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June 22, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3737 (5) the designation of ‘‘All-Star’’ from MLB Senate completes its business today, it That has turned out to be fiction. Re- in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, adjourn until 4 p.m., Monday, June 26; publicans are going to keep telling 2013, and 2016; further, that following the prayer and Americans that they are fixing their (6) the Award from MLB in healthcare right up until the second it 2005; pledge, the morning hour be deemed (7) the Award from MLB expired, the Journal of proceedings be gets taken away. in 2011; approved to date, and the time for the This bill doubles down on the mean- (8) Ruth Award from MLB in 2013; two leaders be reserved for their use ness that even the President described and later in the day; finally, that following in the bill from the other body. The (9) the leader remarks, the Senate proceed to Senate Republican plan doesn’t fix the Award in 2013; executive session and resume consider- problems with people’s healthcare. It Whereas ’s ‘‘Why not us?’’ atti- ation of the Svinicki nomination. creates a bunch of new ones. tude in 2004 transformed the culture The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without After a day of pouring over this bill— of the city of Boston, the Commonwealth of objection, it is so ordered. and the Finance Committee Demo- Massachusetts, and ‘‘Red Sox Nation’’ from cratic staff has been looking at this in one of near misses to one of champions; f detail—I would like to lay out, as we Whereas David Ortiz founded the David ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT Ortiz Children’s Fund in 2007; close up this afternoon, some of the Whereas the David Ortiz Children’s Fund Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, if most devastating effects this bill will has provided millions of dollars of financial there is no further business to come be- have. assistance to more than 500 children for life- fore the Senate, I ask unanimous con- First, Senate Republicans are so saving surgeries; sent that it stand adjourned under the committed to slashing Medicaid that Whereas on June 11, 2008, David Ortiz was previous order, following the remarks their bill cuts it even deeper than the sworn in as a citizen of the United States House. Today, Medicaid comes with a along with 226 other immigrants at the John of Senator WYDEN. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without guarantee to the most vulnerable F. Kennedy Library in Dorchester, Massa- Americans and their families who walk chusetts; objection, it is so ordered. Whereas David Ortiz instilled hope and The Senator from Oregon. an economic tightrope every day. Today, if you get sick or suffer an in- pride in the city of Boston in the days fol- f lowing the bombings at the Boston Marathon jury, you will get the care you need. in 2013; HEALTHCARE LEGISLATION The Senate Republican plan ends that Whereas on April 20, 2013, David Ortiz gave Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, it has guarantee for good. It ends the Med- a rousing and inspirational speech after the been a rough day at the office for the icaid program as our country knows it Boston Marathon bombings, reminding Bos- Senate Republican healthcare plan, for good. ton and the country that ‘‘nobody is going to People shouldn’t be distracted by dictate our freedom’’; and my take is that it is going to be even tougher over the next few days. date changes or sweeteners for people Whereas David Ortiz comforted the victims already enrolled. This is a radical plan of the Boston Marathon bombings, visiting There will be a lot of Senate Demo- them in the hospital and giving them tickets crats home, meeting with folks in open plucked from the wish list of the far to games throughout the 2013 MLB season; meetings. We will see if any Senate Re- right, and it is cloaked in the com- Whereas the city of Boston has honored publicans have the courage to do that plicated language of inflation rates and David Ortiz for his impact on the city by as well. dollar figures. When you talk about naming a bridge and a street after him; Earlier this morning, the whole Sen- slashing Medicaid by hundreds of bil- Whereas the love and respect for David lions of dollars, you are not simply Ortiz felt by the city of Boston, the Com- ate had its first opportunity to look at this bill in the light of day. The debate talking about the lingo of healthcare monwealth of Massachusetts, and Red Sox policymakers, like bending the cost Nation is unparalleled; and that unfolded on the floor made it clear Whereas David Ortiz played his final MLB that our colleagues are committed to a curve. You are talking about people’s game on October 10, 2016: Now, therefore, be partisan scheme to jam this bill lives. Medicaid helps to pick up the bill for it through at any cost. There isn’t going two out of three seniors in America’s Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- to be a full debate. There isn’t going to resentatives concurring), That Congress— nursing homes. These are the people be any bipartisan input. (1) honors the legendary career of David who have done everything right. They If you read through