that number to maybe over 90 that occurred because of opioids, and haven’t happened in a generation. I percent. every line was going up. know that I am eager to go home and This year, we also delivered on sig- The State of West Virginia has been talk about those, as I was on the radio nificant regulatory reforms, especially particularly hard hit with this. We this morning and yesterday morning in the energy realm, which is abso- have the highest rate of opioid drug doing that already. I know that my lutely impactful in my area of the overdose deaths per 100,000 of any State colleagues are too. country. Under the Congressional Re- in the Union. I yield the floor. view Act, the Senate has repealed 14 of I worked with the new CMS to try to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- President Obama’s very onerous regu- help secure a Medicaid waiver that ator from West Virginia. lations. would allow West Virginians to expand Mrs. CAPITO. Madam President, I I led the effort to enact a CRA to fix substance abuse treatment and also wish to thank my colleague from Mis- the burdensome stream protection services for Medicaid members and ex- souri for highlighting a lot of the good rule. This rule really threatened what pand the ability for treatment to be of- work of this past year in the Senate was left of the coal industry in our re- fered to folks who have Medicaid. I and touching on some highlights, par- gion. The Obama-era rule would have partnered with officials from the Office ticularly in the veterans area, that prohibited many forms of coal mining of National Drug Control Policy to have great impact across the country. in Appalachia. I kept saying: Let’s bal- hear directly from West Virginians at a It is something on which we all joined ance this. roundtable. The Chief of Staff of the together compassionately, wanting to Under Scott Pruitt’s leadership, the White House office also participated in help our veterans and wanting to make EPA repealed the Clean Power Plan— roundtables at the White House. sure they get the best care in the best another onerous regulation with mini- In honor of West Virginian Jessie way as quickly as possible, and I appre- mal benefit. We can do it better, and I Grubb, Senator MANCHIN and I saw the ciate his highlighting that. believe, in this EPA, we will. passage of Jessie’s Law. This law bol- I wish to highlight the positive For years, I asked the Obama admin- sters our fight by requiring HHS to de- change that this Republican majority istration—Madam President, we serve velop standards for hospitals and has brought to the American people in on the same committee—I asked the health professionals on a patient’s his- the first year of President Trump’s ad- EPA to come to my State and see what tory with addiction. Jessie Grubb administration. I am going to talk about the impacts are of the rules and the mitted she was addicted when she was a few different things than my col- regulations that they are putting for- in the hospital. She wasn’t in the hos- league from Missouri, and I think you ward. They never came. This year, the pital for addiction issues; she admitted would expect that. I come from the EPA finally answered my calls and she had an addiction problem. She left State of West Virginia. Certain policies came to the State of West Virginia— with opioids. She didn’t live another 24 impact us differently, and so that is the State capital, Charleston, WV—to hours. In her honor, Senator MANCHIN what having the time to talk about our listen to both sides of those who will be and I have worked hard to see that this accomplishments over the past year impacted by any regulations that the doesn’t happen to another family. gives us the ability to do. EPA puts forward. As West Virginia continues to be I can’t begin without talking about We also reformed the waters of the ground zero for this epidemic, I won’t one of the biggest and boldest actions United States—or WOTUS—rule, which stop my work for those who are suf- that we have taken this week, and that has severe impacts not only in the min- fering, including looking at innovative is our pro-growth tax reform bill. ing community but particularly in the solutions like those we have at Lily’s Throughout the process, I traveled agriculture community and other in- Place in Huntington for the babies who across the State and heard from many dustries in and around the country. are born drug-exposed—again, innocent constituents—friends and many strang- Many parts of West Virginia continue victims of those rising lines I saw in ers—all about this effort. Not only at to feel the impact of the devastating the charts the CDC put forward. the beginning did they realize what a floods that we suffered a year ago We have been working with law en- difference this will make in their lives, June. So with my service on the Appro- forcement to ensure that they have the but, as my colleague from Missouri priations Committee, I worked dili- tools they need to administer emer- said, as we move through this year, gently with others to ensure that our gency assistance, such as naxolone, to when you start to see your paychecks community needs are met. those who may be overdosing, or build change and you bring home more of That is the great thing about this on telehealth projects, demonstration your own money because your rate country. I know Texas certainly and projects that can help with substance went down or when you begin to file in Florida, Puerto Rico, and other areas abuse treatment. April, realizing that this is the last are weaving through these devastating I have always said that we need a time you have to file this complicated weather-related and natural disasters. spectrum of solutions. As we look thing—I am going to be able to make it With all the sadness that is occurring back, we have done a lot. As we look easier on myself—families, workers, and all the destruction that we see, the forward, we have to do more because and small businesses across our State one thing we appreciate as Americans the problem is getting worse. are really counting on relief, and this is our ability to come together and I think we also have had tremendous week we delivered on that. help one another. The first person I success and impact in our quest to con- In West Virginia, particularly when met when I was going to see the floods nect West Virginia. I created a pro- asked ‘‘How is this really going to help had traveled 511⁄2 hours with their gram called Capito Connect that would the bulk of the people in the middle- church to come and help those who had move high-speed internet connectivity wage earning families?’’ I like to high- been flooded out of their homes. On the into the rural parts of our country, in light the fact that in my State in par- Appropriations Committee, we were places like West Virginia that are un- ticular, 83 percent of our tax filers able to get more funding for damage to derserved. Through Capito Connect and don’t take itemizations. They file with roads and other property and individ- my GO Act, we have seen accelerated the standard deduction. That has now uals so that West Virginians could get broadband access in West Virginia cer- been doubled. back to work and provide for their fam- tainly but also in rural America. I was The child tax credit has been dou- ilies. able to work with the USDA to get our bled, as the gentleman from Wyoming I also focused my efforts on ensuring local communities a consortium to se- said. It gives that child tax credit, and that our State had the resources it cure a USDA loan to be able to move that goes right to the heart of the mid- needs to fight back against the contin- broadband to 9,000 more West Vir- dle-wage earning family trying to ued devastation wrought by the drug ginians. make ends meet at the end of the day. epidemic. So working with other agencies, EDA They are predictions, but we feel cer- Just yesterday or today, the CDC and others, on not just moving on tain that with the doubling of these de- came out with a report that had lines broadband but economic development ductions and this credit, more people on a graph that showed the different projects, we have seen impacts in 45 of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Dec 21, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.024 S21DEPT1 S8204 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 the 55 counties that I represent but who have been waiting for years—dec- Yet it takes you a year before you are also being able to create an associated ades, in some cases—for the kind of re- able to get rid of these people. Despite 1,400 jobs. form that we put forward. having been identified, it takes forever Federal grants like these help not With that, I would like to yield back to terminate an employee. only our communities but our univer- my time, but first I would just like to Well, we fixed that this past summer sities, such as Marshall and West Vir- say that I am grateful to be serving when President Trump signed the VA ginia Universities, which provide great with the three Members who are in Accountability Act that included our benefits to our communities. here with me today. I wish everybody language to allow the Secretary of Vet- These are tangible achievements over here and everybody listening in this erans Affairs to immediately fire em- the last year—both more global, such country a very wonderful holiday sea- ployees for misconduct or poor per- as the tax reform, and more local, as in son. formance. That was successful. We did broadband deployment. Thank you. it. That is history. The Senate also plays an important The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I have to say that during President role by giving advice and consent on ator from Oklahoma. Trump’s administration so far, he has President Trump’s nominations and Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, let used this firing authority on over 500 confirming them. This year, Repub- me make a comment to the Senator bad actors from the VA, and we are fi- licans made significant progress in from West Virginia. One of the prob- nally creating a culture of account- shaping the judiciary, most certainly lems we have right now is that during ability in the VA, which is having posi- starting with the confirmation of our the last administration, there was a tive results. That is the first reform. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. war on fossil fuel—which includes coal The second one: Too many veterans His strong record and straightforward and nuclear also—and some of the dam- were forced to receive care from VA fa- approach are just what we expect from age has already been done. Unfortu- cilities that were hours away or didn’t a Supreme Court Justice. I was proud nately, we can’t come in with a ready provide specialized care. to vote for his confirmation this year. fix now and assume—because a lot of This is a problem. A lot of these veterans don’t have the capability to We have also confirmed 12 circuit the generators out there had done field move around and get the care they judges—the highest number during a switching out of coal, so you can’t need, and they didn’t have the choices. President’s first year since 1891. switch it back. So I will say it was help So we actually had to make a change, I am pleased to say that as of yester- coming not quite on time, but nonethe- and we did. We worked with the Presi- day, we had confirmed both of our U.S. less it is here now. dent and reauthorized the bipartisan attorneys in the State of West Vir- f ginia. I am very grateful for that be- VA Choice Program. The VA Choice Program is great because this fight against opioids has to VA ACCOUNTABILITY AND cause it allowed our veterans to actu- have the U.S. attorney’s help. It has to VETERANS HEALTHCARE ally, in those hard-to-reach areas, get have the U.S. attorney aggression—not Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, let high-quality healthcare, regardless of just with law enforcement but also me mention something that is very sig- where they had to travel to get it done. helping with treatment. nificant to me personally. I remember That was a success. So this year, I am proud that we ad- it was 2 years ago today that I picked Finally, after the USA TODAY arti- dressed a lot of America’s concerns. We up USA TODAY, and in a USA TODAY cle, we requested an accredited third- have tackled challenges head-on and article, they singled out my State of party look at the problem at our VA delivered real results. I am proud that Oklahoma and said that we are not facilities because previous reports from President Trump and his administra- treating our veterans right. We were in the Obama Veterans Affairs inspector tion are listening to the needs of small shock at that time. In fact, the article general failed to identify and correct States like mine, West Virginia, and detailed some really appalling things these problems. Well, my request was working with me to deliver that relief. that were going on and were not going denied. It is just like any bureaucracy. It has been an honor for me to host on in my State of Oklahoma. There They don’t want someone looking over some Cabinet members in the State of were things the inspector general re- their shoulder, so they said: No, we are West Virginia—I didn’t see that over ported during the Obama administra- not going to allow you to have a third the last 8 years—Secretary Perry, Sec- tion that we had no way of knowing party accompany the VA to look into retary of Energy; Secretary Mnuchin, about. the problem that you have. Secretary of Treasury; and also the We seem to have more veterans per Some are not aware of this, but in Secretary of Labor. We went on a coal capita in Oklahoma. One of the reasons the Senate, when someone is nomi- mine tour with Secretary Acosta. This is we have five major military estab- nated, we can put a hold on them and helps them see the kinds of ups and lishments, and Oklahoma is a great not allow them to go through con- downs of life in rural and central place to live, so a lot of them retire firmation—at least for a long period of United States—in Appalachia in par- there. They were not getting the help time. At that time, the President—our ticular. they need, and they were not getting current President—had nominated a We have a lot we have to do. We have the treatment to the highest standards person to be the inspector general of a lot on our plate. I think it is always that were available. the Veterans’ Administration. We put a this time of year that, in my personal This isn’t how we take care of vet- hold on him until they allowed some- life, I like to look back at some of the erans in Oklahoma. Senator LANKFORD one to come in and monitor the evalua- great things that we have accom- and I and two of the House Members tion that the VA was doing of their plished as a family or for those whom worked on this and talked to regional own bureaucracy in Oklahoma. That I love or some of the things that hap- Veterans’ Administration leadership. worked, except the problem with that pened to us that maybe haven’t been We talked to the veterans. We talked is it was a one-time authorization. We quite as good as we would have hoped. to whistleblowers. And we identified needed to make that a permanent part I also take this time to be a grateful three key problems that we needed to of our structure. I am pleased to say we person, to be a grateful American, to fix. This is interesting because these did that. be a grateful West Virginian because are three problems in my State of When we signed the Enhancing Vet- we are so blessed with where we live Oklahoma, but they would be the same eran Care Act, it permanently granted and how we live and the bounty of our thing in Nebraska or any other State the VISN directors—that is one of the friendships. But I also take the time to because it is not just in our State of director levels of the VA—and gave the look forward to what we are going to Oklahoma. medical center directors the authority be able to do. So when I see tax reform The first one was that the VA to request, at their request, an outside kicking in next year, in 2018, that is couldn’t fire bad employees. oversight in order to evaluate what what I am going to be looking forward This is always a problem. You go into they had done. It has been very suc- to for so many hard-working West Vir- an organization and you find that cessful. ginians, so many hard-working small things are not going very well because It is important for the regional direc- business owners, and so many people there are one or two bad employees. tors to have the authority because

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Dec 21, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.026 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8205 they have the best idea of the reality of change as opposed to rebuilding our onstrated a range that would reach one care at their facilities. military, and he is building it at a very of our continental U.S. cities. I appreciate the work of my col- rapid rate right now. They tried to give us a little bit of leagues, Senator JAMES LANKFORD, We passed the bill, the Defense au- comfort in saying, well, we don’t know Congressman MARKWAYNE MULLIN, and thorization bill, and we have made a that they would be able to carry a war- Congressman STEVE RUSSELL. It turned great start on this. head. We don’t think they would have out to be a real good team, and we are Now, when the President came into the capacity to do that. Well, we don’t able to get these things done. We are office, our military was facing a readi- know that. That is not much comfort. already starting to see real progress in ness crisis, and Americans didn’t really When they say: We don’t have the ca- improving the veterans’ care in Okla- understand this. They didn’t know. pacity to be accurate on a reentry be- homa and across the country because They had not been told this. We had a cause of what a missile has to go as we are improving the system we had biased media that didn’t allow this in- through on a reentry, well, that is not in Oklahoma, that same system can be formation to get out. As an example, very comforting that this would hap- improved in Nebraska or any other our Air Force today, right now, is short pen. State. 1,500 pilots, and 1,300 of those are actu- Anyway, the NDAA—the bill we We need to get our VA facilities from ally fighter pilots. Only 50 percent of passed, that the President signed into their current ratings to the highest the Air Force squadrons are trained law—would be a good step in correcting standard. The highest standard rating and ready to conduct all of their as- the readiness shortfalls. I look forward is five stars. We are now up to three signed missions. I have to repeat that. to continuing to work with him on this stars in Oklahoma. We were at one star Only 50 percent of our Air Force squad- critical process. when we first discovered this problem rons are trained and ready to defend We have a committee that already is on that fateful day 2 years ago today in America. having hearings about the problems we an article in USA TODAY. The Navy is the smallest and least are having. We had one, actually, in President Trump will continue to be ready it has been in years. It currently the subcommittee hearing I chaired an important partner for Oklahoma as can only meet 40 percent of the demand just this week. We are busy correcting we continue to improve our veterans’ for regional combat. The commanders these problems. care. in the field include only enough per- Meanwhile, back to our VA problems f sonnel to man six and a half of our nine in Oklahoma, we put two new great di- carrier air wing. rectors in the VA clinics. We have a SUPPORTING OUR MILITARY A carrier air wing is something a lot level of veterans’ care Oklahomans are Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, Presi- of people are not familiar with. A car- proud of. Only yesterday, President dent Trump’s commitment to our vet- rier air wing has approximately 75 Trump signed the Enhancing Veteran erans is only matched by his commit- combat aircraft. Currently, we have Care Act to ensure that we continue to ment to our servicemembers and our manned only 61⁄2 wings and are 8,000 give our veterans the best care. They national security. You can’t really seg- sailors short. deserve it, and they are going to get it. regate it out and say, well, we are This is an air wing. They have F–18s, At the same time, we are going to re- going to take care of our veterans’ ac- they have EA–18s, they have F–35s, store and rebuild the military as our tivities and then still say we are not they have C–2As. Again, just a little Nation’s No. 1 priority. Our troops de- going to allow our country to have the over half of ours are actually ready. serve it, and they are going to get it. national security they fought so hard Well, that is the problem we are faced I yield the floor. for. with right now. More than half of the The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. We saw that earlier this week when Navy’s F–18s are grounded because SASSE). The Senator from South Caro- the President outlined his national se- they are awaiting maintenance or lack lina. curity strategy, charting a new course of necessary parts. If you look at our f for American foreign policy, leaving Marines, our Marines are using F–18s, behind the failed policies of the Obama and 62 percent of F–18s will not fly. TAX REFORM BILL administration. With his national secu- People are just shocked when they find Mr. SCOTT. Thank you, Mr. Presi- rity strategy, President Trump has out about it. It is because we don’t dent. been clear that he is committed to pro- have the spare parts. Well, we are get- This week, we took a major step to- tecting the homeland, promoting ting busy on that. We are going to ward helping the middle- and working- American prosperity, and advancing make sure we correct those problems. class family by passing the first signifi- peace through strength. Have you ever The Army has said that only about cant tax reform package in a genera- heard that before, peace through one-third of their brigade combat tion. strength? I am one of the few who is teams, one-fourth of their air aviation I wanted to take a few minutes to old enough around here who remember brigades, and one-half of their division thank a lot of folks for their efforts, our great President we had who talked headquarters are currently ready. hard work, and dedication to this proc- about peace through strength when he A brigade combat team consists of 7 ess. At the Member level, both Leader had to rebuild the military after the battalions, approximately 4,500 stu- MCCONNELL and Chairman HATCH did Carter administration. It was actually dents. I wish I had time to come up amazing work leading us through this as bad—or as downgraded as our mili- with a chart on this, but the carrier process. tary has become from the last adminis- wing is one that is absolutely nec- I also had the privilege of working as tration. essary to get folks straight, and we part of the Core 4, with PAT TOOMEY, Now he is asserting America’s leader- plan on doing that. JOHN THUNE, and ROB PORTMAN, over ship in the free world. We saw how Faced with the most dangerous the past year developing this bill. under President Obama the military threats I have seen in my lifetime, Those three guys are some of the hard- was forced to divert resources for prior- these are critical gaps in our military est working Members we have. ities that weren’t even about defending we simply cannot accept. I also thank MARCO RUBIO for his America. He used the military to ad- I often say, when I look back at the dedication to improving the child tax vance his liberal agenda, which led to good old days of the Cold War, where credit, as well as MIKE LEE and Ivanka the wasteful spending on what they we had two superpowers—and the su- Trump. call the green Navy and the green bul- perpowers, we knew what they had, We were also able to include my In- lets. The idea that climate change was they knew what we had. It is totally vesting in Opportunity Act as a part of the largest threat to our national secu- different now. the legislation. This is legislation that rity, all of that has changed and not a You have a country like North will help distressed communities moment too soon. Korea, which has demonstrated that throughout the country. More than 50 President Trump is focused on what they have the capacity now to reach an million Americans today live in those matters, rightfully taking out things American city. We learned that on No- distressed communities, and the In- like just worrying about climate vember 28, when they actually dem- vesting in Opportunity Act can usher

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.028 S21DEPT1 S8206 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 in trillions of dollars of investment to on, no matter where you live in this bono Work to Empower and Represent improve the quality of life and create a country, we are blessed—truly Act, known as the POWER Act. Con- spark in some of the most challenging blessed—to live in the greatest country gressman JOE KENNEDY in the House areas of our country economically. on God’s green Earth. Merry Christ- has introduced a companion bill where I thank my House sponsor of the bill, mas, and may the good Lord bless us it likewise has enjoyed broad bipar- PAT TIBERI, and my Democratic co- with an amazing new year. tisan support. Some of the most con- sponsors, Corey Booker and RON KIND. I yield the floor. servative Republicans and some of the We could not have gotten this far The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- most liberal Democrats are showing a without the hard work and dedication ator from Alaska. broad array of support in the House of the Finance Committee staff. I f just as it has enjoyed in the Senate. thank, in particular, Jay, Mark, Jeff, When it passes through both Cham- POWER ACT Jenn, as well as the entire Finance bers, the bill will be a robust first step team for their amazing work. Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, as we in making more lawyers available, I also want to take a few minutes to all know, more and more brave women working on a pro bono basis for victims thank my staff. I have been blessed are speaking out about the abuse that and survivors who can’t afford rep- with an amazing staff here on Capitol has been reported in the papers—abuse resentation. There are thousands—tens Hill, one of the hardest working staffs by the powerful, in many cases. I want of thousands—who fall into that cat- I have ever seen. I want to start off by to say at the outset that the country egory, unfortunately. thanking my tax guru, Shay Hawkins, applauds these women for their cour- So what is the problem we are trying who has done a tremendous job of lead- age and for setting an example for oth- to solve? Domestic violence and sexual ing us through this process—fielding ers. assault happens every hour, every day, thousands of calls and responding to Some of the stories we have heard in every part of our country. According tens of thousands of emails. I would about involve sexual harassment, but to a recent study by the Centers for also like to thank my LD, Charles some of the other stories also appear to Disease Control, roughly 25 percent of Cogar, for his dedication and his lead- involve even more serious crimes, in- American women will be victims of do- ership through this time. My chief of cluding domestic violence and sexual mestic assault in their lifetimes—one staff, Jennifer DeCasper, has done an assault, which is an incredibly impor- in four—25 percent. That is a horren- amazing job of making sure we stayed tant issue that often gets under- dous statistic. Every day in the United focused on the objective. The objective reported all across the country. As a States, on average, three women are was not to simply pass legislation; the result of these news stories, I am cer- killed by a current or former intimate objective was, in fact, to change lives tainly hopeful these kinds of prob- partner, according to the National Net- where we live, to help the average lems—the domestic violence problems work to End Domestic Violence. That American experience a little more we have in America—are going to start is also a shocking, horrendous sta- hope, a little more opportunity by to receive the attention they need and tistic. keeping a little more of their money. I deserve. No place is immune. This kind of vio- also thank my commerce director who Just as we are seeing more men fired lence happens in small towns, in big has done a fabulous job, Sean Smith, in from jobs because of sexual harassment cities, on college campuses, and in sub- making sure we communicated effec- and assault, we also need to see more urban homes. This violence transcends tively the message of hope and oppor- get the punishment they deserve, in a political affiliation, race, and socio- tunity, and my scheduler, Brie Kelly. court of law, for violent abuse. We also economic status. I know a number of Thank God for someone who could keep need to make sure victims are pro- my colleagues have watched as I like me moving in the right direction. One tected and that they have an advo- to come to the Senate floor and talk of the hardest jobs in Washington is cate—a lawyer—who is on their side in about my State—the great State of being a scheduler for a Member, and these cases. Alaska—and I like to talk about how being a scheduler for this Member is Unfortunately, many who are suf- many things are so wonderful about perhaps the hardest job of scheduling. fering from domestic abuse and sexual Alaska. One thing that isn’t wonderful My entire team worked diligently, assault can’t afford attorneys to file about Alaska is, we have the highest long hours, but that is why we are charges or, importantly, to even pro- rates of domestic violence and sexual here. We are here to work long hours, tect themselves and their families, assault in the country. So this is cer- but to produce results—unparalleled their kids. Here is the big irony: When tainly happening in my State, and it is results—that will make the American someone is charged with a crime—say a one of the reasons I care so much about people have just a little more con- sexual assault crime, say an accused this issue. It is happening in every fidence in their elected officials. rapist—that person gets a Sixth State—every State represented in the Finally, I have to thank the good Amendment right to counsel under the U.S. Senate. people of South Carolina. I was first U.S. Constitution. So the perpetrator There are no simple solutions to elected to Congress in 2010, and one of gets the right to a lawyer. What does combat this issue of nationwide domes- my first pieces of legislation was the the victim get? The victim gets noth- tic violence, but experts do agree that Tax Reform Act of 2011—February of ing—no attorney, no right to an attor- securing a lawyer for victims is one of 2011—to lower the corporate tax rate ney. the best ways, if not the best way, to and to work on restructuring our Tax Think about that. An accused rapist get victims and survivors out of their Code. gets a lawyer under the Constitution difficult situation—out of what often is Since my first days in Congress, I and the victim gets nothing. In fact, a cycle of violence—to get them shel- have been working on this issue. The what they often get, in terms of ter, housing, and medical care, and pro- good people of South Carolina allowed crimes, are prosecutors, if it is a crimi- tective orders. me to serve as a Senator. I was elected nal case. Prosecutors do a good job, but Studies have shown that when an in 2014 and reelected in 2016. I will con- they are often looking to score a win abused victim is represented by an at- tinue to make sure my focus is back at rather than looking out for the victim torney, their ability to break out of home, where the good South Caro- and the survivor. If it is a civil case, the cycle of violence increases dra- linians who elected me have given me a survivors usually go without attor- matically. One study found that 83 per- great privilege. neys. cent of victims represented by a lawyer I will focus on the fact that our work, I believe this is wrong. Fortunately, were able to obtain a protective order our dedication should be focused on we have been working on this in this compared to just 32 percent in domes- those folks. The good news is, during body. We have a bill to change that. tic violence situations when they this holiday season, we believe this tax Senator HEITKAMP and I introduced a weren’t represented by an attorney. reform package will be an early Christ- bill in the Senate that was passed Not only would more legal represen- mas present. unanimously by this body several tation help victims and survivors of Let me just say to all the folks, no months ago—and actually passed it abuse, but it would also help protect matter what side of the aisle you are last Congress as well—called the Pro children. In these situations, children

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.030 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8207 are often abused as well. Paige Hodson advocacy groups, legal services groups, POWER Act that Senator HEITKAMP from Anchorage is a survivor herself. and this actually worked. It worked. and I have championed—are sitting in She has been working for years with By 2014, over 100 cases in our State the House Judiciary Committee. Vic- thousands of women as an advocate for were handled by volunteer attorneys tims are not getting justice right now women who are trying to get out of providing thousands and thousands of with these bills sitting there. abusive relationships and women who hours of volunteer legal assistance to Why on Earth would such bipartisan are also trying to protect their chil- victims of domestic violence and sex- legislation, which would literally end dren. These are complicated and often ual assault. up helping thousands of survivors and difficult issues and cases, but Paige has Think about that. Alaska has a little probably bring to justice hundreds of said it is critical for both the safety of over 700,000 people, and we had over 100 criminals who commit these heinous the mom and the kids to make sure attorneys come out—thousands of crimes of sexual assault and domestic they are represented by an attorney. hours, just in our State, with a small violence—why on Earth would we have So what does the POWER Act do? population. If we could take this model bills, which have bipartisan support Every area of our country—every part to 300 million Americans, we literally and little to no impact on the Federal of America—is represented by a judi- would have an army of lawyers helping Treasury, stuck in the House Judiciary cial district that is represented by a survivors with volunteer time and Committee? It is beyond comprehen- U.S. attorney. Under the authority of helping meet this significant unmet sion. the Justice Department, some States need throughout our country. To my colleagues in the House, let’s have several U.S. attorney districts. As I mentioned, the POWER Act move this. Let’s move these bills before Alaska has only one. passed unanimously in the Senate, but, the holidays. Let’s start focusing on Utilizing this national framework of unfortunately, it is being held up in bringing justice to people who really all of our different U.S. attorneys the House. Ironically, it is stuck in the need it. throughout America, the POWER Act Judiciary Committee—the committee Helping victims and survivors of do- sets out a way to increase connections focused on bringing justice to Ameri- mestic violence and sexual assault is between lawyers and victims, between cans. It is stuck there. Remember, this not a Republican issue, it is not a advocates and survivors. The bill, is not going to cost a dime, yet it has Democratic issue, it is not a women’s which has already passed the Senate, been stuck for months in the Judiciary issue, and it is not a men’s issue. It is directs each U.S. attorney to hold at Committee. It is kind of ironic. These an issue that affects all of us. Working least one annual event, inviting law- victims need help, and this bill will do together—as Senators, as Members of yers and legal service representatives that. the House, as Americans—we should who want to provide their legal serv- It is not only my bill to help victims clearly unite in this cause, which tran- ices and pro bono time to empower vic- and survivors of sexual assault that is scends politics or ideologies, because tims by representing them. stuck in the Judiciary Committee. My we can start changing the culture of It also requires U.S. attorneys to colleague, the majority whip from abuse. That is what we have been try- plan and hold events with a focus on Texas, Senator CORNYN, has a very im- ing to do in Alaska. It is going to take addressing these kinds of crimes—do- portant bill that he came to the floor a long time. It is going to take a long mestic violence and sexual assault—in of the Senate just last week to talk time, but we need to act. Indian Country and among Alaska Na- about. It is called the SAFER Act and I am hopeful that my colleagues in tive populations, where some of the will help States ease the nationwide the House—my colleagues particularly abuse in the lower 40 and in my State backlog of thousands of untested rape in the Judiciary Committee—recognize is very, very high. kits that currently sit untested in labs the urgency of these kinds of situa- Another important point about the and on police storage shelves across tions and will move the SAFER Act POWER Act is that it would not add a the country. There are thousands. End- and the POWER Act out of committee dime—not one penny—to the Federal ing this backlog could take perpetra- and get it on the floor for a vote as debt. But here is what it would do: It tors off the streets and provide victims soon as possible. would create an army of lawyers— and survivors the justice they deserve. I yield the floor. thousands of lawyers—to defend sur- We know this would work. We know I suggest the absence of a quorum. vivors of abuse. Think about that posi- that would help. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The tive vision. Think about that positive The SAFER Act passed the Senate clerk will call the roll. vision and goal. What a great way for under the leadership of Senator COR- The legislative clerk proceeded to Americans, especially attorneys, to NYN. Let me talk about how important call the roll. rise up in a positive and constructive that bill is to the country. In my Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I way in response to all the bad news we State, there are 3,484 untested rape ask unanimous consent that the order are reading almost daily about these kits, more per capita than any State in for the quorum call be rescinded. issues and show the better angles, the the country. Anchorage, my home- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without better side of our country. town, has one untested kit for every 164 objection, it is so ordered. The model for this bill came from my residents. In Juneau, AK, it is one for f State of Alaska. As I mentioned, we every 160 residents. The backlogs are RUSSIA INVESTIGATION have the highest rates of domestic vio- all across the country. As Senator COR- lence and sexual assault in the coun- NYN pointed out in his speech, there are Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I try—something that no Alaskan is 2,000 kits that remain untested in his thank my colleague, Senator MARK proud of. When I was attorney general, State, the State of Texas. In Virginia, WARNER from Virginia, for his powerful working closely with our legislature, where the State legislature has made and eloquent remarks on the floor less our Governor, and many of the victims this kind of testing a priority, there than 24 hours ago. He talked about the advocacy groups, we launched a strat- are also more than 2,000 kits sitting on threat that exists now—looming larger egy called the Choose Respect Cam- police shelves. every day—of a constitutional crisis. It paign. The Choose Respect Campaign The Detroit Free Press recently re- is a crisis that threatens the founda- highlighted this problem in our great ported on how, in 2009, officials stum- tions of our democracy. It involves a State. bled onto more than 11,000 untested potential confrontation and, indeed, a We did public service announcements rape kits. After they raised enough legal conflagration between the Presi- about how real Alaskan men choose re- money to test them, 817 serial rapists dent of the United States and the spe- spect; we changed the laws to make the were identified. That is why this is so cial counsel who has been appointed to penalties for perpetrators much harder; important. Once these kits are proc- investigate wrongdoing in our govern- and we provided increased services for essed, they often give us the evidence ment. victims. One way we did that was to to go after the abusers, the criminals. None of the facts that justified—in- hold what were called pro bono legal It is remarkable to me that both of deed, required—the appointment of a summits. I hosted those summits. We these bills—the SAFER Act that Sen- special counsel has been controverted brought together lawyers and victims ator CORNYN has championed and the in any reasonable way by anyone since

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.031 S21DEPT1 S8208 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 the appointment of that special coun- tack on the Department of Justice and and he has criticized the folks who sel. Now a campaign of mistruth and the FBI. The President’s chorus of de- have subjected them to ‘‘relentless misdirection has been launched against fenders and sycophants describes rou- criticism.’’ He has promised to always that special counsel investigation. It is tine law enforcement activities as a stand with them. Those promises a campaign that is calculated, con- ‘‘coup’’ and traffics in the kinds of con- apply, apparently, to law enforcement certed, and coordinated. It is cal- spiracy theories that we usually asso- as long as they are not investigating culated because it is planned and pre- ciate with fringe internet chat rooms. him. meditated; it is concerted in its con- What is their justification for this vi- The President has said that he has no sistency and vehemence; and it is co- tuperative attack on the Department present intention to fire the special ordinated among officials within the of Justice and the FBI? counsel, but he has far from ruled it government, including the U.S. Con- One of the FBI agents expressed his out. For anyone who thinks it would be gress and commentators and individ- political views in a private text to an too outside the bounds of normal uals outside the government. FBI attorney, but the special counsel standards, remember that the firing of The danger of a constitutional crisis took swift and decisive and deliberate Jim Comey as FBI Director was re- is real and urgent, and we must come action to remove that FBI agent from garded as unthinkable. It was unthink- together in the U.S. Senate to face it the investigation. able until President Trump did it. and address it and deal with it. More broadly, let’s recognize the re- Equally important, this chorus of de- This body has come together in the ality here. As a Federal prosecutor, as fenders and sycophants can undermine past when America has faced a foreign the U.S. attorney for Connecticut for the Mueller investigation even if adversary that has sought to do our 41⁄2 years, and then as the State attor- Mueller, himself, is never fired. They Nation harm. We have come together ney general for 20 years, I know—and can poison the well of public opinion to hold our leaders accountable when all of us who have been prosecutors and, indeed, a jury pool. They can sow they have broken faith with the Amer- know—that investigators, like FBI seeds of doubt regarding the special ican people. We have come together agents, have political views. Some are counsel and his team, and they can lay when forces of dissension and misdirec- on the right end of the political spec- the groundwork for firing Robert tion have sought to undermine or trum; some are on the left. The mark Mueller as well as for issuing pardons. weaken respect for the law and law en- of their professionalism is that they Let no one have any doubt. Firing forcement and, indeed, the rule of law. leave them at home when they go to Robert Mueller would create a What is at stake here is nothing less work. They park them at the door, not firestorm that would be every bit as ve- than the rule of law. just because it is what they are taught hement as the Saturday Night Mas- Let’s recognize what is happening. and trained to do, but they believe in sacre. It would provoke an uprising, an The President, in effect, is going down unbiased law enforcement because they outcry, and outrage in the American two tracks. On the one hand, he is say- know that a criminal investigation, ul- people and in this Chamber. The time ing that he has no present intention to timately, comes down to facts and law. to make that fact clear is now, not just fire the special counsel or to pardon It cannot be based on political opin- for this side of the aisle but with una- anyone—yet. He adds that word very ions. Investigations that are biased by nimity and force on both sides. distinctly. The other track involves a political opinions are doomed to dis- That chorus of defenders and syco- coordinated, concerted, and calculated aster. phants may think or imagine it can campaign that is continuing—indeed, Perhaps most importantly, there is prevent the special counsel from re- rising—in intensity and volume. not a scintilla of fact—not a shred of vealing his finding or reporting to the The President’s supporters, even in evidence—that the special counsel in- American people at the conclusion of raising that volume, have reached ex- vestigation has been impacted in any his investigation or that it can dis- traordinary lows. Let’s remember. At way by any political view of any FBI credit or demean those findings or that first, our Republican colleagues ap- agent or, for that matter, anyone else it can undermine his credibility before peared to recognize that Robert in that investigation. There is, simply, a jury. It would be wrong because this Mueller was eminently—indeed, no evidence that political views have body and our colleagues are committed uniquely—qualified for his important impacted the special counsel’s inves- to uncovering the truth, to pursuing it task. Republican House Members tigation. wherever it leads, and to enforcing the called him a ‘‘man of the utmost integ- The simple fact that prosecutors law. rity’’ and ‘‘someone we all trust.’’ Now know is that all such investigations That is my hope and belief, but it we hear that the Mueller investigation must seek to uncover the facts and must not only be a hope; it must be re- is somehow biased. One commentator apply the law, and that is what Special flected in action—in real action. That known to be close to President Trump Counsel Robert Mueller has done. The involves passing legislation that will suggested that the special counsel proof is in the results so far—two pow- send a message about this body’s reso- should not only be fired, he should be erful convictions that have shattered lute and unwavering commitment to arrested. Even Members of Congress the Trump Presidency and two indict- making sure that the special counsel who once recognized Mr. Mueller’s stel- ments that indicate this investigation cannot be fired, that pardons cannot be lar record as a member of the Armed is just at its beginning, not at the be- issued, and that this investigation can- Forces, as well as in his capacity as the ginning of the end but, simply, the end not be a victim of political inter- FBI Director, as a prosecutor, and as a of the beginning. These trials of the ference. public servant, have impugned his in- two indictments will go well into next The President has indicated that he tegrity. Indeed, they have begun to sow year, as will the investigation. That is averse to hearing about Russia or seeds of doubt. there will be more convictions and considering its threat to this country. A chorus of defenders and sycophants more indictments, I think, can be pret- That aversion certainly sets back his has launched this campaign—cal- ty reliably predicted to a near cer- ability to defend this country against culated, concerted, and coordinated—to tainty. the Russian threat by sanctions and smear the special counsel, to impugn Beyond this investigation, we all other means and deterrents that will the integrity of the FBI—to, indeed, di- know in this Chamber—and, certainly, assure that Russia is made to pay a rectly attack this great and important any of us who have been involved in price so they do not do it again. institution. They have decided to do it law enforcement—that public trust and In conclusion, let me just say that in that concerted and coordinated and confidence are essential. The Presi- that aversion must be overcome. We calculated way. The President, himself, dent, himself, has said he is ‘‘a true need to send a signal, as we did by has said that the FBI’s reputation is in friend and loyal champion’’ for law en- passing sanctions, that we will take ac- tatters. forcement and ‘‘more loyal than any- tion against Russia to stop it from An article that appeared today in one else can be.’’ He has pointed out interfering again in this election, that POLITICO described an effort by a that law enforcement officials, like our we will make sure that Russia is made House Republican on the Intelligence police and FBI agents and DEA and to pay a price, and that our constitu- Committee to initiate a sustained at- others, ‘‘rush into danger every day,’’ ents know that we will insist on a fair

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.033 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8209 and independent investigation without gether to complete the independent We have made progress, as I men- political interference, passing legisla- Senate investigation. It is important tioned, in this body. I wear a pin on my tion that is bipartisan that has been of- that we make clear to the American lapel of a canary in a bird cage. The fered by Republicans as well as Demo- people that this is not a partisan issue. mine workers in West Virginia, Ohio, crats, including myself, and should be It is about the integrity of our elec- and elsewhere would take this canary moved through the Judiciary Com- tions, about protecting our country down to the mines. If the canary died, mittee and to the floor of this Con- from foreign powers. the mine worker was on his own. He gress. That message is all the more im- Any attempt to discredit Robert didn’t have a union strong enough or a portant now as this investigation pene- Mueller and his investigation and to government that cared enough to help trates the White House for the first turn it into a partisan issue makes us him. In those days, people lived 45 time in the Flynn conviction, coming less safe as a nation. Let’s allow the years on average—for a person born in closer to the Oval Office itself. A real Justice Department and the special the United States in 1900. and robust congressional investigation counsel to do their jobs. Let’s get back Today we live 30 years longer for a of those efforts through the Judiciary to doing ours. whole host of public health reasons— Committee, as well as obstruction of f from Medicare to Medicaid, to safe justice, continues to be necessary, but INTERDICT ACT drinking laws, to clean air, to min- we should combine our efforts to make imum wage—all the things that we do. Mr. BROWN. Madam President, as we sure that law enforcement and the ju- For the first time, I believe, in our life- await Senator MARKEY’s and Senator dicial process moves forward without time, life expectancy actually has JOHNSON’s remarks, I wish to set the political interference that will under- dropped because of drug overdoses for stage. The CDC released a new report mine its credibility. the second year in a row, and it is in last night showing a massive increase I yield the floor. large part because of these overdose in the number of Americans dying from The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. deaths. drug overdoses. CAPITO). The Senator from Ohio. Why shouldn’t we take steps today to My State is second to the Presiding Mr. BROWN. Madam President, I ask stop this? We can do this by putting Officer’s State. It has the second high- unanimous consent that following my the INTERDICT Act on the President’s est rate of deaths per capita in the remarks, I yield the floor to Senators desk, immediately giving law enforce- country. In my State of Ohio, unfortu- JOHNSON and MARKEY. ment the tools they need to keep nately, far too many people die from The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there fentanyl out of the country and off our opioid overdoses than any other State objection? in country. Families are torn apart. streets. Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. MARKEY. Will the Senator Children lose parents. Parents lose Mr. BROWN. Madam President, I yield? wish to thank my colleagues Senator sons and daughters. The CDC pins much of the blame of Mr. BROWN. Of course. WARNER and Senator BLUMENTHAL for Mr. MARKEY. I thank the Senator this epidemic on this relatively new their words on the Senate floor—Sen- for yielding, and I thank the Senator deadly synthetic fentanyl. Fentanyl is ator WARNER’s words yesterday espe- from Ohio for talking about this very 50 times stronger than heroin. Senator cially, defending Special Counsel Rob- important issue. CAPITO knows that, as do Senators Fentanyl is a killer that is descend- ert Mueller, in his leadership on the Johnson and Markey. All of us in the ing upon every single community in Senate Intelligence Committee’s Rus- Senate are aware of that. sia investigation. Senator WARNER is This drug is being illegally trafficked the United States. Fentanyl is a syn- absolutely right that we must protect into this country from Mexico and thetic opioid that is 50 times stronger the integrity of the Justice Depart- China. We have a bill to stop this than heroin and 100 times more power- ment’s independent investigation. today. The INTERDICT Act. I want to ful than morphine. Fentanyl is the Congress needs to make clear that thank Senator MARKEY for his leader- Godzilla of opioids. there are redlines. Any attempt to fire ship on this bill and also my colleague Senator BROWN represents Ohio; I Robert Mueller, to shut down the in- Senator PORTMAN for his support. Sen- represent Massachusetts. The fentanyl vestigation, or to presumptively par- ator PORTMAN and I have been working epidemic has a bull’s-eye on Ohio and a don key witnesses essential to the in- on a number of issues across party bull’s-eye on Massachusetts. The vestigation would be an abuse of power lines for months and months. It would deaths from fentanyl are skyrocketing. and a direct threat to the rule of law provide more funds for Customs and In 2016, upwards of 70 to 75 percent of and to our constitutional system. Border Protection to screen packages all of the opioid deaths in Massachu- Ohio’s Ukrainian community knows effectively and safely, to stop fentanyl setts were because of fentanyl. the impact of unchecked Russian ag- whenever possible before it reaches Fentanyl was found in the blood sys- gression in Russia’s effort to under- Akron, Toledo, Dayton, or the smaller tem of those people who died. Last mine democracy around the world. Get- cities of Chillicothe, Mansfield, and year, 2,000 people in Massachusetts died ting to the bottom of Russian inter- Zanesville. of overdoses. Three-quarters of them ference and protecting our future elec- This passed the House with only two had fentanyl. If the epidemic had been tions from that interference are crit- or three negative votes. It has the sup- hitting the rest of the country at the ical. port of major law enforcement organi- same rate that it has been hitting Mas- My priority is getting to the bottom zations, including sheriffs and police sachusetts, last year 75,000 people of what happened so that our demo- officers. Our law enforcement officials, would have died with fentanyl in their cratic process is upheld and so we can better than anybody, see the devasta- blood systems. move forward with the business we tion that fentanyl causes our commu- Last night, the Centers for Disease were sent here to do—creating jobs, nities. They know the risk our officers Control and Prevention released shock- combatting the opioid crisis, as Sen- face dealing with this deadly sub- ing new numbers on drug overdose ators JOHNSON, MARKEY, and I will stance. That is why this bill needs to deaths in the United States. These speak about in a moment, and helping pass into law. numbers show the spike in deaths middle-class families. Any efforts to Just this week, the National FOP, caused by fentanyl and other synthetic delay that conclusion or interfere in the Federal Law Enforcement Officers opioids. the investigation, I believe, will not be Association, the Police Assisted Addic- Here are the new numbers nation- tolerated by Senators in either party. tion Recovery Initiative—a recent phe- wide. More than 42,000 Americans died Thanks to Senator WARNER for mak- nomenon, unfortunately—all publicly from an opioid overdose last year. That ing that clear. Thanks to my col- asked us to pass the bill. is a 27-percent increase over the num- leagues in both parties who take this Americans are dying in record number of Americans who died from an seriously. All of us have had serious bers. Life expectancy in our country— opioid overdose in 2015. It went up 27 conversations with Members of both I believe, for the first time in the life- percent from 2015 to 2016. Of the 42,000 parties to discuss what all this means, times of any of us—actually dropped lives lost to opioids last year, nearly and thank you for all of us working to- last year. Think about that. half of them nationwide—just over

