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Home , Alyssa Mastromonaco, Bernadine Healy, Daniel Akaka, Jeanne Lambrew, Kelly Ayotte, Mike Enzi

December 7, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6769 don’t ask, don’t tell. He signed Execu- streak of private sector job growth from the House came over in the midst tive orders protecting LGBT workers. ever. We have the lowest unemploy- of all their work. I love them. I have Americans are now free to marry the ment rate in nearly a decade. enjoyed working with them. person they love, regardless of their After 8 years of President Obama, we I look around this Chamber, and I re- gender. are now as a country on a sustainable alize the reason I am able to actually As Commander in Chief, President path to fight and grow leave is because I know each of you and Obama brought bin Laden to justice. renewable energy sources. We are more your passion to make life better for These are just a few aspects of Presi- respected around the world. We reached people, and that is what it is all about. dent Obama’s storied legacy, and it is international agreements to curb cli- When I decided not to run for reelec- still growing—what a record. It is a mate change, stop Iran from obtaining tion, you know how the press always legacy of which he should be satisfied. a nuclear weapon, and we are on the follows you around. They said: ‘‘Is this America is better because of this good path to normalizing relations with our bittersweet for you?’’ man being 8 years in the . neighbor Cuba. My answer was forthcoming: ‘‘No I am even more impressed by who he Our country has made significant way is it bitter. In every way it is is as a person than who he is as Presi- strides in nearly every way. There is no sweet.’’ dent. He is a man of integrity and hon- doubt that the is better Why do I feel that way? It is because esty. I have learned so much from him. now than we were 8 years ago, and we this has been a dream, to be in a pro- I have never heard deni- have Barack Obama to thank for that. fession that I think is noble, no matter grate anyone, ever. There have been Thank you, President Obama, for how beaten up it gets, for 40 years—for times he could have. Perhaps, I being the person you are. more than half my life—and I was able to do every day what I always wanted thought a negative word should have f been said and I suggested that to him, to do, which is simply to make life bet- but he would never take it. No, he RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME ter for people. I didn’t always succeed. wouldn’t do that. That is Barack The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under Were there frustrations? Yes. Were Obama. the previous order, the leadership time there disappointments? Yes. Were Above all, I admire the attention he is reserved. there defeats? Yes, many, but every has given his family. He may be Presi- morning when I woke up, I knew I had f dent of the United States, but nothing a chance to do something good. gets in the way of his family. He is a TSUNAMI WARNING, EDUCATION, As a first generation American on terrific husband to Michelle and an AND RESEARCH ACT OF 2015 my mother’s side, and, most particu- outstanding father to Sasha and Malia. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under larly, as a woman, I never in my He arrives home for dinner with his the previous order, the Senate will re- wildest dreams imagined that I could family virtually every night he is in sume consideration of the House mes- be in the U.S. Senate. It was an uphill . He goes to their plays and sage to accompany H.R. 34, which the battle, and I know I speak for a lot of games. President or not, he is a hus- clerk will report. people sitting right here who know band and a father. The senior assistant legislative clerk what I am talking about. His devotion extends to his staff as read as follows: When I first ran for the Marin Coun- well, and he has had a terrific staff ty Board of Supervisors in 1972, it was House message to accompany H.R. 34, an working for him. I can’t mention all of act to authorize and strengthen the tsunami a Republican landslide year. It was them, but I will mention his present detection, forecast, warning, research, and more than tough. I will never forget Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough. He mitigation program of the National Oceanic one woman I spoke with after knocking and I have a very close relationship. and Atmospheric Administration, and for on her door. I introduced myself and Close relationships come with a lot of other purposes. said, ‘‘Hi, I am Barbara Boxer. I am difficulty sometimes. It has been Pending: running for county supervisor.’’ tough, but we tried to work through it McConnell motion to concur in the amend- She greeted me by saying, ‘‘I never together. ment of the House to the amendment of the thought you would be so short.’’ Then, is one of the nicest people Senate to the bill. she said she wasn’t supporting me be- I have ever known. He also worked McConnell motion to concur in the amend- cause, quote, ‘‘You have four kids, and with the President very closely. He was ment of the House to the amendment of the you are going to neglect them if you his chief of staff as Senator, and, of Senate to the bill, with McConnell amend- are elected.’’ course, a chief adviser when he was in ment No. 5117, to change the enactment date. Well, never mind that this was a McConnell amendment No. 5118 (to amend- part-time job just a few minutes from the White House. ment No. 5117), of a perfecting nature. , now the leader of the house. Never mind that the man I Chicago, IL, was former Chief of Staff, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- was running against had a family and a and is currently mayor of Chicago. He ator from California. full-time job. Never mind that I actu- is a man known for his bluntness and FAREWELL TO THE SENATE ally had two kids, but she insisted. She his productivity as a Member of Con- Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, this said, ‘‘I know you have four kids be- gress and as Chief of Staff. is a moment for me that, I think it is cause I read it in the newspaper.’’ was former fair to say, I will never ever forget. I said, ‘‘Lady, when you give birth, Deputy Chief of Staff and I hope that I I am so honored. I am so honored to you never forget it, and I did it twice.’’ had something to do with the romance have members of my family here, staff Well, I lost that seat, but two things that wound up with her marrying my from past and present from both my helped get me through it. The first was chief of staff, David Krone. personal office and committee, extraor- an article by , who es- These are just a few of the incredible dinary colleagues whom I adore and sentially said women tend to take people I have had the pleasure of work- love, whom I worked with, fought with losses too personally. We have to un- ing with. They are all wonderful. and debated. I am so honored that Sen- derstand that we could be just a little Then there is President Obama’s Cab- ator MCCONNELL and Senator REID bit ahead of our time, and we can’t give inet—a Cabinet of quality. That in- have said really nice things about me. up. cludes my friend, Secretary of Interior I think, in Senator REID’s case, we go Second, my son Doug, only seven at Ken Salazar, a wonderful man and a back so long, and I will talk a little bit the time, ignored any attempts to terrific public servant, a man of sub- more about that. In Senator MCCON- cheer him up by saying, ‘‘Mom, can stance like no other ever known. NELL’s case, we didn’t talk for a long you make me a peanut butter and jelly After 8 years leading the country, time, and then we did get together and sandwich for lunch?’’ President Obama is leaving office on a we did some great work together. But I The point is that life goes on no mat- high point. When he first took office, think he was here just to make sure I ter how deep the disappointments. You our country was in an economic free am leaving. My leader over in the pick yourself up, and you keep fighting fall and hemorrhaging jobs. Now the House is here—. I will because this is your country. It is our country is experiencing the longest talk about her more. My colleagues country, and it is worth fighting for. I

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.013 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6770 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 7, 2016 ran again four years later and won. I the face of a crisis, never look away, I always say, ‘‘It is not important to was eager to get to work on issues such never back down, and never be afraid. be something; it is important to do as: In the case of AIDS, I got to work something.’’ Afterschool for kids. with the Chairman of the House Appro- If you choose my path and the path Protecting the natural beauty of my priations Committee, a southern gen- of many in this room, I want to be county. tleman. He had never heard of AIDS. clear: You will need mentors and you Ensuring that a child walking to He said to me: ‘‘If people are sick, then will need friends like two of mine— school would be safe. I put up so many we must help.’’ We got the first double- John Burton and BARBARA MIKULSKI. stop signs to protect kids that I soon digit Federal AIDS funding, and we es- John encouraged me to run for the became known as the ‘‘Stop Sign tablished an AIDS Task Force and House, where he had always been a Queen.’’ brought in people such as Elizabeth fighter for those without a voice. It was local government, and the Taylor and Elizabeth Glaser, and we BARBARA had been my friend in the world was changing. The Vietnam War fought back. We took it under our wing House and encouraged me to run for was raging. The women’s movement to solve this crisis—both adult AIDS the Senate. When I went to see her, she was ramping up. The oil companies and pediatric AIDS. said, very simply: ‘‘Go for it.’’ That wanted to drill off the pristine coast of By that time, I had an extraordinary and $40 million—that was good advice. California. Even from my position as a new partner in the House, NANCY And I did. Senator MIKULSKI is every- local county supervisor representing PELOSI. We immediately bonded. I was thing a Senator should be. She is intel- only 40,000 people, I was exposed to so impressed with her passion and her ligent, caring, always focused, and as these national issues that would soon energy. We remain the dearest of an added bonus, she can have you in require all of my attention. friends to this day. I am so proud of stitches. I am so grateful for her guid- Tip O’Neill, one of NANCY PELOSI’s her. NANCY has changed the face of pol- ance and, most important, her friend- great predecessors, was known for his itics in America, and she will go down ship. saying that ‘‘All politics is local,’’ but in history as one of the most influen- I launched my campaign for the Sen- the global became local when Marin tial leaders of our time. ate. It was very difficult. No one pre- County got a Federal grant saying the Recently—on a recent issue—I was dicted I would win. I was less than an threat of nuclear attack is real, and expressing deep disappointment, and asterisk in the polls. I was filled with you have to have a plan to evacuate NANCY told me: ‘‘Don’t agonize. Orga- doubt. Coming to my aid was my senior the county in case there is a bomb nize!’’ This was two nights ago. She is Senator, DIANNE FEINSTEIN. She stood dropped in San Francisco. This was in right. When things get tough, that is by my side, even though it could have the 1980’s. what you do. cost her votes. I will never, ever forget The Reagan administration, I think, Over the years, the issues kept com- that. Thank you, DIANNE. missed the obvious. Getting in a car on ing my way and came the way of a lot I also need to pay tribute to Anita a narrow road to evacuate to Napa or of people in this room: the Violence Hill because without her, I never would going under your desk was not going to Against Women Act, LGBT equality, have been elected to the Senate. Anita protect you, so all five supervisors— protecting a woman’s right to choose, Hill courageously told her story to the three Republicans and two Demo- workers’ rights, protecting the Clean all-male U.S. Senate Judiciary Com- crats—rejected the grant. Instead, we Air Act and the Clean Water Act, and mittee, breaking the silence on this mailed an informational booklet to the Safe Drinking Water Act. Those painful issue. In addition, people saw every household, telling them there are all examples. These fights con- there were only two women in the Sen- was no way to evacuate from a nuclear tinue, and they keep coming whether ate. bomb; you have to prevent it in the you are in elected office or not. They Anita Hill, you showed us all that we first place. come to you if you are a single parent must never be afraid to take on the During that same period, James Watt trying to raise a child and struggling powerful. It certainly isn’t easy, but if wanted to drill off the coast of Cali- to make ends meet on a minimum wage you learn to be tough in the right way, fornia. We put together business peo- that is not fair. They come to you if you can find the sweet spot, even in ple, environmentalists, farmers, and we your kid gets asthma. They come to this atmosphere where the parties have said no. The tourist industry joined us, you if your job has been outsourced grown so far apart. This is one of my and we stopped it. and you have nowhere to turn. They biggest regrets—how far the parties That was my first attempt at very come to you when college tuition gets have grown apart, especially when it broad coalition building. As national out of reach. comes to the environment. issues unfolded before my eyes, I had to Whether it is happening to you or Remember, Richard Nixon created do more if I really wanted to stay true someone else, the great thing about the Environmental Protection Agency. to making life better for people. our participatory democracy is each of He signed the Clean Air Act, the Clean When John Burton’s seat for Con- us has a chance to make a difference. Water Act and the Endangered Species gress opened up in 1982, I jumped in. It You can make a difference by holding Act. George H.W. Bush signed the ex- was a long shot. And I will always be an elected office or working for some- tension of the Clean Air Act. Many Re- grateful to the people who brought me one who does. You can make a dif- publicans led the charge for environ- to that dance: working people, environ- ference by working for a campaign. mental protection. Now, unfortunately, mentalists, children’s advocates. They You can make a difference by starting protecting the environment has be- put me over the top. a business and employing good people come a divide where we truly duke it After I won this election, I began to help you build it. You can make a out. hearing about the mysterious disease difference by becoming a teacher, a As I leave here, I intend to do every- that was stealing the lives of so many nurse, a firefighter or a police officer. thing in my power to work to bridge in my congressional district. I remem- There are so many noble ways to that divide because we all live on one ber feeling so helpless because we make a difference in America. The one planet. It doesn’t matter what party we didn’t know what it was and what thing you cannot do, even when it is are. We all breathe the same air. We all caused it. One thing was clear: AIDS tempting: You cannot turn away— want our families to be healthy and was devastating, and too many in never. The forces and the people who live on a planet that can sustain us and Washington were not taking action. shape you cannot be ignored. I say to all of God’s creations. In this time of When we found out it could be trans- everybody within the sound of my deep division, we have to find areas to mitted sexually, I had to go up against voice that you have it within you to work together. the far rightwing who didn’t want to step out and make your mark. I think I found a proven formula in provide any information about the dis- A lot of young people come up to me my relationship with my friend and ease. Yet here I was, a middle-aged and say, ‘‘I would love to do what you chairman of the Environment and Pub- mother of two from the suburbs, talk- do. How do I become a U.S. Senator?’’ lic Works Committee, Senator JIM ing about condoms. It was uncomfort- I am sure a lot of us get that ques- INHOFE. We never surprise each other, able, but this would become my way. In tion. even where we disagree—ever. Our

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Once we got here, he made that continues, but I will not go off on found that we could work as a winning sure we had major responsibilities. that; setting clean drinking water team to build and strengthen our Na- HARRY, you will go down in history for standards to protect pregnant women, tion’s infrastructure, and we have that. children, and other vulnerable people; made incredible progress for the Amer- I am, of course, ecstatic that my suc- the dolphin-safe tuna label; protecting ican people on those issues—long-term cessor is Kamala Harris, who served as victims of rape in the military from ir- highway bills, long-term water bills attorney general for my State with relevant, harassing questions that have and the first update on the Toxic Con- great distinction and who will continue already been barred in civilian courts; trol Act. That was a doozy for us. I will the tradition of having a strong, pro- establishing the first-ever sub- never forget that battle. gressive woman in this seat. committee to oversee global women’s Transportation turned out to be a Kamala, you heard it here—a strong, issues, which JEANNE is going to carry sweet spot between Majority Leader progressive woman in this seat is what on; recommending a diverse group of MITCH MCCONNELL and me. We hadn’t we need. supremely qualified judicial nominees talked seriously for 20 years because of As I wind down my remarks, I must who are carrying out our laws in Cali- the Packwood case. It was: Hello, hello. be completely honest about my broken fornia’s Federal courts. There are That was it. But we did come together heart. I worked hard, along with so many more I could talk about, and we to save the Highway Trust Fund at an many millions of Americans, so that all know this because each one of them urgent time. we would have our first female Presi- is like a child to us and we remember Our work together surprised so many dent. It was not to be this time, but we how hard it was to get it done, but let of our colleagues, but I think it sur- made history with , the me be clear, you don’t get anything prised the two of us more than any- first female nominee of a major party, done here unless your colleagues help thing else. But it worked because we who, I might add, won the popular vote you from both sides of the aisle. set aside all of our past legitimate divi- by millions and still counting. She My biggest regret is that I couldn’t sions in order to rescue America’s truly shattered the glass ceiling and end the war in Iraq. It hurt my soul. I transportation system. We took a risk, showed that women had the ability to came down to the floor every day and and the risk paid off. And, of course, all take it on the chin again and again. read the names of fallen soldiers. I was of my colleagues helped make that pos- My message to everyone who sup- accused of being too emotional. I asked sible. ported Hillary is, the work goes on. probing questions in committee to ex- Also, I want to mention my Repub- Yes, you build on success and you learn pose the fact that we were in the mid- lican counterpart on the Ethics Com- from failure, but you never stop work- dle of a civil war. Day after day I made mittee, Senator , be- ing for human rights, civil rights, my case, but the war went on and on. cause when it comes to ethics, we have women’s rights, voting rights, chil- It took President Obama to finally end proven there is no room for partisan- dren’s rights and the environment. I that war, and I will always be grateful ship. All we want to do is make sure certainly don’t plan to stop. the Senate is a respected institution. to him. I am not only fortunate to have had Of course, there is unfinished busi- Friendship and trust with Members on this extraordinary career, but I am ness, and I know my colleagues are both sides and in the House of Rep- also so fortunate to be going home to a going to carry on. We must restore the resentatives—I am so proud so many of State that stands for everything I be- you are here—that is the only way to Voting Rights Act. We need to restore lieve in. trust between our communities and get things done. I wish to thank every one of my Having a leader who has your back is law enforcement. We have to continue staffers—those who worked for me in essential. A good leader knows and un- to protect and provide affordable Washington, either on my personal derstands each member of his caucus health care. We must take action on staff, committee staff, those who and where they draw the line. HARRY is climate change or we are in deep trou- worked for me in the State, and those so humble. Whenever you talk about ble as humankind. We must protect the who helped me get elected. A lot of him, he puts his head down. DREAMers and immigrants who con- them are here today. Without them, I HARRY, could you just look at me for tribute to our communities every day. a second? never ever could have done my job, and We must raise the minimum wage and A good leader knows when to speak I never could have accomplished the ensure equal pay for equal work. We up and when to listen. A good leader things I have accomplished that I am must protect reproductive freedom and knows when to pick up the gloves and proud of. work across party lines for a safe fight like hell. That is what HARRY I also wish to thank the floor staff. world. REID has done. He is not a show horse; The floor staff never gets thanked I have often joked about some of the he is a workhorse. enough because they deal with us when things that have been said to me over He is a soft-spoken man. How many we are very nervous. They have to deal the years that are too colorful, in a of us have to say: HARRY, could you with us when we are about to have an negative way, to repeat here, but I speak up? He is a soft-spoken man of a amendment come up or about to vote want everyone to know, whether friend few words, but he chooses his words on something and need to understand or foe, whether critic or admirer, I do wisely, and he chooses his fights wise- the rules and our rights. appreciate the fact that you let me ly. He doesn’t seek the spotlight. When To Gary and his team, Trish, Tim, know how you felt about my work one it comes to standing up for what is and all of you—thank you. way or the other. right, he is right there when others try When I look back on everything I To close, I will read a handwritten to slip out of the room. fought for, there are more than a thou- letter I received in October from one of HARRY has not only been an extraor- sand accomplishments, and I am cer- the greatest jazz musicians in our dinary leader and colleague, he and his tainly not going to talk about all of country, Sonny Rollins, into the wife, Landra, have been close and those, but I am going to, briefly, very RECORD. He was recently honored at treasured friends of me and my hus- fast, go through 10 of my favorites. The the Kennedy Center. He wrote in band, Stewart. I call him the brother I first afterschool programs that were longhand the following: never had, and he calls me the sister he funded by the Federal Government, Greetings—so so sorry that we are not never had. He treats me like a sister; covering more than 1.6 million kids going to have you for us anymore. I’ve al- he always hangs up on me when I call every day; 1 million acres of California ways been interested in politics, marching as him. And he never calls on me when I wilderness preserved; the first-ever a 6 year old with my activist grandmother madly wave my hand at caucus. You comprehensive combat casualty care for civil rights. It has been such a joy and in- know, I am like a sister. You don’t center in California for our most spiration knowing that Barbara Boxer was have to worry, the love will be there. I wounded warriors; ensuring that our there for us. God bless you, your family, and loved am forever grateful for his leadership transportation programs remain in ones—And thank you. and his friendship. place for years to come with millions You will be missed and we all love you. Another quality of is of jobs protected; upholding our land- Have a beautiful life, just like you have that he encouraged women to run for mark environmental laws, and I hope made life beautiful for so many citizens.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:58 Dec 07, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.016 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6772 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 7, 2016 I wish to thank Sonny Rollins. I I thought about it for the next 8 years. we have to deal with, but we knew don’t know him personally. I met him She said that we look at things dif- there was no way we could come to- once, but what he said is all I wanted ferently. We had an election and elec- gether so we kind of put it aside and to do—make life beautiful for people. I tions have consequences. Remember didn’t let it spoil our friendship or our didn’t always succeed. I didn’t always that elections have consequences. Well, ability to work together in any way. prevail. I felt the pain of losing many 2 years ago, the Republicans took over, So I think it is a very important times, but I can honestly say I never and I gave her a T-shirt that said: message to many chairmen and rank- stopped trying. I was able to do it be- ‘‘Elections have consequences.’’ During ing members that if there is honesty— cause of the love, understanding and all that time, we didn’t really change set it aside if you can’t work together, support of my husband of 55 years, in terms of what we were doing to- but where you can find those sweet Stewart, who is here today. He gave me gether. I have a list of the things we spots, do it because everyone wants— so much, including the best political have done that I left someplace, but, they are cheering us on from the out- name ever. I did it because of my son nevertheless, we did the highway bill in side. I can’t tell you how many people Doug, my daughter Nicole, my daugh- 1998 and 2005. All of the things we did at home tell me: We don’t know how ter-in-law Amy, my son-in-law Kevin, actually worked. I remember when we you do it, but it is great what you and and four incredible grandchildren, had a news conference on TSCA. When INHOFE get done. Zach, Zain, Sawyer, and Reyna, and be- I looked around, I saw all of my very Fortunately, we never lost an elec- cause of the people of California who liberal Democratic friends and me, and tion over our friendship, which could sent me here time and time again—10 I thought: Wait a minute. How did this have happened, you know. They could years in the House and 24 years in the happen? have said: I am not going to vote for Senate. I had the opportunity to never We have been able to work together him; he talks to her. But we were able stop trying. I had the opportunity to and get things done, and I have been to prove that we can do it. speak out, and no matter how many very proud of that. In fact, I shouldn’t So, JIM, I am honored that you came times I had to try, I did. Here is the say this because I am going to divulge down to the floor. I am honored that thing. I have this platform, which is an our confidence, but we have meetings Senator MCCONNELL said such nice extraordinary honor. This is a sacred just as Democrats have their meetings. things. I am so honored that so many position, and I say to my colleagues All the chairmen get together, and came to the floor to hear my farewell that no matter who says what about it, when it was my turn to make a state- remarks. it is a sacred position. Hold your head ment, I said: Now, from the committee Again, I yield the floor. high. that gets things done. Anyway, that is The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- So many here have fought the good the way it has been. ator from . fight and will continue to fight the I disagreed with Senator BOXER on a FAREWELL TO THE SENATE good fight, and I will always treasure lot of the regulations, and I have told Ms. AYOTTE. Mr. President, it is my time serving the people. They gave her many times she has every right to with deep gratitude that I rise today to me a purpose in my life that I will al- be wrong. address my Senate colleagues and ways cherish. They made me a better Mrs. BOXER. You do. members of my staff with whom I have person. They made my life more beau- Mr. INHOFE. But on the things that had the privilege of serving over the tiful than I ever could have imagined, were really important, we did manage last 6 years. and for that I am forever grateful. to get things accomplished. There is an First and foremost, I want to thank I thank the Presiding Officer and awful lot of hate around here, and it is the people of New Hampshire for giving yield the floor. so unnecessary. You can disagree with me the extraordinary opportunity to (Applause, Senators rising.) serve them. From Nashua to Newport, The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. someone and love them anyway. I have to say that confession is good for the to the North Country, they have in- COATS). The Senator from Oklahoma. soul, but I want my good friend to spired me. The people of our State are TRIBUTE TO BARBARA BOXER know I am truly going to miss her hard-working, caring, compassionate Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, that was people with grit. They have a fierce a very emotional and heartfelt speech. around here. Mrs. BOXER. I thank the Senator sense of independence that I respect As I look around, I know there are a lot and admire. That spirit has guided me of people who want to respond and be from Oklahoma so much. Mr. INHOFE. I yield the floor. during my time here, and it has been heard, but I grabbed it first. This will The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the privilege of a lifetime to serve be real short. I believe it was the majority leader ator from California. them. Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, the rela- I want to thank my family—my hus- who gave me a quote this morning. He band Joe, my wingman. Joe is a patriot made the comment that the two of you tionship we felt was based on trust and with a heart of service. That is why he agree on nothing, but you get every- honesty. We never ever misled each thing done. other. I just love the Senator’s staff. I served our country as a fighter pilot in Mrs. BOXER. That is right. really do. Our staff developed the same the Air Force and why he has been my Mr. INHOFE. There is a reason for type of relationship that we devel- biggest supporter during my service that. If you stop and think about it, we oped—disagreeing on many things but not only as New Hampshire’s attorney came to the House and Senate at about understanding that we can work to- general but as a Senator. We are so the same time. There are no two people gether and find common ground. I just proud of our children, Kate and Jake, in this body who are further apart from hope, as I step out the door—Lord who are now 12 and 9. My family has each other than BARBARA BOXER and knows when that will be, given this sacrificed so that I could serve the peo- JIM INHOFE. Yet we have something place—that others will form this type ple of New Hampshire, and I am grate- beautiful. I hesitate to show this AP of bond across party lines because ful for their patience and love. I also picture of our embrace, but it has to be without it, things just don’t work thank my mother Kathy, who is and al- in the record here somewhere. right. ways has been my mentor and No. 1 For 12 years, we swapped—back and I want my friend to know it has been cheerleader. I could not have done it forth—being chairman of the Environ- a great pleasure to work with him in without her help and that of my step- ment and Public Works Committee. I every way, shape, and form. One of us father Jim, my uncle Jack, my aunt always remember when the Repub- is from Venus and one of us is from Jane, and all of our extended family licans were in the majority back in— Mars, and that is just the way it is. We who have done so much for us. They let’s see. We lost it in 2006. I remember just see the world differently, but it made it possible for me to serve, and seeing BARBARA, Al Gore, and all these hasn’t stopped us from putting aside there are not adequate words to ex- other people danced in and out the door those disagreements. We were never press how much their love and support saying the world is going to come to an bitter with each other. means to me. end unless we do all of these things. We had a pretty big divide. One per- I also thank my wonderful and hard- At that time, she said something son said climate change is a hoax and working staff in New Hampshire and very profound that I never forgot, and the other said it is the biggest threat Washington, whose dedication, work

