E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 116 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

Vol. 165 WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019 No. 115 Senate The Senate met at 9:30 a.m. and was us prevent future tragedies. The Secret fundamental to the maintenance of our called to order by the President pro Service, through its National Threat Republic than the electoral process tempore (Mr. GRASSLEY). Assessment Center, compiles and stud- itself. f ies data on these risk factors. Thomas Paine wrote, ‘‘The right of Yesterday, the Secret Service re- voting for representatives is the pri- PRAYER leased its report entitled ‘‘Mass At- mary right by which other rights are The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- tacks in Public Spaces,’’ which con- protected.’’ fered the following prayer: firms that there are often warning So preserving and protecting the Let us pray. signs before targeted violence. elections that our State and local au- Eternal Spirit, may our lawmakers Following up on the expertise of the thorities conduct is a crucial task. delight today in Your guidance, finding Secret Service, I introduced a bill that From the Federal Government’s per- joy in their fellowship with You. Lord, goes by the acronym EAGLES Act to spective, States are firmly in the lead, strengthen them by this fellowship, en- expand the National Threat Assess- but sometimes that means lending a abling them to be like productive trees ment Center to conduct additional re- hand to local authorities. Obviously, planted by streams of water. search and training to prevent targeted during the Civil Rights era, for exam- Lord, give our Senators the wisdom violence. ple, some Federal guidelines were nec- to live for Your glory, using them to Congress should pass this law to help essary to preserve integrity. provide deliverance for captives and stop violence before it happens. But many other times, doing the freedom for the oppressed. I yield the floor. right thing means defending against in- In you, O God, we find refuge. Con- f terference, be it political interference tinue to guide us, strong deliverer, for in the constitutionally protected role we are pilgrims in this life. RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY of the States to conduct elections by We pray in Your sovereign Name. LEADER politicians and bureaucrats here in Amen. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- Washington or, certainly, interference f jority leader is recognized. from America’s adversaries abroad. f In 2016, Vladimir Putin sought to PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE interfere in our elections. I have read The President pro tempore led the ELECTION SECURITY the intelligence reports. I have read Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, the Mueller report. I have talked with I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the later today, all Senators will have the our Intelligence Committee, which has United States of America, and to the Repub- opportunity to receive a classified investigated this indepth and has a re- lic for which it stands, one nation under God, briefing on an issue of huge national port coming out soon. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. importance: the security and integrity It is important to put Putin’s efforts The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. of our elections. to interfere in our democracy in con- BLACKBURN). The Senator from Iowa. It is fitting that today’s session be text because he didn’t just decide in Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I one bipartisan, all-Member briefing be- 2016 to take such a bold step. He kind ask unanimous consent to speak for 60 cause, while it is a cliche to say that of worked up to it, undermining an seconds as in morning business. certain priorities ought to be above array of U.S. interests slowly but sure- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without partisan squabbling, I know that every ly over 8 years of the previous adminis- objection, it is so ordered. one of us shares a genuine concern in tration’s misguided approach to Rus- f maintaining the process through which sia. American democracy plays out. Under President Obama, the U.S.- EAGLES ACT Those of my colleagues who have Russia relationship seemed to be de- Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, read the January 2017 intelligence as- fined by two constants: Putin’s grow- we are all very much concerned about sessment and the Mueller report will ing assertiveness in foreign meddling several mass instances of violence understand that it is precisely our and the administration’s failure to con- around the country. The Secret Service unity and our faith in our democratic front it. has a program of alerting people to system that Vladimir Putin seeks to Putin’s 2008 invasion of the sovereign some of those things and training peo- undermine. country of Georgia was met by the so- ple. Along with Americans’ First Amend- called reset in 2009, which swept the ag- Understanding the common factors of ment rights to express themselves and gression under the rug. The United the past acts of mass violence can help speak out, there are few things more States may have reset our policy to

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

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VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:01 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JY6.000 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4744 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 business as usual, but Putin’s aggres- retary Mattis led efforts—continued by today about what steps have led to this sion continued full bore. his successors—to reform and strength- greater success and what even further There was the failure to respond to en NATO. safeguards they are working on in ad- Putin’s efforts to strangle democracy So important changes are underway vance of 2020. in his own country by shuttering west- at the strategic level. Now we are back Of course, Congress will need to con- ern NGOs, arresting dissidents, or pos- to projecting the strength, principle, tinue closely monitoring the progress sibly ordering the murder of political and resolve that America ought to and assess whether future legislative opponent Boris Nemtsov. project. steps might be needed as well. But, as To the extent that the United States In addition, the Trump administra- with any time when Washington politi- responded to the torture and murder by tion has also punched back in very spe- cians are clamoring to grab greater Russian authorities of lawyer Sergei cific ways in response to the election control over something this important, Magnitsky, it was due to congressional interference that happened on the we need to make sure this conversation pressure. Obama administration’s watch. Thanks is clear-eyed and sober and serious. There was also President Obama’s re- to the work of the Special Counsel and I remember it was President Obama’s sponse to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine the Department of Justice, 28 Russian first Chief of Staff who said: ‘‘You in 2014. Do any of my colleagues believe nationals, intelligence officers, and never want a serious crisis to go to the administration’s response to that corporate interests were indicted for waste.’’ In other words, bad news can outrageous assault on the sovereignty their participation in the interference. give politicians cover to do things they of Ukraine was sufficiently tough to And in 2018, the administration ex- have wanted to do for a long time. defend against Putin’s outrageous as- pelled another 60 Russian agents in re- Remember, it was only months ago sault on fundamental principles of sov- sponse to the poisoning of a former of- that the new Democratic majority in ereignty and the international order? ficial living in the United Kingdom. the House decided their top priority for There was the debacle with the Presi- These agents are no longer free to con- the entire Congress was a massive bill dent’s redline in Syria, which turned duct intelligence operations or active I called the Democratic politician pro- out to be more like a red carpet for measures here in America. tection act—a sprawling Federal power Russian influence in Syria and the These are all tough, important steps grab over election law and citizens’ po- Middle East. that pertain to our broader foreign pol- litical speech. And there was the President telling icy efforts to defer future threats, but Among other provisions, it would Putin’s puppet Medvedev that he could there has also been significant work make the FEC, the currently non- have more ‘‘flexibility’’ to treat Russia done specifically on our election secu- partisan body that regulates political differently once he became a lameduck. rity. The administration worked quick- speech, into a partisan weapon. All this was under a President who ly to address vulnerabilities and ensure They also want to give Washington thought it was a clever laugh line to that 2018 wouldn’t be a reprise of 2016. more power to prohibit citizens groups mock our now-colleague Senator ROM- The administration directed re- from weighing in on politicians’ job NEY for correctly labeling Russia as a sources through the Department of performance. They have twice passed threat. Homeland Security to help local elec- bills aimed at centralizing election ad- The consequences of American weak- tion authorities implement stronger ministration decisions in the Federal ness toward Russia were numerous. cybersecurity measures. Information Government, in part on the hope that The more Obama gave, the more Putin sharing was streamlined between DHS, election attorneys, not voters, will get took. FBI, and State and local officials. to determine the outcome of more elec- Among those consequences, as we all They worked hard to gain the trust tions—provision after provision that know, was that Putin felt sufficiently of State election officials in my State would erode longstanding safeguards. emboldened to seek to interfere in our of Kentucky and around the country That was the huge proposal just a few 2016 Presidential election. Through ef- and provide them with valuable infor- months ago. forts to divide Americans on social mation through a voluntary informa- In light of this, it is interesting that media and to hack a political party, tion-sharing program that has seen some of our colleagues across the aisle agents of a foreign government sought participation from all 50 States and seem to have already made up their to inject division, doubt, and chaos 1,400 localities. minds before we hear from the experts into our democracy—a sad and embar- Here in Congress, we appropriated later today that a brandnew, sweeping rassing episode. hundreds of millions of dollars in addi- Washington intervention is just what President Trump has expressed an in- tional aid for State governments to the doctor ordered. terest in a better relationship with strengthen their systems, and our ef- I, for one, am looking forward to lis- Russia, but the actions his administra- forts continue. This year’s Defense and tening to the experts, to hearing more tion has taken—which he has author- Intelligence authorization bills include about why the Trump administration ized—demonstrate that such a relation- provisions that will help defend our- was more successful in 2018 than the ship will not prevent America from selves and our allies against Russian Obama administration was in 2016. I pushing back against Russian aggres- aggression. look forward to ensuring that any addi- sion. The administration will brief us tional Federal action actually address- The administration has pushed back today in classified session about the es the problems at hand; that it pre- against Russia in meaningful ways, im- many steps U.S. agencies have taken serve, rather than undermine, the care- posing new costs on Putin and his cro- since 2016 to improve our defenses and ful checks and balances that have long nies for their malign activities and im- bolster our deterrence against adver- been key parts of American democracy proving our defenses against Russian saries who seek to undermine our de- since the beginning. active measures. We have adopted new mocracy. f national security and defense strate- The smooth and secure execution of MEASURES PLACED ON THE gies that treat Russian aggression like the 2018 election illustrates the success CALENDAR the serious threat that it is. We have of these measures. This was not a coin- Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, begun to rebuild our military strength, cidence. I understand there are two bills at the which was eroded by years of budget Congress has taken even further ac- desk due for a second reading en bloc. cuts and further damaged by sequestra- tion since then, building new legisla- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The tion. We have taken steps to provide tive safeguards to increase trans- clerk will read the bills by title for the Georgia and Ukraine with arms to de- parency and coordination with the in- second time. fend against Russian aggression—weap- telligence community on election secu- The legislative clerk read as follows: ons denied to them by the previous ad- rity. A bill (H.R. 2740) making appropriations ministration despite bipartisan support In short, it is abundantly clear that for the Departments of Labor, Health and from Congress. We worked to block the administration and Congress take Human Services, and Education, and related Moscow’s efforts to increase European this issue seriously. I look forward to agencies for the fiscal year ending Sep- reliance on Russian oil and gas. Sec- hearing more from the administration tember 30, 2020, and for other purposes.