the fine print in Ame´rico Ortiz Arias, whose character, lead- are our older parents, our grand- this destructive proposal, as the Amer- ership, and selflessness have helped define mothers, our grandfathers. They ican people have had the chance to do the identity of the city of Boston, the Com- scrimped, they saved, and they worked monwealth of Massachusetts, and all of Red over the last several hours, it becomes Sox Nation; and hard. But it is pretty clear: It is really clear why my colleagues on the other expensive to grow old in America. So (2) wishes David Ortiz a fulfilling retire- side have kept this bill hidden and ment as he bids farewell to the baseball dia- Medicaid is there to support them and want to jam it through as quickly as cover the cost of nursing home care mond. possible. f when savings out. This proposal is stunning in its same- The Senate Republican plan slashes PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR ness to the cruel House bill that the Medicaid so deeply that States are Ms. WARREN. Mr. President, I ask American people have rejected out- going to be forced to cut benefits, and unanimous consent that privileges of right—in fact, rejected, according to the guarantee of nursing home care the floor be granted to Stephanie polls, by really eye-popping numbers. will be in danger. This is one of the DeLuca of my staff and to her service So I want to begin by warning against greatest threats seniors have ever dog Carra. anybody’s buying into the sales job faced, and it is being imposed on them The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without that is inevitably going to unfold in by an act of Congress. objection, it is so ordered. the days ahead. This bill may change, I don’t make that statement lightly. Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I ask but Senate Republicans will only be My background is working with the unanimous consent that Kimberly putting lipstick on a devastating blow older people of Oregon and our country. Koops-Wrabek, Alexander Floyd, Jer- to the healthcare of the American peo- I was director of the Oregon Gray Pan- emy Jones, and Justin Abbasi be grant- ple. thers for 7 years and ran the legal aid ed floor privileges for the remainder of This is a plan to raise costs, slash office for the elderly before I was elect- the Congress. Medicaid, and cut millions of people off ed to Congress. I will say point-blank, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without of their healthcare to pay for tax having worked in this field now for objection, it is so ordered. breaks for the fortunate few. more than three decades, that this is f My colleagues on the other side have an extraordinary threat to the well- spent the last month telling every re- being of the Nation’s older people, who ORDERS FOR MONDAY, JUNE 26, porter and constituent who would lis- shouldn’t have to worry about winding 2017 ten that they were throwing out the up living in squalor or on the street. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I House bill and they would be starting Families shouldn’t have to worry ask unanimous consent that when the anew with a fresher and kinder bill. about where they will find the money

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:07 Jun 23, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22JN6.029 S22JNPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S3738 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 22, 2017 to cover the cost of a nursing home. practice of price-gouging women just cause it is based on a complete mis- That is $90,000 a year—$90,000 a year, on because of their gender, but the Repub- understanding of the opioid crisis, and average, for nursing home care. Inde- lican plan takes the side of the big in- it is not going to work. pendence, safety, and a reasonably surance companies in this debate. The opioid epidemic is a public comfortable old age should not become On a fundamental level, this plan health crisis, and fighting it means a privilege reserved just for the says that health insurance in America making sure people can get the wealthy in our country. ought to be based on what men need healthcare they need. That means Second, the age tax in the Senate Re- and what women need ought to cost treating substance abuse disorders the publican bill is going to older extra. Services like maternity care same way you treat other diseases. Our Americans between 55 and 64 like a would be an add-on item, and that country doesn’t pay for heart surgery wrecking ball. They are going to be means women are going to face higher through grant programs. We don’t pay forced to pay several times as much as costs just because they are women. for chemotherapy through congres- a younger person for health insurance. Fifth, this proposal attacks Planned sional appropriations. If you are sick You are going to see older people des- Parenthood and deprives hundreds of and you have healthcare coverage, you perately hoping and praying that they thousands of women of the right to see get the care you need. Anything less can hold on to their health until they the doctor of their choosing. when it comes to opioid addiction make it to 65 and enroll in Medicare. I I want to come back to what that treatment is going