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.017 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE December 7, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6773 ethic, and talent are unparalleled in to fight for them and their families leasing Guantanamo terrorists to other the Senate. I am especially fortunate every single day. countries where they even rejoin ter- that some of the members of my staff One of the most rewarding aspects of rorist activities, and finally establish a have served by my side since I was first my time in the Senate has been stand- commonsense detention policy that sworn in 6 years ago. My staff is dedi- ing up for those who put their lives on keeps terrorists off the battlefield and cated, creative, tireless, and compas- the line for our country—our veterans protects American lives and our na- sionate. I am so proud of our team and and our men and women in uniform tional security. all we have accomplished together. I and their families. Today, we mark the We made progress in saving taxpayer am confident that they will continue 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl dollars at the Pentagon—and I know to work to create a brighter future for Harbor. We are reminded once again of there is more work that needs to be New Hampshire and for our country. their selfless service and sacrifice on done—by ending wasteful programs, I ask unanimous consent to have a behalf of our great Nation. such as the missile to nowhere, and list of their names printed in the I was honored during my time here to passing the Never Contract With the RECORD. lead the charge to repeal unfair cuts Enemy legislation that cut through There being no objection, the mate- for our military retirees and to help redtape and helped prevent tens of mil- rial was ordered to be printed in the make progress toward improving ac- lions of dollars from ending up in the RECORD, as follows: cess to local health care for veterans in hands of our enemies. CURRENT STAFF New Hampshire, who for far too long Working with Chairman MCCAIN, I Kristine Adams, Erica Andeweg, Daniel have been forced to travel long dis- was proud to help lead the successful Auger, Camden Bisson, Bradley Bowman, tances to receive care from a VA facil- effort to help prevent the premature John Chambers III, Ryan Clark, Frederick ity because we don’t have a full-service retirement of the A–10 aircraft, ensur- Dressler, Adam Hechavarria, Kelsey Keegan, hospital, unfortunately, in the State of ing that our ground troops continue to Shaylyn Kelly, Marne Marotta, Myles New Hampshire. Too often, our vet- have the best close air support possible Matteson, Richard Murphy III, Kayla Na- erans are not treated as they should be, to keep them safe. tions, Gabriel Noronha, Taylor Reidy, During my time on the committee, I Samantha Roberts, Chloe Rockow, Bethany and this has to change. They have sac- Scully, DeWayne Thomas, Elizabeth John- rificed so much for our freedom and de- have had the privilege of working son, Gene Chandler, Jerome Maslan, Cynthia serve only the best from us. closely with Chairman JOHN MCCAIN Woodward, Jane Bosse, Christopher As the wife of a combat veteran who and Senator to ensure Connelly, Joseph Doiron, Orville Fitch, Mi- served in Iraq, nothing has been more that America maintains the strongest chael Garcia, Eric Hensel, Stephen Monier, important to me than keeping our and best military in the world and to John Pearson, Neva Varsalone, Gretchen country safe. That commitment is ensure that our country continues to Wade, Lauren Zelt, Matthew Bartlett, Bren- deeply personal to me. One of the be the greatest force for good in the da Kittle, Anne Warburton, Kathryn Sul- greatest privileges I have had as a Sen- world. There are no stronger voices in livan. ator is to visit with members of our this body for America’s leadership in FORMER STAFF New Hampshire National Guard and the world, nor fiercer advocates for our Kelcey Raymond, Nathanael Anderson, our men and women in uniform who men and women in uniform than Chair- Robin Anderson, William Ardinger, Christin Ballou, Benjamin Bradley, Gwendolyn Cas- serve overseas and are there now as we man JOHN MCCAIN and Senator LINDSEY sidy, Thomas DeRosa, Virginia Demers, Den- are here today. We pray for their safe GRAHAM. Now more than ever, we need nis Deziel, Elizabeth Drumm, Danielle return. They make us so proud. They their leadership, expertise, and passion Duchesne, John Easton, Robert Fraser, Rob- represent the very best of our State for keeping this country safe with the ert Ganim, Elliot Gault, Claire Gimbastiani, and our country. challenges we face around the world. I Jeffrey Grappone, Elizabeth Guyton, Tim- As a member of the Armed Services am honored to have worked with them othy Hefferan, Brian Hodges, Kathryn Committee, I have been proud to advo- and, most of all, to call them my Horgan, Debra Jarrett, Alison Kamataris, cate for the Portsmouth Naval Ship- friends. Sean Knox, John Lawrence, Andrew Leach, Emily Lynch, Cathy Myers, Francy Nichols, yard and the skilled workers there who Serving on the Armed Services Com- Margaret Ouellette, Irina Owens, Kelsey Pat- make vital contributions to our na- mittee has been one of the best experi- ten, Brianna Puccini, Matt Reeder, Wade tional security. This has been a team ences I have had in the Senate. I want Sarraf, Michael Scala, Robert Seidman, effort between New Hampshire and to express my gratitude to all of my Lauren Spivey, Alexander Stanford, Susan- Maine. I thank my colleagues—Senator fellow committee members because it Anne Terzakis, Simon Thomson, Linda SHAHEEN; Senator COLLINS, whom I see has truly been a bipartisan effort each Tomlinson. here today; and Senator ANGUS KING— year to ensure our troops have the re- Ms. AYOTTE. I want to take a mo- for their incredible work in supporting sources they need to do their jobs. ment to thank the Capitol Police, who the shipyard. I see Senator MCCASKILL, the Sen- devote themselves to keeping us safe I especially want to thank Senator ator from Missouri, here. I have deeply each and every day and who have be- SHAHEEN for all the work we did to- appreciated the work we have done to- come friends to my staff and me over gether on important issues for our gether on behalf of our men and women the years. I am so grateful for all of State. Whether it was advocating for in uniform. Thank you. our first responders who put their lives the shipyard, for Pease and the 157th Going forward, it is critical that Con- on the line each and every day to keep Air Refueling Wing to receive the new gress and the next administration work us safe. I also thank the Senate floor tanker, for our National Guard, or for together to reverse the harmful cuts to staff, the pages, and everyone who our veterans, we always looked for our military and to ensure that we works so hard behind the scenes to ways to come together for the people of have a defense budget based on the make our work possible here. New Hampshire, and I appreciate her threats we face around the world right During the past 6 years, I have trav- dedication and service. now, which are unprecedented. eled throughout New Hampshire talk- Since I first came to the Senate, one Another issue that has been near and ing to people from all walks of life, lis- of my top priorities has been reversing dear to my heart is addressing a dev- tening to their ideas and learning from the Obama administration’s misguided astating epidemic that is facing the their experiences. I have met so many policy to empty and close the Guanta- State of New Hampshire; that is, the hard-working people in our State who namo Bay detention facility. Each year heroin and prescription opioid epi- have, in turn, inspired me to work hard I have led efforts to prevent the trans- demic that is taking a devastating toll on their behalf. True to the nature of fer of terrorist to the United States, to on our State. I have met so many peo- our great State, they have never been our soil here, and to urge the adminis- ple in New Hampshire who are hurting shy about letting me know what is on tration to be transparent with the because of this epidemic—mothers and their minds, whether it was at one of American people about these dangerous fathers who have lost children, broth- the 50 townhall meetings we held or in detainees. ers and sisters who have lost siblings. the grocery aisle at the Market Basket. As I have called for previously, I hope Many of the families who have been af- They sent me to the Senate with a the new administration will imme- fected have become my dear friends, sense of purpose. It has been an honor diately halt the dangerous policy of re- like Doug and Pam Griffin of Newton,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:58 Dec 07, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.019 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6774 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 7, 2016 NH, who lost their beautiful daughter our country deeply and work tirelessly with her over the past 6 years. Six Courtney, who had so much potential. each day on behalf of their constitu- years ago, I stood on this floor to rec- They lost her to an overdose. ents. ognize another departing Senator from The Griffins, like so many other fam- I am so honored as I see my col- New Hampshire, . I said ilies in New Hampshire I have met, leagues who are here today, because I then about my relationship with Sen- have turned their pain into passion to know how hard you work every day. I ator Gregg something that is also true save our families. I have learned so want to thank you for what you do on about my relationship with Senator much from their experiences. They in- behalf of the people of this country. I AYOTTE: that we always managed to spired me to work with a group of am humbled by what I have learned disagree without being disagreeable. I great Senators and my colleagues: Sen- from each of you and from each of my am grateful to Senator AYOTTE for ator ROB PORTMAN, who I know is here colleagues in the Senate and for the op- this, and I am proud that we have been today; Senator SHELDON WHITEHOUSE portunity to serve with so many good able to maintain that civility and bi- from Rhode Island; and Senator AMY people on behalf of our great Nation. I partisanship even in the course of two KLOBUCHAR from Minnesota. The four thank each of you for your dedicated very close and very tough election cy- of us came together and worked on service and, most of all, for your cles. That is the New Hampshire way— what is called the Comprehensive Ad- friendship. putting partisanship aside whenever diction and Recovery Act. This bill will Without leadership here, things just possible and seeking practical, prag- provide a much needed framework for don’t get done. I especially want to matic solutions to address people’s addressing this epidemic through pre- thank Majority Leader MITCH MCCON- critical needs. vention, treatment, recovery, and sup- NELL for his commitment to making As she said, time and time again, port for our first responders, who are the Senate work and to making sure Senator AYOTTE and I have teamed up doing so much for this epidemic. As a we are doing the people’s business. to advance legislation of special impor- bipartisan team, we worked on this leg- On a personal note, I have deeply ap- tance to the Granite State, including islation for more than 2 years. Our bill preciated his mentorship and his strongly advocating for veterans, for passed the Senate overwhelmingly and friendship. the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and was signed into law earlier this year. Working with our new President, the for the New Hampshire National Guard CARA will focus on the best pro- Senate has a fresh opportunity to cre- and that new KC–46 tanker. Together, grams to help State and locale efforts ate a better quality of life for all we fought to secure more resources for in turning around the tide of addiction Americans in this great country. That law enforcement and treatment profes- that is facing so many in this country. means elected leaders will need to sionals who are on the frontlines of the CARA is an important first step, but work together and put aside our par- opioid crisis, including this week im- there is so much more work that needs tisan differences. portant new funding in the 21st Cen- to be done. I am encouraged that be- During this election, we heard the tury Cures Act. cause of our efforts, this body has rec- frustrations of the American people I want to publicly express my grati- ognized the seriousness of this crisis. with their government. They rightly tude to KELLY for her dedicated service I was particularly glad to advocate expect this body to move forward in to the people of New Hampshire and, for $1 billion in funding to address the solving the significant challenges fac- more broadly, the people of the United heroin epidemic being included in the ing our Nation, such as getting our fis- States. Over the last 6 years, Senator , which we are cal House in order, ensuring that fami- AYOTTE has earned respect on both expected to pass and send to the Presi- lies can afford quality health care sides of the aisle in this body and in dent this week. I thank Senator LAMAR without Washington between them and New Hampshire. I know that her hus- ALEXANDER for his incredible leader- their doctors, reforming our broken band Joe and their two wonderful chil- ship in getting this important public Tax Code so we can keep and grow jobs dren, Kate and Jacob, are very, very health bill passed. The funding in the here in the United States of America, proud of her service in the Senate. 21st Century Cures bill goes hand in and foremost, keeping America safe in Looking to the future, there is no ques- hand with the important policy provi- a dangerous world. tion in my mind that she will continue sions in the CARA bill and will help My hope is that the Members of this to serve the State and the country she save lives in New Hampshire and across body will appeal to the better angels of loves. this country. our nature, put partisanship aside, and KELLY, I wish you and your family Finally, I would like to return to the focus on the challenge of building a all the best in the years ahead. Thank reason I ran for the Senate back in more perfect union because the chal- you. 2010: to make sure we leave New Hamp- lenges before us are great and we can- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- shire and our Nation stronger and bet- not hope to overcome them unless we ator from Arizona. ter off for the next generation. As the do so working hand in hand. I know my Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I come mother of two young children, I was in- Senate colleagues are people of great to the floor today to pay tribute to my creasingly concerned that, left un- character, and they are up to this chal- dear friend and colleague, the Senator checked, our skyrocketing national lenge. I wish them the very best as from New Hampshire, KELLY AYOTTE. I debt would ultimately burden future they continue their very important first met KELLY in 2010 when I joined generations and diminish their oppor- work on behalf of the people of the her for a townhall meeting in Nashua, tunities. greatest Nation on Earth. NH. My affection for the State of New I ran because I believed it was time To the people of New Hampshire, Joe Hampshire dates back to my bid for for New Hampshire to bring some of its and I thank you from the bottom of President in 2000, so it was a familiar common sense here to Washington to our hearts for the greatest honor of a setting to join so many old friends in deal with our Nation’s spending habits. lifetime, for serving you and for the support of her campaign for the U.S. On every committee I served on, we privilege of serving in the United Senate. I was impressed with Senator looked for ways to cut wasteful spend- States Senate with so many good peo- AYOTTE’s deep understanding of the top ing and fought to hold the government ple. challenges facing the country, the seri- accountable for the way it spends our Mr. President, I thank you, and I ousness with which she approached her hard-earned taxpayer dollars. It is my yield the floor. work, and the ease with which she en- hope that this issue will be at the top (Applause, Senators rising.) gaged with members of the audience, of the agenda of the incoming Congress The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. SUL- gracefully handling spirited debates and the new administration. If there is LIVAN). The Senator from New Hamp- and sparring matches with voters—a anything I have learned in my time shire. staple of the townhall meetings in New here, it is that it takes cooperation TRIBUTES TO KELLY AYOTTE Hampshire I always admired. I knew from both sides of the aisle to get Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I am then we would be fast friends. things done. pleased that I could be here for Senator In the Senate, Senator AYOTTE It has been a privilege to serve with AYOTTE’s farewell address and honored brought the same tenacity to her work, so many in this body who care about to have had the opportunity to serve distinguishing herself as a rising star

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The more contentious, pragmatically—something that is all server of more than one occasion in the better you were. too often lacking in politics today. ‘‘I which a bureaucrat withered under So, KELLY, the best way we can pay call them like I see them,’’ she once skilled cross-examination by Senator you back is to keep up the fight and said. ‘‘And that means not just with AYOTTE. She takes her oversight role make sure that we have a fair military the opposing party, but with my own extremely seriously and believes in justice system and that commanders party.’’ Senator AYOTTE took this holding our Nation’s leaders account- are accountable but they are still in mantra on the road, continuing the able. charge. tradition of the New Hampshire town- In every way, Senator AYOTTE rose to An observation: For people with hall meetings by holding more than 50 meet the responsibilities and opportu- young kids, this has to be a tough job. townhall meetings in small towns and nities of her office. There are many I don’t have any children, but I can’t cities across New Hampshire, where she qualities that are important to being a imagine the schedule if you have young spoke directly with her constituents good Senator, but none, in my opinion, kids. I have gotten to know KELLY, about the issues impacting their fami- is more important than standing firm Joe, and Kate and Jake, and I can only lies. for what you believe. That is what Sen- imagine what it is like for Joe to be a But, in my view, Senator AYOTTE’s ator AYOTTE has done. She has never single parent 3 days a week, running a best work lies in her contribution to wavered in her commitment to prin- business, trying to get kids off to defense and national security as a ciple, and this body is better for it. school. I can tell you from being member of the Armed Services Com- On a more personal note, I have cher- KELLY’s friend—and JOHN and I have mittee. Coming from a military family, ished the friendship and partnership of traveled all over the world with her commitment to strengthening our Senator KELLY AYOTTE. The kindness KELLY—that was a constant strain for Armed Forces is deeply personal. That and courtesy she has extended to her her. I am sure it is true of every young has contributed to her tireless advo- colleagues has made this institution a mother in America doing any job, but cacy on issues important to New better place, and her principled leader- having to be gone and having to bal- Hampshire, to Pease Air National ship has served as an example to all of ance the needs of her kids and being a mom and a wife and all that good Guard Base, the Portsmouth Naval us. In KELLY, you could always find a Shipyard, and to all military and civil- warm smile that served as a reminder stuff—all I can tell you, for you and ian personnel supporting our national that serving here is truly a joy and a Joe—if you meet Kate and Jake, you security who call New Hampshire privilege. all did good. If you meet these kids, it has been an enriching 6 years. They are home. While I will miss KELLY’s presence in As chairman of the Subcommittee on the Senate, I will continue to rely on full of life. I think you both handled it Readiness, Senator AYOTTE has called her wise counsel and friendship, and I very well. You should be proud of the long list attention to the dangerous readiness am confident our Nation will continue of things you have accomplished. But I crisis and has been a consistent advo- to benefit from her talents for many guess what I saw in you and what I cate for making sure the men and years to come. With this in mind, I wish more of us would embrace is an women of our Armed Forces have the thank my dear friend and valued col- attitude that nothing is too hard, noth- resources they need to defend the Na- league, Senator KELLY AYOTTE, for her ing is too challenging if you really be- tion. She has authored numerous legis- service to the Nation and this body. lative proposals to eliminate wasteful lieve you are here for a purpose. And until the Nation calls on her You didn’t talk about immigration. I and duplicative spending in the Depart- again, I wish her and her husband Joe don’t blame you. The immigration ment of Defense so that we can rein- and their children, Katherine and fight is one of the hardest fights I have vest the savings in rebuilding our mili- Jacob, fair winds and following seas. ever been in, particularly on our side. tary. She passed legislation to save The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- It is not easy on your side, but on our over $1 billion in the Pentagon’s budget ator from Missouri. side it is really tough. KELLY was there and to keep U.S. tax dollars out of the Mrs. MCCASKILL. Mr. President, I pushing over the line a bill that I think hands of America’s enemies. She has don’t have eloquent prepared remarks, made a lot of sense. been a leading advocate for repealing as the chairman just delivered, but I The debt. Everybody talks about it, arbitrary budget cuts and the mindless will tell you this: I have been lucky but nobody wants to do anything about mechanism of sequestration which con- enough to be in the trenches with it. We have had a couple of sessions tinues to weaken our military and puts KELLY AYOTTE, and when you are in with 10 and 20 Senators trying to find a the lives of our servicemembers at the trenches with KELLY AYOTTE, there way to get more revenue and do enti- greater risk. is something about her demeanor that tlement reform, something like Simp- Senator AYOTTE’s fight to prevent lifts you up. It was a tough fight where son-Bowles. If you don’t do that, the the Air Force from mothballing the A– we were outnumbered, particularly by country is going to become like 10 Warthog attack planes showed the our fellow women Senators, and it was Greece. Every time we had a meeting, very best she has to offer. As the wife hard. It was really hard and emotional, every time we had a session about of a retired A–10 pilot who flew combat and every time I would walk up to doing hard stuff, KELLY was there. missions in Iraq and an expert in de- KELLY in full-blown panic mode, this I remember sequestration. JEANNE fense policy, Senator AYOTTE under- smile would radiate; the reassuring pat SHAHEEN and KELLY AYOTTE were two stood the critical role this aircraft on my shoulder that we have the facts of the six Senators trying to find a way plays in providing close air support for on our side, that the emotional argu- to set aside these defense cuts in a bal- our fighting men and women. Year ments might be on the other side but anced approach without destroying the after year, she led the fight to prevent the facts were on our side. It kept me military. the Obama administration from fol- strong and it kept me focused. I think what you should be most lowing through on its plan to retire I will tell you three things I know in proud of is that you served for 6 years that fleet, pushing through measures my heart about KELLY AYOTTE: She is and your kids are great, that you made in annual Defense authorization bills a warrior, she is a class act, and she is a lot of friendships that will last a life- that would prevent any premature di- my friend. time, and that your best days are yet vestment of this aircraft. At the end of Thank you, KELLY. to come. the day, she was right. The Air Force The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- You can tell the people of New Hamp- conceded to this aircraft’s value and ator from South Carolina. shire—or I will tell them for you if reversed its decision, delaying any di- Mr. GRAHAM. Thank you very much. they can understand me. Apparently vestment until at least 2022. Mr. President, I just want to attest they couldn’t because I didn’t do that Anyone who has watched Senator to CLAIRE and KELLY—if I go to war, I well when I ran for President. The bot- AYOTTE question a witness in the want to go with you all because when tom line is that KELLY never blinked.