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:01 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.002 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4745 A bill (H.R. 3055) making appropriations clean house. The top people at CBP removing hateful content. In doing so, for the Departments of Commerce and Jus- ought to be fired now. he has defended people like Alex Jones tice, Science, and Related Agencies for the In just a few days on the job, Mark and his detestable, conspiracy-ridden fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for Morgan, the Acting Commissioner, has radio show. other purposes. already shown himself to be far too cal- The idea that everybody should be Mr. MCCONNELL. In order to place lous about the way in which children able to post on social media sites no the measures on the calendar under the and their families are treated. We need matter how disgusting the content is provisions of rule XIV, I would object committed law enforcement profes- wrong, in my view. When vicious, rac- to further proceedings en bloc. sionals to take over the CBP, particu- ist, anti-Semitic, and Islamophobic The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- larly those who have training and ex- hate speech is posted online, social tion having been heard, the bills will be pertise in working with vulnerable pop- media sites, as private companies, placed on the calendar. ulations. should be able to remove that content. f There are rumors that Mr. Morgan But this President amazingly seems to was chosen because he is a tough guy— believe that when offensive language is RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME a tough guy—on kids. But he is a tough coming from a rightwing source and it The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under guy who will tolerate an out-of-control is taken off social media sites, that is the previous order, the leadership time culture in many parts of the CBP. censorship. That is the message this is reserved. It is a perfectly wrong choice for social media summit seeks to advance, what is going on there. I will say this and it is un-American. f to President Trump. He is not going to At the same time, we hear that the CONCLUSION OF MORNING help you. Whatever Americans’ views White House and congressional Repub- BUSINESS are on immigration, they don’t like licans are all too eager to decry anti- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning pictures of little children in squalid Semitism when they perceive it from a business is closed. and awful conditions, whoever they political opponent on the left. Well, are. where are those folks when the White f The Acting Secretary of Homeland House does something like this? Where EXECUTIVE SESSION Security, Kevin McAleenan, who over- are they? It seems some of our friends sees CBP, needs to take this matter on the other side of the aisle want to into his own hands. He has shown far politicize the issue of anti-Semitism, EXECUTIVE CALENDAR more balance, far more expertise, and which should be condemned when any- far more ability to talk about the body talks about it, but unfortunately The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under truth—not some ideology—than Mor- we heard silence from our Republican the previous order, the Senate will pro- gan or some of the others. He should friends when this virulently anti-Se- ceed to executive session and resume take this matter into his own hands mitic cartoonist was invited to the consideration of the following nomina- and pursue changes to the Agency that White House—not a peep. And what he tion, which the clerk will report. go beyond mere investigations and re- did was despicable and reminiscent of The legislative clerk read the nomi- ports. what was done before dictatorships nation of T. Kent Wetherell II, of Flor- CBP needs a real change in personnel took over in Europe. ida, to be United States District Judge and in leadership, and it needs it now. The White House was right to revoke for the Northern District of Florida. The reports by NBC News and many the invitation. It never should have Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I others are a stain on this great Nation. been issued in the first place. A social suggest the absence of a quorum. We are not perfect. We are a lot better media summit designed to give support The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. than most everyone else. But in the to the most radical viewpoints on so- CRAMER). The clerk will call the roll. past, when there was a problem, we cial media should never have been The legislative clerk proceeded to didn’t revel in it; we tried to solve it. planned by the White House in the first call the roll. We cannot allow what is happening at place. It should be obvious, but with Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask the border to continue. this President, unfortunately, the obvi- unanimous consent that the order for SOCIAL MEDIA ous bears repeating: The President of the quorum call be rescinded. Mr. President, on another matter, a the United States should appeal to the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without few weeks ago, it was reported that the better angels of our nature and not objection, it is so ordered. author of a blatantly, virulently anti- provide support to the basest voices in RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER Semitic cartoon depicting the Roth- our society. It is another reason this The PRESIDING OFFICER. The schilds and Soros was invited—actually Presidency is just a disgrace—a dis- Democratic leader is recognized. invited to a social media summit at the grace in terms of American values, BORDER SECURITY White House. Up until yesterday, when American morals, and American hon- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, a new the White House was asked questions esty. report from NBC News last night de- about why he was invited, there was no ELECTION SECURITY tailed the inhumane treatment of mi- answer. Reportedly, some in the ad- Mr. President, now on election secu- grant children at the Arizona border ministration privately defended the in- rity, later this afternoon, Members stations: allegations of sexual assault, vitation of this out-and-out bigot. Only from both sides of the aisle will take retaliation by Customs and Border Pro- last night when it all became public did part in an all-Senate briefing on the tection officers, overcrowding, lack of the White House finally revoke the in- threats faced by our elections in the showers, lack of clean clothes, and lack vitation. But it is an absolute disgrace 2020 campaign cycle. We are all no of space to sleep. The accounts made that it was extended in the first place doubt aware of the general threat to by dozens of children at these facilities and that it took them long to rescind. our elections from foreign interference. are horrifying and are completely un- And it is a disgrace that the White It is crucial to hear from our law en- acceptable. House has not rescinded the invitations forcement, defense, and intelligence In the wake of several similar reports for several other individuals planning communities about the specific nature about the treatment of migrants by to attend who have spewed hateful and of those threats and, just as impor- CBP officers in Texas, in the wake of bigoted views online. tant—probably more important—how revelations of secret Facebook groups The plain truth is this: This Presi- we can counteract them and how we where Border Patrol officers joke about dent and this administration are can prevent foreign interference in the the horrid treatment of migrants, it is shockingly willing to provide succor to 2020 election, which everybody, regard- abundantly clear that there is a toxic some of the most hateful ideologues, less of party—Democratic, Republican, culture at Border Patrol that can only ideologies, and viewpoints. The Presi- liberal, or conservative—should be be changed—only be changed—by the dent has promoted White supremacists against. This is one of the things the immediate firing and replacing of top on his Twitter feed while constantly Founding Fathers were most afraid of, leadership at the Agency. CBP needs to criticizing social media platforms for that foreign powers would seek to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:44 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.004 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4746 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 interfere in our elections. It didn’t It is unbelievable that in this Trump I yield the floor. seem too much of a problem for dec- administration, unlike any other ad- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- ades and centuries, but it has now ministration—Democratic or Repub- jority whip. reared its ugly head—by the way, lican—before it, interference in the Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, we just showing the amazing wisdom of the election by a foreign power is made po- heard the Democratic leader talking Washingtons and the Madisons and the litical. It is a disgrace. about the issue of healthcare and at- Franklins and the Founding Fathers. I hope today’s briefing provides Mem- tacking the President and Republicans The briefing we are going to have bers with specific information about for not being supportive of protections should serve as a turning point for this what the departments and agencies are for preexisting conditions, and I can Chamber. It should focus our attention doing to combat the threat to our elec- tell you that is just not true. I can’t and spark an urgent debate on how to tions and what we ought to do next. think of a single Republican who protect our democracy from future at- After it concludes, we cannot let this doesn’t believe we ought to provide tacks. The briefing this afternoon issue sit on the back burner. Demo- protection for people with preexisting should be a springboard for action. So crats and Republicans alike must roll conditions. I was amazed to listen to Republican up their sleeves and get to work—the Democrats have not acknowledged Leader MCCONNELL this morning, who, majority leader included. that ObamaCare has failed, and I think before the briefing has even taken HEALTHCARE we can all see the evidence of that. We place, seems to be prejudging the re- Mr. President, on healthcare, finally, have seen skyrocketing premiums, sults of the meeting, saying that an- as oral arguments continue today in copays, out-of-pocket costs, other Washington intervention in this Texas v. the United States, we must deductibles—all of those things have matter is misguided. I was amazed to not lose sight of what is at stake here. gone through the roof for a lot of peo- hear Leader MCCONNELL take credit for Republican attorneys general, with the ple, particularly in the individual mar- the election security funding which Trump administration’s full support ket—as well as a reduction in the num- Democrats fought tooth and nail to in- and backing, are trying to dismantle ber of choices and options. Fewer op- clude in the Appropriations bill and our healthcare system. They are argu- tions and higher costs have been the which was initially opposed by many of ing that millions of Americans—in- legacy of ObamaCare, so the Democrats our Republican colleagues. They skip cluding 133 million Americans under 65 know it has to be replaced. The reason over the fact that Leader MCCONNELL who live with a preexisting condition— they know it and you can tell it has to and Republicans are right now block- should lose their care and their protec- be replaced is that they are already out ing our efforts to include additional re- tions. there talking about a proposal—a com- sources this year. The lawsuit that President Trump pletely one-size-fits-all, government- Leader MCCONNELL, if you are brag- supports and our Republican colleagues run, national approach to taking over ging about having put it in in 2016 and refuse to condemn would say to a people’s healthcare in this country the FBI says the threat in 2020 will be mother or father of a child with cancer: called Medicare for All, at a cost of $32 greater, why aren’t you letting us put If the insurance company wants to cut trillion, which I will come back to in more money in now? Why aren’t you you off, tell you that you can’t get the just a moment. supporting that? The President and his administration It makes no sense—a contradiction treatment your kid so desperately needs to live, that is OK. have also acknowledged that once again. ObamaCare has failed because of the And here, amazingly enough, we hear Where are those Republican voices? We all know the statistics, but there skyrocketing costs and fewer choices Leader MCCONNELL echoing President and have chosen to try to get that re- Trump blaming President Obama for is a human cost and a human story be- pealed through the courts. Either way, the interference in the 2016 election— hind each one. Emilie is one of my con- blaming President Obama. The Rus- stituents, and I shared her story on the we are going to be having a discussion sians interfered. They certainly had steps of the Senate yesterday. She was about healthcare here and about what conversations with the Trump adminis- a healthy and active, vibrant young is the best system moving forward. Republicans, of course, as I men- tration. Donald Trump encouraged girl at age 7, but her life was turned tioned, believe we have to protect peo- them to interfere, publicly. And now upside down after a tragic accident. ple with preexisting conditions. What- Leader MCCONNELL has the temerity to She fell off a horse and suffered a trau- blame President Obama? What a re- matic brain injury. Emilie had to re- ever follows in ObamaCare’s wake, I markable feat of revisionist history. learn how to walk, how to talk, and think there is agreement on both sides Let’s be clear on two things. First, how to eat—a 7-year-old. of the aisle—both Republicans and President Putin interfered in our elec- The biggest challenge Emilie’s fam- Democrats—that preexisting condi- tions, and he is to blame. Second, the ily faced came when her private insur- tions will be covered. Trump administration has not done ance said to her: Only 60 days of rehab, So let’s just take that political argu- enough to hold him and his oligarchs Emilie, and then you are out. It doesn’t ment off the table because that is all it accountable. President Trump re- matter if you still can’t feed yourself, is. It is nothing more, nothing less, cently, when he met with President and it doesn’t matter if you can’t walk. nothing else than a political argument Putin, sort of made a joke of it. That is But she was saved because of Med- made by Democrats when they know disgraceful. That is un-American. That icaid. Medicaid stepped in, and the pro- full well that Republicans are on the is not defending the security of Amer- tections for Americans with pre- record in support of protecting people ica. existing conditions prevailed. Now with preexisting conditions. Now, according to reports, we learn Emilie has a great chance in the fu- The question is, What will we replace that the majority leader refused to ture. Do we want to tell Emilie’s par- it with? We believe, obviously, that work on a bipartisan basis to warn the ents that we want to just cut this off? there is a much better approach that public about Putin’s interference in What is wrong with our Republican gives people more choices, more op- our elections in the midst of the 2016 friends here? It is the height of hypoc- tions, and creates more competition in election. And he blames President risy for Republicans to pledge support the marketplace, which would put Obama when he was the one who didn’t for Americans with preexisting condi- downward pressure on prices. want to make it public? Give us a tions during the campaign season and The Democrats, as I said, have en- break. then be silent as the Trump adminis- dorsed and are supporting a $32 trillion We have a duty to the country to tration sues to take away all protec- government takeover of the healthcare take this seriously and not whitewash tions. system in this country, which will put the facts or prejudge the conclusions. I call on Senate Republicans, for the enormous costs on the backs of work- This is about protecting the wellspring sake of the Emilies and the millions ing people in this country. I will come of our democracy—it is not political— like her, to speak out against this back to that in just a moment. and ensuring Americans have absolute reckless lawsuit—a lawsuit that would THE ECONOMY faith that our elections will be free and spell disaster for millions of hard- Mr. President, last Friday we learned fair. working, fine citizens in this country. that there were 224,000 jobs that were