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.034 S21DEPT1 S8210 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 19,000—can be directly attributed to NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE, and mail facilities. In addition, it will in- fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Washington, DC, December 20, 2017. crease detection devices at CBP testing fa- The number is a much higher percent- Hon. A. MITCHELL MCCONNELL, JR., cilities and laboratories. The Act will also age in Massachusetts. Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. provide CBP with additional staffing and re- Fentanyl is overrunning our commu- Hon. CHARLES E. SCHUMER, sources. This will allow CBP to successfully Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. diminish the importation of synthetic opi- nities, laying waste to them. There is DEAR SENATORS MCCONNELL AND SCHUMER: ates into the United States. no easy solution, but we know that we I am writing on behalf of the members of the FLEOA applauds your assistance in help- must staunch the flow of this drug be- Fraternal Order of Police to urge the Senate ing CBP and the other federal agencies in fore we lose an entire generation to to consider H.R. 2142, the ‘‘International their efforts to reduce the plague these ille- this terrible killer. That is why I intro- Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response gal substances have induced on our country. duced legislation with Senator BROWN by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Sincerely, DOMINICK STOKES, and Senator RUBIO to help those on the Technology (INTERDICT) Act,’’ which passed the House 412–3 in October. FLEOA V.P. for Legislation. frontlines stop this deadly drug from Heroin and prescription opiates have cre- ever getting into our communities. The ated a devastating epidemic across our coun- POLICE ASSISTED bill is called the INTERDICT Act. It try, and now these overdoses outnumber ADDICTION RECOVERY INITIATIVE, provides badly needed high-tech equip- gunshot deaths and motor vehicle deaths. Gloucester, MA, December 21, 2017. ment and other scientific resources to This epidemic has worsened with the influx Hon. A. MITCHELL MCCONNELL, JR., U.S. Customs and Border Protection to of synthetic opiates like fentanyl from for- Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. catch illicit fentanyl being trafficked eign countries, especially China and Mexico. Hon. CHARLES E. SCHUMER, into the United States, mainly from For example, synthetic fentanyl is cheaper Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. DEAR SENATORS MCCONNELL AND SCHUMER: China and Mexico. than normal opiates bought on the street and it is 50 times more deadly than heroin. The Police Assisted Addiction Recovery Ini- When U.S. Customs and Border Pro- Our law enforcement officers at the United tiative (PAARI) is a nonprofit organization tection detects a suspicious package or States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that trains and supports more than 360 law substance, it has had very good success are on the forefront of stopping the deadly enforcement agencies that have launched identifying an illicit drug like fentanyl influx of synthetic fentanyl into our commu- programs that serve as a pre-arrest bridge to with the help of high-tech, hand-held nities from these foreign countries. The CBP treatment. PAARI was pleased to offer its chemical screening devices. Using needs all the resources they can get to stop strong support for S. 708, the bipartisan these devices, Customs and Border Pro- this devastating flow of drugs into our coun- INTERDICT Act, which was introduced by tection agents can detect, identify, and try. Senators Markey, Rubio, Brown, and Capito. This legislation will ensure that CBP will This bill will expand U.S. Customs and Bor- seize illicit drugs like fentanyl on the have additional portable chemical screening der Protection’s ability to use technology to spot. Those rapid results provide vital devices at ports of entry, mail and express detect fentanyl and other narcotics coming information for border agents to con- consignment facilities, and more fixed chem- into the United States from abroad and tinue their investigation and, if appro- ical screening devices at CBP laboratories. which are causing a public health epidemic priate, proceed with seizure and arrest. The bill will also provide CBP with sufficient in our communities. What is more, these devices and their resources, personnel, and facilities, including While the Senate has yet to act on S. 708, ability to immediately identify scientists to interpret the screening test re- the House of Representatives took action fentanyl and other hazardous illicit sults from the field. and on 25 October 2017, passed companion substances also serve to safeguard the With all the additional resources CBP will legislation HR 2142, by a vote of 412–3. As be better equipped on all fronts to thwart this year draws to a close, we urge the Sen- health and well-being of Customs and the deadly flow of synthetic opiates across ate to take up and pass the House version of Border Protection agents so they are our borders. INTERDICT this year. not accidentally exposed to fentanyl. On behalf of the more than 330,000 members Drug overdose is the leading cause of acci- That is what these devices help to of the Fraternal Order of Police, I want to dental death in the United States, with more make possible. thank you for helping fight against the her- than 54,000 overdose deaths reported in 2015. So we introduced the INTERDICT oin and opioid epidemic and fighting every Almost 33,000 of those overdose deaths— Act with SHERROD BROWN of Ohio; Sen- day to rid our communities of these drugs. If roughly 60 percent—involved opioids, includ- ator CAPITO, the Presiding Officer in I can be of any additional help to you. please ing prescription opioid pain relievers, heroin, feel free to contact me or my Senior Advisor, or the synthetic opioid fentanyl. In par- the Senate today; Senator RUBIO; and Jim Pasco, in my Washington office. ticular, as the CDC’s recent report has just we have added another 16 Senators Sincerely, shown, fentanyl and its analogs are becom- from both sides of the aisle. CHUCK CANTERBURY, ing increasingly responsible for these over- Mr. BROWN. Madam President, will National President. dose deaths. the Senator yield? Fentanyl is up to 50 times more powerful Mr. MARKEY. Madam President, I FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT than heroin and 100 times more powerful would be glad to yield. OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, than morphine. It is dangerous and poten- Mr. BROWN. Madam President, I Cabin John, MD, December 21, 2017. tially life-threatening to simply touch or ac- thank Senator MARKEY for his leader- Hon. A. MITCHELL MCCONNELL, JR., cidentally inhale the white powdery sub- ship on this issue. This has gotten this Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. stance. Sometimes, unbeknownst to the far because of his efforts in so many Hon. CHARLES E. SCHUMER, user, fentanyl is often mixed with heroin or other substances, or formed to resemble pre- ways. Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. DEAR SENATORS MCCONNELL AND SCHUMER: scription opioid pills. Most illicit fentanyl I want to enter into the RECORD three I am writing on behalf of the members of the comes to the United States from China and letters that are dated yesterday and Federal Law Enforcement Officers Associa- Mexico, delivered through the mail or ex- today. Actually, one is from the Na- tion (FLEOA) which is a professional organi- press consignment carriers, or smuggled tional Fraternal Order of Police, signed zation representing more than 26,000 federal across the southwest border of the United by Chuck Canterbury, their national officers and agents in 65 law enforcement States. The INTERDICT Act will help the president, in support of this bill, with a agencies including the United States Cus- United States better identify and stop these very persuasive, passionate laying out toms and Border Protection (CBP). FLEOA dangerous substances from landing in com- of reasons it matters. The second is a has endorsed H.R. 2142, the ‘‘International munities across America. Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response Now is the time to act. This holiday season letter from the Federal Law Enforce- by Detecting Incoming Contraband and too many seats at too many tables are ment Officers Association, signed by Technology (INTERDICT) Act’’ which passed empty due to the unrelenting flow of Dominick Stokes. Mr. Stokes is a long- the House with a 412–3 vote. I urge the Sen- fentanyl into the United States. We must time friend of mine. The third letter is ate to consider this bill for passage. give our law enforcement personnel the tools from the Police Assisted Addiction Re- Probably the most serious crisis facing law necessary to stop this flow. We can do that, covery Initiative group, signed by enforcement is the proliferation of heroin in part, by getting the INTERDICT Act to Frederick Ryan, all making endorse- and opiate drugs, which are causing more the President’s desk this year. That is why deaths from overdoses than ever experienced PAARI strongly supports this important leg- ments for this bill. islation which will give U.S. Customs and I ask unanimous consent those three before. In fact, synthetic opiates like fentanyl are now the leading cause of Border Protection the additional resources it letters be printed in the RECORD. overdoses because they are cheaper and dra- needs to fight the flow of fentanyl and other There being no objection, the mate- matically stronger than heroin. deadly drugs into the United States. rial was ordered to be printed in the The INTERDICT Act will provide CBP with Sincerely, RECORD, as follows: portable screening devices at ports of entry FREDERICK RYAN,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:51 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.035 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8211 Chief of Police, Arling- for fentanyl because it will kill the po- home for Christmas—most of us—and ton Massachusetts, lice dog. That is how dangerous those who don’t celebrate Christmas PAARI Board of Directors Co-Chairman, fentanyl is, and that is why these elec- are about to go home for the holidays PAARI National Police Council Chairman. tronic devices are so important. It en- and celebrate the new year. My grand- Mr. BROWN. I think it is pretty clear sures that we have minimized the expo- children are coming from Columbus, how important this is. This bill got, I sure of our officers to these substances and another one is coming from the believe, 2 or maybe 3 negative votes and, at the same time, dramatically in- Virgin Islands with his father—our son out of 400-some in the House of Rep- crease the likelihood that we are going and his daughter-in-law. We are going resentatives. There is no organization I to identify the fentanyl in a package to go home, and our families have know of that opposes it. I hear from and, as a result, deter these people health insurance, but Members of Con- people in my State consistently about from China or from Mexico who bring gress who get good health insurance how important this is, from police or- it into our country and are killing us paid for by taxpayers are willing to ganizations to parents, to individual by the thousands. leave here and not reauthorize, not police officers and county sheriffs and At 42,000 deaths last year, it is now continue the Children’s Health Insur- all, and deputy sheriffs. approximating the total number of ance Program. To make it worse, sev- There is just no reason we shouldn’t deaths in the war in Vietnam through- eral States, including Virginia—Ohio is be able to do this before we go home for out its entire history. That is just 1 in a little better position because there Christmas. There are a lot of things we year, 42,000 people—1 year. That is a is a little more money left over to take should do before we go home for Christ- terrorist attack of a magnitude on our care of this—but letters are going out mas, including the Children’s Health own streets that is unimaginable. in State after State after State to par- Insurance Program, but this is one we With these devices, we don’t com- ents saying: Sorry, the health insur- know we can do. There seems to be no pletely solve the problem, but we put ance for your children is going to ex- substantive disagreement from any more weapons in the hands of our law pire. The health insurance for your large number of groups or individuals enforcement officials, detection devices children will no longer be there. Imagine you are a parent, and you that I can see, so I am hopeful we can that can minimize the likelihood that get this letter. You are just vaguely move forward with this in the next few these terrible people from China, from aware that Congress is fighting about minutes. Mexico, principally, can bring this Mr. MARKEY. Will the Senator something. You are vaguely aware of stuff into our country. the hard-heartedness of a whole lot of yield? So this is a huge issue. It goes right people in this Congress. You are vague- Mr. BROWN. Yes. to the heart of the seriousness of deal- ly aware that a bunch of politicians— Mr. MARKEY. Madam President, I ing with this issue. My only hope is, we thank the Senator for yielding. privileged, elected officials who make have an ability to be able to move this good salaries and make good benefits— Can I just list the names of the orga- thing forward in a way that lets the nizations that support this bill so the are going to turn their backs on you. American people say: We understand You don’t really think much about police can interdict, stop the fentanyl the issues you want us to work on, and from coming into our country? that. All you know is, you take this the opioid crisis is at the top of the piece of paper, tear open this envelope, It is the National Fraternal Order of list. It is indiscriminate. It affects po- Police, it is the Federal Law Enforce- and you start reading this letter, and tentially every family. No one is im- you see, oh, my gosh, the insurance for ment Officers Association, it is the Na- mune to addiction. No family is im- tional Border Control Council, it is the my children. mune from addiction. It could hit any Now, overwhelmingly, these parents Police Assisted Recovery Initiative, it family at any time, and fentanyl is the are people who are working. They are is the National Sheriffs’ Association, ultimate killer. earning $8, $10, $12, $15 an hour. They the National Tactical Officers Associa- I thank the Senator. are not making enough that they can tion, the National Association of Po- Mr. BROWN. Madam President, I afford insurance for their families. lice Organizations, the National Nar- thank Senator MARKEY and hope we They are not working at a job where cotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, can work things out with Senator insurance is provided as part of the the Sergeants Benevolent Association, JOHNSON on this issue. compensation your employer is paying the American Legion, the Inter- f you. So that is why the Children’s national Union of Police Associations, Health Insurance Program is so impor- the Major Cities Chiefs Association, CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM tant. the Major County Sheriffs of America, A new report from the Georgetown and the Massachusetts Coalition of Po- Mr. BROWN. Yesterday, Madam University Center for Children and lice. So it is pretty much every single President, a bunch of Members of Con- Families reports that 1.9 million chil- law enforcement agency at all levels in gress, with healthcare paid for by tax- dren could lose coverage in January— the country saying: Please give us this payers, went to the White House and 1.9 million children. Almost all of them tool now so we can detect this incred- celebrated a handout for corporations have a mother or a father who will ible killer in our country. that sends jobs overseas—companies open a letter and see that, oh, my gosh, Three former Commissioners of U.S. that shut down in Mansfield, in Zanes- the insurance for my daughter, for my Customs and Border Protection, ap- ville, in Lima, and Toledo moved to son is about to expire. That is 1.9 mil- pointed by both Democratic and Re- Wuhan and Sheshan and Shanghai and lion in January and another 1 million publican Presidents, support the Guangzhou. will lose insurance by the end of Feb- INTERDICT Act. President Trump’s Families here in America, at the ruary. nominee to head the agency, Kevin same time—I am still incredulous Parents will panic, parents will be McAleenan, testified that he supports about this. Families in this country, at confused, and parents, to be sure, will getting more of these high-tech scan- the same time—in this State of Vir- have their Christmas ruined by this. ners into the hands of Customs and ginia, just a few miles from here—are Think about those families getting Border Patrol. getting letters in the mail saying their that letter. It should be a joyful time Despite working for months with kids are about to be kicked off their of year for families, spending time with Senate leadership to try and secure au- health insurance through something family, enjoying the holidays. Imagine thorization for funding, we just can’t that was bipartisan and never inter- checking that mailbox and kind of seem to get this over the finish line so rupted for 20 years since Chairman thinking maybe this is a Christmas that in the new year they have these HATCH and Senator Rockefeller and card and opening it and finding out it devices. The way it works is, you just Senator KENNEDY wrote this bill to cre- is that letter. Imagine telling your put the device up next to a package, ate CHIP—and a number of us worked daughter: I am sorry, honey. Santa is and it will tell you if it has got on it in the House of Representatives— not going to bring much this year. We fentanyl or not. Right now, many law because Congress hasn’t done its job. don’t make a lot of money—you know enforcement agencies will not even Think about that. Because Congress that—but we will not have any pre- allow one of their police dogs to sniff hasn’t done its job, we are about to go sents under the tree. Then you have to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.002 S21DEPT1 S8212 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 look into your children’s eyes—you Congress had time to hand out these This is about whose side you are on. have to look into your son’s eyes, you massive tax cuts, but they don’t have Do we work for corporations that send have to look into your daughter’s eyes, time for Noble Lett. It is a disgrace. It our jobs overseas, or do we work for and you hope they don’t see the worry is a program that was bipartisan, and families, such as Crystal Lett and her in your eyes because you just got this it has always been bipartisan. It was son Noble? Do we work for families letter. Now you are wondering how you voted out of committee bipartisanly, who might wake up on Christmas will afford to take him or her to the but I guess the right crowd of lobbyists morning without health insurance? I doctor if he or she gets sick. These are hasn’t visited Senator MCCONNELL guess the answer is pretty clear: Most often families with two working par- down the hall in his office. It is des- people in this body are working for ents who, as I said, aren’t lucky enough picable. large corporations that are getting to work for an employer who provides We passed a bipartisan CHIP exten- huge tax cuts and that send their jobs insurance. sion out of the Finance Committee. It overseas, and they are turning their These are often families with chil- is ready to go. If Republican leaders backs on those families who need us to dren who have special needs. Like would put it on the floor today, it simply do our jobs and pass this exten- Crystal Lett and her son Noble, a first- would pass. I assume it would pass with sion of the Children’s Health Insurance grader in Dublin, OH, which is a suburb at least 90 votes. There is no excuse for Program. just west and northwest of Columbus. this delay. I yield the floor. Crystal and her son Noble—I met them. There is talk the House is going to The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- This is obviously Noble. I met Noble pass a 3-month CHIP extension. We pore. The Senator from New Hamp- and his mother Crystal in Washington have never done that. We have ex- shire. this spring when they came all the way tended CHIP 1 year, 2 years, 3 years. f from Ohio to talk about what CHIP This is going to get a 5-year extension. REPUBLICAN TAX BILL means to their family. That is what we ought to do. They are Noble was born with a rare genetic going to do a 3-month extension. Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, yes- disorder. He needs three therapy ses- Three months provides no certainty terday President Trump and congres- sions a week. He needs daily hormone to the States that are running CHIP. It sional Republicans went to the White injections to treat his condition. His provides no certainty to Crystal Lett House to celebrate the passage of tax medications run about $1,500 a month. to take care of Noble and manage his legislation that was partisan and that I talked to Crystal again at the end healthcare. It provides no certainty to was rammed through the Senate ear- of last month. She and her family are anybody. The Presiding Officer’s State lier this week without one public hear- scared to death about what will happen of Alabama is already taking steps to ing. to them if Congress doesn’t save CHIP. close down their programs and freeze Debate on this bill in the Senate is She said CHIP is ‘‘the difference be- enrollment. I know Senator STRANGE over, but I think we must not lose tween living a middle class lifestyle, or doesn’t want that to happen, but I also sight of the impact this legislation will being part of the poverty line.’’ It is know Senate Republicans need to talk have on so many families and on our the difference between a middle-class to their leader to make this happen. economy. lifestyle or being part of the poverty States have to give families a heads- Make no mistake—this tax bill is not line. up so these parents have time to do tax reform. Instead, it asks middle- Over the last several weeks, Congress what they can. Maybe some of these class families and future generations to was busy. Congress had the time to parents can find an alternative source foot the bill for massive tax breaks for hand out massive tax cuts to the rich- of coverage, maybe they are going to large corporations and the wealthy. By est Americans and the biggest corpora- fit in one more doctor’s appointment adding over $1 trillion to the national tions but didn’t have time to help these before their coverage lapses. Think of debt, this tax plan will undermine our families. Some of you may have been that. You get this letter in the mail ability to address so many of the real in this Chamber a few nights ago when saying the insurance for your children challenges that face this country and I pointed down the hall to Senator is about to expire, so what do you do? middle-class families in America. MCCONNELL’s office, the Senate Repub- You start dialing the hospital and dial- Indeed, Republicans have already lican leader, and described the lobby- ing the doctor’s office because you made clear that this tax bill is just ists who went in and out of his office to have CHIP coverage for another month step No. 1. What we have already heard get these tax breaks. It was the lobby- or another 5 weeks or whatever, and from Members of the House is that step ists from the oil companies and from you start scheduling any possible ap- No. 2 is going to be next year, and that the oil industry. There were lobbyists pointment you can, the Christmas sea- includes deep cuts to Social Security, walking in and out of Senator MCCON- son notwithstanding. to Medicare, and to Medicaid. They are NELL’s office, the leader’s office, from Providing a 3-month extension saying we are going to have to do that the tobacco companies. The lobbyists doesn’t solve this problem; it just to address the deficits that have been from the big drug companies and the makes the situation more complicated. made far worse by this bill. lobbyists from Wall Street were going This body can pass massive permanent Meanwhile, the majority’s headlong in and out of his office. tax cuts, but they can’t give families rush to ram through this tax bill has When you look down the hall to Sen- certainty? I know the tax cuts are per- meant they jeopardized access to ator MCCONNELL’s office, do you know manent for corporations, and I know healthcare for tens of millions of who didn’t come out of his office? they are temporary for individual peo- Americans. There were no lobbyists for the Chil- ple in this country. Of course, this Con- My colleague from Ohio just talked dren’s Health Insurance Program be- gress—as special-interest controlled as about so many families in his State cause, you know what, children like it is—first takes care of corporations, who are worried about losing their Noble don’t have lobbyists. They can’t but it would be nice if they gave some children’s health insurance. We are see- hire lobbyists. Parents are just hoping certainty to these children’s families. ing that in New Hampshire, as well, to keep their head above water because I want my colleagues to explain to and across this country. By considering they have a child who needs medical the Crystal Letts in your State—be- only stop-gap, short-term reauthoriza- attention, and any child obviously can cause every State has thousands of tions of critical healthcare programs, need medical attention. That is the im- concerned parents who don’t know fear and uncertainty have been created portance of CHIP. what to do with the expiration of this. for countless American families. So CHIP doesn’t have a lobbyist. My State has 209,000 children who rely Because the Congress has failed to CHIP has people like Crystal Lett, who on this program. enact a long-term reauthorization of stands up for her family, who stands up Senator HATCH said last month: We the Children’s Health Insurance Pro- for her children, but she can’t come to are going to get it done. Now we are gram, health coverage for nearly 9 mil- Washington full time. She came here hearing that Senator MCCONNELL is lion children across the United States with a delegation from Nationwide only going to let us vote on a 3-month is at risk. Congress has failed to enact Children’s Hospital in Columbus. extension. a long-term reauthorization of the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.038 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8213 community health centers, which more the deficits and our national debt. And needs and priorities of so many Ameri- than 25 million Americans rely on for instead of helping the middle class in cans. essential healthcare. And according to reducing the complexity of our out- Yesterday, Republican leaders and the nonpartisan Congressional Budget dated Tax Code, it creates a bonanza of the President celebrated the passage of Office, the tax bill’s repeal of the indi- new loopholes for the large corpora- their misguided tax bill, but Senators vidual mandate means that nearly 13 tions and the wealthiest in this coun- who care deeply about regular order million fewer Americans will have try. and bipartisanship in this body are not health coverage in the next year, and The majority here in the Senate had celebrating. Americans concerned many millions more are going to pay no problem coming up with $1.5 trillion about our national debt and our chil- increases in their rates. in unpaid-for tax cuts for the biggest dren’s future are not celebrating. In addition, the majority has also corporations in this country. In the Americans who see growing income in- failed to enact a long-term reauthor- final days before passing the tax bill, equality as a threat to our democ- ization of the Special Diabetes Pro- they had no problem creating a new racy—a threat made far worse by this gram. That is a devastating blow to $700 million loophole for oil and gas tax bill—are not celebrating either. nearly 1.25 million Americans who are partnerships that will benefit oil gi- And parents of the 9 million children living with type 1 diabetes. ants, such as Shell and Valero. They who rely on the Children’s Health In- All of these programs have earned had no problem creating a new loop- surance Program are dreading notifica- strong bipartisan support. That is what hole for wealthy individuals with large tions from their States that their chil- is so hard to understand about this. All real estate holdings—a loophole that dren will no longer have health insur- of these programs should have been has been described as a jackpot for the ance. These families aren’t celebrating fully reauthorized for the long term be- Trump family and for several Members during this holiday season either. cause I know my colleagues in the Sen- of Congress. They had no problem re- As I said earlier, the debate on this ate support these programs. taining the carried interest loophole at bill is over, but I intend to continue to Once again, we have missed a prime a cost to the Treasury of $20 billion. I speak out against this very damaging opportunity to address the opioid cri- remember during the campaign when tax legislation. I pledge to continue to sis. We desperately need a Federal re- Candidate Donald Trump railed against speak out in support of the real needs sponse to the opioid epidemic that in- the carried interest loophole as a give- of working people across America, includes robust, sustained resources that away to Wall Street that was unfair to cluding the need for affordable match the scale of this epidemic. American workers. Again and again, healthcare. Just this week, we learned from the Candidate Trump promised to kill this In the new year ahead, I certainly Centers for Disease Control and Pre- loophole, but President Trump now en- hope to be able to work with Senators vention that because of soaring over- thusiastically supports keeping it in on both sides of the aisle to address dose mortality rates, life expectancy in the tax bill. these urgent needs. The American peo- the United States has declined for the Yesterday at the White House, Re- ple deserve better than this legislation. second year in a row. For the first time publican leaders and President Trump They also deserve a Senate that values since the early 1960s, we have seen the celebrated the tax bill, while at the bipartisanship, that values cooperation second year of decline in life expect- same time, many in the majority party and compromise and the service of all ancy because so many people are over- insist that the Federal Government Americans, not just the largest cor- dosing because of substance use dis- can’t afford to help 9 million children porations and the wealthiest in this orders. In 2016, 63,000 people died from who depend on the CHIP program and country. overdoses. If we were losing that many tens of millions of working Americans Thank you, Mr. President. people to a war in the Middle East, who rely on community health centers I yield the floor. there would be an outcry in this coun- or the Affordable Care Act for access to The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- try. I want to know where the outcry healthcare. pore. The Senator from Utah is recog- is, and when is this body going to act? Well, according to a study by the bi- nized. On Tuesday, the University of New partisan Joint Committee on Taxation f Hampshire released a study that cited released this week, by the time many a fivefold increase over the past decade of the provisions of this tax bill expire CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE in our State of babies who were born in 2027, large corporations and the PROGRAM addicted because of their parents’ sub- wealthiest Americans will continue to Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I would stance use disorders. Yet, in the face of enjoy the massive permanent tax cuts like to take a moment to discuss the this uncontrolled national public because those cuts are not set to ex- Children’s Health Insurance Program, health emergency, the majority has pire, but almost every income group or CHIP. once again failed to find appropriate below $75,000 will see tax increases by As we all know, the authorization for funding. 2027. CHIP expired at the end of September. Again, this is an issue that I know Make no mistake—this tax bill is a Since that time, States have been uti- has bipartisan support. I worked with betrayal of middle-class Americans, lizing their reserve funds in order to my colleagues here on the other side of and it is especially a betrayal of tens of cover the healthcare needs of kids. For the aisle to try to address this issue. millions of Americans who placed their a number of States, those funds are due Yet it has not been a priority, just as faith in President Trump. to run out in the near future. funding children’s health insurance and This tax bill is also a case of sadly There have been a number of claims the community health centers and misplaced priorities. The majority in from our friends on the other side and other healthcare initiatives—the Spe- Congress have been single-mindedly fo- some of their allies in the media that cial Diabetes Program—have not been cused on passing this bill at every step, Republicans have ignored the CHIP a priority for funding. adding more and more giveaways to program; that we don’t intend to reau- This is an enormous lost oppor- large corporations, instead of working thorize it; or that we supposedly placed tunity. We could have written bipar- across the aisle to focus on the needs of a higher priority on tax cuts for the tisan legislation to address all of these the middle class. Meanwhile, they have rich than on providing health insur- issues, and we could have fully author- shortchanged the Children’s Health In- ance for needy children. Those claims ized, in a timely manner, critical surance Program, they have short- are absolutely ridiculous, and they health programs on which tens of mil- changed community health centers, know it. It gets a little old some- lions of Americans rely. We could have and they have shortchanged the Spe- times—some of the stupid politics that addressed the opioid emergency, which cial Diabetes Program. They have are being played by the other side. is ravaging communities across this caused hospitals and clinics across my I come at this issue from two angles. country. But instead, what did we get? State and across America to begin the I am both the original author of CHIP, We got a tax bill that makes a mock- process of reducing their services. This and I currently chair the committee ery of reform. It makes the Tax Code really demonstrates a lack of under- with jurisdiction over the program. No- more complex, not less. It will grow standing and a total disregard for the body should doubt my commitment to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.039 S21DEPT1 S8214 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 continuing the CHIP program. For two definitely contributed to this knowl- most of the real work was done in the decades now, I have been a supporter of edge and policy base we worked from to Finance Committee. The committee CHIP, and I worked with Members of put our legislation together. bill was truly a shared product that in- both parties to keep it moving forward For years, I have reiterated the im- cluded the input and addressed the in- and functioning properly—even in portance of Presidential leadership terests of every majority member on times when my Democratic colleagues when it comes to tax reform. I am our dais. Without their work, we have pursued a more divisive approach grateful that President Trump has wouldn’t have had a bill, and without with the program. That commitment been willing to engage with Congress their commitment to seeing this continues to this day. on this issue and to put some political through, we wouldn’t have gotten to On October 4, the Senate Finance skin in the game in order to move us where we are. Committee unanimously reported a bi- forward. I want to thank Senators GRASSLEY, partisan bill that would reauthorize From the outset of this administra- CRAPO, ROBERTS, ENZI, CORNYN, THUNE, CHIP for 5 years. In my view, a long- tion, Secretary Mnuchin and Director BURR, ISAKSON, PORTMAN, TOOMEY, term reauthorization is essential so Cohn have been actively working to HELLER, SCOTT, and CASSIDY for the that States, including my home State make this success a reality. I thank months of work they put into proof Utah, can plan well into the future them for their engagement in this ef- ducing and passing this legislation. I and the families who benefit from CHIP fort and the work they and their staffs also need to thank their staffs who, can be sure that coverage for their have put in. until this week, haven’t slept in needy children won’t just disappear. From the Treasury staff, I would like months. It appears that the year-end con- to thank Justin Muzinich, Dan My thanks also go to the tax staffers tinuing resolution could include a Kowalski, and Jay Mackie. on the committee, namely, Chris Allen, From Director Cohn’s staff at the Na- short-term reauthorization for CHIP. Joseph Boddicker, Chris Conlin, Shay tional Economic Council, I need to That is far from ideal, and as the lead- Hawkins, Randy Herndon, Bart Massey, thank Jeremy Katz and Shahira ing advocate for this program, I have Monica McGuire, Mike Quickel, Knight. Zachary Rudisill, Andrew Siracuse, no desire to see it become subject to re- From the White House, thanks to peated short-term fixes and constantly Robert Sneeden, Derek Theurer, and Mark Short, Amy Swonger, Andy Mark Warren. looming deadlines. Koenig, Joseph Lai, and Jim Goyer. I intend to continue working with My thanks go, as well, to the com- These staffers from the administra- mittee’s legislative directors: Charles Senator WYDEN and my colleagues on tion have worked for the better part of Cogar, Ken Flanz, Chris Gillott, Brad both sides of the aisle in both the Sen- the year with leaders from both Cham- Grantz, Amber Kirchhoefer, Kurt ate and the House to enact the KIDS bers to produce this bill and get it over Kovarik, Jessica McBride, Sarah Paul, Act in a fiscally responsible manner as the finish line. Their success is shared Landon Stropko, Jay Sulzmann, Ste- soon as possible. Doing so is essential with our colleagues over in the House, phen Tausend, Pam Thiessen, and to providing certainty for families and led by Chairman BRADY and Speaker Christopher Toppings. States. RYAN. I thank my colleagues for their Of course, when the Democrats sig- f hard work and their willingness to find naled their refusal to even meet on tax TAX REFORM BILL common ground when many believed reform, we knew we would need a well- that it was impossible to do so. crafted budget resolution with the Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, with this From the Ways and Means staff, I right instruction to get tax reform week’s passage of the Tax Cuts and want to thank David Stewart, Matt passed. So I need to thank my good Jobs Act, many throughout the coun- Weidinger, Allison Halataei, Rick friend, Chairman ENZI, and the Budget try are rightly celebrating the first Limardo, and Paul Guaglianone. Spe- Committee for their work, which made substantive reform of our Nation’s Tax cial thanks is owed to the committee a seemingly mundane and tedious proc- Code in more than three decades. tax staff: Barbara Angus, Aharon ess look easy. While the popular narrative sur- Friedman, John Sandell, Victoria Glov- From the Budget Committee staff, I rounding this bill has been that Con- er, John Schoenecker, Randy Gartin, want to thank Joe Brenckle, Jim Neill, gress has moved quickly to pass this Aaron Junge, Donald Scheider, Betsy McDonnell, Matt Giroux, Paul legislation, I don’t think anyone who Danielle Dubose, Kathryn Chakmak, Vinovich, Becky Cole, Eric Ueland, has worked on tax reform over the last and Loren Ponds. Steve Townsend, Jeremy Dalrymple, several years would agree with that as- From the Speaker’s office, I want to and Thomas Fueller. sessment. This week’s success is made thank Jonathan Burks, Austin Once we had a resolution, we had to possible by years of hard work and the Smythe, George Callas, Derrick hold a markup. In the Finance Com- efforts of countless policymakers, ex- Dockery, and Josh Althouse. mittee, that can be a challenging proc- perts, advocates, and public servants. From the House majority whip’s of- ess, particularly on a bill this big and Over the last several years, I have fice, I need to thank both Marty Reiser complex. come to the floor on many occasions to and Kelly Hudak. Thankfully, we have been ably served advocate for tax reform. I am glad Of course, here in the Senate, we by a professional staff who helped us today to be able to rise and acknowl- have been ably led by the majority through that whole process, namely, edge the efforts of many people whose leader. I want to thank Senator Joshua Levasseur, Jewel Harper, Joe work made the historic occasion pos- MCCONNELL for his commitment to get Carnucci, Mark Blair, Athena Schritz, sible. this done and for his leadership Susanna Segal, Eliza Smith, Tim First, I would like to thank those throughout this entire endeavor. Corley, and Michael Pinkerton. Members who went before us. Former From the leader’s staff, I want to The Joint Committee on Taxation Chairmen Camp, GRASSLEY, and Bau- thank Sharon Soderstrom, Brendan was also critical throughout the com- cus spent the better part of the decade Dunn, Antonia Ferrier, Hazen Mar- mittee process, as well as when we laying the groundwork for this effort. shall, Erica Suares, Terry Van Doren, moved the bill onto the floor. They I also want to thank Senator WYDEN, Don Stewart, and Jane Lee. worked countless hours doing the work who, along with Chairman Baucus, Joining Senator MCCONNELL, as al- that often just made everybody mad at worked with me on the Finance Com- ways, has been our distinguished ma- one point or another. Theirs is an often mittee over the last several years as we jority whip. I thank Senator CORNYN thankless but really critical job, and I produced reports and options papers, for his efforts in shoring up support am grateful for their dedication and convened bipartisan working groups, and addressing our Members’ concerns earnestness. and held more than 70 hearings to dis- from the beginning of this process until Specifically, I need to thank Tom cuss tax policy. final passage of the conference report. Barthold and his team for making sure While I have been disappointed that From the whip’s staff, I want to both parties in the House and the Sen- my Democratic colleagues have opted thank Monica Popp and Sam Beaver. ate were getting all the information not to participate in this year’s efforts Of course, when it came time to draft that was needed, at times under chal- to produce this particular bill, they the Senate’s tax reform legislation, lenging time constraints. Tom does a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.040 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8215 terrific job for the Senate, and I per- away last year, much to the sorrow of They then come to the committee, go sonally appreciate him and value him us. He spent years working on tax re- through a committee process and a as a friend. form, and I know we all wish he could hearing, they are voted on in that time After moving a mark through the have been here to celebrate with us period, and then they move to the committee, we relied on assistance this week. floor. from the Senate Legislative Counsel’s From my personal office staff, I want When they move to the floor for de- office to put together the legislative to thank my legislative assistant, bate, typically, for most of the years of text. That was a critical step, and we James Williams, and Matt Sandgren, the Senate, they have already gone could not have done it without Mark my chief of staff. through the committee process. Every McGunagle, Jim Fransen, and their There are many more people who de- Member of the Senate has the oppor- team. serve thanks this week—far too many tunity to be able to take a look at Then as we began to prep the bill for to mention at this time. They are not their information. And then they move the floor, we spent countless hours de- forgotten, though, believe me. through with a simple-majority vote. bating different provisions before the We have done a good thing here this That is the way nominations have Parliamentarian. This process can be week. This is truly a historic success. moved for most of the history of the difficult, and I would like to offer my Some of our colleagues on the other Senate. thanks to our Parliamentarian, Eliza- side last night said that the American A few years ago—20 or so—some indi- beth MacDonough, and her team for people will remember what happened vidual Senators started asking for clo- the hours and days they put into help- here this week. To that, all I can say is ture votes. Those cloture votes started ing us comply with the rules of the that I hope they do. This new tax law to slow down the process on about 3 or Senate. will do a lot of good for a great number 4 nominations a year; then it became 9 As the bill neared its final phase, we of people throughout our country, and or so nominations a year; then it were grateful to be able to work with I am humbled to have been a part of moved to as crazy of a number as 13 or so a year, of the 1,000 or so moving Senator MURKOWSKI on the second title the efforts of so many people who were of the bill, and as we moved to con- willing to get this thing done for the through. That became such a nuisance that in ference committee, Senator MUR- American people. 2013, my Democratic colleagues called KOWSKI’s counterparts in the House I am grateful to my staff. I am grate- for something they called the nuclear also played an instrumental role in ful to the staffs of our Senators on the option, to say we will just take nomi- helping to finalize this legislation. committee. I am grateful for everyone nations not from 60 required to be able Of course, there are those who work involved in the Finance Committee and to get to cloture but just to 51. There hard to make sure things go smoothly for the good efforts that they put for- was debate and internal conversation here on the floor. I thank the majority ward. But I am really grateful that I about that because Republicans, quite floor staff for their assistance, particu- serve in the U.S. Senate, the greatest frankly, were holding up 15 or so nomi- larly, Laura Dove, Robert Duncan, and deliberative body in the world, and this nations a year with the cloture proc- Megan Mercer. is a perfect illustration of why. ess. So there was a big debate about As I said, this has been a long proc- I am very grateful to be able to stand that. ess, and throughout this entire ven- on this floor and show my complete de- In the beginning of President ture, I have had the benefit of working votion to this wonderful government. Obama’s second term, Republicans and with a skilled and committed staff. My To both sides of the floor—Democrats Democrats came together and they staff have sacrificed time, energy, and Republicans alike—I am grateful. I changed the rules of the Senate for 2 sleep, and, in some cases, likely their am grateful that we have this Con- years and said: OK, truce. The simple physical and mental health for the pas- stitution to guide us, and I am grateful rule of the Senate was for any cloture sage of this bill. It has been an incred- that for the most part, we have abided vote, if there was one called for—again, ible effort, and I need to thank all of by it. typically, you would never call for one, them. With that, I yield the floor. but if there was one called for, there I want to single out my chief tax The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- would be 2 hours of debate for a district counsel, Mark Prater. I think everyone pore. The Senator from Oklahoma. court judge, 8 hours of debate for most in this Chamber and everyone in Wash- f nominees, and 30 hours of debate for ington would agree that we could not NOMINATIONS PROCESS Supreme Court, circuit court, or a Cab- have done any of this without Mark. inet-level appointment. But even Harry I also need to thank my staff direc- Mr. LANKFORD. Mr. President, Reid, when he stood on the floor, said tor, Jay Khosla, who has been the tip maybe my colleagues have heard this would be only—his words—‘‘ex- of the spear, managing the incoming through public and private conversa- traordinary circumstances’’ if you and outgoing issues with apparent tions over the past year that I believe should ask for a cloture vote at all. But ease. I also want to thank his assist- the Senate is moving gridlock from if they were asked for, it would be 2 ant, Jason Stegmaier, for helping to here on Capitol Hill to all across the hours, 8 hours, or 30 hours. Prior to keep Jay from forgetting the impor- city and across the Nation. The reason that, all nominations were 30 hours of tant details, like remembering to eat for that is how we do nominations and debate, literally taking up an entire lunch. the length of time on nominations. It day to move one person, knowing that I want to thank my entire tax staff: is time for the Senate to fix the Sen- you have to move 1,000. Jennifer Acuna, Tony Coughlan, Chris- ate’s rules. A few months after that, still in 2013, topher Hanna, Alex Monie, Eric Oman, Here is how it works. As this body Democrats still frustrated that Repub- Marty Pippins, Preston Rutledge, and knows extremely well, we have over licans were calling for some cloture Nick Wyatt. 1,000 nominees who come from the votes still, moved to have the nuclear I need to thank the members of my President. In the first year of a new option entirely and just transition all senior team as well: Matt Hoffmann, Presidency, a vast amount of time is nominations, except for the Supreme Jeff Wrase, Julia Lawless, Jennifer spent in getting those 1,000 people Court, to just 51 votes. So now they Kuskowski, Chris Armstrong, Bryan through the nomination process. Each had the rule of expediting 2 hours, 8 Hickman, and Shane Warren. one of those is selected by the White hours, and 30 hours, and the new abil- I want to thank my communications House. They do their own vetting, and ity to move them all with just 51 votes. staff on the committee: Katie Niederee, then they send them over to the Sen- Quite frankly, if you are going to Nicole Hager, and Joshua Blume. ate. change the rule to 51 votes, you prob- I also want to thank a couple of The Senate has the constitutional re- ably need to change the cloture rule as former Finance Committee staff mem- sponsibility for advice and consent. well. They just did it in reverse. They bers, specifically, Chris Campbell, my When they come through the Senate, changed the rule for how many hours it former staff director, who helped to set they will go through background would take and then later changed the the stage for this entire effort, and Jim checks, evaluations, and conversations rule for how many people it takes to go Lyons, my tax counsel who passed with staff on both sides of the aisle. through the process.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.041 S21DEPT1 S8216 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 Now what has happened? Remember I that are open, typically they move still sitting there at the end of that argued that we had 13, 14, 15 people through rather quickly and they move year. On 49 of them, this body, by held up in cloture in a year? This year, through the process. But when 64 days unanimous consent, said: No, we will so far, there have been 64 nominations are held up just for that, during that just hold them over. We are fine. We held up in cloture votes. That is 64 days time period, you can’t do anything else don’t have to send them all back to the in the Senate we could do nothing else but sit and go through what is called President. but sit here waiting. Now, it wasn’t for the cloture 30 hours. You can’t bring up In 2009, in President Obama’s first debate. It may sound as if it is being other legislation. term, there were 72 folks. For 64 of held for 30 hours of debate for that Then what happens? Well, then my those, this body—every Republican and time period. Debate normally didn’t Democratic colleagues come to the Democrat—agreed to just leave them happen. Most of the time, this Chamber floor and say: We haven’t had a single here and not make them go through was empty. It was just that 30 hours debate in this body on CHIP. We the whole process again, which would was demanded to shut down the body haven’t had a debate on infrastructure. have been absurd. as a whole, 64 of those in this year. We haven’t had debate on any of these As of now, we have 122 pending at the What has it brought us? It has things. Why won’t we move a bill on all end of President Trump’s first year. I brought us more animosity, more divi- of these things? am interested to know, when Repub- sion, and more frustration. My Demo- At the same time, they know it is be- licans gave Democrats unanimous con- cratic colleagues a few years ago were cause they blocked the floor from sent to be able to maintain their nomi- screaming that we should have the nu- being able to move legislation because nations in the past, what happens now. clear option because Republicans were of continual cloture votes over and Will this be yet another sign of pure so irrational with 15 cloture votes. Yet over and over. It is a bizarre game that politics rather than actually helping we have watched 64 occur this year. doesn’t lead to solutions; it leads to the country get stuff done? Earlier this week, I sat down with greater animosity. It is the same frus- I look forward to the day when we the Rules Committee and brought a tration that has existed for a while; it can work toward solutions, not just very simple option to everyone, Demo- is just getting louder. argue and banter back and forth with crats and Republicans alike, and we At some point, we have to put in a political statements. If we are going to had a great turnout to be able to just process and say: How do we get out of get stuff solved, let’s not pretend and talk through the process. My simple this? How do we fix this? I think the play games and put each other down; presentation was, let’s take the rule best way to fix this is to take a bipar- let’s actually sit down in a room and that was agreed to in 2013, that Harry tisan solution that was agreed to be- get stuff solved. Let’s fix the rules of Reid and the Democrats brought at the fore when Democrats were in the lead, the Senate, whether they be the budget beginning of the second term of Presi- to agree to it now and say that is going rules that keep us from actually hav- dent Obama, and let’s have the rule for to be the permanent rule, just to be ing real budget debates or the rules of each nomination be 2 hours, 8 hours, able to move a set of ideas. the Senate that keep us from actually and 30 hours. Let’s move back to the For what is historically called the working rather than allowing us to ac- tradition that Harry Reid had, which is greatest deliberative body in the world, tually do work. to say let’s make cloture votes only ex- wouldn’t it be nice to actually get back The rules of the Senate and the proc- traordinary on a nomination, if needed to deliberating again, spending more ess in the Senate are determined by the at all, but if they are, 2 hours, 8 hours, time on legislation rather than more Senators, so we alone are to blame or 30 hours. To do the exact same thing time arguing about why aren’t debat- when the Senate is not working. There now is what was agreed on in 2013 and ing it when everyone secretly knows is no finger-pointing. There is no ‘‘it is 2014. the reason, which is because we can’t that party.’’ There is no ‘‘it is that per- By the way, Republicans joined with get it to the floor? son.’’ It is all of us. Democrats during that time period and I do grow tired. I grow tired of hear- So my recommendation is simple. passed that new rule, which would put ing all the political statements and ac- Let’s fix it. Let’s resolve the issue. us at disadvantage with 78 votes. cusations. Let’s do the right thing in the right I don’t think it is too much to ask to Republicans hate children. way. say that if we are going to get the Sen- They want to throw them out. With that, I yield the floor. They don’t want them to have health ate back to work again, then let’s actu- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. CAS- care. ally get back to work again. Let’s put SIDY). The Senator from Colorado. They hate people of color. Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, this is us in a process that actually gets They are trying to exclude people not the topic that I came to the floor there. from voting. What happens in the meantime when They are trying to keep people from to talk about; I will talk about it in a that does not occur? I will tell you having tax reform. minute. But while the Senator from what happens. In the meantime, we They only care about the wealthy. Oklahoma is here, I thought I would have agencies all over this town that Just over and over, when at the same just respond to what he was saying— can’t answer a question because the bu- time, the undercurrent is out there to not on the merits of his particular pro- reaucrats are waiting on a Senate-con- keep anything from being discussed on posal, because I haven’t had a chance firmed individual to be able to lead the floor. It is an interesting strategy to study that yet, but to his plea that that agency—to be the Secretary, to paint your ‘‘enemy,’’ but it doesn’t this place start to work again. I Under Secretary, Deputy Secretary, help the country—intentionally divi- couldn’t agree more with that senti- whatever the task may be, the counsel sive without a solution. ment. for that particular agency—so they sit In 2001, the first year of a new Presi- The Founding Fathers were very de- and wait. So our constituents who are dent, there were 51 nominations pend- liberate people, and they understood trying to get a permit in certain places ing that first year. that in exercising self-government in or trying to get an answer or trying to There is an interesting thing in the the Republic that they were estab- get disaster relief—all they can say in Senate rules. It is the wonderful rule lishing, which subsequent generations the office is, we can’t do that until we XXXI that no one has heard of. It of Americans have made more demo- get a Senate-confirmed position in states that at the end of a year, any cratic over time, that we would have place. But we can’t get Senate-con- nominations that are still out there disputes. People these days in our po- firmed positions in place until my can be automatically thrown back to litical system and especially on the Democratic colleagues will actually the White House and they have to start cable television at night seem to be as- allow individuals to actually come up all over again. They have to renomi- tounded that there are people who and be debated. nate them. They have to go through don’t see the world the way they see What else happens? The other thing the whole process. They have to go the world. The Founders knew that, by that happens is, we can’t do legislation through committees. definition, if we were going to be a self- in this body; we can only do nomina- At the end of the first year of Presi- governing republic, we would have dis- tions. With 1,000 different positions dent Bush, there were 51 nominations agreements, and they set out to form

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.043 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8217 an incredibly elegant mechanism to re- time last weekend or the week before to do the job we are supposed to do. solve those disputes. It was elegant on with a group of Dreamers in Alamosa, For years, farmers and ranchers have the outside of this Chamber—freedom a small town in Southern Colorado. told us they need workers with clear to assemble, freedom of speech, free- These meetings are usually occasions legal status. Undocumented workers dom of religion, the right to vote—and for people to lay out their dreams for have told us they face exploitation it was elegant on the inside of this the future in America, the only coun- without legal resources. Families have Chamber. And generations of people try they know and the only country told us they fear being split apart and who occupied this place understood they love. This meeting was different sent to places they hardly know, and, that the way it was meant to work was than other meetings I have had re- today, this week, those fears were con- not that you always got your way all cently. Instead of the hope and self- firmed again as we lost another father the time and that part of being here confidence I am so used to hearing from Colorado. Just last week, we had was not just to have disputes but to re- from young people, what I heard was a family torn apart in Colorado. solve disputes—and not even our dis- fear, anxiety, and pain. Melecio Andazola came to America putes but disagreements that the coun- Everybody in the group I met the in 1998 as an undocumented immigrant. try might have for a legitimate rea- other day came to this country as un- Over the last 19 years, he has paid son—and, on average, hoped that we documented immigrants when they taxes in America, he has raised four would move the country forward. were children, some just months old. children in America, he has followed I quite agree that recently—certainly None of them made the decision to the rules. Then, on Friday, he was de- in the time that I have been here—we come here. They grew up here, and ported. have been using this place simply to they know no other country besides the Now it is unclear whether he will have disputes, not to resolve them. United States of America. ever see his daughter walk across the That may be OK if we were in North In 2012, they joined 800,000 Dreamers stage for her college graduation next Korea or in the Soviet Union—the old who came forward across the country spring at Yale, in New Haven. It is un- Soviet Union; it doesn’t work in a to share their information for tem- clear how he will be able to support his democratic republic. porary legal status under the DACA four kids. Because of the choices we I want to finish a little bit of the his- Program. Over the past 5 years, many have made in Washington, the lives of tory that my friend from Oklahoma of these Dreamers grew into young everyone in that family have been spun talked about. After the Democrats in- adults, finishing school, starting fami- into chaos, like so many other families voked the nuclear option, which I have lies, launching businesses. They went across the country. said before on this floor is the worst about their lives, trusting our govern- For years, stories like this have de- vote that I ever took as a Senator, the ment would keep its word and find a manded action. That is why the Sen- now majority leader pocketed that way for them to stay in the only coun- ator from Illinois who is here today, precedent when we changed the rules in try they know. Then, in September, Senator DURBIN, has led this charge for the middle and used it—used the nu- President Trump rescinded DACA, so many years, standing on the floor clear option to change the rules so that throwing every one of their lives into with photos of the Dreamers from his now a person gets a lifetime appoint- chaos. State and across the United States. It ment on the Supreme Court not with 60 During our meeting in Alamosa, not is the reason I was so honored to have votes but with just 51 votes. My issue a single person could share their story the chance to work with him and six with that is that now your party can without breaking into tears. One young others of our colleagues back in 2013, advance people to the Supreme Court man, Julio Maldanado, told me about the so-called Gang of 8, a group of four without any reasonable expectation the iPhone repair business he opened Democrats and four Republicans. that my party should take responsi- on Main Street. Like so many immi- I was just talking with my friend bility for it, or vice versa. grants, he poured himself into that en- from Oklahoma about how this place Instead of having potential nominees terprise as an entrepreneur. Thanks to doesn’t work. That was an instance come here and say: You should put me his efforts, it is now not only turning a where it worked. We came together to on the court because I can attract both profit, it is providing a service to his write a bipartisan proposal for immi- Democratic and Republican votes be- community and supporting his family. gration reform. Over the course of 8 cause I have an open mind, I worry we Now all of that is in jeopardy. months, in Washington, we worked are going to have people from both As I said, Julio couldn’t tell his story through a process that I think would sides say: We are going to have a lit- without starting to cry. When he make every American proud for once— mus test for Supreme Court nominees, turned to his business partner who was both sides sitting down to solve prob- which says we either have the most also there to help, his partner began lems. The result was a great piece of conservative jurist in the country or crying too. Versions of that played out legislation. the most liberal jurist in the country, again and again in our meetings and in Our bill had more funding for border depending on who it is. We have in- the meetings I have been having here security, not just a wall but smart and fected the Supreme Court with the par- in Washington, DC, as Dreamers take effective border security. It had more tisanship of this body. the risk to travel to Washington to funding for internal security. It had a My hope is, we can actually come to- share their stories—honest dream after pathway to citizenship for the 11 mil- gether on a set of rule changes that honest dream being crushed by uncer- lion undocumented people who are would recognize not just that this tainty, young people trembling in fear. here, including all of the Dreamers. place may need to move a little faster We hear a lot around this place about Part of that bill had the most progres- in the 21st century but that we ought how we don’t have to act until the last sive DREAM Act ever written. It got 68 to be pushing people together to work moment. We don’t have to act until votes on the floor of the Senate. Not in a bipartisan way on behalf of the March 5. This is not true. There are so everyone got what they wanted. As I country. many children, young people, and just said to the Senator from Okla- Without passing on the merits of the young adults in my State who are los- homa in a different context, it is un- proposal, I thank the Senator for coming their status as we sit here, unable reasonable to expect that here. Each ing to the floor to talk about—to put it to accomplish something everybody side had to give, but the result was a in the vernacular—how busted this seems to say they want to accomplish. great vote. It got almost 70 votes in the place is. The President says he wants to accom- Senate, at a time when you can’t pass f plish it. The Speaker says he wants to anything through the Senate. accomplish it. Senators on both sides For the first time in a generation, we DACA say they want to accomplish it. We had a real opportunity to resolve our Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, I wish have created this crisis that President differences on immigration, but as is so to talk about the Dreamers. Trump set off when he rescinded often the case in Washington, politics As I have from the time I was a DACA. got in the way. In the House, Repub- school superintendent in Denver until This isn’t just affecting Dreamers, al- lican leaders denied our bill a simple now, I had the opportunity to spend though that ought to be enough for us up-or-down vote, which would have

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.044 S21DEPT1 S8218 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 passed. They preferred to keep immi- physicians. The Association of Amer- Let’s review the record. gration alive as a political weapon to ican Medical Colleges predicts that, by With the Dreamers, we have ran- divide the American people and dis- 2030, we will have a shortage of 100,000 somed their futures for political lever- tract from the real challenges in our doctors nationwide. As I say, we are age. We are doing it right now. With economy. feeling that shortage right now in rural our backtracking on climate change, By the way, the Senator from Illinois Colorado. We don’t have enough clinics we have made their futures more dan- will remember this. We heard a lot of and treatment centers, even as we face gerous and costly. With our failure to stretching this week about how much an epidemic of opioid addiction. Two of reauthorize CHIP, we have jeopardized economic growth this tax bill was our counties don’t have a single doctor, the healthcare of, among others, 90,000 going to create—0.6 percent here or 0.1 and a lot of our rural counties have no kids in Colorado who may lose percent over there. The CBO estimate primary care doctor or nurse. healthcare if we don’t act. Now, with on the Gang of 8 immigration bill was Given that, it doesn’t seem to me to this tax bill, we have handed another that by bringing people out of the make any sense that we should send $1.4 trillion in debt to people whose fu- shadows and putting them in a position Daniela back to a place she doesn’t re- tures we are not investing in because to contribute legally to the economy, member and doesn’t call her home, es- we say we cannot afford to do it—by re- that would have added 3 percentage pecially when we need her here. That building our roads, by improving our points to our GDP, to our Nation’s obviously would be cruel, but my point schools, by spurring innovation. In- economy over the first 10 years, and is, it would also be incredibly short- stead, we have taken another bet on five incremental points over the second sighted. trickle-down economics at a time when 10 years. That would have been a useful Apolinar Lopez Garcia also came we already have a substantial budget thing to do for our economy. here when he was just a year old. His deficit. As a result of what happened—or family eventually made their way to That is what brings us here at the didn’t happen—in the House, the rhet- Greeley, CO. He thrived in school and end of the year, once again, with our oric around immigration has just be- joined the Junior ROTC Program in not having done our work and passing come more toxic, evermore divisive, Northridge High School, where he ex- something called a continuing resolu- evermore unrecognizable in America, a celled as a cadet. He relished the ROTC tion that no other government enter- sense of community, self-discipline, Nation that has inarguably been made prise in America gets to do—a tem- and duty, so much so that after grad- great by immigrants. porary budget that doesn’t reflect the As I said, there are a lot of econo- uating from high school, he wanted to priorities of the American people. In mists who are awfully skeptical about enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. He that mix, the Dreamers find them- the economic claims that have been filled out the paperwork and waited, selves caught up in a political discus- but when the reply came, Apolinar was made about this tax bill. If we look at sion without any assurance that it will crushed. Because of his legal status, what happened in 2001 and 2003, when be resolved. the Marines couldn’t accept him. The good news is that I know there they tried to do it before, we all know We should think about that. Of all how that story is going to end. On the are Republican colleagues here, as well the paths available to a bright, young as Democrats, who want a solution for other hand, nearly every expert agrees person like Apolinar, he wanted to the Dreamers. They see in these young that forcing out the Dreamers would serve the country in uniform. You people all of the qualities we cherish as hurt our economy. don’t feel called to serve a place you Americans—family, community, serv- The Cato Institute found that remov- don’t consider home. You don’t feel ing the Dreamers would stunt eco- ice, enterprise, and patriotism. called to serve a place where you don’t I would just say, as we get ready to nomic growth by $280 billion. Another share the values, to defend a commu- leave here, that I think we shouldn’t study found that comprehensive immi- nity that is not your own. Apolinar’s leave here today. I think we should gration reform would grow the econ- choice flies in the face of every spe- commit to this issue with our Dream- omy by $1.5 trillion over 10 years and cious attack we have heard against im- ers. This should be our No. 1 priority support nearly 1 million new jobs. migrants in this debate. He doesn’t de- together—to figure out how to get this Despite these facts, there has been a tract from America. done so we don’t have inadvertent cas- lot of talk around here about how im- Apolinar wants to defend America. ualties occur. After a while, something migrants detract from America or how Daniela wants to treat sick Americans. inadvertent has to be advertent be- they somehow leach off the system and Julio wants to create jobs for Ameri- cause if you have knowledge of it and if lack our values. Those claims are then cans. They join 800,000 Dreamers who, you know what is going to happen, it used to justify actions like canceling for years, have invested in America by leads you to believe that you should DACA. It would be hard for me to be- paying taxes, starting businesses, and have acted. We need to stop the lieve that anybody making a claim like serving their communities. For years, brinksmanship and the partisanship, that had ever sat down with a Dreamer. America has invested in them, by edu- and we need to work together to ensure Daniela Gomez Castro came to Colo- cating them, by training them, and in- that their futures will be here in the rado when she was just a year old. As stilling in them the confidence and United States, where we need them, in a child, Daniela looked up to her love of country we hope for each new the only country they know. grandmother—one of the few women generation of Americans. I thank my colleagues for their in- doctors in her area—and dreamed of It is unimaginable now that we dulgence. following her into medicine. She took wouldn’t find a way to resolve their I yield the floor. classes in biology and excelled in our status. We can’t avoid this any longer. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- public schools, graduating from Smok- The Senate and the House are so good ator from Illinois. ey Hill High School in 2015. at putting off what they should have Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I thank To become a doctor, she knew college done last week or last month or last my colleague from Colorado. We have was the next step, so she enrolled at year. This is not one of those cases been engaged in this battle of immigra- the University of Colorado Denver as a anymore. tion reform for years. He is a worthy prehealth major, and in between class- On each day we do nothing, 112 peo- ally, thoughtful, and always thinking es, she worked as a nurse’s assistant, ple are deported. Over 12,000 people of a solution. I thank him for his con- restaurant hostess, and student mentor have been deported since September. tinuing commitment to this cause. to help cover tuition. Everything was Every one of them represents a family In the midst of the Civil War, Presi- on track. Then, last year, she learned torn apart, a business shuttered, a pay- dent Abraham Lincoln got so frus- her legal status meant she couldn’t get roll not made, an education inter- trated with General McClellan that he a medical license. After working so rupted, a dream shattered. In the end, sent him a message. He couldn’t get hard for so long, her dream is now fro- our most basic job here—lost in this him to attack. He wouldn’t do any- zen in place by forces in Washington sometimes—is to look out for the next thing. totally beyond her control. generation of Americans. Instead of He asked: General McClellan, if you Today, America—especially places looking after them, we have spent an are not going to use your Army, can I like rural Colorado—is desperate for entire year trampling over them. use it? Can I borrow your Army?

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.045 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8219 So I would like to ask the leaders of Republicans out of 52. With eight more, geles. She was a good student and a the House and Senate: If you are not we are ready. We are ready to put 60 good athlete. In high school she played going to use your Congress, can I bor- votes up when they call the roll. With softball and golf. She was a member of row it for a minute? Can we fill up this 60 votes in the Senate, you can get the bible club, the chemistry club, and empty Chamber and actually have a things done. the reading club. She was an active real debate over a real bill to solve a What has happened? What opportuni- volunteer in her community, including real problem? ties have we had in the almost 4 assistant teaching at the local elemen- I think that might be a worthy thing months since the President eliminated tary school. She was the valedictorian for us to do. In fact, I think that is this program? None—not one. of her high school class. She was ac- what we are paid to do; isn’t it? Didn’t Senator MCCONNELL said to Senator cepted at UCLA. She majored in an- we swear to uphold this Constitution? FLAKE when his vote on the tax bill thropology and minored in classical Didn’t we take this historic job on with was in doubt: I promise you that we civilization. the goal of making America a better will bring this up in January—this Let me give a postscript here. If you place? coming January. are undocumented and go to college in On September 5, President Trump, I can tell you that I read the promise America, you get no Federal assist- along with Attorney General Sessions, very closely, and there are a lot of con- ance—no Pell grant, no Federal loan. eliminated the DACA Program. This tingencies on there. I hope that Sen- You have to earn the money. You have was a program that gave to almost ator MCCONNELL is going to give us our to work jobs to do it. She did. She held 800,000 young people—brought to the chance early in January to find out if down the necessary jobs and commuted United States when they were little we can come up with a bipartisan solu- to school from her parents’ home by kids—a chance to go to school, to tion to this problem. taking public transportation for 2 work, to have futures in this country. If you think there aren’t other Re- hours each way on every schoolday. They had to go through criminal back- publicans who support this, 34 Repub- She was involved in student groups, ground checks, turn over all of their licans in the House of Representatives mentored students at Van Nuys High information, and pay their taxes—all of sent a letter to Speaker PAUL RYAN School, and encouraged them to go to the above. Then, for 2 years, they could and wrote: Pass the Dreamer legisla- college. She continued to excel aca- operate in America. They were not citi- tion this year—34 Republicans. So we demically. She made the dean’s honor zens, but they were legally in America. are not alone. They are not the only roll and was awarded a certificate for On September 5, President Trump and ones. her research at UCLA. Today, she is as- Attorney General Sessions said: It is Yesterday, 11 Governors—11 of them, sisting students in low-income neigh- over—as of March 5, 2018, no more. Republicans and Democrats—sent a borhoods and schools. Then the President said: I challenge letter to Congress, calling on us to do After graduation, she went to work you, Congress. Do something about it. this. The letter was signed by the with Teach For America. Do you know Pass a law. Democratic Governors from Minnesota, That was almost 4 months ago. What what that means? It means taking a Montana, Pennsylvania, and North have we done in 4 months to address job that pays hardly anything to teach Carolina and by the Republican Gov- this problem that affects the lives of in one of the most challenging schools ernors from Nevada, Massachusetts, 800,000 DACA-protected young people? in America. She did it. She taught Vermont, and Utah, and by Alaska’s Nothing. We are not using this Con- seventh- and eighth-grade students in Independent Governor. gress. General McClellan was not using L.A. She teaches five classes for stu- We are hearing from those in the the Army. Isn’t it time that we do dents who are having trouble with business community. They want this something? Wouldn’t the American math and reading, and she gives one- done. They have seen these Dreamers. people be so pleasantly surprised if we on-one tutoring. They have seen these young people. did something on a bipartisan basis She is involved in the school’s par- They believe in them, and they want us that solved a problem in America? ents committee and tries to get the I know my Republican colleagues are to do something to help them. We have parents of these kids who need their euphoric over their tax bill. Two out of heard it from the labor organizations, helping hands to excel as well. She is a three Americans are not. I am not. I and we have heard it from the faith or- full-time graduate student at Loyola will put it aside for a minute. They ganizations. Marymount University, where she is spent a lot of time. They passed it. So Across the board, 76 percent of the pursuing a master’s degree in edu- be it. They did it on a strictly partisan American people support what we are cation. basis. They had a right under the Sen- trying to do here—76 percent. What I am going to read her letter and ate rules to do it that way, and they issues get 76 percent? The flag? I will then turn over the floor. did it that way. This cannot be done on bet you it gets even more, but not Every day for [my] first two months [as a a strictly partisan basis. You cannot many others get 76 percent approval, teacher] my students would ask me if I fix the immigration system unless you including 61 percent of the Trump vot- would be returning the next day, week, and engage both political parties in the so- ers. They think it is the right thing to month, and I would reassure them that I was do. Do you know why? Because many of there to stay. Eventually, they began to lution. trust me and believe that I was there to sup- I am lucky. I care about this. I also these people have met the Dreamers. When you come to know them and hear port them. . . . Now students believe that I found some Republican Senators who am there for them and truly care about help- care just as much. JEFF FLAKE of Ari- their stories, you come to the conclu- ing and preparing [them] to succeed aca- zona announced his retirement. I am sion—at least I do—that, for goodness’ demically. My students have made huge im- sorry to see him go because he is a sake, these are extraordinary young provements academically, [and] I am par- good person of good values. He stepped people. Somehow or another, they have ticularly proud of how hard they all work. up and cosponsored the Dream Act that survived and have even flourished in a After hearing about the fate of DACA— we are talking about here. I didn’t even country that doesn’t recognize them as She is talking about President have to call him on the phone. I legal. They went to our schools. They Trump abolishing DACA— thanked him, and he said: It is the pledged allegiance to our flag. They my students were worried that they would be right thing to do. LINDSEY GRAHAM, a sang the national anthem. That is the losing me. I continue to reassure them that Republican of South Carolina, was my country they know. I am not going anywhere anytime soon and cosponsor. CORY GARDNER of Colorado Let me tell you about one before I will fight to be able to see them finish mid- and LISA MURKOWSKI of Alaska stepped turn the floor over to my colleague dle school. up and said: It is the right thing to do from Maryland. This young lady’s What is going to happen to her if we for these young people, to give them an name is Miriam Gonzalez. She is the don’t do what we are supposed to do— opportunity to earn their way into 105th Dreamer whose story I have told if we don’t use this Senate and that legal status, to earn their way to citi- on the floor. House to solve this problem? What is zenship. When she was 6 years old, her family going to happen to her and her stu- I thank them for that. We need eight brought her to the United States from dents? Are we so busy? Do you notice it more. If we get 8 more, we will have 12 Mexico, and she grew up near Los An- on the floor? Are we so busy that we

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:51 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.047 S21DEPT1 S8220 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 can’t take up a piece of legislation are a welcoming country. We are a State’s recipients contribute $1.2 bil- here, debate it, and pass it today? country in which people have come lion of our gross domestic product. Before the end of the day, we are over the years to build this great Na- This is a very similar situation to the going to pass a measure to keep the tion. That is America’s strength. Dreamers. They get a 6- to 18-month government open and functioning for Are we going to turn our back now on extension. They have been here for dec- about 3 or 4 weeks. It is something that the values that built this country? Are ades because the underlying conditions may pass the House. We will find out we going to rip families apart? Is that in the countries from which they came later this afternoon. I am troubled by what America stands for? I find that still exist today. I have been to Central it. It doesn’t have one word in it to hard to imagine. Would we do this to America. I can tell you that it is not deal with this challenge, and we have our own economy and hurt ourselves, safe for these people to be returned to known for 4 months that it was coming as we are growing with their help? those gang activities. They have the and that we had to do it. I have met with many Dreamers, not same similar situation. They know no I am going to be voting no on that, as many as Senator DURBIN. He prob- other country but America. If they are and it is not because of the merits of ably has the record. But I met with required to go back to the country in the continuing resolution. Until we ad- several Dreamers in Maryland. We had which they were born, it will tear fami- dress this issue and take the time to one in our office yesterday who had lies apart. They have been disadvan- use the Senate and use the House to tears in her eyes. She said: I have an taged by the President’s actions where solve this problem, I am not going to expiration date on my back. She he is now threatening to end these pro- be standing here and saying: I am doesn’t know what is going to happen grams. going home for Christmas. I don’t when that date occurs. We need to act. We need to act in know what is going to happen to Mir- How would you like to live under order to protect this group of citizens. iam. I don’t know what is going to hap- that fear in the United States of Amer- I want to acknowledge that my col- pen to 800,000 others—get back to you ica? We are not talking about some leagues have introduced legislation on later. The time is now for us to solve communist country. We are talking this. S. 2144 provides a pathway to citi- this problem. about America, where people are living zenship for those with TPS status. It is I yield the floor. in fear. sponsored by Senators Van Hollen, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I have had several roundtable discus- Feinstein, and others. We should take ator from Maryland. sions with Dreamers in Maryland. I Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I thank that bill up and pass it. Let’s provide have had them in College Park, Balti- protections. Let’s strengthen American Senator DURBIN for his extraordinary more, and in other areas. Let me men- leadership on this issue and so many values. Let’s do our work. Let’s do it tion two Dreamers I met with. Adam now. Let’s do it before we go on recess. others. was originally born in Canada. His fam- The Dreamers are part of this coun- It is the right thing to do. ily grew up in Pakistan. He came to try. They are America’s future. They Let me just conclude by quoting from the United States with his parents are helping to build this great Nation, Becky again, one of the Dreamers I when he was very young. Becky was and they need our attention now. met. She said the best present she ever The Republicans control the House, born in Peru and came here with her got was on her 13th birthday, when the Senate, and the White House. One parents to the United States. I mention President Obama executed the Execu- of their principal responsibilities is to them collectively because they both tive order that gave her legal status pass a budget. We are now 3 months attend the University of Maryland at and hope here in America. into the fiscal year, and we don’t have College Park. Our State allows Dream- Well, we can give her an even better a budget, and we are talking about an- ers to have instate tuition so they can present right now before we take the other continuing resolution. A couple go to college and get the tools they recess for the Christmas holidays. We of weeks ago, we were told on the floor need in order to succeed. They need can give her a present of Congress, act- to give it a couple of more weeks, and work permits because they have to ing to provide protection for the we would work out some of these work. Otherwise, they never would Dreamers and for those on TPS so they issues. I agree with Senator DURBIN. have been able to get through school. don’t have to worry again and they The time to act is now. We should not They need a driver’s license. Adam ex- know they have a home here in Amer- be going into recess without dealing plained to me that he needed a driver’s ica. with the problems of our country. We license to go to a magnet school so I yield the floor. need to deal with the budget problem, that he could advance his own edu- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- and we, certainly, need to deal with the cation. That was all possible through ator from Rhode Island. problem of the Dreamers. Let me just President Obama’s Executive order. Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I talk a little bit about them. Now all of that has been put into doubt am delighted to join my colleagues They entered the United States be- because of President Trump’s an- here in support of these kids who are fore they were 16 years old—that is re- nouncements that the program will known as Dreamers or DACA kids, who quired—before 2007. Under President end. It puts their lives on hold and in came in under the statute or under Obama’s Executive order of 2012, they fear, and they wonder whether they President Obama’s program and who were entitled to a 2-year renewable need to go into the shadows in the have lived here for many years in this work permit and the ability to remain United States of America. country, passed all the requirements, in this country without being in fear of President Trump’s actions were and met all the standards. These are deportation. Each one has to go wrong. We can correct that, and Con- good kids. There is absolutely no rea- through a criminal background check. gress must act. We must act now before son for them to be the target of the They need to be enrolled in school. we go home for the holidays. kind of anxiety and fear that they are They must either be high school grad- I wish to talk about a similar group being put through to score political uates or in the U.S. military. In the of people in our country—a large num- points. It really doesn’t make sense. United States today, we have 800,000 ber in my State of Maryland—those By definition, these kids came to the who are registered under the Dreamers. under Temporary Protected Status, or United States of America under the age There are 10,000 in my State of Mary- TPS, because it is a similar situation. of 16. You can’t even enforce a contract land, and they are contributing a half a There are 437,000 people in America against a minor in this country. They billion dollars to Maryland’s GDP, or from El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, do not have the legal capacity in most gross domestic product. They are our Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, South places to buy a sofa. Yet we are holding next generation of teachers, doctor, en- Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. In Maryland, them to account for decisions that gineers, and entrepreneurs. They are 22,500 people are here from El Salvador, their parents made when they were going to help build America, and they Honduras, and Haiti—from those three small children. know no other country but the United countries alone—and 90 percent of the One of the Rhode Islanders who will States, which is their home. TPS people in this country are from El be affected by this came to the United In our values, what makes America Salvador, Honduras and Haiti, the States when she was 8 years old. Think the great Nation that it is is that we three principal countries. My own of the kind of decisions that your 8-

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.048 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8221 year-old kids make or that you were It came on to the Senate floor, where help our economy and the small busi- making when you were 8 years old. there were amendments. There actu- nesses in my State grow. This is a very successful young lady ally was some regular order. Hundreds My friends on the other side of the who is now at the Brown medical of amendments were considered, and aisle are constantly claiming they school. She is going to make enormous the final bill passed on June 27 by 68 to want to help our small businesses contributions to our country. Tossing 32. grow. I listened to weeks of their her out or putting her in peril makes Then our bipartisan Senate bill went speeches on this as they tried to justify no sense whatsoever, particularly when over to the House, where the Speaker the tax bill. But instead of a giveaway the problems started when she was of the House refused even to bring it to the wealthiest 1 percent, one way brought to this country by her parents up—no hearing, no vote, nothing. They my friends across the aisle could actu- when she was 8 years old. just froze it out. So there is a long his- ally help small businesses is to bring Another Rhode Islander who con- tory of why we are here today, but the the Dream Act up for a vote. tacted me came to the country when price should not be paid by these kids, This morning, I had the great honor she was 7 years old. She is now a teach- not when the original problem was of sitting down with Dreamers who er in a middle school in Central Falls, something that was done when they traveled all the way here from my RI. Central Falls is a community that were children—10 months old. State across the Nation to fight for ac- is emerging from bankruptcy. It has President Lincoln talked about ‘‘the tion, young people who had no control got its feet back under it now. It has a better angels of our nature.’’ Let’s over how they came to this country but wonderful, exciting young mayor. Spir- show these kids the better angels of who have made conscious choices to its are up, and things are going well. our nature. Let’s do something decent, improve their own lives and make life But it is not easy to be a middle-school something bipartisan, something that better for their own community. They teacher anywhere, and to be a middle- is right, and let’s do it soon. are passionate, they are frustrated, and school teacher in a small city that has I yield the floor. their stories need to be heard. just come out of bankruptcy is not The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Here is just one of them. Paul was easy. This is a valuable person to ator from Washington. brought here to this country at the age Rhode Island. Losing her adds no value Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, over of 7 to be reunited with his father. Paul to anyone. the years there has been a lot of debate excelled in schools in Pasco, WA, not Another person who contacted me on the Senate floor, from healthcare to far from where my own dad grew up. came to the United States at 10 months tax reform. There is no doubt that Paul and his parents worried that de- old. At 10 months old, they barely even some days it feels impossible to get the spite Paul’s success in K–12, going to knew where they were. He came from majority of Republicans onboard with college and starting a career might be Portugal at 10 months old. Now he has policies that truly help the families we impossible. But DACA provided him a college degree in computer science. represent. But there is one thing that and his family with stability. Paul He is ready to make his contribution to unites not only a large bipartisan con- went to Gonzaga University in Spo- our country. He has done everything tingent in Congress but also the vast kane, WA, as a double major in polit- right and has played by the rules, and majority of American people, and that ical science and economics, and he now we are loading him up with all this is finding a path forward for the esti- works in our State legislature. anxiety and peril because of a decision mated 800,000 young men and women Now, with DACA in question, it is his parents made when he was 10 whose lives are right now in limbo— not just Paul who isn’t sure what months old. 800,000 people, including 17,000 men, comes next for him but also his young- You can’t go out, as I said, and buy a women, boys, and girls from my home er brother, Jose. Jose, who was only 2 sofa on the installment plan at 8 years State of Washington who shared their years old when he came here, grew up old. Yet we are trying to penalize these information, paid a large fee, and seeing what Paul, his older brother, kids. It makes no sense at all. upheld their end of the bargain, only to was able to achieve. He saw that DACA It doesn’t even make economic sense. have President Trump rip the rug out allowed Paul to live without that con- The studies I have seen show that dis- from under them 3 months ago when he stant fear. Jose was ready to follow in rupting the lives of these 800,000 and Attorney General Jeff Sessions an- Paul’s footsteps and enroll in the Dreamer kids—90 percent of whom are nounced the end of the DACA Program. DACA Program so he could pursue his in the workforce—would reduce the This Congress may not be able to dream of an engineering degree at the U.S. GDP by $460 billion over the next change the Trump administration’s University of Washington. Now, if Con- decade. They are making a serious con- hateful rhetoric or shortsighted poli- gress doesn’t act, we will have one less tribution here. cies overnight, but we can and we engineer in this country. In Rhode Island, the delta is about should pass the Dream Act as soon as Paul and Jose are great examples of $200 million in annual State GDP be- possible. That is why we need more Dreamers who have worked hard. They tween having the Dream Act pass and Members of Congress on both sides of have aimed high, and they participate losing the DACA kids. We would stand the aisle ready to roll up their sleeves in our community and our economy, to gain as much as $150 million in an- and get this done. Because every single making our country a better place. nual GDP if the Dream Act passes, and day that Republican leaders refuse to This country should be rolling out the ending DACA will result in an annual bring the Dream Act to the floor to a welcome mat to our Dreamers, not loss of $60 million to our GDP. So just vote, another 122 young people lose slamming the door shut on them. And in my small State, there is $200 million their DACA status, they lose their abil- that is why I am here today with my in economic result annually from solv- ity to work legally, and they lose their colleagues to echo their fear and frus- ing this problem in a way that is hu- protection from deportation. That tration on the floor of the Senate and mane and consistent with the way we means that every day, 122 of our neigh- to call on Republican leaders to work treat children in virtually every other bors, students, coworkers, and friends with us. Stop letting so many prom- element of the law. could be forced from the only country ising young men and women fall off the Sadly, a lot of this is twisted up in they know, despite the promise the rolls of this program each and every the continued fight over immigration, Federal Government made to them day. Stop kicking this can down the which the Senate really tried to solve. when they signed up for DACA and de- road. Come together to do what is right I am on the Judiciary Committee. Sen- spite their immensurable contributions for these young people. ator DURBIN was on the Judiciary Com- to our schools, our hospitals, our uni- Ending the DACA Program is not mittee at the time. Under Chairman versities, our stores, our farms, our what our country is all about. It LEAHY’s leadership, we went through churches, our offices, and so much doesn’t do anything to fix our immi- hundreds of amendments and we took more. That means small and large busi- gration system, prepare for our future, dozens of votes. Some 90 amendments nesses are forced to lay off DACA re- or grow our economy. Ending DACA were incorporated into the bill. It came cipients each day—vital employees in won’t heal the divisions we have seen out of the Judiciary Committee by a whom businesses have invested money in our communities or make them any bipartisan vote of 13 to 5. to train and support, employees who easier to fix. And ending the DACA

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.051 S21DEPT1 S8222 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 Program certainly doesn’t reflect a memories of his life in Venezuela, but and protect Dreamers by passing a country of opportunity or promise— he did hear stories from his parents clean Dream Act. We have waited too something the United States has al- and his grandfather about the everyday long already. Every day that we delay, ways aspired to be. risks that they faced. One day, while more than 100 Dreamers lose protected I urge my colleagues here in the Sen- his mother was driving, she pulled up status. They must return to the shad- ate and over in the House to think to a stop light, and a man pulled a gun ows. They must think about ICE agents about the communities you represent. on her. Another day, his grandfather breaking down their doors or seizing Think about the young men and withdrew money from an ATM and them if they go to school or to work. women who are currently studying for then was robbed at gunpoint. The time for Congress to act is now, finals or caring for our sick or teaching So when Elias’s mother, who was an right now, today. We should not leave our children or responding to natural executive at a multimedia company, here so that we can celebrate the holi- disasters or opening businesses in the had an opportunity to transfer to an of- days with our families while nearly communities you travel to and live in. fice in Miami, FL, she jumped at it. 800,000 Dreamers fear being ripped Think about the young men and Elias’s family came to the United apart from their brothers, their sisters, women who hope to serve in our mili- States legally. They applied for and their mothers, their fathers, and de- tary and defend your freedom some they received a visa that allows execu- ported to countries they barely know. day. Think of the Dreamers who have tives and managers from other coun- If we held a vote today on the Dream grown up in our country and whose tries to work in the United States and Act, it would pass. So my question to children are the future of our Nation. eventually apply for permanent resi- Senator MCCONNELL is this: What are Think about how much good we could dent status. Under that visa, the entire you waiting for? Let us vote. do for these young men and women if family would become permanent resi- Thank you, Mr. President. my Republican friends brought the dents and would never have to worry I yield the floor. same commitment and zeal to this task about losing their status in the United The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- as they did to their tax bill. Finally, States. ‘‘Permanent’’ is the key word ator from Virginia. work with Democrats to find a real so- here. Well, at least that had been their Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, I also rise lution to end this unnecessary uncer- plan, only things didn’t go the way to advocate the passage of a clean tainty. they had been planned. Dream Act now. I want to thank Paul and all the When Elias was 11, his mother died of I had a youngster say to me—and I other advocates from my State whom I cancer. He didn’t know it at the time, am going to tell the stories of a few of met with in my office this morning and but the day his mother died, Elias and the youngsters—at an event in Novem- the many thousands of others who are his family lost their path to permanent ber, a Dreamer in Northern Virginia: showing up in every way they can to resident status and became undocu- ‘‘You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m make their voices heard and to call on mented. not the only one.’’ It is a beautiful line, us here in Congress to act. Dr. Martin After his mother died, Elias clung to as we know, from the song ‘‘Imagine’’ Luther King once said that justice too the belief that an education was his by John Lennon. ‘‘You may say I’m a long delayed is justice denied, and ticket to a better life. He challenged dreamer, but I’m not the only one.’’ Dreamers are not asking for anything himself academically, taking 13 ad- There are 800,000 Dreamers in this other than what we have promised to vanced placement courses and earning country—more than 800,000. More than them. A’s in almost every class. He also jug- 13,000 of the Dreamers live in Virginia, This is an incredibly difficult and un- gled a number of extracurricular ac- and they are from all corners of the certain time for so many people, but tivities, including speech and debate, world. I have met with Dreamers in Dreamers need to know that many of student government, volunteering with Virginia who were originally born in us in Congress and so many across the children and the homeless, and starting Sweden, Nigeria, Latin America, many country have their backs. We will get his school’s first traveling Model countries in Asia. They are a rainbow this done. We have to get this done. United Nations. His excellence earned but also a source of strength for our Thank you, Mr. President. him a place on the dean’s list, as well country, and we need to act on their I yield the floor. as a long list of awards, including the behalf. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Miami-Dade Homeless Trust Change I also stand here in the Christmas ator from Massachusetts. Maker Award. spirit. We will all, so many of us, hear Ms. WARREN. Mr. President, just Elias so impressed the school’s staff the retelling of the Christmas story. In yesterday, the Republican-controlled that his high school activities director the aftermath of the birth of the poor Congress passed a massive tax give- called Elias a hero and said: ‘‘I’ve been child in a manger, the story goes that away that will shovel truckloads of teaching for 20 years and I have never he was taken by his parents to another money into pockets of giant corpora- seen a student like this young man.’’ country essentially as a refugee. There tions and the superrich, while it leaves Scholarship committees also recog- were threats of violence against the working families behind. And that is nized Elias’s accomplishments, and he firstborn children of the land, and so he just the latest in a laundry list of pre- won a coveted Myra Kraft Transitional was spirited across a border into Egypt sents that have been doled out to folks Year Program scholarship, which pro- to be protected. at the top. For everyone else, it has vided him a full ride to Brandeis Uni- I know many of these Dreamers, and been one broken promise after another. versity in Waltham, MA. He is now a I know so many like them. I worked as One of those promises was to protect sophomore at Brandeis, where he con- a missionary in Honduras in 1980 and 800,000 Dreamers who were brought to tinues to make his mark. 1981, and I had the opportunity to work the United States as kids. Trump broke Before DACA came along, Elias lived with youngsters in a country that was this promise when he ended DACA, the in constant fear that ICE would break then and still is beset with violence program that allows Dreamers to live, down his door and deport him and his and poverty and where so many par- work, and study in the United States sister. DACA changed his life. The fear ents have to make an agonizing choice. without fear of being deported to coun- subsided. He knew that ICE agents In some instances, they make the tries they barely know. Because Trump wouldn’t break down his door or seize choice to try to find a better land for broke his promise, it is up to Congress him on his way to school. Elias told me their children, just as Jesus and Mary to stand up and protect Dreamers by that DACA has been a source of opti- did as they fled to Egypt at the Christ- passing a clean Dream Act—a bill that mism and a light of protection. mas season more than 2,000 years ago. gives legal status and a path of citizen- America is the only country Elias So I stand here in that moment, in ship to those young people. knows. It is the only country many that spirit, knowing that hundreds of I want to introduce you to one of Dreamers know. This is their home. thousands of Dreamers need our pro- those Dreamers—Elias Rosenfeld. Elias Dreamers like Elias have had the cour- tection and, frankly, deserve it. Are we was 6 years old when his parents age to step forward. They have come less compassionate than those societies brought him and his sister to the out of the shadows to tell their stories. of old that have found refuge for those United States. He doesn’t have many Now Congress could show some courage who have come fleeing hardship? I