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It comes from going the Congressional women’s softball third amigo like you. to the treatment centers and seeing team. I was in the House, and KELLY I yield. the people who are in the trenches, sav- was the cocaptain in the Senate. We The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ing lives, and improving lives. It comes raised money for young survivors of ator from Ohio. from talking to those who at one point breast . I knew then I wanted to Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, we had great promise in their lives and got get to the Senate to be good friends have heard a lot of wonderful things off track, seeing those people in a with KELLY because when you talk about KELLY AYOTTE today and all are detox unit as she has done or seeing about being in the trenches, she was deserved. You notice they have come them in a treatment center or, promis- such a competitor. from both sides of the aisle, and they When you think about a team, a ingly, seeing them now in recovery and come from Members who were talking baseball team or a softball team, who beginning to get their lives back to- about her expertise on national secu- is the toughest person on the team? gether. rity—as JOHN MCCAIN did eloquently— This is not an issue of Republicans or Everybody wants to say the pitcher. In and homeland security. Democrats. It is not an issue that is po- my view, it is the catcher. Guess who I certainly have worked with her on our catcher was. KELLY AYOTTE was litical. It is an issue that is in the those issues. I was with her on the and is, and so we became good friends heart of KELLY AYOTTE because it af- Armed Services Committee when I first then. came to the Senate, and we are on the fects the communities she knows in We found we have a lot of love for Homeland Security Committee now. New Hampshire, the people she loves in physical activities. We are both run- She has been a champion for those New Hampshire, and now, sadly, our ners. We have run a couple of times to- issues, there is no question about it. Nation. gether. We participate in the 3-mile On that issue, she has led, not just to She has helped to keep our country run that we have every May that deter- safer, and legislation that she has draft legislation—and she talked about mines who is the fastest male Senator, championed will help to make it safer the CARE legislation which is going to who is the fastest woman Senator. for our kids and grandkids. change the dynamic and get the Fed- Well, guess who the fastest woman I have also worked with her on other eral Government to be a better partner Senator is. You got it. She just blew issues, and I wish to talk about that for with State and local and begin to turn right by me every year so I might have a second. One is this way in which we this tide—not just the Cures legisla- hope next year. I don’t know. I will as a Chamber can ensure we are cre- tion, which does have funding for the have to check out the newcomers. But ating more jobs, being more energy next 2 years to try to stop some of this KELLY was always such a great compet- independent, helping the environment, horrible growth in addictions, itor on the softball field, running in and that is energy efficiency. She has overdoses and deaths, but she has done 5Ks, and just being around in general. been a leader on that issue. this house-to-house, family-to-family, As we have heard from everybody, and I have legisla- person-to-person back home to give you have served your State with integ- tion that we are still working to get all people hope and to help gather the sup- rity and passion. I know it is tough on of it done, but we have gotten some of port in communities around New your family. I see Joe in the Gallery. I it done, and KELLY AYOTTE was a huge Hampshire to fight back. She will con- have met your beautiful children, Kate part of that. In fact, her legislation on tinue to do that. She is not doing it as and Jake. I have heard you on the Tenant Star is now law of the land. It a U.S. Senator. After all, she is doing it phone planning daycare while the rest is helping to make commercial build- as a mom, she is doing it as a citizen. of us are figuring out how we are going ings and office buildings, more energy I am looking forward to continuing to get home that night or what we are efficient. Again, it has the added ben- to work with her on that issue as well doing in our committees. As a young efit of creating jobs and making the as the other issues we have talked mother, KELLY is still trying to make economy stronger while improving our about today. Her public service career the ends meet. I have such admiration environment. That is what she has led is not over; in a sense, it is really just for that as a mother myself. I know on as well. beginning. I know she will be active on how difficult it is, but I know the three I have also worked with her on issues the national security issues, on fight- of them know that no matter if you you would expect someone who is a na- ing against the heroin epidemic, on en- were here figuring that out, they were tional security expert to lead on. Iran suring that we continue to have a safer always No. 1 in your heart. I think that sanctions, she has taken the lead on and stronger country. I, for one, look is a real tribute to you. some of the issues that resulted in the forward to working with her on that. We have heard all of the issues she incredible vote we had on the floor of I thank her for her service. I thank has been so out front on. Particularly this Senate just a few days ago when her, her kids, and Joe for their sac- as I am from a State like West Vir- virtually every Senator voted to ex- rifice because this isn’t an easy job. It ginia—the opioid issue has really im- tend those sanctions, but I have does take you away from your family. pacted our rural areas. When I visited worked with her on another issue that Yet, in 2009, she decided she was going KELLY twice over the last 6 months in has nothing to do with our national se- to serve her country because she was New Hampshire, it was the same kind curity; it has everything to do with our worried about the direction it was of impact. It is small towns, families, family security. It has to do with en- going. She did that, she did it val- people who know each other. It hurts suring that people have the oppor- iantly, and she deserves our praise everybody. KELLY, thank you for your tunity to achieve their God-given pur- today. leadership there. That is going to make pose in life. It has to do with stopping KELLY, we are going to miss you, but not just a mark in your State but the deterioration of our communities, we also look forward to continuing to across our Nation and in my State in families being torn apart, and the enor- work with you on all of the issues that particular. mous impact we have seen of the opioid were talked about today. Thank you We traveled to Gitmo together. I had epidemic. Starting often with prescrip- for your service. never been to Gitmo before. To have an tion drugs, often leading to heroin— I yield back the remainder of my expert such as KELLY explain to me and now synthetic heroins such as time. to hear her question what is going on fentanyl, carfentanil, and U–4, these The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- there and how important it is and was, are very difficult issues. ator from West Virginia. she continues to be in the fight that I have seen no one in this Chamber Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, I am she led to make sure we don’t have ter- who has a greater passion for this issue very pleased to be on the floor with my rorists on our own home soil. The fact

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:16 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.007 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE December 7, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6777 that Gitmo is still open and is still I end by saying what I really learned the people who were behind me. Well, functioning to keep those very dan- from my mentor was from watching guess what. No, I was behind them, be- gerous folks off of our shores I think is the way she dealt with other people, cause they certainly have led the way. a tribute to KELLY’s leadership. the way she always treated people with Along the way, there were people In terms of New Hampshire, as you respect, with class, with optimism, and who also not only helped me get elect- move away from here, I know you are with dignity. That is probably more ed, but they helped me govern—people going to realize how you have impacted important than anything, not only in who, again, volunteered their own the people where you live and in your the U.S. Senate but in our country. time. I had a wonderful service acad- home State, but just kind of multiply I thank KELLY as a mentor. She was emy board that helped me pick the best that all over the Nation. We have a a great role model not only for me but and the brightest to serve in our mili- huge debt of gratitude to you and your all of the 13 Members of the class of tary academies—people with distin- family for being here for 6 years, but as 2014. I know she will be serving her guished careers in either the military I have told you repeatedly since the country and her State in a lot more or in education. I had a judicial ap- election, this is not the last time we ways. I look forward to watching that pointment advisory board that made are going to hear from KELLY AYOTTE and continuing to call her my good sure I helped nominate the best people or about KELLY AYOTTE. To me, that is friend. to serve in the Federal judiciary. Also, a very strengthening thing when I talk I yield the floor. I had a veterans advisory group that about my friend. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. SUL- brought to me what was really hap- I am not going to say goodbye be- LIVAN). The Senator from Maryland. pening to the veterans, not what was in cause I don’t think we will be saying FAREWELL TO THE SENATE the press releases from the Veterans’ goodbye. I am going to say Godspeed, Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise Administration. Of course, I had a fab- good luck. You will land on your feet to take the floor for what I call my ulous strategy group that functioned because you always do. Keep running, I summing-up speech. It is not my fare- as a kitchen cabinet. It was a kitchen will keep running, and maybe I can well speech because I have the honor cabinet. We spent a lot of time cooking keep running and improve my time so and privilege of being the ranking things up to try to make our country I can at least see the backs of your feet member and former chairman of the and our communities better places. So as you are running past me. Appropriations Committee. I will I thank them all for what they did. It has been a real privilege to serve speak later on this week when we move But, when we come here to try to with you. It has been great to be your the continuing resolution. serve the people who sent us here, we friend, and I look forward to keeping It is the practice and the tradition of cannot do it alone. So we have a fabu- our relationship very viable and alive the Senate that when a Senator is de- lous staff, both that serves us in Wash- as the time moves on. parting the Senate, they give what ington and serves us in our State. I Thanks, KELLY. I yield the floor. they call their farewell address. Well, wish to thank my current staff: my The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. mine is not going to be as memorable chief of staff, Shannon Kula; my dep- CAPITO). The Senator from Alaska. as when George Washington resigned uty chief of staff, Rachel MacKnight; Mr. SULLIVAN. Madam President, his commission or other memorable my State director, Nichelle Schoultz; like my friends on both sides of the speeches, but I do want to say words my legislative director, Brigid Houton; aisle, I, too, come to the floor to say a about how I feel today about having my communications director, Matt few words about my friend and mentor, the great opportunity to serve in the Jorgenson; my scheduling director, Senator KELLY AYOTTE. I use the word Congress. Catie Finley; my office manager, Josh ‘‘mentor’’ in actually an official capac- I have spent 30 years in the Senate, 10 Yearsley; my appropriations staff di- ity. When you come to the Senate—and years in the House of Representatives, rector, Chuck Kieffer; and my appro- like you, Madam President, I am part and, yes, 5 years in the Baltimore City priations deputy staff director, Jean of the new class of 2014. When you come Council. I have served in elected public Toal Eisen; and of course, all of my to the Senate, you are assigned a men- office for 45 years. More than half of staff in my State office who helped me. tor. I think the idea is that you come my life has been in elected public serv- There is also the support staff who in, you are clueless, you don’t really ice but, at the same time, all of my life made sure that the phones got an- know what is going on, and so you have has been focused on service. swered. You didn’t get one of those somebody who is smart and experi- I rise today to thank the people of ‘‘call 1, call 2, press 7, press 184,’’ et enced to mentor you. Everybody gets a Maryland. I rise to thank them for cetera. Also, there are the people who mentor. their vote of confidence. When people answer the mail, whether it was snail I was very fortunate to have KELLY vote for you, it is not only that they mail, which so much of it was when I AYOTTE as my mentor. I certainly are sending you to Washington or send- came, or email, because we really be- learned a lot from her. She took the ing you to city hall. They are giving lieved that we needed to be here for the time to help me understand how this you a vote of confidence that you will people. important body works. We talked be their voice, that you will be their I called their names, but there are about things like work life balance— vote, that you will be at their side and also others who filled those jobs with somebody such as KELLY who has on their side, and that is what I want throughout my time in public office. kids. to be able to talk about today. They worked very hard to make sure It wasn’t just those kinds of issues. I The people of Baltimore gave me my that we could represent the people of had the great opportunity to serve on a first shot at running for the Baltimore Maryland and to be on their side. couple of very important committees City Council. When I beat the political After 45 years, though, it is time for with Senator AYOTTE—on the Armed bosses, when running for political of- me to say goodbye to elected office, but Services Committee, on the Commerce fice as a woman was considered a nov- not to service. Committee—and like my colleague elty, they said: You don’t look the I have the high privilege of being the from Missouri, I really learned a lot part. But I said: This is what the part longest serving woman in congres- watching her in action. She was always looks like, and this is what the part is sional history. But I say it is not how prepared, always engaged, and always going to be like. Along the way, so long you serve but how well you serve. tenacious when it came to certain wit- many people helped me. Behind ‘‘me’’ For those who know me and have been nesses. Of course, like a lot of us, we is a whole lot of ‘‘we.’’ to rallies and so on, they know that I shared certain passions for our coun- I got started in public life because of say: ‘‘I am here to work on the macro try—certainly a strong national de- volunteers and activists who, on their issues and I am here to work on the fense. own time and on their own dime, vol- macaroni and cheese issues’’—to work My State, like a lot of States such as unteered themselves to not only help on the big picture, to make sure that New Hampshire, is suffering from the me get elected but to be involved in the people’s day-to-day needs were con- opioid crisis. Watching her and Senator their communities, to be civically en- verted into public policy or, while we PORTMAN literally lead the country on gaged, to make their community and are working on public policy, to try to this issue was so important. their country a better place. These are help our communities.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:16 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.009 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6778 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 7, 2016 We also have to remember in our own lieved in it in my community. When right. Though I was all by myself, I was States that we have constituent serv- my great grandmother came to this never alone. When I came, there was ice issues. One of the things I am really country from Poland in 1886, she had only one other woman here—the won- proud of is my constituent service little money in her pocket, but she had derful and distinguished colleague from staff, where if you were a veteran and big dreams in her heart. Women didn’t Kansas, Senator , a you needed help or you had a Social Se- even have the right to vote. One hun- wonderful colleague. When I say I was curity or problem, you could dred years to the year that she landed by myself as the only woman in the call Senator BARB and you didn’t feel in this country, I landed in the Senate. Democratic caucus, I say I was never that you had to go to a $100 fundraiser That is what opportunity means in the alone because of the great men that we or know somebody who had connec- United States of America. could work with in the Senate. tions. The only connection you needed I never thought I would come into Now, I have had the privilege to work was a phone. You didn’t even need Wi- politics. Growing up in Baltimore, my with two of the best men in America. Fi. You could just call me. Summer, family wasn’t involved in politics. My Senator Paul Sarbanes, who was my winter, spring, or fall, they had Sen- family was involved more in church senior Senator when I came and who ator BARB. I tried to be of service be- work, philanthropy, doing good works certainly was my champion, helped me cause service was in my DNA. I was in the way they did their business. In to get on the right committees and raised to think about service. Baltimore in those days, there were po- convinced everybody that my name My mother and father ran a small litical bosses—guys with pot bellies was BARB MIKULSKI and not Bella neighborhood grocery store in one of who smoked cigars and did deals, et Abzug. But I was a little bit of both. As Baltimore’s famous row house neigh- cetera—and that wasn’t going to be to Senator Sarbanes and now, of borhoods. Every day they would get up, me. I thought I would go into the field course, Senator BEN CARDIN, who also and they would open that grocery store of social work. has been at my side, we have worked and say to their customers: Good But I got involved because they together on issues related to Maryland morning. Can I help you? wanted to put a 16-lane highway both large and small. Now, in running that business, they through the European ethnic neighbor- But there were others who taught also wanted to be sure that they were hoods of Baltimore and not even give me, like Senator Byrd, Senator Ken- connected to the community. We the people relocation benefits, and they nedy, and others. What it was all about weren’t a big-box shop. We were a shop were going to smash and bulldoze the was being able to work for jobs and for for the little people. If anybody was in first African-American home-owner- justice. difficulty, my father was happy to ex- ship neighborhood in Baltimore, in a Though I was the first Democratic tend credit. It was called: We will write community called Rosemont. woman, I wanted to be the first of your name down in a book. Pay us I said: Look, we can fight this. We many. I wanted to help women get when you can. Don’t worry that you just have to give ourselves a militant elected to the Senate and do what I got laid off at Bethlehem Steel. We name. could to be able to help them to do know that your wife had a difficult I helped put together a group called that. It has been just wonderful to see childbirth and needs this extra stuff. SCAR, or the Southeast Council that now there are 20 women who are We are here to help. Against the Road. Our African-Amer- currently serving in the Senate. One of My father would say: BARBARA, de- ican neighbors were on the other side the great joys has been to work to help liver those groceries. Take it down in of town, and they had a group called empower them so that they can be a that little red wagon I got for you. RAM, or Relocation Action Movement. powerhouse. That is why we have those With my little red wagon, I would Then the citywide coalition had a power workshops that struck fear into maybe take orange juice down to a group called MAD, or Movement the hearts of the guys—not to worry shut-in, but my father would say: Don’t Against Destruction. So you see, I have about us but to keep an eye on us. take a tip. But the tip he gave me was always had a certain flair about these I have been proud of what I have to always be of service and to treat things. learned, taking the values that I had people fair and square. So we did take on city hall. But the growing up and trying to put them in The other place where I learned so more I knocked on doors—and our com- the Federal lawbooks, because, for me, much about service was from the nuns munity did—we weren’t heard. So I de- no issue was too small to take up, and who taught me. I had the great fortune cided: the heck with it. If I knocked on no cause was too big for me to not take to go to Catholic schools. I was taught a door and I wasn’t going to be heard, on. by the Sisters of Notre Dame and the I was going to knock on the door to get I firmly believe that the best ideas Sisters of Mercy. These wonderful elected, and that is what I did—knock- come from the people. That is where women, who led the consecrated life, ing on doors, putting together a coali- some of my greatest accomplishments taught us not only about reading, writ- tion, defying the odds, defying what came from. One of the things I loved ing, and arithmetic, but they taught us people said: You can’t win. No woman the most was being in Maryland, mov- religion and emphasized the Beati- can win in an ethnic, hard-hat neigh- ing around the State, going to all of tudes. If anybody reads the Scripture, borhood. No woman can win who isn’t the counties in the State. I loved my if you go to Matthew 5 and you go to part of the political machine. And no Mondays in Maryland, where I could the Beatitudes, you know what has woman could win who had been active meet and go into unannounced places shaped us. One of them is this: Blessed in the civil rights movement. I said: like diners. A lot of people like to do are those who are meek at heart. I had Guess what. We defied the odds, and we townhalls, and they are terrific, but I to really work at that one—really, denied the odds, and that is how I came like to show up at a diner, go from really work at that one. At the same into public office—a champion on be- table to table to table and not only time, there were those who said: those half of the people. eyeball the french fries but listen to who hunger and thirst after justice. I wanted to come to be an advocate what the people have to say. That is what motivated me. It was fo- for people to have better lives, to have The other thing that I really liked cusing on the values of faith, like love better livelihoods and better neighbor- was roundtables—absolutely those your neighbor, care for the sick, and hoods, to be able to save jobs and to do roundtables—where you could engage worry about the poor. what I could to be able to help them. I in conversation with people and listen I was also inspired by a motto from knew that to do that I had to show up, to them, not show off how smart or something called the Christopher stand up, and speak up for my con- cool you were. I really loved doing Movement, where you would help carry stituents, staying close enough to the that. Out of it came some of my first the burden. It said: ‘‘It is better to people so they wouldn’t fall between big accomplishments. light one candle than to curse the the cracks and meeting their day-to- When I came to the U.S. Senate, my darkness.’’ That is what was moti- day needs and the long-range needs of father was quite ill with Alzheimer’s. vating me to service. the Nation. My father was a wonderful man. He You see, we really believed in Amer- When I came to the Senate, I was the worked hard for my sisters and me so ica in my family, and we really be- very first woman elected in her own that we would have an education. He