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:01 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.007 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4747 created in June, the latest piece of On top of that, most of the Demo- Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask good news about our strong economy. cratic Presidential candidates have en- unanimous consent that notwith- Thanks to the historic tax reform we dorsed providing government-funded standing the previously scheduled vote passed in 2017 and our efforts to lift healthcare to illegal immigrants as at 11 o’clock, I be allowed to complete burdensome regulations, our economy well. It is not just a matter of pro- my remarks before that vote occurs. has been thriving. Economic growth is viding healthcare to the millions of un- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without up, and wages are growing at the documented immigrants already here objection, it is so ordered. strongest rate in a decade. Personal in- in the United States. More and more DEBBIE SMITH ACT come is up, and unemployment is near Democrats are embracing what is effec- Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, its lowest level in half a century. tively an open-border policy, which throughout my career, dating back to The benefits of this progress are means the number of individuals here my days as Texas attorney general, I being spread far and wide. Wages for legally can skyrocket, further driving have long been a proud advocate for the lowest earning workers are rising up the massive costs of the one-size- crime victims’ rights. I believe we all faster than for the highest earning fits-all, government-run healthcare have a responsibility to provide men workers. Hundreds of thousands of new proposal the Democrats are putting and women impacted by such trau- blue-collar jobs have been created. Un- forward. The final pricetag, I am sug- matic events the resources and care employment rates for minorities have gesting, could be far more than $32 tril- they need when they need it. fallen. The unemployment rates for lion. Right now the Congress has an oppor- Asian Americans, African Americans, Of course, Democrats’ proposals are tunity to pass two separate pieces of and Hispanic Americans are all at or not limited to putting the government legislation to support victims of sexual near record lows. in charge of healthcare. They have lots assault and domestic violence. Sadly, The Wall Street Journal notes, of other ideas for more government both bills have been caught in the ‘‘Nearly one million more blacks and 2 spending, such as having the govern- crosshairs of political jockeying in the million more Hispanics are employed ment pay for millions of students’ col- House, with Democrats using a tit-for- than when Barack Obama left office, lege education or eliminating student tat strategy that has frozen both bills. and minorities account for more than loan debt—although they don’t men- One of those bills is called the Debbie half of all new jobs created during the tion any benefits for Americans who Smith Act. The namesake of this legis- Trump Presidency.’’ have already done a lot of work to help lation is a woman whom I have had the When Republicans took control of pay off their student loans. honor of working with many times the Congress and the White House 21⁄2 As expensive as paying for these pro- over the years. She is a fierce advocate years ago, we had one goal: Make life posals would be, they pale in compari- for victims of sexual assault. better for hard-working Americans. We son to the Democrats’ most expansive Like so many victims, her advocacy knew that Americans had a tough time socialist fantasy, the Green New Deal, was born from a personal experience. In during President Obama’s administra- which has been estimated to cost some- 1989, she was abducted from her home tion, and we were determined to put where between $51 and $93 trillion over and raped in a wooded area. She re- more money in Americans’ pockets and 10 years—$93 trillion. That is more ported the crime to police and went to to expand opportunities for working money than the economic output of the emergency room for a forensic ex- families. That is exactly what we did. every country in the entire world in amination, but there were no imme- Our tax reform legislation, combined 2017 combined. diate answers. Though exact numbers with other Republican economic poli- How are Democrats going to pay for are difficult to estimate, some experts cies, has created an economy that has these policies? Well, when they have an believe that there are hundreds of lifted up Americans from across the answer, it usually involves taxing the thousands of untested rape kits that economic spectrum. rich. That is all very well, until one re- remain across the United States. There is still more work, of course, alizes there is no way to pay for these For 61⁄2 years the DNA evidence of that needs to be done. Farmers and policies just by taxing the rich. Medi- Debbie’s attacker sat on a shelf in an ranchers, for example, in places like care for All alone would ultimately re- evidence locker while she constantly my home State of South Dakota, are quire massive tax hikes on ordinary wondered who her attacker was and still struggling thanks to years of com- Americans and on American busi- when he would appear again. Chan- modity and livestock prices below pro- nesses. neling that fear and frustration, Debbie duction costs, protracted trade dis- What will be the consequences of made it her mission in life to eliminate putes, and natural disasters. But over- that? Well, a substantially lower stand- the rape kit backlog. I have no doubt all, American workers are doing better ard of living for American families who that because of her and the important than they have in a long time. would see their tax bill soar and their legislation this Congress has passed for Now we need to focus on preserving take-home pay shrink, plus massive the past 15 years, we were making and building on the policies that have tax hikes would wreak devastation on some pretty incredible progress toward made life better for American workers the economy. Load a small or larger her goal. over the past 2 years, but that is not business with new taxes, and its ability In 2004, the Debbie Smith Act was what will happen if Democrats have to grow, invest, expand, and hire new signed into law to provide State and their way. Democrats are not only in- workers shrinks dramatically. That local crime labs with the resources to terested in eliminating a large portion, would mean lower wages, fewer jobs, end the backlog of unsolved crimes. if not all, of the tax relief that Repub- and reduced opportunities for Amer- More than $1 billion has been provided licans passed; they are pushing pro- ican families already burdened with to these forensic labs because of this posals that would result in massive tax new tax hikes. law, and the legislation passed by the hikes on ordinary Americans. Lowering taxes for American fami- Senate in May will provide even great- Take Medicare for All, as I men- lies and American businesses has er resources for the program. tioned earlier, which is a Democratic grown Americans’ paychecks and pro- While the original purpose of the leg- proposal for government-run vided them with access to new and bet- islation was to reduce the rape kit healthcare. A conservative estimate ter jobs and opportunities. Raising backlog, this DNA evidence serves mul- sets the pricetag for this proposal at their taxes would have the opposite ef- tiple purposes. It enables law enforce- $32 trillion over 10 years—more money fect. Yet raising Americans’ taxes is ment to identify and convict people than the U.S. Government has spent in exactly what would happen under the who commit other violent crimes and the past 8 years combined on every- Democrats’ plans. takes more criminals off the street. It thing. A more realistic estimate is Let’s hope that Democrats think bet- also has a corresponding benefit for the likely substantially higher, given that ter of their proposals before the Amer- wrongfully accused. It can actually ex- the Senator from Vermont’s current ican people are forced to foot the bill. clude people based on the DNA test re- Medicare for All plan includes coverage I yield the floor. sults in the forensic rape kit. for long-term care, which is an enor- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Because of the Debbie Smith Act, mously expensive benefit. ator from Texas. more than 860,000 DNA cases have been

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:01 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.008 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4748 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 processed, and 360,000 DNA profiles time to talk to Debbie and hear her [Rollcall Vote No. 195 Ex.] have been uploaded into the FBI’s perspective on why this legislation is YEAS—78 database. This accounts for 43 percent so critical and why it must be passed Alexander Ernst Murray of all forensic profiles in the FBI’s now. House Democrats refuse to pass Barrasso Feinstein Paul DNA database. The benefits of this law the Debbie Smith Act and help crime Bennet Fischer Perdue Blackburn Gardner Peters cannot be overstated. That is why the labs eliminate the rape kit backlog. Blunt Graham Portman Debbie Smith Act was easily reauthor- They refuse to negotiate in good faith Boozman Grassley Reed ized in both 2008 and 2014. on VAWA, Violence Against Women Braun Hassan Risch Now it is time once again to reau- Act, reauthorization and what that Brown Hawley Roberts Burr Hoeven Romney thorize this important legislation. Ear- might look like. Unfortunately, they Cantwell Hyde-Smith Rosen lier this year, Senator FEINSTEIN and I have succumbed to the temptation of Capito Inhofe Rounds introduced the Debbie Smith Act of playing partisan politics with pretty Cardin Isakson Rubio 2019, which reauthorizes the important Carper Johnson Sasse important legislation and hurting a lot Casey Jones Scott (FL) funding that supports the testing of of innocent people in the meantime. I Cassidy Kaine Scott (SC) this DNA evidence. Things like train- find that absolutely unacceptable. Collins Kennedy Shaheen ing for law enforcement, correctional Coons King Shelby I would urge our colleague Speaker Cornyn Lankford Sinema officers, training for forensic nurses PELOSI to bring the Debbie Smith Act Cortez Masto Leahy Sullivan and other professionals who assist vic- up for a vote and quit using sexual as- Cotton Lee Tester tims of sexual assault are also included sault victims as a bargaining chip. Cramer Manchin Thune in this bill. When the Senate voted in Crapo McConnell Tillis I yield the floor. Cruz McSally Toomey May, not a single Senator voted Daines Moran Udall against it—not one. It was unanimous. NOMINATION OF T. KENT WETHERELL II Durbin Murkowski Whitehouse But here we are nearly 2 months later Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, Enzi Murphy Wicker and the House of Representatives I proudly support the confirmation of NAYS—15 hasn’t lifted a finger. Judge T. Kent Wetherell II to the U.S. Baldwin Markey Smith The bill isn’t partisan. It is not divi- District Court for the Northern Dis- Blumenthal Menendez Stabenow sive. It is not controversial. So why do trict of Florida today. He earned his Harris Merkley Van Hollen they refuse to bring the bill up for a Hirono Schatz Warren undergraduate and juris doctor degrees Klobuchar Schumer Wyden vote? Well, they are not holding this from the Florida State University and bill up because they are working on a has committed himself to public serv- NOT VOTING—7 different version or because they dis- ice for the past 20 years. He has served Booker Heinrich Young agree with any of the provisions or be- as deputy solicitor general in the Of- Duckworth Sanders Gillibrand Warner cause they simply don’t like it. No, fice of the Florida Attorney General; they are actually holding it hostage to an administrative law judge in Flor- The nomination was confirmed. try to force a vote on their ida’s division of administrative hear- ultrapartisan version of the Violence ings; and, for the past decade, as an ap- f Against Women Act, or VAWA, the sec- pellate judge on Florida’s First Dis- ond piece of legislation they are stop- trict Court of Appeal. Judge Wetherell EXECUTIVE CALENDAR ping. Actually, Democrats allowed the will continue to serve our State and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The current Violence Against Women Act Nation well, and I am proud to support clerk will report the next nomination. to expire over Republican objections so his confirmation to the Federal bench. that they could maintain this leverage The legislative clerk read the nomi- VOTE ON WETHERELL NOMINATION to pass their ultrapartisan version of nation of J. Nicholas Ranjan, of Penn- VAWA sometime later. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. sylvania, to be United States District Folks on both sides of the aisle can SASSE). All time has expired. Judge for the Western District of Penn- agree it is time to make some impor- The question is, Will the Senate ad- sylvania. tant improvements in VAWA, and our vise and consent to the Wetherell nom- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The colleague Senator ERNST from Iowa has ination? question is, Will the Senate advise and been working very hard to try to come Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask consent to the Ranjan nomination? up with a good bipartisan bill. It de- for the yeas and nays. Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I ask serves to be reauthorized and strength- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a for the yeas and nays. ened to ensure victims have access to sufficient second? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a the services and protections they need. sufficient second? Going through the regular order is There appears to be a sufficient sec- ond. There appears to be a sufficient sec- something I support, and it is an effort ond. The clerk will call the roll. that has been led by, as I said, Senator The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk called the roll. ERNST from Iowa. But the version of The senior assistant bill clerk called the bill that has passed in the House is Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is the roll. a far cry from any kind of consensus necessarily absent: the Senator from Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is legislation. It includes provisions that Indiana (Mr. YOUNG). necessarily absent: the Senator from would never pass in the Senate, and Further, if present and voting, the Indiana (Mr. YOUNG). that is why it passed the House, in Senator from Indiana (Mr. YOUNG) Further, if present and voting, the order to create that conflict and that would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ obstacle. Senator from Indiana (Mr. YOUNG) Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the It is not fair to Debbie Smith and would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ Senator from New Jersey (Mr. BOOKER), other victims of sexual assault for Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the the Senator from Illinois (Ms. House Democrats to hold them hostage Senator from New Jersey (Mr. BOOKER), DUCKWORTH), the Senator from New over a separate bill that is still being the Senator from Illinois (Ms. York (Mrs. GILLIBRAND), the Senator negotiated in good faith by Members DUCKWORTH), the Senator from New from New Mexico (Mr. HEINRICH), the on both sides of the aisle. York (Mrs. GILLIBRAND), the Senator Despite repeated requests from advo- Senator from Vermont (Mr. SANDERS), from New Mexico (Mr. HEINRICH), and cates and victims’ rights groups to pass and the Senator from Virginia (Mr. the Senator from Vermont (Mr. SAND- the Debbie Smith Act freestanding, the WARNER) are necessarily absent. ERS) are necessarily absent. House has, once again, chosen to play The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there politics. any other Senators in the Chamber de- any other Senators in the Chamber de- I understand Debbie has requested to siring to vote? siring to vote? meet with leadership in the House, and The result was announced—yeas 78, The result was announced—yeas 80, I strongly encourage them to take the nays 15, as follows: nays 14, as follows:

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:01 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.009 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4749 [Rollcall Vote No. 196 Ex.] Graham McSally Scott (FL) do exactly that’’—take health insur- Grassley Menendez YEAS—80 Scott (SC) ance away from people who get it from Hassan Merkley Shaheen Alexander Fischer Peters Hawley Moran Shelby work. Baldwin Gardner Portman Hirono Murkowski Sinema On one point, though, they all raised Barrasso Graham Reed Hoeven Murphy Sullivan their hands. That was on the question Blackburn Grassley Risch Hyde-Smith Paul Tester that was asked of all 10 Democrats in Blunt Hassan Roberts Inhofe Perdue Thune Boozman Hawley Isakson Peters round 2 of the debate. They all en- Romney Tillis Braun Hoeven Johnson Portman Rosen Toomey dorsed taxpayer-funded healthcare for Brown Hyde-Smith Jones Reed Rounds Udall illegal immigrants. Every hand went Burr Inhofe Kaine Risch Rubio Van Hollen up. Capito Isakson Sasse Kennedy Roberts Cardin Johnson King Romney Warner Schatz It seems Democrats have actually Carper Jones Lankford Rosen Whitehouse Schumer been hiding their real, radical agenda. Casey Kaine Leahy Rounds Wicker Scott (FL) Cassidy Kennedy Lee Rubio Wyden ‘‘Most Americans don’t realize how Scott (SC) Collins King Manchin Sasse Young dramatically Medicare-for-all would re- Coons Lankford Shaheen McConnell Schumer structure the nation’s health care sys- Shelby Cornyn Leahy tem.’’ That is not just me talking; that Cortez Masto Lee Sinema NAYS—10 Cotton Manchin Sullivan Blumenthal Markey Stabenow is according to the latest Kaiser Fam- Cramer McConnell Tester Durbin Murray Warren ily Foundation poll. We need to set the Crapo McSally Thune Harris Schatz record straight, and I am ready to do Cruz Menendez Tillis Klobuchar Smith Daines Moran Toomey that right now. Durbin Murkowski Van Hollen NOT VOTING—5 The fact is, Democrats have taken a Enzi Murphy Warner Booker Gillibrand Sanders hard left turn, and they want to take Ernst Paul Whitehouse Duckworth Heinrich away your health insurance if you get Feinstein Perdue Wicker The nomination was confirmed. it from work. The proposal abolishes NAYS—14 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under private health insurance, the insurance Bennet Klobuchar Stabenow the previous order, the motion to re- people get from work. In its place, they Blumenthal Markey Udall consider is considered made and laid would have one expensive, new govern- Cantwell Merkley Warren ment-run system. Still, Democrats Harris Murray Wyden upon the table, and the President will Hirono Smith be immediately notified of the Senate’s know most of us would rather keep our NOT VOTING—6 action. own coverage that we get from work. Even the people on Medicare Advan- Booker Gillibrand Sanders The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Duckworth Heinrich Young ator from Wyoming. tage—20 million people—would lose it under the Democrats’ proposal. The f The nomination was confirmed. Kaiser poll confirms Americans’ top f EXECUTIVE CALENDAR concern is, of course, lowering their Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask costs or, as the Washington Post EXECUTIVE CALENDER unanimous consent that the Senate re- ‘‘Health’’ column put it, people simply The PRESIDING OFFICER. The sume consideration of the King nomi- want ‘‘to pay less for their own health clerk will report the next nomination. nation. care.’’ The bill clerk read the nomination of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without That is what we are committed to on Damon Ray Leichty, of Indiana, to be objection, it is so ordered. this side of the aisle. Many Democrats running for Presi- United States District Judge for the The clerk will report the nomination. dent continue to promote and support Northern District of Indiana. The senior assistant legislative clerk this radical scheme by Senator SAND- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The read the nomination of Robert L. King, ERS. The Sanders legislation would question is, Will the Senate advise and of Kentucky, to be Assistant Secretary take away healthcare insurance from consent to the Leichty nomination? for Postsecondary Education, Depart- 180 million people who get their insur- Mr. WICKER. I ask for the yeas and ment of Education. ance through work, through their jobs. nays. ORDER FOR RECESS In addition, 20 million people who buy The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask their insurance would lose coverage as sufficient second? unanimous consent that the Senate re- well. There appears to be a sufficient sec- cess from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. today. You also need to know that the ond. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Democrats’ proposal ends the current The clerk will call the roll. objection, it is so ordered. government healthcare programs. The clerk called the roll. The Senator from Wyoming. Medicare for seniors would be gone. Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the HEALTHCARE Federal employees’ health insurance Senator from New Jersey (Mr. BOOKER), Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I would be gone. TRICARE for the mili- the Senator from Illinois (Ms. come to the floor because Democrats tary would be gone, and the children’s DUCKWORTH), the Senator from New out on the campaign trail continue to health coverage also would be gone York (Mrs. GILLIBRAND), the Senator spin their one-size-fits-all healthcare under this Democratic healthcare, one- from New Mexico (Mr. HEINRICH), and plan that they call Medicare for All. size-fits-all plan. That is confirmed by the Senator from Vermont (Mr. SAND- The name itself is misleading. I will the Congressional Research Service. ERS) are necessarily absent. state that as a doctor who has prac- The Congressional Research Service The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. ticed medicine in Wyoming for 24 recently sent me a formal legal opin- LANKFORD). Are there any other Sen- years. ion. I requested it from them. It is a ators in the Chamber desiring to vote? Even many Democrats in the first formal, legal opinion, stating: Medi- The result was announced—yeas 85, Presidential debate sounded confused care for All ‘‘would . . . largely dis- nays 10, as follows: about their own proposal. The can- place these existing federally funded [Rollcall Vote No. 197 Ex.] didates were asked a simple question. health programs’’ that I just men- YEAS—85 They were asked to raise their hands if tioned—Medicare, Federal employees’ Alexander Cantwell Cotton they supported eliminating private health insurance, TRICARE, children’s Baldwin Capito Cramer health insurance. That is the health in- health coverage. It would largely dis- Barrasso Cardin Crapo Bennet Carper Cruz surance people get from work. ‘‘Just place these existing Federal health Blackburn Casey Daines four arms went up over the two programs as well as private health in- Blunt Cassidy Enzi nights,’’ but ‘‘five candidates who kept surance, the insurance people get from Boozman Collins Ernst their hands at their sides,’’ the New work. Braun Coons Feinstein Brown Cornyn Fischer York Times has now reported, ‘‘have Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- Burr Cortez Masto Gardner signed onto bills in [this] Congress that sent to have printed in the RECORD the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:28 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JY6.003 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4750 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 Congressional Research Service memo- to provide any item or service if no claims Thus, Medicaid benefits for institutional randum, dated May 29, 2019. for payment are submitted to the Secretary long-term care services (which are not There being no objection, the mate- and the contracts meet certain statutory re- among the 13 categories of covered services rial was ordered to be printed in the quirements. under the MFAA) and any other services fur- With respect to payment for covered phar- nished by a state that the Program would RECORD, as follows: maceuticals, medical supplies, and medically not cover, would continue to be administered MEMORANDUM necessary assistive equipment, the Secretary by the states. The bill would direct the Sec- To: Senator John Barrasso, Attention: Jay would negotiate their payment rate annually retary to coordinate with the relevant state Eberle. with the relevant manufacturers. The bill agencies to identify the services for which From: Wen S. Shen, Legislative Attorney. would further direct the Secretary to estab- Medicaid benefits would be preserved and to Subject: Effect of S. 1129 on Certain Feder- lish a prescription drug formulary system ensure their continued availability under the ally Funded Health Programs and Pri- that would encourage best practices in pre- applicable state plans. vate Health Insurance. scribing; discourage the use of ineffective, PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE dangerous, or excessively costly medica- Pursuant to your request, this memo- Currently, private health insurance in the tions; and promote the use of generic medi- randum discusses the legal effect of S. 1129, United States consists of (1) private sector cations to the greatest extent possible. Off- the Medicare for All Act of 2019 (MFAA or employer-sponsored group plans, which can formulary medications would be permitted Act) on various public and private health be self-insured (i.e., funded directly by the under the Program, but their use would be care programs or plans. Specifically, the employer) or fully insured (i.e., purchased subject to further regulations the Secretary memorandum analyzes whether the MFAA from insurers), and (2) group or individual issues. would authorize the following programs or health plans sold directly by insurers to the With respect to the Program’s administra- plans to continue in their current form: insured (both inside and outside of health in- Medicare (including Medicare Advantage tion, the bill would authorize the Secretary surance exchanges established under Section and Part D); to develop the relevant policies, procedures, 1311 of the Affordable Care Act). The MFAA Medicaid (including the Children’s Health guidelines, and requirements necessary to would prohibit employers from providing, Insurance Program); carry out the Program. The Secretary would and insurers from selling, any health plans TRICARE; also establish and maintain regional of- that would ‘‘duplicate[]the benefits provided Plans under the Employee Retirement In- fices—by incorporating existing regional of- under [the MFAA].’’ Given that the benefits come Security Act; and fices of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid offered under many existing private health Individual, Small and Large Group Market Services where possible—to assess annual plans would likely overlap with—i.e., be the Coverage. state health care needs, recommend changes same as—at least some of the benefits within For reasons discussed in greater detail in provider reimbursement, and establish a the Program’s 13 categories of covered bene- below, the Program created by the MFAA quality assurance mechanism in the state fits, those existing health plans would likely would, following a phase-in period and with aimed at optimizing utilization and main- ‘‘duplicate’’ the benefits provided under the some limited exceptions, largely displace taining certain standards of care. these existing federally funded health pro- To fund the Program, the bill would create MFAA. Thus, this prohibition of duplicate grams as well as private health insurance. a Universal Medicare Trust Fund. Funds cur- coverage would effectively eliminate those This memorandum begins with a description rently appropriated to Medicare, Medicaid, existing private health plans. Employers and of the key provisions of the MFAA before the Federal Employees Health Benefits Pro- insurers, however, would be allowed to offer turning to its legal effect on the programs gram (FEHBP), TRICARE, and a number of as benefits or for sale supplemental insur- and plans that are the subject of your re- other federally funded health programs ance coverage for any additional benefits not quest. would be appropriated to the new fund. covered by the Program. As a result, employ- ers and insurers could offer, for instance, MEDICARE FOR ALL ACT OF 2019 The MFAA also includes a number of other provisions related to the administration of coverage for institutional long-term care The MFAA aims to establish a national the Program, including an enforcement pro- services, which are not among the 13 cat- health insurance program (Program) that vision aimed at preventing fraud and abuse, egories of covered services. would ‘‘provide comprehensive protection provisions relating to quality assessment, Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, this against the cost of health care and health-re- and provisions concerning budget and cost lated services’’ in accordance with the stand- report details how the bills cut off containment. ards set forth under the Act. Specifically, funding. under the Program, every resident of the EFFECT OF THE MFAA ON CERTAIN FEDERALLY The CRS memo concludes: These pay- United States, after a four-year phase-in pe- FUNDED HEALTH PROGRAMS AND PRIVATE ment prohibitions would effectively riod following the MFAA’s enactment, would HEALTH INSURANCE terminate all of those programs I men- be entitled to have the Secretary of Health Federally Funded Health Programs tioned in their current form. and Human Services (Secretary) make pay- The federal government currently funds a The Congressional Research Service ments on their behalf to an eligible provider number of health programs, including (1) finds that Medicare for All actually for services and items in 13 benefits cat- Medicare, which generally provides health terminates Medicare in this country. egories, provided they are ‘‘medically nec- insurance coverage to elderly and disabled essary or appropriate for the maintenance of enrollees, (2) Medicaid, which is a federal- So Democrats want to turn Medicare, health or diagnosis, treatment or rehabilita- state cooperative program wherein states re- currently for 60 million seniors, into tion of a health condition.’’ Except for pre- ceive federal funds to generally provide Medicare for None. It will become scription drugs and biological products, for health benefits to low-income enrollees, (3) Medicare for None, not Medicare for which the Secretary may set a cost-sharing the Children’s Health Insurance Program All. Plus, 22 million people would lose schedule that would not exceed $200 annually (CHIP), which is a federal-state cooperative Medicare Advantage. I know many of per enrollee and meet other statutory cri- program that provides health benefits to cer- my patients who signed up for Medi- teria, no enrollee would be responsible for tain low-income children whose families care Advantage because there are ad- any cost-sharing for any other covered bene- earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but fits under the Program. The bill would direct cannot afford private insurance; (4) the vantages to doing it—coordinated care, the Secretary to develop both a mechanism FEHBP, which generally provides health in- working on preventive medicine. There for enrolling existing eligible individuals by surance coverage to civilian federal employ- are reasons for signing up for Medicare the end of the phase-in period and a mecha- ees, and (5) TRICARE, which provides civil- Advantage. That would all be gone nism for automatically enrolling newly eligi- ian health insurance coverage to dependents under the one-size-fits-all approach ble individuals at birth or upon establishing of active military personnel and retirees of that the Democrats are proposing. residency in the United States. the military (and their dependents). Fol- That is not all. This report says the All state-licensed health care providers lowing an initial phase-in period, the MFAA Sanders bill ends Federal employee who meet the applicable state and federal would prohibit benefits from being made provider standards may participate in the available under Medicare, FEHBP, and health insurance. There are more than Program, provided they file a participation TRICARE while also prohibiting payments 8 million Federal workers, families, agreement with the Secretary that meets to the states for CHIP. These payment prohi- and retirees who rely on this Federal specified statutory requirements. The Sec- bitions would effectively terminate these Employee Health Benefits Program. retary would pay participating providers programs in their current form. This reading The Congressional Research Service pursuant to a fee schedule that would be set is confirmed by § 701(b)(2) of the MFAA, says that this bill, sponsored by over in a manner consistent with the processes which redirects funding for these programs 100 Members who are Democrats in the for determining payments under the existing to the national Program. House of Representatives and spon- Medicare program. Participating providers With respect to Medicaid, the MFAA would would be prohibited from balance billing en- significantly limit its scope. After the sored by a number of Democrats in this rollees for any covered services paid under MFAA’s effective date, Medicaid would only body, will abolish TRICARE, the insur- the Program, but providers would be free to continue to cover services that the new na- ance for the military. More than 9 mil- enter into private contracts with enrollees tional Program would not otherwise cover. lion military members, their families,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:28 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.015 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4751 and retirees rely on TRICARE for their fordable healthcare, cheaper prescrip- Well, I certainly hope that young girl healthcare. tion drugs, protections for patients is right, but she will be right only if we The report says the bill ends the with preexisting conditions, and, of do our part here on the floor of the Children’s Health Insurance Program. course, the end of surprise medical Senate and not just give speeches. Nine million of our Nation’s children bills. President Trump recently took What we have to do is appropriate rely on the CHIP program. Executive action that increases price money to the National Institutes of Interestingly, ObamaCare would end transparency to lower the costs that Health. It is the premier medical re- as well, according to the CRS report. patients pay. search agency in the world. After less than a decade, Democrats You just need to know the facts We have had good luck in the last 4 want to repeal and replace their failed about the Democrats’ one-size-fits-all years. I want to salute two of my Re- ObamaCare healthcare law with a one- healthcare. Don’t let far-left Demo- publican colleagues and one of my size-fits-all system. crats fool you. Radical Democrats want Democratic colleagues for their special Again, the Congressional Research to take away your current healthcare. efforts. For the last 4 years, Senator Service says the bill bans private There would be no more Medicare or ROY BLUNT, Republican of Missouri; health insurance. One hundred eighty private plans, just a one-size-fits-all Senator LAMAR ALEXANDER, Repub- million people get their insurance Washington plan. lican of Tennessee; and Senator PATTY through work. Why pay more to wait longer for MURRAY, Democrat of Washington, To sum up, hundreds of millions of worse care? Instead, let’s give patients have joined forces—I have been part of American citizens—American citi- the care they need from a doctor they that team too—to encourage an in- zens—stand to lose their insurance, and choose at lower costs. That is our goal. crease in medical research funding I believe that is just the start of the That is our objective, and that is what every single year, and we have done it. pain for American families. In the new we are going to accomplish. The increase that Dr. Collins at NIH system, we would all be at the mercy of I yield the floor. asked for was 5 percent real growth a Washington bureaucrats. That means The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. ROM- year. That is 5 percent over inflation. we would be paying more to wait NEY). The Senator from Illinois. Do you know what we have done in 4 longer for worse care—pay more to Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask years? NIH has gone up from $30 billion wait longer for worse care. The Demo- unanimous consent to speak as in to $39 billion. Dramatic. A 30-percent crats’ massive plan is expected to cost morning business. increase in NIH research funding. $32 trillion. That is trillion with a ‘‘t.’’ The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without We are going to have a tough time That is a 10-year pricetag. objection, it is so ordered. with this coming budget, as we have in Guess who is going to pay for that PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS the past, but I hope we really reach a mind-boggling bill—of course, every Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, just a bottom line, as Democrats and Repub- American taxpayer. Senator SANDERS few minutes ago, four young people licans, that we are committed to 5 per- admitted in the Democratic debate the from the State of Illinois visited my of- cent real growth in medical research other night that his proposal would every single year so that we can an- fice. They were a variety of different raise taxes on middle-class families. swer these young people who come in ages, from 10 years of age to the age of His proposal will raise taxes, he said, dealing with diabetes, those who are 17. They all came because they had a on middle-class families. suffering from cancer, heart disease, similar life experience, and they want- In fact, even doubling our taxes Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s—the list goes ed to share it with me. Each one of wouldn’t cover the huge cost of what on and on—that we are doing our part them had been diagnosed with type 1 they are proposing. So Washington here in the Senate; that despite all the diabetes. Democrats are planning to drastically political battles and differences, there Ten-year-old Owen from Deerfield cut payments to doctors, nurses, hos- are things that bring us together, and told a story—the cutest little kid; pitals, and to people who are providing that should be one. care. The bureaucrats would ration great reader; read me a presentation The second point they raised—one of care, restrict care—the care you get that he put together—and the young the young girls there, Morgan of that you need—and it would be re- women who were with him all talked Jerseyville, started telling me a story stricted in terms of treatment as well about how their lives changed when about the cost of insulin. As she was as technology. People would lose the they learned at the age of 7 or 8 that telling the story about the sacrifices freedom to choose the hospital or doc- they had type 1 diabetes. For each one being made by her family to keep her tor they want. of them, from that point forward, insu- alive, she broke down and cried. What As a doctor, I am especially con- lin became a lifeline. They had to have she was telling me—her personal expe- cerned about the impact on patient access to insulin, and they had to have rience, her family experience—was care. Patients could wait weeks, even it sometimes many times a day, in the something that every family with dia- months, for urgently needed treat- middle of the night. It reached a point betes knows: The cost of insulin— ment. Keep in mind care delayed is where, through technology, they had charged by the pharmaceutical compa- often care denied. So the Democrats’ continuous glucose monitoring devices nies—has gone up dramatically, with- grand healthcare vision is to force you and pumps that were keeping them out justification, over the last 20 years. to pay more to wait longer for worse alive, but every minute of every day In 1999, one of the major insulin care. was a test to them as to whether they drugs—called Humalog, made by Eli As a Senator and a doctor, of course, were going to get sick and need help. Lilly—was selling for $21 a vial. That I want to improve your care, make it It was a great presentation by these was 20 years ago. In 1999, it was $21 a less costly. You should get insurance young people, whose lives were trans- vial. The price today is $329 a vial. that is appropriate for you and afford- formed, and their parents, who were What has caused this dramatic in- able. You should be free to make your hanging on every word as they told me crease? There is nothing that has hap- own medical decisions. That is what it their life stories. pened with this drug. It is the same is like in America. They brought up two points that I drug. And, I might add, Eli Lilly of In- No question, healthcare needs to be want to share on the floor this after- dianapolis, IN, is selling the same insu- more affordable, and Republicans are noon. The first is the importance of lin product—Humalog—in Canada for working to lower costs without low- medical research. As one young woman $39. So it costs $329 in the United ering standards. To me, that is the big said—she is about 17 now. She has lived States and $39 in Canada. difference. Democrats are proposing with this for 8 or 9 years. She said she These families told me they were the reverse. Their plan would lower is a twin, and her brother told her lucky to have health insurance that your standard of care and raise your when she was diagnosed that he hated covered prescription drugs. That costs. Democrats can keep cam- the thought that, as an old woman, she sounds good, except they each had paigning hard left on healthcare. That would still be worried about her insulin large copays—$8,000 a year. And what it is where they are headed. every single day. She said: I told my meant was that for this young girl, this Republicans are going to stay focused brother ‘‘We are going to find a cure beautiful little girl who was in my of- on real reforms that promote more af- before I am an old woman.’’ fice and who has juvenile diabetes,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:28 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.016 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4752 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 they would spend $8,000 a year at the versed by President Trump after the funding to alleviate overcrowding at beginning of the year for 3 months of public outcry against it. these CBP facilities and other funding insulin before the health insurance Then what followed was the longest to provide food, supplies, and medical kicked in and started paying for it. Of government shutdown in history over care to migrants. The bill also includes course, there are families who aren’t so the President’s demand that he was critical funding for the Office of Ref- lucky—they don’t have health insur- going to build a border wall, even at ugee Resettlement to care for migrant ance to pay for their drugs. the cost of shutting down the Govern- children. So what are we going to do about it? ment of the United States for 5 weeks. We must now make sure that this It happens to be something the Senate We’ve also seen the tragic deaths of 6 money is spent effectively by the is supposed to take up. We are supposed children apprehended at the border and Trump administration. We gave them to debate these things and decide the 24 people in detention facilities in the over $400 million in February, and they policy for this country. We will see. United States. came back to us within 90 days and Very soon, we will have a chance. A The President then announced that said: We are out of money. I would like bill is coming out of the Health, Edu- he was going to block all assistance to to know how they are spending this cation, Labor, and Pensions Com- the Northern Triangle countries—El money, and I want to make sure it is mittee, and we will have a chance to Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, being spent where it is needed. amend it on the floor and to deal with the source of most of the immigrants There is a gaping leadership vacuum the cost of prescription drugs. I will who come to our border—and that he at the Trump administration’s Depart- have an amendment ready if my col- would shut down the avenues for legal ment of Homeland Security. Think of migration, driving even more refugees leagues want to join me—I hope they this: In 21⁄2 years, there have already will—on the cost of insulin, and we will to our border. been four different people serving as Now, on President Trump’s watch, we have a chance if Senator MCCONNELL, head of that Department. Every posi- have an unprecedented humanitarian the Republican leader, will allow us—it tion at the Department of Homeland crisis. We have seen that crisis exem- is his decision. We will have a chance Security with responsibility for immi- plified by the horrifying image of Oscar to decide whether these kids and their gration or border security is now being Alberto Martinez Ramirez and his 23- families are going to get ripped off by held by a temporary appointee, and the month-old daughter, Valeria, who fled these pharmaceutical companies for White House refuses to even submit El Salvador and drowned as they tried years to come. nominations to fill these positions. to cross the Rio Grande 2 weeks ago. It isn’t just insulin; it is so many Two weeks ago, I met with Mark We have seen this crisis play out in other products. It is time for us to the overcrowded and inhumane condi- Morgan, one of those temporary ap- stand up for these families and their tions at detention centers at the bor- pointees. In May, President Trump kids, to put money into medical re- der. named him Acting Director of U.S. Im- search, and to tell pharma once and for In April, I visited El Paso, TX. What migration and Customs Enforcement. all: Enough is enough. Insulin was dis- I saw in the Border Patrol’s over- Mr. Morgan was asked at that time to covered almost 100 years ago. What you crowded facilities was heartbreaking. carry out the mass arrests and mass are doing in terms of increasing the