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.052 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8223 don’t believe we are. I know the Amer- ers from the Richmond area. A few was a strong supporter of President ican public isn’t, and I know the Vir- stopped by my office on a day I wasn’t Obama’s Executive action; firmly be- ginia public isn’t. The question is, Is there and asked for a meeting. We sat lieved it was within his legal power—a Congress as compassionate as we need down together. Let me tell you about statutory fix is better than an Execu- to be? some of them and some of their par- tive action because an Executive ac- We tell the story of some of the ents. tion depends upon the temperament of Dreamers in Virginia, and I have made Mateo is a Dreamer and sophomore the particular President; whereas, a many speeches on this floor and told at VCU. He went to the same high statutory fix provides people with some many of their stories. school my daughter went to. My permanence, some confidence, and Juan de la Rosa is a DACA recipi- daughter Annella graduated from the some security, and that is what we are ent—one of our 13,500. He is a Governor’s School in Petersburg in called to do. Richmonder. I first came to know Juan 2013. Mateo was a freshman, and he Again, in the spirit of the Christmas when I was the mayor of Richmond. He graduated in 2016. He is part of a group season—and because I am seeing this arrived at age 5. In a comment to me, called UndocuRams, a student organi- particular Presiding Officer—I am re- he said: In one way or another, you zation whose mission is to foster inclu- minded of a beautiful phrase of Pope have always been an active part of sion for Dreamers on the VCU campus. Francis whom the Presiding Officer teaching me how being involved in the Mateo’s mom came with him to the and I have talked about before. In a political process is the key toward meeting to show her support for her letter he issued on Ash Wednesday in positive change. son. She is heartbroken seeing him 2015, he called on us to be ‘‘islas de He started when he arrived here at 5 work so hard and so afraid of what misericordia en el medio de un mar de years old, and he excelled immediately. might happen to him and so afraid of indiferencia’’—islands of mercy in the He went to Manchester High School in what might happen to her. She prays middle of a sea of indifference. That is Chesterfield County and graduated in that this system may find a just result a powerful phrase. Let’s be islands of 2014. He was a drum major in the for her child and for herself. mercy in the middle of a sea of indiffer- marching band, class representative, Finally, at the same meeting, I had ence. It was interesting. He didn’t say: and a president of several honor soci- Bertha. Bertha is both a Dreamer and a In the middle of a sea of hatred, in the eties. mom. She is a young mother. Her par- After graduating at the top of his middle of a sea of prejudice. He could ents brought her here in 1998 from Mex- have said all of those things. What he class at this very competitive suburban ico as a young child. She is an excep- high school, he continued at Virginia said was: ‘‘in a sea of indifference.’’ tional member of her community. She Surely, as we hear of the virtues and Tech. At Virginia Tech, he started works in a local Catholic Church, vol- the dreams, the achievements and the Tech DREAMers, which is a student or- unteers with the PTA at her children’s ganization there trying to create a accomplishments of these beautiful school, and coaches her children’s and young people, we can call on our inner more inclusive environment for the other children’s soccer teams. Bertha Dreamers on the campus. Through spirit to be merciful, rather than indif- told me she has learned the values of Tech DREAMers, he hosted dialogues ferent. That is my hope; that this body volunteering and helping others from around immigration reform and other will do that by passing a clean Dream being here in the United States. This is issues—not just with Hokies but with Act and accepting with open arms the an interesting one. I hadn’t heard this students all around Virginia and wonderful gifts these young people before. Bertha told me that where she around the country. bring to our communities. This past May, Juan de la Rosa grad- came from in Mexico, there wasn’t a I yield the floor. uated magna cum laude from Virginia great tradition of volunteer organiza- I suggest the absence of a quorum. Tech, and he continues to be active. He tions. There was sort of the govern- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The works in the admissions office as a ment, and there were churches. She clerk will call the roll. Dreamer, traveling the country and said, coming to the United States, she The bill clerk proceeded to call the telling students all over this country has become aware of a whole sector of roll. about the opportunity that was offered society that was not familiar to her: Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I by this great university in the Com- volunteer organizations—groups of peo- ask unanimous consent that the order monwealth. He says: ‘‘All of this would ple who get together to try to tutor for the quorum call be rescinded. not have been possible, had it not been other kids to be Big Brothers or Big The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without for the opportunities afforded me be- Sisters. objection, it is so ordered. cause of DACA.’’ She said what she has learned from Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I Juan, like so many other undocu- the United States, more than anything rise, once again today, to express my mented young people, is the very em- else, is this amazing power of vol- strong support for taking action on the bodiment of the Virginia Tech motto. unteerism and the network of social Dream Act. I thank all the Dreamers The motto of Virginia Tech University service groups that are run by volun- who, in recent weeks, traveled from all is ‘‘Ut Prosim,’’ Latin for ‘‘That I May teers. She said: I want to be just like across the country to Washington to Serve.’’ That is what Juan is doing. He that—and that is what she is doing. make their voices heard. wants Congress to pass a clean Dream Why would we want to lose a mother, Last month, I met with 50 Minneso- Act now so there is a permanent solu- a Dreamer like Bertha from our com- tans, who traveled here by bus to show tion for him and so many others. munity? She has explained, as so many their support for the Dream Act. They Alejandro Zuniga is the internal have—folks here on the Hill engaged in took time away from their jobs, from president of DREAMers Empowered at rallies have explained with tears in their education, and from their fami- Northern Virginia Community College. their eyes the fear they feel. They had lies because this issue is so critical to I sat down with him a few weeks ago at a President, who, though he said some them and to their loved ones. a roundtable I held with these Dream- tough things about immigrants during I want to get this bill passed, and ers. He was from Bolivia. He lived there the campaign, he always said about while I remain hopeful we will reach an until he was 7. His parents brought him Dreamers: Dreamers will have nothing agreement soon, I know this has real here. He was not fully aware of what it to worry about in me. These Dreamers consequences with each and every day, was to be undocumented until he was are good kids. They were taken by as over 100 Dreamers lose their status ready to go to college, and his parents complete surprise when, in September, per day. explained it to him. His favorite thing the President announced he would ter- We have already seen the harmful ef- as a kid growing up in the DC area was minate the DACA Program in 6 fects of the administration’s decision to go to the Air and Space Museum. months. From that moment, it has to end DACA, and the situation will Now he is at Northern Virginia Com- been unremitting fear for these young continue to get worse until we take ac- munity College making honor grades, people and for their families. tion. For the eligible DACA recipients studying to be an aerospace engineer. The only thing in the President’s an- with statuses set to expire over the up- Monday, I sat down at the Richmond nouncement that I think we could coming weeks, the uncertainty is unbe- Public Library with a group of Dream- probably all agree to is—even though I lievably difficult.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.053 S21DEPT1 S8224 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 These are people who were told pre- 3-percent range, would cost Minnesota the fact that he was born in another viously by our government that they more than $376 million in annual rev- country but lived almost his entire could stay. They registered with our enue, let alone the immeasurable im- life—98 years of his 103 years—in Amer- government, and now, with each and pact to families who may be ripped ica. every day, more and more of them are apart. So I join with all those in my State losing their status. Just since I spoke f in remembering Joseph Medina and about this issue on the Senate floor honoring his service to our country as REMEMBERING JOSEPH MEDINA last week, an estimated 800 additional we continue to work toward finding a Dreamers have lost their DACA status. Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, last solution for the Dreamers in the Sen- In March, the number of Dreamers week on the Senate floor, I talked ate. with expiring protections will increase about how I have always tried to find I note that we should also take ac- to 1,000 a day if we have not found a so- examples of Dreamers so that the citi- tion here at the end of the year, and we lution by that time. zens in my State can understand what should be staying to get a number of This is an issue where we should be we are talking about when we talk priorities done, including a long-term able to find bipartisan consensus. about the fact that someone could be reauthorization of the Children’s Americans want us to protect Dream- brought over to our country and not Health Insurance Program, dealing ers. In fact, one recent poll found that even realize it and have this Dreamer with the medical device tax, renewing 86 percent of Americans support action status. funding for community health centers. to allow Dreamers to stay in the I talked about Joseph Medina. He There are so many things we need to United States. The Dream Act, which was a decorated Army veteran. He do. my colleague Senator DURBIN has led served in World War II. He lived in In closing, I just want to make clear in the Senate for 16 years now, is based Minnesota. I am sad to say that he that I stand with my colleagues on on a simple principle: Dreamers who passed away last July at the ripe old both sides of the aisle who have spoken are brought to the United States as age of 103 years old. There was a story out in support of the Dream Act. We children, and only know this country about Joe in today’s edition of our need to pass this bill. as their home, should be given the op- largest newspaper in Minnesota, hon- Thank you. portunity to contribute to our Nation oring his contributions to our Nation I yield the floor. and become citizens. during World War II and through his I suggest the absence of a quorum. These young people were brought nearly a century as a proud and hard- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The here through no fault of their own. On working Minnesotan. clerk will call the roll. average, when they came over, they Joe lost both of his parents before he The bill clerk proceeded to call the were only about 61⁄2 years old. Imagine was 1 year old. He was brought to the roll. being told that you have to go back to United States from Mexico by his aunt Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I ask a country you have not stepped foot in when he was just 5, and he didn’t find unanimous consent that the order for since you were 6, where you may not out that he was undocumented during the quorum call be rescinded. know anyone or even speak the lan- his whole time growing up. When did The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without guage. he find out? When he tried to join the To receive DACA status, all Dream- objection, it is so ordered. ers have already passed background Army in World War II. f So what he did then, because he checks, paid fees, and met educational wasn’t a citizen—back then, it was A RECAP OF THE YEAR AND AN requirements. They already did this so pretty simple; what they would do is OUTLINE OF THE CHALLENGES they could stay in the United States OF THE YEAR AHEAD and contribute to our communities have people go to Canada, especially if Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as I try to across the country. they lived in Minnesota, and that is Dreamers are already contributing. how they would become citizens. So do every year, if time permits—this More than 97 percent of these Dream- they sent Joe Medina to Canada for 1 will be my seventh year in the U.S. ers, of the DACA recipients, are now in day. I remember his telling me this Senate; sometimes our work here fin- school or in the workforce. In fact, 72 story—that this is what they did dur- ishes in a different fashion, but if pos- percent of them currently in school are ing World War II when they wanted sible, I try to come on the last day of pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher. people to sign up and serve. He stayed the legislative year and give a speech The American Medical Association has in a hotel for 1 night, and he came to kind of recap the year behind us and urged us to take action on this issue, back, and with the help of our mili- outline the challenges of the year noting our current shortage of physi- tary, he became a citizen. ahead. cians in the United States—something He then served under General Mac- For me, it was, obviously, an event- the Presiding Officer is aware of—and Arthur in the Pacific. Then he came ful year, a productive one, and I believe estimating that passing the Dream Act home, got married, had a son, and that it has been one for this Chamber, as could add 5,400 physicians to the U.S. son served in the Vietnam war. well, in what is a unique political envi- healthcare system in the coming dec- Joe came to Washington, DC, with ronment in which politics today is ades. According to the American Asso- his son for the first and last time to see practiced and covered in ways we have ciation of Medical Colleges, more than the World War II Memorial at age 99. I never seen before—almost like enter- 100 students with DACA status applied stood there by his side as he looked at tainment. Nevertheless, it was a year to medical school last year, and about the Minnesota part of that Memorial that we got a lot of good things done, 70 Dreamers are currently enrolled in and thought of the people he knew who and I wanted to highlight some of them medical school. were no longer with us and thought of in the hope that this gives us momen- In Minnesota, our large refugee and his service and how much he loved tum into the new year. immigrant community has contributed serving our country in World War II. This has been my first experience so much to the cultural and economic At his side, along with his own son with a new President—obviously, not vitality of our State. We are proud to who had served in Vietnam, were two just a new President but a new admin- have big communities of Somali, Libe- Dreamers—two high school students istration that brought with it a set of rian, and Oromo populations, as well as who were in high school in the subur- individuals in different positions, so I the second largest Hmong population. ban part of the Twin Cities, and they think for all of us it was a transition in In fact, we have the biggest population also wanted to join the military. If I that regard. It also was the beginning of Somalis in the country, the biggest remember right, they wanted to join of a second term, which, at one time, I population of Liberians, the biggest the Air Force. Do you know what? The didn’t know I was even going to pursue. population of Oromos, and we are also way the rules were a few years ago, In arriving here earlier this year and proud to be the home of more than they weren’t allowed to do that. Joseph getting to work, we slowly but surely 6,000 Dreamers. Medina couldn’t understand that be- got going on a number of key priorities Ending DACA in my State, where the cause the proudest part of his life was that we had been working on for a very unemployment rate is hovering in the serving in our military, serving despite long time. The first one that happened

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:06 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.055 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8225 was the VA accountability bill. This thing that favored the Cuban people the people they allow to run for it, and was a bill that I had been working on and not the Cuban regime. Those they also get to count the votes. As for a number of years. It basically gave changes came about. They were an- you can imagine, that fraudulent Con- the Secretary of the VA the power to nounced earlier this year at an event in stituent Assembly basically votes 100 fire people at the VA who are not doing South Florida. percent in favor of whatever he wants, a good job. It is that simple. It is not To cut to the chase, what it does is literally with very little dissent. It is anything more complicated than that. this: It says that people can still travel not democratically elected. Meanwhile, It made it easier to fire people who to Cuba. Americans can still go to the legitimate, democratically elected were not doing a good job. They still Cuba as part of a group or as an indi- Congress, to use terms that we use have due process to defend themselves. vidual going to support the Cuban peo- here, has basically been intimidated For the better part of 3 years, there ple. But if you go to Cuba, whether off and stripped of their power. Maduro were a lot of objections to that pro- a cruise ship, an airplane, or if you are doesn’t allow them to be paid anymore; posal from the previous administration there in support of the Cuban people, they don’t staff anymore; all sorts of and some of my colleagues on the other you have to spend your money at things of that nature. side of the aisle. Then everything lined places that are owned by Cubans—by We encourage the President of the up this year. Senator TESTER and Sen- everyday Cuban people—not by the United States to pursue first individual ator ISAKSON, who are the ranking Cuban military, which is trying to cre- sanctions. We encourage the President member and chairman of that com- ate a monopoly. to grow the list of individuals in Ven- For the first time in the history of mittee, came onboard and really helped ezuela who are sanctioned and no that tyranny, there is a U.S. policy to push this and to move it forward. It longer able to benefit from ill-found that places individuals in Cuba—pri- passed in both Chambers and was gains here in the United States and ul- vate individuals in Cuba—in a favored signed into law by the President. This timately to prevent them from con- position in comparison to the military was a substantial achievement. tinuing to do something they have and the Castro government. I believe What is interesting about it is that been doing for far too long. this law will slowly but surely pay because it was bipartisan, because For far too long, they have been dividends as it becomes abundantly there was cooperation, and because no stealing the oil from Venezuela. They clear to the small, independent, private one was fighting with anyone on it, it are selling it in global markets at a sector in Cuba that the reason they are didn’t get a lot of press coverage. But discount. Then they use those—to use aren’t growing—the reason they aren’t it happened, and people need to know rough numbers, they take $1 million attracting more customers—has noth- about it. worth of oil and sell it for half a mil- ing to do with U.S. policy. It is because Does it make the VA perfect? No. Are lion dollars. Then they will take some their own government does not want to there still challenges that need to be of that half a million dollars and use it allow them to be able to grow their confronted? Absolutely. This is some- to pay the interest on the debt they al- businesses. ready owe. Then the rest of that cash, thing that has to do with account- The Cuban Government feels threat- they use for themselves, and they ability and the ability to get rid of peo- ened by private business, No. 1, because sprinkle a little bit of it to some of the ple who were not doing a good job. It is they are Communists and, No. 2, be- elites around them just to keep them something that, for years, could not cause they don’t want people in Cuba loyal to the regime. Those are the mid- get done because someone always ob- to be able to support themselves. They jected and found a way to stop it. Then want people to be dependent upon level or high-level military officials it came together with people working them; that is how they control politi- who decide, well, things aren’t great in across the aisle to make it happen. cally. Venezuela, but at least my family is Today, it is the law. Today, there are We will see what decision the Cuban better off than everybody else because people who were not doing a good job Government makes in the months and we are loyal to the regime. who are no longer employed at the VA, years to come, but here it is abun- The President moved to stop that. thanks to this. That is an important dantly clear that there are people— Today, U.S. entities can no longer thing that people need to know. Americans—who, under our law, can trade in these fraudulent, illegal bonds I always remind everyone that the travel to Cuba, can spend money in that are stolen from the people of Ven- overwhelming majority of people who Cuba, and they will have to stay at an ezuela. This is a tragic situation. This work at the VA are doing a good job. Airbnb or in a private home or even, if is not an embargo. This is not eco- The ones who are not are the ones we the Cuban Government allows it, a nomic warfare, which is what Maduro need to replace. hotel that is owned by a private entity. calls it. This, basically, is preventing The year went on, and I had an op- Where they cannot stay is in places them from continuing to steal. portunity to interface and interact controlled by the Cuban military or I would add one more point to this. I with the National Security Council and companies controlled by the Cuban encourage every one of you, if you can, with the White House on two foreign military. to read an article in the New York policy issues that didn’t really require The second foreign policy issue that Times that appeared last weekend, a legislation but that I am grateful and we were able to get involved in is an- pretty extensive series on starvation. excited about having the opportunity other tragedy in our hemisphere; that Children are literally starving to death to help craft. is, what is happening in Venezuela. To in Venezuela. Venezuela is the richest The first was the new direction on cut to the chase, we have a tyrant who country in the hemisphere, the richest U.S. policy toward Cuba. The previous is afraid that he won’t get reelected. country in South America, in terms of administration had basically changed He lost control of the National Assem- being one of the most oil-rich countries our policies toward Cuba—opened it up bly, which is their legislative body. His in the world. Venezuela is a nation to much fanfare and, quite frankly, a name is Nicolas Maduro. So what does with a long history of stable economics lot of editorial board excitement. he do? He basically figures out a way and even the longest democratic tradi- It was the enlightened position, ap- to create an alternative Congress tion in South America. There are chil- parently, to argue that doing more called the Constituent Assembly, basi- dren starving. We see images that we trade with Cuba was going to somehow cally modeled after the fraudulent normally associate with other con- help Cuba transition to a democracy. Cuban constituent assembly-like tinents at other times in our history— But after 21⁄2 years, it has become ap- model. What it basically does is it children starving to death in Ven- parent that this change has done noth- guarantees that certain sectors in soci- ezuela. Meanwhile, he looks as though ing other than flow more dollars into ety have seats of representation. In- he weighs more than he ever has be- the hands of that regime and help them stead of seats in Congress by a district fore, and all the people who surround in their efforts to normalize. or state, they are represented by dif- him in his government are heavier, fat- When President Trump was elected, ferent sectors, like labor, electricians, ter than they have ever been before. one of the things he wanted to talk you name it. People are starving because of that. It about was what we needed to do to But here is the funny part about it: is not because of U.S. policy. It is not change that relationship back to some- The only people who can run for it are because of sanctions. There is no one in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:26 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.057 S21DEPT1 S8226 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 the world, other than his handful of Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Spain, and the start to see its true implications. By cronies, who would argue that it has European Union—knowing that these March of this year, the overwhelming anything to do with sanctions. It is be- countries are ready to step in and help majority of Americans are going to no- cause of them, because in addition to might be an incentive for decent people tice that their paychecks are bigger being incompetent, they are criminals. still left in that government to step than they were a year ago, and if they The Venezuelan Government, from forward and begin a process of transi- didn’t get a raise, it will be solely the top down and everywhere in be- tion. based on tax reform. If I were king for tween, is filled with narcotraffickers, It was an interesting year, and one a day, the law would look a little dif- with people who allow narcotraffickers more legislative initiative that we ferent. But we don’t have kings in from Mexico and from Colombia to fly took on was the RACE for Children. It America; we have a constitutional re- into and use airports in Venezuela to is a pediatric cancer initiative. There public in which making things better is traffic drugs. Just imagine for a mo- are not enough innovations in pediatric our goal. Sometimes if you get 70 or 80 ment, in this country, if our elected of- cancer when you compare it to adult percent of what you want, that is cer- ficials said to certain drug dealers: If cancer. This law requires pharma- tainly a victory. Sometimes if you get you pay us, not only will the DEA not ceuticals to begin testing adult drugs 50 percent of what you want, that is a stop you from trafficking in drugs, but on pediatric populations so that hope- victory. Most change in America hap- they will help you move it. That is fully we can develop more pediatric pens incrementally through our con- what happens in Venezuela. Imagine medicines. I worked on that with Sen- stitutional republic. Every now and for a moment if the Department of De- ator BENNET of Colorado. We got it then, we can take major steps forward. fense went to drug dealers and said: If passed and signed into law. Again, it is Here is the bottom line: America’s you pay us, not only will we allow your not something that got a lot of atten- Tax Code today is better than it was planes to fly, we will tell you what tion because it was bipartisan and not before this bill passed. Do I think we time to take off and we will escort you controversial, but it is important. We went a little too far in the direction of in our airspace. That is Venezuela— are proud of the good work we accom- multinational corporations? Perhaps— state-sponsored narcotrafficking at plished this year in that regard. not that it is going to hurt the econ- every level. We had hurricanes that impacted omy. But I thought some of that could By the way, they offer another serv- Florida not once but twice, first Hurri- have been geared toward working fami- ice. If you don’t pay them, they will cane Irma and then Hurricane Maria, lies through a further expansion of the tell you: Don’t worry, we will arrest which struck Puerto Rico and had an child tax credit. But over all, I do be- the rival drug dealer, but we will pro- impact on Florida as well. Approxi- lieve it will help grow our economy, tect the ones who pay us. mately 200,000 U.S. citizens from Puer- and more importantly, I do believe it There are some very wealthy people to Rico have moved to Florida because will leave more money in the hands of in that government. In addition to cor- there is no electricity, because the is- Americans to be able to spend it on ruption and stealing from the people of land had already been hit previously, their families. It is their money. It is Venezuela, they are narcotraffickers. and because it is facing a financial dis- not ours. The Vice President of Venezuela is a aster, and now it got hit by the storm. The best way to look at it is, if I narcotrafficker, sanctioned by the We were very involved in helping there. came here and said that I wanted to United States as a drug kingpin, and it In particular, we worked with Resident spend $2 trillion over the next 10 goes on from there. The Vice President Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez, who years—borrowed money—to give it to of the party, who controls their intel- is a true and dedicated public servant the government so the government ligence services—a thug by the name of to the people of Puerto Rico, No. 1, in could stimulate the economy, there Diosdado Cabello—is a drug trafficker. getting the right response. It took a would be a lot of support from the The nephews of the President of Ven- little too long for the response to get other side of the aisle and from the ezuela, the nephews of his wife, the going, but it finally started moving. press. They would call it genius and en- First Lady, were just convicted and But there is still so much to be done. lightened for a Republican to think sentenced last week, in a court in New The estimates are that it will be an- that way. But if we say we want to York, for drug trafficking. By the way, other 8 months before power is re- leave $1.5 to $2 trillion in the hands of in their testimony, it is all filled with stored. the American people and the private evidence. A disaster like that is never good sector so they can stimulate the econ- I hope in the new year that we can news, but for the first time at least in omy instead, it is a disaster and it is find a way to continue to support the 7 years, I feel as though my colleagues irresponsible. It is just a philosophical brave people of Venezuela and a better know more about Puerto Rico than difference of opinion. way forward. We would hope, by the ever before. They understand the chal- There is a role for government. We way, that even in the Venezuelan Gov- lenges it faces because of its unique must fund it. We have to rebuild our ernment, even in that fraudulent Con- status. They understand the pre- military. We talked about disaster re- stituent Assembly, we would hope that existing challenges it faced before the lief. There are important things for there are people there, like Hugo Cha- storm, and they understand what lies government to do. But by and large, a vez, who believed in the stuff he be- ahead. dollar spent by the private sector or by lieved in—but they would have to see I don’t mean this disrespectfully, but an individual family is going to gen- that this is a disaster, that this incom- there was a time when people some- erate more growth than a dollar spent petent man is destroying their country times would talk to me about Puerto by the government. We fund govern- and starving their children, and that Rico as though it were a foreign coun- ment not to grow the economy but to there is no future in the direction they try. We have to remind them that help sustain it and protect it and keep are headed. We hope this situation im- these are U.S. citizens. On a per capita us safe and the food that we eat and proves in the years to come. basis, they volunteer to serve in the the airplanes we travel on and cer- Senator CARDIN was on the floor yes- Armed Forces as much as or more than tainly from threats foreign and domes- terday discussing this, and I want to anyone else in the United States. tic. Economic growth is a function of reiterate that I hope that early next I hope that in the year to come we the private sector and of individuals, year, we can move on a bill that we in- will redouble our efforts, particularly and tax reform helps to achieve it. troduced together called the Ven- in disaster relief, to ensure that Puerto That alone won’t be enough. ezuelan Humanitarian Assistance and Rico doesn’t just recover but is rebuilt One of the singular challenges in Defense of Democratic Governance Act stronger than ever so that we don’t America today that we must confront of 2017. This helps address this prob- have to continue to revisit this in the in the new year, hopefully, is the skills lem. It puts in place a plan to help with future when the inevitable happens, be- gap. It is not just a throwaway phrase; this humanitarian crisis. We need a cause they will face a storm again. it is the fact that the best paying jobs, government that allows us to do it. But Of course, just a few days ago, we the ones that actually pay enough to knowing that the United States, work- passed tax reform. Not everybody likes raise a family and save for retire- ing with Canada, Mexico, Argentina, it, but I think more people will as they ment—those jobs require skills that

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:26 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.058 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8227 our schools aren’t teaching. Those jobs disabled, the elderly and the like—but I actually think that in 2018, despite require skills that millions of Ameri- you also have to have a safety net for it being an election year, if we allow cans do not have. We have to change people who have come upon tough the momentum that closed out this that. We have to make it easier not times until they can get back on their year to carry over to the new one, we just to graduate people at 18 years of feet and try again. will have a chance to do good things age ready to work, we have to make it But I fear—in fact, I realized long for our country. easier for people at 45 to be able to go ago—that our safety net programs In the end, given our differences that back to some sort of school and acquire treat the symptoms of poverty, but exist in this country today, it is hard the skills they need for a better paying they do not cure it. That is why I hope to imagine we will ever always agree job. That will lead to economic growth. that if and when we tackle the social that every idea is a good one, but I That will help fill the 2 million to 3 safety net—and I hope we will in 2018— hope we can all agree that our job here million unfilled jobs that we cannot it will not be so much about cutting as is to make things better. Sometimes find people in this country with the it will be about reorganizing and im- making things better means 1 step for- right skills to fill. That is how people proving. Yes, we will take care of peo- ward, and sometimes it means 50 steps get a raise as a part of economic ple in their emergent and immediate forward. But as long as we are moving growth, and I hope the new year pro- needs. But we will also make it easier forward in a pattern of perpetual im- vides an opportunity for that. for you to go back to school and get a provement, I think we should be proud I would add that, in addition to that, degree or a technical certification so of the work we are doing. the new year will provide us an oppor- that you can find a job and never again I think, by and large, in 2017, despite tunity to focus on infrastructure, rely on the government. If we do that the fits and starts, despite the con- which is critical. My State of Florida is for enough people, it will save us troversies, despite the headlines every particularly impacted by not just money because fewer people will be on morning about the outrage of the day storms but sea level rise in coastal the social safety net. But that should or questions in the afternoon that usu- areas, and there are things we can do not be the reason we tackle it—not as ally begin with ‘‘How did you feel to mitigate against it. We need to re- a cost-saving exercise, but as a way to about the tweet on this or on that?’’— store the Everglades, and, of course, we lift up more Americans. despite all those distractions, I think need roads and bridges and to improve We are in a global competition, and 2017 will go down as a year of con- our infrastructure and airports. Hope- our chief geopolitical competitor in the sequential improvement, where things fully, we can confront that as we work economic space in the 21st century will happened in this Chamber and in this on infrastructure. be China. China has over three times as city that made America better, not Mr. President, 2018 will be a year many people as we do, and we have to worse. On that, I hope we can continue that we will deal with the farm bill. I compete against them. They have 1 bil- to work. hope action will be taken to reform lion, and we have 380 million or 400 mil- I wish all the people of Florida, all crop insurance, to ensure that my lion people. We are competing against my colleagues, all the people of this State’s farmers are never in the posi- an economy with three times as many great country and around the world a tion they were put in after Hurricane people. We need everyone. We are not a happy Hanukkah, a merry Christmas, Irma, with neither a reliable safety nation that can afford economically to and a happy New Year. I look forward leave anyone behind, and we are a na- net, nor a reliable commitment from to working together and making things tion in which leaving anyone behind the Federal Government to step in better in the year to come. would be a betrayal of our founding when Federal programs fail to meet I yield the floor. principles. That is why I hope we will disaster needs. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- tackle it next year—if we tackle the Next year could be a water resources ator from Rhode Island. social safety net—with job training year, a water year. Again, it is an op- f portunity for us to do critical things programs. In a few moments, the Senate will for our infrastructure. In Florida, REPUBLICAN TAX BILL hopefully take up and vote on the con- Mr. REED. Mr. President, yesterday, beach renourishment and intercoastal tinuing resolution. I know everyone is we saw a very unusual celebration at navigation projects are important not anxious to return to their States and the White House as Members of Con- just to our way of life but to our tour- homes for the holiday. I will say that I ism industry. There are harbor dredg- am disappointed we are leaving here at gress took turns exalting the President ing projects with the expansion of the the end of this year not having taken and speaking in glowing terms about Panama Canal. It is important that on a disaster relief bill that I know the the tax bill they had passed. There ap- these things get done next year. They people in Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, peared to be quite a contrast between won’t get as much controversy or fan- and—with the wildfires—out West the celebration at the White House and fare, but these are critical things that need. I believe we will confront it in the reaction by working Americans. we can do. the early part of next year, along with Why weren’t working middle-class Another opportunity next year that a permanent extension of the Chil- Americans celebrating so vigorously? we have heard some talk about is the dren’s Health Insurance Program and Why does poll after poll find that this ability to reform the social safety net. other matters. is the most unpopular tax bill since the On that front, I would say that is an Next year will bring an opportunity, 1980s, in fact, including tax hikes by issue that I have pushed for for a very as well, to deal with things like immi- Presidents George Herbert Walker long time. But sometimes when you gration security, the opportunity to Bush and President Bill Clinton? This talk about reform, people think you deal with young people brought to this bill is even less popular than those tax are coming at it because you want to country, through no fault of their own, increases. cut. For me, it is not so much about by their parents who now find them- Speaker RYAN seems to think the Re- cutting; it is about improving the way selves here, illegally, in the country. I publican tax bill is unpopular because we deliver the same services. How can believe there is a real chance next year Americans don’t know what is in it. He we use the money we are already to provide them certainty and the abil- is wrong. The American people are spending in the safety net but in a bet- ity to stay in this country for the fu- smart. They get it. They don’t like this ter way? ture. tax bill because they do know what is I believe in the safety net. I actually All these things are there, and they in it: lots of goodies for President don’t believe free enterprise works un- will happen in the early part of the Trump and his family and very little less we have one. People are not going year. But, at least when it comes to for theirs. to take risks, people are not going to disaster relief, it is disappointing that This tax bill isn’t popular with work- strive if they think that if they fall, we won’t be able to do that—largely for ing people because they know that if the consequences will be economic dev- legislative strategic reasons, not for Republicans really wanted to give astation. You have to have a safety net policy ones. But I am confident we will them a tax break, Republicans would to take care of those who cannot take deal with it in the early part of next have given it to them directly and not care of themselves—the permanently year. to corporate executives. Middle-class

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:26 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.060 S21DEPT1 S8228 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 Americans remember the corporate ex- date, they are very likely correct. So, ecutives will feel a fiduciary duty to cesses that led us to the terrible losses rather than watch for publicity stunts, the shareholders to do that. How many of the great recession. They sacrificed Americans should, in the coming companies will continue to replace and worked hard to help the economy weeks, watch how much corporate ex- their workers with contractors who recover. They remember the tough ecutives take in bonuses. They should may have no healthcare from the com- choices we had to make in order to get look at the more than $70 billion in pany and no pension benefits? Jobs our economy working again, and they share buybacks that major corpora- that could be filled and were filled in don’t want to see that progress turned tions have announced since the Senate the past by real employees with real back. But the recovered economy passed the Republican tax bill. Once benefits will now be shipped away from President Trump inherited from Presi- corporations got the clear signal that the company to contractors. dent Obama is in danger of backsliding this legislation would likely pass, their I supported efforts by several of my under this trickle-down approach, with reaction was not to raise wages, not to Democratic colleagues to place condi- Republicans once again breaking the stabilize the pension funds, but to buy tions on these massive corporate tax Federal bank to give huge tax breaks back their shares, which is a double breaks so that there would be at least to the wealthy. benefit for the managers of these com- some requirement that American Middle-class Americans weren’t pop- panies and for the shareholders. workers share in this multitrillion dol- ping champagne bottles yesterday be- First, it typically raises the price of lar giveaway, but all of these proposals cause they know that they will be on the stock on the market, which makes were rejected by our Republican col- the hook again when reality sets in on the value go up and gives direct bene- leagues. I believe they will have to ex- the massive deficits and irresponsible fits to shareholders. For the managers, plain to the working men and women excesses of the Trump economy. The most or much of their pay is related to of America why shareholders are get- real economy isn’t a chart or a graph their shareholdings. By the way, they ting huge benefits and they don’t have to them; it is their ability to put food are usually incentivized to increase a fully sound pension fund. Why are ad- on the table, send their children to col- share price, so their other pay is in- ditional Americans being laid off by lege, and plan for retirement. Repub- creased. So it is no surprise that this is these corporations at the same time lican economics have not historically the reaction of most corporations. It is they are providing huge buybacks of worked out well for them. The econ- quite telling that some company ex- their stocks to their shareholders? omy created over 11 times as many jobs ecutives have made it clear that their These are a series of questions I think under President Clinton as it did under plan for the funds released by this tax American working families and the President George Herbert Walker Bush. bill will be devoted to share buybacks. middle-class will continue to ask. It created over 10 times as many jobs It is, in fact, ironic because many of They are already aware this bill was under President Obama as President these companies were having to pay an not designed for them. It was designed George W. Bush. Today, U.S. job open- effective tax rate of less than 10 per- for the wealthiest corporations and the ings are nearing all-time highs and 15 cent, much less than the new statutory wealthiest individuals in America and, million Americans have gained em- rate. Does that mean they are going to indeed, globally. When the evidence ployment since 2010. give even higher wages? If a company mounts, it will further confirm those We have much, much more work to was paying an effective tax rate of 8 views. I think they are very, very accu- do to address issues like underemploy- percent and wasn’t significantly rais- rate. ment, labor force participation, and ing the wages of their workforce, what I know Americans will continue to wage growth, but the economy Repub- does the new statutory rate of 21 per- work hard. They will continue to try to licans are gambling with today is one cent do to their incentive? Nothing at build this economy. But with the pas- that middle-class families worked hard all. sage of this bill, this is clearly now and sacrificed to create. Moreover, Americans can and will also consider President Trump’s economy. All of the middle-class Americans are not easily the fact that 35 percent of American sacrifice and effort to build jobs under fooled when it comes to their bottom company stock is owned by foreign na- President Obama, which cut the unem- line. It will take more than focus tionals, who are projected to pocket a ployment rate from double digits down groups and political publicity stunts to $48 billion windfall by 2019 as a result to 4.5 and 5 percent—all those could be convince them that this Republican of corporate tax breaks. Yes, this tax jeopardized by what has transpired bill was written with their interests in bill will incentivize corporations to here, and the President owns it. mind. buy back stock, a significant amount As we go forward, I think we have to Many Americans opened their paper of which is owned by foreign entities, realize this legislation is not going to this morning to read that major cor- individuals, and corporations. So $48 help working families. porations like Wells Fargo and others billion of these funds will go overseas; I have heard my colleagues, very sin- were boosting U.S. investment or pro- it won’t be devoted to salary increases, cerely and very eloquently, talk about viding bonuses in the wake of the huge wage increases, R&D; it won’t even be some of the challenges we face, like job tax breaks provided to them by the Re- devoted in some sense to the United training. We are facing a situation in publican legislation. It is certainly a States because it will flow overseas. which many experts predict that with- good thing that many of these compa- They should ask: In light of these in the next 12 years—by 2030—we will nies are considering greater invest- historically huge gains for the cor- lose one-third of the jobs in the United ments in their American workforce, porate investor class, how many of States. They will go away because of but the relationship between these tax these corporations will make sure their technology and because of artificial in- breaks and higher pay or bonuses pension funds, for example, are fully telligence. What is going to happen to seems to fall apart under scrutiny. funded? There is no requirement that the 30- or 40-year-old working man or Some companies, like Wells Fargo, would prevent a company from buying woman? What does one do when a job have already admitted that these pay back stock even while its pension fund he or she has prepared well for, and raises were preplanned and not the di- is not actuarially sound. That has hap- done very well, is suddenly taken over rect result of the tax bill. Indeed, this pened in the past. That is likely to by a machine? Will one turn to private coordinated announcement appears happen in the future. So you have to corporations and ask, please, help me? more intended to appeal to the Trump ask yourself, as working families are: I know what the answer will be: Not administration than to prove anything If I have a company that is giving its our responsibility. We only have an ob- about the effectiveness of the Repub- shareholders and management huge ligation to our shareholders—to enrich lican tax bill for American workers. benefits, and my pension is question- them. That is all we do. Thank you Moreover, it appears the real problem able—it is not fully funded—is that very much. many Americans have with the Repub- right? I think the answer is, honestly: They will turn to the government. lican bill is that they believe it will No, that is wrong. What will we do? We will say: We are balloon the public debt in order to dis- How many companies will ship jobs sorry. We are already $1.5 trillion in proportionately benefit the rich. Based overseas because they will see a finan- the hole. Because of the tax bill, we on every credible analysis of the bill to cial advantage? In fact, corporate ex- can’t afford any job training, career

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:26 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.062 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8229 transition, long-term unemployment committee with a unanimous voice If he truly believes the DOT needs to sustainment, which we will need to vote on August 2, 2017. At that time, do more, why is he, along with a few of allow people to make this transition. not a single Senator on the committee, his colleagues, standing in the way of Oh, by the way, as to those retirement Republican or Democrat, expressed any Mr. Batory’s nomination? After all, benefits that are under huge pressure, doubt about Mr. Batory’s extensive ex- Congress has tasked the FRA Adminis- we cannot help you. We have the Pen- pertise on rail safety issues. trator with providing the oversight and sion Benefit Guaranty Corporation, but Mr. Batory has over 45 years of expe- strong push that will be needed to en- that is so underwater. Sorry. rience in the railroad industry, in both sure railroads meet next year’s Decem- By the way, with natural phe- management and operational positions, ber 31, 2018, deadline for full PTC in- nomena—the floods that are coming— and he is a respected leader in driving stallation and training. we are currently talking about a dis- organizational change and, most im- Make no mistake, a strong push is aster relief bill. In this Chamber, we portantly, in advancing safety im- what many passenger railroads need. are all aware that our National Flood provements. In fact, Railway Age According to the FRA’s latest quar- Insurance Program is in a deep hole. It called him noncontroversial and said: terly progress report for passenger rail- is—no pun intended—underwater. ‘‘He is the best-qualified person to be roads, only 50 percent of locomotives Where are we going to get this money the Federal Railroad Administrator in are equipped and PTC operable; 64 per- to pay for the obligations we have al- a very long time, perhaps in the agen- cent of required PTC radio towers are ready put on our books for the Na- cy’s history.’’ installed; and only 24 percent of re- Yet, despite his unanimous approval tional Flood Insurance Program? What quired route miles are in operation. from the committee, he has been are the cities and communities going The Commerce, Science, and Trans- blocked from assuming his leadership to do when we say we don’t have it portation Committee expects to con- duties at this important safety regu- anymore, that we gave the money tinue to play its role in conducting latory agency. The FRA has critical away? strong oversight of PTC implementa- safety decisions to make on a daily We are now facing very difficult situ- tion, including holding a hearing in basis, and the agency needs strong ations—we know they are coming— 2018. However, what I do not expect the strategic direction and management on with unavoidable costs. There is our Commerce, Science, and Transpor- time-sensitive safety issues. A senior national defense. We have to rebuild tation Committee to do is to grant any adviser, which is Mr. Batory’s current our nuclear triad, our submarines, our further change to the PTC deadline role at the DOT, does not have the bomber fleets, our land-based systems. same legal authority or ability to lead framework that is established in cur- Over several years, that will be hun- an agency as does a Senate-confirmed rent law. That is why we need Mr. dreds and hundreds of billions of dol- Administrator. Batory. When finally confirmed, he lars. We know we have to do it. It is time to stop hamstringing Mr. will play a significant role in pushing Instead of doing that, yesterday, we Batory and get him confirmed so he expeditious and successful PTC imple- decided to give $1.5 trillion or more in can operate at full capacity. Unfortu- mentation. deficit spending to the wealthiest nately, it appears that we will not be This is not just the view of the Com- Americans and the wealthiest corpora- able to do that without, once again, en- merce, Science, and Transportation tions. I don’t think it makes good gaging in the cloture process on a non- Committee, I might add, which, again, sense. I think working Americans and controversial nominee. This takes up approved Mr. Batory, as I said earlier, middle-class Americans understand valuable floor time that could be spent unanimously, but also of the rail pro- that very well—in fact, better than we on other priorities. Yet it will, un- fessionals who advance safety on the do, collectively. What they have done, doubtedly, still lead to his being con- ground. The States for Passenger Rail essentially, and what they are saying firmed by a large, bipartisan majority Coalition, which consists of 25 State to anyone who would ask is, this is a of the Senate. This pattern of obstruc- Departments of Transportation, wrote terrible piece of legislation. Why did tion—burning up a week or more of in July: Congress pass it? time to confirm two or three nominees The issues facing the railroad industry That is a question that will rever- who end up with overwhelming cloture today are significant, and it is vital that we berate throughout this year and next and confirmation votes—must end. have an experienced, capable and dedicated year and, unfortunately, I think, for a The Batory nomination is also sig- leader like Mr. Batory, who is willing to long time because it will take us time nificant for another reason. Earlier work with the states to make the improvements necessary to build a national rail sys- and effort and sacrifice and tough this week, we saw the terrible tragedy votes, as we had in the nineties and tem with an emphasis on increasing mobility of the Amtrak Cascades 501 derailment and reliability, while enhancing safety and again in 2009 and beyond, to get back in Washington. Our heartfelt thoughts security now, and in the years to come. on track for working families. and prayers are with all of those af- Likewise, rail labor—representing conduc- I yield the floor. fected, especially during this holiday tors and communication workers—and other The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. season. As the NTSB continues its on- industry groups urged the Senate to proceed BLUNT). The Senator from South Da- going investigation, we will learn more to Mr. Batory’s nomination ‘‘as soon as pos- kota. about the causes of this derailment and sible,’’ stressing ‘‘the importance of having Mr. Batory’s expertise and leadership at the f the measures that might have pre- agency responsible for railroad safety.’’ UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST— vented it. To be clear, the tragic events of this That letter was written in Sep- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR NO. 261 week were not caused by a vacancy at tember. It is now December. There is Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I rise to the helm of the FRA, but the Senate no reason for this delay. voice my strong support for the nomi- must act now to install a leader at this Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- nation of Ronald Batory to be the Ad- agency to advance any safety solutions sent that both of these letters be print- ministrator of the Federal Railroad and oversight found to be needed as a ed in the RECORD. Administration at the Department of result of the accident. There being no objection, the mate- Transportation and to express my deep To date, much of the discussion sur- rial was ordered to be printed in the frustration that this noncontroversial, rounding this accident has been fo- RECORD, as follows: highly qualified nominee has been lan- cused on positive train control or what SEPTEMBER 15, 2017. guishing in the Senate for over 4 we call PTC. While it is still early to Senator MCCONNELL, months due to objections by a handful know what, if any, impact PTC would Senate Majority Leader, of Democrats over a parochial issue en- have had on this accident, I could not Washington, DC. tirely unrelated to the nominee’s quali- agree more with the Democratic leader Senator SCHUMER, fications. who earlier this week said: ‘‘We need Senate Minority Leader, Washington, DC. The Commerce, Science, and Trans- Positive Train Control.’’ He went on to DEAR REPUBLICAN LEADER MCCONNELL AND portation Committee held a hearing on say: ‘‘The Federal Department of DEMOCRATIC LEADER SCHUMER: As rail indus- his nomination on July 26, 2017, and re- Transportation is not pushing Federal try stakeholders, we write to support the ported his nomination favorably out of PTC hard enough.’’ nomination of Ronald Batory for Federal

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:26 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.063 S21DEPT1 S8230 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 Railroad Administrator. We urge the Senate ble and dedicated leader like Mr. Batory, The Centers for Disease Control and to proceed to Mr. Batory’s nomination as who is willing to work with the states to Prevention released two important new soon as possible. make the improvements necessary to build a reports this week. First, they found Mr. Batory’s nomination was announced in national rail system with an emphasis on in- that life expectancy decreased in the July, unanimously approved and reported by creasing mobility and reliability, while en- the Senate Commerce Committee in August, hancing safety and security now, and in the United States for the second year in a and now awaits action on the Senate floor. years to come. row. Second, the likely cause of that Mr. Batory is eminently qualified to be FRA Sincerely, decrease in 2016 is that over 63,000 peo- Administrator and we believe he will have PAUL C. WORLEY, CPM, Chair, ple died of drug overdoses. That is considerable bipartisan Member support States for Passenger Rail Coalition, Inc. more than 144 deaths per day, and it is once the Senate turns to his nomination. Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, we have a 21-percent increase from 2015. We ask that his nomination be considered This is a crisis. People are dying in soon by the full Senate, in light of the im- had an immensely qualified leader, portance of having Mr. Batory’s expertise Ronald Batory, ready to lead an impor- communities across this country every and leadership at the agency responsible for tant safety agency for over 4 months. single day. Congress must do much railroad safety. The time for playing political games more to address this scourge. Here in Thank you for considering our views on with the leadership of this railroad Washington, we have talked at length this important matter. safety agency should be over. It is long about the massive size and scope of the Association of American Railroads (AAR); past time that my Democratic col- problem. BNSF Railway; Canadian National Railway; Last year, we passed bipartisan legis- Canadian Pacific Railway; CSX Transpor- leagues end the obstruction, and this tation; Kansas City Southern Railroad; Nor- body must confirm Ronald Batory. lation that was signed into law and is folk Southern Railway; Union Pacific Rail- Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- providing our local communities with road; American Short Line and Regional sent that the Senate proceed to execu- more tools to fight the epidemic, and Railroad Association (ASLRRA); Inter- tive session for the consideration of we approved initial funding to begin to national Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Calendar No. 261, Ronald Batory. I fur- support these and other efforts. Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART); ther ask that the Senate vote on the I was proud to help bring nearly $11 Transportation Communications Union/IAM. nomination with no intervening action million of that funding to Indiana. Ear- National Association of Railroad Pas- lier this fall, the President rightly de- sengers (NARP); National Railroad Construc- or debate; that if confirmed, the motion & Maintenance Association (NRC); Rail- tion to reconsider be considered made clared the opioid abuse epidemic to be way Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers As- and laid upon the table; that the Presi- a nationwide public health emergency. sociation (REMSA); Railway Supply Insti- dent be immediately notified of the On the frontlines, in places like my tute (RSI); States for Passenger Rail Coali- Senate’s action, and the Senate then home State of Indiana, however, the tion (SPRC); American Association of Pri- resume legislative session. battle is raging. Despite a unified re- vate Railroad Car Owners (AAPRCO); The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there sponse, there is more work to do. AECOM; GE Transportation; Progress Rail objection? Our Governor, Governor Holcomb, Services; Siemens. Mr. SCHUMER. I object. has made the fight against opioid abuse the priority it needs to be. He and his JULY 19, 2017. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- Hon. JOHN THUNE, tion is heard. administration are working closely Chairman, Committee on Commerce, Science and Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I am kind with local communities to provide re- Transportation, U.S. Senate, Washington, of beyond words to explain why we are sources and support. Together, we have DC. objecting to someone who was unani- engaged our healthcare providers—both Hon. BILL NELSON, mously approved out of the committee, public and private—the business com- Ranking Member, Committee on Commerce, is highly qualified, noncontroversial, munity, our educators, and the clergy Science and Transportation, U.S. Senate, and would run an incredibly important who are all committed to this cause. Washington, DC. DEAR CHAIRMAN THUNE AND RANKING MEM- safety agency in this country. I just Yet the message I continue to hear BER NELSON: On behalf of the States for Pas- don’t have words to explain what that from people on the ground is, we need senger Rail Coalition, Inc (SPRC), I write in objection might be. more resources and we need to expand support of the confirmation of Ronald L. I hope this is the last time the Demo- treatment capabilities as soon as pos- Batory as Administrator of the Federal Rail- crats in the Senate will object to get- sible. road Administration (FRA) for the United ting this important position filled with We all know this is not a partisan States Department of Transportation an individual who comes highly re- issue. Over the last few years, I have (USDOT). been honored to work with seven of my The SPRC’s mission is to promote the re- garded, highly qualified, and has gone search, development, implementation, oper- through the entire process—answered Republican colleagues to introduce ation, sustainability, and expansion of pub- all of the questions through his con- seven bills and amendments that ad- licly supported intercity passenger rail serv- firmation—and is ready now for a final dress everything from prescribing prac- ices. On behalf of its membership rep- vote in the U.S. Senate, which would tices to the shortage of addiction treat- resenting 25 state departments of transpor- allow him to get the job and to get ment professionals, and many of these tation and passenger rail authorities, SPRC about the important work of ensuring ideas have already been signed into advocates for ongoing federal funding and that there is safety on the railroads in law. programmatic support for intercity pas- I am partnering with my State’s Re- senger rail initiatives, including efforts to this country. improve safety on our nations rail system I yield the floor. publican Governor to make sure we do and at highway-rail at-grade crossings. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- everything in our power to help those We are impressed with Mr. Batory’s exten- ator from Indiana. who are battling with addiction, but it sive experience in the railroad industry and f is not enough unless we provide our appreciate his plan to improve communica- communities with the resources they tions within the agency, and we encourage OPIOID CRISIS are asking for and they need. him to collaborate closely with public and Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, at This is the time of year that many private stakeholders to achieve policy goals. some point this evening, we expect the Americans reflect on the year that has We are especially encouraged by his reputation as a good listener with a sound analyt- House of Representatives to send the passed and identify the priorities in the ical approach We commend his affirmation Senate a bill that would keep the Fed- years to come. In Congress, we need to of the need for the FRA to move to perform- eral Government open for another few do the same. More than 63,000 Ameri- ance-based rulemaking and fact-based policy weeks before our heading home for cans died last year from opioid abuse. making. Focusing upon these two objectives Christmas. For most families, the holi- Those are 63,000 moms and dads, broth- will strengthen the role of the states in pro- days are an opportunity to take a ers and sisters, husbands and wives, moting the development of a safe, reliable break away from our busy lives and sons and daughters who are not with us and efficient vibrant national network of enjoy time with the people we love. It this year. We must make this issue a freight and passenger rail services. We ask that the Committee act speedily to is safe to say, however, that will not be priority. confirm Mr. Batory. The issues facing the the case for tens of thousands of Amer- I hope Congress will demonstrate to railroad industry today are significant, and ican families who have lost a loved one the American people that fighting the it is vital that we have an experienced, capa- this year due to a drug overdose. opioid epidemic is a priority. One way

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:26 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.003 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8231 to do that is to include meaningful re- young Americans to flee their country dering in Russia. Billions of dollars sources in the bill to fund our Federal and declared ‘‘America died tonight.’’ from corruption and other illegal ac- Government and key programs when Full-throated and passionate debate tivities have been moved out of the we deal with this again before January should always be encouraged. We all country. Second, the President’s son 19 of next year. love arguing the merits of supply-side said in 2008: ‘‘Russians make up a pret- I implore my colleagues to make this economics, but this is not that. This is ty disproportionate cross-section of a a priority, to provide the robust and demonizing of the worst kind. It leaves lot of our assets.’’ Third, entities asso- meaningful funding our communities us all in this body unable to engage in ciated with the President had already need to seriously address this problem. the kind of negotiations and com- been the subject of millions of dollars We are in the midst of a crisis. We promise that Congress was created to of fines for willful, repeated, and long- must do more in 2018. We have families foster. standing violations of anti-money all across our Nation with broken To be clear, this is not a problem laundering laws. Fourth, the Congress hearts tonight for the ones they love with one party or of one moment. Dur- and the American people still haven’t and the ones they miss. Let’s make ing the public debate over the Afford- seen the President’s tax returns. sure there are no more in 2018; that able Care Act, Members of my party Since then, there have been numer- this ends today. engaged in similar tactics. I was in the ous additional press stories about asso- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- House Chamber when one of my Repub- ciates of the President and their finan- ator from Arizona. lican colleagues stood and yelled ‘‘You cial connections to Russia. In my view, Mr. FLAKE. Mr. President, I ask lie’’ at the President of the United these stories require thorough, detailed unanimous consent to speak for 5 min- States. The accusation that passage of investigation. It is not just by the utes and that after I speak, Senator healthcare reform legislation would re- press. The special counsel’s indictment WYDEN be recognized. sult in so-called death panels was pro- against former Trump campaign man- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without moted far and wide by many Repub- ager Paul Manafort included extensive objection, it is so ordered. licans. One conservative commentator detailed allegations of laundering of f suggested the government would begin millions of dollars from pro-Russia- EXTREME RHETORIC educating seniors on how to end their Ukrainian interests. This indictment own lives. provided a clear example of how a for- Mr. FLAKE. Mr. President, 6 months eign-influenced campaign can be fi- ago, on a beautiful June morning, just A Republican legislator claimed that the bill would put seniors in a position nanced through illicit means and why a few miles from here in Alexandria, the importance of following the money VA, a man with a gun opened fire on of being ‘‘put to death by their government.’’ This rhetoric was wrong then, is so crucial. me and several of my Republican col- There have been others, acknowl- and it is wrong now. leagues. edged financial connections, such as The threat posed to all of us and to In the chaotic aftermath of that former National Security Adviser Mi- the democratic process for giving in to awful morning, the gunman’s purpose chael Flynn and his payment from RT, extreme rhetoric is not theoretical. slowly became clear. Because of our be- the television station that is part of Some of us faced it on that baseball liefs and our political affiliation, this Russia’s state-run propaganda appa- field in Alexandria in June, and all of individual believed my colleagues and I ratus. should die. Since that day, I struggled us have witnessed its corrosive effect Then there are the strange denials, to understand this thinking. How could on Congress. I urge my colleagues, all such as when Jared Kushner wrote in any American look onto a field that of us, let’s end this practice where raw his statement in July, ‘‘I have not re- June morning, where a bunch of mid- politics drowns out the supplications of lied on Russian funds to finance my dle-aged men were playing baseball, the better angels of our nature. Let us business activities in the private sec- and see the enemy? all be more humble as to our predictive tor.’’ Some of the bombastic rhetoric being powers when it comes to placing a I can state, that is some kind of good offered this week in response to the tax value on the work we do here. In re- lawyering because the word ‘‘rely’’ is reform bill has given me pause. If you ality, this legislation will probably not subjective. Mr. Kushner did not deny listen to some of the hyperbolic vitriol turn out to be as good as the pro- financial ties to Russia. He said he that opponents of this bill are pro- ponents assert, nor as bad as the oppo- hadn’t relied on those funds, not ducing, the attitude that nearly killed nents contend. whether he had any, not whether he my friend STEVE SCALISE and threat- The country is watching. It is my ever had any, but he hadn’t relied on ened many more lives begins to make a hope that we—all of us—can eschew them. That is about as lawyerly and perverse kind of sense. contempt and vitriol in our speech and subjective a statement as you can When respectable public figures go on be more measured in our tone. imagine. television or take to Twitter and an- I yield the floor. My bottom line is, these financial nounce that thousands, if not millions, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ties need to be a central focus of the of Americans are going to die as a di- ator from Oregon. Intelligence Committee’s inquiry. The rect result of the passage of a tax re- f reason I say this, I want to spell out form bill, what impact do we expect RUSSIA INVESTIGATION what the connection here is. Our in- this to have on the thinking of many quiry covered counterintelligence con- Americans? If a person takes such out- Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I come cerns related to Russia and the elec- landish statements as true, attacking to the floor tonight to discuss the Sen- tion, including any intelligence regard- Members of Congress in support of the ate’s investigation into Russia in the ing links between Russia and individ- measure almost appears to be a moral 2016 election. Specifically, I have been uals associated with political cam- action. This could lead someone to be- reviewing for months documents in the paigns. Following the money is coun- lieve that killing a few legislators possession of the Senate’s Intelligence terintelligence 101. might save the lives of millions of Committee. I regret to say, the depth If you want to compromise some- Americans. of the committee’s investigation is body, money is one of the best ways to Beyond the physical danger of pro- completely unsatisfactory into the cru- do it. Well, let me repeat that. That is moting such misinformation, these cial issues of what I call following the the connection. That is the connection claims do grave harm to the legislative money. between the counterintelligence work process. How are we expected to work Early in 2017, I began asking the that is so important and part of the together to achieve anything if one committee leadership to look into any committee’s charge. That counterintel- side’s position is viewed as the end of and all financial relationships between ligence work involves following the America as we know it? One of my col- Russia and Donald Trump and his asso- money because that is key to really leagues called this tax reform bill ‘‘the ciates. In an open hearing the com- getting into the question of whether worst bill in the history of Congress.’’ mittee held in March, I noted a number somebody’s been compromised because Upon the bill’s passage, one media of public facts. First, there is an ex- one of the best ways to do it is through pundit went so far as to encourage traordinary history of money laun- funds.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:26 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.066 S21DEPT1 S8232 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 Tonight, based on this review of doc- do the essential counterintelligence tember, the Justice Department can- uments, I call again on the committee work that is so important to our com- celed the DACA program. I can’t even to follow the money aspects of this in- mittee—and I note that the distin- imagine the uncertainty that DACA re- quiry, including by holding public guished Presiding Officer of the Sen- cipients have felt since Donald Trump’s hearings specifically on this topic. ate, the Senator from Missouri, is a election. In addition, it is not just the Intel- member of the committee and a valued DACA was put in place in 2012 by ligence Committee that ought to focus one—I don’t see how the committee President Obama to remove the crush- on these issues. As I have been saying can do its counterintelligence work ing fear of deportation experienced by since March, the Senate Finance Com- without following the money, because hundreds of thousands of young people. mittee, of which I am the ranking we know that those financial issues are These are outstanding individuals who Democrat, has a crucial role to play on absolutely key—that money is the key were brought into the country through follow-the-money issues as well. Rel- to compromising an individual—it is no choice of their own, at very young evant documents produced by elements obviously so important in trying to en- ages, and who know no other country of the Treasury Department which are sure that we have policies in this coun- than the United States. outside the intelligence community, try that protect our security and our In fact, the average DACA recipient such as the Financial Crimes Enforce- role in the world. was brought into the United States at ment Network, ought to be reviewed. I yield the floor. the age of 6. There is a need to review these docu- f Now, there are nearly 700,000 individ- ments by the Finance Committee staff REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT uals with DACA in the United States, because we have specific experience FUNDING BILL approximately 220,000 of whom live in and expertise in financial investiga- California. Each day, more than 100 tion. Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I lose their DACA protection, plunging In addition, the Finance Committee rise in opposition to the Republican them back into the uncertainty that specifically has oversight responsibil- continuing resolution. President Obama relieved. ities for tax matters. The Manafort in- In addition to the many, many prob- These young people study, they dictment, which included tax evasion, lems I have with how this bill was se- work, they pay their taxes. They are demonstrated clearly that taxes, tax cretly written without any attempt to patriotic. They are American in every evasion, offshore accounts, and sus- work with Democrats, I also cannot way that counts, and to leave them in picious real estate transactions are all support it because of the absence of the such uncertainty is nothing less than connected. They are all connected, and Dream Act and long-term funding for cruel. they ought to be part of any serious in- the Children’s Health Insurance Pro- One family in particular has really vestigation into ties between Russia, gram. brought this issue home for me, and On four occasions, Republicans tried the President, and his associates. Un- that is the Sanchez family from Oak- to repeal the Affordable Care Act with fortunately, I and our committee have land. bills they drafted in secret. These bills gotten no cooperation from the Treas- Maria and Eusebio Sanchez lived in had no input from Democrats—or real- ury Department. Despite my repeated the United States for more than 20 ly anyone who would have actually requests as the ranking Democrat on years before they were deported in Au- been affected by repeal. gust. the Finance Committee, the Treasury Then they drafted a so-called tax re- Maria was an oncology nurse, and Department has just stonewalled— form bill, again entirely in secret, not Eusebio was a truck driver. plain old stonewalling—the lead com- consulting anyone outside a small They had no criminal records, they mittee with jurisdiction for the agen- group of Republican lawmakers. cy. So it is not a surprise that the bill paid their taxes, they owned a home, For that reason, I want to announce they jammed through is actually noth- and they contributed to their commu- tonight that I will hold indefinitely the ing more than a tax cut for the richest nity. nomination of the individual to be As- Americans and large corporations, and They also had four children, three of sistant Secretary of the Treasury for all at the expense of American fami- whom are U.S.citizens. Little Jesus is just 12. Intelligence and Analysis until the De- lies, who will actually pay higher Elizabeth is 16 and currently enrolled partment cooperates with the Finance taxes. Committee and provides the committee Now, doubling down on their failed in a community learning center. with documents it needs to do its job. strategy of secrecy, Republicans came Melin is 21 and is currently enrolled Again, I regret that I have to take up with a government funding bill at at UC Santa Cruz, studying molecular this step. By the way, many of these the very last minute that ignores many cell and developmental biology. She documents are unclassified in nature, of our highest priority needs, including wants to be a pediatrician. so the Treasury Department is denying passing the Dream Act and coming up Their oldest daughter, Vianney, is 23, the Finance Committee access to un- with a long-term solution for CHIP. and she is not a citizen. classified documents. That is just com- I hope that Republicans will finally She is, however, protected under pletely unacceptable. realize that this isn’t the right way to DACA. She graduated from UC Santa We all understand that we are in the govern. You are not representing the Cruz with a degree in psychology, and midst of extraordinary and dangerous country when you govern 1 month at a today Vianney is taking care of her times. As our own intelligence commu- time and rush through poorly written three siblings. nity assessed in January, Russia inter- bills that only benefit certain special Imagine being thrust into the role of fered in our election with a clear pref- interests. caregiver to your three siblings after erence for Donald Trump. No one, It is time to return to regular order. your parents are kicked out of the other than Donald Trump, has appar- Now I would like to speak about the country, but your own ability to re- ently called this assessment into ques- absence of the Dream Act in this bill, a main here also remains uncertain. tion. For the sake of our national secu- negligent decision that even the major- Vianney will lose her DACA status in rity and the future of our country, it is ity of Republicans in this country dis- August. Imagine the fear and stress she important to get to the bottom of agree with. carries with her every day. every aspect of this attack on our de- To say that Republicans have sent All DACA recipients have to register mocracy. The American people have mixed signals on DACA is an under- with the government, so immigration clearly stated the urgency behind this. statement. officials know where Vianney lives and My view is that the Congress has an During his campaign, Donald Trump works. They could show up any day and obligation to follow the money wher- said he supported deporting all undocu- deport her, leaving her three younger ever the evidence leads and to conduct mented immigrants, including those citizen siblings behind with no one to a thorough investigation that leaves no who had registered for the Deferred Ac- care for them. stones unturned and presents to the tion for Childhood Arrivals Program. Sadly, the experience of this family public what we find. I will close by way Later, he said DACA recipients had isn’t rare. There are families like this of saying that I don’t see how you can nothing to worry about. Then, in Sep- across the country, people who came to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:26 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.067 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8233 America looking for a better life, who is exceptional. Patients do better, and place say that there are budget caps. work and follow the law and con- it costs less. So they have a special little waiver tribute. For all the talk about bipartisan sup- that they have put in the spending bills By ignoring their plight, by not port for these two programs, I am pro- because we are now going to exceed prioritizing the Dream Act, Repub- foundly disappointed that we have not those caps. licans are telling them they are just addressed their funding in a meaning- So the question is, Are we serious not important enough. ful way. about the debt? Are we serious about I simply can’t accept this and ask my Healthcare coverage for kids and ac- adding a million dollars a minute to Republican colleagues to look into cess to basic healthcare services in our the debt? That is what happens. We their hearts and find their compassion. communities should be a no-brainer. I borrow a million dollars a minute. The Tell these young people they are safe. strongly support these programs and deficit this year will be over $700 bil- Tell them they deserve to stay and the hope we can provide stability soon. lion—$20 trillion in total. The total Dream Act will pass. In conclusion, this has been a bad debt is bigger than our entire economy. This bill also fails to provide long- year for governance, and it is being So both sides give lip service to it, term funding stability for the Chil- capped off by yet another disappointing and yet both sides want more spending. dren’s Health Insurance Program and display by Republicans. On the Republican side, this year’s re- for community health centers. Both of All of us saw and heard the thousands quest is $80 billion above the caps for these programs are vital to our com- of Dreamers who visited our offices. We military. On the Democratic side, they munities and provide healthcare for saw not only their passion but also say: Well, you don’t get yours unless millions of Americans. their desire to make a difference. we get ours. Yet nobody cares about CHIP provides health coverage for Many of these young people live in the debt. So really the debt is being nearly 9 million children. In California, fear every day. driven by the GOP, who want more 1.3 million are currently enrolled in the Congress has a chance to improve military money but the only way they program and around 2 million are cov- their lives and provide for them a posi- can get it is giving the Democrats ered at some point during the year. tive, productive future. more welfare money. This program is absolutely critical to Republicans have chosen to ignore So the interesting thing about this support children in working families truly time-sensitive issues like DACA, vote is—you have heard the other side that are moderate income and can’t af- CHIP, and basic government funding. of the aisle saying it—they can’t vote ford private coverage. Around a quar- Instead, they chose to spend months on for the tax cut because of the debt. If ter of kids on CHIP have special tax cuts for rich Americans and big they care about the debt, let’s cut healthcare needs. corporations. spending. This is their chance. This I have been hearing from my con- Tax cuts for rich people aren’t time- will be a vote on cutting spending. stituents about how important this sensitive. Protecting children is. These pay-go budget caps were put in program is. Let’s get back on track, let’s add the place by the Democrats when they Rachel, from Orange, wrote me to Dream Act and CHIP to this bill, and were in the majority in 2010. These are say, ‘‘There are many who depend on let’s return to the good governance their budget caps, and yet everybody is this assistance to stay alive. I was a that our people expect. clamoring to waive them on both sides. type 1 diabetic at 12 with two disabled Thank you. We have a real problem in our coun- parents. If not for governmental assist- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- try, and we must do something about ance, I would be dead. Don’t leave ator from Kentucky. it. Ultimately, there will be a day of someone in this same situation hope- f reckoning. You cannot continue to bor- less.’’ row so much money. Ultimately, it DEFICITS Kathleen from Arcata wrote to me bankrupts the Nation, or the currency and said, ‘‘I am a single mom and Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, the ques- becomes worthless, or you get to a though my kids are grown now, I had tion is, Do deficits matter? We often point where the interest on the debt the CHIP for them. I can’t imagine say they do. You will hear Republicans actually becomes the No. 1 spending what it would be like to raise a child say they do, and for the last week or item. Within about a decade, interest living in similar circumstances now two, you have heard from Democrats will push out all other spending, and it without this program.’’ that they were against cutting taxes will be the No. 1 item. We will spend CHIP is also an important program because it might add to the deficit. more on interest than national defense. for pregnant women. In California, Well, if this is true, tonight we will get We will spend more on interest than 30,000 expecting mothers depend on the a chance to vote on the deficit because, welfare and anything else. So there are program. you see, Congress about 6 years ago, those who say: Well, we have to have This care is so important for ensur- put something forward called pay-go more money for military; we have to ing healthy moms and babies. If fund- budget caps. What does that mean? have more money for welfare. You are ing lapses, these expectant mothers are They kept seeing the deficit explode. going to have none of that if you keep at risk of losing their coverage. So they put in these budget caps, and if spending money at this rate because we Funding for community health cen- we were to adhere to them, we would are going to ruin the country through ters is also at risk. actually get the debt under control. debt. There are more than 10,400 centers Guess what. Congress has evaded them So can we have a strong military? that see more than 25 million patients 29 times. Yes. We spend about $600 billion, but across the country. So tonight we will have a bill, and it you can’t necessarily spend $700 billion. In California, we have more than will be the 30th time that Congress has That extra $100 billion is making the 1,500 centers that care for more than 4.4 evaded their own rules on the debt. Is debt worse. But it is the same on the million patients each year in Cali- it any surprise that the debt under other side of the ledger with the Demo- fornia. If we don’t provide long-term George W. Bush went from $5 trillion crats. funding for these centers, there is no to $10 trillion? Is it any surprise that So we have a chance. There really is doubt they will have to limit hours, lay under President Obama it went from a chance. The media would say: Oh, off staff, or even close. $10 trillion to $20 trillion? Is it any sur- you are irresponsible for voting for the Supporting community health cen- prise that the debt continues to rise? tax cuts. No, you are irresponsible if ters isn’t just the right thing to do for No, because both parties are respon- you are not also willing to vote for access, but for positive outcomes and sible for it. spending cuts. cost-effectiveness as well. Look, I was all for the tax cut. I So tonight I will put forward in a few Health center patients have an 18 think it is good for the country, but I minutes a motion, and this motion will percent lower rate of emergency room am also for restraining spending. So we be to say that we should obey the visits. Medicaid patients receiving care did the tax cut earlier in the week, and spending caps. We have put them in at health centers have costs that are 24 now we are going to do a spending bill. place. Unless our outrage over debt is percent lower, and the quality of care We have rules in place, and the rules in fake outrage, if we truly care about the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 08:22 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.006 S21DEPT1 S8234 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 debt, we should vote to keep in place leader and the Speaker of the House re- cluded provisions to exclude all or part of the rules we have put in place. These leased a joint statement that pledged the law’s budgetary impact, including the are spending caps. If we care about the this will not happen, and that is the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 that next generation, we should vote for the issue before us tonight. was enacted under the previous Administra- tion. spending caps. So I will put forward a Medicare provides essential I look forward to working with you to en- motion that says: Let’s obey our own healthcare benefits to our Nation’s sen- sure that no Medicare cuts are triggered rules. iors. We must remove, immediately, under PAYGO, a goal I believe is supported It will be interesting to watch the the threat that an automatic reduction by members on both sides of the aisle. Thank vote and to see how it turns out—who in the program’s funding could occur, you for your attention to this critical issue. truly cares about the debt on either which would affect healthcare pro- Sincerely, side of the aisle, who is willing to say: viders and diminish access that bene- SUSAN M. COLLINS, U.S. SENATOR. You know what; I am for tax cuts but ficiaries—including our seniors and dis- U.S. SENATE, I am also for saying across the board abled individuals—have to the services Washington, DC, December 1, 2017. that we need to have spending re- they need. Hon. SUSAN COLLINS, straint. Will we obey our own rules? We Earlier this month, AARP sent a let- Dirksen Senate Office Building, have broken our own rules. This will be ter to the House and the Senate leader- Washington, DC. the 30th time we broke our own rules ship, alluding and supporting my in- DEAR SENATOR COLLINS: Thank you for on budget caps since 2010. If you go quiry and warning Congress of the po- your letter expressing concern about the tential consequences. The letter says: across-the-board spending cuts. You will be back farther, it is in the hundreds of pleased to know that Speaker Paul Ryan and times. If you were scoring Congress on The sudden cut to Medicare provider fund- I issued the following joint statement earlier integrity and honesty about the rules ing in 2018 would have an immediate and today: we have set up, it would be a zero. We lasting impact, including fewer healthcare ‘‘Critics of tax reform are claiming the leg- aren’t adhering to our own rules. providers participating in Medicare and re- islation would lead to massive, across-the- So what I would admonish my col- duced access to care for Medicare bene- board spending cuts in vital programs—in- ficiaries. Healthcare providers may choose to cluding a 4-percent reduction in Medicare— leagues to do is, if they care about stop accepting Medicare patients at a time debt, is to vote for this point of order due to the Pay-Go law enacted in 2010. This when the Medicare population is growing by will not happen. Congress has readily avail- that says that we should adhere to our 10,000 new beneficiaries each day. . . . Fur- able methods to waive this law, which has budget caps and we should really truly thermore, Medicare Advantage plans and never been enforced since its enactment. care about the budget deficit. Part D prescription drug plans may charge There is no reason to believe that Congress Thank you, Mr. President. higher premiums or cost sharing in future would not act again to prevent a sequester, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- years to make up for these cuts now. and we will work to ensure these spending ator from Maine. These potential cuts would have an cuts are prevented.’’ Again, thank you. f enormous impact on our hospitals, our nursing homes, our home health agen- Sincerely, MEDICARE FUNDING cies, and other essential healthcare MITCH MCCONNELL, Majority Leader. Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise in providers who play a critical role in strong opposition to the point of order providing healthcare services and also AARP®, that will be offered by the Senator as important economic drivers in our December 7, 2017. from Kentucky, which would have the communities. Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL, effect of allowing harmful, indiscrimi- It is critical for Congress to act U.S. Senate, nate budget cuts to be triggered. While quickly, to act tonight before we go U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC. there are certain safety net programs home, so seniors do not have the anx- Hon. CHARLES E. SCHUMER, like Medicaid, food stamps, and Social iety of wondering whether the tax bill U.S. Senate, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC. Security that are exempt from these will somehow negatively affect their Hon. PAUL D. RYAN, automatic cuts, the Medicare Program healthcare. We can act tonight to re- House of Representatives, is not exempt, and there are a number move that anxiety and assure them it U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC. of other vital programs in addition to will not. Hon. NANCY PELOSI, Medicare, including Federal education Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- House of Representatives, programs, agricultural support for sent that the exchange of letters I had U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC. farmers, and funding for Citizenship with Majority Leader MCCONNELL and DEAR MAJORITY LEADER MCCONNELL, MI- NORITY LEADER SCHUMER, SPEAKER RYAN, and Immigration Services, among oth- also the letter from AARP be printed AND MINORITY LEADER PELOSI: On behalf of ers, that would be subject to imme- in the RECORD. our members and all Americans age 50 and diate automatic cuts if we failed to There being no objection, the mate- older, AARP is writing to express concerns take action tonight to avert that out- rial was ordered to be printed in the about the potential for automatic cuts to come. Record, as follows: Medicare beginning in January 2018. AARP, It has been deeply disturbing to me U.S. SENATE, with its nearly 38 million members in all 50 to see seniors frightened about the pos- Washington, DC, November 28, 2017. States and the District of Columbia, Puerto sibility that a $25 billion cut in Medi- Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL, Rico and the Virgin Islands, represents mil- care—that is a 4-percent reduction— Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, lions of individuals whose health care de- Washington, DC. pends on Medicare. We urge you to act now would be automatically triggered. By DEAR MAJORITY LEADER MCCONNELL: I to prevent these cuts to Medicare. waiving this point of order, we will pre- write to express my deep concerns with the The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) re- vent such cuts from taking place, reas- Congressional Budget Office’s determination cently provided an explanation of the impact suring our Nation’s seniors and their that an automatic four percent cut to Medi- H.R. 1 and its $1.5 trillion deficit increase loved ones. care, estimated to be roughly $25 billion for will have on Medicare and other programs. Although the law that could cause fiscal year 2018, could be triggered by the The CBO estimated that because of statutory this reduction has been waived some 16 passage of tax reform legislation as a result pay-as-you-go and the increase in the deficit, Medicare providers will be subject to an times—and indeed never implemented of the Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO) even though there is no intention for such a automatic $25 billion cut in fiscal year 2018, since it was enacted—I felt that it was reduction to occur. and additional cuts in subsequent fiscal essential that our leaders publicly Since I do not believe it is anyone’s inten- years. According to CBO, the automatic commit that Medicare reductions tion to allow automatic cuts to Medicare to cuts, or sequester, would begin as soon as would not be triggered, given the occur, I urge swift action to waive the January, 2018. amount of fear, anxiety, and misin- PAYGO requirements. Medicare provides es- In a statement responding to Senator formation that is out there. sential benefits to our nation’s seniors, and Collins’s inquiry on statutory pay-as-you-go I wrote to the Senate majority lead- we must remove immediately the threat that and the risk of Medicare cuts, Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan provided the er, urging that we immediately remove an automatic reduction in the program’s funding could occur. following assurance: ‘‘Congress has readily the threat of an automatic cut in Medi- Since PAYGO was enacted, sixteen laws available methods to waive this law, which care’s funding. In response, I am that would have otherwise triggered has never been enforced since its enactment. pleased to say that both the majority PAYGO’s automatic spending cuts have in- There is no reason to believe that Congress