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.011 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE December 7, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6779 saw his role as a protector and pro- voucher to pay down their student put in only $500. What Senator vider, and by providing us an edu- loans. Hutchison wanted to do was to make it cation, we could always take care of Then there was a roundtable where I have parity—that old word, ‘‘parity.’’ I ourselves. met with parents of special needs chil- said yes. Our staffs told us not to work When he became so ill and went into dren, and a mother asked me to change with each other, but we were going to a nursing home, I listened to other the law from ‘‘retardation’’ to ‘‘intel- forge ahead. families who would come to visit peo- lectual disability’’ because she was We went out to dinner to talk over ple in long-term care. We saw that the being bullied. Well, I came back here strategy, but we talked together about very cruel rules of our own government and drafted legislation. Again, on the our lives, how she got her start, obsta- were forcing people to spend down their other side of the aisle was MIKE ENZI, cles she faced. We had such a good time entire life savings and put in their fam- who worked with me to pass that. that we said: Let’s invite other women. ily home or their family farm as an Rosa now is a member of the Special Well, that became the famous dinners— asset base. Well, listening to them, Olympics. She wins medals. She was the famous dinners that the women of BARBARA MIKULSKI said this: Family Person of the Week on TV. That is the Senate have. We knew we would responsibility—yes, you need to take what Mondays in Maryland means. It is never be a caucus because we were not responsibility for your family, but the worth everything to do things like uniform in our views or the way we cruel rules of government should never that. voted, but what we wanted to be was, push a family into family bankruptcy. In Maryland, we worked along with No. 1, a zone of civility where we would So I crafted something called the Senators Sarbanes and Hardin to clean treat each other with respect, our de- spousal anti-impoverishment rules that up the bay. We worked to make sure bates would be observed with intellec- enable elderly couples to keep their as- our port was viable. We worked not tual rigor, and when the day was over, sets and keep their home. AARP tells only on our Port of Baltimore for ships the day would be over. Those dinners me that since that legislation passed of commerce, but also we worked on have now stood the test of time, and I over 20 years ago, we have helped 1 mil- the space community at Goddard. I am am so proud of them. lion seniors not lose their homes or so proud of the fact that I worked very I have been so proud to work with my their family farms because one be- hard to save the Hubble Space Tele- colleague, the senior Senator from comes too ill because of that dreaded scope. That Hubble Space Telescope Maine, Ms. COLLINS, who has been such A-word or Parkinson’s or others. That turned out to be the richest contact a friend and such an ally. Though we is what I mean about the best ideas lens in world history. But again, with are not a caucus, we are a force when coming from the people. astronaut Senators Jake Garn and we can come together. We have made Then I also listened to women who John Glenn working together, we did change, and we have made a difference. worked hard every single day yet it, and it ensured America’s premier That doesn’t go down in the roll books, weren’t getting equal pay for equal leadership in astronomy and in space but I think it certainly should go down work. Of course we heard it from Lilly for years and for several decades. in the history books. Ledbetter, but we heard it from lots of Over the years, though, I could go So as I get ready to leave the Senate, Lillies, and we heard it from lots of through accomplishment after accom- what will I miss? Well, I will never Roses and lots of Marys and lots of plishment, but one of the things I have have another job as consequential as Otanias and lots of Marias. That is why learned as my lesson in life is that the this. This is pretty consequential. The we worked hard to pass the equal pay best ship you could sail on in life is fate of this country, and maybe even for equal work act. something called friendship. It is the world, lies in the hands of the Con- Working together with Senator friendship that makes life worth living. gress of the U.S. Senate. Nancy Kassebaum, Olympia Snowe, our It enables life to have the value of giv- I will miss the people in the Senate friends over in the House, Connie ing. That is what friendship is. When I the wonderful professional staff, but I Morella, Pat Schroeder, we also found think about the friends along the way am also going to miss the doorkeepers, that women were being excluded from whom I have met both in my home- the elevator operators, the cafeteria the protocols of NIH. The famous study town and my State, there are also workers, the police officers who say: In to take an aspirin and keep a heart at- those who are here, people who on both helping the one, we help the many. We tack away was done on 10,000 male sides of the aisle are absolutely so im- learn so much from them; I have medical students, not one woman. So portant to me—and the fact that we learned so much from them. Olympia, Connie, Pat, BARB showed up have worked on both sides of the aisle. I learned a lot from the elevator op- at NIH and pounded the table and said: I spoke about Senator CARDIN and erators. One was a lady of very modest Let’s start practicing good science in- Senator Sarbanes. But also on the Sen- means who every day would say to me stead of bad stereotypes and make sure ate Appropriations Committee, it was and to all of us, ‘‘Have a blessed day.’’ we are included where we should be in Senator SHELBY and Senator Kit Bond; What a great gift she gave us: ‘‘Have a a legitimate, scientific way. Out of we could actually work together. We blessed day.’’ that came the appointment of put our heads together to try to come Another elevator operator, who him- Bernadine Healy as the head of NIH; up with real solutions for real prob- self has recovered from very chal- out of that came the Office of Research lems, and we could do that. lenging health issues, always cheerful, on Women’s Health at NIH; and out of The other is not to judge one another asks, ‘‘How is your day?’’ The last that came the famous hormone re- because we have a party label. I am so thing you could do is to not return a placement study that Dr. Healy cham- darned sick of that. In the year of the smile. Those are the kinds of people pioned. Then and Arlen women, so many came—like BARBARA whom I will always remember, all Specter helped us get money in the BOXER and and DIANNE those helping hands. Federal checkbook. FEINSTEIN, also Senator Kay Bailey So I say to my colleagues now that I One study changed medical practice Hutchison, who came from Texas. I got will never, ever forget you. Helen Kel- and lowered breast cancer rates in this a call from Senator Hutchison one day, ler, though she was blind, was a great country by 15 percent. Wow. That is and my staff said: Ew, she wants to visionary, and she said that all that what working together does—to try to work with you on something. Ew, ew. you deeply love you never lose. And all save lives a million at a time. That was She is a conservative from Texas and whom I have ever met have become a on women’s health. she wants to do something for women. part of me; each and every one of you Then we saw growing concerns about I said: How about if we listen? Could have become a part of me. Everybody I the issue of the high cost of college. we start with listening? Could we start met along the way, whether it was at The first mortgage many of our kids with just listening? roundtables or the elevator operators, are facing is their student loans. Work- Senator Hutchison had a fabulous have become a part of me. You shaped ing together with the other side of the idea on IRA contributions. In those me, and you have helped me become a aisle, we created AmeriCorps, making days, if you were in the marketplace, better person. sure we enabled people to be able to be you could put in $2,000, but if you So when I wrap up and people say of service to our country and earn a worked full-time at home, you could ‘‘Well, what do you think you are going

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.022 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6780 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 7, 2016 to do, Barb,’’ I will say my plan is not the Senate comes to a close. As the Two years ago, I was honored to a job description but a life description. longest serving woman in the history stand alongside Senator BARB to accept Every day I am going to learn some- of the —30 years Allegheny College Prize for Civility in thing new. Every day I am going to in this Chamber, in addition to 10 years Public Life. We were representing all of give something back. Every day I am in the House—she has earned the grati- the women of the Senate for our lead- going to do something where I keep an tude of the people of her beloved Mary- ership in bringing an end to the dev- old friend or make a new one. I want to land and of the entire Nation. That astating government shutdown of 2013 thank God that I live in the United gratitude is based on much more than and working together on so many other States of America, which enabled me simple arithmetic, much more than issues. to do this. just how many years she has served With our dean setting the example, In conclusion, George Bernard here, impressive though that is. In re- we have always rejected the idea of a Shaw—I don’t know how he would have flecting on her service, it is difficult to women’s caucus because we, like the felt about me, but he wrote this, and I decide where to begin—her accomplish- men in the Senate, span the ideological think it is pretty good. He said this: ments, her vision, or her complete spectrum. Who would expect other- I am [of the opinion] that my life belongs dedication to the people she serves, the wise? We have worked together across to the [whole] community, and as long as I dedication that began in that neighbor- party lines to serve all Americans. As live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever hood in Baltimore that she describes so Senator MIKULSKI puts it ‘‘It’s not I can. passionately today. No matter where about gender, it’s about the agenda.’’ For the harder I work, the more I live. I we begin, we end up in the same place— will rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no In fact, all of us have our favorite it is all about her character. sayings that the Senator from Mary- ‘‘brief candle’’ to me. It is a sort of splendid Perhaps the best way to describe torch which I have got hold of for the mo- land has taught us, and we will miss Senator MIKULSKI’s character is by ment, and I want to make it burn as brightly her way with words so much. noting that she is not only officially as possible before handing it on to future When Senator MIKULSKI reached her generations. the longest serving woman in the his- Senate longevity milestone 5 years tory of the Congress, but she is also un- God bless the , ago, she surpassed my personal role officially the dean of the women in the and God bless the United States of model in public service, the legendary Senate. That title perfectly dem- America. Senator from Maine, Margaret Chase onstrates the trust and respect she has (Applause, Senators rising.) Smith. Just as the great lady from earned her from her colleagues. As a The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Maine inspired me and countless other brandnew Senator in 1997, I was one of ator from Maryland. young women of my generation to those tutored by this accomplished and TRIBUTES TO BARBARA MIKULSKI serve, the great lady from Maryland in- experienced dean. At that time, Sen- Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, yester- spires the young women of today, al- ator MIKULSKI had already been in the day I had an opportunity on the floor ways encouraging them to go for it. House and the Senate for a combined 20 to talk about Senator MIKULSKI, but I Throughout her life in public service, years. She didn’t know me from just want to take 1 minute—because I she has lived by one guiding principle: Adam—or perhaps I should say from to help our people meet the needs of know a lot of my colleagues want to Eve—yet, despite the difference in our today as she helps our Nation prepare speak—to thank her on behalf of the seniority, our States, and our parties, people of Maryland. she took me under her wing. She was for the challenges of tomorrow. Yesterday I was with Senator MIKUL- What an honor it has been to serve one of the first people who called me SKI at the inauguration of Catherine alongside Senator BARBARA MIKULSKI. I after I was sworn in as a new Senator. Pugh, our new mayor of Baltimore. As have learned so much from her. I will I was so grateful for her kindness and is the tradition on programs, the senior her wisdom. She invited me to a power never forget the day she told me I had Senator speaks and then the junior workshop in her office, along with the soul of an appropriator, which I Senator speaks, so I had the oppor- Mary Landrieu, the other woman who knew was the highest compliment she tunity to speak after the dynamic re- was elected that year. She taught me could give me. And she was right. We marks of Senator MIKULSKI. That has the ropes of the appropriations process have worked on that committee to get been a burden that I have had now for and instituted regular bipartisan din- so much done. 10 years. As I pointed out to the people ners for the women of the Senate. I wish her many more years of of Maryland, we are losing one of the In the years since then, I have come health, happiness, and, most of all, great giants and advocates for our to know her as a fighter, a trailblazer, that most important ‘‘ship,’’ friend- State, and that is going to be a great and a person of such integrity. ship. loss. The only benefit I can see is that Maybe it is all those years with the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I will not have to follow Senator MI- nuns that taught you that. ator from California. KULSKI on the program in the future. It has been a privilege to work with Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, be- We are living part of a legacy, and we her on such vital issues as home health fore Senator COLLINS leaves the floor, I know that. We know that what we do care, maritime issues, higher edu- want to thank Senator COLLINS for her here in the U.S. Senate one day will be cation, pay equality, and an issue near beautiful remarks about BARBARA MI- recorded in the history of our country. and dear to both of us, Alzheimer’s re- KULSKI. As I leave here, I have said I know that Senator MIKULSKI will be search. Serving with her on the Appro- publicly—the press has asked: What is mentioned frequently for her incredible priations Committee, I have witnessed your hope? accomplishments here in the U.S. Sen- firsthand what an extraordinary leader I often say: My hope is with the Sen- ate. she is—fair, openminded, yet with firm ator from Maine, Senator COLLINS, to On a personal basis, I just wanted to expectations and a clear sense of direc- bridge some of the partisan divides. express that my life in the U.S. Senate tion. It has been an honor to serve with has been special. For all of us, being in Senator MIKULSKI is, above all, a you. I know you have a lot on your the Senate is special, but my enjoy- hard worker. Growing up in East Balti- shoulders as we move forward. ment, productivity, and life in the Sen- more, she learned the value of hard Senator MIKULSKI, I want to take a ate has been made so much greater be- work in her family’s grocery store, as few minutes to talk about you. Some cause of my seatmate and friend, Sen- we have heard today. Her commitment Senators have focus and drive. Some ator BARBARA MIKULSKI. to making a difference in her neighbor- have compassion. Some have empathy. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. hood led her to become a social worker, Some have sharp negotiating skills. ERNST). The Senator from Maine. helping at-risk children and our sen- Some have a quick wit. Some are great Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, it is iors. The statement she made sums up students of history. Some are cham- with deep affection, admiration, and her approach to serving in Congress: ‘‘I pions for the least among us. Senator appreciation that I rise today to offer was a social worker for Baltimore fam- BARBARA MIKULSKI, you are all of these my heartfelt congratulations to our ilies. Now I’m a social worker building things. You are everything a Senator colleague and my dear friend, Senator opportunities for families throughout should be and more. As my mentor, as BARBARA MIKULSKI, as her service in America.’’ my treasured friend, you have been a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.023 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE December 7, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6781 major influence in my career. Hon- In the years since, as you have heard, There are many words to describe you, estly, I can say I would not be here as she has hosted regular dinners for all such as outspoken, feisty, and all of a United States Senator without your the women in the Senate—Democratic that, but I would say the word that de- guidance. and Republican alike. We reach across scribes you best is ‘‘authenticity.’’ You One of my favorite things about BAR- party lines and come together because are who you are. The people of Cali- BARA is her wonderful sense of humor. of her. We talk about our work, our fornia have loved you for it and sent It is legendary. She is hilarious when families. We share our struggles and you to the Congress. she wants to be. our triumphs. What is said there stays We started out together basically in When I was in the House of Rep- there. city council roles, sometimes called resentatives, I was fighting to inte- Senator MIKULSKI has led us by ex- the pothole parliament. It has been a grate the all-male House gym. The ample, showing us how to build coali- pleasure to serve with the Senator room to which they had assigned the tions, how to bridge the partisan di- from California. I have watched you women was about 6 by 6, and it had vide, which includes strong partnership stand up for your beliefs, and along the showers and hair dryers. You know the with our male colleagues, whom she way, as you stood up for your beliefs, big hair dryers that come over your calls ‘‘Sir Galahads.’’ She has also you made believers of us all. head like that? It had no exercise shown us how to stand up and make Godspeed to you, BARBARA. We are equipment. It had no space. It was the our voices heard. As she says, go friends forever. size of a shoebox. We women decided we ‘‘earring to earring’’ with our oppo- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- needed some exercise, so we packed nents and ‘‘put on our lipstick, square ator from Michigan. into the tiny room. our shoulders, suit up and fight.’’ Leg- TRIBUTE TO DEPARTING SENATORS There was then-Congresswoman MI- endary Mikulski words. Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, I KULSKI, Congresswoman Ferraro, Con- To me, Senator MIKULSKI is the wish to speak about Senator MIKULSKI gresswoman Schroeder, Barbara Ken- whole package—a skilled, intelligent and then also Senator BOXER, the two nelly, Olympia Snowe, who looked like negotiator, a Senator who fights for great Senator BARBARAs who have been she had just stepped out of Vogue mag- the people, and a woman who helps such giants in the Senate. We are so azine. I was in my sweat suit, and so other women. She is our cherished grateful to both of them. was BARB. The teacher was leading us leader, and that is why she will always BARBARA MIKULSKI in an aerobics class, and she said: Put be known as the dean of the Senate Madam President, I do have to say your hands above your head. We did it. women. that among the many things with She said: Put your hands out on the which I have been honored and have ap- side. We did it. Then she said: Put your When BARBARA announced she would preciated was when Senator MIKULSKI hands on your hips and bend at the be leaving the Senate, I wrote her a rhyme. I love to write rhymes and accepted my offer to stay at the Stabe- waist. And with that, BARBARA yelled: now bed and breakfast after long ses- ‘‘Look, if I had a waist, I wouldn’t be lyrics. I wrote her the following rhyme: Before Mikulski won the day, sion nights and days when the Appro- here.’’ That is my BARB. She can use priations Committee was negotiating laughter to defuse any situation. I will A guy would have to pass away, and doing the incredible work that had always love her for it. And then his wife would take his place. Finally, a woman in a Senate space. to be done. I had the honor of being When I started thinking about my But Barb she got there in her own right. able to put up a plaque in my home own long shot bid for the Senate—and First Democratic gal to win that fight. it was worse than a long shot—the first that says: Senator BARB slept here. I She won the race and joined the misters. will always be honored to have had person I went to after my family was But finally NOW she has nineteen sisters! that opportunity on top of all of the BARB. It was a few years after she had BARBARA, next year, because of what made history by becoming the first other ways we have worked together. you started, because of the people you It really is an honor to stand here. I Democratic woman ever elected in her encouraged, there will be 21 women in can’t imagine the Senate without Sen- own right to the U.S. Senate. She got the Senate—a record. Sitting here in ator MIKULSKI and Senator BOXER. I right to the point: ‘‘How old are you, my chair, my seat, will be an incredible can’t imagine the Senate without the Babs?’’—using the nickname she calls woman. me to this day. I told her I was almost incredible service of my dear friend and Senator MIKULSKI, BARB, my treas- colleague, who is our dean in every 50. ured mentor, my dear friend, thank God, that sounds so young, BARBARA. sense of the word—the senior Senator I told her I was almost 50. I explained you for everything. We have been from the State of Maryland. For over it was going to be a tough fight. I was through battles together. I am forever 30 years she has worked tireless. We up against two powerful male oppo- grateful to you, and I will always know that. We hear it every day. We nents in the Democratic primary, and I treasure our friendship. know what the people in Baltimore, was an asterisk in the polls. What was I yield the floor. the Chesapeake Bay area, and all of her response? She looked at me and she The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Maryland care about. She has been said: ‘‘Go for it. It’s worth the fight ator from Maryland. fighting and standing up for them you’ll have to wage to get here. And it Ms. MIKULSKI. Madam President, I every single moment of every single will be a fight.’’ And it was. thank the gentlelady from California. day. I so admire that, and I am so In 1992, four new women came to the Mrs. BOXER. I like ‘‘gentlelady.’’ grateful. She has been a wonderful in- Senate, and who was waiting for us Ms. MIKULSKI. That is the way we spiration and mentor to me. We have with open arms? Senator MIKULSKI. talk here. I thank the gentlelady from all heard about our dinners and the And this is what she said: ‘‘Some California for her kind words. We have power briefings on appropriations. She women stare out the window waiting been together through thick, thin, and has been a continual source of inspira- for Prince Charming. I stared out the the attempt to get thin, and that story tion and a mentor to me. window waiting for more women Sen- about bending at the waist is a true She reached out to me, as she does to ators—and it is finally happening!’’ one. all of our colleagues, when I was first That is who BARBARA is. She never set I am not the person with the best elected. She welcomed me and showed out to make a name for herself. She hairdo or sleek or chic, but one of the me what it meant to be a good Senator wanted to blaze a trail that was wide things I have so admired about my representing my State of Michigan and enough for all of us to follow. friend is her authenticity. We first got how to get things done. Senator MIKUL- Just days after I won that first Sen- to know each other in the House, and SKI has always been willing to lend a ate race, she sent all the new women then I encouraged you to come to the helping hand and has never given up Senators a guidebook she herself had Senate, which certainly was the right when it comes to fighting for the peo- written about how to get started in the thing to do. You are yourself. You are ple she represents and being a trail- Senate, how to get on committees. She true to yourself, you are true to your blazer. invited us to her office for lessons on beliefs. You are true to your constitu- I came into the Senate with a mas- Senate procedure and how to set up our ents, and you are true to the Constitu- ter’s degree in social work. Senator MI- offices. She had covered everything. tion. You are such a true, blue person. KULSKI has often said that we are the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.025 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6782 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 7, 2016 two official do-gooders in the Senate. therefore build the Nation. The Sen- country can be safer and more secure We have taken our interest from help- ator from Michigan’s championship in in their own neighborhood. ing people individually to another level that area has been amazing to me. She has been an incredible supporter by becoming policymakers, thereby I am so glad my friend from Michigan of transportation, extending the high- giving us the opportunity to touch is here in the Senate, whether she is way trust fund, helping protect over 1 more lives by using our skills and our standing up for the people in Flint, MI, million jobs. Or her Mat Map–21 Trans- background in education as well. so they have safe drinking water, or portation Bill, which modernized Fed- We all know—but I think it is impor- standing up for those who need help in eral highway, highway safety, and tant to remind ourselves—that she was the area of food and nutrition so there transportation programs. only 26 when Senator MIKULSKI talked aren’t food deserts in communities. And she has fought for children and about the highway proposal that would That is one of the biggest public health families, her work in the Fostering have destroyed a neighborhood full of initiatives. If you are a diabetic, you Connections to Success and Increasing working people. She spoke up. She was can’t comply if all you can get is fast Adoptions Act—providing extra serv- noticed, and she wasn’t afraid to say food and french fries. If you are a child, ices for young adults under 21 and help- exactly what she was thinking. She you need good food and good nutrition. ing some of America’s young people was and is absolutely fearless in every My friend knows more than anybody who need it most. good sense of that word. She brought that you need to feed the body, the On a personal note, I have greatly en- that fearlessness to the Senate. That mind, and the spirit, and she has cer- joyed sharing a love of music with my fearlessness made her the first woman tainly done that. It has been great friend, BARBARA. Her creativity and to serve as chair of the Appropriations being your pal and partner. passion for song has been a special part Committee of the Senate. It doesn’t get Many people don’t know this, but of who she is. more important than that in setting Senator CARDIN and I commute every Her retirement, while well earned, policy and having an impact on peo- day. When those appropriation cycles will be a loss for all of us. ple’s lives in our country by got pretty late, after midnight, the Thank you so much for your service. prioritizing the interests of the Amer- gentlelady from Michigan offered her The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ican people in every funding decision. home to me. We had a saying: Stop ator from Delaware. That fearlessness was on display when whining and have a glass of wine. TRIBUTE TO BARBARA MIKULSKI she helped bring us closer to the Lilly There was nothing like being able to Mr. COONS. Madam President, I wish Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, making talk about your day with a colleague to offer a few brief comments, if I it closer to having equal pay for equal who will offer inspiration and encour- might, so I may thank and congratu- work than it has ever been before. agement at the end of the day. My late Senator MIKULSKI for her tireless Senator MIKULSKI fought for health friend offered her home, but she has contributions to the State of Maryland care. I was proud to join her in making really fought for so many people to and the whole country. sure that women could receive preven- have a home and a community in order As many know, she is a passionate, tive care without a copay. She made to have what they need so they can capable, effective champion for people sure that women were truly rep- learn and prosper in this country. of all backgrounds, and she got her resented and that our needs were met I just wish you so much and wish you start in local government. One of the in health care reform, and that will all the best. things we have in common is that I, continue to impact all of the lives of Thank you very much. too, started in a very humble office as women across the country. BARBARA BOXER a county council member in my home When she turned her eyes to the Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, community of New Castle County, DE. stars, wondering what was up there, as her name suggests, Senator BOXER The way I first met BARBARA MIKUL- she made sure that the Goddard Space has always been a fighter, a champion SKI and first saw her toughness, grit, Flight Center was a leader in exploring for the people of California, and a good passion, and determination was in a the unknown. Like the supernova friend. fight over a program she helped give named after her, she has absolutely as- Though Senator BOXER began her life life to, the national service program tonished us with her brilliance, and in Brooklyn, California has always known as AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps is a nothing will be quite the same after been her home. fantastic national program that part- she leaves here. It is where she got elected to the ners with the Federal Government, Her work in the Senate has made it Marin County Board of Supervisors, be- State, and local governments, the pri- possible for so many women and girls coming the first woman to hold the vate sector, and nonprofit volunteers. across America to put their hat in the board’s presidency. She has been a tireless champion for ring and say: I want to run for office, It is where she first got elected to the AmeriCorps over many years and has and I can do it. House of Representatives, where she made a lasting difference in its areas of Senator MIKULSKI said it best—there quickly rose and became a leader we focus and work. are so many wonderful quotes I will al- could all aspire to be. During my short 6 years here, she has ways use—when she said: Put your lip- And as Senator, she has worked tire- been a great friend and a mentor to me stick on, square your shoulders, and lessly for families, children, con- and to so many others on both sides of suit up. Go into the fight and get sumers, everyone in the State of Cali- the aisle. , our Vice Presi- things done. That has become a mantra fornia and Americans everywhere. dent, has often said: Show me your for us in working together. Senator BOXER has always been a budget, and I will show you your val- I thank Senator BARB. You will be wonderful mentor to me, and she has ues. As leader of the Senate Appropria- greatly missed, but I know you have so been relentless on moving forward on tions Committee, Senator MIKULSKI much more to give. I know you will al- some of the most critically important helped to lift up our values and helped ways make a difference in people’s issues of our time. to make sure we invested in effective lives in every single thing you do every As the first woman to chair the Envi- programs that made sure we fed the single day, and we will be forever ronment and Public Works Committee, hungry, housed the homeless, fought grateful. she has provided the support that has for manufacturing, and ensured that Ms. MIKULSKI. Madam President, kept America’s air and water safe and Federal workers who lived in Maryland again, I thank the gentlelady from to fight climate change. She defended and Federal agencies that were rooted, Michigan. We both have master’s de- mercury and lead standards and in- not just in Maryland but around the grees in social work. I joke, but I am stalled choking warnings on packages. country, had the resources, support, actually serious when I say we are cer- I will personally always be grateful and capacity to make a lasting dif- tified do-gooders. When people hear for her tireless advocacy and support ference here in our region and for the about social work, they sometimes for the 100,000 Flint citizens who have entire country. think it is about giving money away, been poisoned by lead in their water. I just wanted to add my voice to col- but it is really about trying to help We have her to thank when we know leagues who stood here on the floor and people build lives, build families, and that children and families all over the said: We are so grateful to Senator