In May, I led 24 Senators in calling deportations of millions of immigrants cost of it for these families is unac- for the International Committee of the the President had threatened by his in- ceptable and unconscionable. Red Cross and the inspector general of famous tweets. BORDER SECURITY the Department of Homeland Security Shortly before I met with Mr. Mor- Mr. President, in the last 21⁄2 years of to investigate our Border Patrol facili- gan to ask him about the mass arrests this administration, we have seen an ties. I never dreamed that I would be and mass deportations, there was a incredible situation when it comes to asking the International Red Cross to change. They took him out of that po- immigration and our border. We have investigate detention facilities in the sition and named him Acting Director seen, unfortunately, some of the sad- United States. They do that, but usu- of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. dest and most heartbreaking scenes in- ally you are asking them to look into He went from internal enforcement to volving children at the border between some Third World country where inhu- border enforcement. Now he is in the United States and Mexico. mane conditions are being alleged. charge of solving the humanitarian cri- The pattern started with the Presi- After being in El Paso, after seeing sis that President Trump has created dent’s announcement shortly after he what is going at our border, I joined at our border. was sworn in that he was imposing a with 23 other Senators in asking the The Trump administration can shuf- travel ban on Muslim countries. That International Red Cross to investigate fle the deck chairs on this Titanic, but created chaos at our airports and con- the U.S. detention facilities. we must acknowledge the obvious: tinues to separate thousands of Amer- Later that same month, the inspec- President Trump’s immigration and ican families. tor general of the Department of border security policies have failed. Then the President stepped up and Homeland Security released a report Tough talk isn’t enough. We need to do repealed DACA, the Executive order detailing the inhumane and dangerous better. program created by President Obama overcrowding of migrants at the El This morning, I met with Dr. Goza, that allowed more than 800,000 young Paso port of entry. The Inspector Gen- the president of the American Acad- immigrants to stay in this country eral’s Office found that overcrowding is emy of Pediatrics. She came to give me without fear of deportation and to ‘‘an immediate risk to the health and a report about her visit to several bor- make a life in the only country many safety’’ of detainees and DHS employ- der facilities that has been well docu- of them had ever known. ees. mented and reported in the press. She Then the President announced the One week ago, the Inspector Gen- said that it was hard for her, as a doc- termination of the Temporary Pro- eral’s Office issued another scathing re- tor for children, to see these things and tected Status Program, a program we port, this time about multiple Border realize they were happening in the offer—and have throughout our modern Patrol facilities in the Rio Grande Val- United States. history—for those who are facing op- ley. The Inspector General’s Office Yes, children are being held in caged pression or natural disaster in their asked the Department of Homeland Se- facilities with wire fences and watch- countries. President Trump announced curity to take immediate steps to al- towers around them, some of them that he was going to terminate it for leviate the dangerous overcrowding very young children. As a pediatrician, several countries, affecting the lives of and prolonged detention. They stated: she told me those things have an im- 300,000 immigrants. ‘‘We are concerned that overcrowding pact on a child—on how that child Then came the disastrous separation and prolonged detention represent an looks at the world and how that child of thousands of families at the border— immediate risk to the health and safe- looks at himself. 2,880 infants, toddlers, and children ty of DHS agents and officers, and to She said that she took a lot of notes separated from their parents by the those detained.’’ as she went through these facilities, Government of the United States. This Congress recently passed legislation 2 but it wasn’t until she got on the air- zero-tolerance policy finally was re- weeks ago that included $793 million in plane on the way home that she read

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:28 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.018 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4753 through them. She said: Then I started PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS I am also working with my fellow crying. I am supposed to be a profes- Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I recently Iowan, Senator GRASSLEY, on a bill sional who can take this, but I couldn’t received a letter from a gentleman liv- that focuses on the middlemen behind imagine what we were doing to these ing in Cedar Falls, IA, who suffers from some of the prescription drug price children at the border. There just Parkinson’s disease. As I speak, he is hikes we have seen recently. The bill aren’t enough medical professionals going without his $1,450-per-month would direct the Federal Trade Com- there—not nearly enough. LYRICA prescription in order to keep a mission to examine anti-competitive The United States is better than roof over his head. That is right, folks. behavior in the prescription drug mar- that. We can do better than that. We He must choose between making a ket. As mergers push drug prices high- can have a secure border and respect mortgage payment and getting his pre- er and higher, this bill will be instru- our international obligations to pro- scription. mental in helping Congress develop vide a safe haven to those who are flee- Here is another story a woman from policies to increase competition and ing persecution, as we have done on a Davenport, IA, shared with me. Last lower those costs for both patients and bipartisan basis—Democrats and Re- October, she was able to get a 3-month our taxpayers. publicans—for decades. supply of blood pressure medication for Make no mistake. The rising cost of I stand ready, and I believe my party $17, but when she went to the phar- prescription drugs is an issue that sig- stands ready, to work with Republicans macy for her refill in late December, nificantly impacts hard-working on smart, effective, and humane solu- she was told the price had nearly tri- Iowans. We in Congress have a respon- tions to the crisis at our border. I sug- pled to $55. She wrote to me and said: sibility to take action, to give folks a gest that the following be included: Thinking this was a mistake, I refused the voice, and to make sure no family is Crack down on traffickers who are refill and checked online about the change in ever forced to choose between making exploiting immigrants. That is unac- price and found I couldn’t get it cheaper any- where else. So I went back in ten days and a mortgage payment and purchasing ceptable. their medications. Provide assistance to stabilize the thought I would just have to pay the new That is what we are doing. We have Northern Triangle countries. That is cost [which was $55]. In that time . . . the some great bills in the Senate—bills long overdue. prescription had gone up to $130! Provide in-country processing and Whether I am talking to folks back from both Republicans and Demo- third-country resettlement so that mi- home in my townhalls and other events crats—that can help lower those drug grants can seek safe haven under our on my 99 County Tour or in meetings prices, increase competition, and close laws without making the dangerous right here in Washington, DC, the cost loopholes. Let’s build on this effort and and expensive trek to our border. of prescription drugs is the No. 1 issue continue working together in a bipar- Eliminate the immigration court I hear about from Iowans. Every day, I tisan way to get these bills and others backlog so that asylum claims can be hear stories just like these about the across the finish line and signed into processed more quickly. outrageous costs associated with their law. Iowans are counting on us. We have authorized more than 100 prescription medications. I yield the floor. immigration court judges, and this ad- For too long, hard-working Iowans The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. ministration can’t find people to fill have borne the brunt of skyrocketing PERDUE). The Senator from Florida. them. They want more judges. They prescription drug prices. Stories like Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, have authority to hire 100 more, and the man from Cedar Falls and the as is now obvious to everyone, they have been unable to do it. woman from Davenport have become ObamaCare made healthcare even more We need to ensure that children and the norm. We have to change that, and expensive. Premiums are up. Copays families are treated humanely when that is exactly what we are doing here are up. Deductibles are way up. they are in the custody of the U.S. in the Senate. ObamaCare has been a disaster, and Government. We have been hard at work in ad- even the Democrats are admitting it. Eventually, the history of this period vancing bills to drive down drug prices, Let’s all remember, ObamaCare was will be written, and there will be ac- increase competition, and close costly sold and based on a bunch of lies. You countability, not just for the officials loopholes that are being exploited by didn’t get to keep your doctor, your in government but for all of us—those those bad actors. I am proud to lead on health plan, and your premiums didn’t of us in the Senate and the House and three such bills that were recently ap- go down. those in journalism and other places. proved in committee. The Democrats want Medicare for We are going to have to answer for the First, I have teamed up with Senator All, which will absolutely ruin the way these people have been treated. COTTON on a bill that aims to eliminate Medicare system and throw 150 million Whether or not they qualify for legal an egregious loophole in the patenting people off of the employer-sponsored status in the United States, I hope we process. This loophole allows drug com- health insurance they like. That would can hold our heads up high and say panies to take advantage of the well- be a disaster. There is something we that, at least from this point forward, intentioned concept of sovereign im- can do and must do right now to help we are going to show them that we are munity for Native American Tribes in American families: We must lower pre- humane and caring people. No matter order to dismiss patent challenges and scription drug costs. where they come from, no matter how unfairly stifle competition. This is very personal to me. I grew up poor they may be, we will take care Our legislation would put an end to in a family without healthcare. My that children are treated in a merciful this manipulative practice and actu- mom struggled to find care for my way and a compassionate way; that the ally provide Iowans with access to brother who had a serious disease. adults are given appropriate opportuni- cheaper options for their prescription Eventually she found a charity hos- ties to exercise whatever rights they drugs. That is not all we are doing in pital 4 hours away for his treatment. I have under the laws of our country; the Senate to make more low-cost ge- remember asking my mom how much and that at the end of the day we can neric drugs available to folks in Iowa. lower drug costs would have to be for hold our heads high because we have We have also been working across the her to consider changing pharmacies. done this in a fashion consistent with aisle on a bipartisan bill that would Without missing a beat, she said: a dol- the values of the United States of put a powerful check on drug compa- lar. America. nies seeking to keep generics off the This story is not uncommon. All over We haven’t seen it yet. It is time for market. my State I hear the same thing: Drug the President to acknowledge that get- The bill would empower the makers prices are rising, and we are having tough, bizarre tweets just aren’t of generic drugs to file lawsuits against trouble affording the lifesaving medi- enough. We have to have a policy that brand-name manufacturers if they fail cation we need. makes sense to bring stability to our to provide required resources, such as I recently met Sabine Rivera, a 12- border. drug samples, needed for generics to year-old from Naples, FL, who was di- I yield the floor. clear the regulatory process. In turn, agnosed with type 1 diabetes more than The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- we would see cheaper alternatives 2 years ago. She is 12 years old, and she ator from Iowa. available for my folks in Iowa. is already worried about how she will

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:28 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.020 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4754 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 afford the rising cost of insulin—some- I yield the floor. ed, friendly, and welcoming. It is essen- thing no 12-year-old should ever have The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- tial that patients, especially seniors, to stress about. ator from West Virginia. are able to access the local pharmacy. Patients want to shop for better cov- Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, I am West Virginians and Americans erage and lower costs, but too often pleased to join my colleague on the across the country should be able to they can’t or don’t know how. At the Senate floor to talk about an ex- trust that their pharmacist is not same time, pharmaceutical companies tremely important topic—that is, low- being restricted about telling them are charging low prices for prescription ering the cost of prescription drugs in how to get the best prescription drug drugs in Canada, Europe, and Japan this country. Just a few weeks ago, on prices. They need to know they aren’t but charging American consumers sig- June 20, West Virginia celebrated our facing higher cost sharing for drugs nificantly more. Why? Because for too 156th birthday. There is plenty to cele- and being accelerated into the cov- long politicians have done nothing. brate about West Virginia, from its erage gap or the doughnut hole phase American consumers are subsidizing breathtaking beauty and wonderful of Medicare Part D due to an overly the cost of prescription drugs in Eu- families to our kind and hospitable complicated system of fees and price rope and Canada and all over the world. West Virginia spirit. concessions that nobody really under- Why should we be doing that? That cer- Unfortunately, West Virginia has its stands—certainly not at the phar- tainly is not putting America first, and challenges, too, including health chal- macist’s desk. that is not putting American families lenges. We have some of the highest In order to ensure that seniors have first. That is why I am working with rates in the Nation for heart disease, access to a pharmacy of their choice, President Trump and Republicans and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, can- Senator BROWN and I introduced the Democrats in Congress to fix this prob- cer, and arthritis. While there are Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Phar- lem. many nonpharmaceutical steps people macies Act last Congress. We will be I recently introduced the America are taking to prevent and control dis- reintroducing this bill, which requires First Drug Pricing Plan with Senator eases, for many, their prescription that community pharmacists in medi- JOSH HAWLEY to take real steps to medicine is the difference between cally underserved areas be allowed to lower costs for patients and put the wellness and illness or even between participate in the Medicare Part D pre- consumers back in charge of their life and death. ferred pharmacy networks. healthcare decisions. Part one of my That is why it is so important that Why is this important? If a local bill focuses on transparency. West Virginians are able to secure pharmacy is not included in a preferred First, pharmacies must inform pa- their medications and that we as a network, a senior must either switch tients what it will cost to purchase Congress make sure they are not pay- to a preferred network pharmacy, drugs out of pocket instead of using ing too much for those medications. Of which could be a lot farther away or their insurance and copays. If patients all the issues that my constituents less convenient, or pay higher copay- choose to pay out of pocket, which is come to me with—whether it is a phone ments and coinsurance to access their sometimes cheaper, the total cost call, a letter, or casually running into local pharmacy. In some cities and would be applied to their deductible. Second, insurance companies should, them at the grocery store—this is the towns, you can find a pharmacy on and must, inform patients of the total issue I hear most about because it is nearly every corner. In rural areas, cost of their prescription drugs 60 days something that affects so many West that is just not the case, and accessing prior to open enrollment. This allows Virginians’ way of life, and it is some- a preferred pharmacy could require sig- patients to be consumers and shop thing that affects them every day. If it nificant time and difficult travel. around for the best deal. doesn’t affect them, it affects some- Additionally, many seniors rely on Finally, my bill would simply require body in their family. their local pharmacies not only to ac- that drug companies cannot charge The same can be said for Americans cess prescription drugs but also to re- American consumers more for prescrip- across this country, and that is why it ceive those needed services like preven- tion drugs than the lowest price they has become one of our Nation’s top pri- tive screenings and medication therapy charge consumers in other industri- orities, one that is shared by Repub- management. alized nations. licans and Democrats and one that is a As important as access to a local I have found that provision to be con- significant bipartisan focus of this ad- pharmacy is, it is also essential that troversial in Washington. Do you know ministration and this Congress. It is a patients can trust their pharmacists to where it is not controversial? Every- far-reaching problem with many dif- let them know which payment method where else. In Tampa and Orlando, ferent factors contributing to it, and provides the most savings when pur- Miami and Panama City, all over Flor- that is why we have to address it on chasing their prescription drugs. ida, this just makes sense. I don’t many different fronts. I was proud to join Senator COLLINS spend a lot of time outside of Florida, The chairman of the HELP Com- last year as a cosponsor of the Patient but I would wager and say that across mittee is here today. He has worked Right to Know Drug Prices Act. This the country my bill would make a lot through his committee diligently, and commonsense bill, which the President of sense too. I applaud him for his efforts and look signed into law in October, bans the Why would we as American con- forward to joining him on the floor in use of the pharmacy gag clause. It was sumers, who make up 40 percent of the support of those efforts. hard to believe this still existed. These market for prescription drugs, pay two As we all know, the path a medica- clauses were put into place by insurers to six times more for drugs than con- tion takes from the manufacturer to and pharmacy benefit managers, and sumers in Europe or Canada or Japan? the patient is very complex, with many they prevented our pharmacists from That needs to change. My bill takes factors impacting the price a consumer proactively telling consumers that real steps to change this, and I believe pays. While making changes to this their prescriptions could cost less— it should have bipartisan support. pathway is very important, my con- less—if they paid out of pocket rather I also led seven of my colleagues in a stituents really don’t care about the than relying on their insurance plan. letter to pharmaceutical companies pathway. They are more concerned I am also currently working with asking them to work with us on solu- with the total on their bill that their Senators TESTER, CASSIDY, and BROWN tions to lower the cost of prescription pharmacist is ringing up. That is why I on legislation that would help improve drugs. We are still waiting to hear have focused a lot of my personal ef- transparency and accuracy in Medicare back. forts on the important role that our Part D drug spending. Our bill would American consumers are facing a cri- pharmacists play in lowering drug reform the application process of phar- sis of rising drug costs, and we can’t costs. macy price concessions, also known as wait any longer. I will not and cannot In many small towns and rural com- direct and indirect remuneration, or accept the status quo of rising drug munities—which is my entire State— DIR fees, in the Medicare Part D Pro- costs. We need to get something done pharmacists are the healthcare pro- gram. It sounds complicated, but it is this year, and I am fighting every day viders people go to quite regularly, and driving up the cost of our pharma- to make sure we do. they are often some of the most trust- ceuticals.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:28 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.021 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4755 This will ensure that our seniors are GRASSLEY, is on the floor. He, Senator Instead of remaining stuck in a per- not facing higher cost sharing for their LEAHY, and many others have proposed petual partisan argument over drugs or, again, being accelerated into the CREATES Act, which will help ObamaCare and health insurance—and the coverage gap. It will also help en- bring more lower cost generic drugs to I can guarantee you that is going to sure that local pharmacies are able to patients by eliminating anticompeti- continue to go on for a while—we have stay open. This is critical. We have to tive practices by brand drugmakers. Senators on that side of the aisle and keep our local pharmacies open for a That is in the bill we approved. It also Senators on this side of the aisle work- vast majority of rural America and includes helping biosimilar companies ing together to lower the cost of what have them continue to stay open and speed drug development through a Americans pay for healthcare out of continue to serve Medicare bene- transparent, modernized, and search- their own pockets. ficiaries and other communities that able patent database. That was pro- Since January, Senator MURRAY and rely on them. It would provide needed posed by Senators COLLINS, KAINE, I have been working in parallel with financial certainty for these phar- BRAUN, HAWLEY, MURKOWSKI, PAUL, Senator GRASSLEY and Senator WYDEN macies, which are often small busi- PORTMAN, SHAHEEN, and STABENOW. of the Finance Committee. They are nesses. This legislation we have was approved continuing to work on their own bipar- My colleagues and I hope to see this 20 to 3. There are 55 different proposals tisan bill. Last month, the Senate Ju- legislation included in the soon-to-be- by 65 different U.S. Senators—about diciary Committee also voted to lower released Senate finance package. These the same number of Republicans and the cost of prescription drugs. In the are just a few examples of how we are Democrats—all to reduce healthcare House, the Energy and Commerce, working to lower prescription drug costs. Ways and Means, and Judiciary Com- costs. Here are some other examples. The mittees have all reported out bipar- I have been listening to my col- bill improves the Food and Drug Ad- tisan bills on the cost of prescription leagues and have heard a lot of other ministration’s drug patent database by drugs. ideas. They are small but much needed keeping it more up to date to help ge- As I have mentioned, President steps that can be, and already are, neric drug companies speed product de- Trump and Secretary Azar have been making a real difference in our con- velopment, a proposal offered by Sen- focused on this. Last year, the adminis- stituents’ lives, but our work is far ator CASSIDY and Senator DURBIN. tration released a blueprint on steps from over. We have to continue looking Another provision is it prevents the the President would take to lower pre- at both commonsense and complex so- abuse of citizens’ petitions. These are scription drugs. Last year, the Food lutions to the problem. This is a com- used to unnecessarily delay drug ap- and Drug Administration set a new plex problem. While as a Congress and provals. This was proposed by Senators record for generic drug approvals. Ge- a country we may not agree on the best GARDNER, SHAHEEN, CASSIDY, BENNET, neric drugs can be up to 85 percent less way to do that, we do all agree that it CRAMER, and BRAUN. President Trump expensive than brand drugs. is a problem that needs to be solved. included that in his 2020 budget. So I believe the cost of prescription I look forward to continuing to work Another provision is it clarifies that drugs is an area where Democrats and with Senator ALEXANDER and Senator the makers of brand biological prod- Republicans in Congress and the ad- LANKFORD, who are on the floor here ucts, such as insulin, are not gaming ministration can find common ground today, and my other colleagues and the the system to delay new, lower cost to help Americans reduce the cost of administration to find that pathway biosimilars. That came from Senators healthcare that they pay for out of forward to lowering the cost of pre- SMITH, CASSIDY, and CRAMER. their own pockets. Another provision is it eliminates ex- scription drugs. I am very hopeful that our bill, with clusivity loopholes. These allow drug I yield back. 55 proposals from 65 Senators, which companies to get exclusivity and delay The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- has been reported to the Senate floor, patient access to less costly generic ator from Tennessee. will be placed by the majority and mi- drugs by just making small tweaks to Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I nority leaders on the Senate floor be- an old drug. That came from Senators thank the Senator from West Virginia fore the end of the month. We can pass ROBERTS, CASSIDY, and SMITH, which for working to reduce the cost of pre- it, the House will do their job, and we President Trump also proposed in his scription drugs. That is the question I can send it to the President to lower budget. hear most often in Tennessee: How can prescription drug costs. I reduce what I pay for out of my own Another provision prevents the I yield the floor. pocket for healthcare costs? The most blocking of generic drugs. This is done The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- obvious way to reduce what you pay by eliminating a loophole that allows a ator from Oklahoma. out of your own pocket for healthcare first generic to submit an application costs is to reduce the cost of prescrip- to FDA and block other generics from Mr. LANKFORD. Mr. President, I rise tion drugs. the market. Again, the President in- to talk to this body again about Shirley, from Franklin, TN, is one of cluded this in his budget. healthcare and the cost of healthcare. those Americans who asked me that Another provision in our bill pre- This has been an issue and an ongoing question. This is what she said: vents delays of biosimilar drugs by ex- dialogue for a long time around the Senate and around Congress. As a 71 year old senior with arthritis, I rely cluding biological products from com- on Enbrel to keep my symptoms in check. pliance with U.S. Pharmacopeia stand- It is an issue that was supposedly set- My copay has just been increased from $95.00 ards. That sounds pretty complicated, tled when the Affordable Care Act was to $170.00 every ninety days. At this rate I but what it means is that it could passed, but, ironically enough, my will have to begin limiting my usage in order delay patient access and lower the cost Democratic colleagues have now joined to balance the monthly budget. of drugs. Again, that is another pro- Republicans in saying they want to re- There has never been a more exciting posal by President Trump. peal and replace the Affordable Care time in biomedical research, but that Another provision is it increases Act. They are not using the term ‘‘re- progress is meaningless if patients transparency on price and quality in- peal and replace’’; they are just saying can’t afford these new lifesaving drugs. formation by banning the kind of gag they want to do Medicare for All. Built Last month, as Senator CAPITO men- clauses Senator CAPITO talked about. into that is completely taking out the tioned, our Senate Health Committee These are gag clauses in contracts be- Affordable Care Act and replacing it passed legislation by a vote of 20 to 3 tween providers and health plans that with something different. that included 14 bipartisan provisions prevent patients, plan sponsors, or re- So, ironically, in some ways, we are to increase prescription drug competi- ferring physicians from seeing price in the same spot. We have both come to tion as a way of lowering generic drug and quality information. the same realization that the Afford- costs and biosimilar drugs that reach Another provision bans pharmacy able Care Act didn’t pass—it actually patients. benefit managers from charging more did pass, but it is not working. So now Here is what that includes: The CRE- for a drug than it paid for the same the challenge is what to do with ATES Act—the Senator from Iowa, Mr. drug. healthcare.