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:18 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.069 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8235 would not act again to prevent a sequester, minutes to make a budget point of There appears to be a sufficient sec- and we will work to ensure these spending order; that Senator COLLINS or her des- ond. cuts are prevented.’’ It is of paramount in- ignee be recognized for up to 2 minutes The yeas and nays were ordered. terest to our members, and other older to make a motion to waive the point of Mr. DURBIN. I suggest the absence of Americans, that you act to prevent these spending cuts as soon as possible. order; that Senator LEAHY be recog- a quorum. The sudden cut to Medicare provider fund- nized for up to 5 minutes; that fol- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ing in 2018 would have an immediate and lowing the use or yielding back of that clerk will call the roll. lasting impact, including fewer providers time, the Senate vote on the motion to The senior assistant legislative clerk participating in Medicare and reduced access waive; and that following the disposi- proceeded to call the roll. to care for Medicare beneficiaries. Health tion of the motion to waive, the Senate Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask care providers may choose to stop accepting vote on the motion to concur, with a 60 unanimous consent that the order for Medicare patients at a time when the Medi- affirmative vote threshold, all without the quorum call be rescinded. care population is growing by 10,000 new beneficiaries each day. Cutting reimburse- any other intervening action or debate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ment in 2018, and possibly each year there- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection, it is so ordered. after, would discourage health care providers objection? Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I yield from treating this growing population. We Without objection, it is so ordered. back the time on this side. need to protect and strengthen the Medicare The Senator from Kentucky. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The program and ensure there is a health care Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, the ques- question now occurs on agreeing to the workforce able and willing to take on new tion is, Do deficits matter? We have motion to waive. patients. Furthermore, Medicare Advantage had a lot of debate over deficits and The yeas and nays were previously plans and Part D prescription drug plans people complaining that tax cuts add ordered. may charge higher premiums or cost-sharing in future years to make up for the cuts now. to deficits. Well, tonight we will have a The clerk will call the roll. These cuts also come at a critical time in vote on whether we should honor what The bill clerk called the roll. the program when providers are adopting the are called pay-go budget caps. We have Mr. CORNYN. The following Senator new payment systems according to MACRA had these in place for about 6 years. is necessarily absent: the Senator from (P.L. 114–10) which overwhelmingly passed Congress has disobeyed their own rules Arizona (Mr. MCCAIN). Congress in 2015. An across-the-board cut to 30 times as of tonight. These budget The result was announced—yeas 91, provider reimbursement will leave health caps would keep spending in order. Yet nays 8, as follows: care providers fewer resources to invest in we are going to have them waived to- their practices, and make them less inclined [Rollcall Vote No. 324 Leg.] to take on risk in new alternative payment night. YEAS—91 My budget point of order would actu- models. The sudden payment cut will stifle Alexander Franken Nelson the transition toward payment based on ally say that we should not waive these Baldwin Gardner Perdue value, having implications for future Medi- budget caps. We should honor them be- Barrasso Gillibrand Peters care cost growth. In any event, Medicare cause deficits do matter. Bennet Graham Portman beneficiaries will pay the price for these sud- We borrow $1 million a minute. The Blumenthal Grassley Reed Blunt Harris Roberts den and significant cuts. deficit this year will be over $700 bil- Booker Hassan Our members and other older Americans Rounds lion. The overall debt is $20 trillion. We Boozman Hatch Rubio are counting on you to preserve their access Brown Heinrich have a spending problem. We have rules Sanders to Medicare services, including their doctors Burr Heitkamp Schatz and hospitals. We urge you to act swiftly to to keep spending in check, and we dis- Cantwell Heller Schumer prevent automatic cuts to Medicare. If you obey our own rules. Capito Hirono With that, I make a point of order on Cardin Hoeven Scott have any questions or need additional infor- Shaheen mation, please feel free to contact me or the statutory pay-go scorecard that Carper Inhofe Casey Isakson Shelby contact Joyce Rogers, Senior Vice President says we should spend within certain Cassidy Johnson Stabenow of Government Affairs. limits. This budget point of order is Cochran Kaine Strange Sincerely, pursuant to section 306 of the Congres- Collins King Sullivan JO ANN C. JENKINS, sional Budget Act of 1974. Coons Klobuchar Tester Chief Executive Officer. Corker Lankford Thune The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Cornyn Leahy Tillis Ms. COLLINS. I yield the floor. ator from Maine. Cortez Masto Manchin Toomey The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, we sim- Cotton Markey Udall Daines McCaskill YOUNG). The majority leader. ply cannot allow these harmful, indis- Van Hollen Donnelly McConnell Warner f criminate budget cuts to be triggered. Duckworth Menendez Warren Durbin It is so disturbing to see our seniors Merkley Whitehouse DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SE- Enzi Moran Wicker CURITY BLUE CAMPAIGN AU- worried about the possibility of a $25 Ernst Murkowski Wyden THORIZATION ACT OF 2017 billion cut in the Medicare Program. Feinstein Murphy That is a 4-percent reduction. That Fischer Murray Young Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I would affect healthcare providers and NAYS—8 ask that the Chair lay before the Sen- healthcare services. There is no need ate the message to accompany H.R. Crapo Kennedy Risch for this indiscriminate cut to occur. Cruz Lee Sasse 1370. It is critical that Congress act to- Flake Paul The Presiding Officer laid before the night, act immediately, so that seniors NOT VOTING—1 Senate the following message from the and our disabled citizens do not have McCain House of Representatives: the anxiety of wondering whether the Resolved, That the House agree to the tax bill will somehow negatively affect The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. their healthcare. By voting to waive vote, the yeas are 91, the nays are 8. 1370) entitled ‘‘An Act to amend the Home- Three-fifths of the Senators duly cho- land Security Act of 2002 to require the Sec- the point of order, we can remove that anxiety and prevent the indiscriminate sen and sworn having voted in the af- retary of Homeland Security to issue Depart- firmative, the motion is agreed to and ment of Homeland Security-wide guidance cuts in Medicare and other essential and develop training programs as part of the programs from occurring. the point of order falls. Department of Homeland Security Blue Pursuant to section 904 of the Con- VOTE ON MOTION TO CONCUR Campaign, and for other purposes.’’, with an gressional Budget Act of 1974 and the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendment. waiver provisions of applicable budget question is on agreeing to the motion MOTION TO CONCUR resolutions, I move to waive all appli- to concur. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I cable sections of that act and applica- Mr. ROUNDS. Mr. President, I ask move to concur in the House amend- ble budget resolutions for purposes of for the yeas and nays. ment to the Senate amendment to H.R. the House message to accompany H.R. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a 1370. 1370, and I ask for the yeas and nays. sufficient second? I ask unanimous consent that Sen- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a There appears to be a sufficient sec- ator PAUL be recognized for up to 2 sufficient second? ond.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 08:22 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.011 S21DEPT1 S8236 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 The clerk will call the roll. We will do that when we come back. lution. We simply cannot fail to pass The senior assistant legislative clerk There will not be another continuing the Dream Act, and we must do so, and called the roll. resolution without a bipartisan budget we must do so soon. The future of Mr. CORNYN. The following Senators agreement. Dreamers—and I believe the fate of the are necessarily absent: the Senator Mr. President, this is not how we American Dream itself—lies in our from Georgia (Mr. ISAKSON) and the should govern in the U.S. Senate. We hands. Senator from Arizona (Mr. MCCAIN). have once again found ourselves on the We also need a permanent reauthor- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there edge of a manufactured, made-in-Wash- ization for the Children’s Health Insur- any other Senators in the Chamber de- ington crisis. Once again, we are forced ance Program. It has been 3 months siring to vote? into political games at the eleventh since Congress let funds expire for the The result was announced—yeas 66, hour by the imminent threat of a Re- Children’s Health Insurance Program, nays 32, as follows: publican shutdown. This time that CHIP, putting at risk the 9 million [Rollcall Vote No. 325 Leg.] threat has fallen right before Christ- children nationwide who depend on the program for health insurance coverage. YEAS—66 mas and the holidays. There is no reason we should find Vermont’s CHIP program, known as Alexander Gardner Perdue Dr. Dynasaur, covers over 5,000 chil- Barrasso Graham Peters ourselves in this situation. There has Blunt Grassley Portman always been a proven path forward to dren whose families are now worried Boozman Hassan Risch avoid this crisis, and that path is to whether their kids will be covered next Burr Hatch Roberts reach a bipartisan budget deal that is year. Instead of moving forward with a Capito Heinrich Rounds bipartisan reauthorization for 5 years, Carper Heitkamp Rubio based on parity. Sequestration has had Cassidy Heller Sasse devastating consequences on our coun- as has been proposed in the Senate, Cochran Hoeven Scott try that will impact a generation, and this continuing resolution extends the Collins Inhofe Shaheen we must raise the budget caps on both program only temporarily. Coons Johnson Shelby What is worse, the majority is insist- Corker Kaine Stabenow sides of the ledger—defense and non- Cornyn Kennedy Strange defense. ing on offsetting this extension by cut- Cotton King Sullivan This is not an academic exercise. Our ting funding for prevention and public Crapo Lankford Tester decisions are having real and dev- health programs. This is robbing Peter Cruz Leahy Thune to pay Paul. If we can pass a tax cut Daines Manchin Tillis astating consequences. We are letting Donnelly McCaskill Toomey our infrastructure crumble. We are let- that benefits the wealthiest Americans Enzi McConnell Udall and which will add, at a minimum, $1.5 Ernst Moran Warner ting down our veterans. We are allowing our education programs to fall be- trillion to our deficit, we should be Fischer Murkowski Wicker able to reauthorize CHIP—for longer Flake Nelson Young hind, and we are harming our mili- than 3 months—without undermining tary’s readiness. NAYS—32 public health. We should not have to Baldwin Feinstein Murray Regrettably, our Republican Col- leagues took the path of delay, no com- make this choice, but here we are, Bennet Franken Paul being forced to choose between a mis- Blumenthal Gillibrand Reed promise, government by crisis. Here we guided short-term patch or a wholesale Booker Harris Sanders are, 3 months into the fiscal year with- Brown Hirono government shutdown. Schatz out a budget. The continuing resolu- Cantwell Klobuchar Schumer Again, I call on our colleagues on the Cardin Lee tion that is before us provides a 1- Van Hollen other side of the aisle to use the next Casey Markey Warren month extension to fund the govern- Cortez Masto Menendez month to negotiate solutions to these Whitehouse Duckworth Merkley ment, but we are no closer to a bipar- Wyden real problems. That includes having a Durbin Murphy tisan budget deal. I intend to vote for debate about American’s privacy this continuing resolution because a NOT VOTING—2 rights. Section 702 of the FISA Amend- government shutdown helps no one, Isakson McCain ments Act was intended to be a power- but I implore my fellow Senators to ful foreign intelligence surveillance The motion was agreed to. use the next month wisely. We owe it tool, and it is, but it also sweeps up The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- to the American people. massive amounts of Americans’ com- ator from Vermont. Those on the other side of the aisle munications, which can then be f need to come to the table to negotiate accessed without a warrant. That has an agreement that will provide funding FUNDING THE GOVERNMENT long been a concern of mine, and I have for healthcare to our veterans, build stated that we should reauthorize 702, Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I will infrastructure for a growing economy, but we should not do so at the expense speak very briefly. and make us more secure. of our own civil liberties. While I voted to keep the government But this is not the only thing we A 1-month extension gives Congress going, this is not the way to govern. must accomplish in the coming month. an opportunity—and I believe, an obli- We should not be doing stopgap meas- Our list of unfinished business is long. gation—to debate this program on the ures. We will be back here soon. We We also need to pass the Dream Act. floor, just like we did in 2012. All Mem- will have a relatively short time—a President Trump’s decision to end the bers deserve an opportunity to weigh in couple of weeks—to finally do our DACA program was as cruel as it was on this critical surveillance tool, and work, the work we should have done senseless. Dreamers are American in this short, clean reauthorization of for the last 6 months. We will have to every way except on paper, having been Section 702 allows for just that. address sequestration on both sides of brought here as children through no To be clear, the Republicans are in the ledger—on defense and non- fault of their own. By definition, charge of the House, the Senate, and defense—and raise the caps for both. Dreamers are law-abiding strivers, the White House. It is clear that they We have to speak on one of the great- serving our communities as doctors bear the burden of bringing us to this est issues in our country today, and and teachers and defending our home- crisis point, and they need to answer to that is the Dreamers, and we have to land as brave men and women in uni- the American people for the unfinished address that and have votes up or down form. business before us. We should never on the Senate floor. I intend to vote to Instead of working with Congress to have gotten to this point. protect Dreamers. We have to vote on find a permanent legislative solution We can still reach a bipartisan budg- the Children’s Health Insurance Pro- while keeping DACA protections in et deal. I remain ready to work with gram. There are so many others. place, the President yielded to Chairman COCHRAN, the Appropriations I want Senators on both sides of the xenophobic nativists in his administra- Committee, and Members from both aisle to know—and I have talked to tion and terminated protections for our sides of the aisle to secure the funding both Republicans and Democrats—Sen- Nation’s Dreamers. agreements we need to complete our ator COCHRAN and I and others have I am greatly disappointed that Re- appropriations, keep the lights on, and tried to keep the appropriations proc- publicans would not consider including resolve the other pressing matters be- ess going. We will continue to do that. the Dream Act on this continuing reso- fore us.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 08:22 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.074 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8237 I yield the floor. have seen before in Texas—the number United States has an annual job to do— The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- of people impacted, the scope. It to adopt a budget and then appropriate ator from Texas. brought 250 miles of devastation to our it; to lay out the framework for what f Texas gulf coast as winds obliterated to spend and then to make deliberate whole communities and rain flooded decisions in the Appropriations Com- DISASTER RELIEF out parts of Texas that have never mittee and move forward by the end of Mr. CRUZ. Mr. President, as the jet flooded before. the fiscal year. fumes swirl around the Halls of Con- Due to the level of damage the storm This may not be well or widely gress and Members get ready to head to caused to homes, businesses, and infra- known, but the Federal fiscal year be- the airport to get home for the holi- structure, Hurricane Harvey was the gins October 1. It is by October 1 that days, I rise to remind my colleagues costliest disaster this year and may we are supposed to figure out what we that there are still hundreds of thou- well prove the costliest natural dis- are going to spend and how we are sands of people in Texas, Florida, and aster in U.S. history. According to the going to spend it and why we are going Puerto Rico who are still hurting from Governor of Texas, the damage to our to spend it. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. State from the hurricane is well over As we all head home to celebrate the They will be spending Christmas not in $120 billion and could prove to be closer holidays on December 21, I just wanted their homes but in a hotel or with fam- to $180 billion. Any bill to provide dis- to take a moment and go over the list ily and friends or in temporary hous- aster funding brought to this floor of things that are unaddressed and un- ing. should recognize the unprecedented resolved at the end of this calendar All across these regions, there are level of damage wreaked upon the year. houses, businesses, schools, churches, State and should provide the level of The way it is supposed to work here and community establishments that assistance necessary to help Texas re- and the way it is actually working here still need to be rebuilt. They are wait- build. are strikingly different. In my 7 years ing, counting on our help. It is wrong. I spoke this afternoon with Governor now in the Senate on both the Budget Indeed, it is maddening to those in the Greg Abbott, and he expressed serious Committee and the Appropriations affected regions that the Senate is not concerns that the supplemental bill Committee, I have seen people of good taking up legislation today to give coming out of the House does not di- will of both parties try mightily and so them what they need to continue to re- rect nearly enough resources to the far consistently fail to get us back to build and recover. State of Texas given the magnitude of regular order and to end this process of In my home State, there is no doubt- the damage, the magnitude of the suf- moving crisis to crisis, continuing res- ing that Texas’s gulf coast commu- fering. Disaster relief needs to focus olution to continuing resolution. nities suffered tremendous losses in where the suffering occurred and where While I didn’t hope that tonight the Hurricane Harvey, but the hurricane the disaster occurred. Federal Government of the United also brought out the best in Texas. We I am hopeful that when this body re- States would shut down, it is depress- saw Texans standing together and lift- turns in 2 weeks, we will work together ing, concerning, even alarming to me ing up each other, first through rescue in a bipartisan way to ensure that the that we head home having not resolved and response and now as we come to- promises made to the State of Texas so many issues. gether and rebuild our communities. are fulfilled and that the resources are We have heard from other Members The Nation witnessed our iconic mo- there to help our State rebuild. The here about the pressing needs of their ments, from the thousands of Texans emergency response is over, but recov- home States. We have concerns all over who went out on boats to save their ery and rebuilding efforts go on. As we our country, such as the Children’s neighbors, to Houstonians of all ages keep working to keep our promises, I Health Insurance Program, known as lining up to volunteer at disaster re- remain determined to keep fighting to CHIP, which is a literal lifeline to 9 covery centers, embodying the Texas ensure that Texas has the Federal re- million low-income children. Author- can-do spirit. sources to which the State is entitled ization and funding ran out months Texas has worked diligently since under Federal law. ago. Some States are already notifying August on cleanup and recovery efforts The spirit of Texas is strong. Some parents that their children’s health in- from Hurricane Harvey, but I am sorry weeks ago, I tweeted out a picture that surance coverage will lapse. There are to say that the U.S. Senate is now leav- I think captured some of that spirit. It community health centers on which 26 ing town without delivering on its was a picture of a man in his living million patients rely. There is the commitment to help Texas, Florida, room. The Sheetrock was torn down pressing need to fund a response to the and Puerto Rico recover. from all the walls—nothing but studs opioid crisis, the need to fund veterans’ Congress has already passed two dis- on the walls and no carpet. The floor- care, infrastructure, shore up pension aster relief bills in the wake of these ing was taken up. There was no fur- plans, invest in education, and, of hurricanes. In addition, Congress niture. He had a lawn chair. He had an course, respond to natural disasters. passed a bipartisan disaster relief tax Igloo ice chest as a coffee table and a From Americans in Puerto Rico and bill that I was proud to offer. But there TV screen, and he was wearing a Hous- the Virgin Islands to Americans in is still much more that needs to be ton Astros jersey and cheering as the Texas and Florida and Louisiana, to done. Astros won the World Series. The tweet those in California and the West— Just hours ago, our colleagues in the simply said: ‘‘This is why it matters.’’ whether it is hurricanes or forest fires, House passed a bill to further provide That is the spirit of Texas. We need to parts of our Nation are literally flood- for emergency rebuilding efforts. This remember that spirit, and we need to ing and burning. Yet we head home bill represents progress, but much make sure the disaster relief responds having not addressed their challenges. more work needs to be done to make to the real damage and real suffering Of course, I feel concerned that we sure that it does enough, especially for that Hurricane Harvey visited upon the have failed to act to protect the Texas, which was promised by both State of Texas. Dreamers here in our country, the this Congress and by the administra- I look forward to working with my young men and women brought here tion that Texas would be given every- colleagues, hopefully from both sides of who have never known any other coun- thing we need to rebuild. Early esti- the aisle, to deliver on that commit- try, men and women who reflect the mates from the supplemental bill that ment that Texans are owed. best of our country. I met many in my passed the House are that Texas would I yield the floor. home State of Delaware. They are high be eligible for only a small percentage The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- school and college students, members of the $81 billion in that legislation. ator from Delaware. of our military, parts of our neighbor- That is unacceptable, and the Senate f hoods and communities. But given the needs to fix it. Trump administration’s decision, the Texas experienced the worst flood PRESSING ISSUES AT YEAR END President’s decision to end an adminis- event in U.S. history. Hurricane Har- Mr. COONS. Mr. President, as we trative policy allowing these young vey was unlike any other storm we know all too well, the Senate of the people to come out of the shadows and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 08:22 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.077 S21DEPT1 S8238 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 live without fear of being deported, we law and the independence of the De- winning the national championship in wait for bipartisan legislative action to partment of Justice specifically by pro- front of a record-setting crowd of give them the security they deserve tecting special counsel investigations Husker fans—the best fans in college and the ability to participate wholly in from unwarranted political inter- football. Nebraskans couldn’t be more the American Dream. ference. proud of this volleyball team and the I believe we can pass a bipartisan We have spirited debates over tax- coaching staff. Dream Act that both protects Dream- ation, immigration, our Federal budg- The Huskers won this national cham- ers and makes our borders more secure, et, but this issue is too important for pionship the Nebraska way—with hard but all of these issues seem to become me to yield the floor before this end of work, sportsmanship, and determina- more partisan and more difficult fights the year without urging my colleagues tion. They deserve to be saluted by the than they need to be. We should be able to seriously consider the important Senate, and I urge my colleagues to to work together to resolve our dif- task we face to maintain the independ- pass this resolution and recognize their ferences and not have to go home with ence of the Department of Justice and outstanding accomplishment. yet another continuing resolution, uphold the rule of law. I congratulate them on their victory keeping the government afloat while I hope folks in this Chamber will con- and know they will continue to be we head out to celebrate. Our constitu- sider the importance of protecting this great role models to girls and athletes ents didn’t send us here to fight endless investigation and this special counsel everywhere. partisan battles, to avoid the strictures and, frankly, of continuing to protect Thank you. of the Budget Act and the appropria- the independence and integrity of the I yield the floor. tions process, and when things get Department of Justice and our system The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- tough, to just kick the can down the of courts and law into the future. It is ator from Nebraska. Mr. SASSE. Mr. President, I thank road. part of the bedrock on which our de- my senior Senator for leading us in Before I leave the floor, I want to mocracy rests, a bedrock which we can- speak about one other pressing concern this resolution. not afford to have shaken. Nebraska volleyball continues to I have, and that is about the impor- Mr. President, I yield the floor. dominate. If there is any debate about tance of maintaining the independence The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the best volleyball State in the Union, of the investigation currently under- ator from Nebraska. there should be no more. Nebraska has way under the leadership of Special f proved, yet again, we have the best Counsel Robert Mueller. I have heard CONGRATULATING THE UNIVER- team, the best coaching staff, and in- concerning, even alarming attacks on SITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN disputably the best fans in the country. the special counsel by colleagues in the VOLLEYBALL TEAM FOR WIN- Two years ago, this team won the na- other Chamber and by folks in the NING THE 2017 NATIONAL COLLE- tional championship at home in press. Omaha, setting records with the I just want to take a moment to say GIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION crowds that attended the games there, that our Nation relies on a few key in- DIVISION I VOLLEYBALL CHAM- and last week in Kansas City, we set stitutions and principles that protect PIONSHIP another alltime record with the most this experiment in democracy, and Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise watched championship volleyball game none are more important than the rule this evening to call up and adopt a res- ever at 18,516 fans, including my 6-year of law and the institutions that make olution recognizing this year’s NCAA old who stayed awake at nearly 11 p.m. up our system of justice. As partisan- champions in women’s volleyball—the as we were finishing, and he was decid- ship, gridlock, and distress have be- Huskers from the University of Ne- ing to watch it upside down, hanging come more prevalent in our country braska-Lincoln. This is the program’s over the seats from the upper decks at and corrosive to our politics, these in- fifth national championship and second title in 3 years. the arena in Kansas City. stitutions that sustain our democratic So I proudly join the senior Senator During the NCAA tournament, Ne- system are more important than ever. and Husker nation in congratulating braska played remarkably well, win- I have traveled to other countries these young women, saying ‘‘Go Big ning 18 sets and finishing on a 19-match that have on pieces of paper Constitu- Red’’ on behalf of all 1.9 million Ne- winning streak. They were so fun to tions and legal systems that literally braskans. mirror our own, but they are ineffec- watch. Just two stats of note. First, in the The entire team contributed to the tive and their systems are nondemo- earlier round at the final four, Ne- outstanding victory, and I want to ac- cratic because their courts are not braska beat Penn State. Those are the knowledge their extraordinary effort: independent and their national leaders two winningest teams in the history of Annika Albrecht, Mikaela Foecke, are not held accountable. volleyball. Nebraska has the most wins Hunter Atherton, Hayley Densberger, Across our country for generations, at 1,308. Penn State has the greatest Allie Havers, Briana Holman, Kenzie from classrooms to courtrooms, in Con- winning percentage. We have now won Maloney, Kelly Hunter, Chesney gress and communities, we have af- five championships in 22 years, as well McClellan, Sami Slaughter, Lauren firmed to Americans of all back- as three runner-up, second-place fin- Stivrins, Jazz Sweet, Anezka Szabo, grounds the importance of the prin- ishes in the last 30 years. and Sydney Townsend all had their ciple that no one is above the rule of Coach Cook, as Senator FISCHER law. Our country has been able to grow hard work pay off and they worked to- mentioned, has won four champion- and change and improve because we are gether to win a championship. ships at Nebraska over the last 17 a nation of laws—laws that can be de- The Nebraska coaches worked hard, years. The alltime record for the his- bated and changed but must be fol- helped train our athletes, and tory of volleyball is five national lowed and respected. strategized this championship run. championships, and we expect that The Department of Justice isn’t re- Head coach John Cook won his fourth Coach Cook will set that new record. spected because of its role on a piece of national champion as a Husker head So I join my senior Senator in urging paper, no matter how treasured and coach. He was joined by assistant the Senate to pass this resolution for important, or because of its title en- coach Tyler Hildebrand, assistant the University of Nebraska women’s graved above the door of the building coach Kayla Banwarth, volunteer as- volleyball team. or its motto; it is respected, trusted, sistant coach Ryan Coomes, director of I yield the floor. and relied upon because it has strived operations Lindsay Peterson, video co- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- to uphold our highest ideals and to en- ordinator Kelly O’Connor, and grad- ator from Nebraska. force the law. uate managers Joe Klein, John Henry, Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask It is easier to save an institution like and Bre Mackie. Together, as a team, unanimous consent that the Senate the rule of law than it is to restore it they guided that outstanding group of proceed to the consideration of S. Res. once torn down. This is why I helped women to another national champion- 365, submitted earlier today. author bipartisan legislation that ship. These coaches have created a The PRESIDING OFFICER. The would seek to further affirm the rule of foundation and a winning tradition— clerk will report the resolution.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 08:25 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.078 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8239 The legislative clerk read as follows: Mark Prater, Jay Khosla, and Brendan people I represent. As important as A resolution (S. Res. 365) congratulating Dunn, who led that effort, we all owe those middle-class tax cuts are, equally the University of Nebraska-Lincoln you our thanks. Then, of course, there as important is what we are doing to volleyball team for winning the 2017 Na- are a slew of other staff, including stimulate more investment in this tional Collegiate Athletic Association Divi- Zach Rudisill of my staff, who just economy, and that is through the sion I Volleyball Championship. spent hours and hours and put his changes for small businesses that will There being no objection, the Senate heart and soul into this. Thank you— now be able to put more money into proceeded to consider the resolution. all of you—for helping us get to this the business rather than paying more Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask point. taxes. Many of these businesses—so- unanimous consent that the resolution For years, Democrats and Repub- called passthrough companies, which be agreed to, the preamble be agreed licans alike have called for middle- are most of the businesses in Amer- to, and the motions to reconsider be class tax cuts. We talk about it in cam- ica—pay taxes as individuals. They considered made and laid upon the paigns. I am proud to say that this don’t pay the business tax rate; they table with no intervening action or de- week we delivered on it. pay the individual tax rate. Many of bate. I know some of my Democratic col- them do take a dividend. They take The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without leagues have been critical of the legis- money out of the company every year objection, it is so ordered. lation, and some have said: Well, these for one purpose, and that is to pay The resolution (S. Res. 365) was are not real, middle-class tax cuts be- their taxes. To the extent they are not agreed to. cause they expire. Yes, they expire taking the money out as much to pay The preamble was agreed to. after 8 years. We wished they didn’t. those taxes because of the changes we (The resolution, with its preamble, is Those are the budget rules here, but made here for small businesses, they printed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Sub- that is the same thing that happened are going to be able to invest more in mitted Resolutions.’’) with the 2001 tax cuts, the 2003 tax their people, more in their equipment, Mrs. FISCHER. Thank you. cuts, and Congress worked to extend more in their plants—and I am hearing those using the same budget rules for I yield the floor. this from small business people around about 95 percent of those taxpayers. I The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the State of Ohio. ator from Ohio. am strongly hoping we will do the Last weekend, I was with a number Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, first, same thing, and I believe we will. of them, and they are excited about This is real tax relief. For families in I congratulate the Nebraska women’s this because they want to be able to in- Ohio of median income, the average volleyball team and say I was proud to vest more in their business, they want will be just over $2,000 every year. That be here on the floor to be one of those to be able to invest more in their peo- helps the family budget. That is a little who did not object to this wonderful ple, and they want to be able to give money you can put aside for retire- resolution just offered by my col- people who work for them the oppor- ment. Maybe that is money to use for leagues from Nebraska. tunity to have a higher wage. a vacation you didn’t have. If you are Right now, wages are flat, and they f living paycheck to paycheck, which is really have been for the past couple of TAX REFORM BILL true with a lot of people I represent, decades when you take inflation into that is a big help. It is a big help. That Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I am account. This has the incredible oppor- is from doubling the child credit, that standing here tonight to talk about a tunity for us not just to provide mid- is from doubling the standard deduc- couple of things, and first is the tax dle-class tax cuts, which are important tion, essentially creating $14,000 of a legislation that was passed this week not just to help businesses invest, but in Congress. This is going to help ev- zero income bracket. By the way, doing those sorts of actually to help get wages up so people erybody I represent because it is going things in this bill means that about 3 will see that if they work hard and to help our entire country. It is going million Americans or more are going play by the rules, they are going to see to lift up our country in ways we are to be leaving the tax rolls all together. higher wages, the ability to get ahead, already beginning to see. These are people who have tax liability and have more hope for themselves and There have been a lot of people to now and, under the new bill, starting in for their kids and their grandkids. Ev- thank, and today I was at the signing a couple of weeks, they will not have eryone, regardless of economic status, ceremony where Speaker RYAN and an income tax liability. They will be region, or party is going to see the ben- President pro tempore ORRIN HATCH out from under the IRS. They will be efits of this tax reform bill. signed the official legislation that is able, as they move many of them from By the way, some workers are al- now on its way to the President for his welfare to work or from a Federal pro- ready seeing the benefit, as we talked signature. I start by thanking them— gram into gainful employment, to not today, because there are a bunch of Speaker RYAN, Chairman HATCH, and worry about the taxman. That is really companies that announced today that also Chairman BRADY of the Ways and important too. I am proud of the legis- because of the tax reform and tax cuts Means Committee, with whom I lation because I think it is going to legislation, they are already taking worked closely on this. He was a gen- really help the people I represent in an steps to increase the pay of their em- tleman. He was, as always, someone immediate way. ployees, increase benefits, or invest who was looking for ways to solve People will see it in their paychecks. more money in building plants, equip- problems and to get to yes, and I com- The proof is in the paychecks because ment, or adding more jobs to invest- mend him for that. they will see it, and probably starting ment or both. These companies include I also want to thank some of the col- in February, the withholding will some big companies you have heard of leagues on the Finance Committee change. The IRS has to go through a like Comcast. It includes other compa- whom I worked closely with. This Core process on that. I wrote a letter to nies like Wells Fargo and Boeing and 4 group includes Senator JOHN THUNE, them yesterday encouraging them to AT&T. They have made these an- Senator PAT TOOMEY, Senator TIM move on that quickly because people nouncements today. SCOTT. want to see that in their paychecks. So One company that announced it Maybe, most importantly, is the the tax relief starts in a couple of today is in my hometown. It is the staff. We had an enormous undertaking weeks, January 1. It will be in the pay- Fifth Third Bank. It is kind of an un- here, and it was ambitious to try to checks when the withholding changes— usual name, Fifth Third, but that meet the goals that were set out early hopefully sometime in late January, makes them distinctive, right? They on of real, middle-class tax cuts, also February—and people will see less said today, you know what, we are energizing the economy through help- money being withheld from their pay- going to start paying our people a ing small businesses, and then chang- check because of the tax cuts that en- higher entry level pay—instead of 13- ing the whole international system so able them to have a healthier family something an hour, it is going to be $15 we could level the playing field. It was budget. an hour—and we are going to provide a lot to do, and it took a lot of exper- I have to tell you I believe this is bonuses to other employees who are tise and a lot of time and effort. So to going to go well beyond that for the not affected by that. They are going to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 08:25 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.079 S21DEPT1 S8240 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 do it right now, and they are doing it your business, wherever you work, you All of us are patriots here in this because of the tax relief legislation. are probably competing directly or in- body. All of us should want to bring So to those who say: Gosh. What directly on a global basis. back those jobs to America, repatriate about me? I would just say: Look at I will give you an example. There is those profits here to America, and give your paycheck. If you work for one of a little company in my hometown American workers the ability to com- these businesses that has already made called Standard Textiles. It is a great pete on a level playing field. an announcement, of course, you are company. They make linens. It is a I know there were some differences in feeling good about it, but even if you company that competes every day this legislation. We heard a lot of it work for another company that maybe globally. In fact, a lot of the companies from the other side of the aisle, but on is a little quieter about what they are they compete with, as you can imag- this issue, it has been bipartisan in the doing—maybe they are not going to ine, are companies that make these lin- past. I hope it will be bipartisan going make a big announcement—trust me, ens somewhere else—say, in Asia, forward to hold these reforms in place it is going to be in their interest now, where traditionally people have been so we can show that we have con- in a competitive market out there, to able to find lower costs. Guess what fidence and faith in American workers invest in those companies, to invest in they are looking at now with this tax and that we have confidence that if we their people, to invest in training, to reform bill: the ability to invest more give them the right tools—in this case, invest in better equipment, better here in America—American workers, the right Tax Code to work with—they technology. Those are the sorts of American-made linens. They tell me, can compete and they can win. I think things that, over time, are going to as do other companies, that this is we are going to see that. make the biggest difference, I think, in going to give them a better competi- I think, again, with the hopeful signs this tax bill. tive situation because no longer are we are seeing, even today, of companies If you look at what is happening in you going to have a tax code that has providing better pay or benefits or our economy today, the reason wages the highest business rate in the entire making additional commitments on in- industrialized world and an inter- are flat—by the way, expenses are not vestments. Even well beyond that, we national system that says: If you keep flat. Expenses are up and wages are are going to see, maybe quietly, that it your money overseas rather than flat. That is called the middle-class will spread out all over the country in bringing it back, when you earn squeeze, and that is very real. What is ways that will not be as obvious—in de- money, you can save on your taxes. the biggest expense? For most people, cisions that are going to be made, busi- That is what resulted in $2.5 to $3 tril- it is healthcare. ness budgets that are going to change lion being locked out of America and The way to deal with that is to get as a result of this tax reform bill. I am kept overseas. this economy moving and, specifically, hearing it from small businesses. I am to increase the productivity. That is This tax reform proposal unlocks that. It allows us to bring that money hearing it from the bigger companies what the economists say; that our pro- that compete directly globally, and I ductivity is low right now. When you back. People call it repatriation. I guess that is accurate—repatriation. I am certainly hearing it from families have low productivity, you have low wish it had never been ‘‘unpatriated’’ who are happy to see a little tax break economic growth, and that is what we in the first place. If you are a patriot, to be able to help them as we go into have had, under 2 percent economic you should want that money to be the holidays. growth. That is not the America I grew spent here in America. That is what is That is all good news, and I think up in, and that is not the America I going to happen with this tax reform passing that legislation is really going want my kids to grow up in. proposal. to help the people I represent. By making these investments in bet- It is about the tax cuts for working ter technology, in better equipment, in f families—hard-working families who better training, what happens? You get deserve it, who are now stuck in a situ- CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE better productivity, you get higher ef- ation where it is tough to get ahead. PROGRAM ficiency, you get the opportunity to in- This will help immediately. Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I also crease your business, and therefore It is about helping small businesses wish to talk about something tonight hire more people. That is something, I and other companies here in America that was not accomplished. It was not think, over time, will play out and will to be able to invest more, to be able to accomplished in this vote we just had, create the opportunity to lift up every- write off equipment right away when which was the continuing resolution body. they buy it, and, as an example, having that keeps the government funded John F. Kennedy was a Democrat, a lower rate. but he had a lot of things to say that It is also about leveling that playing until January. sounded more like what Republicans field and saying that America, once Some of us pushed hard to include are talking about today. One thing he again, is going to reposition itself as various things in this legislation. I un- said was that ‘‘a rising tide lifts all the leader in the world. Once again, it derstand that some of these items are boats.’’ In the 1960s, he did cut capital will be that beacon of opportunity that controversial, and it was hard to get it gains, by the way, and that tax cut ac- other countries look to and say: We done because you needed 60 votes to- tually generated more economic activ- would like to be like that—a free mar- night. You needed a bipartisan con- ity. ket economy where people who work sensus on how to move forward and not Ronald Reagan, in 1986, actually put hard and play by the rules can get shut down the government. in place tax reform, with a bipartisan ahead. I am not a fan of government shut- group here in the Congress, that ended You can’t say that now with our cur- downs. They don’t work. They are inef- up with strong economic growth in the rent Tax Code because workers lit- ficient. They cost the taxpayer more at 1980s and the 1990s, but that was 31 erally are competing on an unlevel the end of the day, and they cause a lot years ago. That is the last time we playing field with one hand tied behind of pain in the process. made these kinds of substantive com- their back because of our Tax Code. We had the opportunity to pass cer- prehensive changes in the Tax Code. It Three times as many American compa- tain things tonight that were not con- is past time to do it again. nies were purchased by foreign compa- troversial. I don’t understand why we The final thing I will say about the nies last year as the other way around. didn’t do it. Some issues, I understand tax reform proposal is that when you Because of our Tax Code, 4,700 U.S. on the spending front, were more con- talk to businesses that are competing companies became foreign companies troversial. I understand some issues globally, which is more and more com- over the last decade or so. That is were more controversial in terms of panies, including a lot of smaller com- based on an Ernst & Young study that how you deal with the immigration panies now, the global economy is upon came out recently that said, if this tax issue. The DACA issue is one that I us. Some people said: Gosh, I wonder reform proposal we have now passed support resolving. I think we should when the economy is going to affect me had been in place, those 4,700 compa- codify it and resolve that. There were globally? Well, it does. It affects all of nies would still be American compa- different points of view. People wanted us. In your town, wherever it is, and in nies. to add different things there.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 08:25 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.081 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8241 Let me tell you about one where I reasons, because I asked on both sides nominations received during the 115th don’t think there was any disagree- of the aisle, and one reason I got—- Congress, first session, remain in sta- ment. If we could have passed it to- again, this was leadership on both sides tus quo, notwithstanding the provi- night, it would have provided a lot of of the aisle—is that we can’t do it un- sions of rule XXXI. certainty and predictability to families less we do other things with it. It is The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without in Ohio and around the country. It is called CHIP—Children’s Health Insur- objection, it is so ordered. one that passed my committee, the Fi- ance Program—but it shouldn’t be a f nance Committee, by a strong vote— political chip. It should be taken out of not a bipartisan vote but a unanimous politics. It should be something that EXECUTIVE SESSION vote. That is the Children’s Health In- we deal with separately. surance Program, or the CHIP pro- I will just tell you that using it as le- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR gram. We passed it with a unanimous verage for other programs is not the vote out of committee. way I am going to look at it and not Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I People say: Well, we need to find pay- the way we should look at it. We ask unanimous consent that the Sen- fors for it. It is about $8 billion to do should have passed it tonight. We ate proceed to executive session for the what we did, which is a 5-year exten- should have passed it to help protect en bloc consideration of the following sion of the program, providing cer- some of the most vulnerable members nominations: Executive Calendar Nos. tainty and predictability to families of our society. Funding should be a top 525, 526, 528, and 530. who tonight are wondering what is priority, regardless of your partisan The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without going to happen to this program. Are position and regardless of the political objection, it is so ordered. my kids going to have the kind of qual- climate. It should be out of the polit- The clerk will report the nomina- ity healthcare they can access through ical fray. tions en bloc. the Children’s Health Program, or the I urge my colleagues, when we come The senior assistant legislative clerk CHIP program? back after the first of the year, let’s read the nominations of Kenneth J. There are some pay-fors out there make that a priority. Let’s bring it to Braithwaite, of Pennsylvania, to be that are, again, bipartisan. A big one, the floor. Let’s have a vote. Let’s keep Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- which would cover nearly half of that it bipartisan. Maybe, it could even be potentiary of the United States of cost, is one where you simply ensure unanimous. Let’s give those families in America to the Kingdom of Norway; M. that the Medicaid Program has more Ohio—the 219,000 kids who depend on Lee McClenny, of Washington, a Career integrity. So if a third-party payer is it—and the millions of families around Member of the Senior Foreign Service, paying, the Medicaid Program doesn’t this country the peace of mind to know Class of Minister-Counselor to be Am- pay for it. It is a bipartisan issue, and that we are extending this program. bassador Extraordinary and Pleni- there is an initiative we looked at for Let’s do that 5-year extension, that 5- potentiary of the United States of this program and could have used. year authorization we already passed America to the Republic of Paraguay; I don’t get this notion that we in committee. Let’s take it out of this Brock D. Bierman, of Virginia, to be an couldn’t pass it because we couldn’t political process and put it where it be- Assistant Administrator of the United find the pay-fors. The pay-fors were longs, which is an issue that every sin- States Agency for International Devel- there. I don’t get it that this was con- gle Member of this body should want to opment; and Christopher Ashley Ford, troversial, because it is not. I believe address for the kids they represent. of Maryland, to be an Assistant Sec- that on both sides of the aisle, we I appreciate the opportunity to speak retary of State (International Security wanted to resolve the Children’s Health tonight on the tax reform and tax cut and Non-Proliferation). Insurance Program. legislation. I do think it will provide Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to Again, with all the other issues, I un- the opportunity for everybody I rep- consider the nominations en bloc. derstand. It is tough when you have to resent to have a better future and a Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I get to 60 votes and get this passed in brighter future. ask unanimous consent that the Sen- order to keep the government oper- I appreciate the opportunity to talk ate vote on the nominations en bloc ating, which is not a situation we on the Children’s Health Insurance with no intervening action or debate; should be in, but we are in. I must tell Program. that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid you, I am very disappointed we were f not able to deal with this one issue to- upon the table en bloc; that the Presi- night that has not been controversial SIGNING AUTHORITY dent be immediately notified of the and that came out of the committee Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I ask Senate’s action; that no further mo- with a unanimous vote—not bipartisan unanimous consent that the junior tions be in order; and that any state- but unanimous. Senator from Louisiana be authorized ments relating to the nominations be CHIP now helps 219,000 Ohio children to sign duly enrolled bills during to- printed in the RECORD. get the health coverage they need and day’s session of the Senate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there 9 million children nationwide. Ohio has The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection? the tenth largest program, and CHIP objection, it is so ordered. Without objection, it is so ordered. has been a leading cause in driving the Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I The question is, Will the Senate ad- insurance rate down for Ohio kids. In yield back my time. vise and consent to the Braithwaite, the case of my home State, we have I suggest the absence of a quorum. McClenny, Bierman, and Ford nomina- seen our CHIP funding being ques- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The tions en bloc? tioned because the program was au- clerk will call the roll. The nominations were confirmed en thorized until the end of September. The legislative clerk proceeded to bloc. Now it is no longer authorized. We are call the roll. f not sure exactly how much money we Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I EXECUTIVE CALENDAR have left. We think we have enough to ask unanimous consent that the order get into February in Ohio. Some States for the quorum call be rescinded. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I are worried about even getting into The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. KEN- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- January. NEDY). Without objection, it is so or- ate proceed to the consideration of the Tonight, there was a short-term ex- dered. following nomination: Executive Cal- tension that, as I understand it, will f endar No. 311. take the program into February, but The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without again, it doesn’t provide that long- NOMINATIONS REMAINING IN objection, it is so ordered. term certainty that families are look- STATUS QUO The clerk will report the nomination. ing for. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, as The senior assistant legislative clerk I must tell you that I am dis- in executive session, I ask unanimous read the nomination of Robert P. appointed from what I hear about the consent that the list at the desk of Storch, of the District of Columbia, to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:18 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.083 S21DEPT1 S8242 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 be Inspector General of the National Petty, of Indiana, to be an Assistant The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Security Agency. Secretary of the Interior; Linda Capu- objection, it is so ordered. Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to ano, of Texas, to be Administrator of The clerk will report the nomination. consider the nomination. the Energy Information Administra- The senior assistant legislative clerk Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I tion; and John G. Vonglis, of New read the nomination of Robert ask unanimous consent that the Sen- York, to be Chief Financial Officer, De- Charrow, of Maryland, to be General ate vote on the nomination with no in- partment of Energy. Counsel of the Department of Health tervening action or debate; that if con- Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to and Human Services. firmed, the motion to reconsider be consider the nominations en bloc. Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to considered made and laid upon the Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I consider the nomination. ask unanimous consent that the Sen- table; that the President be imme- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I diately notified of the Senate’s action; ate vote on the nominations en bloc ask unanimous consent that the Sen- that no further motions be in order; with no intervening action or debate; ate vote on the nomination with no in- and that any statements relating to that if confirmed, the motions to re- tervening action or debate; that if con- the nomination be printed in the consider be considered made and laid firmed, the motion to reconsider be RECORD. upon the table en bloc; that the Presi- considered made and laid upon the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without dent be immediately notified of the table; that the President be imme- objection, it is so ordered. Senate’s action; that no further mo- diately notified of the Senate’s action; The question is, Will the Senate ad- tions be in order; and that any state- that no further motions be in order; vise and consent to the Storch nomina- ments relating to the nominations be and that any statements relating to tion? printed in the RECORD. the nomination be printed in the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The nomination was confirmed. RECORD. f objection, it is so ordered. The question is, Will the Senate ad- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without EXECUTIVE CALENDAR vise and consent to the Petty, Capu- objection, it is so ordered. The question is, Will the Senate ad- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ano, and Vonglis nominations en bloc? ask unanimous consent that the Sen- The nominations were confirmed en vise and consent to the Charrow nomi- ate proceed to the en bloc consider- bloc. nation? ation of the following nominations: Ex- f The nomination was confirmed. ecutive Calendar Nos. 456 and 457. EXECUTIVE CALENDAR The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without f objection, it is so ordered. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I The clerk will report the nomina- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR tions en bloc. ate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations: Ex- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I The senior assistant legislative clerk ask unanimous consent that the Sen- read the nominations of Hester Maria ecutive Calendar Nos. 578, 503, and 577. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ate proceed to the en bloc consider- Peirce, of Ohio, to be a Member of the objection, it is so ordered. ation of the following nominations: Securities and Exchange Commission The clerk will report the nomina- PN1286, PN1287, and PN1288. for a term expiring June 5, 2020; and tions en bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Robert J. Jackson, Jr., of New York, to The senior assistant legislative clerk objection, it is so ordered. be a Member of the Securities and Ex- read the nominations of Irving Dennis, The clerk will report the nomina- change Commission for the remainder of Ohio, to be Chief Financial Officer, tions en bloc. of the term expiring June 5, 2019. Department of Housing and Urban De- The senior assistant legislative clerk Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to velopment; Suzanne Israel Tufts, of read the nominations of Tadd M. John- consider the nominations en bloc. New York, to be an Assistant Secretary son, of Minnesota, to be a Member of Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I of Housing and Urban Development; the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. ask unanimous consent that the Sen- and Leonard Wolfson, of Connecticut, Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation ate vote on the nominations en bloc to be an Assistant Secretary of Hous- for a term expiring October 6, 2022; Lisa with no intervening action or debate; ing and Urban Development. Johnson-Billy, of Oklahoma, to be a that if confirmed, the motions to re- Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to Member of the Board of Trustees of the consider be considered made and laid consider the nominations en bloc. Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall upon the table en bloc; that the Presi- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Foundation for a term expiring August dent be immediately notified of the ask unanimous consent that the Sen- 25, 2018; and Lisa Johnson-Billy, of Senate’s action; that no further mo- ate vote on the nominations en bloc Oklahoma, to be a Member of the tions be in order; and that any state- with no intervening action or debate; Board of Trustees of the Morris K. ments relating to the nominations be that if confirmed, the motions to re- Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation printed in the RECORD. consider be considered made and laid for a term expiring August 25, 2024. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without upon the table en bloc; that the Presi- objection, it is so ordered. Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to dent be immediately notified of the consider the nominations en bloc. The question is, Will the Senate ad- Senate’s action; that no further mo- vise and consent to the Peirce and Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I tions be in order; and that any state- ask unanimous consent that the nomi- Jackson nominations en bloc? ments relating to the nominations be The nominations were confirmed en nations be confirmed; that the motions printed in the RECORD. to reconsider be considered made and bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without laid upon the table en bloc; that the f objection, it is so ordered. President be immediately notified of The question is, Will the Senate ad- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR the Senate’s action; that no further vise and consent to the Dennis, Tufts, motions be in order; and that any Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I and Wolfson nominations en bloc? ask unanimous consent that the Sen- The nominations were confirmed en statements relating to the nominations ate proceed to the en bloc consider- bloc. be printed in the RECORD. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ation of the following nominations: Ex- f ecutive Calendar Nos. 545, 546, and 576. objection, it is so ordered. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without EXECUTIVE CALENDAR The question is, Will the Senate ad- objection, it is so ordered. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I vise and consent to the Johnson, John- The clerk will report the nomina- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- son-Billy, and Johnson-Billy nominations en bloc. ate proceed to the consideration of the tions en bloc? The senior assistant legislative clerk following nomination: Executive Cal- The nominations were confirmed en read the nominations of Timothy R. endar No. 299. bloc.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 08:25 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.096 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8243 NOMINATIONS DISCHARGED cation and Rehabilitative Services, De- an extraordinary woman from my Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I partment of Education; and Douglas home State of Illinois. ask unanimous consent that the Envi- Webster, of Virginia, to be Chief Finan- Heather Gooze lives in Nevada now, ronment and Public Works Committee cial Officer, Department of Education. but she grew up in the Chicago area. Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to be discharged from consideration of She is a survivor of the worst mass consider the nominations en bloc. and the Senate proceed to the en bloc shooting in modern American history. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I consideration of the following nomina- On October 1, she was working as a bar- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- tender at the Route 91 Harvest Festival tions: PN1035, PN1036, PN1037, PN1038, ate vote on the nominations en bloc and PN1172. in Las Vegas. She was there when a with no intervening action or debate; gunman with his own private arsenal The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without that if confirmed, the motions to re- objection, it is so ordered. rained down gunfire from a high-rise consider be considered made and laid hotel, murdering 58 innocent people The clerk will report the nomina- upon the table en bloc; that the Presi- tions en bloc. and injuring more than 500 others. dent be immediately notified of the Ms. Gooze testified at a recent Sen- The senior assistant legislative clerk Senate’s action; that no further mo- read the nominations of Kenneth E. ate Judiciary Committee hearing on tions be in order; and that any state- ‘‘bump stocks,’’ the $200 accessory that Allen, of Kentucky, to be a Member of ments relating to the nominations be the Board of Directors of the Tennessee the Las Vegas gunman used to make printed in the RECORD. his assault rifles fire almost as fast as Valley Authority for a term expiring The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without May 18, 2021; A.D. Frazier, of Georgia, a machine gun. objection, it is so ordered. When she heard the first round of to be a Member of the Board of Direc- The question is, Will the Senate ad- shots, Heather thought it might have tors of the Tennessee Valley Authority vise and consent to the McGuire, been fireworks, but suddenly people for a term expiring May 18, 2022; Jef- O’Scannlain, Rutledge, Collett, and were running in every direction. Some frey Smith, of Tennessee, to be a Mem- Webster nominations en bloc? were shot; many were covered in blood. ber of the Board of Directors of the The nominations were confirmed en Heather directed wounded and fright- Tennessee Valley Authority for a term bloc. ened people to an exit. With about 20 expiring May 18, 2022; James R. Thomp- f other people, she then pushed down a son III, of Alabama, to be a Member of EXECUTIVE CALENDAR fence to make it easier for people to es- the Board of Directors of the Tennessee cape the gunfire. Valley Authority for a term expiring Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I She could have run to safety herself. May 18, 2021; and Christopher Caldwell, ask unanimous consent that the Sen- Instead, she went back to the bar to of Arkansas, to be Federal Cochair- ate proceed to the consideration of the try to help people who had been shot person, Delta Regional Authority. following nomination: PN1109. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without and lay wounded on the ground. Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to One young man had been shot in the consider the nominations en bloc. objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report the nomination. head. Heather held a jean jacket to his Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I The senior assistant legislative clerk wound to try to staunch the bleeding. ask unanimous consent that the Sen- read the nomination of Jon J. When she dropped the jacket, she used ate vote on the nominations en bloc Rychalski, of Montana, to be Chief Fi- her fingers to try to plug the hole in with no intervening action or debate; nancial Officer, Department of Vet- the young man’s head. He died the next that if confirmed, the motions to re- erans Affairs. day. consider be considered made and laid Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to She then saw three men trying to upon the table en bloc; that the Presi- consider the nomination. move another badly injured man using dent be immediately notified of the Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I a metal ladder as a stretcher. Heather Senate’s action; that no further mo- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- reached out to grab a corner of the lad- tions be in order, and that any state- ate vote on the nomination with no in- der and help lift it. The young man on ments relating to the nominations be tervening action or debate; that if con- the ladder grabbed her hand, squeezed printed in the RECORD. firmed, the motion to reconsider be it lightly, and then let go—dead. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without considered made and laid upon the Heather looked around, saw other objection, it is so ordered. table; that the President be imme- dead bodies lying alone, and decided The question is, Will the Senate ad- diately notified of the Senate’s action; that she would not leave that young vise and consent to the Allen, Frazier, that no further motions be in order; man alone like that. Smith, Thompson, and Caldwell nomi- and that any statements relating to She stayed with his body for hours, nations en bloc? the nomination be printed in the until 3:30 in the morning. The nominations were confirmed en RECORD. When his cell phone rang, she an- bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without swered. She told the young man’s f objection, it is so ordered. mother that her only child had died. The question is, Will the Senate ad- The young man’s girlfriend had escaped EXECUTIVE CALENDAR vise and consent to the Rychalski nom- the killing field to the safety of a near- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ination? by hotel. Heather told her that young ask unanimous consent that the Sen- The nomination was confirmed. woman that the love of her life was ate proceed to the en bloc consider- f gone, but Heather would stay with him ation of the following nominations: Ex- LEGISLATIVE SESSION and learn for the family where his body ecutive Calendar Nos. 502, 554, 556, 559, would be taken. and PN1196. At the recent hearing, Heather said The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without MORNING BUSINESS that horrific night in Las Vegas made objection, it is so ordered. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I her part of a growing, grieving ‘‘fam- The clerk will report the nomina- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- ily’’ she had hoped never to join: the tions en bloc. ate proceed to legislative session for a American family of survivors and vic- The senior assistant legislative clerk period of morning business, with Sen- tims of mass shootings. read the nominations of Katherine ators permitted to speak therein for up She said that she has asked herself Brunett McGuire, of Virginia, to be an to 10 minutes each. many times in the days after the Assistant Secretary of Labor; Kate S. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without shooting why she stayed and risked her O’Scannlain, of Maryland, to be Solic- objection, it is so ordered. life for young men she didn’t know and itor for the Department of Labor; Pres- f for their grieving families. She said the ton Rutledge, of the District of Colum- only answer she could come up with bia, to be an Assistant Secretary of TRIBUTE TO HEATHER GOOZE was that she hoped that someone would Labor; Johnny Collett, of Kentucky, to Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I would do the same for her and not leave her be Assistant Secretary for Special Edu- like to take a moment to acknowledge alone in the midst of a massacre.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 08:25 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.098 S21DEPT1 S8244 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 I think that is the same plea that Mattoon to thank her publicly at a re- tients and helping to find a cure for the many Americans have for this Con- ception at the school. disease. My hope is that we can make gress. They understand that gun safety Mattoon School superintendent that happen, not just for Dr. Conde but is a politically heated issue. They un- Larry Lilly undoubtedly spoke for for every other Dreamer. There are al- derstand that there are constitutional many when he said, ‘‘We are forever most 800,000 Dreamers like Dr. Conde, and legal questions that are difficult to grateful to Angela for her courageous all of whom have just as much poten- balance. actions that saved the lives of our kids. tial to make our communities and our They want us to have the courage to She was a ray of light in our darkest country truly great. To deny them take up that debate rationally, respon- hour.’’ these opportunities because they were sibly and respectfully. ‘‘You’re not going to do this to my brought here as children is as senseless On an average day, 93 Americans are kids.’’ That was what Angela McQueen as it is cruel. killed with guns—93 people a day, vowed before she risked her life to dis- Yet that is the decision the president every day. Over 30,000 Americans a arm a young man with a semiauto- made. He could have worked with Con- year die from guns. Many more live in matic handgun. gress to find a permanent solution for daily fear that they could be next. I hope that all Members of Congress Dreamers while leaving DACA protec- I hope that we can agree to be more will take those words to heart as we tions in place. Instead, he cast them like Heather Gooze, to not abandon our debate gun safety and what we can do aside. His administration has made ab- fellow Americans to face that danger as a society to protect our children and surd, nonfactual, and offensive argu- and fear of gun violence alone. Sup- all Americans from gun violence. ments in support of that decision ever Mr LEAHY Mr. President, we are a porting Senator FEINSTEIN’s bill to ban since. When Attorney General Sessions Nation of immigrants. That should be the sale of ‘‘bump stocks’’ would be a announced that DACA was being termi- an obvious point, but it bears repeating good place to start. nated, he argued that the program was at a time when our President sees po- an example of the Obama administra- f litical advantage in trafficking in tion’s repeated failure to enforce our TRIBUTE TO ANGELA MCQUEEN xenophobic scapegoating. Unless you immigration laws. He argued that such are Native American, you come from a Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I would failure caused crime, violence, and line of people who come from some- like to take a moment to acknowledge even terrorism. During Senate Judici- where else. Indeed, that simple fact is the remarkable courage of a woman ary Committee hearings, I pressed both from my home State of Illinois. an integral part of the American story. We are also a nation that believes the Attorney General and his Depart- Her name is Angela McQueen— that anything is possible. Our ances- ment on this point, to name just one ‘‘Angie’’ to her friends and family. tors and relatives journeyed here be- Dreamer who was involved in terrorist Ms. McQueen teaches math and phys- cause, in America, where you come activity. Of course, they could not, but ical education at Mattoon High School from does not determine what you can apparently, fear-mongering is more ef- in central Illinois. accomplish. In this great country, as fective than acknowledging simple In late September, she was in the long as you work hard and play by the truths. high school cafeteria when she saw a rules, you can achieve your dreams. By definition, Dreamers are law-abid- student pull a semiautomatic handgun That itself is the American Dream. ing. They seek nothing more than to from his backpack and start spraying No single group of people embodies contribute to our country. If the Presi- the cafeteria with gunfire. these ideals more than our Nation’s dent refuses to stand with Dreamers, Ms. McQueen and other teachers at Dreamers. Dreamers grew up in this then Congress must. We have done it the high school had recently been country; they were brought here as before in the Senate. Four years ago, 68 trained on what to do when faced with children. They seek only the oppor- Senators, Democrats and Republicans, the threat of gun violence at school. tunity to contribute to our Nation and voted for comprehensive immigration It is sad and distressing to think that to be legally recognized as the Ameri- reform legislation that I managed on teachers need such training today, but cans that they are. Dreamers are our the Senate floor. That legislation in- that is, sadly, the reality. Thank good- neighbors, our teachers, and our first cluded key protections for Dreamers, ness Angie McQueen had that training. responders. including an expedited pathway to citi- The instant she saw the gun, she Nearly a thousand Dreamers serve in zenship. It is time for the Senate to act lunged and pushed the young man’s our Armed Forces, risking their lives again now and for the House to follow hand towards the ceiling so he couldn’t to defend the only country they have suit. The future of Dreamers and the shoot others. ever known as home. We cannot in fate of the American Dream itself lies She said she had only one thought in good faith claim to care about the in our hands. her head as she acted, as she put it, American Dream if we neglect to pro- f ‘‘You’re not going to do this to my tect the very people who are living it. kids.’’ Take, for example, Dr. Juan Conde, a PERU Hundreds of students were in the caf- DACA recipient and a resident of Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I want to eteria at the time. One student was Vermont. Dr. Conde was born in Mex- speak briefly about the unfolding polit- shot and hospitalized briefly, and an- ico and brought to the United States as ical crisis, which is also a crisis for jus- other student suffered minor injuries a child by his mother. In 2007, his tice, in Peru. when he was apparently grazed by gun- mother was tragically taken by cancer. Peru transitioned to democracy in fire. Showing remarkable courage and de- 2000, after two decades of internal School and law enforcement officials termination for a young man, this armed conflict and authoritarian rule. say that Ms. McQueen’s selfless actions tragedy inspired Dr. Conde to find a The country has made important likely saved students’ lives. way to help cancer patients like his strides in rebuilding its democratic in- One student who witnessed the inci- mother; yet he was unable to become stitutions, consolidating the rule of dent told a reporter for a local news- an oncologist due to his immigration law, and combating impunity, but paper, ‘‘Ms. McQueen is like Chuck status. So instead, he decided to obtain today, efforts by a majority in the Pe- Norris, basically. She’s a hero.’’ a Ph.D. in cancer research from the ruvian Congress to arbitrarily remove Angela McQueen is the daughter of University of Texas. judges from the country’s highest two retired teachers. In her biography Dr. Conde wanted to treat cancer pa- court, the Constitutional Tribunal, and on the school’s website, she was asked tients, not just study the disease. After to oust the attorney general for coura- to describe why she became a teacher. receiving DACA status in 2012, he was geously doing his job, threaten to un- The first reason she gave: ‘‘I wanted to empowered to pursue his medical de- dermine those gains and reverse Peru’s make the world a better place.’’ gree. He is currently a medical student democratic progress. She has certainly done that. at University of Vermont’s Lanier Col- As a former prosecutor and the sen- Ms. McQueen is modest. She doesn’t lege of Medicine. ior Democrat on the Senate Judiciary like being in the spotlight, but she re- Dr. Conde hopes to spend his life in Committee, I am especially concerned cently allowed the city and families of the United States treating cancer pa- about the attempt by the majority in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:18 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.086 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8245 Peru’s Congress to impeach Attorney published with the report noted that: more than 11,000 people across six General Pablo Sanchez in the midst of ‘‘Far from isolating repressive coun- countries, left thousands of children his office’s investigation into allega- tries for their authoritarian behavior, orphaned, caused an estimated eco- tions that the Presidential campaign of the United States, in particular, has nomic loss to those countries of nearly Keiko Fujimori received illegal con- cozied up to strongmen such as Turk- $3 billion, and resulted in many people tributions in 2011. The effort to remove ish President Recep Tayyip Erdogˇ an losing confidence in their country’s Attorney General Sanchez strongly and Chinese President Xi Jinping. At public health system. suggests a deliberate strategy to ob- the same time, President Donald It is important to note that Ebola, struct justice and to undermine the au- Trump’s nationalistic rhetoric, fixa- which is spread through direct contact tonomy of the attorney general’s of- tion on Islamic extremism, and insist- and terrified millions of people includ- fice. This would represent a grave set- ence on labeling critical media ‘fake ing in this country, is hardly the most back for hard-fought gains to reestab- news’ serves to reinforce the frame- infectious known disease. Several lish an independent judiciary and the work of accusations and legal charges other disease agents, such as measles rule of law in Peru. It would have seri- that allow such leaders to preside over and influenza, can be spread through ous ramifications for U.S.-Peruvian re- the jailing of journalists.’’ the air and can develop into epidemics lations. The First Amendment to the United or pandemics much more rapidly. Credible allegations of corruption States Constitution has inspired people That is one of the reasons why many must be thoroughly investigated, with- around the world for over 200 years. It global health experts fear that an in- out prejudice to party or power, and was reaffirmed in the Universal Dec- fectious disease outbreak far worse with due process for the accused. I urge laration of Human Rights, and versions than Ebola will occur sometime in the members of Peru’s Congress to support of it have been included in the con- next 20 years and that the number of those who are acting on behalf of the stitutions of many countries; yet while outbreaks will become more frequent. Despite improvements in access to Peruvian people in the pursuit of truth the United States has long been a glob- safe water and sanitation, vaccine de- and justice. Key to this is respect for al leader for freedom of expression, the velopment, and other public health ad- the autonomy of the office of the attor- White House is now actively working vances to combat infectious diseases, ney general and of the Constitutional to undermine press freedom. President an enormous amount of work remains. Tribunal, institutions that are guaran- Trump’s reckless rhetoric has not only One of the most important lessons tors of human rights and the rule of harmed our credibility and our reputa- learned from the Ebola outbreak is law. tion, it has emboldened foreign dic- that time is of the essence. The lack of f tators who fear nothing more than for a rapid, coordinated global response re- their misdeeds to be exposed by the PRESS FREEDOM sulted in many preventable deaths. media. The consequence is journalists Disease surveillance systems were poor Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, we are all threatened and imprisoned, journalists or nonexistent in the severely im- too familiar with President Trump’s assassinated with impunity, publishers pacted countries, there was a lack of ‘‘fake news’’ mantra, which he has re- who are intimidated, and the ultimate trained personnel to rapidly deploy, peatedly used to discredit unfavorable casualty is the truth. and no effective public communication news reports and undermine the credi- f system was in place to inform and up- bility of the media in our country. PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS date local communities. This mantra and the accompanying An additional problem was the in- threats to freedoms of speech and of Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, 2018 ability to quickly mobilize resources. the press have now spread far beyond marks the 100-year anniversary of the Countries and NGOs around the globe our borders. Autocrats and dictators influenza pandemic that killed an esti- lacked a reserve of available funds. The around the world are enthusiastically mated 50 million people, including Congress took a step toward addressing using the concept of fake news and the 670,000 Americans. I suspect most peo- this issue in the fiscal year 2017 State legitimacy granted to it by the Presi- ple assume that, given the remarkable and foreign operations appropriations dent of the United States to further advances in modern medicine since bill, which included a $70 million emer- undermine and restrict press freedom 1918, nothing so disastrous could hap- gency reserve fund to address infec- and fact-based reporting on corruption, pen again, but in fact, it could, and tious disease outbreaks around the human rights, and other abuses in next time, it could be even worse. The globe. In the fiscal year 2018 Senate their own countries. spread of infectious diseases and drug version of the State and foreign oper- For example, in response to an Am- resistance, and the accompanying ations bill, Chairman GRAHAM and I in- nesty International report on thou- threats to global security, are on the cluded $130 million for programs to pre- sands of military prison deaths in rise, and the international community vent and respond to such emerging Syria, President Bashar al-Assad re- is woefully underprepared to fight health threats. marked, ‘‘You can forge anything these back. However, as I have said before and I days, we are living in a fake news era.’’ The several large-scale infectious dis- will say again, far more needs to be Similarly, in response to news reports ease outbreaks of the last two decades, done to build the public health infra- on persecution of the Rohingya ethnic including SARS, H1N1, and Ebola, have structure to prevent and respond to minority group in Myanmar, an officer revealed the extent to which individual disease pandemics. As the inter- in Myanmar’s Rakhine state security countries and the international com- national community works to be more ministry stated, ‘‘There is no such munity at large need to dramatically prepared for infectious disease out- thing as Rohingya. It is fake news.’’ improve their preparedness to respond breaks, the U.S. should continue to The list goes on and includes com- to such potentially catastrophic health play a leading role in preparedness ments from autocratic leaders in the crises. planning. Unfortunately, President Philippines, Venezuela, Russia, China, The stark reality is that the threat is Trump’s fiscal year 2018 budget would and Turkey, among others, who have increasing. An ever-growing, increas- cut funding for these very programs, used the fake news mantra to legiti- ingly mobile global population will including for the Centers for Disease mize harassment, arrests, and prosecu- provide the breeding ground for the Control and Prevention, which played tions of journalists. emergence and contagion of existing an indispensable role in responding to Last week, the Committee to Protect and new infectious diseases. the Ebola and Zika outbreaks, as it has Journalists, CPJ, released its annual The potential threats from infectious to many other international health cri- census of imprisoned journalists world- disease outbreaks include not only cat- ses. wide, which has hit an historical high astrophic loss of life, but severe eco- It is time we invest and prepare for of 262. The total does not include the nomic harm and social and political in- pandemics in a similar way as we in- many more journalists who were im- stability. The 2014–15 Ebola outbreak, vest and prepare for war, nuclear disas- prisoned for a period of time during the for example, which began with the ters, or other large-scale threats to year before being released prior to the death of a 2-year-old boy in a remote global security. The potential con- December 1 census. A CPJ statement Guinean village, ultimately killed sequences are no less serious. I urge