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.026 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE December 7, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6783 BARBARA MIKULSKI for her decades of stand what is really going on there. On Just as the pipeline company must service to Baltimore, to Maryland, and Saturday, the Obama administration follow the law, the protesters them- to our country and for all she has done announced its refusal to issue the final selves need to follow the law as well. to lift us up together. easement for the Dakota Access Pipe- By continuing to remain in the camp, Thank you. line to cross a narrow section deep un- the protesters are defying Federal and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- derneath the Missouri River. State orders to leave. They are sub- ator from Iowa. This easement is required to finish jecting residents in the area to addi- 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY the 1,172-mile-long pipeline which is al- tional weeks of disruption and hard- COMMITTEE ready 98 percent complete in North Da- ship. They also require our law enforce- Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, kota—98 percent complete in North Da- ment to continue their around-the- this Saturday, December 10, marks the kota—and 86 percent complete overall. clock presence, 24 hours a day, 7 days a 200th anniversary of the establishment As I have indicated before on the floor, week. of the Committee on the Judiciary of it runs from the Bakken oilfields in The protesters need to follow the the Senate. I am very proud to be the North Dakota, moving North Dakota law, just like everyone else. I repeat, it chairman of that committee—the first light sweet crude all the way to Pato- is time—past time—to leave this ille- chairman who is not a lawyer, I might ka, IL, so oil can go into all of the re- gal camp. I would like to address the add—and I will be submitting a resolu- fineries along the eastern part of the dedication of our State and local law tion, along with some other committee country and the eastern seaboard. enforcement officers—the professionals members, to commemorate this 200th In fact, our light sweet crude oil who make up the North Dakota High- anniversary. competes with OPEC. If they are not way Patrol, our sheriffs, and our depu- Madam President, 200 years ago, the using our light sweet crude, they are ties around the State and from other Senate established 11 original standing bringing in oil from places like Saudi States who have come in to assist us. committees. Today, although there are Arabia for these eastern refineries. So Members of the North Dakota Na- many committees, the Senate Judici- very important in terms of energy tional Guard and other first responders ary Committee is one of four original independence for our country, but as I have acted with professionalism and committees that still meet today. Dur- said, this pipeline is 98 percent com- diligence to maintain peace and order ing the past two centuries, some of the plete in our State. Now, again, the under very difficult circumstances. most vital and important questions Obama administration is delaying it. They continue to protect the public, Unfortunately, this latest Obama ad- facing the Nation have come before the especially now with the onset of chal- ministration decision fails to follow committee. For example, during the lenging winter conditions. In my 10 the rule of law, it fails to resolve the Civil War, the committee ensured that years as Governor of North Dakota, I issue, and it perpetuates an extremely President Lincoln had the emergency spent a lot of time working with our difficult situation for North Dakotans. powers he needed to pursue the Civil Furthermore, it is estimated that over law enforcement officers to prepare for War effort, and in 1864, the committee 5,000 protesters are still unlawfully weather emergencies. I know the prep- took a critical step in ending slavery in gathered on Federal or Corps of Engi- arations these situations require. Even today, our law enforcement and the United States when it reported the neers land in our State. They are there State Department of Transportation 13th Amendment of the Constitution. in direct violation of the Army Corps’ The committee has jurisdiction over crews are working to keep evacuation December 5 eviction notice, as well as routes open, rescuing people stranded issues that directly impact American an evacuation order from North Dako- lives and is on the forefront of deciding ta’s Governor. on the highways and providing assist- important policy issues, including im- However, now that the Obama admin- ance to many from outside North Da- migration, civil liberties, criminal laws istration has made its decision, pro- kota who are unprepared to deal with and the protection for victims, and, of testers should move from their unlaw- the recent blizzard we had in North Da- course, civil rights. In addition, the ful site on the Army Corp of Engineers’ kota. committee examines those nominated land. Even Standing Rock Chairman The men and women in law enforce- for lifetime appointments to the Fed- David Archambault has finally said ment are doing their best to protect ev- eral bench. that protesters need to leave and re- eryone, including the protesters. We Over the years, the committee has turn home. Let me repeat that. Even owe our law enforcement a debt of reported legislation that has been vital Standing Rock Sioux Chairman David gratitude for their diligence, for their to the safety and protection of the Archambault has finally said pro- dedication, and for their profes- American people. I don’t have time testers need to leave and return home. sionalism, but North Dakota’s law en- today to discuss all the committee has He is the tribal chairman. The Obama forcement resources are severely accomplished over the last 200 years, administration needs to do the same. strained. I have repeatedly called on but I do want to take a minute to rec- The administration needs to call on the the U.S. Department of Justice to pro- ognize this important anniversary. I protesters to leave this illegal site as vide additional funding and law en- am very proud of the committee’s sto- well. forcement officers to ensure public ried history. Today, I celebrate these As I said, the Dakota Access Pipeline safety. accomplishments and will follow that issue has been difficult for the people Our State has requested Federal as- up with the submission of a resolution. of North Dakota. In recent months, sistance and was assured—was as- I am truly humbled today to be its protesters have trespassed on private sured—by the Attorney General that chairman. property, they have blocked state high- we would be given expedited consider- I yield the floor and suggest the ab- ways and damaged bridges, they have ation, but that has not been the case. sence of a quorum. committed acts of vandalism to con- Our Byrne grant application for Fed- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The struction equipment by cutting hy- eral assistance has still not been ap- clerk will call the roll. draulic hoses, breaking windows, filling proved by the Attorney General. I will The senior assistant legislative clerk gas tanks with gravel, and setting continue to call on the U.S. Depart- proceeded to call the roll. equipment on fire. ment of Justice, the U.S. Department Mr. HOEVEN. Madam President, I Protesters have blocked intersections of the Interior, and the Corps to pro- ask unanimous consent that the order in Bismarck and Mandan. They have vide additional Federal resources, in- for the quorum call be rescinded. disrupted area businesses, and farmers cluding funding and law enforcement The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without and ranchers in the area have reported personnel to assist our State and local objection, it is so ordered. instances of trespassing and butchered law enforcement officers and ensure DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE livestock. The rule of law matters in public safety. Mr. HOEVEN. Madam President, I this country, but by committing acts As I have said before, everyone has a rise again to speak about the Dakota of lawlessness at this construction site right to be heard, but it must be done Access Pipeline issue in North Dakota. as a proxy for changing broader envi- lawfully and peacefully, whether that Again, I want to emphasize that we ronmental policies, the rule of law is is during the permitting process, with need to focus on the facts and under- undermined. its opportunities for public comment,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.027 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6784 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 7, 2016 or through the court system. I empha- Corps’ Omaha district commander, the Dakota Access Pipeline—we need size through the court system. That is John Henderson, convened representa- to focus on ways to improve the per- the established method in our country tives from the pipeline company, the mitting process. We need to improve for dispute resolution. So it is time—it Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and Army the process so we can make sure all is past time—for the protesters to Corps officials. They met in Bismarck people’s voices are heard and provide stand down and to recognize that the for 5 hours. The meeting included trib- regulatory certainty to companies will- courts and the next administration will al staff and the company’s engineering ing to invest in large infrastructure resolve this issue. and technical experts who came to- projects. This should be done prospec- It is also important to recognize that gether for the sole purpose of reviewing tively, not retroactively—looking for this pipeline is not unique or unusual Standing Rock’s 19 specific safety and ways to better streamline procedures, as an infrastructure project. There are environmental concerns raised in the reduce duplicative hurdles, and im- more than 38,000 crude oil pipeline tribe’s October 2016 letter to the Corps. prove methods for public input. river and water body crossings in the In this meeting, the pipeline com- This pipeline can be built safely and United States—more than 38,000—and pany, tribe, and Army Corps discussed include necessary protections for both more than 1,000 in my State of North all 19 concerns raised by the Standing the tribe and everyone else down- Dakota alone. This is one more. These Rock, and they considered 36 potential stream. The fact is that our country crossings range from rivers, streams, terms and conditions that could fur- needs energy, and we cannot have it and lakes to ponds, canals, and ditches. ther reduce the risk of a spill or pipe- without energy infrastructure—pipe- Also, it is important to understand the line rupture. Again, let me repeat that. lines, transmission lines, roads, rail, oil is already being transported across In order to directly address the river and bridges—to move both traditional a river on rail and across bridges. crossing concerns raised by the tribe and renewable energy from where it is Once again, I just want to show—this and the protesters, the pipeline com- produced to where it is consumed. is the network of oil pipelines in the pany was willing to consider more than Move it both safely and efficiently. country. They cross many bodies of 36 additional safeguards for this cross- Let’s all work together to make that water. We are doing it one more time ing. happen. with the latest, greatest technology. Friday’s meeting actually resulted in With that, Madam President, I yield The pipeline does not go in the river in a revised proposed easement, which the floor. any way, shape or form. It is about 100 was presented to the Assistant Sec- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- feet underneath the river. So even if retary of the Army, Jo-Ellen Darcy, ator from . the next day, on Saturday, December there was a leak, somehow that oil 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK ON PEARL would have to come up through bed- 3—last Saturday. However, the fol- HARBOR rock to even get into the area. lowing day, on Sunday, December 4, Mr. SCHATZ. Madam President, I In other words, it is the latest, great- Assistant Secretary Darcy promptly rise to commemorate the 75th anniver- est technology. This oil is already mov- rejected the revised easement and in- sary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. ing to market. It is already crossing stead required more ‘‘broad public For the people of Hawaii, it started the river on rail and on truck. If we input and analysis.’’ as an ordinary sunny Sunday morning Clearly, the Obama administration is don’t build this, we are relying on the in December. Families were getting not interested in finding a way forward old infrastructure, which is less safe ready for church; others were preparing based on the merits of the project, even and less environmentally sound, in- breakfast. It was quiet. It was peaceful. in light of two Federal court rulings stead of building the new, latest, great- Just before 8 a.m., the first wave of upholding the Army Corps’ reviews and est infrastructure with the tech- Japanese warplanes started their co- even with subsequent attempts by the nologies that will be more efficient, ordinated surprise attack on the island company to specifically address the more safe, more environmentally of Oahu. Bombers attacked aircraft tribe’s remaining environmental con- sound. That is what makes sense. clustered wing tip to wing tip at cerns. Wheeler and Hickham Airfields, mak- Again, it is not unique. In recent days, I have met directly ing it too easy for Japanese pilots to Additionally, the pipeline company with President-Elect Trump’s transi- destroy their targets. By the end of the has modified its route on its own 140 tion team and conveyed the impor- attack, Japanese forces sunk four of times in North Dakota to avoid any tance of bringing this situation to a important or cultural resources. So resolution. I have also spoken directly the eight battleships at Ford Island. they have modified the route to avoid on the matter to Vice President-Elect Another battleship intentionally ran any cultural resources 140 times just in and to the next Attorney aground in the harbor to avoid block- ing the channel. Three destroyers and our State. General, JEFF SESSIONS. In July 2016, the Army Corps issued President-Elect Trump has now pub- seven other ships were sunk or severely its final environmental assessment, licly communicated his support for the damaged. It was the worst disaster in which concluded with the finding of project, as well as for providing Fed- U.S. naval history. There were 2,403 ‘‘no significant environmental impact’’ eral assistance, including additional servicemembers killed or mortally and ‘‘no historic properties affected.’’ resources and law enforcement per- wounded, and 1,247 servicemembers These determinations have been upheld sonnel. This project should be decided were injured. Fifty-seven civilians were not once but twice by the Federal on the merits and in accordance with killed. courts, including a judge appointed by the law. Failure to do so will cast new Across Oahu, people watched as the Obama administration—a Federal uncertainty on all future infrastruc- smoke and fire blackened the sky over district court judge here in Wash- ture projects, from pipelines that carry Pearl Harbor. Among those were two ington, DC. oil and gas and other liquids to trans- 17-year-olds, Daniel K. Inouye and Dan- As for the way forward for this dif- mission lines carrying both traditional iel K. Akaka. Like many others that ficult issue, we need to look at the and renewable energy. day, they were called to duty. Senator facts at hand. In the midst of the ongo- If companies and individuals cannot Daniel Akaka, then an ROTC student ing news coverage, it can seem that rely on a system that follows the rule at the Kamehameha School for Boys, heated rhetoric leaves little room for of law, nobody will risk making future grabbed a rifle and guarded the hills good-faith efforts to find common investments in our country’s vital in- above the school from potential Japa- ground, but I want to highlight that frastructure. That will make our Na- nese paratroopers. Senator Inouye, there continues to be attempts at find- tion less safe, less secure, and less com- then a volunteer medical aid, reported ing consensus among the stakeholders, petitive. As I said a minute ago, think to Lunalilo Elementary School, where even as recently as last Friday. about it. If we can’t build new infra- for a week he tended to the wounded. To that point, in a meeting I had yes- structure, then we will continue to use In the weeks that followed, the ship- terday with the Army Corps’ North- the old infrastructure, which is less yard was back to work repairing ves- western Division Commander, BG safe and less environmentally secure. sels raised from the harbor. Incredibly, Scott Spellman, he stated that last To avoid this situation in the fu- all but two ships returned to service in Friday, on December 2, the Army ture—the kind of standoff we have with just 2 years. The Nevada went on to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.029 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE December 7, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6785 support the invasion of Normandy. TRIBUTE TO BARBARA MIKULSKI by the Department and reorganizing Five other ships damaged at Pearl Har- Mr. COCHRAN. Madam President, I the Office of Acquisition, Technology bor later met Japanese forces in the rise to compliment and congratulate and Logistics to ensure that the Pen- . That ‘‘Day of Infamy’’ and my good friend and colleague, the sen- tagon emphasizes research and innova- the events that followed would ulti- ior Senator from Maryland, BARBARA tion in support of our warfighters. mately galvanize more than 12 million MIKULSKI, on her decision to retire In particular, one of the most impor- Americans to serve in uniform during from the U.S. Senate. We are going to tant reform efforts included in the the Second World War. We remember miss her very much. She has been a final conference agreement is a Senate the men and women who left their very effective Senator in speaking not provision that would create cross-func- homes to fight an enemy they did not only as a representative for the State tional teams. This is a new tool for the know in places they had never heard of. of Maryland but also for the entire Secretary of Defense to manage the They said goodbye to their families to country on so many different issues formation and implementation of poli- protect their neighbors—foreclosed the and Federal responsibilities of our gov- cies and solutions for complex prob- promise of their own dreams to protect ernment. She has been very successful lems that inherently cut across the our freedom. We know well the stories in every way—serving as chair of the many stovepiped functional organiza- of courage and devotion: the Tuskegee committee on Appropriations, where it tions in the Department of Defense. Airmen, the 442nd Infantry Regiment. has been my pleasure to work closely The private sector has pioneered and We remember the ingenuity and her- with her as the vice chair when the Re- mastered this highly effective integra- oism of Doolittle’s Raiders, the Navajo publicans were in the minority, and tion mechanism for a generation, and code-talkers, and Nisei translators. then coming to chair the committee, business schools and business The war in the Pacific lasted 2,194 with her as the ranking Democratic consultancies have championed its use days. When American occupation member during other periods. for decades. I consider this provision to forces landed 4 years later at the end of It has been a distinct honor to serve be one of the most important reform the war, Japan was in ruins. But in- with her on the Appropriations Com- initiatives in this bill. None of this stead of turning our backs on the peo- mittee. In 2012, she became the first would have happened without the lead- ple of Japan, we extended a hand. We woman to chair the committee. She ership, guidance, and constant urging chose to turn an enemy into an ally. has also served as vice chairwoman for of the chairman, Senator MCCAIN. Once American occupiers immediately set the past 2 years. I am pleased that we again, I commend him for his extraor- out to transform Japan into a peaceful have been able to work together to re- dinary efforts. democracy, implementing land and port bills that reflect our shared com- As these reforms are introduced, it is economic reforms, improving working mitment to national security, sci- imperative that we continue to col- conditions, and granting women the entific research, education, and eco- laborate with the Department of De- right to vote. The United States sent nomic development. Senator MIKULSKI fense to ensure that these reforms con- billions of dollars in economic aid to has been a very valuable partner tribute to our national security and do rebuild Japan. Most of that assistance throughout. Her approach to funding not create unnecessary and detri- was delivered as food, for even several decisions as chairwoman and vice- mental consequences. This will be a years after the surrender, there was chairwoman highlights the importance partnership going forward to ensure widespread starvation in Japan. It is of the constitutional role of Congress that these reforms are adequate, appro- hard to forget someone who sends you to be good stewards of taxpayer money. priate, and work for the benefit of the milk for hungry children, as Prime I congratulate BARBARA MIKULSKI on men and women in uniform, and that is Minister Abe recently told Congress. her distinguished career representing a process in which we will all be en- The attack on Pearl Harbor set in the people of Maryland which reflects motion a chain of events with painful gaged. great credit on our U.S. Senate. Best With respect to the budget, the con- consequences for our two countries, wishes to her. ference agreement we are considering but the decision we made to partner I yield the floor. today authorizes a total of $619 billion, with, rather than punish, Japan helped The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- which includes $543.4 billion in base to forge between our two countries ator from Rhode Island. budget funding for the Department of what Senator Mike Mansfield described NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL Defense and certain security activities as ‘‘the most important bilateral rela- Mr. REED. Madam President, I rise of the Department of Energy and $67.8 tionship in the world, bar none.’’ Today, Japan is a leader in the West- to discuss the National Defense Au- billion in overseas contingency oper- ern world. We cooperate as partners to thorization Act. After several months ations, or OCO, funding. maintain regional peace. Our countries of debate and negotiation, the House This OCO amount includes $5.8 bil- work together to stop the flow of extre- and Senate Armed Services Commit- lion in supplemental funding requested mism and arms in the Indian Ocean. tees have arrived at a completed con- by President Obama for operations in We work side by side in humanitarian ference agreement. This will be the Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, as well as relief missions and to defend against 55th consecutive time that we pass a an additional $3.2 billion above Presi- ballistic missile threats. Our relation- National Defense Authorization Act, dent Obama’s budget request for base ship has never been stronger. President which sets national security policy and budget requirements primarily devoted Obama’s trip in May to Hiroshima and provides important authorities to the to increased end strength. I have seri- President Abe’s trip to Pearl Harbor Department of Defense. ous concerns about increasing OCO demonstrate the endurance of this I want to begin by thanking Chair- funding above the President’s budget friendship and the importance of rec- man MCCAIN for his leadership during request without a corresponding in- onciliation. the course of this year. At his direc- crease in domestic spending. While the So as we commemorate the 75th an- tion, the Senate Armed Services Com- OCO account is exempt from budget niversary of the attack on Pearl Har- mittee undertook a robust review of caps, the purpose of the Budget Control bor, we remember the service and sac- how the Department develops strategic Act was to establish proportionately rifice of the men and women who lost guidance and executes their business equal caps on defense and nondefense their lives on that day in December. In processes to help the Department oper- discretionary spending to force a bipar- remembering them and the service of ate more effectively and efficiently. I tisan compromise on the budget. those who fought, we know that their commend the chairman for making During consideration of the NDAA, sacrifices were not in vain. America this effort a priority for the com- the House and Senate had different ap- and Japan are forever joined in history. mittee, and I appreciate his willingness proaches on how best to fund these We move forward together, in the to work in a bipartisan fashion on this base budget requirements and ongoing memory of those who sacrificed for a important endeavor. military operations. However, after a better world and for peace. The conference report we are consid- robust debate, we reached an agree- Madam President, I yield the floor. ering today includes many Senate re- ment on a modest increase in OCO to The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. forms, including efforts to improve the fund increased end strength and to re- CAPITO). The Senator from Mississippi. defense strategy documents produced plenish depleted munitions inventories.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.030 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6786 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 7, 2016 With respect to Afghanistan, the con- that we are continuing two-per-year practices modeled on private sector ference agreement supports our mili- construction of the Virginia-class sub- best practices, including the use of big tary operations. Specifically, the bill marine. It also supports additional re- data to improve Pentagon business authorizes approximately 8,400 troops quests for advance procurement to processes. I believe that refining Pen- in Afghanistan in 2017, including fully keep this production on track. Fur- tagon management practices will re- funding the Afghan Security Forces thermore, it authorizes $1.9 billion for sult in cost savings and efficiencies, Fund at $4.26 billion to continue sup- the Ohio-class replacement, including freeing up funds for other critical port to the Afghan National Defense the first strategic nuclear submarine needs. and Security Forces. Likewise, the bill procurement funds, to begin the proc- I note that the conferees did not in- contains $814 million to enhance the ess of reinvigorating and rebuilding our clude several provisions regarding the capabilities of the Afghan Air Force underwater nuclear deterrence through application of Obama administration and begin a transition from Mi-17 to the Ohio-class replacement. Executive orders related to labor, safe the UH–60 helicopters. In addition to modernization of our workplace, and LGBT issues. Many of Also—and this is an issue that I sup- underwater forces, we are also looking these are very problematic. I hope we port very strongly after a recent trip at modernizing our triad of air, sea, continue to work to ensure the Depart- to Afghanistan—it accelerates the Af- and ground delivery platforms for stra- ment engages with fiscally and socially ghan Aviation Initiative, which is de- tegic deterrence. This is the beginning responsible and effective contractors to signed to build greater rotary wing ca- of a multi-decade effort involving three the best benefit of warfighters and tax- pability and fixed-wing capabilities in major acquisition programs: our bal- payers alike. the Afghan Air Force. This is a critical listic missile submarines—as I have Of course, one of the key issues for battlefield advantage that the Afghan mentioned, the Ohio-class replace- the committee was the readiness of forces will have over the Taliban. ment—long-range penetrating bombers, troops. I am pleased the conference re- With respect to Europe, we have fully and also the land-based interconti- port includes significant resources for funded the President’s request of $3.4 nental ballistic missiles. Most impor- the military services’ unfunded re- billion for the European Reassurance tantly, we will be modernizing their quirements, with the goal of restoring Initiative. This funding will support command and control systems to en- full-spectrum readiness as soon as pos- critical investments that will increase sure that our President always has sible. For example, the bill includes ad- rotational U.S. military presence in positive control of these forces. As I ditional funding for Army units to con- Europe, improve key infrastructure, have stated many times, modernization duct additional home station training and enhance allied and partner mili- is critical in light of the increasingly in order to prepare them for future tary capabilities to respond to external belligerent actions by , which combat training center rotations, as aggression and preserve regional sta- conducted a nuclear exercise imme- well as additional flight training for bility. The agreement also includes an diately after invading Crimea as a form the other services. authorization of $350 million for the of nuclear intimidation. We have also included significant re- training assistance initiative, In the area of technology and acqui- sources in order to provide additional to continue and expand security assist- sition, I am pleased the conference re- depot maintenance to repair our mili- ance and intelligence support to the port takes a number of important steps tary aircraft, ships, and combat vehi- Ukrainian security forces to protect to help DOD maintain its technological cles. There is also additional funding to their sovereignty and encourage a con- superiority. We continue to build on better sustain our military installa- tinued focus on robust defense reform past work on acquisition reform under- tions, specifically in the facilities res- efforts. taken by the committee, as well as the toration and modernization accounts. With regard to our special operations successes of Defense Secretary Carter In the area of military personnel, the forces, they are at the forefront of our and his colleagues, including Under conference agreement accomplishes fight against ISIL, Al Qaeda, and other Secretary Kendall, in controlling the much on behalf of our servicemembers terrorist groups. The bill also includes costs of major weapons systems pro- and the Department of Defense because important reforms designed to improve curement programs. we owe them much. It authorizes a 2.1 the oversight and advocacy for their The agreement includes a number of percent pay raise for all servicemem- important efforts by enhancing the steps to improve defense acquisition bers, supports requested increases in role of the Assistant Secretary of De- processes, including strengthening the the housing benefit, and reauthorizes a fense for Special Operations and Low acquisition workforce, simplifying and number of expiring bonus and special Intensity Conflict. I think those re- streamlining regulatory and bureau- pay authorities to encourage enlist- forms will be something we watch and cratic burdens on the government and ment, reenlistment, and continued encourage. industry, making it easier for DOD to service by Active-Duty and Reserve With respect to other aspects of our work with innovative small businesses component military personnel. security programs, the conference and commercial companies, and pro- Unfortunately, the bill does not in- agreement includes a comprehensive moting the use of prototyping and clude the provision in the Senate- reform of Defense Department security rapid fielding to speed the development passed bill that would have required cooperation programs. This is the first and deployment of advanced new sys- women to register for the draft to the time such a reform has been under- tems. same extent men are required. I con- taken, and it is an effort to ensure In the area of technological innova- tinue to believe this is the right policy there is unity of effort across our gov- tion, I hope that reconstituting the po- for the Nation and the military. If we ernment in the security assistance sition of Under Secretary of Research are going to have a draft, women must arena. and Engineering will help promote con- share equally the burden and privilege Likewise, the conference agreement nections with innovators both inside of service. We must be able to take ad- includes a provision that would en- and outside of the government and en- vantage of their extraordinary talents hance the scope and authority of the sure that the policies and practices because without those talents our mili- Global Engagement Center. For too governing our R&D programs, our de- tary today could not function as it long we have been losing the informa- fense labs, and our engagements with does. tion space to our adversaries—both universities and industry are optimized However, the bill does establish an state and nonstate actors. It is my to promote the most efficient and ef- independent national commission on hope that by providing this critical fective development of new systems military, national, and public service center at the State Department with a and technologies. to study the need for a military selec- powerful mandate, we can begin to im- Finally, I think the conference report tive service process, including whether prove our efforts in the information includes important provisions designed the Nation continues to need a mecha- space. to streamline and modernize Pentagon nism designed to draft large numbers The bill also supports modernization management processes. The bill sup- of replacement combat troops; whether efforts of many different weapons plat- ports efforts to develop and execute the women should be required to partici- forms. I am particularly pleased to see modern management techniques and pate equally in the process; the means