to fail. would like to hear somebody try to ex- really means. Women in America ought Finally, when you listen to that pa- plain what healthcare problem that is to be able to see the doctor of their rade of horribles—all the harm this bill fixing or why it is a good approach to choice, the doctor they trust, the doc- is going to do to generations of Ameri- healthcare policy. tor, in their own judgment, is the best cans across the country—you have to Third, Senate Republicans have now doctor for them. This provision keeps wonder why my colleagues on the other cooked up a scheme to decimate the them from doing that. Never mind that side would push this bill forward. value of middle-class tax cuts for there is already an air-tight ban on People have been asking me this all healthcare and send deductibles into taxpayer dollars funding abortions. day. There is a simple answer for it. the stratosphere. Here is how that is Never mind that Planned Parenthood This bill takes healthcare away from going to work. A whole lot of families doesn’t get a dime of Federal millions of Americans and raises costs in the middle class are going to lose funding above what is available to for millions more for one reason—to their tax benefits outright. other Medicaid providers. Never mind give tax breaks to the fortunate few in As the ranking member on the Sen- that Planned Parenthood is where mil- America. This isn’t a debate about two ate Finance Committee that has juris- lions of women get routine medical competing visions of healthcare—one diction over tax policy, I have seen care from doctors they know and liberal and one conservative. One side that. Then, as if that is not enough trust—services such as basic checkups, in this debate wants to protect Ameri- harm, this plan cheapens the value of cancer screenings, preventive care, HIV cans’ healthcare coverage, make sure the tax benefits that were created tests. The Senate Republican bill con- they can go to the doctors they trust under the Affordable Care Act. It is a tinues this ideological crusade against and afford the medical care they need. scheme to force people into bargain Planned Parenthood, and it is going to The other side in this debate has a plan basement insurance plans with sky- cost women across this country the to take away healthcare coverage and high deductibles. It also risks kicking right that I see as so fundamental—the raise the cost of care for the vulner- off a death spiral in States where the right of women to be able to choose to able, the middle class, families strug- private insurance markets are stable go to the doctor they trust. gling to get by—all to pay for tax and competitive today. Sixth, at a time when the opioid epi- breaks for the wealthiest few. This is Fourth, Republicans have twisted a demic is ripping apart communities an out-and-out attack on millions of part of the Affordable Care Act I wrote from one corner of this Nation to an- Americans’ health and well-being. to promote State innovation, and they other, this bill would be a devastating In the debate that played out on the are using it to give insurance compa- setback in the fight against opioid Senate floor this morning, it was sug- nies the power to run roughshod over abuse. No community has been spared gested several times that Democrats individual Americans. What we are from this crisis, and I would wager that turned down a chance to participate in talking about here is what are called virtually every Senator has come to the process. This is completely, en- section 1332 waivers. What was done in the floor at some point and spoken tirely 100 percent false. 2009, in the Senate Finance Com- about the impact it has had on their I am the ranking member of the com- mittee—it came out of my original bi- State. mittee that is responsible for partisan bill, the Healthy Americans By the way, it would be hard to for- healthcare. I have not once been asked Act—we told States that the Afford- get the parade of Presidential can- by a single Republican to work on this able Care Act was going to set a new didates in 2015 and 2016 that went bill or discuss fixes to the Affordable bar for insurance in terms of coverage through State after State claiming Care Act. I was stunned this morning and affordability. We said to the they had the very best plan to end the when I heard the Democrats had been States—the laboratories of democ- opioid crisis, but now the Senate Re- given an offer to work on these fixes; racy—if you believe you can do even publican healthcare bill makes the cri- that Democrats aren’t interested in better, you can get a waiver so you can sis worse. being bipartisan. go test an innovative, new approach. Medicaid is the only lifeline that I have made the center of my time in We did build in protections, basic pro- thousands and thousands of people public service working in a bipartisan tections, so people would get decent across America have in their struggle way on healthcare. I have written coverage, and their lives would be pro- to try to put their lives back together healthcare legislation that has been tected. after falling victim to opioids. For signed into law that has been bipar- The Republican plan wipes those pro- thousands and thousands of people, tisan. It was based on