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:18 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.088 S21DEPT1 S8246 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 the White House to face up to this re- [From Seven Days, October 18, 2017] apolitical ones—on to political history ality and dramatically increase fund- FIFTY YEARS, 13,450 STUDENTS AND 5;000 through the stories behind it. He’s a natural ing for these programs at CDC, the U.S. INTERVIEWS: UVM’S GARRISON NELSON raconteur, whether the topic is the rise of Agency for International Development, CALLS ITACAREER Woodrow Wilson, the Austin-Boston domi- (By Terri Hallenback) nance of the U.S. House or his own Massa- and other Federal agencies that play a chusetts roots. Nelson’s single mom raised role in global health security. When former Vermont governor Howard him and his younger half-sister in working- Dean ran for president in 2004, national f class Lynn after his Communist father left. media turned to University of Vermont po- ‘‘Super paper. Star of the day,’’ Nelson told TRIBUTE TO GARRISON NELSON litical science professor Garrison Nelson for one young woman as he handed back papers insight. to the 39 students in his Electing the Presi- Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I want to ‘‘I think he is an arrogant, ill-tempered take a moment to recognize the dent class last week. schmo who does not play well with others,’’ ‘‘More sources, Maddie. More sources next achievements and contributions of a Nelson told the Houston Chronicle. time,’’ he told another, also loud enough to renowned political scholar, remarkable Many of the same political reporters came be heard by everyone in the room. educator, and a personal friend. This back 12 years later, when Sen. Bernie Sand- Former student Jade Harberg said she year, Garrison Nelson will conclude ers (I–Vt.) wanted the job. They called on liked the way Nelson challenged students five decades of teaching at the Univer- Nelson to capture the politics and person- with candor and humor. ‘‘I appreciated sity of Vermont, where he is recognized ality of the quirky democratic socialist teachers who were willing to shame their who’d once been mayor of Burlington. students to work harder,’’ the 2013 UVM grad as a legend in the department of polit- ‘‘Bernie’s the last person you’d want to be said. ical science. stuck on a desert island with,’’ Nelson told Harberg, who now works for Nelson as a re- Garrison, the inaugural Elliott A. the New Yorker in 2015. ‘‘Two weeks of lec- searcher in Washington, D.C., recalled that Brown Green and Gold Professor of tures about health care, and you’d look for a the professor sent her class an email listing Law, Politics, and Political Behavior, shark and dive in.’’ the students who had turned their papers in is known by some Members of this In his day job, the bearded professor with early and those who had been late. He in- body, as well as legislators throughout a booming, Boston-accented voice has spent cluded a statistical analysis that concluded the country who rely on him to offer nearly 50 years bringing dry political facts to men were more likely to be tardy than life for thousands of students while churning women and told the class, ‘‘This is why political insight. Widely considered a out a steady flow of academic research. women are ruling the world.’’ leading expert on congressional his- To the broader public, though, Nelson is Nelson gets high marks on the website tory, Garrison has authored more than known as the man to whom journalists both Rate My Professors. Former students graded 150 articles and professional papers on local and national regularly turned for well- him 4 out of 5 in quality, and 89 percent say national politics with a major focus on informed analysis—and no-holds-barred they would take his course again. But the the U.S. Congress and elections in skewering—of Vermont politicians and their comments reflect a range of reactions to the professor’s personality. Vermont. His works have educated stu- ambitions. Now, after 13,450 students (including this Some called him a ‘‘genius,’’ ‘‘hilarious’’ dents worldwide and can be found in reporter), 11 books and more than 5,000 and ‘‘extremely helpful.’’ A typical dissenter, close to 500 libraries in the United media interviews (yes, he keeps track), on the other hand, concluded: ‘‘Pompous, has States and 13 countries around the UVM’s most quoted professor is retiring. The a weird inferiority complex about not having world. 146 students in his two political science gone to Harvard.’’ An Irish native of Boston, Garrison classes this semester will be his last. Clark Bensen, a 1974 UVM grad, said Nel- has resided in the Green Mountain Nelson is calling an end to a career that son’s intensity helped push him into political science from his math-economics major. State for most of his adult life, adding has made him one of UVM’s most public figures. On campus and off, he has chafed and ‘‘For me, he was a breath of fresh air, or much richness to the State’s political more like a gale-force wind,’’ Bensen said. landscape. I have known Garrison since informed generations of students, politicians and voters. ‘‘With full classrooms and mul- Today, Bensen still uses the skills Nelson taught him to run Polidata, a Virginia-based he served as an aide in my office short- tiple book demands at age 75, the pace has firm that analyzes political data. ly after my first election to the Senate. become grueling,’’ said Nelson, whose walk Nelson made an impression on his col- Garrison is as revered as he is brilliant. has slowed to a shuffle on the well-worn His skill and affinity for the esoteric is leagues, too. Anthony ‘‘Jack’’ Gierzynski, route between his Old Mill office and Lafay- chair of the UVM political science depart- evident in both his teaching style and ette Hall classroom. ment, said that when he arrived at the uni- Looking back, it’s hard to believe that Nel- his storytelling, perhaps most notably versity in 1992, he saw Nelson’s students were son lasted a full year, let alone five decades, his magnum opus, ‘‘John William enthralled by his storytelling. McCormack: A Political Biography.’’ at UVM. He’s poked at not just politicians, ‘‘At first, I tried to imitate that,’’ but university brass. In 1971, as a relatively Works like this one have made signifi- Gierzynski said, but he quickly found it new, untenured teacher, he protested the po- didn’t work for him. Noting the 2013 retire- cant contributions to our Nation’s his- litically motivated ouster of a left-wing pro- torical library, offering profiles and ment of equally charismatic political science fessor, Michael Parenti; 30 years later, then- professor Frank Bryan, Gierzynski said Nel- untold stories of the political icons of tenured Nelson feuded publicly with his uni- son is ‘‘the last of that breed.’’ our time. In today’s political environ- versity bosses over pay and college leader- Despite his outsize personality, Nelson has ment, such citations of success and ship. spent a considerable part of his professorial failure can offer us precious insight For a while, Nelson considered leaving career toiling quietly on detailed research on into improving our own oath to serve. UVM. From 1996 to 2002, he worked part-time esoteric subjects. He has produced thick vol- As Garrison departs the Old Mill at at Boston area colleges and had designs on umes on the membership of congressional landing a full-time job at one of them. But the University of Vermont at the end committees that may be valuable reference he held on to his tenure and continued to books—albeit not best sellers. of this year, he will leave a legacy that teach in Burlington during that time. He’s At least one student appreciated that. has reached more than 13,000 students. now one of the university’s longest-serving ‘‘The guy has an encyclopedic mind and has With them and many others, he has professors. done granular research on New England poli- shared his appreciation of and rev- As he completes his employment, Nelson tics,’’ said journalist Scott MacKay, a 1974 erence for the American political sys- said he has mellowed. He claims to admire grad who has long relied on Nelson’s in- tem and the need for participation to the full slate of university leaders above sights—and quotability—as a political re- ensure the success of our democracy. I him. The twice-divorced Nelson remarried porter in Vermont and Rhode Island. this year. He literally beams over the posi- Nelson had wanted to write a book about am grateful for his commitment to in- tive reviews of his newly released book, a McCormack since he met the former House spire the next generation of political 910–page tome on the little-remembered speaker in 1968, just before he started work- leaders. 1960s-era U.S. House speaker John McCor- ing at UVM. Eleven publishers turned him In recognition of Garrison’s timeless mack. Nelson refers to the book’s publica- down—McCormack was a key player in his contributions, I ask unanimous con- tion as the ‘‘crowning moment’’ of his ca- time but a relatively obscure historical fig- sent that an article by Terri reer. ure—before Bloomsbury Publishing finally Hallenback. appearing in Vermont’s At an official gathering last week to honor offered him a deal. John William McCor- own Seven Days, about Garrison’s his upcoming retirement, Nelson told col- mack: A Political Biography came out in achievements be printed in the leagues that a friend asked him why he March. wanted to retire now, when things are going Such work earns an author academic credi- RECORD. so well. ‘‘My answer was, ’It won’t get any bility, but Nelson is more likely to be re- There being no objection, the mate- better than this,’’ ’ he said. membered for his outspoken political com- rial was ordered to be printed in the In the classroom, Nelson is known for turn- mentary. Insisting it ‘‘was not a central fea- RECORD, as follows: ing large numbers of students—including ture of my UVM life,’’ he explained, ‘‘I fell

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.090 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8247 into it because, apart from my buddy Frank ‘‘He showed no mercy,’’ Welch said. ‘‘He former governor Peter Shumlin and has been Bryan, others at UVM were reluctant to do was extremely good at cutting folks down to just as quiet on Gov. Phil Scott and Presi- it.’’ a size that was smaller than they thought dent Donald Trump. But he makes no apolo- Nelson has been analyzing Vermont poli- they deserved.’’ gies for comments made over the years about tics for print and television journalists since Daughter Stewart provides some insight. politicians, students or his bosses. Democrat Phil Hoff sat in the governor’s of- ‘‘What my father has most railed against is ‘‘When you’re an outspoken person, you’re fice in the 1960s. He’s provided plenty of anyone who has even the slightest sense of going to piss people off. I’ve pissed people straight, factual observations but over time entitlement,’’ she said of Nelson, who often off,’’ Nelson said. ‘‘But I’m still here—50 became known for a spicier variety of anal- talks about growing up poor. years.’’ ysis. Nelson saw that attitude in Dean, who He admits that he’s dished it out unevenly. grew up on New York City’s Park Avenue. f Nelson thinks highly of Sen. Patrick ‘‘His born-again liberalism has caught a lot Leahy (D–Vt.), for whom he worked for two of us by surprise—it’s a case of ‘Howard, we years, so Leahy has largely been spared his hardly knew ye,’ ’’ Nelson told the Associ- BUDGETARY REVISIONS barbs. He has also generally spoken favor- ated Press in 2003. ‘‘He’s really a classic Mr. ENZI. Mr President, section 251 ably of the political skills of former U.S sen- Rockefeller Republican: a fiscal conservative ator Jim Jeffords (I–Vt.) and former Repub- of the Balanced Budget and Emergency and social liberal.’’ Deficit Control Act of 1985, BBEDCA, lican governors Jim Douglas and Richard His disapproval of Welch, a lawyer from Snelling. Springfield, Mass., is more complicated. Nel- establishes statutory limits on discre- For Sanders, whose political career he’s son viewed Welch and his late wife, Joan tionary spending and allows for various followed since 1981, Nelson has both criticism Smith, as a couple in search of power—his in adjustments to those limits, while sec- and affection. ‘‘The difference between Ber- politics and hers at UVM, where she was tions 302 and 314(a) of the Congres- nie and most of the lefties is, Bernie wants dean of the College of Arts and Science and sional Budget Act of 1974 allow the to win,’’ Nelson said in the October 2015 New Nelson’s boss. Yorker article. ‘‘Most lefties don’t want to chairman of the Budget Committee to In a 2001 column, the late Seven Days col- win, because if you win, you sell out your pu- establish and make revisions to alloca- umnist Peter Freyne wrote, ‘‘Nelson told rity.’’ tions, aggregates, and levels consistent Seven Days that Smith and her husband, His analysis was acceptable to his daugh- with those adjustments. The Senate is ter, Shyla Nelson Stewart, a Sanders devotee former gubernatorial candidate Peter Welch, ‘wanted to be the Democratic Snellings, with considering the House Amendment to who seconded the senator’s nomination at H.R. 1370, the Further Additional Con- the Democratic National Convention. Peter holding the governor’s office and Joan ‘‘The most important thing he said was, holding high office at the university’—a ref- tinuing Appropriations Act, 2018, which Bernie has been on the same agenda his en- erence to the late Governor Richard Snelling provides emergency funding for na- tire career,’’ she said of her dad’s comments, and wife Barbara Snelling, who served as a tional security accounts. ‘‘and that that agenda has caught up with UVM vice president for many years.’’ This legislation includes language the times.’’ Nelson does not let go of such opinions eas- that increases security discretionary ily, nor does he like being on the receiving Nelson has been harder on Dean and Con- budget authority by $4,686 million this gressman Peter Welch (D–Vt.). end of the kind of criticism he so readily ‘‘I never understood why Howard was run- doles out to others. year and designates it as emergency ning for president other than the fact that Nelson recalled comments Freyne made funding pursuant to section Howard wanted to be president,’’ he said be- about him during Dean’s 2004 presidential 251(b)(2)(A)(1) of BBEDCA. CBO esti- fore class one day last month. ‘‘It was just campaign. ‘‘Peter bashed me in four separate mates that this budget authority will Howard’s ego.’’ Dean did not respond to a columns,’’ Nelson said, alleging that Freyne increase discretionary outlays by $803 message from Seven Days seeking his point was courting Dean’s campaign in hopes of million in 2018. of view. landing a job. As a result of the aforementioned In one of those columns, Freyne said, Nelson is slightly less dismissive of Welch. designations, I am revising the alloca- Nelson said their feud started when he made ‘‘Garrison despises Howard Dean, always has a comment to a reporter during Welch’s 1988 and always will. We suggest it’s all about tion to the Committee on Appropria- campaign for the Democratic U.S. House ego—Nelson’s, not Dean’s.’’ tions by increasing the revised security nomination, saying Welch’s strategy of con- Asked why this still roiled him 13 years budget authority limit by $4,686 mil- centrating his campaign in southern after Dean’s campaign ended and eight years lion and outlays by $803 million this Vermont was a mistake. ‘‘Peter took of- after Freyne’s death, Nelson said, ‘‘I’m Irish, year. Further, I am increasing the fense,’’ Nelson said. When Welch confronted for Chrissakes; I don’t forget anything. Irish budgetary aggregates for 2018 by those him, Nelson said, he responded with choice Alzheimer’s—you never forget a grudge.’’ same amounts. words. Nelson doesn’t get as much ink in the Welch insisted last week that he doesn’t newspapers as he once did—which is his I ask unanimous consent that the ac- remember the incident or Nelson’s specific choice, he said, because answering questions companying tables, which provide de- comments, though he did say the professor from reporters takes away from his research tails about the adjustment, be printed was always critical. time. He didn’t have a lot to say about in the RECORD.

There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:

REVISION TO BUDGETARY AGGREGATES—(PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 311 AND 314(a) OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT OF 1974) [$ in millions]

2018

Current Spending Aggregates: Budget Authority ...... 3,080,461 Outlays ...... 3,100,621 Adjustments: Budget Authority ...... 4,686 Outlays ...... 803 Revised Spending Aggregates: Budget Authority ...... 3,085,147 Outlays ...... 3,101,424

REVISION TO SPENDING ALLOCATION TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018—(PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 302 AND 314(a) OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT OF 1974) [$ in millions]

2018

Current Allocation: Revised Security Discretionary Budget Authority ...... 549,057 Revised Nonsecunty Category Discretionary Budget Authority ...... 552,266 General Purpose Outlays ...... 1,187,547 Adjustments: Revised Security Discretionary Budget Authority ...... 4,686 Revised Nonsecunty Category Discretionary Budget Authority ...... 0 General Purpose Outlays ...... 803 Revised Allocation: Revised Security Discretionary Budget Authority ...... 553,743

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 8634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.065 S21DEPT1 S8248 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 REVISION TO SPENDING ALLOCATION TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018—(PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 302 AND 314(a) OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT OF 1974)—Continued [$ in millions]

2018

Revised Nonsecunty Category Discretionary Budget Authority ...... 552,266 General Purpose Outlays ...... 1,188,350 OCO Program Integrity Disaster Relief Emergency Total

Memorandum Detail of Adjustments Made Above: Revised Security Discretionary Budget Authority ...... 0 0 0 4,686 4,686 Revised Nonsecunty Category Discretionary Budget Authority ...... 0 0 0 0 0 General Purpose Outlays ...... 0 0 0 803 803

TRIBUTE TO LUTHER STRANGE bill will benefit these families in South Randy Herdon, Senator Portman’s tax Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I Dakota and around the country. staffer, Zach Rudisill, and Senator wish to honor my good friend and col- Today I would like to take a few min- Scott’s tax staffer, Shay Hawkins. league from Alabama, Senator LUTHER utes to recognize the hard work of I know many of them over the last STRANGE, prior to his departure from those Members and staff who made the few months were running on very little the U.S. Senate. legislative goal of tax reform a reality. sleep and perhaps missing important While LUTHER and I have worked First, thank you to Senator Hatch events at home with family and friends closely together in the Senate, our for his leadership and members of the in order to be here at work. Neverthe- friendship dates back nearly four dec- Finance Committee for a job well done. less, they were patient, thoughtful, and ades. Over the years, I have had the Numerous hearings, member meet- tireless in their efforts because they privilege of not only getting to know ings, and a lot of compromise helped us knew the work was important and the LUTHER, but also getting to know his get this bill to the finish line. impact would be significant. wife, Melissa, and his two sons, Luke As a result, the contributions and We have all benefited from their wise and Keehn. priorities of each member of the Fi- counsel and have a better product for Even before LUTHER was appointed to nance Committee and, frankly, those of it. the U.S. Senate, he and I worked along- the entire conference are reflected in Early next year, this legislation is side each other throughout much of the final product. going to have a real impact on people’s Having once served as a staffer here our careers. When LUTHER was sworn in lives across this country. Their hard myself, I would like to recognize the to fill Attorney General Sessions’ seat, work and contributions helped make it many staff members who contributed I was pleased to have him just down possible. They all worked incredibly to this product. the hall from my office. hard and should be very proud of the As soon as LUTHER was sworn into Mark Warren, who serves as my tax counsel, has put in countless hours on work you have done on behalf of the the Senate, he hit the ground running. American people. His camaraderie, integrity, and great this legislation. It has not been unusual over the last I thank them for their service, and attitude did not go unnoticed. Another congratulations on a job well done. thing we all quickly observed about several months to find him in his office when I arrive at work before 7 a.m. and f LUTHER in the Senate was his willingness to help in any situation. He was still at his desk late into the evening. CONFIRMATION OF JAMES C. HO always the first to volunteer, whether With decades of experience, including time spent at the House Ways and Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, I the task be big or small. LUTHER is ad- Means Committee and at the Treasury wish to voice my disappointment that mired by Members on both sides of the Mr. James Ho was confirmed to serve aisle, which is rare in Washington. He Department, I and other members of the committee and conference relied as a judge on the Fifth Circuit. has made a lot of friends in the Senate While at the Department of Justice, and has worked in a bipartisan fashion. heavily on Mark’s intricate knowledge of tax policy as we crafted this legisla- Mr. Ho wrote a memo that the George In addition to his work ethic and W. Bush administration used to great attitude, LUTHER was able to action. He worked very hard to help me ad- greenlight the CIA’s use of torture. complish an incredible amount legisla- Furthermore, Mr. Ho’s comments on tively in a short period of time. His vance priorities in this legislation including provisions benefiting small campaign finance reveal a common successes include his work on the final thread among Trump judicial nominees National Defense Authorization Act businesses, farmers, and ranchers. Thanks in no small part to his efforts, that I find particularly disturbing. conference negotiations, securing three Mr. Ho argued that some of the de- littoral combat ships, his help in we successfully delivered a tax reform bill that will work for them. Time tainees held by the U.S. at Guanta- achieving the 51 votes needed to pass a namo were not protected under the Ge- once-in-a-generation tax reform pack- spent at the office is time away from family. I am grateful to both him and neva Convention. The memo Mr. Ho age, and helping repeal Obamacare. wrote allowed the CIA to use interroga- LUTHER’s time in the Senate was cut his family for his efforts. I would also like to thank my legislation techniques banned by the Geneva too short. I would be remiss not to Convention that caused the death of a mention how much I, along with my tive director, Jessica McBride, and my staff director, Brendon Plack. Brendon detainee. The interrogation techniques Senate colleagues, have enjoyed his Mr. Ho claimed were legal were ineffec- company. is a native of Madison,SD, and has been tive and their use hidden from law- I thank Senator STRANGE for his time with my office for over 12 years. Jes- makers. As my colleague Senator and service both to Alabama and our sica is a native of Miller, SD, and has Nation here in the Senate. I wish him been with my office for 8 years. Their MCCAIN said when he introduced an all the best in his future endeavors, work, advice, and counsel were invalu- amendment to reaffirm our govern- and I look forward to continuing our able as we moved this bill across the ment’s prohibition on torture in 2015, close friendship. finish line. ‘‘Our enemies act without conscience. Thank you. I would also like to recognize a few We must not.’’ other staff members for their hard I am also deeply concerned by Mr. f work: Jay Khosla, Mark Prater, Jeff Ho’s radical views on money in poli- TAX REFORM BILL Wrase, Nick Wyatt, Matt Hoffman, tics. Mr. Ho has said, ‘‘For truly rad- Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, this week Tony Coughlan, Eric Oman, Jen Acuna, ical but effective reform, we must re- Congress sent the President a tax re- Marty Pippins, Alex Monie, Preston verse course and abolish all restric- form bill that will translate into real Rutledge, Bryan Hickman, Brendan tions on campaign finance.’’ The over- relief for American families. Dunn, and Monica Popp. whelming majority of Americans, both I have spent a lot of time on the floor I would also like to recognize Sen- Republicans and Democrats, disagree of the Senate talking about how this ator Toomey’s tax staff member, strongly with Mr. Ho and believe that

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.073 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8249 unlimited, unattributable amounts in Whether navigating our response to the At multiple points, Nuci failed to re- money in politics corrupts our political atrocities of 9/11, leading the Bureau’s ceive services or the compassionate system. Our political finance systems reform in its aftermath, or trailblazing support he needed. Indeed, after calling has been flooded with secret, corporate the Bureau’s role in combating cyber a crisis hotline while in college, Nuci money since the 5–4 ruling in Citizens crimes, his tenure has been widely was taken into custody by police and United. Mr. Ho’s opinion on campaign lauded. In fact, in 2011, as his 10-year placed in handcuffs. Ultimately, the in- finance favors corporations and the term was set to end, we in the Senate cident resulted in his expulsion. On an- wealthy who use money to yield influ- voted 100 to 0 to extend his term until other occasion, he was told to wait ence and shape policy. 2013. over a month for services when seeking Unfortunately, Mr. Ho is not the only In an era of increasing political and support for his depression while in Trump judicial nominee who has es- cultural tribalism, each time Mr. school. poused such extreme views. Every sin- Mueller has been named or nominated Linda also saw other families pull gle nominee has come from a for a new position, he has received bi- their children from much-needed treat- preapproved list created by the Herit- partisan and unabashed praise—and ment programs because they could not age Foundation and the Federalist So- rightly so. afford the costly care. She saw first- ciety. This intellectual hegemony will Mr. Mueller, as an expert in law en- hand that survivors of suicide are often harm Americans seeking redress in the forcement, could not be better suited relegated to the shadows, met by un- courts. Recently, three judicial nomi- for the task at hand: an investigation comfortable silence, or blamed for nees withdrew their names from con- into Russia’s interference in the U.S. their loved ones’ deaths. sideration after the American public elections. That Russia interfered in our Linda’s personal account sheds light learned how inexperienced and unfit elections is neither conjecture nor an on this tragic and pervasive problem. they were for a lifetime appointment. I attempt to rewrite the political out- Though Nuci Phillips took his own life encourage the Trump administration comes of 2016. It is a fact that was true 20 years ago, his story, sadly, remains to submit mainstream nominees and to for the U.S. and many European allies just as relevant today. stop outsourcing our judicial system to in the last year and will remain a seri- The American Foundation for Sui- rightwing think tanks. ous risk to the validity of our future cide Prevention reports that nearly elections if we do not take action. Mr. f 36,000 American’s die by suicide each Mueller’s investigation will serve as a year; that is one American every 15 SPECIAL COUNSEL MUELLER necessary step to secure the ability of minutes. According to the Center for Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, today I Americans to cast their vote in con- Disease Control, CDC, suicide is the wish to commend Robert Mueller’s ca- fidence for those who will represent third leading cause of death among reer as a public servant and to con- them in Washington. Nothing could be young people between the ages of 10 demn partisan, political attacks on Mr. more sacred or more American. and 24 and results in approximately Mueller’s reputation and American Serious, prudent, and thorough con- 4,600 lives lost each year. democratic systems. gressional oversight is always appro- In recent years, a shocking number A brief glance at Mr. Mueller’s biog- priate. Reckless, partisan attacks on of young people have attempted or raphy reflects his consistent commit- the integrity of an honest public serv- ended their life through suicide as a re- ment to serve the American people ant are not the same as congressional sult of bullying. Though not all in- with honor and courage. As a young oversight. Attacks like these embolden stances of bullying lead to suicide, our enemies, animate opponents of de- man, Mr. Mueller served with distinc- bully victims are between two to nine mocracy, and inspire terrorists. These tion in the Vietnam war. His list of times more likely to consider suicide attacks are nothing short of unpatri- commendations and military decora- than nonvictims, according to studies tions, including a Bronze Star, two otic. I call on my colleagues on both sides by Yale University. Navy Commendation Medals, the Pur- Nearly one in four students aged 12 to of the aisle to stand up for the integ- ple Heart, and the Vietnamese Cross of 18 are affected by bullying and harass- rity of the process that Mr. Mueller is Gallantry, are emblematic of his lead- ment, according to recent data from leading. Skepticism of the outcomes of ership and exemplary service. his investigation triggered by dis- the Department of Education. Another Mr. Mueller not only fought coura- honest smears on Mr. Mueller’s reputa- Department study estimates that 60,000 geously on the battlefield, but upon re- tion by Washington politicians would students in the U.S. do not attend turning home and earning his law de- have lasting results and would com- school each day because they fear gree, he continued serving his country promise the ability of law enforcement being bullied. Bullying and harassment throughout his legal career. He cut his to protect U.S. from our enemies, for- are a significant problem in our teeth working in U.S. attorney’s offices eign and domestic. schools. in Boston and San Francisco for over a These are issues that we can begin to decade, and when he later served at the f address today by confronting bullying Department of Justice, Mr. Mueller SAFE SCHOOLS IMPROVEMENT in our schools through strong was nominated by President George H. ACT antibullying policies. In far too many W. Bush to lead the criminal division, Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I rise to communities, whether in Pennsylvania where he oversaw cases as diverse as speak about ‘‘A Beautiful Here,’’ a or across the Nation, we are forced to the prosecution of Panamanian dic- memoir by Linda Phillips that chron- deal with tragic consequences of bul- tator Manuel Noriega and the icles her struggle to overcome the ex- lying or harassment when these poli- Lockerbie bombing. traordinary grief of losing her son, cies or organizations do not exist. In 1995, Mr. Mueller’s dedication to Nuci, to suicide following his long bat- Other resources include school coun- public service led him to leave a high- tle with depression. selors and crisis hotlines. paying position at a private firm to Linda writes about an empathetic, My bill, the Safe Schools Improve- join the DC U.S. attorney’s office caring, and happy child who grows in- ment Act, may not prevent all homicide division to hold violent of- creasingly distressed through adoles- incidences of bullying, but it is an im- fenders accountable for their crimes. cence. Nuci retreated from their close- portant step in the direction of tack- Three years later, he became a U.S. at- knit family and, despite their efforts to ling this problem and holding school torney himself, serving in San Fran- support him through several periods of districts accountable. cisco and earning himself a reputation crisis and treatments, he succumbed to Depression and suicide, whether as a dogged and fair prosecutor com- his disease. brought on by bullying or not, is a seri- mitted to enforcing the rule of law. Though the family was distraught ous disease with potentially deadly re- In 2001, Mr. Mueller was nominated and heartbroken by Nuci’s death, sults. More teenagers and young adults by a second Republican President, Linda Phillips was also appalled at the die from suicide than from cancer, George W. Bush, as the Director of the lack of supports for individuals strug- heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, FBI, a position to which he was con- gling with suicide and for families who stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and firmed unanimously by this body. have lost loved ones to depression. chronic lung disease combined.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.095 S21DEPT1 S8250 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 We must fight against this destruc- Christopher, and daughter, Jennifer. when we put the force into Bosnia, he tive illness by ensuring all children and They lovingly welcomed in their was critical coordinating the air trans- young adults have access to affordable daughter-in-law Brooke and son-in-law port. He was impressive because he was and effective mental health treatment Scott, and celebrated the birth of five not only professional but innovative— and services, such as counseling, medi- grandchildren, Emily, Rachel, Sara, this was all new stuff’’ cation, and crisis intervention. I would Jacob, and Katie. Of course, no family In 1998, Lieutenant General Short re- like to thank Linda Phillips for shar- is complete without its pets and those turned to Naples, Italy, now as the ing her story and helping to shine a who knew the Shorts will always re- commander NATO’s Allied Air Forces light on this pervasive disease. member Hobo, Bogie, and Muppet. Southern Europe, leading the 19-member NATO alliance and directing all air f Lieutenant General Short understood the importance of family and was a de- operations in southern Europe. It was REMEMBERING LIEUTENANT GEN- voted son, husband, father, and grand- during this time our Nation called on ERAL MICHAEL CHARLES SHORT father. He was also an airmen’s air- General Short’s expertise in the em- Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, as co- man. ployment of military power to try and chair of the Air Force Caucus, I rise to Lieutenant General Short exempli- achieve peace. Lieutenant General pay tribute to Lt. Gen. Michael C. fied what the Nation should demand of Short, who always left political discus- Short, who served this country faith- its military members and senior lead- sions to others, was directed to travel fully for over 51 years, 35 years as an ers. He was a master in the profession with Richard Holbrooke to Belgrade, Air Force fighter pilot and another 16 of arms, a master of employing the Serbia, to be part of negotiations with years as an Air Force and joint senior military tool of national power, and a Federal Republic of Yugoslavian Presi- mentor to leaders and future leaders of master instructor to generations of of- dent Slobadan Milosevic. During the our military. Lieutenant General Short ficers who continue to follow him and meeting, President Milosevic leaned passed away on 27 October after a bat- keep his legacy alive in service to our forward and said to Lieutenant General tle with cancer, and for those who Nation. Upon earning his silver wings, Short, ‘‘So, you are the man who is knew him, it is the only battle he ever he began a flying career focused on going to bomb me.’’ Lieutenant Gen- lost. fighter aviation. He amassed over 4,600 eral Short replied, ‘‘Well, I hope that won’t be the case. I have a plan to pro- Born in Princeton, NJ, on 24 Feb- flying hours and flew the F–4C, F–4D, pose to your generals that will prevent ruary 1944, Lieutenant General Short F–4E, RF–4C, F–102, F–106, A–7, F–117, your country from being bombed, but was the only child of Janet MacDonald A–10, F–15E, and F–16. He flew 276 com- in essence, you’re right. I have U–2s in Short and Charles Francis Short. He bat missions over Vietnam in the F–4, one hand and B–52s in the other, and grew up in a military family and lived flew and commanded combat missions the choice is up to you.’’ His statement in New Jersey, North Carolina, Japan, during Desert Storm in the F–15E, and broke the tension, and the discussions Kentucky, Mississippi, and France. directed over 35,000 combat missions went on from there. The negotiations Lieutenant General Short’s father, during Operation Allied Force over successfully postponed the war, but on Charles, was a paratrooper and a mem- Yugoslavia. 24 March 1999, Lieutenant General In 1969, then-Captain Short, an F–4C ber of the 82nd Airborne Division. Short was directed to begin air oper- When Lieutenant General Short was pilot, was awarded the Silver Star for ations against Yugoslavia. He success- born, his father was stationed in Eng- courageous action in Vietnam. General fully executed Operation Allied Force, land preparing for the D-Day invasion. Short was enroute to a target in North a 78-day NATO bombing effort to stop On 6 June 1944, Charles Short jumped Vietnam when he was diverted to sup- the Serbian ethnic cleansing of Mus- into occupied France as a member of port an F–105 pilot that was shot down, lims in Kosovo. the 507th Parachute Infantry Regi- had ejected, and was in the water off Lieutenant General Short received a ment. He fought in the Battle of the the coast of North Vietnam. He was bachelor of science degree from the Air Bulge and helped liberate Europe from tasked to take out the antiaircraft ar- Force Academy, a master’s degree in Nazi Germany. tillery sites that had shot down the F– systems management from the Univer- As most military children, Lieuten- 105 so they could bring in the rescue sity of Southern California, was a dis- ant General Short attended several aircraft. Both he and his wingman were tinguished graduate of Air Command schools growing up and excelled athlet- hit multiple times by antiaircraft ar- and Staff College and attended the In- ically and academically at every one. tillery but were able to make it back dustrial College of the Armed Forces in He attended high school in France, par- to base safety after delivering all their Washington, DC. His decorations in- ticipating on his school’s football, bas- rockets on target, knocking out the clude the Defense Distinguished Serv- ketball and baseball teams, and grad- gun sites, and enabling the rescue of ice Medal with one oakleaf cluster, the uating at the top of his class. Lieuten- the downed F–105 pilot. AF Distinguished Service Medal with ant General Short applied for and was In 1986, then-Colonel Short was hand- one oakleaf cluster, the Silver Star, accepted into the U.S. Air Force Acad- picked to be the operations group com- the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished emy, entering as a basic cadet on 26 mander of the 4450th Tactical Group at Flying Cross with one oakleaf cluster, June 1961. Nellis Air Force Base, which operated and the Air Medal with fourteen In February 1965, then-Cadet First the highly classified F–117A stealth oakleaf clusters. In 1999, he was pre- Class Short met the love of his life, fighter. He soloed in the F–117A on 14 sented the Air Force Association’s Virginia Suhonen, a fourth-grade January 1986, Bandit 199, and com- highest honor to a military member in school teacher, in Manitou Springs, manded the group until 1988. the field of national security, the H.H. CO. Lieutenant General Short grad- In 1995, Lieutenant General Short Arnold Award for commanding the air uated the Air Force Academy on 6 June was the chief of staff to the commander campaign during Operation Allied 1965 and married Jini on 14 August 1965, of NATO’s Allied Air Forces Southern Force. and together, they began an incredible Europe in Naples, Italy, during Oper- Lieutenant General Short retired on journey of partnership and selfless ation Deliberate Force, NATO’s first 1 July 2000 and began 16 years of work service to each other and our Nation air campaign, that brought the war in as an Air Force and joint senior men- that lasted 52 years. Bosnian-Herzegovina to an end. The tor focusing on the command and con- Their first of 23 assignments began at following year, as the director of oper- trol of airpower. Lieutenant General Webb Air Force Base in Texas, where ations for U.S. Air Forces in Europe, he Short was known and respected by he attended pilot training. Follow-on was responsible for the deployment and servicemembers from all services in assignments included Arizona, South sustainment of NATO forces and their the United States, as well as our allies. Vietnam, Florida, Minnesota, Colo- equipment in Bosnia-Herzegovina dur- He always gave clear, hard-hitting ad- rado, Washington, Thailand, Phil- ing and after Operation Joint vice, passing on his knowledge of ippines, the Pentagon, North Carolina, Endeavour. Gen George Joulwan, the things he did right and things he did Nevada, Texas, Virginia, Germany, and then-Supreme Commander Europe, wrong. He traveled to the Republic of Italy. Along the way, they grew their said, ‘‘He did the planning for the Korea, Qatar, and many other loca- family, with Jini giving birth to a son, bombing of Bosnia in 1995 and then, tions to advise, teach and train airmen

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.066 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8251 of all ranks in the art of ‘‘operational’’ Over his career, Albert has shown a ter Deborah and son Brian to follow in level warfare. Long after the senior particular passion for giving back to his footsteps as fully engaged members mentor ranks thinned, due to intense the Jewish community, improving our of their community. He has lived a life scrutiny and significant pay cuts, Lieu- schools, and supporting innovation at of kindness, cheerfulness, and compas- tenant General Short stuck with the the community level. sion for all of our fellow citizens. program because it was his passion. In Denver, Albert led the charge to Albert’s life has been guided by a Lieutenant General Short touched transform the Stapleton Airport into a love for his Jewish traditions. He often many lives as evidenced by comments thriving community center with high- talks about the Jewish tradition of written about him by those who knew quality, affordable housing, green tikkun olam, to repair the world, and and served with him: spaces, and new schools. Among those how even when the obligation seems ‘‘He was a father, a husband, a grand- schools is Denver’s Science and Tech- too great, we must not desist from it. father and what made it all work was nology High School, which has at- That is how he lives. He is truly a his complete devotion to those he loved tracted many brilliant students over great American. and commanded. It was an honor to the last 13 years. Albert’s work to revi- Happy birthday to Albert Ratner. serve alongside him ‘‘ talize downtown areas across the coun- f ‘‘High standards, demanding, but try have earned him numerous awards, fair. You knew where the bar was and including the National Building Mu- ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS he challenged you to exceed it. He seum Honor Award, the Urban Land In- pushed me to limits I did not know I stitute’s J. C. Nichols Prize for Vision- 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE could reach.’’ aries in Urban Development, and the ‘‘He was a no-nonsense leader who let HYDRAULIC INSTITUTE Michigan State University’s Distin- his Commanders command. He was also ∑ guished Alumni Award. Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today a hands-on mentor who touched thou- Albert is the proud father of Deborah I wish to recognize the 100th anniver- sands; admired by all and will be great- and Brian, who follow his lifelong val- sary of the Hydraulic Institute and pay ly missed.’’ ues of service, community, and faith. tribute to the exceptional role that ‘‘A superb officer, great warrior and He is also a loving husband to Audrey, pump manufacturers have played in outstanding teacher.’’ improving the delivery of water to ‘‘A great leader . . . as the Air Boss his wife of 36 years, and before that, to his first wife, Faye, who tragically died American homes, American industry, for Operation Allied Force he provided and American agriculture over the past clear guidance and support for me and in an automobile accident. On Albert’s 90th birthday, we celebrate his accom- century. Today pump systems touch the men and women in my deployed the lives of every American, and the Wing . . . I consider it a high honor to plished life, one defined by good humor, compassion, family, and faith. Hydraulic Institute plays a central role have served under him in combat!’’ in developing the policies and stand- ‘‘He really was the kind of leader Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I want ards needed for safe, reliable, and effi- that made you want to work for the or- to recognize the upcoming 90th birthday of Albert Ratner on December 26. cient pump operations. ganization and its goals. His name al- On April 18, 1917, the Nation’s leading ways comes up when we talk about the Albert has led a distinguished life that has touched and benefited countless pump manufacturers met in the La good men in those days.’’ Salle Hotel in Chicago for the purpose ‘‘General Mike Short was a great people in Ohio and around the world. of forming a trade association that leader and Patriot. He was a mentor I consider Albert a dear friend and a would ‘‘promote friendship and co- and more importantly a friend. Mike wise adviser, and Jane and I have en- operation among manufacturers in im- loved his Family and his Country . . . joyed the friendship of him and his proving overall pump performance.’’ he will be missed.’’ wife, Audrey, over the years. Whether ‘‘He did a superb job in a very tough it is a discussion over dinner or catch- Since this auspicious gathering of situation. With leadership and top ing up during a Cavs game, we treasure pump manufacturers, government cover like that, the U.S. Air Force is our time with Albert and Audrey. agencies have relied on the Hydraulic unstoppable.’’ Albert grew up in Cleveland during Institute to provide the technical ex- ‘‘I will miss your words as they were the Great Depression, where his family, pertise required to set pump standards always on target and well understood. who were immigrants from Poland, that reflect the evolving priorities of Rolling a nickel on the grass in your turned a small company into a thriving society. remembrance, sir.’’ business through hard work and dedi- In recent years, energy efficiency has I extend my heartfelt thanks to Lt. cation. Well known for his civic in- emerged as a national priority, and the Gen. Mike Short for his selfless service volvement in Cleveland and as a leader Hydraulic Institute has worked closely to this Nation, to his wife, Jini, and to in the Jewish community, Albert is a with the U.S. Department of Energy to his children, Chris and Jenn, and their life trustee of the Cleveland Jewish improve the efficiency of pumping sys- families, for a lifetime of service to Community Federation and a member tems. These systems now account for this Nation. Words cannot describe the of the International Council of the over 20 percent of domestic electrical extraordinary character of Lieutenant American Jewish Joint Distribution energy use and the standards, labora- General Short, his accomplishments, or Committee. The Ratner family was in- tory testing, and labeling advanced by the lasting impact he will have on gen- strumental in establishing the Cleve- the Hydraulic Institute will ultimately erations of service members. His per- land Jewish Archives at the Western save consumers and businesses billions sonal accomplishments live on through Reserve Historical Society in 1976. of dollars. the examples set by his son and daugh- Albert is currently engaged in a se- Pumping systems protect our com- ter, two highly capable and highly re- ries of poverty-related initiatives in munities from flooding and fires, de- spected Air Force senior officers. My his hometown of Cleveland and liver drinking water to our homes, irri- prayers are with his family, and I pray throughout the State in partnership gate our farms, and bring water and the ‘‘Lord Guard and Guide the Men with the Governor and local leaders. fuel to American manufacturers. The Who Fly.’’ Beyond his influence in Ohio, he has Hydraulic Institute works closely with f helped those in need across the country Congress to ensure that the laws gov- by supporting innovative educational erning energy, water, and infrastruc- TRIBUTE TO ALBERT RATNER initiatives that have given promising ture reflect the prominence of pumping Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, I wish youth access to an education that has systems in the management of these to recognize the 90th birthday of Albert opened doors for each of them. essential resources. I would like to spe- Ratner on December 26, 2017. Albert has Albert is a loving husband and fa- cifically applaud the Hydraulic Insti- lived a life of faith and service. Wheth- ther. He has been married to Audrey tute for bringing an important perspec- er as a loving father, life-long philan- for 36 years. His first wife, Faye, who tive to congressional deliberations on thropist, or a successful businessman he met in high school, was tragically how to thoughtfully increase invest- at Forest City Realty Trust, Albert has killed in an automobile accident, after ment in our Nation’s critical water in- worked tirelessly for his community. which he continued raising his daugh- frastructure.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.067 S21DEPT1 S8252 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 It is with sincere admiration that I reins over to Mike Waller. In early colleagues have by now gotten the idea stand today to acknowledge the 100th 2018, the Alaska Veterans Museum will that Suellyn is our ‘‘Energizer Bunny’’ anniversary of the Hydraulic Institute host an event to commemorate her extraordinaire. So on behalf of a very and to wish this exceptional organiza- service in January. I want to take a grateful Senate, I express appreciation tion continued success in developing few moments to express my apprecia- to Suellyn for both of her careers: an policies and advancing standards that tion to Suellyn for her service to our exceptional Air Force career followed improve the lives of every American.∑ Nation and to those who have served it. by a career of outstanding volunteer f Alaska takes great pride in its stand- service to our community.∑ ing as the State which hosts more vet- RECOGNIZING GLASGOW, erans per capita than any other. About f MONTANA 70,000 veterans call Alaska home. It is TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH DARNELL ∑ Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, this fitting that Alaska host a museum ∑ week, I have the distinct honor of rec- honoring the service and sacrifice of Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, I ognizing the community of Glasgow for our veterans. Suellyn is best known for want to say a few words about someone leading the way with their generosity taking the Alaska Veterans Museum in Alaska who has been very important during the holiday season. Earlier this from idea to reality. In 2005 she began in my State. Joseph Darnell, who we month, members of the community collecting oral histories of veterans know as Joe, is the Alaska Regional successfully conducted their annual from all conflicts. She took on addi- Solicitor for the Department of the In- Block of Bucks program to help raise tional roles as researcher, display de- terior, in Anchorage, AL. He has been funds for local families to have warm signer, fundraiser, grant writer, and in that office since 1992, was made act- clothing during the winter months. membership chair. The museum was ing regional solicitor in 2010, and was This charitable effort brought to- virtual at that point. It organized ex- appointed to his current position in gether a broad collection of the com- hibits for the Anchorage Museum, the 2013. He will be retiring from his job at munity, including the Glasgow Sorop- Alaska Native Heritage Center, and the the end of this year. timists, student council leaders from Anchorage libraries, but didn’t have a The Department of the Interior is Glasgow High School, members of the space of its own. It was Suellyn’s vi- Alaska’s largest landlord, managing 61 National Guard, the local Elks Club, a sion to move the museum from a vir- percent of Alaska’s lands. The way the host of local businesses, and dozens of tual space to a physical space in down- Department of the Interior manages its other volunteers. Through their fo- town Anchorage. She raised funds and lands and resources is critical for Alas- cused actions, the community of Glas- worked with realtors to secure a prime ka’s economy and for the well-being of gow raised over $30,000 to provide more affordable location. And once that lo- our citizens. than 300 hundred children with winter cation was secured, Suellyn recruited a I know that I often talk about Fed- clothing. If you have ever experienced handpicked team to get the museum eral overreach, and while it is true winter along the Hi-Line in northeast open in just 11 days. The Alaska Vet- that, under certain administrations, Montana, you will know how impor- erans Museum opened on April 17, 2011. Alaska has bared the brunt of much of tant it is to have the proper gear. The Suellyn staffed the museum during that overreach, but it was people like generosity of neighbors in towns like nearly all the hours it was open—ex- Joe who made sure that rules and regu- Glasgow is something that we can all cept when she might be in an elemen- lations were followed, that the people appreciate. tary school classroom presenting as a had a voice, and worked to see that It is a Montana hallmark for neigh- Continental soldier during the Amer- good policy prevailed. A former staff bors to identify a need and then gather ican Revolution or speaking about how member for the late great Senator Ted the people and resources to meet that those who fought for America’s inde- Stevens, Joe learned from the best. need at a local level. Going into Christ- pendence survived the battle or when During his tenure, Joe worked on nu- mas, I would like to offer a heartfelt she was coordinating ‘‘Fan Mail’’ to merous land management and land thank you to the folks in Glasgow for the troops. The Alaska Veterans Mu- conveyance issues for the U.S. Fish and giving their time and talents to help seum, I am told, sends more fan mail to Wildlife Service National Refuge Sys- others by adding warmth to the holi- troops than any other small organiza- tem, the Bureau of Land Management, day season.∑ tion in the United States. Suellyn’s im- and the National Park Service. Among f pact in recognizing and supporting our the more notable was the land ex- veterans and Active-Duty change between the United States and TRIBUTE TO SUELLYN WRIGHT servicemembers is remarkable. the Aleut Corporation, which resulted NOVAK One of the most remarkable exam- in the Aleut Corporation acquiring ∑ Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, ples of Suellyn’s determination in- ownership of the closed Adak Naval Air Suellyn Wright Novak of Eagle River, volves her efforts to place a memorial Facility on Adak Island in the Aleu- AK, retired from the Air Force with in the village of Attu in memory of tian Islands. the rank of colonel in 2003 after a dis- those who lost their lives during the Joe was born in Seward and raised in tinguished 32-year career in the bio- Forgotten Battle of World War II. Juneau, Kenai, and Fairbanks. Accord- medical field. She was commander of Suellyn and the museum raised the ing to his wife, Joan, they enjoy cross- three different medical squadron, a necessary funds to create the replace- country skiing, riding bicycles to- clinical laboratory officer, and leader ment memorial but had no way of gether, and spending time in their of the Air Force Blood Program world- transporting it all the way out to Attu. cabin outside of McCarthy. One of his wide. She returned home to begin a Attu is the furthest of the U.S. Aleu- great passions is small airplanes. After second career as a professional volun- tian Islands, nearly 1,500 air miles from the first of the year, they will both be teer. At one time, she held 26 different Anchorage. spending a lot of time in their Cessna volunteer positions. Fortunately, the U.S. Coast Guard 175, flying across the great State of Suellyn’s work with the Eagle River offered a flight for me to tour their Alaska, and watching their daughter Presbyterian Church, the Chugiak/ Loran Station on Attu. I recognized Anna ski for the ski for the Nanooks at Eagle River Chamber of Commerce, the opportunity to offer assistance to the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. and the American Heart Association Suellyn and the museum. I can proudly Through his decades of dedication, cannot go unmentioned, nor can we ig- claim that the new memorial was Joe acquired and maintained a peerless nore her work as a service officer for erected at the site where the former understanding of how both national VFW Post 9785 or the Alaska State residents of Attu lived. Our mission and Alaska-specific laws operate on our Veterans Advisory Council, but was a success with the collaborative ef- Federal public lands in Alaska. He has Suellyn is best known for her work as forts of Suellyn, the museum, and the advised on and navigated a great many the president and executive director of Coast Guard. challenges for our State during his the Alaska Veterans Museum. I could go on and on about all that time in public service, and his knowl- Suellyn officially retired from this Suellyn does, but the list would un- edge and contribution will be dearly second career in October, handing the doubtedly be incomplete. I think my missed.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.059 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8253 Best of luck to him and to his family on behalf of such an official, who is re- take all appropriate measures within and thanks for all he has done for all of sponsible for or complicit in, or has di- their authority to implement the us.∑ rectly or indirectly engaged in: order. f (a) corruption, including the mis- DONALD J. TRUMP. appropriation of state assets, the ex- THE WHITE HOUSE, December 20, 2017. MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT propriation of private assets for per- f sonal gain, corruption related to gov- Messages from the President of the MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE United States were communicated to ernment contracts or the extraction of the Senate by Ms. Cuccia, one of his natural resources, or bribery; or At 10:10 a.m., a message from the secretaries. (b) the transfer or the facilitation of House of Representatives, delivered by the transfer of the proceeds of corrup- Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- f tion; nounced that the House has passed the EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED (3) to be or have been a leader or offi- following bills, in which it requests the As in executive session the Presiding cial of: concurrence of the Senate: Officer laid before the Senate messages (a) an entity, including any govern- H.R. 1159. An act to provide for continuing from the President of the United ment entity, that has engaged in, or cooperation between the National Aero- whose members have engaged in, any of nautics and Space Administration and the States submitting nominations which Israel Space Agency, and for other purposes. were referred to the Committee on the the activities described in (1), (2)(a), or (2)(b) above relating to the leader’s or H.R. 4015. An act to improve the quality of Judiciary. proxy advisory firms for the protection of in- (The message received today is print- official’s tenure; or vestors and the U.S. economy, and in the ed at the end of the Senate pro- (b) an entity whose property and in- public interest, by fostering accountability, ceedings.) terests in property are blocked pursu- transparency, responsiveness, and competi- ant to the order as a result of activities tion in the proxy advisory firm industry. f related to the leader’s or the official’s ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGES tenure; or At 12:34 p.m., a message from the (4) to have attempted to engage in House of Representatives, delivered by any of the activities described in (1), Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- REPORT RELATIVE TO THE (2)(a), or (2)(b) above. nounced that the Speaker has signed ISSUANCE OF AN EXECUTIVE The order also blocks any person de- the following enrolled bills: termined by the Secretary of the ORDER DECLARING A NATIONAL S. 1536. An act to designate a human traf- EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO Treasury, in consultation with the Sec- ficking prevention coordinator and to expand THE UNUSUAL AND EXTRAOR- retary of State and the Attorney Gen- the scope of activities authorized under the DINARY THREAT TO THE NA- eral: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administra- TIONAL SECURITY, FOREIGN (5) to have materially assisted, spon- tion’s outreach and education program to in- POLICY, AND ECONOMY OF THE sored, or provided financial, material, clude human trafficking prevention activi- UNITED STATES POSED BY SERI- or technological support for, or goods ties, and for other purposes. OUS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE AND or services to or in support of: H.R. 1. An act to provide for reconciliation (a) any activity described in (1), pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent CORRUPTION AROUND THE resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018. WORLD—PM 23 (2)(a), or (2)(b) above that is conducted The enrolled bills were subsequently The PRESIDING OFFICER laid be- by a foreign person; (b) any person whose property and in- signed by the President pro tempore fore the Senate the following message terests in property are blocked pursu- (Mr. HATCH). from the President of the United ant to the order; or States, together with an accompanying (c) any entity described in (3)(a) At 6 p.m., a message from the House report and papers; which was referred above where the activity is conducted of Representatives, delivered by Mrs. to the Committee on Banking, Hous- by a foreign person; Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- ing, and Urban Affairs: (6) to be owned or controlled by, or to nounced that the House has passed the To the Congress of the United States: have acted or purported to act for or on following bills, without amendment: Pursuant to the International Emer- behalf of, directly or indirectly, any S. 1393. An act to streamline the process by gency Economic Powers Act, as amend- person whose property and interests in which active duty military, reservists, and ed (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), I veterans receive commercial driver’s li- property are blocked pursuant to the censes. hereby report that I have issued the en- order; or S. 1532. An act to disqualify from operating closed Executive Order (the ‘‘order’’) (7) to have attempted to engage in a commercial motor vehicle for life an indi- declaring a national emergency with any of the activities described in (5) or vidual who uses a commercial motor vehicle respect to the unusual and extraor- (6) above. in committing a felony involving human dinary threat to the national security, In addition, the order suspends entry trafficking. foreign policy, and economy of the into the United States of any alien list- S. 1766. An act to reauthorize the SAFER United States posed by serious human ed in the Annex or determined to meet Act of 2013, and for other purposes. rights abuse and corruption around the one or more of the criteria above. The message also announced that the world. In addition to taking action I have delegated to the Secretary of House has passed the following bills, in under IEEPA, the order implements the Treasury the authority, in con- which it requests the concurrence of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights sultation with the Secretary of State, the Senate: Accountability Act (Public Law 114– to take such actions, including adopt- H.R. 4641. An act to authorize the Presi- 328) (the ‘‘Act’’) and delegates certain ing rules and regulations, and to em- dent to award the Medal of Honor to John L. of its authorities. ploy all powers granted to the Presi- Canley for acts of valor during the Vietnam The order blocks the property and in- dent by IEEPA and the Act, as may be War while a member of the Marine Corps. terests in property of persons listed in necessary to implement the order and H.R. 4667. An act making further supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year the Annex to the order. It also blocks relevant provisions of the Act. I have ending September 30, 2018, for disaster assist- the property and interests in property delegated to the Secretary of State the ance for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and of any foreign person determined by authority to take such actions, includ- Maria, and calendar year 2017 wildfires, and the Secretary of the Treasury, in con- ing adopting rules and regulations, and for other purposes. sultation with the Secretary of State to employ all powers granted to the The message further announced the and the Attorney General: President by IEEPA and the Act, as House agreed to the following concur- (1) to be responsible for or complicit may be necessary to implement the rent resolution, without amendment: in, or to have directly or indirectly en- provisions of the order and the Act sus- S. Con. Res. 31. Concurrent resolution au- gaged in, serious human rights abuse; pending entry into the United States of thorizing the use of the rotunda of the Cap- (2) to be a current or former govern- certain aliens. All executive depart- itol for a ceremony to award the Congres- ment official, or a person acting for or ments and agencies are directed to sional Gold Medal to Bob Dole.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.094 S21DEPT1 S8254 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 The message also announced that the of the Secretary, Department of Defense, tory: Report to Congress’’; to the Committee House agreed to the amendment of the transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of on Environment and Public Works. Senate to the bill (H.R. 1370) to amend a rule entitled ‘‘Military Commissions’’ EC–3736. A communication from the Direc- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to (RIN0790–AJ58) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 13, 2017; Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- require the Secretary of Homeland Se- to the Committee on Armed Services. ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- curity to issue Department of Home- EC–3726. A communication from the Presi- titled ‘‘Confidentiality Determinations for land Security-wide guidance and de- dent, Institute for Defense Analyses, trans- Hazardous Waste Export and Import Docu- velop training programs as part of the mitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ments’’ (FRL No. 9971–49–OLEM) received in Department of Homeland Security Blue ‘‘Report on Elements Contributing to Ex- the Office of the President of the Senate on Campaign, and for other purposes, with penses Incurred by Contractors for Bid and December 14, 2017; to the Committee on En- an amendment, in which it requests Proposal; to the Committee on Armed Serv- vironment and Public Works. ices. EC–3737. A communication from the Direc- the concurrence of the Senate. EC–3727. A communication from the Under tor of the Regulatory Management Division, The message further announced that Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), trans- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- pursuant to section 5 of the Frederick mitting, pursuant to law, a semiannual re- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act port entitled, ‘‘Acceptance of Contributions titled ‘‘Arizona: Authorization of State Haz- (Public Law 115–77), and the order of for Defense Programs, Projects, and Activi- ardous Waste Management Program Revi- the House of January 3, 2017, the ties; Defense Cooperation Account’’ and a sions’’ (FRL No. 9972–09–Region 9) received in Speaker appoints the following Mem- semiannual listing of personal property con- the Office of the President of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Committee on En- ber of the House of Representatives to tributed by coalition partners; to the Com- mittee on Armed Services. vironment and Public Works. the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial EC–3728. A communication from the Under EC–3738. A communication from the Direc- Commission: Mr. HARRIS of Maryland; Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Tech- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, And from private life: Ms. Sylvia nology and Logistics), transmitting, pursu- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- Quinton of Mardela Springs, Maryland ant to law, a report entitled, ‘‘Military Child ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- and Dr. C. James Trotman of West Initiative Pilot Program Report of Activi- titled ‘‘Approval of California Air Plan Revi- Chester, Pennsylvania. ties, Fiscal Year 2017’’; to the Committee on sions, Placer County and Ventura County Armed Services. Pollution Control Districts’’ (FRL No. 9971– ENROLLED BILL SIGNED EC–3729. A communication from the Alter- 76–Region 9) received in the Office of the At 8:41 p.m., a message from the nate Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office President of the Senate on December 14, 2017; House of Representatives, delivered by of the Secretary, Department of Defense, to the Committee on Environment and Pub- Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of lic Works. announced that the Speaker pro tem- a rule entitled ‘‘Amended Interpretive Rule EC–3739. A communication from the Direc- Under the Military Lending Act Limitations tor of the Regulatory Management Division, pore (Mr. UPTON) has signed the fol- on Terms of Consumer Credit Extended to Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- lowing enrolled bill: Service Members and Dependents’’ (RIN0790– ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- H.R. 1370. An act to amend the Homeland ZA13) received during adjournment of the titled ‘‘Approval of Arizona Air Plan Revi- Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary Senate in the Office of the President of the sion; San Manuel, Arizona; Second 10-Year of Homeland Security to issue Department of Senate on December 15, 2017; to the Com- Sulfur Dioxide Maintenance Plan’’ (FRL No. Homeland Security-wide guidance and de- mittee on Armed Services. 9972–03–Region 9) received in the Office of the velop training programs as part of the De- EC–3730. A communication from the Sec- President of the Senate on December 14, 2017; partment of Homeland Security Blue Cam- retary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursu- to the Committee on Environment and Pub- paign, and for other purposes. ant to law, a six-month periodic report on lic Works. The enrolled bill was subsequently the national emergency that was declared in EC–3740. A communication from the Direc- signed by the Acting president pro Executive Order 13405 of June 16, 2006, with tor of the Regulatory Management Division, respect to Belarus; to the Committee on Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- tempore (Mr. KENNEDY). Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- f EC–3731. A communication from the Prin- titled ‘‘Air Plan Approval; Rhode Island; In- cipal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Energy Ef- frastructure Requirement for the 2010 Sulfur MEASURES REFERRED ficiency and Renewable Energy, Department Dioxide and 2010 Nitrogen Dioxide National The following bills were read the first of Energy, transmitting, pursuant to law, Ambient Air Quality Standards’’ (FRL No. and the second times by unanimous ‘‘Report to Congress on Federal Government 9972–23–Region 1) received in the Office of the consent, and referred as indicated: Energy Management for Fiscal Year 2015’’; to President of the Senate on December 14, 2017; the Committee on Energy and Natural Re- to the Committee on Environment and Pub- H.R. 1159. An act to provide for continuing sources. lic Works. cooperation between the National Aero- EC–3732. A communication from the Acting EC–3741. A communication from the Execu- nautics and Space Administration and the Director, Office of Surface Mining Reclama- tive Analyst (Political), Department of Israel Space Agency, and for other purposes; tion and Enforcement, Department of the In- Health and Human Services, transmitting, to the Committee on Foreign Relations. terior, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re- pursuant to law, a report relative to a va- H.R. 4015. An act to improve the quality of port of a rule entitled ‘‘Oklahoma Regu- cancy in the position of General Counsel, De- proxy advisory firms for the protection of in- latory Program’’ ((30 CFR Part 936) (Docket partment of Health and Human Services, re- vestors and the U.S. economy, and in the ID OSM–2015–0006)) received in the Office of ceived in the Office of the President of the public interest, by fostering accountability, the President of the Senate on December 13, Senate on December 13, 2017; to the Com- transparency, responsiveness, and competi- 2017; to the Committee on Energy and Nat- mittee on Finance. tion in the proxy advisory firm industry; to ural Resources. EC–3742. A communication from the Execu- the Committee on Banking, Housing, and EC–3733. A communication from the Acting tive Analyst (Political), Department of Urban Affairs. Director, Office of Surface Mining Reclama- Health and Human Services, transmitting, f tion and Enforcement, Department of the In- pursuant to law, a report relative to a va- terior, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re- cancy in the position of General Counsel, De- MEASURES READ THE FIRST TIME port of a rule entitled ‘‘Wyoming Regulatory partment of Health and Human Services, re- The following bill was read the first Program’’ ((30 CFR Part 950) (Docket ID ceived in the Office of the President of the time: OSM–2013–0002)) received in the Office of the Senate on December 13, 2017; to the Com- President of the Senate on December 13, 2017; mittee on Finance. S. 2274. A bill to provide for the compensa- to the Committee on Energy and Natural Re- EC–3743. A communication from the Chief tion of Federal employees affected by lapses sources. of the Publications and Regulations Branch, in appropriations. EC–3734. A communication from the Sec- Internal Revenue Service, Department of the f retary of Energy, transmitting, pursuant to Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the law, a report relative to the status of con- report of a rule entitled ‘‘Guidance Under EXECUTIVE AND OTHER struction and operations of the mixed oxide Section 409A for Pre-2009 Section 457A Defer- COMMUNICATIONS fuel fabrication facility (MOX facility) at the rals’’ (Notice 2017–75) received in the Office The following communications were Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site of the President of the Senate on December laid before the Senate, together with in South Carolina; to the Committee on En- 13, 2017; to the Committee on Finance. ergy and Natural Resources. EC–3744. A communication from the Chief accompanying papers, reports, and doc- EC–3735. A communication from the Ad- of the Publications and Regulations Branch, uments, and were referred as indicated: ministrator, Environmental Protection Internal Revenue Service, Department of the EC–3725. A communication from the Alter- Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, a re- Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the nate Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office port entitled ‘‘National Water Quality Inven- report of a rule entitled ‘‘2017 Required