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.031 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE December 7, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6787 by which to foster a greater attitude National Defense Authorization Act. main a stronghold for our military and ethos of service among the United Yesterday I was here talking about the training and power. States’ young men and women, includ- Cures Act, and I know that is the busi- As we head into the holidays, I am ing an increased propensity for mili- ness of the day, but I also want to rec- pleased that servicemembers and their tary service; and how to obtain mili- ognize the importance of the NDAA families will receive, with the cer- tary, national, and public service indi- and its assumed or hoped-for passage tainty of the passage of this bill, bene- viduals with skills for which the Na- today or this week. I appreciate Sen- fits which they have earned and that tion has a critical need. This commis- ator MCCAIN working with me and sup- they deserve, which includes a 2.1-per- sion could provide valuable insight on porting my amendment to remove lan- cent pay increase, which is the largest how we should proceed, particularly in guage that would allow the administra- increase in 5 years. a state of national emergency, in pull- tion to expend taxpayer dollars on 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK ON PEARL ing together the best of our young peo- plans to close Guantanamo Bay deten- HARBOR ple to serve the Nation. tion facility. As we pass this defense legislation to With respect to health care, the bill As in previous years, the NDAA con- support our military men and women, contains a robust package of health tinues to prohibit the closure of Gitmo those who serve our Nation, we must care reforms that will bring the mili- and the transfer of detainees to U.S. take a moment to also reflect upon the tary health care program in line with soil. Fort Leavenworth, in my home significance of this day—December 7, the best practices in the civilian health State of Kansas, has been a site under 1941—that horrific attack on Pearl Har- care industry. This is something we this administration’s consideration. bor 75 years ago. That day forever have to continue to emphasize—the This administration and foreign coun- changed our Nation and our national ability to care and treat all of our per- tries have lost track of numerous de- defense. We should never forget those sonnel and retirees with respect to tainees, which escalates the risk for who perished in that attack, as they their health care. military men and women if the de- made that ultimate sacrifice: 2,008 I think we have done a lot of impor- tainee is returned to the battlefield. naval men, 109 Marines, 218 Army men, tant work in this legislation. With the total reengagement rate at and 68 civilians. Let me conclude, as I began, by Gitmo detainees returning to that bat- Shortly after I was elected to the thanking Chairman MCCAIN and my tlefield at more than 30 percent, this U.S. Senate on December 7, 2010, I had Senate colleagues on the committee provision is a life-and-death matter. the distinct opportunity to present for their thoughtful contributions to This Defense authorization also halts service medals to Kansans who had this process. I also thank my col- troop reduction and increases end served and survived the attack on leagues on the House Armed Services strength across our Active, National Pearl Harbor. It took us 69 years after Committee, Chairman MAC THORN- Guard, and Reserve Forces. In every they survived that attack, but I was BERRY and Ranking Member ADAM Senate Appropriations Defense Sub- honored to bestow U.S. Navy veterans SMITH. They did a superb job, along committee hearing this past year with Arthur Dunn and Paul Aschbrenner with their staffs. This was truly a Department of Defense officials, from with their much deserved commenda- thoughtful, bipartisan process that re- service chiefs to the Chairman of the tions. It was a special moment I will sulted in a bill that I believe will re- Joint Chiefs, I received answers that not forget. ceive overwhelming support on the concluded our Armed Services would VETERANS HEALTH CARE AND BENEFITS floor of the Senate, as it did in the welcome more forces, not less. LEGISLATION House. I introduced the POSTURE Act, S. To honor those who perished that day Finally, of course, this agreement 2563, with my colleagues Senator as well as those who survived, like Ar- would not have been possible without BLUNT and Senator PERDUE, to reverse thur and Paul, we must care for the the extraordinary work of the staff. I these force reductions, increase end 21.8 million veterans who live among us thank so many, but I particularly strength in the Active Duty, National today and who deserve the best our Na- thank Chris Brose, Steve Barney, and Guard and Reserve, and specifically in- tion can offer. We have an opportunity all the majority committee staff for crease levels for our ground forces in to better care for our veterans with the their hard work. the Army and Marine Corps. I am passage of H.R. 6416, the Jeff Miller and On the Democratic side, I thank my pleased this defense legislation—the Veterans Health staff director, Elizabeth King. I also one we are considering this week—re- Care and Benefits Improvement Act of thank Gary Leeling, Creighton Greene, flects the objectives of the POSTURE 2016, which has passed the House and is Carolyn Chuhta, Maggie McNamara, Act by stopping force reductions and coming to the Senate. Jonathan Clark, Jonathan Epstein, increasing end-strength levels across This legislation includes 76 bipar- Ozge Guzelsu, Jody Bennett, Mike the Armed Services. tisan provisions to improve VA health Kuiken, Kirk McConnell, Mike Noblet, There are many unknowns around care, streamline disability compensa- John Quirk, Arun Seraphin, and Jon the world, and to reduce the size of our tion, and address other benefits and Green. defense force would be a mistake. We services that must be reformed to bet- I deeply appreciate all of their ef- have been impacted already by budget ter serve our veterans. I thank the forts. They have made this bill pos- decisions rather than based upon what chairman of my committee, the Sen- sible. our Armed Forces need to defend ator from Georgia, for his leadership in With that, I yield the floor. America. Readiness is paramount, and this regard. I suggest the absence of a quorum. this NDAA allows for increased funding I am particularly pleased that this The PRESIDING OFFICER. The to make certain we are training, equip- legislation includes legislation that I, clerk will call the roll. ping, and readying our forces as chal- along with Senator BLUMENTHAL, have The senior assistant legislative clerk lenges around the world unfold. As diligently worked on for over the last proceeded to call the roll. Chief of Staff of the Army GEN Mark several years. It is sponsored by 48 of Mr. MORAN. Madam President, I ask Milley has repeatedly said, ‘‘Readiness our Senate colleagues. It is the Toxic unanimous consent that the order for wins wars.’’ Exposure Research Act. This legisla- the quorum call be rescinded. The Big Red One—the Army’s 1st In- tion takes a significant step toward re- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without fantry Division located at Fort Riley searching the potential health effects objection, it is so ordered. in , KS, near Junction City, of toxic exposure to veterans and their Mr. MORAN. Madam President, I ask KS, has deployed its headquarters to descendants. To send a strong message unanimous consent to speak as in Iraq for a second time in less than 2 to our veterans, we must pass this leg- morning business. years. That kind of turnaround re- islation. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without quires the highest levels of readiness. I often meet with World War II vet- objection, it is so ordered. This bill also authorizes critical mili- erans at the memorial that was built in Mr. MORAN. Madam President, I tary construction funding for Fort their honor on the National Mall. The come to the Senate floor to thank Riley, Fort Leavenworth, and McCon- message I try to convey is one that I Chairman MCCAIN for his efforts on the nell Air Force Base, helping Kansas re- also shared with my dad upon my first

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.033 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6788 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 7, 2016 visit to the memorial. I stepped away looked at me and they said he couldn’t tions they have never had before. These and called my dad at home in Plain- have had these operations had it not are important provisions. ville, KS, and I said: Dad, I should have been for the . Had There has been discussion that I have said this a long time ago, but I thank it not been for the Affordable Care Act, been reading and following that what you for your service, I respect you, and he now would have exceeded his life- some want to do is just repeal the Af- I love you. That, we do again today. On time limit of any policy he could ever fordable Care Act, with a vague prom- this significant day in our Nation’s his- get, and he also would have a pre- ise that something will happen down tory, with the passage of veterans leg- existing condition because of his heart the line. Of course, those who want to islation, with the passage of NDAA, we condition that would render him un- repeal the Affordable Care Act who certainly can tell our service men and able to get insurance for the rest of his voted against it in March of 2010 have women and our veterans, those who life. They looked at me, and—the fa- had 6 or now nearly 7 years to come up served our country so diligently and so ther especially is a pretty big guy—and with what they think would be better, faithfully, that we thank you for your they asked: Will you do all you can— and there has been no consensus about service, we respect you, and we love will you do all you can to make sure what they think would be better. So you. that this act is not repealed? You can the notion of we are going to repeal it Madam President, I yield the floor. strengthen it, you can improve it, but and don’t worry, we will come up with The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- will you do all you can to make sure it a better alternative, rings pretty hol- ator from Virginia. is not repealed? I looked at them and I low to a family like Jude’s parents and grandparents who have a three-and-a- AFFORDABLE CARE ACT said—because I believed this even be- half-year-old-boy who needs open heart Mr. KAINE. Madam President, I rise fore they asked me the question: I will surgery. The notion that don’t worry, to talk about the ongoing discussions do anything to my last breath to make we will find a replacement, we will find about the repeal of the Affordable Care sure that we improve this but that we a fix—I think we could forgive some- Act. I basically want to make the case don’t get rid of it. That is why I stand that this repeal, without a replacement body like Jude’s family for not having on the floor today. a lot of confidence in that. being known, would be malpractice for Since the Affordable Care Act was If, in fact, we are serious about find- the health care of millions of Ameri- passed in March of 2010, 20 million ing a fix, why don’t we go to work find- cans as well as malpractice for the Americans have health insurance and ing a fix before we pass legislation to American economy. Before I talk about many of them for the first time in repeal the law. why, I just want to tell two stories. their life. That is, I think, the com- I have said I think it is health mal- On Monday of this week, I visited bined population of about 14 or 15 practice and economic malpractice. Neighborhood Health, which is a com- States, having health insurance for the Let me start with the economic mal- munity health center in Northern Vir- first time in their lives. practice. The worst thing Congress can ginia that serves 14,000 patients. It is Now, when you have health insur- do for the economy is to inject uncer- not a walk-in clinic; they are sort of a ance, it is not only that you can get tainty into it. I have been a mayor and medical home for 14,000 low-income care for an illness or an accident, even I have been a Governor and I am a cer- Northern Virginians, mostly working when you are healthy, you can go to tainty fanatic. What I have learned people. Community health centers in bed at night with the knowledge that if about the economy is that our strong Virginia, West Virginia, and in every something happens to my wife tomor- and resilient business sector—if you State are a critical part of the health row, if something happens to me to- give them certainty, they can plan. care safety net. In Virginia, they serve morrow, if something happens to my They may not like a policy, they might about 300,000 patients and millions na- child tomorrow, they will be able to re- not like a budget number, but if you tionally. ceive care. tell them this is the way it is going to They are medicine with a mission. The percentage in the Nation of peo- be, the ingenuity of our private sector They don’t deny anybody primary ple who were uninsured when the Af- is significant. They are going to be able health care services because of inabil- fordable Care Act was passed was 16 to plan, they are going to be able to ity to pay, and residents have equal ac- percent. One in six Americans was un- make the best of it, they are going to cess regardless of where they live, their insured. Now it is down to 8.6 percent. be able to figure it out, but if you pro- culture, their gender, their race, or re- That is the lowest level of uninsured vide uncertainty and don’t tell people sources. we have had probably since we have what you are going to do, that is very Many centers, including the one I measured it. In Virginia, the drop has devastating. visited just 20 minutes from here, were been from 13 percent—we were a little I am on the Budget Committee. I centers that were able to build or ex- better than the national average—and came into the Budget Committee in pand because of the Affordable Care we have dropped down to 9.1 percent the Senate, and I told me colleagues on Act. Facilities have gotten better in uninsured. We are a little higher than both sides of the aisle: I am a certainty communities across the country be- the national average now because my fanatic. We should be doing a budget. cause of the Affordable Care Act. That State does not accept Medicaid expan- We shouldn’t be doing a continuing res- visit made powerfully clear to me how sion, but the difference in 6 years is olution right now. We should be doing much every ZIP Code in this country 327,000 more Virginians have health in- appropriations bills because when we has been affected by the Affordable surance in 2015 than had it in 2010. That tell both our own planners in our own Care Act because of these centers and is a powerful thing. departments and also the private econ- other services that are provided. In addition to having health insur- omy: This is what it is going to be for The second story is a story from my ance, families are protected because the next year, they can figure it out, recently completed, 105-day, unsuccess- they can’t get turned away because of they can adjust, and they can do well. ful venture as part of a national ticket. preexisting conditions, they can’t get When we instead deliver a message I was at the Iowa State Fair. A grand- turned away because they have reached that we don’t know what we are going father was carrying a little boy who lifetime limits in terms of their med- to do—oh, there will be a fix, but it will looked to be about 31⁄2 years old. I said: ical care, as Jude would have reached be a few years from now, we can’t tell Tell me this youngster’s name. The by age 31⁄2. Children can stay on family you what it is going to be now, and grandfather said: This is Jude. Of policies until age 26. Women cannot be really we can’t even promise we will do course, I said: Hey, Jude, and I said: charged different health care premiums it since we haven’t done it in 6 years— Tell me about Jude. The grandfather than men. Insurance companies are re- you inject uncertainty into the econ- and now the father walked over and quired to rebate excess premium pay- omy, and that is the worst thing we started to talk to me, and what they ments back to consumers if they over- can do. said is this: Jude is 31⁄2 years old and he charge. I have made the argument that the has already had five open heart oper- It is not just about the millions who recovery we have been on economi- ations at the Omaha Children’s Hos- have health insurance who have never cally—which is not a robust recovery, pital, which is just across the river had it before, there are also millions but it is a steady recovery—the prin- from Western Iowa, in Nebraska. They and millions more to receive protec- cipal reason it has been steady but not

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.034 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE December 7, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6789 robust is because of uncertainty, and health insurance on the open market. I I fear the rush is for one reason: a de- the principal generator of uncertainty didn’t have an employer who could sire to do something before this Presi- in the United States is this body, Con- cover it. Two insurers turned me down dent leaves office that can be a little gress. Congress’s inability to do budget because they said: We can’t write a pol- bit of a poke in his eye, but it is a poke in regular order, Congress’s inability to icy for your whole family because of a in his eye politically in a way that tackle priorities, Congress’s inability preexisting condition. One insurer takes families like Jude’s family or the to work on big picture fiscal issues turned me down because of something families I saw at the neighborhood generates uncertainty. about me, and one insurer turned me health center in Alexandria and puts So now we are talking about a repeal down because of something about one deep fear and uncertainty in their lives of the Affordable Care Act, the single of my children. Again, we are the and also puts uncertainty into one- largest sector in the American econ- healthiest family there is. sixth of the American economy. omy. One-sixth of the GDP of this We were able to say: Wait a minute. I know we will be having this discus- country is health care. If you tell the The Affordable Care Act just passed. sion in earnest, I suspect a little bit entire American economy we are going You are not legally allowed to do that over the next couple of days but more to go into the largest sector in the now. You have to write a policy for the when the year begins, just as we are economy, we are going to repeal it, and whole family. going to be having discussions about don’t worry, we will get to something The insurance agent who dealt with Medicare and Medicaid, with 1.3 mil- down the road as a replacement, you us on the phone said: Let me talk to lion Medicare enrollees in Virginia as will inject uncertainty into an econ- my supervisor, and then called back of 2015. The CHIP and Medicaid Pro- omy in a degree that has never been and said: You know, what. You are grams in Virginia have an additional done by this body that I think will right. We have to write you a policy. 970,000 enrollees. I read dramatic dis- have catastrophic economic con- This is a law that not only provides cussions about these programs as well, sequences even beyond health care. health insurance to 20 million people these basic safety net programs. It is also malpractice in the health who never had it before but for even I will conclude and say there is no lives of Americans. The Urban Insti- healthy families like mine provides reason we shouldn’t be able to sit down tute has come out with a study today, benefits to protect against some of the around the table and talk about im- an update of a study they did a year worst and most predacious behaviors of provements. What I might call a re- ago. There was a proposal a year ago to insurance companies. If the act is re- form somebody else could call a re- repeal the Affordable Care Act that pealed, this all goes away. placement. I don’t care about the label, President Obama vetoed. They did a Americans agree, repeal is not the but what I do care about is repealing a study about what would repeal mean. answer. A Kaiser Foundation poll that law that provides millions of people the This is what repeal means to the Amer- was done in the last 2 weeks showed confidence that they have health care for the first time in their lives, doing it ican public as we get ready to celebrate that only 26 percent of Americans sup- and having the discussion during the the holidays, a time when we are mind- port a repeal of the Affordable Care holiday season, doing it in a way that ful of the needs of others: Act. Of the other 75 percent, some The number of uninsured people in think it should stay the same, some will hurt working people, will hurt the United States, if the ACA is re- think it should be tweaked backward a working people who don’t have high pealed, would rise from its current 28.9 little bit, some think it should be ad- school degrees, doing it in a way that million to 58.7 million, an increase of vanced, but only one in four Americans will hurt people who are already sick, 29.8 million uninsured in this country. believe we should repeal this law. Over- who are already dealing with illnesses in their families. The share of nonelderly people without whelmingly, what the American public I am a student of this body. I am not insurance would increase from 11 per- is telling us is, we should improve the a historian. I am a student of this law. That is what we should be about in cent to 21 percent. body, but my prediction would be this: Of the 29.8 million newly uninsured this body. If this body goes down the path of re- as a result of the repeal, 22.5 will be- When I was the Governor of Virginia, pealing this important law that pro- come uninsured as a result of elimi- I noticed at the end of every legislative vides important protections to millions nating premium tax credits, Medicaid session there would be 1,100 bills on my with no idea about what the replace- expansion, and the individual mandate, desk for me to review, sign, veto, or ment is, I think it will be a day we will and the additional 7.3 million would be- amend. Of the 1,100 bills, pretty much look back on and those who care about come uninsured because of the near every year 200 or 300 would be new, but this body will look back on, probably 800 would be improvements to existing collapse of the nongroup insurance in the not-too-distant future, and will law. The job of a legislature is more market, and 82 percent of the new 29 say this will be one of the low moments about taking existing laws and reform- million who will become uninsured are in the history of the United States ing and improving it than repealing or working families, 82 percent; 38 percent Senate. There is no need for it because doing something brand new. That is would be ages 18 to 34; 56 percent would there are people of good will in this what puzzles me. Why aren’t we doing be non-Hispanic Whites; 80 percent of body who are willing to sit down and that? Clearly, there is no rush. There is adults becoming uninsured are adults find solutions and find improvements no rush because the discussions are, we who do not have college degrees. There and find reforms, but nobody seems will be 12.9 million fewer people with would repeal the Affordable Care Act willing to have that discussion. Let’s Medicaid or CHIP coverage in 2019 if with a promise we will find a replace- have that discussion rather than the the Affordable Care Act is repealed, ment in 2 or 3 years. So if the notion is repeal discussion, and we will serve our and nearly 9.5 million people who have we are going to work for 2 or 3 years to constituents better. received tax credits to help them pur- find a replacement, there is no rush, Madam President, I yield the floor. chase private nongroup health cov- and if there is no rush, why aren’t we Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, erage in 2019 will no longer receive that sitting down right now? Instead of re- today, the Senate will vote on signifi- assistance. This is catastrophic to tens pealing the law, why aren’t we sitting cant legislation—a bill that aims to of millions of Americans. down right now? Let’s sit down around make it easier for innovative medical I will tell a third story that is a story the table, let’s talk about what we treatments to be approved, while in- about me. I have to have the healthiest don’t like, let’s talk about what we do vesting over $6 billion in medical re- family in the United States, my wife like, let’s talk about what it means to search and combating the opioid crisis. and I and our three children. The only have 20 million people in this country The bill also takes an important step hospitalizations we have ever had, with health insurance, many for the toward improving our mental health until my wife recently broke a bone, first time in their lives, and what they system, specifically by strengthening was for three child births. Our kids are might think. Let’s get the perspectives our parity laws to ensure mental 27, 24, and 21. We are the healthiest of hospitals. Let’s get the perspectives health treatments are covered by in- family in the United States. I was re- of insurers, of doctors, and other med- surance companies. quired once to go out right after the ical professionals. That is what we Medical research holds tremendous Affordable Care Act passed to buy should be doing. What is the rush? promise, but our commitment to this