principles that tections out, wipes out the consumer over the last few years, the treatment both sides of the aisle could agree on. protections. It tells States: OK. If you they have gotten through Medicaid has Certainly, if there had been any inter- want to do worse, go right ahead. In been their escape, their path out of a est in a process that would actually fact, the Senate Republican plan offers downward spiral that too often leads to give both sides the opportunity to do States a bribe to end basic health pro- heroin abuse and overdose deaths. The the kind of give-and-take that you do tections and lower the bar for insur- Republican plan takes this lifeline with a bill—not through this partisan ance. You will see insurance companies away. ‘‘my way or the highway’’ reconcili- given a green light to cut essential Some on the other side have proposed ation—I would have been very inter- benefits out of the plans they sell on creating a separate pool of money, a ested in it, and I know Senate Finance the open market. separate slush fund to replace the loss Democrats would have been very inter- For example, take maternity care. of treatment through Medicaid. In my ested in it. That wasn’t on offer. The The Affordable Care Act banned the view, this is a very serious mistake be- claim the Democrats have refused to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:24 Jun 23, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G22JN6.056 S22JNPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE June 22, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3739 work in a bipartisan way is fiction, a ADJOURNMENT UNTIL MONDAY, To be brigadier general gross fiction. JUNE 26, 2017, AT 4 P.M. COL. JOHN P. LAWLOR, JR. THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT It is clear now that the only way to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADE INDI- bring this partisan process to a halt is ate stands adjourned until 4 p.m. on CATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: for Americans to stand up and speak Monday. To be brigadier general out. I am going to close with two Thereupon, the Senate, at 6 p.m., ad- COL. DION B. MOTEN points. Ever since those Gray Panther journed until Monday, June 26, 2017, at THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADE INDI- days, I have always thought healthcare 4 p.m. CATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: was the most important issue because f To be brigadier general if Americans and their loved ones don’t NOMINATIONS COL. BOWLMAN T. BOWLES III have their health, then pretty much IN THE NAVY everything goes by the board. You Executive nominations received by THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT can’t go to the game. You can’t spend the Senate: IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY RESERVE TO THE GRADE time with family. It is hard to do much IN THE ARMY INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: of anything. THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT To be rear admiral IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED REAR ADM. (LH) DANIEL J. MACDONNELL It is very clear that healthcare, as a WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601: THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT result of this proposal for millions of IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY RESERVE TO THE GRADE Americans and for our country, is To be lieutenant general INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: going to be at risk. What is at risk is LT. GEN. WILLIAM C. MAYVILLE, JR. To be rear admiral the prospect that the Senate will turn THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT REAR ADM. (LH) DANIEL B. HENDRICKSON IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED REAR ADM. (LH) THOMAS W. MAROTTA back the clock to the days when WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND REAR ADM. (LH) MATTHEW A. ZIRKLE RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601 healthcare was basically for the AND FOR APPOINTMENT AS A SENIOR MEMBER OF THE THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT healthy and wealthy. We shouldn’t go MILITARY STAFF COMMITTEE OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY RESERVE TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: there. UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 711: To be lieutenant general To be rear admiral (lower half) In the past, Democrats and Repub- MAJ. GEN. RICHARD D. CLARKE CAPT. JACQUELYN MCCLELLAND licans have agreed we shouldn’t go THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT there. With the bill I wrote—seven f IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY RESERVE TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: Democratic Senators, seven Repub- CONFIRMATIONS To be rear admiral (lower half) lican Senators—that was the center- Executive nominations confirmed by piece of it. By the way, several Senate CAPT. JAMES M. BUTLER the Senate June 22, 2017: THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT Republicans who are here in this body IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY RESERVE TO THE GRADE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY were cosponsors of that legislation. We INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: MARSHALL BILLINGSLEA, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE ASSIST- To be rear admiral (lower half) shouldn’t go back to those days when ANT SECRETARY FOR TERRORIST FINANCING, DEPART- healthcare was basically for the MENT OF THE TREASURY. CAPT. EUGENE A. BURCHER CAPT. RODNEY P. DEWALT healthy and wealthy. IN THE ARMY CAPT. JOEY B. DODGEN CAPT. ANDREW J. MUELLER For all those who are paying atten- THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY MEDICAL CORPS TO THE CAPT. RICHARD A. RODRIGUEZ tion to these proceedings, my view is, GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 624 THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT AND 3064: IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY RESERVE TO THE GRADE the only way you are going to end a INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: To be major general partisan process and make policy the To be rear admiral way it ought to be made is not through BRIG. GEN. RONALD J. PLACE REAR ADM. (LH) KEITH M. JONES something Washington lingo calls rec- IN THE NAVY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT onciliation—it is just partisan—but THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO THE GRADE INDICATED through the give-and-take of Demo- IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: crats and Republicans finding good To be rear admiral To be rear admiral (lower half) ideas that the other side can agree on. REAR ADM. (LH) BRET C. BATCHELDER CAPT. WILLIAM C. GREENE The only way we are going to do that IN THE AIR FORCE THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT is for Americans to stand up and speak IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO THE GRADE INDICATED THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT out. UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE TO THE GRADE INDI- CATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: To be rear admiral (lower half) Political change does not start in To be brigadier general CAPT. WILLIAM S. DILLON government buildings and then trickle COL. DEANNA M. BURT THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT down to the people. It is not trickle- IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE ARMY down. It is almost always bottom-up, UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: THE FOLLOWING NAMED ARMY NATIONAL GUARD OF starting from communities where we To be rear admiral (lower half) THE UNITED STATES OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED are going to hear people speaking out CAPT. KARL O. THOMAS UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 12203 AND 12211: over the next few days. IN THE AIR FORCE To be major general THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT I am going to close by way of saying BRIG. GEN. STEPHEN R. HOGAN IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE TO THE GRADE INDI- that over the next few days, this is one CATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE THE FOLLOWING NAMED ARMY NATIONAL GUARD OF of the most important times for Ameri- AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION THE UNITED STATES OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN 601: THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED cans to make their voices heard. As we UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 12203 AND 12211: To be lieutenant general wrap up the first day of actually seeing To be major general MAJ. GEN. JAY B. SILVERIA what the draft Republican proposal is BRIG. GEN. JANSON D. BOYLES all about, I hope Americans will weigh IN THE NAVY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT in, that we will see that grassroots jug- THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADES INDI- CATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: gernaut develop, and we will defeat a IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: To be major general partisan plan and set about the task of To be rear admiral (lower half) doing healthcare policy again in a bi- BRIG. GEN. STEVEN W. AINSWORTH CAPT. SAMUEL J. PAPARO, JR. BRIG. GEN. BRUCE E. HACKETT partisan way—where you find common BRIG. GEN. MICHAEL C. O’GUINN THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT BRIG. GEN. MIYAKO N. SCHANELY ground that is sustainable rather than IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO THE GRADE INDICATED just a partisan approach, which con- UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: To be brigadier general tinues the gridlock and the polariza- To be rear admiral (lower half) COL. JOHN W. AARSEN COL. KRIS A. BELANGER tion on an issue that is the most im- CAPT. GREGORY N. HARRIS COL. DOUGLAS A. CHERRY portant issue of our time. IN THE ARMY COL. ELLEN S. CLARK COL. ROBERT S. COOLEY, JR. I yield the floor. I believe there are THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT COL. DIANNE M. DEL ROSSO IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADE INDI- COL. WILLIAM B. DYER III no other speakers. CATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: COL. JOSEPH A. EDWARDS II

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