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.017 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8255 Amendments List’’ (Notice 2017–72) received Semiannual Report of the Inspector General Office of the President of the Senate on De- in the Office of the President of the Senate and the Chairman’s Semiannual Report on cember 14, 2017; to the Committee on Com- on December 13, 2017; to the Committee on Final Action Resulting from Audit Reports, merce, Science, and Transportation. Finance. Inspection Reports, and Evaluation Reports EC–3764. A communication from the Man- EC–3745. A communication from the Chief for the period from April 1, 2017 through Sep- agement and Program Analyst, Federal of the Trade and Commercial Regulations tember 30, 2017; to the Committee on Home- Aviation Administration, Department of Branch, Bureau of Customs and Border Pro- land Security and Governmental Affairs. Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to tection, Department of Homeland Security, EC–3754. A communication from the Acting law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission, ness Directives; Airbus Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120– a rule entitled ‘‘Donations of Technology transmitting, pursuant to law, the Commis- AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0690)) received and Related Support Services to Enforce In- sion’s Performance and Accountability Re- in the Office of the President of the Senate tellectual Property Rights’’ (RIN1515–AE21) port for fiscal year 2017; to the Committee on on December 14, 2017; to the Committee on received in the Office of the President of the Homeland Security and Governmental Af- Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Senate on December 12, 2017; to the Com- fairs. EC–3765. A communication from the Man- mittee on Finance. EC–3755. A communication from the Chair- agement and Program Analyst, Federal EC–3746. A communication from the Fed- man of the Board of the Pension Benefit Aviation Administration, Department of eral Register Liaison Officer, Alcohol and Guaranty Corporation, transmitting, pursu- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department ant to law, the Inspector General’s Semi- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to annual Report to Congress for the period ness Directives; Airbus Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120– law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Implemen- from April 1, 2017, through September 30, AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0478)) received tation of Statutory Amendments Requiring 2017; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- in the Office of the President of the Senate the Modification of the Definition of Hard rity and Governmental Affairs. on December 14, 2017; to the Committee on Cider; Delayed Compliance Date of the Hard EC–3756. A communication from the Assist- Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Cider Tax Class Labeling Statement Re- ant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, De- EC–3766. A communication from the Man- quirement’’ (RIN1513–AC31) received in the partment of Homeland Security, transmit- agement and Program Analyst, Federal Office of the President of the Senate on De- ting proposed legislation to amend the Aviation Administration, Department of cember 14, 2017; to the Committee on Fi- Homeland Security Act of 2002; to the Com- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to nance. mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- EC–3747. A communication from the Dep- mental Affairs. ness Directives; Airbus Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120– uty Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, EC–3757. A communication from the Acting AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0710)) received Department of State, transmitting, pursuant Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission, in the Office of the President of the Senate to the Arms Export Control Act, the certifi- transmitting, pursuant to law, the Commis- on December 14, 2017; to the Committee on cation of a proposed license for the export of sion’s Semiannual Report of the Inspector Commerce, Science, and Transportation. defense articles that are controlled under General for the period from April 1, 2017 EC–3767. A communication from the Man- Category I of the United States Munitions through September 30, 2017; to the Com- agement and Program Analyst, Federal List to Ukraine in the amount of $1,000,000 or mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- Aviation Administration, Department of more; to the Committee on Foreign Rela- mental Affairs. Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to tions. EC–3758. A communication from the Chair- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- EC–3748. A communication from the Dep- man, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, ness Directives; Airbus Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120– uty Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Commis- AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0497)) received Department of State, transmitting, pursuant sion’s Semiannual Report of the Inspector in the Office of the President of the Senate to law, a report relative to the Chemical General for the period from April 1, 2017 on December 14, 2017; to the Committee on Weapons Convention and the Australia through September 30, 2017; to the Com- Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Group; to the Committee on Foreign Rela- mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- EC–3768. A communication from the Man- tions. mental Affairs. agement and Program Analyst, Federal EC–3749. A communication from the Dep- EC–3759. A communication from the Chair Aviation Administration, Department of uty Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, of the Equal Employment Opportunity Com- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Department of State, transmitting, pursuant mission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- to law, a report consistent with the Author- Commission’s Semiannual Report of the In- ness Directives; Airbus Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120– ization for Use of Military Force Against spector General and the Semiannual Man- AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0628)) received Iraq Resolution of 2002 (P.L. 107–243) and the agement Report for the period from April 1, in the Office of the President of the Senate Authorization for the Use of Force Against 2017 through September 30, 2017; to the Com- on December 14, 2017; to the Committee on Iraq Resolution of 1991 (P.L. 102–1) for the mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- Commerce, Science, and Transportation. August 9, 2017 - November 8, 2017 reporting mental Affairs. EC–3769. A communication from the Man- period; to the Committee on Foreign Rela- EC–3760. A communication from the Board agement and Program Analyst, Federal tions. Members, Railroad Retirement Board, trans- Aviation Administration, Department of EC–3750. A communication from the Assist- mitting, pursuant to law, the Board’s Per- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to ant Attorney General, Office of Legislative formance and Accountability Report for fis- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- Affairs, Department of Justice, transmit- cal year 2017, including the Office of Inspec- ness Directives; Airbus Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120– ting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ‘‘Re- tor General’s Auditor’s Report; to the Com- AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0480)) received port of the Attorney General to the Congress mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- in the Office of the President of the Senate of the United States on the Administration mental Affairs. on December 14, 2017; to the Committee on of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of EC–3761. A communication from the Sec- Commerce, Science, and Transportation. 1938, as amended, for the six months ending retary of Education, transmitting, pursuant EC–3770. A communication from the Man- June 30, 2017’’; to the Committee on Foreign to law, the Department of Education Agency agement and Program Analyst, Federal Relations. Financial Report for fiscal year 2017; to the Aviation Administration, Department of EC–3751. A communication from the White Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to House Liaison, Department of Education, ernmental Affairs. law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of EC–3762. A communication from the Man- ness Directives; Airbus Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120– a vacancy in the position of Director, Insti- agement and Program Analyst, Federal AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2016–6429)) received tute for Education Sciences, Department of Aviation Administration, Department of in the Office of the President of the Senate Education, received in the Office of the Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to on December 14, 2017; to the Committee on President of the Senate on December 13, 2017; law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- Commerce, Science, and Transportation. to the Committee on Health, Education, ness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Type EC–3771. A communication from the Man- Labor, and Pensions. Certificate Previously Held by Eurocopter agement and Program Analyst, Federal EC–3752. A communication from the Asso- France)’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– Aviation Administration, Department of ciate General Counsel for General Law, De- 2015–4031)) received in the Office of the Presi- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to partment of Homeland Security, transmit- dent of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- ting, pursuant to law, a report relative to a the Committee on Commerce, Science, and ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- vacancy in the position of Inspector General, Transportation. planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– Department of Homeland Security, received EC–3763. A communication from the Man- 2017–0526)) received in the Office of the Presi- in the Office of the President of the Senate agement and Program Analyst, Federal dent of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to on December 13, 2017; to the Committee on Aviation Administration, Department of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Homeland Security and Governmental Af- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Transportation. fairs. law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- EC–3772. A communication from the Man- EC–3753. A communication from the Chair- ness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutsch- agement and Program Analyst, Federal man of the National Endowment for the land GmbH Helicopters’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) Aviation Administration, Department of Arts, transmitting, pursuant to law, the (Docket No. FAA–2017–0933)) received in the Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.021 S21DEPT1 S8256 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- Aviation Administration, Department of ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- ness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes’’ Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0528)) law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- 2017–0715)) received in the Office of the Presi- received in the Office of the President of the ness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corpora- dent of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- tion’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– the Committee on Commerce, Science, and mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- 2017–0946)) received in the Office of the Presi- Transportation. tation. dent of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to EC–3773. A communication from the Man- EC–3781. A communication from the Man- the Committee on Commerce, Science, and agement and Program Analyst, Federal agement and Program Analyst, Federal Transportation. Aviation Administration, Department of Aviation Administration, Department of EC–3789. A communication from the Para- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to legal Specialist, Federal Aviation Adminis- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- tration, Department of Transportation, ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- ness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes’’ transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0712)) a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; 2017–0772)) received in the Office of the Presi- received in the Office of the President of the Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate dent of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- Previously Held by Israel Aircraft Indus- the Committee on Commerce, Science, and mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- tries, Ltd.) Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) Transportation. tation. (Docket No. FAA–2017–0963)) received during EC–3774. A communication from the Man- EC–3782. A communication from the Man- adjournment of the Senate in the Office of agement and Program Analyst, Federal agement and Program Analyst, Federal the President of the Senate on December 14, Aviation Administration, Department of Aviation Administration, Department of 2017; to the Committee on Commerce, Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Science, and Transportation. law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- EC–3790. A communication from the Para- ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- ness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes’’ legal Specialist, Federal Aviation Adminis- planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0521)) tration, Department of Transportation, 2017–0332)) received in the Office of the Presi- received in the Office of the President of the transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of dent of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; the Committee on Commerce, Science, and mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate Transportation. tation. Previously Held by Israel Aircraft Indus- EC–3775. A communication from the Man- EC–3783. A communication from the Man- tries, Ltd.) Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) agement and Program Analyst, Federal agement and Program Analyst, Federal (Docket No. FAA–2017–0692)) received during Aviation Administration, Department of Aviation Administration, Department of adjournment of the Senate in the Office of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to the President of the Senate on December 14, law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- 2017; to the Committee on Commerce, ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- ness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Science, and Transportation. planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab EC–3791. A communication from the Para- 2017–0773)) received in the Office of the Presi- Aerosystems) Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) legal Specialist, Federal Aviation Adminis- dent of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to (Docket No. FAA–2017–0777)) received in the tration, Department of Transportation, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Office of the President of the Senate on De- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of Transportation. cember 14, 2017; to the Committee on Com- a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; EC–3776. A communication from the Man- merce, Science, and Transportation. Engine Alliance Turbofan Engines’’ agement and Program Analyst, Federal EC–3784. A communication from the Man- ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0988)) Aviation Administration, Department of agement and Program Analyst, Federal received in the Office of the President of the Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Aviation Administration, Department of Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- tation. planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– ness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics EC–3792. A communication from the Para- 2017–0249)) received in the Office of the Presi- (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab legal Specialist, Federal Aviation Adminis- dent of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to Aerosystems) Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) tration, Department of Transportation, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and (Docket No. FAA–2017–0563)) received in the transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of Transportation. Office of the President of the Senate on De- a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; EC–3777. A communication from the Man- cember 14, 2017; to the Committee on Com- Agusta S.p.A. Helicopters’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) agement and Program Analyst, Federal merce, Science, and Transportation. (Docket No. FAA–2017–0982)) received in the Aviation Administration, Department of EC–3785. A communication from the Man- Office of the President of the Senate on De- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to agement and Program Analyst, Federal cember 14, 2017; to the Committee on Com- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- Aviation Administration, Department of merce, Science, and Transportation. ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to EC–3793. A communication from the Para- planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- legal Specialist, Federal Aviation Adminis- 2017–0499)) received in the Office of the Presi- ness Directives; Dassault Aviation Air- tration, Department of Transportation, dent of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 2017–9500)) received in the Office of the Presi- a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; Transportation. dent of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to ATR–GIE Avions de Transport Regional Air- EC–3778. A communication from the Man- the Committee on Commerce, Science, and planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– agement and Program Analyst, Federal Transportation. 2017–1027)) received in the Office of the Presi- Aviation Administration, Department of EC–3786. A communication from the Man- dent of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to agement and Program Analyst, Federal the Committee on Commerce, Science, and law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation. ness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes’’ Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to EC–3794. A communication from the Para- ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0338)) law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- legal Specialist, Federal Aviation Adminis- received in the Office of the President of the ness Directives; Dassault Aviation Air- tration, Department of Transportation, Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- 2017–1023)) received in the Office of the Presi- a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; tation. dent of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to Fokker Services B.V. Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120– EC–3779. A communication from the Man- the Committee on Commerce, Science, and AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–1095)) received agement and Program Analyst, Federal Transportation. in the Office of the President of the Senate Aviation Administration, Department of EC–3787. A communication from the Man- on December 14, 2017; to the Committee on Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to agement and Program Analyst, Federal Commerce, Science, and Transportation. law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- Aviation Administration, Department of EC–3795. A communication from the Para- ness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes’’ Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to legal Specialist, Federal Aviation Adminis- ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0562)) law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- tration, Department of Transportation, received in the Office of the President of the ness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corpora- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- tion’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- 2017–0491)) received in the Office of the Presi- Rockwell Collins, Inc. Traffic Surveillance tation. dent of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to System Processing Unit’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) EC–3780. A communication from the Man- the Committee on Commerce, Science, and (Docket No. FAA–2017–0659)) received in the agement and Program Analyst, Federal Transportation. Office of the President of the Senate on De- Aviation Administration, Department of EC–3788. A communication from the Man- cember 14, 2017; to the Committee on Com- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to agement and Program Analyst, Federal merce, Science, and Transportation.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.023 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8257 EC–3796. A communication from the Para- EC–3804. A communication from the Man- EC–3812. A communication from the Man- legal Specialist, Federal Aviation Adminis- agement and Program Analyst, Federal agement and Program Analyst, Federal tration, Department of Transportation, Aviation Administration, Department of Aviation Administration, Department of transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Amend- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Amend- IPECO Pilot and Co-Pilot Seats’’ ((RIN2120– ment of Class E Airspace; Lemoore NAS, ment of Class E Airspace; Prineville, OR’’ AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0490)) received CA’’ ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. FAA–2017– ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0616)) in the Office of the President of the Senate 0219)) received in the Office of the President received in the Office of the President of the on December 14, 2017; to the Committee on of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Committee on Commerce, Science, and mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- EC–3797. A communication from the Para- Transportation. tation. legal Specialist, Federal Aviation Adminis- EC–3805. A communication from the Man- EC–3813. A communication from the Man- tration, Department of Transportation, agement and Program Analyst, Federal agement and Program Analyst, Federal transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of Aviation Administration, Department of Aviation Administration, Department of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Embraer S.A. Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Amend- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Amend- (Docket No. FAA–2017–0697)) received in the ment of Class E Airspace; Bend, OR’’ ment of Class E Airspace; Seward, NE’’ Office of the President of the Senate on De- ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0391)) ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0354)) cember 14, 2017; to the Committee on Com- received in the Office of the President of the received in the Office of the President of the merce, Science, and Transportation. Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- EC–3798. A communication from the Para- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- legal Specialist, Federal Aviation Adminis- tation. tation. tration, Department of Transportation, EC–3806. A communication from the Man- EC–3814. A communication from the Man- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of agement and Program Analyst, Federal agement and Program Analyst, Federal a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; 328 Aviation Administration, Department of Aviation Administration, Department of Support Services GmbH (Type Certificate Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Previously Held by AvCraft Aerospace law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Amend- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Amend- GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH; Dornier ment of Class E Airspace; Alexander City, ment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Fort Luftfahrt GmbH) Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) AL’’ ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. FAA–2016– Knox, KY, and Louisville, KY’’ ((RIN2120– (Docket No. FAA–2016–9568)) received in the 9549)) received in the Office of the President AA66) (Docket No. FAA–2016–9499)) received Office of the President of the Senate on De- of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to the in the Office of the President of the Senate cember 14, 2017; to the Committee on Com- Committee on Commerce, Science, and on December 14, 2017; to the Committee on merce, Science, and Transportation. Transportation. Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC–3799. A communication from the Para- EC–3807. A communication from the Man- EC–3815. A communication from the Man- legal Specialist, Federal Aviation Adminis- agement and Program Analyst, Federal agement and Program Analyst, Federal tration, Department of Transportation, Aviation Administration, Department of Aviation Administration, Department of transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Establish- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Amend- Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines’’ ment of Class E Airspace; Hawthorne, NV’’ ment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Pueb- ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0816)) ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0315)) lo, CO’’ ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. FAA– received in the Office of the President of the received in the Office of the President of the 2017–0666)) received in the Office of the Presi- Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- dent of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- the Committee on Commerce, Science, and tation. tation. Transportation. EC–3800. A communication from the Para- EC–3808. A communication from the Man- EC–3816. A communication from the Man- legal Specialist, Federal Aviation Adminis- agement and Program Analyst, Federal agement and Program Analyst, Federal tration, Department of Transportation, Aviation Administration, Department of Aviation Administration, Department of transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Amend- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Amend- General Electric Company Turbofan En- ment of Class E Airspace; Oskaloosa, IA’’ ment of Multiple Restricted Areas; Vanden- gines’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0296)) berg AFB, CA’’ ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. 2017–1000)) received in the Office of the Presi- received in the Office of the President of the FAA–2017–0985)) received in the Office of the dent of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- President of the Senate on December 14, 2017; the Committee on Commerce, Science, and mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- to the Committee on Commerce, Science, Transportation. tation. and Transportation. EC–3801. A communication from the Man- EC–3809. A communication from the Man- EC–3817. A communication from the Man- agement and Program Analyst, Federal agement and Program Analyst, Federal agement and Program Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Aviation Administration, Department of Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Establish- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Amend- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Standard ment of Class E Airspace; Boothville, LA’’ ment of Class E Airspace, for Stevens Point, Instrument Approach Procedures, and Take- ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0649)) WI’’ ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. FAA–2017– off Minimums and Obstacle Departure Proce- received in the Office of the President of the 0143)) received in the Office of the President dures; Miscellaneous Amendment; Amdt. No. Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to the 3771’’ (RIN2120–AA65) received in the Office of mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- Committee on Commerce, Science, and the President of the Senate on December 14, tation. Transportation. 2017; to the Committee on Commerce, EC–3802. A communication from the Man- EC–3810. A communication from the Man- Science, and Transportation. agement and Program Analyst, Federal agement and Program Analyst, Federal EC–3818. A communication from the Man- Aviation Administration, Department of Aviation Administration, Department of agement and Program Analyst, Federal Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Aviation Administration, Department of law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Establish- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Amend- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to ment of Class E Airspace; Rosebud, SD’’ ment of Class E Airspace; Scottsboro, AL’’ law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Standard ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. FAA–2016–9545)) ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0557)) Instrument Approach Procedures, and Take- received in the Office of the President of the received in the Office of the President of the off Minimums and Obstacle Departure Proce- Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- dures; Miscellaneous Amendments (45); mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- Amdt. No. 3772’’ (RIN2120–AA65) received in tation. tation. the Office of the President of the Senate on EC–3803. A communication from the Man- EC–3811. A communication from the Man- December 14, 2017; to the Committee on Com- agement and Program Analyst, Federal agement and Program Analyst, Federal merce, Science, and Transportation. Aviation Administration, Department of Aviation Administration, Department of EC–3819. A communication from the Man- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to agement and Program Analyst, Federal law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Establish- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Establish- Aviation Administration, Department of ment of Class E Airspace; Cisco, TX’’ ment of Class E Airspace; Debois, ME’’ Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0620)) ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. FAA–2015–2891)) law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Standard received in the Office of the President of the received in the Office of the President of the Instrument Approach Procedures, and Take- Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Com- off Minimums and Obstacle Departure Proce- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- dures; Miscellaneous Amendments (84); tation. tation. Amdt. No. 3773’’ (RIN2120–AA65) received in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.025 S21DEPT1 S8258 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 the Office of the President of the Senate on of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to 4,300 additional jobs for United States resi- December 14, 2017; to the Committee on Com- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Establish- dents, and it would have an annual impact merce, Science, and Transportation. ment of the Petaluma Viticultural Area and on the local economy ranging from $400 mil- EC–3820. A communication from the Man- Modification of the North Coast Viticultural lion to $500 million; and agement and Program Analyst, Federal Area’’ (RIN1513–AC19) received during ad- Whereas, Should the defense department Aviation Administration, Department of journment of the Senate in the Office of the decide to relocate AFRICOM, Ellington Field Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to President of the Senate on December 15, 2017; Joint Reserve Base in Houston would be an law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Standard to the Committee on Commerce, Science, ideal home for the headquarters; the base Instrument Approach Procedures, and Take- and Transportation. features strong joint service military value off Minimums and Obstacle Departure Proce- EC–3828. A communication from the Regu- of active duty, reserve, and guard units from dures; Miscellaneous Amendments (11); lations Officer, Federal Highway Adminis- all five United States armed services, some Amdt. No. 3774’’ (RIN2120–AA65) received in tration, Department of Transportation, of which presently conduct training and the Office of the President of the Senate on transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of operational missions for AFRICOM; it is also December 14, 2017; to the Committee on Com- a rule entitled ‘‘Metropolitan Planning Orga- equipped to handle large military aircraft, merce, Science, and Transportation. nization Coordination and Planning Area Re- and the city boasts one of the nation’s most EC–3821. A communication from the Man- form’’ (RIN2125–AF75) received in the Office vibrant ports, which handles 40 percent of all agement and Program Analyst, Federal of the President of the Senate on December United States trade with Africa; moreover, Aviation Administration, Department of 14, 2017; to the Committee on Commerce, the community is exceptionally supportive Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Science, and Transportation. of the military, and the Greater Houston law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Standard EC–3829. A communication from the Acting area has strong cultural, educational, med- Instrument Approach Procedures, and Take- Chairman of the Office of Proceedings, Sur- ical, and diplomatic ties with Africa; and off Minimums and Obstacle Departure Proce- face Transportation Board, Department of Whereas, The Government Accountability dures; Miscellaneous Amendments (171); Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Office has concluded that the relocation of Amdt. No. 3767’’ (RIN2120–AA65) received in law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Expediting AFRICOM to the United States would gen- the Office of the President of the Senate on Rate Cases’’ (RIN2140–AB33) received during erate tremendous cost savings and economic December 14, 2017; to the Committee on Com- adjournment of the Senate in the Office of benefits, and Ellington Field Joint Reserve merce, Science, and Transportation. the President of the Senate on December 15, Base offers advantages that would enhance EC–3822. A communication from the Man- 2017; to the Committee on Commerce, the effectiveness of the headquarters; now, agement and Program Analyst, Federal Science, and Transportation. therefore, be it Aviation Administration, Department of EC–3830. A communication from the Chief Resolved, That the 85th Legislature of the Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to of Staff, Media Bureau, Federal Communica- State of Texas hereby respectfully urge the law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Standard tions Commission, transmitting, pursuant to United States Congress to direct the Depart- Instrument Approach Procedures, and Take- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Author- ment of Defense to relocate the United off Minimums and Obstacle Departure Proce- izing Permissive Use of the ’Next Genera- States Africa Command to Ellington Field dures; Miscellaneous Amendments (3); Amdt. tion’ Broadcast Television Standard’’ ((FCC Joint Reserve Base in Houston; and, be it No. 3768’’ (RIN2120–AA65) received in the Of- 17–158) (GN Docket No. 16–142)) received in further fice of the President of the Senate on Decem- the Office of the President of the Senate on Resolved, That the Texas secretary of state ber 14, 2017; to the Committee on Commerce, December 13, 2017; to the Committee on Com- forward official copies of this resolution to Science, and Transportation. merce, Science, and Transportation. the president of the United States, to the EC–3823. A communication from the Man- EC–3831. A communication from the Im- secretary of the Department of Defense, to agement and Program Analyst, Federal pact Analyst, Office of Regulation Policy the president of the Senate and the speaker Aviation Administration, Department of and Management, Department of Veterans of the House of Representatives of the Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the United States Congress, and to all the mem- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Standard report of a rule entitled ‘‘Extra-Schedular bers of the Texas delegation to Congress Instrument Approach Procedures, and Take- Evaluations for Individual Disabilities’’ with the request that this resolution be en- off Minimums and Obstacle Departure Proce- (RIN2900–AP48) received in the Office of the tered in the Congressional Record as a me- dures; Miscellaneous Amendments (110); President of the Senate on December 13, 2017; morial to the Congress of the United States Amdt. No. 3770’’ (RIN2120–AA65) received in to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. of America. the Office of the President of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to the Committee on Com- f POM–146. A concurrent resolution adopted merce, Science, and Transportation. PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS by the Legislature of the State of Texas urg- EC–3824. A communication from the Man- ing the United States Congress to review fed- agement and Program Analyst, Federal The following petitions and memo- eral regulation on the oil and gas industry in Aviation Administration, Department of rials were laid before the Senate and Texas; to the Committee on Energy and Nat- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to were referred or ordered to lie on the ural Resources. law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Standard table as indicated: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 26 Instrument Approach Procedures, and Take- POM–145. A concurrent resolution adopted Whereas, the Texas Legislature recognizes off Minimums and Obstacle Departure Proce- by the Legislature of the State of Texas urg- that this period in our nation’s history rep- dures; Miscellaneous Amendments (52); ing the United States Congress to direct the resents an opportunity for Texas to work Amdt. No. 3769’’ (RIN2120–AA65) received in Department of Defense to relocate the with the leadership of the federal govern- the Office of the President of the Senate on United States Africa Command to Ellington ment to transcend partisan politics and cor- December 14, 2017; to the Committee on Com- Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston; to the rect misuses of federal regulatory power that merce, Science, and Transportation. Committee on Armed Services. have threatened the Texas oil and gas indus- EC–3825. A communication from the Man- SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 41 try, the jobs it creates, and the economy of agement and Program Analyst, Federal the state; and Aviation Administration, Department of Whereas, The Pentagon could realize sig- Whereas, Texas oil and gas fields have pro- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to nificant savings by relocating the United vided a pathway toward American energy law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Part 95 In- States Africa Command from Germany to independence from foreign powers, have af- strument Flight Rules; Miscellaneous Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Hous- forded financial security to hundreds of Amendments; Amendment No. 536’’ (RIN2120– ton; and thousands of individuals in Texas, and have AA63) received in the Office of the President Whereas, When AFRICOM was created in delivered safe and reliable energy to fuel our of the Senate on December 14, 2017; to the 2007, the Department of Defense chose a tem- nation’s economy; and Committee on Commerce, Science, and porary location in Stuttgart; it intended to Whereas, during the past eight years, the Transportation. select a permanent headquarters in Africa, federal government has promulgated regula- EC–3826. A communication from the Fed- but set this plan aside due to cost projec- tions that jeopardize the productivity of the eral Register Liaison Officer, Alcohol and tions, security, and the sensitivities of Afri- oil and gas fields of Texas; and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department can nations; and Whereas, new federal regulations have been of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to Whereas, The Department of Defense con- proposed and implemented despite the pro- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Establish- ducted a study in 2012 that found maintain- tests of Texas and many other oil and gas ment of the Outer Coastal Plain Viticultural ing AFRICOM headquarters stateside would producing states, resulting in overregulation Area’’ (RIN1513–AC32) received during ad- cost $60 million to $70 million less per year, that prioritizes minor environmental gains journment of the Senate in the Office of the and now those savings would be even greater over major productive losses; and President of the Senate on December 15, 2017; due to significant increases in Overseas Cost Whereas, the State of Texas has joined to the Committee on Commerce, Science, of Living Allowances rates; although reloca- many other oil and gas producing states to and Transportation. tion would involve expense, this expense file more than 20 lawsuits against federal EC–3827. A communication from the Fed- could be recouped within two to six years; overreach; now, therefore, be it eral Register Liaison Officer, Alcohol and moreover, the relocation would repatriate Resolved, That the 85th Legislature of the Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department about 1,400 direct jobs and create as many as State of Texas hereby respectfully urge the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.027 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8259 executive branch and the Congress of the the president of the United States, to the Whereas, in 2014, the United States Con- United States to work in conjunction with president of the Senate and the speaker of gress responded to unconscionable delays the State of Texas to identify federal regula- the House of Representatives of the United and denials of care at VA facilities by pass- tions promulgated during the last eight States Congress, and to all the members of ing the Veterans Access, Choice, and Ac- years, especially those promulgated under the Texas delegation to Congress with the countability Act, which allows access to pri- the authority of the United States Environ- request that this resolution be entered in the vate medical care providers for veterans who mental Protection Agency, the United Congressional Record as a memorial to the have been waiting more than 30 days for an States Department of the Interior, and the Congress of the United States of America. appointment or who live more than 40 miles United States Department of Energy, and de- from a VA facility; this law is set to expire termine whether they should be revised, del- POM–148. A concurrent resolution adopted in 2017; and egated to state agencies, or eliminated in by the Legislature of the State of Texas urg- Whereas, by expanding the reforms of the order to ease the overly burdensome regu- ing the United States Congress to direct the Veterans Choice Act, Congress can improve latory patchwork on the oil and gas industry Bureau of Land Management to affirm the the VA system, broadening access to timely in Texas; and, be it further provisions of the Red River Boundary Com- health care while offering greater choice and Resolved, That the Texas secretary of state pact and to acknowledge that the vegetation flexibility to every eligible veteran; experts forward official copies of this resolution to line on the south bank of the Red River have proposed allowing access to walk-in the president of the United States, to the forms the boundary between Oklahoma and clinics without preauthorization or copay- president of the Senate and the speaker of Texas; to the Committee on the Judiciary. ment, expanding VA pharmacy hours and the House of Representatives of the United HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 30 telemedicine, and extending the Veterans States Congress, and to all the members of Whereas, The Red River Boundary Com- Choice Card program to permit all qualified the Texas delegation to Congress with the pact of 2000 set the boundary between Texas veterans to see the doctor of their choice; in request that this resolution be entered in the and Oklahoma at the vegetation line on the addition, those who have studied the system Congressional Record as a memorial to the south bank of the Red River, with the excep- carefully encourage best-practices peer re- Congress of the United States of America. tion of the Texoma area, where the boundary view for VA facilities; and is established pursuant to procedures out- Whereas, our nation’s veterans have made POM—147. A concurrent resolution adopted lined in the agreement; and enormous sacrifices to guarantee our free- by the Legislature of the State of Texas urg- Whereas, In 2013, the United States Bureau doms, and although the nation can never ing the United States Congress to increase of Land Management began developing a re- fully repay its debt of gratitude, it can and appropriations from the Harbor Maintenance source management plan for the use of land should ensure timely access to the highest Trust Fund to ensure that the nation’s ship along a 116–mile stretch of the Red River; it quality of medical care: Now, therefore, be it channels are maintained and safe, to the claims that as many as 90,000 acres in Texas Resolved, That the 85th Legislature of the Committee on Environment and Public may actually be part of federal lands and Works. State of Texas hereby respectfully urge the would therefore be public land under a 1923 United States Congress to enact legislation SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 37 Supreme Court ruling; and to ensure that all veterans receive in a time- Whereas, Seaport activities generate more Whereas, Many Texas residents have held ly manner the level of medical care that than $4 trillion in economic activity each title to this land for generations, and they they have earned and that they so richly de- year, representing more than a quarter of have been paying property taxes on the land serve; and, be it further United States gross domestic product and while cultivating and maintaining it; the Resolved, That the Texas secretary of state yielding more than $41 billion in federal, boundary between the states was settled in forward official copies of this resolution to state, and local tax revenue; and 2000 for legal jurisdiction, when the U.S. the president of the United States, to the Whereas, To support this critical compo- Congress ratified the compact, but now, con- president of the Senate and the speaker of nent of international trade, the United fusion over the boundary threatens the value the House of Representatives of the United States Congress established the Harbor of this privately owned land and makes it States Congress, and to all the members of Maintenance Tax (HMT) on shippers in 1986 difficult for property owners to make in- the Texas delegation to Congress with the as a means of funding the maintenance and formed decisions concerning its disposition request that this resolution be entered in the improvement of vital harbor infrastructure; and their livelihoods; and Congressional Record as a memorial to the Whereas, Private property rights are the and Congress of the United States of America. Whereas, HMT revenues deposited into the bedrock of a free society, and the actions of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund now total the Bureau of Land Management with regard about $1.6 billion annually, but in recent to land covered by the Red River Boundary POM–150. A concurrent resolution adopted years, Congress has appropriated less than Compact are an egregious example of federal by the Legislature of the State of Texas urg- half of those funds for the intended purpose, overreach; now, therefore, be it ing the United States Congress to pass a leading to a decline in dredging and mainte- Resolved, That the 85th Legislature of the budget; to the Committee on the Budget. nance by the United States Army Corps of State of Texas hereby respectfully urge the HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 59 Engineers; the consequence is an accumula- United States Congress to direct the Bureau Whereas, For too long, Congress has prov- tion of sediment that leaves navigation of Land Management to affirm the provi- en itself fiscally irresponsible and has cre- channels narrower and shallower, and when sions of the Red River Boundary Compact ated a crushing national debt through im- silted channels constrain vessels from car- and to acknowledge that the vegetation line provident and imprudent spending; and rying full loads or force them to wait for on the south bank of the Red River forms the Whereas, The deleterious effect of this fis- high tide, the costs of imports and exports boundary between Oklahoma and Texas; and, cal mismanagement on our economy and the rise, as does the risk of vessel grounding and be it further. strength of our nation is ongoing and the Resolved, That the Texas secretary of state associated oil spills; the Corps of Engineers consequences of inaction are severe; and has estimated that the full depth and width forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the Whereas, Setting a federal budget is an es- of our coastal ports is available less than 35 sential aspect of governing, and Congress percent of the time, costing the economy bil- secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, to the director of the United must accept its responsibility to regularly lions of dollars annually; and pass a budget bill; now, therefore, be it Whereas, Each year, the HMT provides an States Bureau of Land Management, to the president of the Senate and the speaker of Resolved, That the 85th Legislature of the amount sufficient to meet all of the nation’s State of Texas hereby respectfully urge the authorized harbor maintenance needs, but as the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the members of Congress of the United States to pass a budg- a result of lagging appropriations, the Har- et; and, be it further bor Maintenance Trust Fund had a balance the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that this resolution be entered in the Resolved, That the Texas secretary of state of more than $9 billion at the start of 2016; in forward official copies of this resolution to Texas alone, less than 25 percent of the HMT Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America. the president of the United States, to the revenue collected in the state has been ap- president of the Senate and the speaker of propriated for harbor maintenance; and the House of Representatives of the United Whereas, Our nation’s ports are vital to POM–149. A concurrent resolution adopted States Congress, and to all the members of our economic prosperity and global competi- by the Legislature of the State of Texas urg- the Texas delegation to Congress with the tiveness, and these funds, which were col- ing the United States Congress to enact leg- request that this resolution be officially en- lected for the express purpose of the mainte- islation to ensure that all veterans receive, tered into the Congressional Record as a me- nance and improvement of the ports, should in a timely manner, the level of medical care morial to the Congress of the United States be put to work; now, therefore, be it that they have earned and that they so rich- of America. Resolved, That the 85th Legislature of the ly deserve, to the Committee on Veterans’ State of Texas hereby respectfully urge the Affairs. United States Congress to increase appro- SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 52 f priations from the Harbor Maintenance Whereas, the Department of Veterans Af- Trust Fund to ensure that the nation’s ship fairs (VA) is charged with ensuring the INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND channels are appropriately maintained and health and well-being of the nation’s vet- JOINT RESOLUTIONS safe; and, be it further erans, but in recent years, its failure to ade- Resolved, That the Texas secretary of state quately perform its mission has been the The following bills and joint resolu- forward official copies of this resolution to source of scandal; and tions were introduced, read the first

VerDate Sep 11 2014 10:14 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.031 S21DEPT1 S8260 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 and second times by unanimous con- S. 2270. A bill to make improvements to (Mr. GARDNER) was added as a cospon- sent, and referred as indicated: the account for the State response to the sor of S. 266, a bill to award the Con- opioid abuse crisis to improve tribal health; By Mr. SCHATZ: gressional Gold Medal to Anwar Sadat to the Committee on Health, Education, S. 2260. A bill to establish and fund an Labor, and Pensions. in recognition of his heroic achieve- Opioids and STOP Initiative to expand, in- By Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. COL- ments and courageous contributions to tensify, and coordinate fundamental, LINS, Mr. COCHRAN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, peace in the Middle East. translational, and clinical research of the and Ms. MURKOWSKI): S. 793 National Institutes of Health with respect to S. 2271. A bill to reauthorize the Museum opioid abuse, the understanding of pain, and At the request of Mr. BOOKER, the and Library Services Act; to the Committee name of the Senator from Illinois (Ms. the discovery and development of safer and on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. UCKWORTH more effective treatments and preventive By Ms. HARRIS (for herself, Ms. WAR- D ) was added as a cosponsor interventions for pain; to the Committee on REN, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, and Mrs. FEIN- of S. 793, a bill to prohibit sale of shark Finance. STEIN): fins, and for other purposes. By Mr. LANKFORD (for himself, Ms. S. 2272. A bill to amend the Revised Stat- S. 872 KLOBUCHAR, Mr. GRAHAM, Ms. HAR- utes to grant State attorneys general the At the request of Mr. GRASSLEY, the RIS, Ms. COLLINS, and Mr. HEINRICH): ability to issue subpoenas to investigate sus- S. 2261. A bill to protect the administra- pected violations of State laws that are ap- name of the Senator from New Mexico tion of Federal elections against cybersecu- plicable to national banks; to the Committee (Mr. UDALL) was added as a cosponsor rity threats; to the Committee on Rules and on the Judiciary. of S. 872, a bill to amend title XVIII of Administration. By Mr. SULLIVAN (for himself and Ms. the Social Security Act to make per- By Mrs. MCCASKILL (for herself, Mr. MURKOWSKI): manent the extension of the Medicare- RUBIO, and Ms. HASSAN): S. 2273. A bill to extend the period during dependent hospital (MDH) program and S. 2262. A bill to amend the Homeland Se- which vessels that are shorter than 79 feet in the increased payments under the curity Act of 2002 to establish in the Depart- length and fishing vessels are not required to ment of Homeland Security a board to co- have a permit for discharges incidental to Medicare low-volume hospital pro- ordinate and integrate departmental intel- the normal operation of the vessel; consid- gram. ligence and activities and policy related to ered and passed. S. 946 counterterrorism, and for other purposes; to By Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Mr. VAN At the request of Mr. FLAKE, the the Committee on Homeland Security and HOLLEN, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. CARPER, Mr. name of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Governmental Affairs. MARKEY, Mr. SCHATZ, Mrs. GILLI- CRAPO) was added as a cosponsor of S. By Mr. DONNELLY (for himself and BRAND, Ms. HASSAN, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mr. YOUNG): Mr. DURBIN, Mr. WARNER, Mr. LEAHY, 946, a bill to require the Secretary of S. 2263. A bill to amend the Agricultural Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. UDALL, Mrs. MUR- Veterans Affairs to hire additional Vet- Act of 2014 to require base acres planted to RAY, Mr. BROWN, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, erans Justice Outreach Specialists to fruits, vegetables, and wild rice to be consid- Mr. SANDERS, Mr. KAINE, Ms. WAR- provide treatment court services to ered planted to a covered commodity for pur- REN, and Mrs. FEINSTEIN): justice-involved veterans, and for other poses of any recalculation of base acres; to S. 2274. A bill to provide for the compensa- purposes. the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, tion of Federal employees affected by lapses and Forestry. in appropriations; read the first time. S. 980 By Mr. REED (for himself and Mr. By Mr. CASSIDY: At the request of Mrs. CAPITO, the WHITEHOUSE): S.J. Res. 51. A joint resolution proposing name of the Senator from Massachu- S. 2264. A bill to amend the Magnuson-Ste- an amendment to the Constitution of the setts (Ms. WARREN) was added as a co- vens Fishery Conservation and Management United States relative to limiting the num- sponsor of S. 980, a bill to amend title Act to add Rhode Island to the Mid-Atlantic ber of terms that a Member of Congress may XVIII of the Social Security Act to serve; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Fishery Management Council, and for other provide for payments for certain rural purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, f Science, and Transportation. health clinic and Federally qualified By Mr. CRUZ (for himself, Mr. LEAHY, SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND health center services furnished to hos- Mr. RUBIO, Mr. PERDUE, Mr. MENEN- SENATE RESOLUTIONS pice patients under the Medicare pro- DEZ, Mrs. CAPITO, and Mr. DURBIN): The following concurrent resolutions gram. S. 2265. A bill to promote democracy and and Senate resolutions were read, and S. 1697 the rule of law in Nicaragua, and for other referred (or acted upon), as indicated: At the request of Mr. GRAHAM, the purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Rela- tions. By Mrs. MCCASKILL (for herself and name of the Senator from West Vir- By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and Mr. BLUNT): ginia (Mrs. CAPITO) was added as a co- S. Res. 364. A resolution congratulating the Mr. CORNYN): sponsor of S. 1697, a bill to condition S. 2266. A bill to authorize the Office on Vi- University of Central Missouri women’s soc- assistance to the West Bank and Gaza olence Against Women to improve the han- cer team for winning the National Collegiate on steps by the Palestinian Authority Athletic Association Division II Women’s dling of crimes of domestic violence, dating to end violence and terrorism against violence, sexual assault, and stalking by in- Soccer Championship at Swope Soccer Vil- lage in Kansas City, Missouri; considered and Israeli citizens and United States Citi- corporating a trauma-informed approach zens. into the initial response to and investigation agreed to. of such crimes; to the Committee on the Ju- By Mrs. FISCHER (for herself and Mr. S. 1706 diciary. SASSE): At the request of Mr. MENENDEZ, the S. Res. 365. A resolution congratulating the By Mr. FRANKEN: University of Nebraska-Lincoln volleyball name of the Senator from Hawaii (Ms. S. 2267. A bill to amend title 11, United team for winning the 2017 National Colle- HIRONO) was added as a cosponsor of S. States Code, to prioritize certain pension giate Athletic Association Division I 1706, a bill to prevent human health claims in bankruptcy, and for other pur- Volleyball Championship; considered and threats posed by the consumption of poses; to the Committee on the Judiciary. agreed to. By Mr. BOOKER (for himself, Mr. equines raised in the United States. By Ms. HARRIS (for herself, Mr. PERDUE, Mr. KAINE, Mr. BROWN, and S. 1719 PERDUE, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. BROWN, Ms. HARRIS): At the request of Mr. BLUNT, the Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. SCHUMER, and S. 2268. A bill to amend the Higher Edu- Mr. BURR): name of the Senator from Virginia (Mr. cation Act of 1965 to modify certain provi- S. Res. 366. A resolution honoring the ac- KAINE) was added as a cosponsor of S. sions relating to the capital financing of his- complishments of the 9 historically Black 1719, a bill to eliminate duties on im- torically Black colleges and universities; to colleges and universities that celebrated the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, ports of recreational performance out- their sesquicentennial anniversaries during and Pensions. erwear, to establish the Sustainable the week of September 24 through September By Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. Textile and Apparel Research Fund, 30, 2017; to the Committee on Health, Edu- ISAKSON): cation, Labor, and Pensions. and for other purposes. S. 2269. A bill to reauthorize the Global S. 1873 Food Security Act of 2016 for 5 additional f At the request of Mr. BLUMENTHAL, years; to the Committee on Foreign Rela- ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS tions. the name of the Senator from Nevada By Mr. DAINES (for himself, Ms. HAR- S. 266 (Mr. HELLER) was added as a cosponsor RIS, Mr. MERKLEY, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, At the request of Mr. HATCH, the of S. 1873, a bill to require the Sec- Ms. MURKOWSKI, and Ms. BALDWIN): name of the Senator from Colorado retary of Veterans Affairs to carry out

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.037 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8261 a program to establish peer specialists amend the enforcement process under S. 2264. A bill to amend the Magnu- in patient aligned care teams at med- the Office of Congressional Workplace son-Stevens Fishery Conservation and ical centers of the Department of Vet- Rights for covered harassment and cov- Management Act to add Rhode Island erans Affairs, and for other purposes. ered discrimination complaints, and to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Manage- S. 2051 for other purposes. ment Council, and for other purposes; At the request of Mr. PORTMAN, the S. 2203 to the Committee on Commerce, name of the Senator from Louisiana At the request of Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Science, and Transportation. (Mr. CASSIDY) was added as a cosponsor the names of the Senator from Nevada Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I am of S. 2051, a bill to amend title XVIII of (Ms. CORTEZ MASTO) and the Senator introducing the Rhode Island Fisher- the Social Security Act to modernize from New Mexico (Mr. HEINRICH) were men’s Fairness Act along with my col- the physician self-referral prohibitions added as cosponsors of S. 2203, a bill to league, Senator WHITEHOUSE. I am also to promote care coordination in the amend title 9 of the United States Code pleased that my colleagues, Represent- merit-based incentive payment system with respect to arbitration. atives JAMES LANGEVIN and DAVID and to facilitate physician practice S. 2236 CICILLINE, will be introducing a com- participation in alternative payment At the request of Mrs. GILLIBRAND, panion measure in the House of Rep- models under the Medicare program, the names of the Senator from Wyo- resentatives. and for other purposes. ming (Mr. ENZI) and the Senator from Our legislation will give Rhode Island S. 2065 Illinois (Mr. DURBIN) were added as co- voice and voting representation on the At the request of Mr. YOUNG, the sponsors of S. 2236, a bill to require Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management name of the Senator from New Mexico covered discrimination and covered Council (MAFMC), which manages (Mr. HEINRICH) was added as a cospon- harassment awareness and prevention some of the most important fish stocks sor of S. 2065, a bill to establish a dem- training for Members, officers, employ- for our State’s commercial fishing in- onstration program to provide inte- ees, interns, fellows, and detailees of dustry—chief among them squid. In- grated care for Medicare beneficiaries Congress within 30 days of employment deed, the National Marine Fisheries with end-stage renal disease, and for and annually thereafter, to require a Service reported that Rhode Island led other purposes. biennial climate survey of Congress, to Atlantic States in the harvest of squid S. 2088 amend the enforcement process under in 2016, bringing in 22.5 million pounds At the request of Mrs. FISCHER, the the Office of Congressional Workplace and helping make Point Judith, Rhode name of the Senator from Michigan Rights for covered discrimination and Island one of the most productive and (Mr. PETERS) was added as a cosponsor covered harassment complaints, and valuable commercial fishing ports in of S. 2088, a bill to amend title 10, for other purposes. the United States. For years now, Rhode Island’s landings of stocks man- United States Code, to provide for the S. 2250 aged by the MAFMC have outpaced the issuance of the Gold Star Installation At the request of Ms. DUCKWORTH, Access Card to the surviving spouse, the name of the Senator from Illinois landings of those managed by the New England Fishery Management Council, dependent children, and other next of (Mr. DURBIN) was added as a cosponsor kin of a member of the Armed Forces of S. 2250, a bill to ensure due process where Rhode Island is represented. who dies while serving on certain ac- protections of individuals in the United Moreover, Rhode Island has a larger tive or reserve duty, to ensure that a States against unlawful detention stake in the Mid-Atlantic fishery than remarried surviving spouse with de- based solely on a protected char- many of the States that currently hold pendent children of the deceased mem- acteristic. seats on the MAFMC. Because so much is at stake for our ber remains eligible for installation S. 2259 benefits to which the surviving spouse State in every decision the MAFMC At the request of Mr. BOOKER, the makes, our bill would expand the was previously eligible, and for other name of the Senator from California purposes. MAFMC by two seats in Order to en- (Mrs. FEINSTEIN) was added as a co- sure that Rhode Island will have the S. 2105 sponsor of S. 2259, a bill to establish minimum number of seats guaranteed At the request of Mr. BOOZMAN, the certain duties for pharmacies to ensure to other States on the council. It will name of the Senator from Nevada (Mr. provision of Food and Drug Adminis- allow Rhode Island to continue to have HELLER) was added as a cosponsor of S. tration-approved contraception, medi- representation on the New England 2105, a bill to modify the presumption cation related to contraception, and for Fishery Management Council, where it of service connection for veterans who other purposes. still has significant interests. This pro- were exposed to herbicide agents while S. RES. 139 posal is not unprecedented. In fact, it serving in the Armed Forces in Thai- At the request of Mr. WYDEN, the is modeled on a provision of the 1996 land during the Vietnam era, and for name of the Senator from Michigan Sustainable Fisheries Act that added other purposes. (Mr. PETERS) was added as a cosponsor North Carolina to the MAFMC in 1996 S. 2135 of S. Res. 139, a resolution condemning while allowing it to retain its member- At the request of Mr. CORNYN, the the Government of Iran’s state-spon- ship on the South Atlantic Fishery names of the Senator from New Hamp- sored persecution of its Baha’i minor- Management Council. shire (Ms. HASSAN), the Senator from ity and its continued violation of the Mr. President, this is a commonsense Kansas (Mr. ROBERTS), the Senator International Covenants on Human proposal and one that my colleagues from North Dakota (Mr. HOEVEN) and Rights. and I will be working to advance either the Senator from Oregon (Mr. WYDEN) S. RES. 363 on its own or as part of the reauthor- were added as cosponsors of S. 2135, a At the request of Mr. NELSON, the ization the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery bill to enforce current law regarding name of the Senator from New Jersey Conservation and Management Act. the National Instant Criminal Back- (Mr. MENENDEZ) was added as a cospon- ground Check System. sor of S. Res. 363, a resolution express- By Mr. DAINES (for himself, Ms. S. 2159 ing profound concern about the grow- HARRIS, Mr. MERKLEY, Ms. KLO- At the request of Mrs. GILLIBRAND, ing political, humanitarian, and eco- BUCHAR, Ms. MURKOWSKI, and the name of the Senator from Rhode Is- nomic crisis in Venezuela and the wide- Ms. BALDWIN): land (Mr. WHITEHOUSE) was added as a spread human rights abuses per- S. 2270. A bill to make improvements cosponsor of S. 2159, a bill to require petrated by the Government of Ven- to the account for the State response covered harassment and covered dis- ezuela. to the opioid abuse crisis to improve crimination awareness and prevention f tribal health; to the Committee on training for Members, officers, employ- Health, Education, Labor, and Pen- ees, interns, fellows, and detailees of STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED sions. Congress within 30 days of employment BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask and annually thereafter, to require a By Mr. REED (for himself and unanimous consent that the text of the biennial climate survey of Congress, to Mr. WHITEHOUSE): bill be printed in the RECORD.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.038 S21DEPT1 S8262 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 There being no objection, the text of the Institute of Museum and Library roundtable discussion last year to the bill was ordered to be printed in Services, IMLS, to house our Nation’s delve deeper into the programs librar- the RECORD, as follows: library and museum programs together ies are providing and ways to improve S. 2270 for the first time. My predecessor, the how they serve their communities. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- late Senator Claiborne Pell, a great In response to the input and insight resentatives of the United States of America in champion for expanding educational offered by the library and museum Congress assembled, and cultural opportunities to all com- communities, the bill we are intro- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. munities, was instrumental in passage ducing today, the Museum and Library This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Mitigating of this law. The Senate Committee re- Services Act of 2017, strengthens the the Methamphetamine Epidemic and Pro- port for this bill noted the ‘‘great po- use of data-driven tools to measure the moting Tribal Health Act’’ or the ‘‘Miti- tential in an Institute that is focused impact and maximize the effectiveness gating METH Act’’. on the combined roles that libraries of library and museum services and SEC. 2. ACCOUNT FOR THE STATE RESPONSE TO better tailor local services to address THE OPIOID ABUSE CRISIS. and museums play in our community Section 1003 of the 21st Century Cures Act life, in support of research, learning, and meet community needs. The legis- (42 U.S.C. 290ee-3 note) is amended— and entertainment, and in support of lation provides for technical support (1) in subsection (b)— American culture and history.’’ and assistance to improve data collec- (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘and Over the last 21 years we have seen tion. It also enhances IMLS’s collabo- Tribal’’ after ‘‘State’’; IMLS, with a relatively modest Fed- rative efforts with an expanded number (B) in paragraph (2)(A)(ii), by striking eral investment, build the capacity to of Federal agencies in order to fully le- ‘‘$500,000,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$525,000,000’’; support and expand access to library verage the benefits libraries and muse- and and museum services at the State and ums provide to Americans. (C) in paragraph (3)(B), by inserting ‘‘and This legislation also amends LSTA to Tribal’’ after ‘‘State’’; local levels. IMLS has been the source (2) in subsection (c)— of major Federal support for nearly highlight the role of libraries as com- (A) in paragraph (1)— 120,000 libraries, including public, aca- munity hubs, equipped to provide serv- (i) in the paragraph heading, by striking demic, research, special, and tribal li- ices and programming in such areas as ‘‘STATE RESPONSE TO THE OPIOID’’ and insert- braries, and 35,000 museums, including literacy, education, lifelong learning, ing ‘‘STATE AND TRIBAL RESPONSE TO THE art, history, science and technology, workforce development, economic and OPIOID’’; children’s, historical societies, tribal, business development, digital literacy (ii) in the first sentence, by inserting ‘‘and planetariums, botanic gardens, and skills, critical thinking, financial lit- Indian tribes and Tribal organizations (as eracy skills, and new and emerging the terms ‘Indian tribes’ and ‘tribal organi- zoos. We have seen access to libraries zations’ are defined in the Indian Self-Deter- and museums increase, and these insti- technology. The bill provides greater mination and Education Assistance Act)’’ tutions continue to evolve as commu- emphasis on recruiting and training after ‘‘grants to States’’; and nity hubs, advancing the growth and the next generation of library and in- (iii) in the second sentence, by inserting vitality of the areas they serve. formation science professionals from ‘‘and Tribes’’ after ‘‘States’’ each place that In Rhode Island, IMLS funding for diverse and underrepresented back- such term appears; the grants to States program under the grounds. Additionally, it focuses lead- (B) in paragraph (2)— Library Services and Technology Act, ership grant funds on activities that (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph LSTA, has supported improved online serve a range of library types and geo- (A)— (I) by inserting ‘‘, Tribe, or Tribal organi- resources; literacy initiatives, includ- graphically diverse areas; have evalua- zation’’ after ‘‘to a State’’; ing a summer reading program; and the tion, analysis, and dissemination com- (II) by inserting ‘‘or Tribal’’ after ‘‘by the provision of talking books to residents ponents; and involve, impact, or have State’’; and with visual impairments and disabil- future applicability in libraries. And, (III) by inserting ‘‘or by a Tribe or Tribal ities. Providence Public Library was in the aftermath of this past year’s organization’’ after ‘‘et seq.)’’; awarded a recent grant to provide un- devastating hurricanes and wildfires, (ii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘and derserved teens with learning opportu- the bill clarifies that grant funds can Tribal’’ after ‘‘State’’; nities, leading to digital credentials, be used to help libraries get resources (iii) in subparagraph (E),by inserting ‘‘or Tribe’’ after ‘‘as the State’’; and academic credit, exposure to work, and back online as communities face the (C) by adding at the end the following: entry into education and career path- challenge of recovering from a disaster. ‘‘(3) OTHER SUBSTANCES.—A State or Indian ways. IMLS has also supported and ele- The Museum and Library Services tribe may use grants awarded under this sec- vated the work of Rhode Island muse- Act of 2017 also builds on the over 40- tion for prevention and treatment of the use ums. For instance, the Tomaquag Mu- year legacy of Federal support for im- of other substances such as methamphet- seum in Exeter was one of ten recipi- proving and expanding access to mu- amine, if the use of such other substances is ents nationally to be recognized with a seum services. It addresses the critical determined by the State or tribe to have a 2016 National Medal for Museum and need for professional development and substantial public health impact on the recruiting and preparing the next gen- State or tribe.’’; and Library Service. The Providence Chil- (3) in subsection (d), by inserting ‘‘, Tribe, dren’s Museum and the Preservation eration of museum professionals, em- or tribal organization’’ after ‘‘A State’’. Society of Newport County also re- phasizing diversity so that museums ceived grants to support their work in better reflect the communities they By Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. recent years. serve. The legislation also highlights COLLINS, Mr. COCHRAN, Mrs. I have been proud to continue the the educational role of museums and GILLIBRAND, and Ms. MUR- work of Senator Pell in supporting ro- the diverse ways that museums engage KOWSKI): bust funding for libraries and museums their communities, and it encourages S. 2271. A bill to reauthorize the Mu- and authoring the last two renewals of partnerships with other agencies, pro- seum and Library Services Act; to the the Museum and Library Services Act. fessional networks, and community- Committee on Health, Education, I have seen firsthand the impact librar- based organizations to expand and en- Labor, and Pensions. ies and museums have had on our com- hance access to museum services. Mr. REED. Mr. President, I am munities in Rhode Island and the resi- The Museum and Library Services pleased to be joined by Senators COL- dents and visitors they serve, making Act of 2017 will continue our tradition LINS, COCHRAN, GILLIBRAND, and MUR- our State stronger because of the serv- of supporting our communities through KOWSKI in introducing legislation to ices and experiences that these institu- their museums and libraries, while renew the law that expands the reach tions provide. looking ahead and providing flexibility of libraries and museums and enables The museum and library commu- for these vital institutions to respond them to better serve their communities have provided invaluable input to changing demands and missions. Our nities. These vital institutions educate, in helping us craft this bipartisan leg- bill has the support of the American inform, engage, and connect people islation. I would especially like to Library Association and the American from all walks of life. thank the Rhode Island library com- Alliance of Museums and many of their In 1996, Congress passed the Museum munity for hosting me at libraries affiliated associations. I thank my col- and Library Services Act, establishing across the state and convening a leagues for supporting this endeavor

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.040 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8263 and look forward to more joining us as community revitalization. Libraries Whereas the University of Central Missouri we work together to urge swift action are important information centers for is a leader in promoting soccer and the val- to adopt this important legislation. workforce development, health infor- ues of teamwork, commitment, and excel- Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise mation, and digital and financial lit- lence: Now, therefore, be it to join my colleague from Rhode Is- Resolved, That the Senate— eracy. Museums are also vital commu- (1) congratulates the University of Central land, Senator REED, in introducing the nity partners that work to connect our Missouri women’s soccer team for winning a Museum and Library Services Act of communities to the cultural, histor- national title for the first time in the his- 2017. This bill would reauthorize the ical, natural, and scientific pieces of tory of the University of Central Missouri core programs administered by the In- our heritage. women’s soccer program while maintaining stitute of Museum and Library Serv- From providing job search resources an undefeated season; and ices (IMLS), which support libraries and free internet access to exposing (2) encourages the University of Central and museums in Maine and across the children and families to enriching lit- Missouri to continue promoting the values of teamwork, commitment, and excellence country. This bill includes important erary and educational experiences, li- updates to improve the abilities of li- through the soccer and other athletic pro- braries and museums serve vital roles grams of the University of Central Missouri. braries and museums to meet the needs in our communities. I urge my col- of local communities. leagues to support this legislation. f The Museum and Library Services Act represents a commitment to sup- By Mr. SULLIVAN (for himself SENATE RESOLUTION 365—CON- porting libraries and museums that en- and Ms. MURKOWSKI): GRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY rich our communities. Libraries pro- S. 2273. A bill to extend the period OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN vide not only a wonderful learning during which vessels that are shorter VOLLEYBALL TEAM FOR WIN- tool, full of books, public documents, than 79 feet in length and fishing ves- NING THE 2017 NATIONAL COLLE- and internet access, but also are com- sels are not required to have a permit GIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION munity hubs where citizens can meet for discharges incidental to the normal DIVISION I VOLLEYBALL CHAM- to share and explore ideas. Likewise, operation of the vessel; considered and PIONSHIP great museums do more than accumu- passed. late artifacts—they tell stories. The Mrs. FISCHER (for herself and Mr. S. 2273 programs reauthorized in this bill SASSE) submitted the following resolu- would help libraries and museums Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- tion; which was considered and agreed across Maine and the United States resentatives of the United States of America in to.: Congress assembled, better serve the public by helping with S. RES. 365 SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF MORATORIUM. research, planning, and programming. Whereas, on December 16, 2017, the Univer- Section 2(a) of Public Law 110–299 (33 The Museum and Library Services sity of Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers won U.S.C. 1342 note) is amended by striking ‘‘De- the 2017 National Collegiate Athletic Asso- Act would make important improve- cember 18, 2017’’ and inserting ‘‘January 19, ciation (referred to in this preamble as the ments to IMLS’s ability to collaborate 2018’’. ‘‘NCAA’’) Division I Volleyball Champion- with states and communities. It would f reauthorize the Library Services and ship in Kansas City, Missouri in an over- SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS whelming victory over the University of Technology Act (LSTA), the only fed- Florida by a score of 25 to 22, 25 to 17, 18 to eral program that helps public libraries 25, and 25 to 16; meet their community’s needs, en- SENATE RESOLUTION 364—CON- Whereas the University of Nebraska-Lin- hance their services through tech- coln has won 5 NCAA volleyball champion- nology, reach underserved and rural GRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY ships; populations, and recruit new profes- OF CENTRAL MISSOURI WOMEN’S Whereas the Cornhuskers ended their sionals to the library field. Ensuring SOCCER TEAM FOR WINNING THE championship season with a 19-match win- that federal resources reach our rural NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATH- ning streak and finished the year with a record of 32 wins and 4 losses; communities is particularly important LETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION II WOMEN’S SOCCER CHAMPION- Whereas each member of the University of to me, and I am pleased that this bill Nebraska-Lincoln volleyball team, including highlights support for rural and tribal SHIP AT SWOPE SOCCER VIL- LAGE IN KANSAS CITY, MIS- Annika Albrecht, Hunter Atherton, Hayley areas. Densberger, Mikaela Foecke, Allie Havers, Every state in our country receives SOURI Briana Holman, Kelly Hunter, Kenzie Malo- its share of the LSTA, which leverages Mrs. MCCASKILL (for herself and Mr. ney, Chesney McClellan, Sami Slaughter, the federal investment with a state and BLUNT) submitted the following resolu- Lauren Stivrins, Jazz Sweet, Anezka Szabo, local funding match. In Maine, the tion; which was considered and agreed and Sydney Townsend, contributed to that LSTA has helped libraries lend books to: outstanding victory; and other materials by mail to reach Whereas head coach John Cook, assistant S. RES. 364 coach Tyler Hildebrand, assistant coach residents in communities that do not Whereas, on December 2, 2017, the Univer- Kayla Banwarth, volunteer assistant coach have libraries nearby or who are home- sity of Central Missouri won the National Ryan Coomes, director of operations Lindsay bound. It has helped Maine libraries Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Peterson, video coordinator Kelly O’Connor, serve individuals with disabilities Women’s Soccer Championship at Swope and graduate managers Joe Klein, John through access to book recordings and Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri, Henry, and Bre Mackie, guided that out- special media players, including braille which was the first national championship in standing group of women to a national and audio downloads. It has helped my the history of the University of Central Mis- championship; state improve online access to maga- souri women’s soccer program; Whereas Mikaela Foecke and Kelly Hunter zines, newspapers, and reference books, Whereas the University of Central Missouri were named the co-Most Outstanding Play- women’s soccer team completed an ers of the 2017 NCAA Championship; and spurred innovative collaborations undefeated season with a record of 26 wins Whereas Kelly Hunter was named the Big with schools statewide. and no losses or ties, setting a new Division Ten Setter of the Year, becoming the first The bill would also reauthorize the II record for wins in a season; Nebraska player ever to earn that award; Museum Services Act, providing sup- Whereas the University of Central Missouri Whereas Annika Albrecht, Mikaela port for museums to collaborate with women’s soccer team tied a Division II sin- Foecke, and Kelly Hunter were recognized as schools, libraries, and colleges and uni- gle-season record with 21 shutouts; All-Americans by the American Volleyball versities, and to encourage new tech- Whereas the University of Central Missouri Coaches Association, and Briana Holman re- nologies to extend the reach of pro- women’s soccer team finished the season as ceived an honorable mention; and grams and museum collections. As the top-ranked team in the United Soccer Whereas an NCAA Tournament record- with the LSTA, museums are Coaches Top 25 Division II postseason poll; breaking crowd of 18,516 volleyball fans at- Whereas 5 of the University of Central Mis- tended the championship game, reflecting incentivized to leverage other sources souri Jennies, Ana Dilkes, Jada Scott, Kayla the tremendous spirit and dedication of Ne- of support to match the federal invest- Hamner, Baylie Edwards, and Abby Rhodes, braska fans supporting the Cornhuskers as ment. were named to the Division II Conference the team won the national championship: This reauthorization underscores the Commissioners Association All-America Soc- Now, therefore, be it role that libraries and museums play in cer Teams; and Resolved, That the Senate—