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.036 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6790 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 7, 2016 funding has not kept pace with what is We all want to ensure that patients First, I would like to highlight divi- needed to make more breakthroughs have access to medications, but we sion B of this legislation, the Mental with diseases like cancer and Alz- must also be sure those treatments are Health Reform Act. The Mental Health heimer’s. In recent years, Congress has both safe and effective. I have concerns Reform Act represents years of work in supported increased funds for medical that this bill may weaken the stand- Congress across party lines to improve research, but these increases have ards by which the FDA can review cer- the quality of and access to mental come at the expense of other important tain medications, for example, by al- health and substance abuse treatment, domestic programs. We can and should lowing the agency to use existing data such as training more behavioral do more. from different drug trials to prove the health workers and strengthening par- In October, Vice President BIDEN safety of new medications that include ity for mental health and substance joined me in to discuss the fu- similar drug compounds. abuse treatment. This bill also includes ture of cancer treatment. We learned Furthermore, while the bill makes it my legislation, the Garrett Lee Smith that we are on the cusp of so many de- easier in many cases to get drugs ap- Memorial Reauthorization Act, which velopments in fighting the disease, but proved, it does nothing to address the supports youth suicide prevention that more research is needed to get unreasonable price hikes we have seen grants for schools—elementary schools there. This bill contains $1.8 billion in some prescription drugs. I filed an through college where children and dedicated to Vice President BIDEN’s amendment with Senators GRASSLEY, young adults spend most of their cancer moonshot and another $1.4 bil- KLOBUCHAR, and LEE that would ad- time—to be able to reach at-risk lion in precision medicine to help tar- dress some of the anticompetitive be- youth. I am especially pleased that, for get treatments to individual patients. havior many drug companies are en- the first time, this bill will allow fund- It also includes $1.5 billion for Presi- gaging in to help drive up the cost of ing to be used for mental health treat- dent Obama’s BRAIN Initiative, to ex- their drugs. For example, in order to ment on college campuses, the most ef- pand brain mapping technologies that delay approval of generic drugs enter- fective way to prevent suicide. I have help scientists understand brain dis- ing the market, some drug companies worked with advocates across the men- orders and diseases affecting the cen- withhold drug samples or refuse to tal health community for the better tral nervous system. Since the BRAIN enter into shared safety agreements part of the last decade on this effort, so Initiative was established in 2013, it with generic manufacturers—both of I am pleased to see this come to fru- has already made significant advances which are necessary for FDA approval. ition. This legislation also includes an infu- in medical knowledge, including im- Our amendment, which mirrors our sion of funding for National Institutes proving artificial limb technologies CREATES Act, would close this loop- hole and help generic drugs come to of Health and the Food and Drug Ad- and discovering more links between ministration—$4.8 billion over the next brain chemical functions and depres- the market faster. Unfortunately, the Senate will not 10 years, including $1 billion to be con- sion. have the opportunity to consider this centrated over the next 3 years for the I am also pleased that this bill fi- improvement to the bill or any others Cancer Moonshot initiative. I com- nally fulfills our commitment to fund before we vote on the bill’s passage. I mend Vice President BIDEN for his efforts to combat the opioid crisis. This am frustrated that a bill of this enor- work to spearhead the Cancer Moon- is especially critical since Congress mity—that has never been considered shot initiative over the last year, and I failed to include necessary funding re- by the full Senate—is being placed on think it was a fitting tribute that the sources when the Comprehensive Ad- the calendar at the end of a session Senate agreed unanimously to rename diction and Recovery Act passed ear- with no opportunity for amendments. I this title of the bill after his son, Beau lier this year. This bill contains $1 bil- hope the Senate leadership will Biden, who tragically lost his life to lion to combat the opioid crisis, with promptly schedule floor debates on this cancer last year. The remaining fund- the first half of the funding to be dedi- and other improvements to this pack- ing will be used to support key efforts cated this fiscal year. Each day, 129 age early next year. at the NIH, such as the Precision Medi- people die from drug overdoses in this Nevertheless, improvements were cine Initiative, the BRAIN Initiative, country. Vermont and many other pre- made to this bill before it was consid- and regenerative medicine using adult dominately rural States have been hit ered by the House last week. For exam- stem cells. In addition, the bill con- particularly hard by this epidemic. I ple, the bill no longer includes a provi- tains $1 billion in funding for States to suspect that almost every Vermonter sion that would weaken the disclosure respond to the ongoing opioid epi- knows someone who has been impacted requirements for physicians receiving demic. Earlier this year, passage of the by addiction. It is something I hear gifts. The bill also now clearly directs Comprehensive Addiction and Recov- about regularly when I am home in opioid funding to States that have been ery Act was an important first step in Vermont. This is not the future we hit hardest by the crisis. Lastly, more addressing this crisis, but my col- want for our children, for our grand- of the funding for medical research is leagues on the other side of the aisle children, or for our communities. I am set to go out this fiscal year, which voted against efforts to fund the legis- hopeful that the funding included in will have an immediate impact on im- lation and provide access to treatment this bill will help States move people proving the important work of the NIH in our communities. I am pleased that into treatment to eventually stop the and our overall medical research com- we will finally have real funding going tragic cycle of abuse. munity. to communities this year to provide While I strongly support this fund- On balance, this is an important this treatment. ing, in addition to the bill’s expansion piece of legislation that offers a great However, I am disappointed that this of medical research and mental health promise to move the bar forward on bill does not make this funding manda- parity, this bill is far from perfect. medical research, while also providing tory. We will still have to rely on ap- Whereas the bill contains $6.3 billion in critical relief to families suffering from propriations in the future to ensure upfront cuts to offset funding for its opioid addiction. I believe these strong that this funding goes out as intended. many efforts, these funds are not in investments will benefit us for genera- I am also concerned about the cuts in fact guaranteed each year. Rather, the tions to come, and I will support the this bill, which many of my colleagues Appropriations Committee must act passage of this bill. have spoken about at length during each year to ‘‘unlock’’ the funding. Re- Mr. REED. Madam President, I am consideration of the bill, and I would publican leaders assure us that this pleased to support the 21st Century like to echo those comments. For ex- funding will go out the door, and as the Cures Act, which includes a number of ample, this legislation cuts the Preven- incoming vice chairman of the Appro- critical mental health provisions, tion and Public Health Fund by $3.5 priations Committee, I intend to hold much needed funding for medical re- billion, to the detriment of worthy and them to that promise. search and innovation at the National vital efforts such as youth suicide pre- I am also concerned that the bill in- Institutes of Health and the Food and vention, immunizations, and lead poi- cludes provisions to fast-track pre- Drug Administration, as well as fund- soning prevention. scription drug approval through the ing to help combat the opioid crisis in While I have these reservations, I am Food and Drug Administration, FDA. our country. pleased that the Congress is able to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.062 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE December 7, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6791 support bipartisan reforms to our men- ticularly Senator BENNET, Senator tent that, if the results by trained and tal health system, as well as funding HATCH, and Senator WARREN, for their untrained users are comparable, a test for medical research and the opioid re- work on the Advancing Targeted is considered to be accurate for CLIA sponse. I hope that we will be able to Therapies for Rare Diseases Act. Devel- waiver purposes. If we are going to en- work on a bipartisan basis to ensure oping drugs for rare diseases is particu- sure devices are able to reach Ameri- that these efforts continue to be funded larly difficult, but as our genetic un- cans in as timely a manner as possible, over the next several years. derstanding of rare diseases increases, we need to focus on what is necessary Mr. BURR. Madam President, I am there will be new opportunities to pur- to know to meet FDA’s gold standard pleased to rise to talk about the 21st sue treatments for Duchenne muscular for approval. What might be nice to Century Cures bill we have before us dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, and certain know is not necessarily central to what today. , and these provisions will help FDA needs to know to make regulatory At the beginning of this Congress, to pave the way for these therapies to decisions. These provisions will help my good friend Senator ALEXANDER reach patients sooner. With these op- provide needed regulatory certainty and I issued a report entitled Innova- portunities will come renewed hope for and focus when it comes to FDA’s re- tion for Healthier Americans in which the children, adults, and families bat- view of medical devices. we asked a simple, but critical, ques- tling these conditions. As we worked on the Cures bill this tion: how can we do it better? Chair- I am particularly pleased that the Congress, we have been reminded of the man ALEXANDER and I asked this ques- final Cures bill also includes the Ad- need to be prepared for the full range of tion because we must do it better for vancing Breakthrough Devices for Pa- public health threats that may present our constituents and their loved ones tients Act. This legislation builds on themselves, whether naturally occur- who are battling devastating diseases— the Advancing Breakthrough Therapies ring, like the Zika virus, or the result diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer, and for Patients Act, which was enacted 4 of a deliberate attack. I want to thank rare pediatric conditions—for which we years ago and has been very effective Senator CASEY for his partnership in have no treatments today, but hope in helping to bring forward break- making sure we are as prepared as pos- that we will in time to help the coura- through therapies for patients. I want sible for these threats. The final Cures geous individuals with these diseases to thank Senator BENNET and Senator bill includes provisions from our bipar- to win their fight. I commend Chair- HATCH for their collaboration and part- tisan bill, the Medical Counter- man ALEXANDER for his resolute focus nership on these breakthrough bills. measures Innovation Act, which will on this critical work and for his leader- Like our 2012 bill, these provisions will encourage the development of the med- ship in bringing forward the bill we ensure an all-hands-on-deck approach, ical products needed to protect the have before us today. this time for devices, with the goal of American people in the event of a glob- For decades, our Nation has led the expediting the development and review al pandemic or biological weapons at- world in medical innovation, but the of breakthrough technologies. These tack. Cochairs of the Blue Ribbon challenges to maintaining this global provisions are appropriately focused on Study Panel on Biodefense, Joe Lieber- edge have never been greater. We rec- what these technologies will mean for man and Tom Ridge, wrote that this ognized that our Nation’s biomedical patients. In order to qualify for FDA legislation would further strengthen discovery and development must work designation as a breakthrough device, the underpinnings of biological pre- as well as possible to ensure that a device must provide more effective paredness by creating new incentives Americans are able to benefit from the treatment or diagnosis of life-threat- for public-private partnerships; clari- most cutting-edge medical innovations ening or irreversibly debilitating dis- fying and streamlining contracting in as timely a manner as possible. We eases or conditions. These devices must processes at the Biomedical Advanced are at a tremendously exciting era in represent breakthrough technologies, Research and Development Authority; medicine that will be defined by inno- have no approved alternatives, offer and ensuring that our Nation’s health vation. Innovation holds great poten- significant advantages over existing care providers have the guidance they tial. Our ability to respond to public approved alternatives, or their avail- need to use medical countermeasures health threats, including those that ability must be in the best interest of in an emergency. The Alliance for Bio- pose a direct threat to our national se- patients. These devices might be the security has said that the medical curity, will in large part be defined by next technology that better prepares countermeasure priority review vouch- whether or not we embrace innovation. us to respond to needs in a disaster or er provided for in our legislation, and In other words, the stakes could not be life-threatening situation or the inno- the final Cures bill, would be a game greater and innovation will be the key vation that improves the manner and changer for investment in biodefense. to our success in these endeavors. quality of an individual’s episode of Researching, developing, and getting a The bill before us today reflects a care. In other words, bringing forward medical countermeasure across the ap- tremendous amount of bipartisan work these breakthrough devices will im- proval finish line to market is a long, and covers many areas of health care. I prove health care. difficult, costly, and very risky but want to take just a few moments to The timely and predictable review of necessary endeavor. The priority re- highlight a handful of provisions on medical products is key to promoting view voucher for medical counter- which I have partnered with my col- and protecting the public health. The measures will help to invigorate part- leagues and that I believe answer the FDA Modernization Act I authored in nerships to ensure we have the medical question of how we can do it better. 1997 sought to modernize the agency in countermeasures we need against the I am pleased that the final Cures bill a way that supported regulating in the most serious identified threats— includes the Advancing Targeted least burdensome manner, while ensur- threats that have been found to affect Therapies for Rare Diseases Act, legis- ing that innovative products would our national security. We have heard lation that will help advance the devel- reach patients in as timely a manner that this program will benefit not only opment of targeted drugs for patients as possible. The FDA Device Account- our civilian needs, but those of our Na- with serious or life threatening rare ge- ability Act’s bipartisan provisions in- tion’s warfighters, and, in doing so, netic diseases. Each of us has met con- cluded in the final Cures bill build on better protect the American people. I stituents facing a difficult diagnosis, these efforts. I want to thank Senator look forward to continuing to work and these cases are particularly dev- FRANKEN for his collaboration on this with my colleagues to ensure we fully astating when the patient is a young legislation, which will ensure that FDA leverage this provision, including en- child who should have a lifetime ahead eliminates unnecessary burdens when suring that partners and innovators in of them, but for which we have no reviewing devices. It will also permit this space have the certainty of know- treatment to offer them. These are the more efficient device clinical trials. In ing the Federal Government is com- patients who move us to bring an addition, the bill will require FDA to mitted to seeing this work through and unapologetic urgency to our work on update guidance on certain tests per- not undercutting it by stopping our these issues. The choice between noth- formed in doctors’ offices to ensure work on these fronts before we are ing and nothing is not a choice. And so that the guidance on this matter aligns fully prepared to protect the American I want to thank my colleagues, par- with the FDA Modernization Act’s in- people from these serious threats.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.063 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6792 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 7, 2016 I also want to take this opportunity The House of Representatives added the bill last December that President to thank Senator CASEY for working to the bill a Mental Health Reform Obama called a Christmas miracle with me in our annual efforts to advo- Act—actually three separate bills that when we fixed No Child Left Behind cate for the National Institutes of Senator MURPHY, Senator CORNYN, and and came forward with a piece of legis- Health having the robust resources it Senator CASSIDY worked on especially lation about which there was a con- needs to advance its lifesaving work. In here, which is the most important re- sensus not just to fix it but on how to addition to the funding increases the form of many mental health programs fix it, a consensus supported by Gov- NIH has been provided through the ap- in more than a decade. It is very im- ernors as well as teachers unions, propriations process, this legislation portant to one out of five adult Ameri- classroom teachers as well as school will give NIH a meaningful booster cans who have a mental illness. boards. On that bill, there will not be a shot in dedicated funding to enhance It caused me to think this: This is movement in Congress to repeal it be- its work in promising areas. Pearl Harbor Day. Pearl Harbor Day is cause everybody voted for it. So those While passage and enactment of this a day when we remember the terrifying who are teaching in our classrooms in legislation is a significant step, it is by attacks on the American military that our 100,000 public schools and those no means the last. I will continue to killed more than 2,000 and launched us who are working in State departments hold the NIH and FDA accountable for into World War II. We also remember it of education and the parents will know their work on behalf of America’s pa- as a day that began to create and de- that for the foreseeable future, there is tients, and I look forward to con- fine what we now refer to as the a consensus and stability about ele- tinuing to partner with my colleagues ‘‘greatest generation’’—the generation mentary and secondary education. on these important issues. As I have distinguished by the men and women of We hear every day that we have a said before, the day-to-day actions— that era, the era of Bob Dole, George fractured country, that we have so and, in many cases, inaction—at the H.W. Bush, and men and women now in many differences of opinion, we can’t FDA has a profound effect on our Na- their nineties and late eighties. They operate. Well, there is one institution tion’s patients. It also directly impacts were defined by being willing to work in the country that is an institution our economy, as FDA-regulated prod- hard on behalf of the entire country, that is capable of leading the country ucts account for about 25 cents of every put their differences aside and work for toward consensus on important issues, dollar spent by American consumers the greater good; to recognize that our and it is the U.S. Senate. Sometimes each year. The importance of holding diversity is important, but what is we are able to do that. We were able to the agency accountable for its actions more important is the fact that we are do it last year. As the President said— and inactions—all the way from front- all Americans. he called it a Christmas miracle. We line reviewers to the Commissioner— There have been some other times in fixed No Child Left Behind. We are able has never been more important. our recent history when we have been to do it today on mental health legisla- The former FDA Commissioner, Dr. reminded of that, and 9/11 is the most tion, which had to navigate its way Andy von Eschenbach, once wrote that important of those. I remember how I through gun issues, funding issues, and government policy can either inhibit or felt after 9/11. I watched President a whole variety of other issues. We are accelerate the next revolution in George W. Bush speak, and I thought doing it on 21st Century Cures, which, science and technology. We must con- he spoke eloquently, as did Al Gore at as I and the majority leader have said, tinue to advance and see through poli- that time, about the principles that is the most important piece of legisla- cies that spur, foster, and support the unite us a country. tion we will act on. innovation and regulatory pathways Celebrating our diversity is a good It is pretty rare that we have legisla- necessary to realize cutting-edge treat- thing. Celebrating our oneness is more tion that the President of the United ments. Like the FDA Modernization important, and it is harder work. What States says is an opportunity we just Act in 1997, the bill before us today rep- we are doing today is a more modest— can’t miss and the Vice President of resents a remarkable opportunity—the much more modest—example of the the United States is telephoning Sen- opportunity to embrace innovation for same sort of spirit. I do not want to ators before they go into their caucus healthier Americans. The director of suggest that passing a bill in Congress meetings to urge them to support it. the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer equals going to war or running into a At the same time, the Speaker of the Institute at the University of North burning building in City House, a Republican, is saying: This is Carolina at Chapel Hill summed it up after it has been attacked, but it is the part of my agenda for the future of our well when he wrote to me and said that same spirit. I don’t have any apology country. And the majority leader is passage of this legislation will not only for suggesting that. It is a spirit of fac- saying it is the most important bill we touch lives, it has the potential to save ing up to a big issue, a complex issue will act on. them. Therefore, it is my strong hope that affects lots of people, about which It still wasn’t easy to pass because that the tools provided by this legisla- there are lots of legitimate differences, we are dealing with a lot of life-and- tion will be leveraged and the medical and working hard to resolve those dif- death issues: How rapidly can we move products our constituents are counting ferences so that we are not celebrating treatments and cures through the Food on accelerated. This will be good for those differences, we are celebrating and Drug Administration and make America’s innovators, North Caro- the fact that we came together and—as sure they are still safe or how slowly linians, and our Nation. we did in the House of Representatives can we do it and run up the cost so Mr. KAINE. I suggest the absence of last week 392 to 26 and as we did on high that nobody can afford these a quorum. Monday in the Senate with 85 votes in treatments? How long can we take so The PRESIDING OFFICER. The favor of 21st Century Cures—we moved that everybody is dead by the time the clerk will call the roll. toward a solution that we all can sup- medicine is ready? We don’t want that The legislative clerk proceeded to port. to happen. Those were the issues we call the roll. Sometimes we govern by Executive had. Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I order in Washington, and Executive or- What kind of incentives can we give ask unanimous consent that the order ders can be repealed by any new admin- to drug companies so they can tackle for the quorum call be rescinded. istration. Sometimes we have partisan rare diseases in children like the ones The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. exercises, as we did with Obamacare 6 at St. Jude whom we see from Mis- WICKER). Without objection, it is so or- years ago, and we have been like the sissippi, Tennessee, and across the dered. Hatfields and McCoys ever since, shoot- country? They have rare cancers and Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam President, ing each other until we forget what we other diseases. Nobody is making medi- at 2 p.m., the Senate will move to a are arguing about. We actually remem- cines for those diseases because there final passage vote on legislation we ber, but it makes it much more dif- is no incentive in the marketplace for call 21st Century Cures. It has been ficult than to come together and get a it, so we give some incentive in the called by the majority leader the most consensus. marketplace for such things. important piece of legislation the Con- Other examples are the civil rights Electronic medical records have been gress is likely to act on this year. bill of the 1960s, the Medicare bill, and a real burden to doctors. We spent 30