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.043 S21DEPT1 S8264 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 (1) congratulates the University of Ne- (3) in 1969, was formally granted a name (4) is 1 of only 2 historically Black colleges braska-Lincoln volleyball team as the win- change by the Alabama State Board of Edu- and universities to produce a Rhodes scholar; ner of the 2017 National Collegiate Athletic cation and became Alabama State Univer- and Association Division I Volleyball Champion- sity; (5) has graduated a number of African- ship; Whereas notable figures of the civil rights American luminaries, including the Mayor of (2) commends the University of Nebraska era attended and graduated from Alabama Atlanta, Georgia, Maynard Jackson, film di- players, coaches, and staff for their hard State University, including the Reverend rector Spike Lee, and the Reverend Martin work and dedication; Ralph David Abernathy, attorney Fred Gray, Luther King, Jr.; (3) recognizes the students, alumni, and and the Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth; Whereas 2 current Members of Congress are loyal fans that supported the Cornhuskers on Whereas Barber-Scotia College— graduates of Morehouse College; their journey to win another Division I (1) in 1867, was founded as Scotia Seminary Whereas Morgan State University was Championship; and in Concord, North Carolina, by the Reverend founded in Baltimore, Maryland, as the Cen- (4) respectfully requests that the Secretary Luke Dorland; and tenary Biblical Institute in 1867 to train of the Senate prepare an official copy of this (2) in 1870, was chartered to educate newly former slaves and freedmen for the Meth- resolution for presentation to— freed female slaves; odist ministry; (A) the president of the University of Ne- Whereas Scotia Seminary— Whereas, the Centenary Biblical Insti- (1) was the first historically Black institu- braska; tute— tion of higher education for females estab- (1) in 1874, became coeducational; (B) the athletic director of the University lished in the United States; (2) in 1890, changed its name to Morgan of Nebraska-Lincoln; and (2) in 1916, was renamed as Scotia Women’s (C) the head coach of the University of Ne- College; and College in honor of one of its board members; braska-Lincoln volleyball team. (3) in 1930, merged with Barber Memorial and (3) in 1939, was purchased by the State of f College to become Barber-Scotia Junior Col- lege for women; Maryland to provide more academic opportu- SENATE RESOLUTION 366—HON- Whereas Barber-Scotia College became a 4- nities for black students and was renamed ORING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS year college for women in 1946 and a coedu- Morgan State College; OF THE 9 HISTORICALLY BLACK cational institution in 1954; Whereas Morgan State College— COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Whereas one of the distinguished graduates (1) distinguished itself as a liberal arts col- of Barber-Scotia College was Mary McCleod lege; THAT CELEBRATED THEIR SES- (2) in 1975, was granted university status; QUICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARIES Bethune, the founder of Bethune-Cookman College; and DURING THE WEEK OF SEP- Whereas Fayetteville State University was (3) has been designated as the preeminent TEMBER 24 THROUGH SEP- formed as the Howard School on November public research university in Maryland, as TEMBER 30, 2017 29, 1867, by 7 African-American men who paid well as a National Treasure by the National $136 for 2 lots on Gillespie Street in Fayette- Trust for Historic Preservation; Ms. HARRIS (for herself, Mr. Whereas, in 2004, the Morgan State Choir PERDUE, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. BROWN, Mrs. ville, North Carolina; Whereas the Howard School was formally was named ‘‘The Nation’s Best College GILLIBRAND, Mr. SCHUMER, and Mr. renamed Fayetteville State University in Choir’’ by Reader’s Digest and has performed BURR) submitted the following resolu- 1969; for audiences on 4 continents; tion; which was referred to the Com- Whereas Fayetteville State University Whereas Morgan State University— mittee on Health, Education, Labor, holds the distinction of being the second old- (1) has graduated a great number of promi- and Pensions: est public school in North Carolina; nent African-American leaders in politics, law, entertainment, and science; and S. RES. 366 Whereas Howard University— (1) was chartered by Congress on March 2, (2) has a list of alumni that includes Con- Whereas, in 1867, 9 historically Black col- 1867, in Washington, District of Columbia; gressmen Parren J. Mitchell and Kweisi leges and universities were established in 4 (2) stands today as the most comprehensive Mfume, Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals Southern States, Alabama, Georgia, Mary- historically Black college and university in of Maryland Robert M. Bell, novelist Zora land, and North Carolina, as well as in the the United States, in terms of undergraduate Neale Hurston, and Pulitzer-Prize winner District of Columbia, which constituted the and graduate programs of study; James Alan McPherson; largest number of historically Black Col- (3) has produced numerous Rhodes schol- Whereas St. Augustine’s University was leges and Universities founded in any single ars, Truman scholars, Fulbright scholars, founded in 1867 as the St. Augustine’s Nor- year before or after that date; and Picking fellows and a Marshall scholar mal School by prominent Episcopal clergy Whereas the 9 historically Black colleges during the history of the university; and for the education of freed slaves in Raleigh, and universities that celebrated their sesqui- (4) has graduated some of the most accom- North Carolina; centennial anniversaries during the week of plished African-Americans in history, in- Whereas St. Agnes Hospital and Training September 24 through September 30, 2017, cluding Justice of the Supreme Court of the School for Nurses, the first school of nursing trace their foundings to rather modest begin- United States Thurgood Marshall, author for African-American students in the state of nings but, in the course of a century and a Toni Morrison, and former United States North Carolina— half, have established records of significant Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew (1) was established by St. Augustine’s Nor- achievement and legacies of devotion to aca- Young; mal School in 1895; and demic excellence; Whereas 5 current Members of Congress are (2) was the only hospital in North Carolina Whereas the 9 institutions celebrating graduates of Howard University; that served African-Americans until 1960; their sesquicentennial anniversaries in- Whereas Johnson C. Smith University was Whereas St. Augustine’s University was clude— established on April 7, 1867, as the Biddle Me- the first historically Black college and uni- (1) Alabama State University in Marion, morial Institute by Reverend S.C. Alexander versity to own an on-campus commercial Alabama; and Reverend W.L. Miller in Charlotte, radio and television station; and (2) Barber-Scotia College in Concord, North Carolina; Whereas Talladega College— North Carolina; Whereas the first football game with Afri- (1) was founded by 3 former slaves in (3) Fayetteville State University in Fay- can-American players was played at Biddle Talladega, Alabama, in 1867; etteville, North Carolina; University in 1892, a game that today is (2) is the oldest, private historically Black (4) Howard University in Washington, Dis- called the ‘‘Commemorative Classic’’; college and university in the State of Ala- trict of Columbia; Whereas Johnson C. Smith University— bama; (5) Johnson C. Smith University in Char- (1) is the first historically Black college (3) was the first institution in the State of lotte, North Carolina; and university in the South to offer profes- Alabama to admit qualified persons of any (6) Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia; sional courses in education; and (7) Morgan State University in Baltimore, (2) has produced numerous politicians, in- race or ethnicity; and Maryland; cluding Eva Clayton, the first African-Amer- (4) has produced several African-American (8) St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, ican to represent North Carolina in the ‘‘firsts’’, including— North Carolina; and House of Representatives since the 19th cen- (A) Wynona Lipman, the first African- (9) Talladega College in Talladega, Ala- tury; American woman elected to the Senate of bama; Whereas Morehouse College— the State of New Jersey; and Whereas Alabama State University was in- (1) in 1867, was founded by the Reverend (B) the Reverend Dr. Paul Smith, the corporated on July 17, 1867, as Lincoln Nor- William Jefferson White in Augusta, Geor- first African-American minister at the mal School in Marion, Alabama, by 9 freed gia; First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, slaves to educate Black children; (2) in 1879, was moved from Augusta, Geor- New York; Now, therefore, be it Whereas Lincoln Normal School— gia, to its current location in Atlanta, Geor- Resolved, That the Senate— (1) was founded with $500, which was used gia; (1) honors the accomplishments of— to purchase the land and lay the foundation; (3) is the largest college for men in the (A) the 9 historically Black colleges and (2) in 1928, was converted from a junior col- United States, enrolling more than 2,000 stu- universities that celebrated their sesqui- lege to a 4-year college; and dents; centennial anniversaries during the week of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.047 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8265

September 24 through September 30, 2017; ‘‘(a) GRANT PROGRAM TO REDUCE INJURY forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s Dis- and AND DEATH OF MISSING AMERICANS WITH DE- ease, or developmental disabilities, such as (B) historically Black colleges and univer- MENTIA AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.— autism. sities in general; Subject to the availability of appropriations (2) celebrates the 150th anniversary of to carry out this section, the Attorney Gen- ‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— those 9 institutions; eral, through the Bureau of Justice Assist- There are authorized to be appropriated to (3) encourages Congress and the people of ance and in consultation with the Secretary carry out this section $2,000,000 for each of the United States to recognize the beneficial of Health and Human Services— fiscal years 2018 through 2022. ‘‘(1) shall award competitive grants to impact historically Black colleges and uni- ‘‘(e) GRANT ACCOUNTABILITY.—All grants health care agencies, State and local law en- versities have had on the United States; and awarded by the Attorney General under this (4) respectfully requests that the Secretary forcement agencies, or public safety agencies section shall be subject to the following ac- of the Senate make available 5 enrolled cop- and nonprofit organizations to assist such ies of this resolution to the Office of the entities in planning, designing, establishing, countability provisions: President or Chancellor of each of those 9 or operating locally based, proactive pro- ‘‘(1) AUDIT REQUIREMENT.— historically Black colleges and universities. grams to prevent wandering and locate miss- ‘‘(A) DEFINITION.—In this paragraph, the ing individuals with forms of dementia, such term ‘unresolved audit finding’ means a find- f as Alzheimer’s Disease, or developmental ing in the final audit report of the Inspector AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND disabilities, such as autism, who, due to General of the Department of Justice that their condition, wander from safe environ- PROPOSED the audited grantee has utilized grant funds ments, including programs that— for an unauthorized expenditure or otherwise SA 1864. Mr. MCCONNELL (for Mr. GRASS- ‘‘(A) provide prevention and response infor- unallowable cost that is not closed or re- LEY (for himself, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. TILLIS, mation, including online training resources, solved within 12 months from the date when and Mr. SCHUMER)) proposed an amendment and referrals to families or guardians of such the final audit report is issued. individuals who, due to their condition, wan- to the bill H.R. 195, to amend title 44, United ‘‘(B) AUDITS.—Beginning in the first fiscal States Code, to restrict the distribution of der from a safe environment; year beginning after the date of enactment ‘‘(B) provide education and training, in- free printed copies of the Federal Register to of this subsection, and in each fiscal year cluding online training resources, to first re- Members of Congress and other officers and thereafter, the Inspector General of the De- sponders, school personnel, clinicians, and employees of the United States, and for partment of Justice shall conduct audits of other purposes. the public in order to— ‘‘(i) increase the safety and reduce the inci- recipients of grants under this section to SA 1865. Mr. MCCONNELL (for Mr. GRASS- prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds by LEY) proposed an amendment to the bill S. dence of wandering of persons, who, due to grantees. The Inspector General shall deter- 2070, to amend the Violent Crime Control their dementia or developmental disabilities, mine the appropriate number of grantees to and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, to reau- may wander from safe environments; be audited each year. thorize the Missing Alzheimer’s Disease Pa- ‘‘(ii) facilitate the rescue and recovery of tient Alert Program, and to promote initia- individuals who, due to their dementia or de- ‘‘(C) MANDATORY EXCLUSION.—A recipient tives that will reduce the risk of injury and velopmental disabilities, wander from safe of grant funds under this section that is death relating to the wandering characteris- environments; and found to have an unresolved audit finding tics of some children with autism. ‘‘(iii) recognize and respond to and appro- shall not be eligible to receive grant funds SA 1866. Mr. MCCONNELL (for Ms. WAR- priately interact with endangered missing under this section during the first 2 fiscal REN) proposed an amendment to the resolu- individuals with dementia or developmental years beginning after the end of the 12- tion S. Res. 336, recognizing the seriousness disabilities who, due to their condition, wan- month period described in subparagraph (A). of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and express- der from safe environments; ‘‘(D) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under ing support for the designation of the month ‘‘(C) provide prevention and response train- this section, the Attorney General shall give of September 2018 as ‘‘Polycystic Ovary Syn- ing and emergency protocols for school ad- priority to eligible applicants that did not drome Awareness Month’’. ministrators, staff, and families or guardians have an unresolved audit finding during the SA 1867. Mr. MCCONNELL (for Ms. WAR- of individuals with dementia, such as Alz- 3 fiscal years before submitting an applica- REN) proposed an amendment to the resolu- heimer’s Disease, or developmental disabil- tion for a grant under this section. tion S. Res. 336, supra. ities, such as autism, to help reduce the risk ‘‘(E) REIMBURSEMENT.—If an entity is of wandering by such individuals; and f awarded grant funds under this section dur- ‘‘(D) develop, operate, or enhance a notifi- ing the 2-fiscal-year period during which the cation or communications systems for TEXT OF AMENDMENTS entity is barred from receiving grants under alerts, advisories, or dissemination of other subparagraph (C), the Attorney General SA 1864. Mr. MCCONNELL (for Mr. information for the recovery of missing indi- shall— GRASSLEY (for himself, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, viduals with forms of dementia, such as Alz- ‘‘(i) deposit an amount equal to the Mr. TILLIS, and Mr. SCHUMER)) pro- heimer’s Disease, or with developmental disabilities, such as autism; and amount of the grant funds that were improp- posed an amendment to the bill H.R. erly awarded to the grantee into the General 195, to amend title 44, United States ‘‘(2) shall award grants to health care agencies, State and local law enforcement Fund of the Treasury; and Code, to restrict the distribution of agencies, or public safety agencies to assist ‘‘(ii) seek to recoup the costs of the repay- free printed copies of the Federal Reg- such agencies in designing, establishing, and ment to the fund from the grant recipient ister to Members of Congress and other operating locative tracking technology pro- that was erroneously awarded grant funds. officers and employees of the United grams for individuals with forms of demen- ‘‘(2) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION REQUIRE- States, and for other purposes; as fol- tia, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, or children MENTS.— lows: with developmental disabilities, such as au- ‘‘(A) DEFINITION OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZA- tism, who have wandered from safe environ- TION.—For purposes of this paragraph and At the end, add the following: ments.’’; the grant programs under this section, the TITLE II—KEVIN AND AVONTE’S LAW OF (3) in subsection (b)— term ‘nonprofit organization’ means an orga- 2017 (A) by inserting ‘‘competitive’’ after ‘‘to nization that is described in section 501(c)(3) SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. receive a’’; of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is This title may be cited as the ‘‘Kevin and (B) by inserting ‘‘agency or’’ before ‘‘orga- exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of Avonte’s Law of 2017’’. nization’’ each place it appears; and such Code. Subtitle A—Missing Alzheimer’s Disease (C) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(B) PROHIBITION.—The Attorney General Patient Alert Program Reauthorization ‘‘The Attorney General shall periodically so- may not award a grant under this section to licit applications for grants under this sec- SEC. 211. SHORT TITLE. a nonprofit organization that holds money in tion by publishing a request for applications offshore accounts for the purpose of avoiding This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘Missing in the Federal Register and by posting such Americans Alert Program Act of 2017’’. paying the tax described in section 511(a) of a request on the website of the Department the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. SEC. 212. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE MISSING of Justice.’’; and ‘‘(C) DISCLOSURE.—Each nonprofit organi- ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE PATIENT (4) by striking subsections (c) and (d) and zation that is awarded a grant under this ALERT PROGRAM. inserting the following: section and uses the procedures prescribed in (a) AMENDMENTS.—Section 240001 of the ‘‘(c) PREFERENCE.—In awarding grants Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement under subsection (a)(1), the Attorney General regulations to create a rebuttable presump- Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12621) is amended— shall give preference to law enforcement or tion of reasonableness for the compensation (1) in the section header, by striking ‘‘ALZ- public safety agencies that partner with non- of its officers, directors, trustees, and key HEIMER’S DISEASE PATIENT’’ and inserting profit organizations that appropriately use employees, shall disclose to the Attorney ‘‘AMERICANS’’; person-centered plans minimizing restrictive General, in the application for the grant, the (2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting interventions and that have a direct link to process for determining such compensation, the following: individuals, and families of individuals, with including the independent persons involved

VerDate Sep 11 2014 10:14 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.048 S21DEPT1 S8266 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 in reviewing and approving such compensa- (1) the number of individuals who bene- the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the tion, the comparability data used, and con- fitted from the Missing Americans Alert Pro- United States Virgin Islands, American temporaneous substantiation of the delibera- gram, including information such as the Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the tion and decision. Upon request, the Attor- number of individuals with reduced unsafe Northern Mariana Islands. ney General shall make the information dis- wandering, the number of people who were (6) UNIT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.—The term closed under this subparagraph available for trained through the program, and the esti- ‘‘unit of local government’’ means a county, public inspection. mated number of people who were impacted municipality, town, township, village, par- ‘‘(3) CONFERENCE EXPENDITURES.— by the program; ish, borough, or other unit of general govern- ‘‘(A) LIMITATION.—No amounts made avail- (2) the number of State, local, and tribal ment below the State level. able to the Department of Justice under this law enforcement or public safety agencies section may be used by the Attorney Gen- that applied for funding under the Missing SEC. 242. STANDARDS AND BEST PRACTICES FOR eral, or by any individual or entity awarded Americans Alert Program; USE OF NON-INVASIVE AND NON- discretionary funds through a cooperative (3) the number of State, local, and tribal PERMANENT TRACKING DEVICES. agreement under this section, to host or sup- local law enforcement or public safety agen- (a) ESTABLISHMENT.— port any expenditure for conferences that cies that received funding under the Missing (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days uses more than $20,000 in funds made avail- Americans Alert Program, including— after the date of enactment of this Act, the able by the Department of Justice, unless (A) the number of State, local, and tribal Attorney General, in consultation with the the head of the relevant agency or depart- law enforcement or public safety agencies Secretary of Health and Human Services and ment, provides prior written authorization that used such funding for training; and leading research, advocacy, self-advocacy, that the funds may be expended to host the (B) the number of State, local, and tribal and service organizations, shall establish conference. law enforcement or public safety agencies standards and best practices relating to the ‘‘(B) WRITTEN APPROVAL.—Written ap- that used such funding for designing, estab- use of non-invasive and non-permanent proval under subparagraph (A) shall include lishing, or operating locative tracking tech- tracking technology, where a guardian or a written estimate of all costs associated nology; parent has determined that a non-invasive with the conference, including the cost of all (4) the companies, including the location and non-permanent tracking device is the food, beverages, audio-visual equipment, (city and State) of the headquarters and least restrictive alternative, to locate indi- honoraria for speakers, and entertainment. local offices of each company, for which viduals as described in subsection (a)(2) of ‘‘(C) REPORT.—The Deputy Attorney Gen- their locative tracking technology was used section 240001 of the Violent Crime Control eral shall submit an annual report to the by State, local, and tribal law enforcement and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate or public safety agencies; 12621), as added by this title. and the Committee on the Judiciary of the (5) the nonprofit organizations, including (2) REQUIREMENTS.—In establishing the House of Representatives on all conference the location (city and State) of the head- standards and best practices required under expenditures approved under this paragraph. quarters and local offices of each organiza- paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall— ‘‘(4) ANNUAL CERTIFICATION.—Beginning in tion, that State, local, and tribal law en- (A) determine— the first fiscal year beginning after the date forcement or public safety agencies of enactment of this subsection, the Attor- partnered with and the result of each part- (i) the criteria used to determine which in- ney General shall submit, to the Committee nership; dividuals would benefit from the use of a on the Judiciary and the Committee on Ap- (6) the number of missing children with au- tracking device; propriations of the Senate and the Com- tism or another developmental disability (ii) the criteria used to determine who mittee on the Judiciary and the Committee with wandering tendencies or adults with should have direct access to the tracking on Appropriations of the House of Represent- Alzheimer’s being served by the program system; and atives, an annual certification— who went missing and the result of the (iii) which non-invasive and non-perma- ‘‘(A) indicating whether— search for each such individual; and nent types of tracking devices can be used in ‘‘(i) all audits issued by the Office of the (7) any recommendations for improving the compliance with the standards and best prac- Inspector General under paragraph (1) have Missing Americans Alert Program. tices; and been completed and reviewed by the appro- (c) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con- (B) establish standards and best practices priate Assistant Attorney General or Direc- tents in section 2 of the Violent Crime Con- the Attorney General determines are nec- tor; trol and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 is essary to the administration of a tracking ‘‘(ii) all mandatory exclusions required amended by striking the item relating to system, including procedures to— under paragraph (1)(C) have been issued; and section 240001 and inserting the following: (i) safeguard the privacy of the data used ‘‘(iii) all reimbursements required under ‘‘Sec. 240001. Missing Americans Alert Pro- by the tracking device such that— paragraph (1)(E) have been made; and gram.’’. (I) access to the data is restricted to law ‘‘(B) that includes a list of any grant re- Subtitle B—Education and Outreach enforcement and health agencies determined necessary by the Attorney General; and cipients excluded under paragraph (1) from SEC. 231. ACTIVITIES BY THE NATIONAL CENTER the previous year. FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHIL- (II) collection, use, and retention of the ‘‘(f) PREVENTING DUPLICATIVE GRANTS.— DREN. data is solely for the purpose of preventing ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Before the Attorney Section 404(b)(1)(H) of the Missing Chil- injury to or death of the individual wearing General awards a grant to an applicant dren’s Assistance Act (34 U.S.C. the tracking device; under this section, the Attorney General 11293(b)(1)(H)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, in- (ii) establish criteria to determine whether shall compare potential grant awards with cluding cases involving children with devel- use of the tracking device is the least re- other grants awarded by the Attorney Gen- opmental disabilities such as autism’’ before strictive alternative in order to prevent risk eral to determine if grant awards are or have the semicolon. of injury or death before issuing the tracking been awarded for a similar purpose. Subtitle C—Privacy Protections device, including the previous consideration ‘‘(2) REPORT.—If the Attorney General SEC. 241. DEFINITIONS. of less restrictive alternatives; awards grants to the same applicant for a In this subtitle: (iii) provide training for law enforcement similar purpose the Attorney General shall (1) CHILD.—The term ‘‘child’’ means an in- agencies to recognize signs of abuse during submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of dividual who is less than 18 years of age. interactions with applicants for tracking de- the Senate and the Committee on the Judici- (2) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian tribe’’ vices; ary of the House of Representatives a report has the meaning given that term in section (iv) protect the civil rights and liberties of that includes— 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and the individuals who use tracking devices, in- ‘‘(A) a list of all such grants awarded, in- Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(e)). cluding their rights under the Fourth cluding the total dollar amount of any such (3) LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.—The term Amendment to the Constitution of the grants awarded; and ‘‘law enforcement agency’’ means an agency United States; ‘‘(B) the reason the Attorney General of a State, unit of local government, or In- (v) establish a complaint and investigation awarded multiple grants to the same appli- dian tribe that is authorized by law or by a process to address— cant for a similar purpose.’’. government agency to engage in or supervise (I) incidents of noncompliance by recipi- (b) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than 2 the prevention, detection, investigation, or ents of grants under subsection (a)(2) of sec- years after the date of enactment of this Act prosecution of any violation of criminal law. tion 240001 of the Violent Crime Control and and every year thereafter, the Attorney Gen- (4) NON-INVASIVE AND NON-PERMANENT.— Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. eral shall submit to the Committee on the The term ‘‘non-invasive and non-permanent’’ 12621), as added by this title, with the best Judiciary and the Committee on Appropria- means, with regard to any technology or de- practices established by the Attorney Gen- tions of the Senate and the Committee on vice, that the procedure to install the tech- eral or other applicable law; and the Judiciary and the Committee on Appro- nology or device does not create an external (II) use of a tracking device over the objec- priations of the House of Representatives a or internal marker or implant a device, such tion of an individual; and report on the Missing Americans Alert Pro- as a microchip, or other trackable items. (vi) determine the role that State agencies gram, as amended by subsection (a), which (5) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each should have in the administration of a track- shall address— of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, ing system.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.050 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8267 (3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The standards and the seriousness of Polycystic Ovary ESTABLISHING WITHIN THE NA- best practices established pursuant to para- Syndrome and expressing support for TIONAL PARK SERVICE THE AF- graph (1) shall take effect 90 days after publi- the designation of the month of Sep- RICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS cation of such standards and practices by the tember 2018 as ‘‘Polycystic Ovary Syn- NETWORK Attorney General. (b) REQUIRED COMPLIANCE.— drome Awareness Month’’; as follows: The bill (H.R. 1927) to amend title 54, (1) IN GENERAL.—Each entity that receives On page 4, line 5, insert ‘‘and’’ after the United States Code, to establish within a grant under subsection (a)(2) of section semicolon. the National Park Service the African 240001 of the Violent Crime Control and Law On page 4, strike lines 6 through 7. American Civil Rights Network, and On page 4, line 8, strike ‘‘(D)’’ and insert Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12621), as for other purposes, was ordered to a added by this title, shall comply with any ‘‘(C)’’. standards and best practices relating to the On page 4, line 15, strike ‘‘are afflicted third reading and was read the third use of tracking devices established by the with PCOS;’’ and insert ‘‘have PCOS; and’’. time. Attorney General in accordance with sub- On page 4, strike lines 16 through 19. f section (a). On page 4, line 20, strike ‘‘(6)’’ and insert (2) DETERMINATION OF COMPLIANCE.—The ‘‘(5)’’. BLACK HILLS NATIONAL CEME- Attorney General, in consultation with the TERY BOUNDARY EXPANSION Secretary of Health and Human Services, SA 1867. Mr. MCCONNELL (for Ms. ACT shall determine whether an entity that re- WARREN) proposed an amendment to The Senate proceeded to consider the ceives a grant under subsection (a)(2) of sec- the resolution S. Res. 336, recognizing bill (S. 35) to transfer administrative tion 240001 of the Violent Crime Control and the seriousness of Polycystic Ovary Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. jurisdiction over certain Bureau of Syndrome and expressing support for Land Management land from the Sec- 12621), as added by this title, acts in compli- the designation of the month of Sep- ance with the standards and best practices retary of the Interior to the Secretary described in paragraph (1). tember 2018 as ‘‘Polycystic Ovary Syn- of Veterans Affairs for inclusion in the (c) APPLICABILITY OF STANDARDS AND BEST drome Awareness Month’’; as follows: Black Hills National Cemetery, and for PRACTICES.—The standards and best prac- In the seventh whereas clause of the pre- other purposes, which had been re- tices established by the Attorney General amble, strike ‘‘which’’ and insert ‘‘and’’. ported from the Committee on Energy under subsection (a) shall apply only to the In the thirteenth whereas clause of the and Natural Resources, with an amend- grant programs authorized under subsection preamble, strike ‘‘up to 80 percent of’’ and (a)(2) of section 240001 of the Violent Crime insert ‘‘many’’. ment to strike all after the enacting Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 In the fifteenth whereas clause of the pre- clause and insert in lieu thereof the U.S.C. 12621), as added by this title. amble, strike the semicolon at the end and following: (d) LIMITATIONS ON PROGRAM.— insert ‘‘, which does not include the costs as- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. (1) DATA STORAGE.—Any tracking data pro- sociated with treatment of comorbidities;’’. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Black Hills Na- vided by tracking devices issued under this Strike the sixteenth whereas clause of the tional Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act’’. program may not be used by a Federal entity preamble. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. to create a database. f In this Act: (2) VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION.—Nothing in MEASURES DISCHARGED, THE (1) CEMETERY.—The term ‘‘Cemetery’’ means this title may be construed to require that a the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, parent or guardian use a tracking device to CALENDAR, AND MEASURES RE- South Dakota. monitor the location of a child or adult CEIVED FROM THE HOUSE (2) FEDERAL LAND.—The term ‘‘Federal land’’ under that parent or guardian’s supervision Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I means the approximately 200 acres of Bureau of if the parent or guardian does not believe Land Management land adjacent to the Ceme- that the use of such device is necessary or in ask unanimous consent that the En- ergy and Natural Resources Committee tery, generally depicted as ‘‘Proposed National the interest of the child or adult under su- Cemetery Expansion’’ on the map entitled ‘‘Pro- pervision. be discharged from further consider- posed Expansion of Black Hills National Ceme- ation of the following bills: S. 1438 and tery-South Dakota’’ and dated June 16, 2016. Mr. MCCONNELL (for Mr. SA 1865. H.R. 1927; and that the Senate proceed (3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means GRASSLEY) proposed an amendment to to the immediate consideration of the Secretary of the Interior. the bill S. 2070, to amend the Violent those bills and the following bills en SEC. 3. TRANSFER AND WITHDRAWAL OF BUREAU Crime Control and Law Enforcement bloc: Calendar No. 49, S. 35; Calendar OF LAND MANAGEMENT LAND FOR Act of 1994, to reauthorize the Missing No. 54, S. 432; Calendar No. 55, S. 466; CEMETERY USE. Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Alert Pro- Calendar No. 62, H.R. 267; Calendar No. (a) CONDUCT OF DUE DILIGENCE ACTIVITIES BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.— gram, and to promote initiatives that 64, H.R. 560; Calendar No. 72, H.R. 699; will reduce the risk of injury and death (1) IN GENERAL.—Before the transfer of admin- Calendar No. 88, H.R. 863; Calendar No. istrative jurisdiction and withdrawal of the Fed- relating to the wandering characteris- 125, S. 167; Calendar No. 148, H.R. 381; eral land under subsections (b) and (c), respec- tics of some children with autism; as Calendar No. 170, H.R. 954; H.R. 1242, re- tively, and subject to paragraph (2), the Sec- follows: ceived from the House; H.R. 1306, re- retary of Veterans Affairs shall complete any On page 8, line 11, strike ‘‘part’’ and insert ceived from the House; and H.R. 2611, appropriate environmental, cultural resource, ‘‘section’’. received from the House. and other due diligence activities on the Federal On page 8, line 18, strike ‘‘part’’ and insert The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without land that would enable the Secretary of Vet- ‘‘section’’. erans Affairs to confirm that the Federal land is On page 15, between lines 9 and 10, insert objection, it is so ordered. suitable for cemetery purposes. the following: There being no objection, the Senate (2) NOTICE; REQUIRED COORDINATION.—The (4) NON-INVASIVE AND NON-PERMANENT.— proceeded to consider the bills en bloc. Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— The term ‘‘non-invasive and non-permanent’’ Mr. MCCONNELL. I further ask (A) before conducting any due diligence ac- means, with regard to any technology or de- unanimous consent that, where appli- tivities under paragraph (1), notify the Sec- vice, that the procedure to install the tech- cable, the committee-reported amend- retary of the activities to be conducted; nology or device does not create an external ments be agreed to, and the bills, as (B) as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs deter- or internal marker or implant a device, such amended, if amended, be considered mines to be necessary in the conduct of the due as a microchip, or other trackable items. diligence activities under paragraph (1), coordi- On page 15, line 10, strike ‘‘(4)’’ and insert read a third time. nate the activities with the Secretary; and ‘‘(5)’’. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without (C) if the Secretary of Veterans Affairs deter- On page 15, line 15, strike ‘‘(5)’’ and insert objection, it is so ordered. mines, on completion of the due diligence activi- ‘‘(6)’’. f ties under paragraph (1), that the Federal land On page 15, strike lines 20 through 25. is suitable for cemetery purposes, submit written On page 17, beginning on line 20, strike ‘‘in- GATEWAY ARCH NATIONAL PARK notice of the determination to the Secretary. jury or death to the individual’’ and insert DESIGNATION ACT (b) TRANSFER OF ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDIC- ‘‘injury to or death of the individual’’. TION.— On page 19, line 24, strike ‘‘requirement’’ The bill (S. 1438) to redesignate the Jefferson National Expansion Memo- (1) TRANSFER.— and insert ‘‘standards and best practices’’. (A) IN GENERAL.—On receipt by the Secretary rial in the State of Missouri as the of written notice of a determination that the SA 1866. Mr. MCCONNELL (for Ms. ‘‘Gateway Arch National Park,’’ was Federal land is suitable for cemetery purposes WARREN) proposed an amendment to ordered to be engrossed for a third under subsection (a)(2)(C), except as provided in the resolution S. Res. 336, recognizing reading and was read the third time. subparagraph (B), and subject to valid existing

VerDate Sep 11 2014 10:14 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 6333 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.050 S21DEPT1 S8268 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 rights, administrative jurisdiction over the Fed- grossed for a third reading and was States have lost their lives in the United eral land is transferred from the Secretary to the read the third time. States while performing professional duties; Secretary of Veterans Affairs for use as a na- ø(2) the United States lacks a national me- tional cemetery in accordance with chapter 24 of f morial dedicated to fallen educators; and ø title 38, United States Code. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. NA- (3) a memorial to fallen educators at the (B) EXCLUSION.—The transfer of administra- National Teachers Hall of Fame in Emporia, tive jurisdiction over the Federal land under TIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ACT Kansas— subparagraph (A) shall not include the land lo- OF 2017 ø(A) was dedicated on June 12, 2014; and cated within 100 feet of the center of the Cen- The bill (H.R. 267) to redesignate the ø(B) will honor educators who have lost tennial Trail, as generally depicted on the map Martin Luther King, Junior, National their lives in the line of professional service. entitled ‘‘Proposed Expansion of Black Hills Na- Historic Site in the State of Georgia, øSEC. 3. DESIGNATION.¿ tional Cemetery-South Dakota’’ and dated June SEC. 2. DESIGNATION. 16, 2016. and for other purposes, was ordered to (a) IN GENERAL.—The memorial to fallen (2) LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS.— a third reading and was read the third time. educators located at the National Teachers (A) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after Hall of Fame in Emporia, Kansas, is des- the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary f ignated as the ‘‘National Memorial to Fallen shall publish in the Federal Register a notice Educators’’. containing a legal description of the Federal AMENDING THE DELAWARE (b) EFFECT OF DESIGNATION.—The national land. WATER GAP NATIONAL RECRE- memorial designated by this section is not a (B) EFFECT.—A legal description published ATION AREA IMPROVEMENT ACT unit of the National Park System and the under subparagraph (A) shall have the same designation of the National Memorial to force and effect as if included in this Act, except The bill (H.R. 560) to amend the Dela- ware Water Gap National Recreation Fallen Educators shall not require or permit that the Secretary may correct any clerical and Federal funds to be expended for any purpose typographical errors in the legal description. Area Improvement Act to provide ac- related to that national memorial. (C) AVAILABILITY.—Copies of the legal de- cess to certain vehicles serving resi- scription published under subparagraph (A) The committee-reported amendment dents of municipalities adjacent to the was agreed to. shall be available for public inspection in the Delaware Water Gap National Recre- appropriate offices of— The bill was ordered to be engrossed (i) the Bureau of Land Management; and ation Area, and for other purposes, was for a third reading and was read the (ii) the National Cemetery Administration. ordered to a third reading and was read third time. (D) COSTS.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs the third time. f shall reimburse the Secretary for the costs in- f curred by the Secretary in carrying out this DESIGNATING A MOUNTAIN IN paragraph, including the costs of any surveys MOUNT HOOD COOPER SPUR LAND THE JOHN MUIR WILDERNESS OF and other reasonable costs. EXCHANGE CLARIFICATION ACT THE SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST (c) WITHDRAWAL.—On receipt by the Secretary AS ‘‘SKY POINT’’ of written notice of a determination that the The bill (H.R. 699) to amend the Om- Federal land is suitable for cemetery purposes nibus Public Land Management Act of The bill (H.R. 381) to designate a under subsection (a)(2)(C) and subject to valid 2009 to modify provisions relating to mountain in the John Muir Wilderness existing rights, the Federal land— certain land exchanges in the Mt. Hood of the Sierra National Forest as ‘‘Sky (1) is withdrawn from all forms of appropria- Wilderness in the State of Oregon, was Point,’’ was ordered to a third reading tion under the public land laws, including the ordered to a third reading and was read and was read the third time. mining laws, the mineral leasing laws, and the the third time. geothermal leasing laws; and f (2) shall be treated as property as defined f REMOVING THE USE RESTRIC- under section 102(9) of title 40, United States Code. TO FACILITATE THE ADDITION OF TIONS ON CERTAIN LAND (d) BOUNDARY MODIFICATION.—The boundary PARK ADMINISTRATION AT THE TRANSFERRED TO ROCKINGHAM of the Cemetery is modified to include the Fed- COLTSVILLE NATIONAL HISTOR- COUNTY, VIRGINIA eral land. ICAL PARK The bill (H.R. 954) to remove the use (e) MODIFICATION OF PUBLIC LAND ORDER.— restrictions on certain land transferred Public Land Order 2112, dated June 6, 1960 (25 The bill (H.R. 863) to facilitate the Fed. Reg. 5243), is modified to exclude the Fed- addition of park administration at the to Rockingham County, Virginia, and eral land. Coltsville National Historical Park, for other purposes, was ordered to a The committee-reported amendment and for other purposes, was ordered to third reading and was read the third in the nature of a substitute was a third reading and was read the third time. agreed to. time. f The bill was ordered to be engrossed f ESTABLISHING THE 400 YEARS OF for a third reading and was read the AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY third time. NATIONAL MEMORIAL TO FALLEN EDUCATORS ACT COMMISSION f The Senate proceeded to consider the The bill (H.R. 1242) to establish the CERROS DEL NORTE bill (S. 167) to designate a National Me- 400 Years of African-American History CONSERVATION ACT morial to Fallen Educators at the Na- Commission, and for other purposes, The bill (S. 432) to designate the tional Teachers Hall of Fame in Empo- was ordered to a third reading and was Cerro del Yuta and Rio San Antonio ria, Kansas, which had been reported read the third time. Wilderness Areas in the State of New from the Committee on Energy and f Mexico, and for other purposes, was or- Natural Resources, with an amend- PROVIDING FOR THE CONVEYANCE dered to be engrossed for a third read- ment, as follows: ing and was read the third time. OF CERTAIN FEDERAL LAND IN (The part of the bill intended to be THE STATE OF OREGON f deleted is shown in boldface brackets The bill (H.R. 1306) to provide for the CLARIFYING THE DESCRIPTION OF and the part of the bill intended to be inserted is shown in italics.) conveyance of certain Federal land in CERTAIN FEDERAL LAND UNDER the State of Oregon, and for other pur- S. 167 THE NORTHERN ARIZONA LAND poses, was ordered to a third reading EXCHANGE AND VERDE RIVER Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- and was read the third time. BASIN PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 2005 resentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, f The Senate proceeded to consider the SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. TO MODIFY THE BOUNDARY OF bill (S. 466) to clarify the description of This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National certain Federal land under the North- THE LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL Memorial to Fallen Educators Act’’. HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL HIS- ern Arizona Land Exchange and Verde ø SEC. 2. FINDINGS. TORIC SITE River Basin Partnership Act of 2005 to øCongress finds that— include additional land in Kaibab Na- ø(1) from 1764 to the date of enactment of The bill (H.R. 2611) to modify the tional Forest, was ordered to be en- this Act, more than 119 educators from 36 boundary of the Little Rock Central

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:57 Mar 27, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD17\DECEMBER\S21DE7.REC S21DE7 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8269 High School National Historic Site, (1) any reference to the effective date of (1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under and for other purposes, was ordered to the Wilderness Act shall be considered to be the public land laws; a third reading and was read the third a reference to the date of enactment of this (2) location, entry, and patent under the time. Act; and mining laws; and (2) any reference in the Wilderness Act to (3) operation of the mineral leasing, min- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I the Secretary of Agriculture shall be consid- eral materials, and geothermal leasing laws. know of no further debate on the bills. ered to be a reference to the Secretary. (k) TREATY RIGHTS.—Nothing in this Act The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there (c) INCORPORATION OF ACQUIRED LAND AND enlarges, diminishes, or otherwise modifies is no further debate, the bills having INTERESTS IN LAND.—Any land or interest in any treaty rights. been read the third time, the question land within the boundary of the wilderness The bill (S. 466) was passed, as fol- is, Shall the bills pass en bloc? areas that is acquired by the United States lows: shall— The bill (S. 1438) was passed, as fol- S. 466 lows: (1) become part of the wilderness area in which the land is located; and Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- S. 1438 (2) be managed in accordance with— resentatives of the United States of America in Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- (A) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et Congress assembled, resentatives of the United States of America in seq.); SECTION 1. CLARIFICATION RELATING TO A CER- Congress assembled, (B) this Act; and TAIN LAND DESCRIPTION UNDER THE NORTHERN ARIZONA LAND EX- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. (C) any other applicable laws. CHANGE AND VERDE RIVER BASIN This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Gateway (d) GRAZING.—Grazing of livestock in the PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 2005. Arch National Park Designation Act’’. wilderness areas, where established before Section 104(a)(5) of the Northern Arizona SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF GATEWAY ARCH NA- the date of enactment of this Act, shall be Land Exchange and Verde River Basin Part- TIONAL PARK. administered in accordance with— nership Act of 2005 (Public Law 109–110; 119 (a) REDESIGNATION.—The Jefferson Na- (1) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 Stat. 2356) is amended by inserting before the tional Expansion Memorial established U.S.C. 1133(d)(4)); and period at the end ‘‘, which, notwithstanding (2) the guidelines set forth in appendix A of under the Act of May 17, 1954 (16 U.S.C. 450jj section 102(a)(4)(B), includes the N1⁄2, NE1⁄4, the Report of the Committee on Interior and et seq.), shall be known and designated as SW1⁄4, SW1⁄4, the N1⁄2, N1⁄2, SE1⁄4, SW1⁄4, and Insular Affairs to accompany H.R. 2570 of the the ‘‘Gateway Arch National Park’’. the N1⁄2, N1⁄2, SW1⁄4, SE1⁄4, sec. 34, T. 22 N., R. (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, 101st Congress (H. Rept. 101–405). 2 E., Gila and Salt River Meridian, Coconino (e) BUFFER ZONES.— map, regulation, document, paper, or other County, comprising approximately 25 acres’’. record of the United States to the Jefferson (1) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this Act creates a protective perimeter or buffer zone The bill (H.R. 267) was passed. National Expansion Memorial shall be con- The bill (H.R. 560) was passed. sidered to be a reference to the ‘‘Gateway around the wilderness areas. (2) ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE WILDERNESS The bill (H.R. 699) was passed. Arch National Park’’. The bill (H.R. 863) was passed. The bill (H.R. 1927) was passed. AREAS.—The fact that an activity or use on land outside a wilderness area can be seen or The bill (S. 167) was passed, as fol- The bill (S. 35) was passed. heard within the wilderness area shall not lows: The bill (S. 432) was passed, as fol- preclude the activity or use outside the S. 167 lows: boundary of the wilderness area. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- (f) RELEASE OF WILDERNESS STUDY S. 432 resentatives of the United States of America in AREAS.—Congress finds that, for purposes of Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Congress assembled, section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and resentatives of the United States of America in SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. Congress assembled, Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the public land within the San Antonio Wil- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. derness Study Area not designated as wilder- Memorial to Fallen Educators Act’’. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Cerros del ness by this section— SEC. 2. DESIGNATION. Norte Conservation Act’’. (1) has been adequately studied for wilder- (a) IN GENERAL.—The memorial to fallen SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. ness designation; educators located at the National Teachers In this Act: (2) is no longer subject to section 603(c) of Hall of Fame in Emporia, Kansas, is des- (1) MAP.—The term ‘‘map’’ means the map the Federal Land Policy and Management ignated as the ‘‘National Memorial to Fallen entitled ‘‘Rıó Grande del Norte National Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)); and Educators’’. Monument Proposed Wilderness Areas’’ and (3) shall be managed in accordance with (b) EFFECT OF DESIGNATION.—The national dated July 28, 2015. this Act. memorial designated by this section is not a (2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ (g) MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS.— unit of the National Park System and the means the Secretary of the Interior. (1) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable designation of the National Memorial to (3) WILDERNESS AREA.—The term ‘‘wilder- after the date of enactment of this Act, the Fallen Educators shall not require or permit ness area’’ means a wilderness area des- Secretary shall file the map and legal de- Federal funds to be expended for any purpose ignated by section 3(a). scriptions of the wilderness areas with— related to that national memorial. SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF CERRO DEL YUTA AND (A) the Committee on Energy and Natural The bill (H.R. 381) was passed. RIÓ SAN ANTONIO WILDERNESS Resources of the Senate; and The bill (H.R. 954) was passed. AREAS. (B) the Committee on Natural Resources of The bill (H.R. 1242) was passed. (a) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with the the House of Representatives. The bill (H.R. 1306) was passed. Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the (2) FORCE OF LAW.—The map and legal de- The bill (H.R. 2611) was passed. following areas in the Rıó Grande del Norte scriptions filed under paragraph (1) shall National Monument are designated as wil- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I have the same force and effect as if included ask unanimous consent that the mo- derness and as components of the National in this Act, except that the Secretary may Wilderness Preservation System: correct errors in the legal description and tions to reconsider be considered made (1) CERRO DEL YUTA WILDERNESS.—Certain map. and laid upon the table. land administered by the Bureau of Land (3) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The map and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Management in Taos County, New Mexico, legal descriptions filed under paragraph (1) objection, it is so ordered. comprising approximately 13,420 acres as shall be on file and available for public in- f generally depicted on the map, which shall spection in the appropriate offices of the Bu- be known as the ‘‘Cerro del Yuta Wilder- reau of Land Management. DIESEL EMISSIONS REDUCTION ness’’. (h) NATIONAL LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION ACT OF 2017 (2) RIÓ SAN ANTONIO WILDERNESS.—Certain SYSTEM.—The wilderness areas shall be ad- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I land administered by the Bureau of Land ministered as components of the National Management in Rıó Arriba County, New Landscape Conservation System. ask unanimous consent that the Sen- Mexico, comprising approximately 8,120 (i) FISH AND WILDLIFE.—Nothing in this ate proceed to the immediate consider- acres, as generally depicted on the map, Act affects the jurisdiction of the State of ation of Calendar No. 219, S. 1447. which shall be known as the ‘‘Rıó San Anto- New Mexico with respect to fish and wildlife The PRESIDING OFFICER. The nio Wilderness’’. located on public land in the State. clerk will report the bill by title. (b) MANAGEMENT OF WILDERNESS AREAS.— (j) WITHDRAWALS.—Subject to valid exist- The legislative clerk read as follows: Subject to valid existing rights, the wilder- ing rights, any Federal land within the wil- A bill (S. 1447) to reauthorize the diesel ness areas shall be administered in accord- derness areas designated by subsection (a), emissions reduction program, and for other ance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 including any land or interest in land that is purposes. et seq.) and this Act, except that with re- acquired by the United States after the date spect to the wilderness areas designated by of enactment of this Act, is withdrawn There being no objection, the Senate this Act— from— proceeded to consider the bill.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.102 S21DEPT1 S8270 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ets and the parts of the bill intended to (A) discontinue use of the services of the further ask unanimous consent that be inserted are shown in italics.) Postal Service under subsection (a); and the bill be read a third time and passed S. 1208 (B) enter into a contract with the private carrier under which a person to whom a doc- and the motion to reconsider be consid- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- ument is sent under the Secure Mail Initia- resentatives of the United States of America in ered made and laid upon the table with tive (or any successor program) may elect to Congress assembled, no intervening action or debate. have the private carrier use one of the sub- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. stantially similar services in delivering the This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Strength- objection, it is so ordered. document. ening the Department of Homeland Security The bill (S. 1447) was ordered to be (2) REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary may not Secure Mail Initiative Act’’. engrossed for a third reading, was read exercise the authority under paragraph (1) SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. unless the Secretary— the third time, and passed, as follows: In this Act— (A) determines, and notifies the Postal S. 1447 (1) the terms ‘‘Hold for Pickup service’’ Service, that the private carrier offers serv- and ‘‘Signature Confirmation service’’ Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- ices that are substantially similar to the ømeans¿ mean the services described in sec- resentatives of the United States of America in Hold for Pickup and Signature Confirmation tions ø508.7.2.1¿ 507.3.0 and 503.8.1.1.a, respec- Congress assembled, services; tively, of the Domestic Mail Manual (or any SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. (B) provides for an option under the Secure successor services); This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Diesel Emis- Mail Initiative (or any successor program) sions Reduction Act of 2017’’. (2) the term ‘‘Immigration Examinations Fee Account’’ means the account established under which a person to whom a document is SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF DIESEL EMIS- sent under that initiative may elect a serv- SIONS REDUCTION PROGRAM. under section 286(m) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(m)); ice under paragraph (1)(B); Section 797(a) of the Energy Policy Act of (C) requires the payment of a fee from a 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16137(a)) is amended by strik- (3) the term ‘‘Postal Service’’ means the United States Postal Service; and person electing a service under paragraph ing ‘‘2016’’ and inserting ‘‘2022’’. (4) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Sec- (1)(B), which shall be set at a level that en- SEC. 3. RECOGNIZING DIFFERENCES IN DIESEL retary of Homeland Security. sures recovery of— VEHICLE, ENGINE, EQUIPMENT, AND (i) the full cost of contracting with the pri- FLEET USE. SEC. 3. OFFERING HOLD FOR PICKUP AND SIGNA- TURE CONFIRMATION SERVICES vate carrier to provide all such services; and (a) NATIONAL GRANT, REBATE, AND LOAN UNDER THE SECURE MAIL INITIA- (ii) any additional costs associated with PROGRAMS.—Section 792(c)(4)(D) of the En- TIVE. the administration of the fees collected; and ergy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. (a) IN GENERAL.—Beginning not later than (D) deposits the fees collected under sub- 16132(c)(4)(D)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, rec- 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph (C) as offsetting receipts into the ognizing differences in typical vehicle, en- Act, the Secretary shall provide for an op- Immigration Examinations Fees Account. gine, equipment, and fleet use throughout tion under the Secure Mail Initiative (or any SEC. 4. REPORT. the United States’’ before the semicolon. successor program) under which a person to (b) STATE GRANT, REBATE, AND LOAN PRO- whom a document is sent under that initia- Not later than 2 years after the date of en- GRAMS.—Section 793(b)(1) of the Energy Pol- tive may elect, except as provided in sub- actment of this Act, the Secretary shall sub- icy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16133(b)(1)) is section (e), to have the Postal Service use mit to Congress a report that describes— amended— the Hold for Pickup service or the Signature (1) the implementation of the requirements (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘; and’’ Confirmation service in delivering the docu- under section 3; and inserting a semicolon; and ment. (2) the fee imposed under subsection (b) or (2) by adding at the end the following: (b) FEE.— (e)(2)(C), as applicable, of section 3; and ‘‘(D) the recognition, for purposes of imple- (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in accord- (3) the number of times during the previous menting this section, of differences in typ- ance with section 286(m) of the Immigration year that a person used a service under sub- ical vehicle, engine, equipment, and fleet use and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(m)), shall section (a) or (e)(1)(B) of section 3. throughout the United States, including ex- require the payment of a fee from a person Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I pected useful life; and’’. electing a service under subsection (a), ask unanimous consent that the com- SEC. 4. REALLOCATION OF UNUSED STATE which shall be set at a level that ensures re- FUNDS. covery of— mittee-reported amendments be agreed Section 793(c)(2)(C) of the Energy Policy (A) the full costs of providing all such serv- to, the bill, as amended, be considered Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16133(c)(2)(C)) is amend- ices; and read a third time and passed, and the ed beginning in the matter preceding clause (B) any additional costs associated with motion to reconsider be considered (i) by striking ‘‘to each remaining’’ and all the administration of the fees collected. made and laid upon the table. that follows through ‘‘this paragraph’’ in (2) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.—Of the fees col- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without clause (ii) and inserting ‘‘to carry out sec- lected under paragraph (1), the Secretary tion 792’’. shall— objection, it is so ordered. The committee-reported amendments f (A) deposit as offsetting receipts into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account the were agreed to. STRENGTHENING THE DEPART- portion representing— The bill (S. 1208), as amended, was or- MENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (i) the cost to the Secretary of providing dered to be engrossed for a third read- SECURE MAIL INITIATIVE ACT the services under subsection (a); and (ii) any additional costs associated with ing, was read the third time, and Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I the administration of the fees collected; and passed, as follows: ask unanimous consent that the Sen- (B) transfer to the Postal Service the por- S. 1208 ate proceed to the immediate consider- tion representing the cost to the Postal Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- ation of Calendar No. 241, S. 1208. Service of providing the services under sub- resentatives of the United States of America in section (a). The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Congress assembled, clerk will report the bill by title. (c) REGULATIONS.—The Postal Service may The legislative clerk read as follows: promulgate regulations that— SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. (1) subject to paragraph (2), minimize the This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Strength- A bill (S. 1208) to direct the Secretary of cost of providing the services under sub- Homeland Security to provide for an option ening the Department of Homeland Security section (a); and Secure Mail Initiative Act’’. under the Secure Mail Initiative under which (2) do not require the Postal Service to SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. a person to whom a document is sent under incur additional expenses that are not recov- that initiative may elect to have the United erable under subsection (b). In this Act— States Postal Service use the Hold for Pick- (d) NOTICE OF CHANGES.—The Postal Serv- (1) the terms ‘‘Hold for Pickup service’’ up service or the Signature Confirmation ice shall notify the Secretary of any changes and ‘‘Signature Confirmation service’’ mean service in delivering the document, and for to the Hold for Pickup service or the Signa- the services described in sections 507.3.0 and other purposes. ture Confirmation service. 503.8.1.1.a, respectively, of the Domestic Mail There being no objection, the Senate (e) USE OF PRIVATE CARRIER.— Manual (or any successor services); proceeded to consider the bill, which (1) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary deter- (2) the term ‘‘Immigration Examinations had been reported from the Committee mines that a private carrier that offers sub- Fee Account’’ means the account established stantially similar services to the Hold for under section 286(m) of the Immigration and on Homeland Security and Govern- Pickup and Signature Confirmation services Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(m)); mental Affairs, with amendments, as would provide better service and value than (3) the term ‘‘Postal Service’’ means the follows: the Postal Service provides under subsection United States Postal Service; and (The parts of the bill intended to be (a), the Secretary may, in accordance with (4) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Sec- stricken are shown in boldface brack- paragraph (2) of this subsection— retary of Homeland Security.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.107 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8271 SEC. 3. OFFERING HOLD FOR PICKUP AND SIGNA- (i) the full cost of contracting with the pri- (The part of the bill intended to be TURE CONFIRMATION SERVICES vate carrier to provide all such services; and inserted is printed in italics.) UNDER THE SECURE MAIL INITIA- (ii) any additional costs associated with S. 2070 TIVE. the administration of the fees collected; and (a) IN GENERAL.—Beginning not later than (D) deposits the fees collected under sub- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph (C) as offsetting receipts into the resentatives of the United States of America in Act, the Secretary shall provide for an op- Immigration Examinations Fees Account. Congress assembled, tion under the Secure Mail Initiative (or any SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. successor program) under which a person to SEC. 4. REPORT. Not later than 2 years after the date of en- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Kevin and whom a document is sent under that initia- Avonte’s Law of 2017’’. tive may elect, except as provided in sub- actment of this Act, the Secretary shall sub- TITLE I—MISSING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE section (e), to have the Postal Service use mit to Congress a report that describes— PATIENT ALERT PROGRAM REAUTHOR- the Hold for Pickup service or the Signature (1) the implementation of the requirements IZATION Confirmation service in delivering the docu- under section 3; ment. (2) the fee imposed under subsection (b) or SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. (b) FEE.— (e)(2)(C), as applicable, of section 3; and This title may be cited as the ‘‘Missing (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in accord- (3) the number of times during the previous Americans Alert Program Act of 2017’’. ance with section 286(m) of the Immigration year that a person used a service under sub- SEC. 102. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE MISSING and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(m)), shall section (a) or (e)(1)(B) of section 3. ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE PATIENT require the payment of a fee from a person f ALERT PROGRAM. electing a service under subsection (a), (a) AMENDMENTS.—Section 240001 of the which shall be set at a level that ensures re- FEDERAL REGISTER PRINTING Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement covery of— SAVINGS ACT OF 2017 Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12621) is amended— (1) in the section header, by striking ‘‘ALZ- (A) the full costs of providing all such serv- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I HEIMER’S DISEASE PATIENT’’ and inserting ices; and ask unanimous consent that the Sen- (B) any additional costs associated with ‘‘AMERICANS’’; the administration of the fees collected. ate proceed to the immediate consider- (2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting (2) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.—Of the fees col- ation of Calendar No. 261, H.R. 195. the following: lected under paragraph (1), the Secretary The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ‘‘(a) GRANT PROGRAM TO REDUCE INJURY shall— clerk will report the bill by title. AND DEATH OF MISSING AMERICANS WITH DE- (A) deposit as offsetting receipts into the The legislative clerk read as follows: MENTIA AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.— Subject to the availability of appropriations Immigration Examinations Fee Account the A bill (H.R. 195) to amend title 44, United to carry out this section, the Attorney Gen- portion representing— States Code, to restrict the distribution of eral, through the Bureau of Justice Assist- (i) the cost to the Secretary of providing free printed copies of the Federal Register to ance and in consultation with the Secretary the services under subsection (a); and Members of Congress and other officers and of Health and Human Services— (ii) any additional costs associated with employees of the United States, and for ‘‘(1) shall award competitive grants to the administration of the fees collected; and other purposes. (B) transfer to the Postal Service the por- health care agencies, State and local law en- tion representing the cost to the Postal There being no objection, the Senate forcement agencies, or public safety agencies Service of providing the services under sub- proceeded to consider the bill. and nonprofit organizations to assist such section (a). Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I entities in planning, designing, establishing, (c) REGULATIONS.—The Postal Service may ask unanimous consent that the Grass- or operating locally based, proactive pro- promulgate regulations that— ley amendment at the desk be consid- grams to prevent wandering and locate miss- (1) subject to paragraph (2), minimize the ing individuals with forms of dementia, such ered and agreed to, the bill, as amend- as Alzheimer’s Disease, or developmental cost of providing the services under sub- ed, be considered read a third time and section (a); and disabilities, such as autism, who, due to (2) do not require the Postal Service to passed, and the motion to reconsider be their condition, wander from safe environ- incur additional expenses that are not recov- considered made and laid upon the ments, including programs that— erable under subsection (b). table. ‘‘(A) provide prevention and response infor- (d) NOTICE OF CHANGES.—The Postal Serv- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without mation, including online training resources, ice shall notify the Secretary of any changes objection, it is so ordered. and referrals to families or guardians of such to the Hold for Pickup service or the Signa- The amendment (No. 1864) was agreed individuals who, due to their condition, wander from a safe environment; ture Confirmation service. to. (e) USE OF PRIVATE CARRIER.— ‘‘(B) provide education and training, in- (1) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary deter- (The text of the amendment is print- cluding online training resources, to first re- mines that a private carrier that offers sub- ed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Submitted sponders, school personnel, clinicians, and stantially similar services to the Hold for Amendments.’’) the public in order to— Pickup and Signature Confirmation services The amendment was ordered to be ‘‘(i) increase the safety and reduce the inci- would provide better service and value than engrossed and the bill to be read a dence of wandering of persons, who, due to the Postal Service provides under subsection third time. their dementia or developmental disabilities, (a), the Secretary may, in accordance with The bill was read the third time. may wander from safe environments; paragraph (2) of this subsection— ‘‘(ii) facilitate the rescue and recovery of (A) discontinue use of the services of the The bill (H.R. 195), as amended, was individuals who, due to their dementia or de- Postal Service under subsection (a); and passed. velopmental disabilities, wander from safe (B) enter into a contract with the private f environments; and carrier under which a person to whom a doc- ‘‘(iii) recognize and respond to and appro- ument is sent under the Secure Mail Initia- KEVIN AND AVONTE’S LAW OF 2017 priately interact with endangered missing tive (or any successor program) may elect to Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I individuals with dementia or developmental have the private carrier use one of the sub- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- disabilities who, due to their condition, wan- stantially similar services in delivering the ate proceed to the immediate consider- der from safe environments; document. ation of Calendar No. 270, S. 2070. ‘‘(C) provide prevention and response train- (2) REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary may not ing and emergency protocols for school ad- exercise the authority under paragraph (1) The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ministrators, staff, and families or guardians unless the Secretary— clerk will report the bill by title. of individuals with dementia, such as Alz- (A) determines, and notifies the Postal The legislative clerk read as follows: heimer’s Disease, or developmental disabil- Service, that the private carrier offers serv- A bill (S. 2070) to amend the Violent Crime ities, such as autism, to help reduce the risk ices that are substantially similar to the Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, to of wandering by such individuals; and Hold for Pickup and Signature Confirmation reauthorize the Missing Alzheimer’s Disease ‘‘(D) develop, operate, or enhance a notifi- services; Patient Alert Program, and to promote ini- cation or communications systems for (B) provides for an option under the Secure tiatives that will reduce the risk of injury alerts, advisories, or dissemination of other Mail Initiative (or any successor program) and death relating to the wandering charac- information for the recovery of missing indi- under which a person to whom a document is teristics of some children with autism. viduals with forms of dementia, such as Alz- sent under that initiative may elect a serv- There being no objection, the Senate heimer’s Disease, or with developmental dis- ice under paragraph (1)(B); abilities, such as autism; and (C) requires the payment of a fee from a proceeded to consider the bill, which ‘‘(2) shall award grants to health care person electing a service under paragraph had been reported from the Committee agencies, State and local law enforcement (1)(B), which shall be set at a level that en- on the Judiciary, with an amendment, agencies, or public safety agencies to assist sures recovery of— as follows: such agencies in designing, establishing, and