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07DE6.025 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE December 7, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6793 billion taxpayer dollars, and they were both Senator MURRAY’s staff and my Brandt, Jennifer Kuskowski, Erin in a ditch. This legislation moves it staff. Dempsey, Brett Baker, Chris Campbell, out of the ditch. On Senator MURRAY’s staff, John and Jay Khosla. , the distinguished Righter, Nick Bath, Andi Fristedt, I would also like to thank much of head of the National Institutes of Wade Ackerman, Remy Brim, Colin the hard-working staff from the White Health, says that in the next 10 years, Goldfinch, Madeleine Pannell, Julia House and Department of Health and we will be able hopefully to prevent Tierney, Kalah Auchincloss—I thank Human Services who provided great Alzheimer’s or to identify it before them very much for their passion for help in getting this bill completed. symptoms, an artificial pancreas for the issue and their willingness to work From the White House, I would like diabetes, a vaccine for HIV/AIDS, a toward a result. to thank Chief of Staff Denis vaccine for Zika and a universal vac- On our staff, in addition to David, I McDonough and Kate Mevis. cine for flu, which killed 30,000 last thank Mary-Sumpter Lapinski, From the U.S. Department of Health year. According to the Mayo Clinic, re- Lindsey Seidman, and Grace Stuntz, and Human Services, I would like to generative medicine is a game chang- who did an enormous amount of work, thank Secretary Sylvia Burwell, NIH er—using our own stem cells to restore as did Laura Pence. I thank Brett Director Dr. Francis Collins, Dr. Kathy eyesight or to restore our damaged Meeks, Kara Townsend, Melissa Pfaff, Hudson, FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert hearts. There are provisions in this leg- Liz Wroe, Margaret Coulter, Curtis Califf, Dr. Janet Woodcock, Dr. Jeffrey islation to move that ahead. There is Vann, Kathryn Bell, Andrew Burnett, Shuren, Dr. Karen Desalvo, Acting $4.8 billion in funding for the National Bobby McMillin, Lowell Schiller, Jim SAMHSA Administrator Kana Institutes of Health. The bill includes Jeffries, Liz Wolgemuth, Margaret At- Enomoto, Sara Singleton, Jill the EUREKA Act, sponsored by the kinson, Taylor Haulsee, Alicia Hennie, Adleburg, Dayle Cristinzio, Jennifer Senator from Mississippi, which is so and Jamie Garden. Tomasello, Rachel Stauffer, Maren We have had an unusual opportunity important. The funding includes money McBride, Karson Mahler, Lauren Hig- in this to work across the aisle with for the President’s Precision Medicine gins, Adrienne Hallett, Laura Berkson, Chairman UPTON, Representative PAL- Initiative, for the Vice President’s Can- Ned Culhane, Patricia Brandt- LONE, Representative DEGETTE, and cer Moonshot, and for the BRAIN Ini- Hansberger, Dena Morris, Miranda others in the House of Representatives tiative. There is an additional $500 mil- Katsoyannis, Brian Payne, Brian Alt- and their staffs. I want to especially lion for the FDA and $1 billion for man, and Peggie Rice. thank Speaker RYAN and Senator State grants over the next 2 years to We always rely on the experts at the MCCONNELL. Speaker RYAN did a triple Congressional Research Service to give fight opioid abuse. somersault to try to find a funding As the President says, this is an op- us good information in a timely man- mechanism that would satisfy both ner, so I extend my thanks to Andrew portunity we cannot miss. It is an op- Democrats and Republicans, and Sen- portunity we cannot miss and we are Nolan, Maeve Carey, and Wendy ator MCCONNELL made time on the Ginsberg. not going to miss. We are going to have floor for it. Not everyone is satisfied The Senate and House legislative this bill down to the President very with the funding mechanism, but we counsel staff worked long hours on the shortly, and he will have an oppor- are all voting for it because this is such many drafts of this bill, so I would like tunity to be presented with another an important bill. to extend my thanks to Bill Baird, Jes- Christmas miracle. On Chairman UPTON’s staff, I would I ask unanimous consent to have like to thank Gary Andres, Paul sica Shapiro, Kim Tamber, Katie printed in the RECORD following my re- Edattel, John Stone, Carly Grendon, Warren Burke, and Margaret marks today’s editorial from the Wall McWilliams, Adrianna Simonelli, Katie Bomba. Street Journal, which says: Novaria, James Paluskiewicz, Josh From the Congressional Budget Of- Cures is a stride toward a more rational Trent, and Clay Alspach. fice, I would like to thank Chad and humane drug development system, and On Ranking Member PALLONE’s staff, Chirico, Holly Harvey, and Ellen legislation is about compromise. The bill I would like to thank Tiffany Werble. could become a useful precedent for success- Guarascio, Kimberlee Trzeciak, Megan On Senator MCCONNELL’s staff, I ful progress as the 115th Congress starts to would like to thank Scott Raab. take shape next year. Velez, Waverly Gordon, and Arielle Woronoff. On Speaker RYAN’s staff, I would like On Pearl Harbor Day when we cele- I would like to thank the hard-work- to thank Matt Hoffman. brate the ‘‘greatest generation’’ and ing staff of our Senate HELP Com- Finally, I would like to thank all the the contributions they made by re- mittee members, who played important patients, doctors, researchers, membering that while diversity is im- roles in reaching this agreement, in- innovators, thought leaders, and ex- portant, our oneness is more impor- cluding Liz Schwartz with Senator perts who dedicated time and expertise tant, this is a much more modest ex- ENZI, Anna Abram and Angela Wiles to helping us come up with this legisla- ample but a very important one of the with Senator BURR, Jordan Bartolomeo tion. same spirit, one that affects virtually with Senator ISAKSON, Natalie I see my colleague, the Senator from every family in America. Burkhalter with Senator PAUL, Olivia Washington, on the floor. I once again I would like to extend my deep Kurtz and Amanda Lincoln with Sen- thank her for her strong leadership in thanks and sincere appreciation to the ator COLLINS, Chelsea Holt with Sen- helping create the environment where dedicated staff who worked on the bill. ator MURKOWSKI, Cade Clurman and 21st Century Cures and the mental We talk about that a lot here, but Andrew Vogt with Senator KIRK, Claire health legislation can succeed. every one of us who is a Senator knows Brandewie with Senator SCOTT, Mat- There being no objection, the mate- how crucial that is. We have worked thew Richardson and Stuart Portman rial was ordered to be printed in the for 2 years on the bill, numerous hear- with Senator HATCH, Emily Mueller RECORD, as follows: ings, numerous discussions. It passed with Senator ROBERTS, Robb Walton [From , Dec. 6, 2016] the House of Representatives twice. It and Brenda Destro with Senator CAS- CONGRESS’S CURES BREAKTHROUGH came through our committee, the Sen- SIDY, Jean Doyle with Senator MIKUL- Medicine moves faster than government, ate HELP Committee, in the form of 19 SKI, Sophie Kasimow with Senator thank goodness, but every now and again different bipartisan bills. Every one of SANDERS, Sarah Mabry with Senator government tries to catch up. After years of those bills, by the time it passed, 2 was CASEY, Beth Wickler with Senator thoughtful bipartisan work, Congress is now the largest number of recorded votes FRANKEN, Rohini Kosoglu with Senator poised to pass the 21st Century Cures Act, a against each one of those 19 bills. BENNET, Jennifer DeAngelis with Sen- bill designed to accelerate the development of new medicines and modernize a malfunc- The staff did a tremendous job on ator WHITEHOUSE, Kathleen Laird with that. I want to especially thank David tioning corner of the regulatory state. Senator BALDWIN, and Joe Dunn with The sweeping measure cleared a Senate Cleary, who is my chief of staff, and Senator MURPHY, and Beth Pearson procedural vote 85–13 on Monday night and Evan Schatz, Senator MURRAY’s chief with Senator WARREN. passed the House 392–96. These margins are on these issues, for the remarkable way From the Senate Finance Com- testimony to renewed self-confidence in U.S. they are able to work together with mittee, I would like to thank Kim innovation and health-care progress, not

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:16 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07DE6.038 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6794 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 7, 2016 much expressed in Washington until re- aisle who put in very long hours and Laird and Jasmine Badreddine; from cently. A few dead-enders like Bernie Sand- weekends and more to get this legisla- Senator CASEY’s staff, Sara Mabry and ers and Elizabeth Warren are denouncing tion finished. Doug Hartman; from Senator Cures for its lack of pharmaceutical price As a result of a lot of strong bipar- FRANKEN’s staff, Beth Wilder and Ra- controls, which might have become a reality had Hillary Clinton won on Nov. 8. tisan work, we are now sending a bill chel Cumberbatch; from Senator BEN- Cures includes a $4.8 billion infusion for to the President’s desk that will invest NET’s staff, Rohini Kosoglu and Rina the National Institutes of Health for basic in tackling our hardest-to-treat dis- Shah; from Senator MIKULSKI’s staff, research. The bill funds the NIH’s neuro- eases, put real dollars behind the fight Jean Doyle, Jessica McNiece, and logical program on diseases like Alzheimer’s, against the opioid epidemic, and make Amanda Shelton; from Leader REID’s Joe Biden’s ‘‘cancer moonshot’’ and rare dis- badly needed changes to mental health staff, Kate Leone and McKenzie Ben- eases, while one encouraging is for care in our country. I am particularly net; from Senator SCHUMER’s staff, ‘‘high risk, high reward’’ studies that might thankful for the strong bipartisan Veronica Duron; from Leader PELOSI’s not be financed by the private economy. By the way, these new dollars are roughly work of Senator MURPHY and Senator office, Wendell Primus; from Rep- offset with budget cuts elsewhere, which ex- CASSIDY, as well as Congressman MUR- resentative HOYER’s office, Charlene poses the liberal claims of crisis if every pro- PHY. MacDonald. gram doesn’t last forever. Congress is sup- I am confident that I am not alone in Thank you to the tireless staff of the posed to set priorities. saying that I have heard from so many Senate legislative counsel: Kim Perhaps the most promising component of people in my home State about each Tamber, Bill Baird, and Katie Grendon; Cures is a new regulatory model for Food and every one of these challenges. and Holly Harvey, Ellen Werble and and Drug Administration approvals. The Julia Christensen of the Congressional FDA remains fused to an outdated clinical There are patients and families waiting and hoping for new cures and treat- Budget Office. model that is too slow, costly and arbitrary. At the White House, let me thank The FDA was not designed to govern an era ments, people from every walk of life of genomics, biomarkers, systems biology, who make clear that the opioid epi- Amy Rosebaum, , Car- artificial intelligence and other advances, demic has cost too many lives and torn ole Johnson, and Kate Mevis. Each of not that its own inadequacy has prevented it too many families apart, and families the agency heads played a crucial role from trying. who have struggled to get loved ones in pushing this bill forward: Secretary Thus Cures encourages the FDA to supple- the mental health care they need, and of Health and Human Services Sylvia ment classical randomized clinical trials Mathews Burwell, National Institutes with more information, such as adaptive our broken mental health care system got in their way, rather than helping. of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins, trial designs that target patient sub-groups Food and Drug Administration Com- who are more likely to benefit. This would I listened to these stories in my allow research to succeed or fail faster at home State of Washington. I brought missioner Dr. Robert Califf, Principal some fraction of the current expense. The them back and told them here on the Deputy Administrator for the Sub- agency is also ordered to consider ‘‘real- Senate floor, and now I am very proud stance Abuse and Mental Health Serv- world evidence’’ in approvals outside of to be taking bipartisan steps to help ices Administration Kana Enomoto, trials. give patients, families, and commu- and National Coordinator for Health What the FDA calls ‘‘RWE’’ is controver- nities the relief they need in response Information Technology Dr. Vindell sial because the agency is preoccupied with Washington and his predecessor Dr. ‘‘proving’’ how a medicine will perform. But to some of the biggest challenges in health care of our time. Karen DeSalvo. The staff of each of modern trials are so tightly controlled that these agencies did invaluable work the results are often artificial, or irrelevant Thank you again to all of the Sen- to how a medicine will be used and refined in ators who worked on this and all of our over a long period of time: Andrea actual medical practice. In any case, debates colleagues in the House for this bipar- Palm, Jim Esquea, Sara Singleton, Jer- about drug approval are never about ‘‘proof,’’ tisan effort. emy Sharp, Dayle Cristinzio, Rachel but how to interpret evidence of benefits and I want to thank the Congressional Sher, Sara Walinsky, Adrienne Hallett, risks. staff from both Houses and both parties Laura Berkson, Lauren Higgins, Alex The main limitation of Cures is that the Khalife, Rachel Stauffer, Maren problems at FDA aren’t due to a shortage of who worked so hard over the last 2 years on this legislation. McBride, Steven Posnack, Karson laws. They flow from the agency’s institu- Mahler, Tom Coderre, Brian Altman, tional culture of control, delay and abuse of From my staff, Wade Ackerman, regulatory discretion. Cures requires the Kalah Auchincloss, Nick Bath, Jane Brian Payne, Peggie Rice, and Jon FDA merely ‘‘to evaluate the use of real- Bigham, Remy Brim, Andi Fristedt, White. I thank Senator ALEXANDER, who has world evidence,’’ and this wouldn’t be the Colin Goldfinch, Megan Howard, Mad- worked diligently across the aisle to first political instruction that the bureauc- eleine Pannell, Melanie Rainer, Julie racy has defied. get this done. Still, Cures is a stride toward a more ra- Tierney, Elizabeth Wagner, Eli My sincere thanks to you today. tional and humane drug development sys- Zupnick, Helen Hare, Evan Schatz, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- tem, and legislation is about compromise. John Righter, Aravind Sreenath, Nat- ator from Tennessee. The bill could become a useful precedent for alie Kirilichin, and Kate Blizinsky. Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, the successful progress as the 115th Congress From Chairman ALEXANDER’s staff Senator from Washington knows how starts to take shape next year. David Cleary, Margaret Coulter, much I appreciate her leadership and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- MarySumpter Lapinski, Brett Meeks, enjoy working with her, and I think we ator from Washington. Laura Pence, Melissa Pfaff, Kara all respect the fact that she enjoys get- Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I Townshend, Curtis Vann, Lindsey ting results that help the American would like to express my heartfelt Seidman and Elizabeth Wroe. people. thanks to all of our colleagues in the From Representative PALLONE’s The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under House and the Senate who worked so staff, Eric Flamm, Waverley Gordon, the previous order, all postcloture time hard to make this bill the best it could Tiffany Guarascio, Rachel Pryor, Kim has expired. be for the patients and families we Trzeciak, Arielle Woronoff, and Megan VOTE ON MOTION TO CONCUR WITH AMENDMENT serve. In particular, I want to express Velez. NO. 5117 my appreciation to Vice President From Chairman UPTON’s staff, Paul Mr. ALEXANDER. I move to table BIDEN for his leadership, vision, and de- Edattel, Adrianna Simonelli, John the motion to concur with the amend- termination. I especially want to Stone, Carly McWilliams, JP ment. thank the chairman of the HELP Com- Paluskiewicz, Adam Buckalew, Jay The PRESIDING OFFICER. The mittee, Senator ALEXANDER, for his Gulshen and Josh Trent. question is on agreeing to the motion work and his leadership on this bill, as Thank you to the staff from all our to table. well as Energy and Commerce Chair- committee Democrats who worked so The motion was agreed to. man FRED UPTON, Ranking Member hard on the package: from Senator VOTE ON MOTION TO CONCUR FRANK PALLONE, and Congresswoman MURPHY’s staff, David Bonine and Joe The PRESIDING OFFICER. The DIANA DEGETTE. Dunn; from Senator WHITEHOUSE’s question is on agreeing to the motion I would like to reiterate my grati- staff, Jen DeAngelis and Anna Esten; to concur in the House amendment to tude to our staff on both sides of the from Senator BALDWIN’s staff, Kathleen the Senate Amendment to H.R. 34.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:16 Dec 08, 2016 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07DE6.006 S07DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE December 7, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6795 Mr. ALEXANDER. I ask for the yeas report accompanying S. 2943, an origi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- and nays. nal bill to authorize appropriations for ator from Delaware. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a fiscal year 2017 for military activities Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I suggest sufficient second? of the Department of Defense, for mili- the absence of a quorum. There appears to be a sufficient sec- tary construction, and for defense ac- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. ond. tivities of the Department of Energy, TOOMEY). The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk called the roll. to prescribe military personnel The senior assistant legislative clerk Mr. CORNYN. The following Senator strengths for such fiscal year, and for proceeded to call the roll. is necessarily absent: the Senator from other purposes, shall be brought to a Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I ask Arkansas (Mr. COTTON). close? unanimous consent that the order for The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there The yeas and nays are mandatory the quorum call be rescinded. any other Senators in the Chamber de- under the rule. The VICE PRESIDENT. Without ob- siring to vote? The clerk will call the roll. jection, it is so ordered. The result was announced—yeas 94, The senior assistant legislative clerk Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I ask nays 5, as follows: called the roll. unanimous consent that the following [Rollcall Vote No. 157 Leg.] Mr. CORNYN. The following Senator Senators who wish to speak in honor of the Presiding Officer be recognized in YEAS—94 is necessarily absent: the Senator from Arkansas (Mr. COTTON). the following order for up to 4 minutes Alexander Fischer Murray each: me, the majority leader Senator Ayotte Flake Nelson The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Baldwin Franken Paul CRUZ). Are there any other Senators in MCCONNELL, the minority leader Sen- Barrasso Gardner Perdue the Chamber desiring to vote? ator REID, Senator SCHUMER, Senator Bennet Gillibrand Peters HATCH, Senator LEAHY, Senator Blumenthal Graham The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 92, Portman MCCAIN, Senator DURBIN, Senator ISAK- Blunt Grassley Reed nays 7, as follows: SON URRAY EIN Booker Hatch Reid [Rollcall Vote No. 158 Leg.] , Senator M , Senator F - Boozman Heinrich Risch STEIN, Senator COLLINS, Senator MI- Boxer Heitkamp YEAS—92 Roberts KULSKI, and Senator CARPER. Brown Heller Rounds Alexander Feinstein Murray Burr Hirono Ayotte Fischer The VICE PRESIDENT. The Demo- Rubio Nelson Cantwell Hoeven Baldwin Flake cratic leader. Sasse Perdue Capito Inhofe Barrasso Franken Peters Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- Schatz Cardin Isakson Bennet Gardner Portman Schumer imous consent that the Senator from Carper Johnson Blumenthal Graham Reed Casey Kaine Scott Delaware amend his request so that Blunt Grassley Reid Cassidy King Sessions Booker Hatch Risch Senator MCCONNELL and I will use our Coats Kirk Shaheen Boozman Heinrich Roberts leader time. That will not count Cochran Klobuchar Shelby Boxer Heitkamp Rounds against his hour. Collins Lankford Stabenow Brown Heller Rubio Coons Leahy Sullivan Burr Hirono The VICE PRESIDENT. Is there ob- Sasse Corker Manchin Tester Cantwell Hoeven jection? Schatz Cornyn Markey Thune Capito Inhofe Schumer Without objection, it is so ordered. Crapo McCain Tillis Cardin Isakson Scott The Senator from Delaware. Cruz McCaskill Toomey Carper Johnson Daines Sessions McConnell Udall Casey Kaine TRIBUTES TO VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN Donnelly Menendez Shaheen Vitter Cassidy King Mr. COONS. Mr. President—and it Durbin Mikulski Shelby Warner Coats Kirk Enzi Moran Cochran Stabenow does bring me some joy to call you Mr. Whitehouse Klobuchar Ernst Murkowski Collins Lankford Sullivan President. I am honored to be here Wicker Feinstein Murphy Coons Leahy Tester today with so many of our colleagues, Thune NAYS—5 Corker Manchin and I am grateful to Majority Leader Cornyn McCain Tillis Lee Sanders Wyden Crapo McCaskill Toomey MCCONNELL and Leader REID for their Merkley Warren Cruz McConnell Udall enthusiasm in pulling together this bi- Daines Menendez Vitter NOT VOTING—1 partisan tribute. I am honored to be Donnelly Mikulski Warner joined by my senior Senator from Dela- Cotton Durbin Moran Warren Enzi Murkowski Whitehouse ware, TOM CARPER, who will make clos- The motion was agreed to. Ernst Murphy Wicker ing remarks this afternoon. f NAYS—7 Before I begin, I would like to remind my colleagues that there will be a re- CLOTURE MOTION Gillibrand Merkley Wyden Lee Paul ception for the Vice President in the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant Markey Sanders Mansfield Room, after we conclude to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the NOT VOTING—1 here, beginning sometime after 4. We Senate the pending cloture motion, have many Senators who wish to speak Cotton which the clerk will state. so we will move quickly through the The senior assistant legislative clerk The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this order. I encourage my colleagues to read as follows: vote, the yeas are 92, the nays are 7. submit their remarks for the RECORD, CLOTURE MOTION Three-fifths of the Senators duly cho- those who are not able to speak in the sen and sworn having voted in the af- We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- next hour. Their remarks will be com- ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the firmative, the motion is agreed to. bined with all the other remarks given Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby f on the floor, and the resulting speeches move to bring to a close debate on the con- NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- printed, bound, and presented to the ference report to accompany S. 2943, Na- Presiding Officer. tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017—CONFERENCE REPORT Mr. President, in a place known these Year 2017. days for some disagreements, my col- Mitch McConnell, Deb Fischer, Thom The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Tillis, Daniel Coats, James M. Inhofe, leagues—our colleagues, Republicans, clerk will report the conference report. Democrats, and Independents—are all , Cory Gardner, Orrin G. The senior assistant legislative clerk Hatch, Mark Kirk, Tom Cotton, John here today because we agree on one Cornyn, Lindsey Graham, Mike read as follows: powerful and simple thing: our deep Rounds, Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sul- Conference report to accompany S. 2943, a gratitude for the difference you have livan, John McCain. bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal made in your decades in public service. The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- year 2017 for military activities of the De- The greatest honor of my life is to partment of Defense, for military construc- imous consent, the mandatory quorum tion, and for defense activities of the Depart- serve in the seat that you held for 36 call has been waived. ment of Energy, to prescribe military per- years—and not just literally this seat The question is, Is it the sense of the sonnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for in the Senate but also a seat on the 7:15 Senate that debate on the conference other purposes. Amtrak train down from Wilmington

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