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operating locative tracking technology pro- ‘‘(A) DEFINITION OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZA- ‘‘(2) REPORT.—If the Attorney General grams for individuals with forms of demen- TION.—For purposes of this paragraph and awards grants to the same applicant for a tia, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, or children the grant programs under this part, the term similar purpose the Attorney General shall with developmental disabilities, such as au- ‘nonprofit organization’ means an organiza- submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of tism, who have wandered from safe environ- tion that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Senate and the Committee on the Judici- ments.’’; the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is ex- ary of the House of Representatives a report (3) in subsection (b)— empt from taxation under section 501(a) of that includes— (A) by inserting ‘‘competitive’’ after ‘‘to such Code. ‘‘(A) a list of all such grants awarded, in- receive a’’; ‘‘(B) PROHIBITION.—The Attorney General cluding the total dollar amount of any such (B) by inserting ‘‘agency or’’ before ‘‘orga- may not award a grant under this part to a grants awarded; and nization’’ each place it appears; and nonprofit organization that holds money in ‘‘(B) the reason the Attorney General (C) by adding at the end the following: offshore accounts for the purpose of avoiding awarded multiple grants to the same appli- ‘‘The Attorney General shall periodically so- paying the tax described in section 511(a) of cant for a similar purpose.’’. licit applications for grants under this sec- the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (b) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than 2 tion by publishing a request for applications ‘‘(C) DISCLOSURE.—Each nonprofit organi- years after the date of enactment of this Act in the Federal Register and by posting such zation that is awarded a grant under this and every year thereafter, the Attorney Gen- a request on the website of the Department section and uses the procedures prescribed in eral shall submit to the Committee on the of Justice.’’; and regulations to create a rebuttable presump- Judiciary and the Committee on Appropria- (4) by striking subsections (c) and (d) and tion of reasonableness for the compensation tions of the Senate and the Committee on inserting the following: of its officers, directors, trustees, and key the Judiciary and the Committee on Appro- ‘‘(c) PREFERENCE.—In awarding grants employees, shall disclose to the Attorney priations of the House of Representatives a under subsection (a)(1), the Attorney General General, in the application for the grant, the report on the Missing Americans Alert Pro- shall give preference to law enforcement or process for determining such compensation, gram, as amended by subsection (a), which public safety agencies that partner with non- including the independent persons involved shall address— profit organizations that appropriately use in reviewing and approving such compensa- (1) the number of individuals who bene- person-centered plans minimizing restrictive tion, the comparability data used, and con- fitted from the Missing Americans Alert Pro- interventions and that have a direct link to temporaneous substantiation of the delibera- gram, including information such as the individuals, and families of individuals, with tion and decision. Upon request, the Attor- number of individuals with reduced unsafe forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s Dis- ney General shall make the information dis- wandering, the number of people who were ease, or developmental disabilities, such as closed under this subparagraph available for trained through the program, and the esti- autism. public inspection. mated number of people who were impacted ‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— ‘‘(3) CONFERENCE EXPENDITURES.— by the program; There are authorized to be appropriated to ‘‘(A) LIMITATION.—No amounts made avail- (2) the number of State, local, and tribal carry out this section $2,000,000 for each of able to the Department of Justice under this law enforcement or public safety agencies fiscal years 2018 through 2022. section may be used by the Attorney Gen- that applied for funding under the Missing ‘‘(e) GRANT ACCOUNTABILITY.—All grants eral, or by any individual or entity awarded Americans Alert Program; awarded by the Attorney General under this discretionary funds through a cooperative (3) the number of State, local, and tribal section shall be subject to the following ac- agreement under this section, to host or sup- local law enforcement or public safety agen- countability provisions: port any expenditure for conferences that cies that received funding under the Missing ‘‘(1) AUDIT REQUIREMENT.— uses more than $20,000 in funds made avail- Americans Alert Program, including— ‘‘(A) DEFINITION.—In this paragraph, the able by the Department of Justice, unless (A) the number of State, local, and tribal term ‘unresolved audit finding’ means a find- the head of the relevant agency or depart- law enforcement or public safety agencies ing in the final audit report of the Inspector ment, provides prior written authorization that used such funding for training; and General of the Department of Justice that that the funds may be expended to host the (B) the number of State, local, and tribal the audited grantee has utilized grant funds conference. law enforcement or public safety agencies for an unauthorized expenditure or otherwise ‘‘(B) WRITTEN APPROVAL.—Written ap- that used such funding for designing, estab- unallowable cost that is not closed or re- proval under subparagraph (A) shall include lishing, or operating locative tracking tech- solved within 12 months from the date when a written estimate of all costs associated nology; the final audit report is issued. with the conference, including the cost of all (4) the companies, including the location ‘‘(B) AUDITS.—Beginning in the first fiscal food, beverages, audio-visual equipment, (city and State) of the headquarters and year beginning after the date of enactment honoraria for speakers, and entertainment. local offices of each company, for which of this subsection, and in each fiscal year ‘‘(C) REPORT.—The Deputy Attorney Gen- their locative tracking technology was used thereafter, the Inspector General of the De- eral shall submit an annual report to the by State, local, and tribal law enforcement partment of Justice shall conduct audits of Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate or public safety agencies; recipients of grants under this section to and the Committee on the Judiciary of the (5) the nonprofit organizations, including prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds by House of Representatives on all conference the location (city and State) of the head- grantees. The Inspector General shall deter- expenditures approved under this paragraph. quarters and local offices of each organiza- mine the appropriate number of grantees to ‘‘(4) ANNUAL CERTIFICATION.—Beginning in tion, that State, local, and tribal law en- be audited each year. the first fiscal year beginning after the date forcement or public safety agencies ‘‘(C) MANDATORY EXCLUSION.—A recipient of enactment of this subsection, the Attor- partnered with and the result of each part- of grant funds under this section that is ney General shall submit, to the Committee nership; found to have an unresolved audit finding on the Judiciary and the Committee on Ap- (6) the number of missing children with au- shall not be eligible to receive grant funds propriations of the Senate and the Com- tism or another developmental disability under this section during the first 2 fiscal mittee on the Judiciary and the Committee with wandering tendencies or adults with years beginning after the end of the 12- on Appropriations of the House of Represent- Alzheimer’s being served by the program month period described in subparagraph (A). atives, an annual certification— who went missing and the result of the ‘‘(D) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under ‘‘(A) indicating whether— search for each such individual; and this section, the Attorney General shall give ‘‘(i) all audits issued by the Office of the (7) any recommendations for improving the priority to eligible applicants that did not Inspector General under paragraph (1) have Missing Americans Alert Program. have an unresolved audit finding during the been completed and reviewed by the appro- (c) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con- 3 fiscal years before submitting an applica- priate Assistant Attorney General or Direc- tents in section 2 of the Violent Crime Con- tion for a grant under this section. tor; trol and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 is ‘‘(E) REIMBURSEMENT.—If an entity is ‘‘(ii) all mandatory exclusions required amended by striking the item relating to awarded grant funds under this section dur- under paragraph (1)(C) have been issued; and section 240001 and inserting the following: ing the 2-fiscal-year period during which the ‘‘(iii) all reimbursements required under paragraph (1)(E) have been made; and ‘‘Sec. 240001. Missing Americans Alert Pro- entity is barred from receiving grants under gram.’’. subparagraph (C), the Attorney General ‘‘(B) that includes a list of any grant re- shall— cipients excluded under paragraph (1) from TITLE II—EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ‘‘(i) deposit an amount equal to the the previous year. SEC. 201. ACTIVITIES BY THE NATIONAL CENTER amount of the grant funds that were improp- ‘‘(f) PREVENTING DUPLICATIVE GRANTS.— FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHIL- erly awarded to the grantee into the General ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Before the Attorney DREN. Fund of the Treasury; and General awards a grant to an applicant Section 404(b)(1)(H) of the Missing Chil- ‘‘(ii) seek to recoup the costs of the repay- under this section, the Attorney General dren’s Assistance Act (34 U.S.C. ment to the fund from the grant recipient shall compare potential grant awards with 11293(b)(1)(H)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, in- that was erroneously awarded grant funds. other grants awarded by the Attorney Gen- cluding cases involving children with devel- ‘‘(2) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION REQUIRE- eral to determine if grant awards are or have opmental disabilities such as autism’’ before MENTS.— been awarded for a similar purpose. the semicolon.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.071 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8273 TITLE III—PRIVACY PROTECTIONS (iii) provide training for law enforcement (3) by adding at the end the following new SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS. agencies to recognize signs of abuse during subsection: In this title: interactions with applicants for tracking de- ‘‘(b) RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTION OF FREE (1) CHILD.—The term ‘‘child’’ means an in- vices; PRINTED COPIES TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND dividual who is less than 18 years of age. (iv) protect the civil rights and liberties of OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE UNITED (2) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian tribe’’ the individuals who use tracking devices, in- STATES.— has the meaning given that term in section cluding their rights under the Fourth ‘‘(1) PROHIBITING SUBSCRIPTION TO PRINTED 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and Amendment to the Constitution of the COPIES WITHOUT REQUEST.—Under the regula- Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(e)). United States; tions prescribed to carry out subsection (a)(4), (v) establish a complaint and investigation (3) LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.—The term the Director of the Government Publishing Of- ‘‘law enforcement agency’’ means an agency process to address— fice may not provide a printed copy of the Fed- of a State, unit of local government, or In- (I) incidents of noncompliance by recipi- eral Register without charge to any Member of dian tribe that is authorized by law or by a ents of grants under subsection (a)(2) of sec- Congress or any other office of the United States government agency to engage in or supervise tion 240001 of the Violent Crime Control and during a year unless— the prevention, detection, investigation, or Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. ‘‘(A) the Member or office requests a printed prosecution of any violation of criminal law. 12621), as added by this Act, with the best copy of a specific issue of the Federal Register; practices established by the Attorney Gen- (4) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each or of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, eral or other applicable law; and ‘‘(B) during that year or during the previous the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the (II) use of a tracking device over the objec- year, the Member or office requested a subscrip- United States Virgin Islands, American tion of an individual; and tion to printed copies of the Federal Register for Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the (vi) determine the role that State agencies that year, as described in paragraph (2). Northern Mariana Islands. should have in the administration of a track- ‘‘(2) ADMINISTRATION OF SUBSCRIPTIONS.—The ing system. (5) UNIT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.—The term regulations prescribed to carry out subsection ‘‘unit of local government’’ means a county, (3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The standards and (a)(4) shall include— municipality, town, township, village, par- best practices established pursuant to para- ‘‘(A) provisions regarding notifications to of- ish, borough, or other unit of general govern- graph (1) shall take effect 90 days after publi- fices of Members of Congress and other offices of ment below the State level. cation of such standards and practices by the the United States of the restrictions of para- Attorney General. graph (1); (6) NON-INVASIVE AND NON-PERMANENT.— (b) REQUIRED COMPLIANCE.— The term ‘‘non-invasive and non-permanent’’ ‘‘(B) provisions describing the process by (1) IN GENERAL.—Each entity that receives means, with regard to any technology or de- which Members and other offices may request a a grant under subsection (a)(2) of section vice, that the procedure to install the tech- specific issue of the Federal Register for pur- 240001 of the Violent Crime Control and Law nology or device does not create an external poses of paragraph (1)(A); and Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12621), as or internal marker or implant a device, such ‘‘(C) provisions describing the process by added by this Act, shall comply with any as a microchip, or other trackable items. which Members and other offices may request a standards and best practices relating to the subscription to the Federal Register for purposes SEC. 302. STANDARDS AND BEST PRACTICES FOR use of tracking devices established by the of paragraph (1)(B), except that such regula- USE OF NON-INVASIVE AND NON- PERMANENT TRACKING DEVICES. Attorney General in accordance with sub- tions shall limit the period for such a subscrip- section (a). (a) ESTABLISHMENT.— tion to not longer than 1 year.’’. (2) DETERMINATION OF COMPLIANCE.—The FFECTIVE ATE (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days (b) E D .—The amendment made after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, in consultation with the by subsection (a) shall take effect on January 1, Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 2018. shall determine whether an entity that re- Secretary of Health and Human Services and Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I leading research, advocacy, self-advocacy, ceives a grant under subsection (a)(2) of section 240001 of the Violent Crime Control and ask unanimous consent that the com- and service organizations, shall establish mittee-reported amendment be agreed standards and best practices relating to the Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12621), as added by this Act, acts in compli- to, the Grassley amendment at the use of non-invasive and non-permanent desk be considered and agreed to, and tracking technology, where a guardian or ance with the requirement described in para- parent has determined that a non-invasive graph (1). the bill, as amended, be considered (c) APPLICABILITY OF STANDARDS AND BEST and non-permanent tracking device is the read a third time. PRACTICES.—The standards and best prac- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without least restrictive alternative, to locate indi- tices established by the Attorney General viduals as described in subsection (a)(2) of under subsection (a) shall apply only to the objection, it is so ordered. section 240001 of the Violent Crime Control grant programs authorized under subsection The committee-reported amendment and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. (a)(2) of section 240001 of the Violent Crime was agreed to. 12621), as added by this Act. Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 The amendment (No. 1865) was agreed (2) REQUIREMENTS.—In establishing the U.S.C. 12621), as added by this Act. to, as follows: standards and best practices required under (d) LIMITATIONS ON PROGRAM.— (Purpose: To make technical corrections) paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall— (1) DATA STORAGE.—Any tracking data pro- (A) determine— vided by tracking devices issued under this On page 8, line 11, strike ‘‘part’’ and insert (i) the criteria used to determine which in- program may not be used by a Federal entity ‘‘section’’. dividuals would benefit from the use of a to create a database. On page 8, line 18, strike ‘‘part’’ and insert tracking device; (2) VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION.—Nothing in ‘‘section’’. (ii) the criteria used to determine who this Act may be construed to require that a On page 15, between lines 9 and 10, insert should have direct access to the tracking parent or guardian use a tracking device to the following: system; and monitor the location of a child or adult (4) NON-INVASIVE AND NON-PERMANENT.— (iii) which non-invasive and non-perma- under that parent or guardian’s supervision The term ‘‘non-invasive and non-permanent’’ nent types of tracking devices can be used in if the parent or guardian does not believe means, with regard to any technology or de- compliance with the standards and best prac- that the use of such device is necessary or in vice, that the procedure to install the tech- tices; and the interest of the child or adult under su- nology or device does not create an external (B) establish standards and best practices pervision. or internal marker or implant a device, such the Attorney General determines are nec- TITLE IV—OFFSET BY RESTRICTING DIS- as a microchip, or other trackable items. essary to the administration of a tracking TRIBUTION OF FREE PRINTED COPIES On page 15, line 10, strike ‘‘(4)’’ and insert system, including procedures to— OF FEDERAL REGISTER ‘‘(5)’’. (i) safeguard the privacy of the data used On page 15, line 15, strike ‘‘(5)’’ and insert by the tracking device such that— SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE. ‘‘(6)’’. This title may be cited as the ‘‘Federal Reg- (I) access to the data is restricted to law On page 15, strike lines 20 through 25. ister Printing Savings Act of 2017’’. enforcement and health agencies determined On page 17, beginning on line 20, strike ‘‘in- necessary by the Attorney General; and SEC. 402. RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTION OF jury or death to the individual’’ and insert FREE PRINTED COPIES OF FEDERAL (II) collection, use, and retention of the REGISTER TO MEMBERS OF CON- ‘‘injury to or death of the individual’’. data is solely for the purpose of preventing GRESS AND FEDERAL EMPLOYEES. On page 19, line 24, strike ‘‘requirement’’ injury or death to the individual wearing the (a) RESTRICTIONS.—Section 1506 of title 44, and insert ‘‘standards and best practices’’. tracking device; United States Code, is amended— The bill was ordered to be engrossed (ii) establish criteria to determine whether (1) by striking ‘‘The Administrative Com- for a third reading and was read the use of the tracking device is the least re- mittee’’ and inserting ‘‘(a) COMPOSITION; DU- third time. strictive alternative in order to prevent risk TIES.—The Administrative Committee’’; of injury or death before issuing the tracking (2) in subsection (a)(4), by striking ‘‘the num- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I device, including the previous consideration ber of copies’’ and inserting ‘‘subject to sub- know of no further debate on the meas- of less restrictive alternatives; section (b), the number of copies’’; and ure.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.071 S21DEPT1 S8274 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there heimer’s Disease, or with developmental dis- ‘‘(ii) seek to recoup the costs of the repay- further debate? abilities, such as autism; and ment to the fund from the grant recipient Hearing none, the bill having been ‘‘(2) shall award grants to health care that was erroneously awarded grant funds. read the third time, the question is, agencies, State and local law enforcement ‘‘(2) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION REQUIRE- agencies, or public safety agencies to assist MENTS.— Shall it pass? such agencies in designing, establishing, and ‘‘(A) DEFINITION OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZA- The bill (S. 2070), as amended, was operating locative tracking technology pro- TION.—For purposes of this paragraph and passed, as follows: grams for individuals with forms of demen- the grant programs under this section, the S. 2070 tia, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, or children term ‘nonprofit organization’ means an organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- with developmental disabilities, such as au- of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is resentatives of the United States of America in tism, who have wandered from safe environ- exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of Congress assembled, ments.’’; (3) in subsection (b)— such Code. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. (A) by inserting ‘‘competitive’’ after ‘‘to ‘‘(B) PROHIBITION.—The Attorney General This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Kevin and receive a’’; may not award a grant under this section to Avonte’s Law of 2017’’. (B) by inserting ‘‘agency or’’ before ‘‘orga- a nonprofit organization that holds money in TITLE I—MISSING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE nization’’ each place it appears; and offshore accounts for the purpose of avoiding PATIENT ALERT PROGRAM REAUTHOR- (C) by adding at the end the following: paying the tax described in section 511(a) of IZATION ‘‘The Attorney General shall periodically so- the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. ‘‘(C) DISCLOSURE.—Each nonprofit organi- SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. licit applications for grants under this sec- zation that is awarded a grant under this This title may be cited as the ‘‘Missing tion by publishing a request for applications section and uses the procedures prescribed in Americans Alert Program Act of 2017’’. in the Federal Register and by posting such a request on the website of the Department regulations to create a rebuttable presump- SEC. 102. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE MISSING of Justice.’’; and tion of reasonableness for the compensation ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE PATIENT of its officers, directors, trustees, and key ALERT PROGRAM. (4) by striking subsections (c) and (d) and employees, shall disclose to the Attorney (a) AMENDMENTS.—Section 240001 of the inserting the following: ‘‘(c) PREFERENCE.—In awarding grants General, in the application for the grant, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement process for determining such compensation, Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12621) is amended— under subsection (a)(1), the Attorney General shall give preference to law enforcement or including the independent persons involved (1) in the section header, by striking ‘‘ALZ- public safety agencies that partner with non- in reviewing and approving such compensa- HEIMER’S DISEASE PATIENT’’ and inserting profit organizations that appropriately use tion, the comparability data used, and con- ‘‘ ’’; AMERICANS person-centered plans minimizing restrictive temporaneous substantiation of the delibera- (2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting interventions and that have a direct link to tion and decision. Upon request, the Attor- the following: individuals, and families of individuals, with ney General shall make the information dis- ‘‘(a) GRANT PROGRAM TO REDUCE INJURY forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s Dis- closed under this subparagraph available for AND DEATH OF MISSING AMERICANS WITH DE- ease, or developmental disabilities, such as public inspection. MENTIA AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.— autism. ‘‘(3) CONFERENCE EXPENDITURES.— Subject to the availability of appropriations ‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— ‘‘(A) LIMITATION.—No amounts made avail- to carry out this section, the Attorney Gen- There are authorized to be appropriated to able to the Department of Justice under this eral, through the Bureau of Justice Assist- carry out this section $2,000,000 for each of section may be used by the Attorney Gen- ance and in consultation with the Secretary fiscal years 2018 through 2022. eral, or by any individual or entity awarded of Health and Human Services— ‘‘(e) GRANT ACCOUNTABILITY.—All grants discretionary funds through a cooperative ‘‘(1) shall award competitive grants to awarded by the Attorney General under this agreement under this section, to host or sup- health care agencies, State and local law en- section shall be subject to the following ac- port any expenditure for conferences that forcement agencies, or public safety agencies countability provisions: uses more than $20,000 in funds made avail- and nonprofit organizations to assist such ‘‘(1) AUDIT REQUIREMENT.— able by the Department of Justice, unless entities in planning, designing, establishing, ‘‘(A) DEFINITION.—In this paragraph, the the head of the relevant agency or depart- or operating locally based, proactive pro- term ‘unresolved audit finding’ means a find- ment, provides prior written authorization grams to prevent wandering and locate missing in the final audit report of the Inspector that the funds may be expended to host the ing individuals with forms of dementia, such General of the Department of Justice that conference. as Alzheimer’s Disease, or developmental the audited grantee has utilized grant funds ‘‘(B) WRITTEN APPROVAL.—Written ap- disabilities, such as autism, who, due to for an unauthorized expenditure or otherwise proval under subparagraph (A) shall include their condition, wander from safe environ- unallowable cost that is not closed or re- a written estimate of all costs associated ments, including programs that— solved within 12 months from the date when with the conference, including the cost of all ‘‘(A) provide prevention and response infor- the final audit report is issued. food, beverages, audio-visual equipment, mation, including online training resources, ‘‘(B) AUDITS.—Beginning in the first fiscal honoraria for speakers, and entertainment. and referrals to families or guardians of such year beginning after the date of enactment ‘‘(C) REPORT.—The Deputy Attorney Gen- individuals who, due to their condition, wan- of this subsection, and in each fiscal year eral shall submit an annual report to the der from a safe environment; thereafter, the Inspector General of the De- Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate ‘‘(B) provide education and training, in- partment of Justice shall conduct audits of and the Committee on the Judiciary of the cluding online training resources, to first re- recipients of grants under this section to House of Representatives on all conference sponders, school personnel, clinicians, and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds by expenditures approved under this paragraph. the public in order to— grantees. The Inspector General shall deter- ‘‘(4) ANNUAL CERTIFICATION.—Beginning in ‘‘(i) increase the safety and reduce the inci- mine the appropriate number of grantees to the first fiscal year beginning after the date dence of wandering of persons, who, due to be audited each year. of enactment of this subsection, the Attor- their dementia or developmental disabilities, ‘‘(C) MANDATORY EXCLUSION.—A recipient ney General shall submit, to the Committee may wander from safe environments; of grant funds under this section that is on the Judiciary and the Committee on Ap- ‘‘(ii) facilitate the rescue and recovery of found to have an unresolved audit finding propriations of the Senate and the Com- individuals who, due to their dementia or de- shall not be eligible to receive grant funds mittee on the Judiciary and the Committee velopmental disabilities, wander from safe under this section during the first 2 fiscal on Appropriations of the House of Represent- environments; and years beginning after the end of the 12- atives, an annual certification— ‘‘(iii) recognize and respond to and appro- month period described in subparagraph (A). ‘‘(A) indicating whether— priately interact with endangered missing ‘‘(D) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under ‘‘(i) all audits issued by the Office of the individuals with dementia or developmental this section, the Attorney General shall give Inspector General under paragraph (1) have disabilities who, due to their condition, wan- priority to eligible applicants that did not been completed and reviewed by the appro- der from safe environments; have an unresolved audit finding during the priate Assistant Attorney General or Direc- ‘‘(C) provide prevention and response train- 3 fiscal years before submitting an applica- tor; ing and emergency protocols for school ad- tion for a grant under this section. ‘‘(ii) all mandatory exclusions required ministrators, staff, and families or guardians ‘‘(E) REIMBURSEMENT.—If an entity is under paragraph (1)(C) have been issued; and of individuals with dementia, such as Alz- awarded grant funds under this section dur- ‘‘(iii) all reimbursements required under heimer’s Disease, or developmental disabil- ing the 2-fiscal-year period during which the paragraph (1)(E) have been made; and ities, such as autism, to help reduce the risk entity is barred from receiving grants under ‘‘(B) that includes a list of any grant re- of wandering by such individuals; and subparagraph (C), the Attorney General cipients excluded under paragraph (1) from ‘‘(D) develop, operate, or enhance a notifi- shall— the previous year. cation or communications systems for ‘‘(i) deposit an amount equal to the ‘‘(f) PREVENTING DUPLICATIVE GRANTS.— alerts, advisories, or dissemination of other amount of the grant funds that were improp- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Before the Attorney information for the recovery of missing indi- erly awarded to the grantee into the General General awards a grant to an applicant viduals with forms of dementia, such as Alz- Fund of the Treasury; and under this section, the Attorney General

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.112 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8275 shall compare potential grant awards with cluding cases involving children with devel- of injury or death before issuing the tracking other grants awarded by the Attorney Gen- opmental disabilities such as autism’’ before device, including the previous consideration eral to determine if grant awards are or have the semicolon. of less restrictive alternatives; been awarded for a similar purpose. TITLE III—PRIVACY PROTECTIONS (iii) provide training for law enforcement EPORT agencies to recognize signs of abuse during ‘‘(2) R .—If the Attorney General SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS. interactions with applicants for tracking de- awards grants to the same applicant for a In this title: similar purpose the Attorney General shall vices; (1) CHILD.—The term ‘‘child’’ means an in- (iv) protect the civil rights and liberties of submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of dividual who is less than 18 years of age. the Senate and the Committee on the Judici- the individuals who use tracking devices, in- (2) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian tribe’’ cluding their rights under the Fourth ary of the House of Representatives a report has the meaning given that term in section Amendment to the Constitution of the that includes— 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and United States; ‘‘(A) a list of all such grants awarded, in- Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(e)). cluding the total dollar amount of any such (v) establish a complaint and investigation (3) LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.—The term grants awarded; and process to address— ‘‘law enforcement agency’’ means an agency (I) incidents of noncompliance by recipi- ‘‘(B) the reason the Attorney General of a State, unit of local government, or In- awarded multiple grants to the same appli- ents of grants under subsection (a)(2) of sec- dian tribe that is authorized by law or by a tion 240001 of the Violent Crime Control and cant for a similar purpose.’’. government agency to engage in or supervise (b) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than 2 Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. the prevention, detection, investigation, or years after the date of enactment of this Act 12621), as added by this Act, with the best prosecution of any violation of criminal law. and every year thereafter, the Attorney Gen- practices established by the Attorney Gen- (4) NON-INVASIVE AND NON-PERMANENT.— eral shall submit to the Committee on the eral or other applicable law; and The term ‘‘non-invasive and non-permanent’’ Judiciary and the Committee on Appropria- (II) use of a tracking device over the objec- means, with regard to any technology or de- tions of the Senate and the Committee on tion of an individual; and vice, that the procedure to install the tech- the Judiciary and the Committee on Appro- (vi) determine the role that State agencies nology or device does not create an external priations of the House of Representatives a should have in the administration of a track- or internal marker or implant a device, such report on the Missing Americans Alert Pro- ing system. as a microchip, or other trackable items. gram, as amended by subsection (a), which (3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The standards and (5) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each shall address— best practices established pursuant to para- of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, (1) the number of individuals who bene- graph (1) shall take effect 90 days after publi- the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the fitted from the Missing Americans Alert Pro- cation of such standards and practices by the United States Virgin Islands, American gram, including information such as the Attorney General. Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the number of individuals with reduced unsafe (b) REQUIRED COMPLIANCE.— Northern Mariana Islands. wandering, the number of people who were (1) IN GENERAL.—Each entity that receives (6) UNIT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.—The term trained through the program, and the esti- a grant under subsection (a)(2) of section ‘‘unit of local government’’ means a county, mated number of people who were impacted 240001 of the Violent Crime Control and Law municipality, town, township, village, par- by the program; Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12621), as ish, borough, or other unit of general govern- (2) the number of State, local, and tribal added by this Act, shall comply with any ment below the State level. law enforcement or public safety agencies standards and best practices relating to the that applied for funding under the Missing SEC. 302. STANDARDS AND BEST PRACTICES FOR use of tracking devices established by the USE OF NON-INVASIVE AND NON- Americans Alert Program; Attorney General in accordance with sub- PERMANENT TRACKING DEVICES. section (a). (3) the number of State, local, and tribal (a) ESTABLISHMENT.— local law enforcement or public safety agen- (2) DETERMINATION OF COMPLIANCE.—The (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days Attorney General, in consultation with the cies that received funding under the Missing after the date of enactment of this Act, the Americans Alert Program, including— Secretary of Health and Human Services, Attorney General, in consultation with the shall determine whether an entity that re- (A) the number of State, local, and tribal Secretary of Health and Human Services and law enforcement or public safety agencies ceives a grant under subsection (a)(2) of sec- leading research, advocacy, self-advocacy, tion 240001 of the Violent Crime Control and that used such funding for training; and and service organizations, shall establish (B) the number of State, local, and tribal Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. standards and best practices relating to the 12621), as added by this Act, acts in compli- law enforcement or public safety agencies use of non-invasive and non-permanent that used such funding for designing, estab- ance with the standards and best practices tracking technology, where a guardian or described in paragraph (1). lishing, or operating locative tracking tech- parent has determined that a non-invasive nology; (c) APPLICABILITY OF STANDARDS AND BEST and non-permanent tracking device is the PRACTICES.—The standards and best prac- (4) the companies, including the location least restrictive alternative, to locate indi- (city and State) of the headquarters and tices established by the Attorney General viduals as described in subsection (a)(2) of under subsection (a) shall apply only to the local offices of each company, for which section 240001 of the Violent Crime Control grant programs authorized under subsection their locative tracking technology was used and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. (a)(2) of section 240001 of the Violent Crime by State, local, and tribal law enforcement 12621), as added by this Act. Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 or public safety agencies; (2) REQUIREMENTS.—In establishing the U.S.C. 12621), as added by this Act. (5) the nonprofit organizations, including standards and best practices required under (d) LIMITATIONS ON PROGRAM.— the location (city and State) of the head- paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall— (1) DATA STORAGE.—Any tracking data pro- quarters and local offices of each organiza- (A) determine— vided by tracking devices issued under this tion, that State, local, and tribal law en- (i) the criteria used to determine which in- program may not be used by a Federal entity forcement or public safety agencies dividuals would benefit from the use of a to create a database. partnered with and the result of each part- tracking device; (2) VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION.—Nothing in nership; (ii) the criteria used to determine who this Act may be construed to require that a (6) the number of missing children with au- should have direct access to the tracking parent or guardian use a tracking device to tism or another developmental disability system; and monitor the location of a child or adult with wandering tendencies or adults with (iii) which non-invasive and non-perma- under that parent or guardian’s supervision Alzheimer’s being served by the program nent types of tracking devices can be used in if the parent or guardian does not believe who went missing and the result of the compliance with the standards and best prac- that the use of such device is necessary or in search for each such individual; and tices; and the interest of the child or adult under su- (7) any recommendations for improving the (B) establish standards and best practices pervision. Missing Americans Alert Program. the Attorney General determines are nec- TITLE IV—OFFSET BY RESTRICTING DIS- (c) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con- essary to the administration of a tracking TRIBUTION OF FREE PRINTED COPIES tents in section 2 of the Violent Crime Con- system, including procedures to— trol and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 is OF FEDERAL REGISTER (i) safeguard the privacy of the data used SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE. amended by striking the item relating to by the tracking device such that— section 240001 and inserting the following: This title may be cited as the ‘‘Federal (I) access to the data is restricted to law Register Printing Savings Act of 2017’’. ‘‘Sec. 240001. Missing Americans Alert Pro- enforcement and health agencies determined gram.’’. SEC. 402. RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTION OF necessary by the Attorney General; and FREE PRINTED COPIES OF FEDERAL TITLE II—EDUCATION AND OUTREACH (II) collection, use, and retention of the REGISTER TO MEMBERS OF CON- SEC. 201. ACTIVITIES BY THE NATIONAL CENTER data is solely for the purpose of preventing GRESS AND FEDERAL EMPLOYEES. FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHIL- injury to or death of the individual wearing (a) RESTRICTIONS.—Section 1506 of title 44, DREN. the tracking device; United States Code, is amended— Section 404(b)(1)(H) of the Missing Chil- (ii) establish criteria to determine whether (1) by striking ‘‘The Administrative Com- dren’s Assistance Act (34 U.S.C. use of the tracking device is the least re- mittee’’ and inserting ‘‘(a) COMPOSITION; DU- 11293(b)(1)(H)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, in- strictive alternative in order to prevent risk TIES.—The Administrative Committee’’;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.080 S21DEPT1 S8276 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 (2) in subsection (a)(4), by striking ‘‘the intended to be inserted is shown in human rights violations, including but not number of copies’’ and inserting ‘‘subject to italics.) limited to harassment, persecution and in- subsection (b), the number of copies’’; and (The part of the preamble intended to citement to hatred that lead to violence (3) by adding at the end the following new be deleted is shown in boldface brack- against persons belonging to recognized and subsection: unrecognized religious minorities, including ‘‘(b) RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTION OF ets and the part of the preamble in- Christians, Jews, Sufi Muslims, Sunni Mus- FREE PRINTED COPIES TO MEMBERS OF CON- tended to be inserted is shown in lims, Zoroastrians and members of the GRESS AND OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE italics.) Baha’i Faith and their defenders’’; UNITED STATES.— S. RES. 139 Whereas since May 2008, the Government of ‘‘(1) PROHIBITING SUBSCRIPTION TO PRINTED Whereas in 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1993, Iran has imprisoned the 7 members of the COPIES WITHOUT REQUEST.—Under the regula- 1994, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, former ad hoc leadership group of the Baha’i tions prescribed to carry out subsection 2015, and 2016, Congress declared that it de- community in Iran, known as the Yaran-i- (a)(4), the Director of the Government Pub- plored the religious persecution by the Gov- Iran, or ‘‘friends of Iran’’—Mrs. Fariba lishing Office may not provide a printed copy ernment of Iran of the Baha’i community Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. of the Federal Register without charge to and would hold the Government of Iran re- Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz any Member of Congress or any other office sponsible for upholding the rights of all Ira- Tavakkoli, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, and Mr. of the United States during a year unless— nian nationals, including members of the Vahid Tizfahm—and these individuals were ‘‘(A) the Member or office requests a print- Baha’i Faith; convicted of charges including ‘‘spying for ed copy of a specific issue of the Federal Whereas the United States Commission on Israel, insulting religious sanctities, propa- Register; or International Religious Freedom 2016 Annual ganda against the regime and spreading cor- ‘‘(B) during that year or during the pre- Report states— ruption on earth’’ and sentenced to 20-year vious year, the Member or office requested a (1) ‘‘The Baha’i community, the largest prison terms, the longest sentences given to subscription to printed copies of the Federal non-Muslim religious minority in Iran, long any prisoner of conscience in Iran at that ø ¿ Register for that year, as described in para- has been subject to particularly severe reli- time, now reportedly reduced to 10 years 10 graph (2). gious freedom violations. The government years, and Mrs. Sabet and Mrs. Kamalabadi ‘‘(2) ADMINISTRATION OF SUBSCRIPTIONS.— views Baha’is, who number at least 300,000, were released in September 2017 and October The regulations prescribed to carry out sub- as ‘heretics’ and consequently they face re- 2017, respectively, upon the completion of their section (a)(4) shall include— pression on the grounds of apostasy.’’; sentences; ‘‘(A) provisions regarding notifications to (2) ‘‘Since 1979, authorities have killed or Whereas beginning in May 2011, officials of offices of Members of Congress and other of- executed more than 200 Baha’i leaders, and the Government of Iran in 4 cities conducted fices of the United States of the restrictions more than 10,000 have been dismissed from sweeping raids on the homes of dozens of in- of paragraph (1); government and university jobs.’’; and dividuals associated with the Baha’i Insti- ‘‘(B) provisions describing the process by (3) ‘‘Over the past 10 years, approximately tute for Higher Education (referred to in this which Members and other offices may re- 850 Baha’is have been arbitrarily arrested.’’; Resolution as ‘‘BIHE’’) and arrested and de- quest a specific issue of the Federal Register Whereas the Department of State 2015 tained several educators associated with for purposes of paragraph (1)(A); and International Religious Freedom Report BIHE, with 16 BIHE educators ultimately ‘‘(C) provisions describing the process by states— sentenced to 4- or 5-year prison terms, 7 of which Members and other offices may re- (1) religious minorities in Iran ‘‘continued whom remain in prison; quest a subscription to the Federal Register to face societal discrimination, especially Whereas scores of Baha’i cemeteries have for purposes of paragraph (1)(B), except that the Bahai community, which reported con- been attacked, and in 2014, Revolutionary such regulations shall limit the period for tinuing problems at different levels of soci- Guards began excavating a Baha’i cemetery such a subscription to not longer than 1 ety, including personal harassment.’’; in Shiraz, which is the site of 950 graves, and year.’’. (2) the Government of Iran ‘‘continued to built a cultural and sport center on the cem- (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment prohibit Bahais from officially assembling or etery site; made by subsection (a) shall take effect on maintaining administrative institutions, ac- Whereas the Baha’i International Commu- January 1, 2018. tively closed such institutions, harassed Ba- nity reported that there has been a recent Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I hais, and disregarded their property rights.’’; surge in anti-Baha’i hate propaganda in Ira- ask unanimous consent that the mo- (3) in Iran, ‘‘Bahai blood may be spilled nian state-sponsored media outlets, noting tion to reconsider be considered made with impunity, and Bahai families are not that— entitled to restitution’’ and ‘‘Bahais cannot (1) in 2010 and 2011, approximately 22 anti- and laid upon the table. Baha’i articles were appearing every month; The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without receive compensation for injury or crimes committed against them and cannot inherit (2) in 2014, the number of anti-Baha’i arti- objection, it is so ordered. property.’’; cles rose to approximately 400 per month; f (4) the Government of Iran ‘‘requires uni- and (3) by 2016, the number of anti-Baha’i arti- CONDEMNING THE GOVERNMENT versities to exclude Bahais from access to higher education or expel them if their reli- cles rose to approximately 1,500 per month; OF IRAN’S STATE-SPONSORED gious affiliation becomes known.’’; and Whereas there are currently 90 Baha’is in PERSECUTION OF ITS BAHA’I MI- (5) in Iran, ‘‘Bahais are banned from gov- prison in Iran; NORITY AND ITS CONTINUED ernment employment’’ and ‘‘[t]here were re- Whereas the Government of Iran is party VIOLATION OF THE INTER- ports of non-Bahais being pressured to refuse to the International Covenants on Human NATIONAL COVENANTS ON employment to Bahais or dismissing Bahais Rights and is in violation of its obligations HUMAN RIGHTS from their private sector jobs.’’; under such Covenants; Whereas, on June 8, 2016, the United Na- Whereas section 105 of the Comprehensive Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President I tions Special Rapporteur on the situation of Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divest- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran ment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8514) authorizes ate proceed to the immediate consider- and the United Nations Special Rapporteur the President to impose sanctions on individ- ation of Calendar No. 281, S. Res. 139. on freedom of religion or belief issued a joint uals ‘‘responsible for or complicit in, or re- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The statement condemning the ‘‘wave of incite- sponsible for ordering, controlling, or other- clerk will report the resolution by ment of hatred of the Baha’i community re- wise directing, the commission of serious title. flected in speeches made by religious, judici- human rights abuses against citizens of Iran The legislative clerk read as follows: ary and political officials in the Islamic Re- or their family members on or after June 12, public of Iran’’; 2009’’; and A resolution (S. Res. 139) condemning the Whereas, on September 6, 2016, the United Whereas the Iran Threat Reduction and Government of Iran’s state-sponsored perse- Nations Secretary-General issued a report on Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (Public Law cution of its Baha’i minority and its contin- the situation of human rights in the Islamic 112–158) amends and expands the authorities ued violation of the International Covenants Republic of Iran (A/71/374), which stated that established under the Comprehensive Iran on Human Rights. ‘‘human rights violations have continued at Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment There being no objection, the Senate an alarming rate’’; Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–195) to sanction proceeded to consider the resolution, Whereas, on December 17, 2016, the United Iranian human rights abusers: Now, there- which had been reported from the Com- Nations General Assembly adopted a resolu- fore, be it mittee on Foreign Relations, with an tion (A/RES/70/179), which ‘‘[e]xpresse[d] seri- Resolved, That the Senate— amendment and an amendment to the ous concern about ongoing severe limita- (1) condemns the Government of Iran’s tions and restrictions on the right to free- state-sponsored persecution of its Baha’i mi- preamble, as follows: dom of thought, conscience, religion or belief nority and its continued violation of the (The part of the resolution intended and restrictions on the establishment of International Covenants on Human Rights; to be deleted is shown in boldface places of worship, as well as attacks against (2) calls on the Government of Iran to im- brackets and the part of the resolution places of worship and burial, as well as other mediately release the ø7¿ 5 imprisoned

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.080 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8277 Baha’i leaders, the 7 imprisoned Baha’i edu- (4) the Government of Iran ‘‘requires uni- (3) by 2016, the number of anti-Baha’i arti- cators, and all other prisoners held solely on versities to exclude Bahais from access to cles rose to approximately 1,500 per month; account of their religion; higher education or expel them if their reli- Whereas there are currently 90 Baha’is in (3) calls on the President and the Secretary gious affiliation becomes known.’’; and prison in Iran; of State, in cooperation with responsible na- (5) in Iran, ‘‘Bahais are banned from gov- Whereas the Government of Iran is party tions, to immediately condemn the Govern- ernment employment’’ and ‘‘[t]here were re- to the International Covenants on Human ment of Iran’s continued violation of human ports of non-Bahais being pressured to refuse Rights and is in violation of its obligations rights and demand the immediate release of employment to Bahais or dismissing Bahais under such Covenants; prisoners held solely on account of their reli- from their private sector jobs.’’; Whereas section 105 of the Comprehensive gion; and Whereas, on June 8, 2016, the United Na- Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divest- (4) urges the President and the Secretary tions Special Rapporteur on the situation of ment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8514) authorizes of State to utilize available authorities to human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran the President to impose sanctions on individ- impose sanctions on officials of the Govern- and the United Nations Special Rapporteur uals ‘‘responsible for or complicit in, or re- ment of Iran and other individuals directly on freedom of religion or belief issued a joint sponsible for ordering, controlling, or other- responsible for serious human rights abuses, statement condemning the ‘‘wave of incite- wise directing, the commission of serious including abuses against the Baha’i commu- ment of hatred of the Baha’i community re- human rights abuses against citizens of Iran nity of Iran. flected in speeches made by religious, judici- or their family members on or after June 12, ary and political officials in the Islamic Re- Mr. MCCONNELL. I further ask 2009’’; and public of Iran’’; Whereas the Iran Threat Reduction and unanimous consent that the com- Whereas, on September 6, 2016, the United mittee-reported amendment to the res- Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (Public Law Nations Secretary-General issued a report on 112–158) amends and expands the authorities olution be agreed to, the resolution, as the situation of human rights in the Islamic established under the Comprehensive Iran amended, be agreed to, the committee- Republic of Iran (A/71/374), which stated that Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment reported amendment to the preamble ‘‘human rights violations have continued at Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–195) to sanction be agreed to, the preamble, as amend- an alarming rate’’; Iranian human rights abusers: Now, there- Whereas, on December 17, 2016, the United fore, be it ed, be agreed to, and the motions to re- Nations General Assembly adopted a resolu- consider be considered made and laid Resolved, That the Senate— tion (A/RES/70/179), which ‘‘[e]xpresse[d] seri- (1) condemns the Government of Iran’s upon the table with no intervening ac- ous concern about ongoing severe limita- state-sponsored persecution of its Baha’i mi- tion or debate. tions and restrictions on the right to free- nority and its continued violation of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without dom of thought, conscience, religion or belief International Covenants on Human Rights; objection, it is so ordered. and restrictions on the establishment of (2) calls on the Government of Iran to im- The committee-reported amendment places of worship, as well as attacks against mediately release the 5 imprisoned Baha’i was agreed to. places of worship and burial, as well as other leaders, the 7 imprisoned Baha’i educators, The resolution (S. Res. 139), as human rights violations, including but not and all other prisoners held solely on ac- amended, was agreed to. limited to harassment, persecution and in- count of their religion; The committee-reported amendment citement to hatred that lead to violence (3) calls on the President and the Secretary against persons belonging to recognized and of State, in cooperation with responsible na- to the preamble was agreed to. unrecognized religious minorities, including The preamble, as amended, was tions, to immediately condemn the Govern- Christians, Jews, Sufi Muslims, Sunni Mus- ment of Iran’s continued violation of human agreed to. lims, Zoroastrians and members of the rights and demand the immediate release of The resolution, as amended, with its Baha’i Faith and their defenders’’; prisoners held solely on account of their reli- preamble, as amended, reads as follows: Whereas since May 2008, the Government of gion; and S. RES. 139 Iran has imprisoned the 7 members of the (4) urges the President and the Secretary Whereas in 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1993, former ad hoc leadership group of the Baha’i of State to utilize available authorities to 1994, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, community in Iran, known as the Yaran-i- impose sanctions on officials of the Govern- 2015, and 2016, Congress declared that it de- Iran, or ‘‘friends of Iran’’—Mrs. Fariba ment of Iran and other individuals directly plored the religious persecution by the Gov- Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. responsible for serious human rights abuses, ernment of Iran of the Baha’i community Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz including abuses against the Baha’i commu- and would hold the Government of Iran re- Tavakkoli, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, and Mr. nity of Iran. sponsible for upholding the rights of all Ira- Vahid Tizfahm—and these individuals were f nian nationals, including members of the convicted of charges including ‘‘spying for Baha’i Faith; Israel, insulting religious sanctities, propa- CEILING FAN ENERGY CONSERVA- Whereas the United States Commission on ganda against the regime and spreading cor- TION HARMONIZATION ACT ruption on earth’’ and sentenced to 20-year International Religious Freedom 2016 Annual Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Report states— prison terms, the longest sentences given to any prisoner of conscience in Iran at that ask unanimous consent that the Com- (1) ‘‘The Baha’i community, the largest mittee on Energy and Natural Re- non-Muslim religious minority in Iran, long time, now reportedly reduced to 10 years, has been subject to particularly severe reli- and Mrs. Sabet and Mrs. Kamalabadi were sources be discharged from further con- gious freedom violations. The government released in September 2017 and October 2017, sideration of S. 2030 and the Senate views Baha’is, who number at least 300,000, respectively, upon the completion of their proceed to its immediate consider- as ‘heretics’ and consequently they face re- sentences; ation. pression on the grounds of apostasy.’’; Whereas beginning in May 2011, officials of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without (2) ‘‘Since 1979, authorities have killed or the Government of Iran in 4 cities conducted objection, it is so ordered. executed more than 200 Baha’i leaders, and sweeping raids on the homes of dozens of in- The clerk will report the bill by title. more than 10,000 have been dismissed from dividuals associated with the Baha’i Insti- The legislative clerk read as follows: government and university jobs.’’; and tute for Higher Education (referred to in this A bill (S. 2030) to deem the compliance date (3) ‘‘Over the past 10 years, approximately Resolution as ‘‘BIHE’’) and arrested and de- for amended energy conservation standards 850 Baha’is have been arbitrarily arrested.’’; tained several educators associated with for ceiling fan light kits to be January 21, Whereas the Department of State 2015 BIHE, with 16 BIHE educators ultimately 2020, and for other purposes. International Religious Freedom Report sentenced to 4- or 5-year prison terms, 7 of states— whom remain in prison; There being no objection, the Senate (1) religious minorities in Iran ‘‘continued Whereas scores of Baha’i cemeteries have proceeded to consider the bill. to face societal discrimination, especially been attacked, and in 2014, Revolutionary Mr. MCCONNELL. I ask unanimous the Bahai community, which reported con- Guards began excavating a Baha’i cemetery consent that the bill be considered read tinuing problems at different levels of soci- in Shiraz, which is the site of 950 graves, and a third time and passed and the motion ety, including personal harassment.’’; built a cultural and sport center on the cem- to reconsider be considered made and (2) the Government of Iran ‘‘continued to etery site; laid upon the table. prohibit Bahais from officially assembling or Whereas the Baha’i International Commu- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without maintaining administrative institutions, ac- nity reported that there has been a recent objection, it is so ordered. tively closed such institutions, harassed Ba- surge in anti-Baha’i hate propaganda in Ira- The bill (S. 2030) was ordered to be hais, and disregarded their property rights.’’; nian state-sponsored media outlets, noting engrossed for a third reading, was read (3) in Iran, ‘‘Bahai blood may be spilled that— with impunity, and Bahai families are not (1) in 2010 and 2011, approximately 22 anti- the third time, and passed, as follows: entitled to restitution’’ and ‘‘Bahais cannot Baha’i articles were appearing every month; S. 2030 receive compensation for injury or crimes (2) in 2014, the number of anti-Baha’i arti- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- committed against them and cannot inherit cles rose to approximately 400 per month; resentatives of the United States of America in property.’’; and Congress assembled,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.074 S21DEPT1 S8278 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. The legislative clerk read as follows: structive sleep apnea, nonalcoholic fatty This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Ceiling Fan A resolution (S. Res. 336) recognizing the liver disease, and endometrial cancer at a Energy Conservation Harmonization Act’’. seriousness of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome young adult age; SEC. 2. COMPLIANCE DATE FOR AMENDED EN- and expressing support for the designation of Whereas PCOS is the most common cause ERGY CONSERVATION STANDARDS the month of September 2018 as ‘‘Polycystic of female infertility; FOR CEILING FAN LIGHT KITS. Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month.’’ Whereas PCOS in pregnancy is associated (a) IN GENERAL.—The compliance date for with increased risk of gestational diabetes, the amended energy conservation standards There being no objection, the Senate preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced hyper- established for ceiling fan light kits in the proceeded to consider the resolution. tension, preterm delivery, cesarean delivery, final rule entitled ‘‘Energy Conservation Mr. MCCONNELL. I further ask miscarriage, and fetal and infant death; Program: Energy Conservation Standards for unanimous consent that the amend- Whereas women with PCOS are at in- Ceiling Fan Light Kits’’ (81 Fed. Reg. 580 ment to the resolution, which is at the creased risk of developing high blood pres- (January 6, 2016)) is deemed to be January 21, desk, be agreed to, the resolution, as sure, high cholesterol, stroke, heart disease—the leading cause of death among 2020. amended, be agreed to, the amendment (b) CONFORMING CHANGES.—Not later than women—and have a 4 to 7 times higher risk 60 days after the date of enactment of this to the preamble, which is at the desk, of experiencing a heart attack compared to Act, the Secretary of Energy shall make be agreed to, the preamble, as amend- women of the same age who do not have such technical and conforming changes to ed, be agreed to, and the motions to re- PCOS; any regulation, guidance document, or pro- consider be considered made and laid Whereas women with PCOS have a more cedure as may be necessary to implement upon the table with no intervening ac- than 50 percent chance of developing type 2 subsection (a). tion or debate. diabetes or prediabetes before the age of 40; Whereas women with PCOS may be at a f The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without higher risk for breast cancer and ovarian EXTENDING THE PERIOD DURING objection, it is so ordered. cancer, and have a 3 times higher risk for de- WHICH VESSELS THAT ARE The amendment (No. 1866) was agreed veloping endometrial cancer, compared to SHORTER THAN 79 FEET IN to, as follows: women who do not have PCOS; LENGTH AND FISHING VESSELS (Purpose: To amend the resolving clause) Whereas many women in the United States ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE A On page 4, line 5, insert ‘‘and’’ after the with PCOS are overweight or have obesity; semicolon. Whereas an estimated 50 percent of women PERMIT FOR DISCHARGES INCI- with PCOS are undiagnosed, and many re- DENTAL TO THE NORMAL OPER- On page 4, strike lines 6 through 7. On page 4, line 8, strike ‘‘(D)’’ and insert main undiagnosed until they experience fer- ATION OF THE VESSEL ‘‘(C)’’. tility difficulties or develop type 2 diabetes Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I On page 4, line 15, strike ‘‘are afflicted or other cardiometabolic disorders; ask unanimous consent that the Sen- with PCOS;’’ and insert ‘‘have PCOS; and’’. Whereas the costs involved with the diag- On page 4, strike lines 16 through 19. nosis and management of PCOS to the ate proceed to the immediate consider- healthcare system of the United States is ation of S. 2273, introduced earlier On page 4, line 20, strike ‘‘(6)’’ and insert ‘‘(5)’’. over $4,300,000,000 per year during the repro- today. ductive years of patients, which does not in- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The The resolution (S. Res. 336), as clude the costs associated with treatment of clerk will report the bill by title. amended, was agreed to. comorbidities; The legislative clerk read as follows: The amendment (No. 1867) was agreed Whereas the cause of PCOS is unknown, to, as follows: A bill (S. 2273) to extend the period during but researchers have found strong links to which vessels that are shorter than 79 feet in (Purpose: To amend the preamble) significant insulin resistance, which affects length and fishing vessels are not required to In the seventh whereas clause of the pre- up to 70 percent of women with PCOS, and have a permit for discharges incidental to amble, strike ‘‘which’’ and insert ‘‘and’’. genetic predisposition; and the normal operation of the vessel. In the thirteenth whereas clause of the Whereas there is no known cure for PCOS: preamble, strike ‘‘up to 80 percent of’’ and Now, therefore, be it There being no objection, the Senate Resolved, That the Senate— insert ‘‘many’’. proceeded to consider the bill. In the fifteenth whereas clause of the pre- (1) recognizes the seriousness of Polycystic Mr. MCCONNELL. I ask unanimous amble, strike the semicolon at the end and Ovary Syndrome (referred to in this resolv- consent that the bill be considered read insert ‘‘, which does not include the costs as- ing clause as ‘‘PCOS’’); a third time and passed and the motion sociated with treatment of comorbidities;’’. (2) supports the goals of PCOS Awareness to reconsider be considered made and Strike the sixteenth whereas clause of the Month— preamble. (A) to increase awareness of, and education laid upon the table. about, PCOS among the general public, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The preamble, as amended, was women, girls, and healthcare professionals; objection, it is so ordered. agreed to. (B) to improve diagnosis and treatment of The bill (S. 2273) was ordered to be The resolution, as amended, with its PCOS; and engrossed for a third reading, was read preamble, as amended, reads as follows: (C) to improve the quality of life and outcomes for women and girls with PCOS; the third time, and passed, as follows: S. RES. 336 S. 2273 (3) recognizes the need for further research, Whereas Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (re- improved treatment and care options, and a Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- ferred to in this preamble as ‘‘PCOS’’) is a cure for PCOS; resentatives of the United States of America in common health problem among women and (4) acknowledges the struggles affecting all Congress assembled, girls involving a hormonal imbalance; women and girls residing within the United SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF MORATORIUM. Whereas there is no universal definition of States who have PCOS; and Section 2(a) of Public Law 110–299 (33 PCOS, but researchers estimate that be- (5) encourages States, territories, and lo- U.S.C. 1342 note) is amended by striking ‘‘De- tween 5,000,000 and 10,000,000 women in the calities to support the goals of PCOS Aware- cember 18, 2017’’ and inserting ‘‘January 19, United States are affected by PCOS; ness Month. 2018’’. Whereas PCOS can affect women from the onset of puberty and throughout the remain- f f der of their lives; CONGRATULATING THE UNIVER- RECOGNIZING THE SERIOUSNESS Whereas the symptoms of PCOS include in- SITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI OF POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYN- fertility, irregular or absent menstrual peri- WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM FOR DROME ods, acne, weight gain, thinning scalp hair, excessive facial and body hair growth, nu- WINNING THE NATIONAL COLLE- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I merous small ovarian cysts, pelvic pain, and GIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION ask unanimous consent that the mental health problems; DIVISION II WOMEN’S SOCCER Health, Education, Labor, and Pen- Whereas women with PCOS have higher CHAMPIONSHIP sions Committee be discharged from rates of psychosocial disorders, including de- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I further consideration of S. Res. 336 and pression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and eat- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- ing disorders, and are at greater risk for sui- the Senate proceed to its immediate ate proceed to the immediate consider- consideration. cide; Whereas adolescents with PCOS often are ation of S. Res. 364, submitted earlier The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without not diagnosed; today. objection, it is so ordered. Whereas PCOS causes metabolic dysfunc- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The The clerk will report the resolution tion and insulin resistance, and can lead to clerk will report the resolution by by title. type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, ob- title.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE6.075 S21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8279 The legislative clerk read as follows: loved ones due to carbon monoxide poi- The legislative clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 364) congratulating soning. A bill (H.R. 2142) to improve the ability of the University of Central Missouri women’s With the help of Amanda’s spirit, I U.S. Customs and Border Protection to soccer team for winning the National Colle- will continue to fight for congressional interdict fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, giate Athletic Association Division II Wom- action to help prevent future tragedies. and other narcotics and psychoactive sub- en’s Soccer Championship at Swope Soccer Today I stand proud to be a Member of stances that are illegally imported into the United States, and for other purposes. Village in Kansas City, Missouri. a body that unanimously supports the There being no objection, the Senate adoption of National Carbon Monoxide There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution. Poisoning Awareness Week. proceeded to consider the bill. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Mr. MCCONNELL. I further ask Mr. MCCONNELL. I further ask further ask unanimous consent that unanimous consent that the resolution unanimous consent that the resolution the bill be considered read three times be agreed to, the preamble be agreed be agreed to, the preamble be agreed and passed and the motion to recon- to, and the motions to reconsider be to, and the motions to reconsider be sider be considered made and laid upon considered made and laid upon the considered made and laid upon the the table with no intervening action or table with no intervening action or de- table with no intervening action or debate. debate. bate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. objection, it is so ordered. objection, it is so ordered. The bill (H.R. 2142) was ordered to a The resolution (S. Res. 364) was The resolution (S. Res. 327) was agreed to. third reading, was read the third time, agreed to. and passed. The preamble was agreed to. The preamble was agreed to. f (The resolution, with its preamble, is (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Sub- printed in the RECORD of November 9, LAW ENFORCEMENT MENTAL mitted Resolutions.’’) 2017, under ‘‘Submitted Resolutions.’’) HEALTH AND WELLNESS ACT OF f f 2017 Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I NATIONAL CARBON MONOXIDE EPS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2017 POISONING AWARENESS WEEK ask unanimous consent that the Judi- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ciary Committee be discharged from Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Com- ask unanimous consent that the Com- further consideration of H.R. 2228 and mittee on Energy and Natural Re- mittee on the Judiciary be discharged the Senate proceed to its immediate sources be discharged from further con- from further consideration of S. Res. consideration. sideration of and the Senate proceed to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 327 and the Senate proceed to its imme- the immediate consideration of H.R. objection, it is so ordered. diate consideration. 518. The clerk will report the bill by title. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The legislative clerk read as follows: objection, it is so ordered. objection, it is so ordered. A bill (H.R. 2228) to provide support for law The clerk will report the resolution The clerk will report the bill by title. enforcement agency efforts to protect the by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: mental health and well-being of law enforce- The legislative clerk read as follows: ment officers, and for other purposes. A bill (H.R. 518) to amend the Energy Pol- A resolution (S. Res. 327) designating the icy and Conservation Act to exclude power There being no objection, the Senate week of November 5 through 12, 2017, as ‘‘Na- supply circuits, drivers, and devices designed proceeded to consider the bill. tional Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Aware- to be connected to, and power, light-emitting Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ness Week.’’ diodes or organic light-emitting diodes pro- further ask unanimous consent that There being no objection, the Senate viding illumination from energy conserva- the bill be read a third time and passed proceeded to consider the resolution. tion standards for external power supplies, and the motion to reconsider be consid- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, today and for other purposes. ered made and laid upon the table with we are adopting S. Res. 327, the Na- There being no objection, the Senate no intervening action or debate. tional Carbon Monoxide Poisoning proceeded to consider the bill. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Awareness Week resolution. In 2015 I Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I objection, it is so ordered. sponsored a similar resolution, Na- ask unanimous consent that the bill be The bill (H.R. 2228) was ordered to a tional Carbon Monoxide Poisoning considered read a third time. third reading, was read the third time, Awareness Month, which was inspired The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without and passed. by the story and memory of Amanda objection, it is so ordered. f Hansen. Ms. Hansen was a 16-year-old, The bill was ordered to a third read- CONNECTED GOVERNMENT ACT living in West Seneca, NY, when she ing and was read the third time. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I tragically lost her life to carbon mon- Mr. MCCONNELL. I know of no fur- oxide poisoning while attending a ther debate on the bill. ask unanimous consent that the Sen- sleepover at a friend’s home. Her heart- The PRESIDING OFFICER. There ate proceed to the immediate consider- breaking story focused attention on being no further debate, the bill having ation of H.R. 2331, which was received this issue and spurred action to pre- been read the third time, the question from the House. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The vent future deaths from exposure to is, Shall the bill pass? clerk will report the bill by title. this deadly gas. As a long supporter of The bill (H.R. 518) was passed. The legislative clerk read as follows: this resolution, I believe that every Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I A bill (H.R. 2331) to require a new or up- home across our great Nation should ask unanimous consent that the mo- dated Federal website that is intended for have carbon monoxide alarms installed tion to reconsider be considered made use by the public to be mobile friendly, and that can detect and prevent carbon and laid upon the table. for other purposes. monoxide poisoning, a silent and odor- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without There being no objection, the Senate less killer. By bringing awareness to objection, it is so ordered. proceeded to consider the bill. carbon monoxide poisoning and re- f Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I minding our fellow Americans to dili- ask unanimous consent that the bill be INTERDICT ACT gently check their home-detection sys- considered read a third time and passed tems, Americans can take the nec- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I and the motion to reconsider be consid- essary actions to ensure the safety of ask unanimous consent that the Sen- ered made and laid upon the table. their loved ones. ate proceed to the immediate consider- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without I again send my deepest condolences ation of H.R. 2142, which was received objection, it is so ordered. to the Hansen family for their loss and from the House and is at the desk. The bill (H.R. 2331) was ordered to a to the many American families who The PRESIDING OFFICER. The third reading, was read the third time, have suffered from the passing of their clerk will report the bill by title. and passed.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:29 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00093 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21DE6.121 S21DEPT1 S8280 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 21, 2017 UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINIS- and the Senate Committee on Finance, OF PENNSYLVANIA FOR THE TERM OF FOUR YEARS, VICE ZANE DAVID MEMEGER, RESIGNED. TRATION, AFG, AND SAFER PRO- the reappointment of the following in- BILLY J. WILLIAMS, OF OREGON, TO BE UNITED GRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT dividual to serve as a member of the STATES ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF OREGON FOR THE TERM OF FOUR YEARS, VICE S. AMANDA MARSHALL, OF 2017 United States-China Economic Secu- RESIGNED rity Review Commission: the Honor- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I f able Carte P. Goodwin of West Vir- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- DISCHARGED NOMINATIONS ate proceed to the immediate consider- ginia, for a term beginning January 1, ation of H.R. 4661, which was received 2018 and expiring December 31, 2019. The Senate Committee on Environ- from the House. f ment and Public Works was discharged The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ORDERS FOR SATURDAY, DECEM- from further consideration of the fol- clerk will report the bill by title. BER 23, 2017, THROUGH WEDNES- lowing nominations by unanimous con- The legislative clerk read as follows: DAY, JANUARY 3, 2018 sent and the nominations were confirmed: A bill (H.R. 4661) to reauthorize the United Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I States Fire Administration, the Assistance ask unanimous consent that when the KENNETH E. ALLEN, OF KENTUCKY, TO BE A MEMBER to Firefighters Grants program, the Fire OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TENNESSEE VAL- Senate completes its business today, it LEY AUTHORITY FOR A TERM EXPIRING MAY 18, 2021. Prevention and Safety Grants program, and A. D. FRAZIER, OF GEORGIA, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emer- adjourn, to then reconvene for pro BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AU- forma sessions only, with no business THORITY FOR A TERM EXPIRING MAY 18, 2022. gency Response grant program, and for other JEFFREY SMITH, OF TENNESSEE, TO BE A MEMBER OF purposes. being conducted, on the following dates THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY and times, and that following each pro AUTHORITY FOR A TERM EXPIRING MAY 18, 2022. There being no objection, the Senate JAMES R. THOMPSON III, OF ALABAMA, TO BE A MEM- proceeded to consider the bill. forma session, the Senate adjourn until BER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TENNESSEE the next pro forma session: Saturday, VALLEY AUTHORITY FOR A TERM EXPIRING MAY 18, 2021. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I December 23, at 11 a.m.; Wednesday, CHRISTOPHER CALDWELL, OF ARKANSAS, TO BE FED- ask unanimous consent that the bill be ERAL COCHAIRPERSON, DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY. December 27, at 10 a.m.; Friday, De- considered read a third time and passed f cember 29, at 11:30 a.m.; and Tuesday, and the motion to reconsider be consid- January 2, at 4 p.m. For the informa- CONFIRMATIONS ered made and laid upon the table. tion of all Senators, when the Senate The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Executive nominations confirmed by adjourns on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, objection, it is so ordered. the Senate December 21, 2017: it will next convene at 12 noon on Jan- The bill (H.R. 4661) was ordered to a DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES uary 3, pursuant to the Constitution. third reading, was read the third time, ROBERT CHARROW, OF MARYLAND, TO BE GENERAL Further, that following the prayer and and passed. COUNSEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN pledge, the morning hour be deemed SERVICES. f expired, the Journal of proceedings be DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MEASURE READ THE FIRST approved to date, and the time for the ROBERT P. STORCH, OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, two leaders be reserved for their use TO BE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL SECU- TIME—S. 2274 RITY AGENCY. later in the day; further, that following Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I leader remarks, the Senate be in a pe- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION understand there is a bill at the desk, riod of morning business, with Sen- HESTER MARIA PEIRCE, OF OHIO, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FOR A and I ask for its first reading. ators permitted to speak therein for up TERM EXPIRING JUNE 5, 2020. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The to 10 minutes each, until 5 p.m.; fi- ROBERT J. JACKSON, JR., OF NEW YORK, TO BE A MEM- BER OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION clerk will read the bill by title for the nally, that following morning business, FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TERM EXPIRING JUNE 5, first time. the Senate proceed to executive session 2019. The legislative clerk read as follows: to consider the Rood nomination, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR A bill (S. 2274) to provide for the compensa- under the previous order. KATHERINE BRUNETT MCGUIRE, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE tion of Federal employees affected by lapses The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF LABOR. in appropriations. objection, it is so ordered. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Mr. MCCONNELL. I now ask for a f second reading and, in order to place SUZANNE ISRAEL TUFTS, OF NEW YORK, TO BE AN AS- ORDER VITIATED—S. 1447 SISTANT SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVEL- the bill on the calendar under the pro- OPMENT. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I visions of rule XIV, I object to my own DEPARTMENT OF STATE request. ask unanimous consent that the order with respect to S. 1447 be vitiated. KENNETH J. BRAITHWAITE, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY tion is heard. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE KINGDOM objection, it is so ordered. OF NORWAY. The bill will be read for the second M. LEE MCCLENNY, OF WASHINGTON, A CAREER MEM- time on the next legislative day. f BER OF THE SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE, CLASS OF MIN- ISTER–COUNSELOR TO BE AMBASSADOR EXTRAOR- f ADJOURNMENT UNTIL SATURDAY, DINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES DECEMBER 23, 2017, AT 11 A.M. OF AMERICA TO THE REPUBLIC OF PARAGUAY. APPOINTMENTS UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL C Mr. M CONNELL. Mr. President, if DEVELOPMENT The PRESIDING OFFICER. The there is no further business to come be- BROCK D. BIERMAN, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE AN ASSISTANT Chair announces, on behalf of the ma- fore the Senate, I ask unanimous con- ADMINISTRATOR OF THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR jority Leader, pursuant to the provi- sent that it stand adjourned under the INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. sions of Public Law 106–398, as amended previous order. DEPARTMENT OF STATE by Public Law 108–7, and in consulta- There being no objection, the Senate, CHRISTOPHER ASHLEY FORD, OF MARYLAND, TO BE AN tion with the chairmen of the Senate at 10:02 p.m., adjourned until Saturday, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE (INTERNATIONAL SE- Committee on Armed Services and the December 23, 2017, at 11 a.m. CURITY AND NON–PROLIFERATION). DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Senate Committee on Finance, the re- f appointment of the following indi- TIMOTHY R. PETTY, OF INDIANA, TO BE AN ASSISTANT NOMINATIONS SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. vidual to serve as a member of the DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY United States-China Economic Secu- Executive nominations received by the Senate: LINDA CAPUANO, OF TEXAS, TO BE ADMINISTRATOR OF rity Review Commission: James M. THE ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION. THE JUDICIARY Talent of Missouri, for a term expiring DEPARTMENT OF LABOR December 31, 2019. WILLIAM F. JUNG, OF FLORIDA, TO BE UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLOR- KATE S. O’SCANNLAIN, OF MARYLAND, TO BE SOLIC- The Chair announces, on behalf of IDA, VICE ANNE C. CONWAY, RETIRED. ITOR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. the Democratic leader, pursuant to the JILL AIKO OTAKE, OF HAWAII, TO BE UNITED STATES PRESTON RUTLEDGE, OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE DISTRICT OF HAWAII, VICE TO BE AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF LABOR. provisions of Public Law 106–398, as SUSAN OKI MOLLWAY, RETIRED. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION amended by Public Law 108–7, and in DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE consultation with the chairmen of the JOHNNY COLLETT, OF KENTUCKY, TO BE ASSISTANT WILLIAM M. MCSWAIN, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE SECRETARY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITA- Senate Committee on Armed Services UNITED STATES ATTORNEY FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT TIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY JOHN G. VONGLIS, OF NEW YORK, TO BE CHIEF FINAN- JON J. RYCHALSKI, OF MONTANA, TO BE CHIEF FINAN- CHRISTOPHER CALDWELL, OF ARKANSAS, TO BE FED- CIAL OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY. CIAL OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. ERAL COCHAIRPERSON, DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY. MORRIS K. UDALL AND STEWART L. UDALL DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY FOUNDATION DEVELOPMENT KENNETH E. ALLEN, OF KENTUCKY, TO BE A MEMBER TADD M. JOHNSON, OF MINNESOTA, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TENNESSEE VAL- LEONARD WOLFSON, OF CONNECTICUT, TO BE AN AS- OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MORRIS K. UDALL SISTANT SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVEL- AND STEWART L. UDALL FOUNDATION FOR A TERM EX- LEY AUTHORITY FOR A TERM EXPIRING MAY 18, 2021. OPMENT. PIRING OCTOBER 6, 2022. A. D. FRAZIER, OF GEORGIA, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE IRVING DENNIS, OF OHIO, TO BE CHIEF FINANCIAL OF- LISA JOHNSON–BILLY, OF OKLAHOMA, TO BE A MEM- BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AU- FICER, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOP- BER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MORRIS K. THORITY FOR A TERM EXPIRING MAY 18, 2022. MENT. UDALL AND STEWART L. UDALL FOUNDATION FOR A JEFFREY SMITH, OF TENNESSEE, TO BE A MEMBER OF TERM EXPIRING AUGUST 25, 2018. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LISA JOHNSON–BILLY, OF OKLAHOMA, TO BE A MEM- AUTHORITY FOR A TERM EXPIRING MAY 18, 2022. BER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MORRIS K. JAMES R. THOMPSON III, OF ALABAMA, TO BE A MEM- DOUGLAS WEBSTER, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE CHIEF FINAN- UDALL AND STEWART L. UDALL FOUNDATION FOR A BER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TENNESSEE CIAL OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. TERM EXPIRING AUGUST 25, 2024. VALLEY AUTHORITY FOR A TERM EXPIRING MAY 18, 2021.

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