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:03 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.022 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4756 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 We are now trying to break into manufacturers and the insurance plans that process, we are trying to find the pieces what we can actually do to- to lower the prices. In many areas, perverse incentives that are built in be- gether to get this done, beginning with they have lowered prices, but they cause, right now, physicians are actu- the cost of prescription drugs. have also given preferred formulary ally paid a percentage of the medicine I continue to hear from Oklahomans placement to some of their preferred they prescribe in Part B. That means if all over the State about how hard it is pharmacies so some pharmacies get there are three medications that are to deal with the cost of prescription that drug and other pharmacies that out there, if a doctor prescribes the drugs, how rapidly the costs are in- are competing with them don’t get ac- highest cost medication, they get a creasing, and how sporadic the cost cess to that drug. Often, it is the drug much higher reimbursement. It is not a changes really are. They will have a that is the highest margin drug only flat amount. Now, all three may be in- drug that costs a small amount one their pharmacies will get and other travenous, but whichever is the most month and come back a month later pharmacies will not. expensive actually helps the doctor the and find a dramatic increase for the It has become an anti-competitive most. I am not challenging doctors and exact same drug. They can go phar- piece in the background, when it was saying they are always prescribing the macy to pharmacy and find a different supposed to be something that was a branded drugs and the most expensive price for the exact same drug or find highly competitive piece to actually in the process—that is between the that the pharmacy closest to them help the consumer. doctor and the patient to determine— doesn’t offer that drug, and a different Unfortunately, PBMs have created but there is no doubt a perverse incen- pharmacy is the only one that is al- one of the most elaborate, complex, tive is built into this; that if they pre- lowed to have that drug. The com- and opaque system of pricing, which scribe a more expensive drug, the doc- plexity is driving them crazy and right- has a tremendous amount of market tor and his office actually benefit from fully so. distortion and at times has limited pa- it. We need to fix that. As we peel back the layers on phar- tients’ access to those drugs. Often- In Part D, there are reforms that can actually slow the growth in cost in- macy issues, we are finding that the times, it is a system they have been creases and allow people to have great- complexity is that cost overruns being able to take advantage of and have cre- er access to drugs. We are not inter- built in are too high. ated financial incentives to help their ested in some kind of formula where we For the past few months, we have bottom line in the process rather than are actually going to decrease the pa- looked at every step in the drug proc- actually help the consumer. tients’ options of what drugs they can ess, from the approval to research and Many consumers have heard about actually get in their formulary. That is development, to try to figure out how rebates, but they wonder who is getting a great thing about being an American; the cost is actually getting to the con- a rebate. They go to their pharmacy to that we don’t have limited formularies. sumer. pay for their drugs, and they are not It is very open in the process so Ameri- Along the way, several things have getting the rebate. There is a rebate cans can try different pharmaceuticals occurred. The administration has ag- going somewhere, just not to them. to see which one works best for them. gressively been approving generics. In Here is the challenge. We are trying That is not chosen by government; it is fact, the administration has approved a to peel back with greater transparency chosen by them and their doctors. The record number of generics. Those ge- what is happening in the pharmacy Part D definitely needs a redesign of neric pharmaceuticals are much less benefit manager world and figure out the benefit structure because right now expensive than the branded pharma- how a small group—it is actually three things like the doughnut hole drive up ceuticals. Many of those have been companies that have 90 percent of the costs for consumers. We are exploring a waiting a very long time at the Food market nationwide, how that middle- way to limit the out-of-pocket costs for and Drug Administration to actually man in the process actually handles beneficiaries so there is a lifetime cap be approved. The Food and Drug Ad- pricing and negotiation. sitting out there. There is an oppor- ministration is rapidly getting those If you talk to any pharmacist any- tunity to know that if I end up with out the door, and that helps consumers. where in the country—and certainly cancer or some other rare disease, I am Something else we have done in Con- across my great State—who is an inde- not going to have these out-of-control gress is to try to address something pendent pharmacist, they will all ex- costs on the pharmaceutical side and called the gag clause. The gag clause is press their frustration with pharmacy know there is not a doughnut hole one of those things that was behind the benefit managers and their access to waiting for me, where when I get a cou- scenes that no one knew about except some drugs and not others and the stip- ple thousand dollars in, I am suddenly for the pharmacists because, if you ulations they deliberately put there to going to have a very expensive time. So came in with your insurance card to hurt them and help others. I can afford my insurance in January, pick up your prescription, the phar- I have joined my colleague Senator February, and March, but from April to macist knew the actual cost you would CANTWELL in trying to shine some light August, I can’t afford prescriptions pay if you paid in cash. Often, you on the operations of PBMs within the anymore. We can’t have that. We have could get that same prescription for drug chains. Consumers deserve greater to address those issues because that less by paying in cash than you could if transparency. That will help us under- dramatically affects the out-of-pocket you were to pay with your insurance stand the actual cost of drugs and how costs. card, but the pharmacist was prohib- those costs are actually getting to con- There are lots of other options we are ited from actually telling you that. We sumers or not to consumers in the looking at while working through this have addressed that in Congress, in a process. The PBMs need greater exam- process, like the rebates, as I men- bipartisan way, to release that gag ination, and we are finally taking that tioned before, actually getting to the clause and allow pharmacists to actu- up to walk through the process. consumer, not to the companies behind ally tell people their options on pric- On the Finance Committee, we are the scenes, and dealing with how to ing. dealing with several issues. Led by take greater advantage of biosimilar You might say: That is an absolutely Senator GRASSLEY, we are walking drugs—very similar to the generic crazy thing. Who put that gag rule in? through Part B of Medicare, Part D of drugs but just in a different category Well, the system, and the structure Medicare, and trying to examine what and at a reduced cost—to allow them behind the scenes that negotiates all of can be done to help the actual con- to have opportunities to get to those it, said: If you want to be a pharmacy sumer. Our goals are how do we actu- drugs faster. We have to deal with that sells these drugs, you have to sub- ally increase the options in drugs that some of the patent issues to make sure mit to these rules. As we found, the are out there, how do we stop the cost drug manufacturers can’t hold on to culprit behind many of these issues is a increases, and how do we decrease out- their patents abnormally long so the group called pharmacy benefit man- of-pocket costs for pharmaceuticals. generics can’t actually get out to peo- agers. You will hear it referred to as In Part B—these are drugs that are ple or bundle them together to restrict just the PBMs. often intravenous, but they are done in their patents. Those pharmacy benefit managers a hospital setting or in an inpatient We have to end this practice of sur- are supposed to negotiate between the setting. As we are working through prise medical bills. Some folks have no

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:03 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.024 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4757 idea what that is, and other folks know higher and higher. They want to know The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- all too well. They look at their insur- why the price of insulin keeps going up ator from Indiana. ance. They go to a hospital that is in and up and up—nearly 100 years after Mr. BRAUN. Mr. President, Senator network, and their doctor is in net- the lifesaving discovery was made. GRASSLEY and I attended the rollout of work. So they go to a hospital that is They want to know what can be done President Trump’s Executive order to in network, and they go to a doctor to make prescription drugs more af- get the healthcare industry on the who is in network, but they get a giant fordable. move. The chairman of the Finance bill from an out-of-network anesthe- I am chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, the chairman of the siologist, or the lab is out of network Committee, and in that position, I have Health, Education, Labor, and Pen- and the hospital is in network, and been working with Ranking Member sions Committee, and Senators like they get a giant bill from the lab. We WYDEN from Oregon on a comprehen- me—I am a mainstream entrepreneur— are working to end the practice of hav- sive plan to do just that. We have held came to the Senate to discuss issues ing labs that are out of network or cer- a series of hearings to examine the just like this. tain specialists a doctor has sent them drug price supply chain. We are work- I have probably been on the floor to—the patient assumes they are in ing on a path forward. We are taking more than any other Senator, and network, but then they find out that care to follow the Hippocratic Oath: every time I do it, I tell the industry: certain individuals who have taken ‘‘First, do no harm.’’ In other words, Wake up. I took you on 10, 11 years ago, care of them are out of network. let’s be sure we don’t try to fix what is in my own business, to give good We are also dealing with the issue of not broken. Americans don’t want to healthcare coverage to my employees. air ambulance surprise bills, which has give up high-quality lifesaving medi- Year after year, it was a litany of, you been a great challenge for those folks cine. That is why I support market- are lucky your premiums are only in rural America who are having to be driven reforms to boost competition going up 5 to 10 percent this year. You transferred long distances to get to a and transparency, because with trans- have all heard it before. It took risk, hospital and then are getting an enor- parency brings accountability and the and it took some novel thinking, but it mous bill for an out-of-network air am- marketplace working more free of se- can be done. Most entrepreneurs aren’t bulance as a surprise billing. There are crecy. going to put the time I put into it to ways we can address this to deal with Congress needs to get rid of perverse make it work for my own employees. the out-of-pocket costs. incentives and fix problems that under- When you hear Democrats, Repub- We are focused on areas where we can mine competition in the drug pricing licans, three or four committees, and find agreement and things we can do to system, including withholding samples the President of the United States work through this process. by brand-name pharmaceutical compa- talking about a healthcare system that There is much to be done in the area nies, pay for delay, product-hopping, is broken, you should get it through of prescription drugs and in the area of and rebate-bundling. There is too much your thick head that there need to be in network, out of network, and sur- secrecy in the pricing supply chain. changes made. It shouldn’t be coming prise medical bills. We should be able Consumers can’t make heads or tails of from Congress, even though it will to find common ground, and I am why they are charged what they pay keep coming. grateful I am part of this dialogue to for their medicine. I think the message is out loud and help try to find ways we can come to- President Trump has made reducing clear: Wake up and start fixing these gether, get this resolved, and get a bet- drug prices a top priority of this ad- things, or you are going to have a busi- ter situation for American consumers ministration, and they have taken sev- ness partner whose name is BERNIE and patients in the days ahead. eral steps under various laws—includ- SANDERS and another idea of Medicare With that, I yield the floor. ing even under ObamaCare—to do for All that we would regret once we The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- things that give more freedom to con- got it. But, like most things here, like ator from Iowa. sumers of medicine and on other most big problems in this country, we Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I healthcare priorities. wait too long to solve the issue. want to update my colleagues and the In another instance, on Monday, the To give you a few things on what led American people about efforts to re- Federal court took a negative move, me to be passionate about it, when I duce the cost of prescription medicine. knocking down a rule that would re- had to give up my own company’s good Last week, our country and the quire drug companies to disclose the health insurance, I had a very generic American people celebrated Independ- price of their drugs in television ads. prescription that I needed to get re- ence Day, marking 243 years of self- This is very, very disappointing. Sen- newed. There were eight pharmacies in government. As elected representa- ator DURBIN and I worked on this in the little town of Jasper, roughly, so I tives, it is our job to make the govern- the last Congress, and I am going to knew I would be able to get quotes. I ment work for the people, not the continue to work with Senator DURBIN had no health insurance. I was in be- other way around. to get this job done. Congress must tween being a CEO of a company and a For more than two centuries, our correct what the Federal court said the Senator. I said, I am going to try to see system of free enterprise has unleashed administration didn’t have the author- what this is going to be like. I knew it American innovation, investment, and ity to do. I disagree with the court, but should cost 20 or 25 bucks, maybe a lit- ingenuity. Robust competition incu- Congress can fix that. Big Pharma is tle less. bates advances in science and medi- already required to disclose side effects The first place I called, they stum- cine. It leads to lifesaving cures and in their ads. Consumers ought to know bled around and couldn’t even give me promising treatments for cancer, Alz- what the advertised drug will cost. a quote on a common prescription. Fi- heimer’s, diabetes, and other debili- Today, I call upon my colleagues to nally, after about 3 to 4 minutes, they tating diseases. climb aboard that effort Senator DUR- said $34.50. I called another place that However, prescription medicine too BIN and I will be pursuing. I thought would be a little quicker on often smacks consumers with sticker Let’s pass the bipartisan healthcare its feet. It took 10 seconds, I got a shock at the pharmacy counter. The bills thoughtfully crafted in various quote for $10, and they said: By the soaring prices leave taxpayers with a committees. The previous three speak- way, you can pick it up in 10 minutes. big tab—particularly under the Medi- ers spoke to some of those issues. Let’s That is more the way the rest of the care and Medicaid Programs—and they get these various bills correcting some economy works, but healthcare con- weigh heavily on the minds of moms of these problems over the finish line. sumers have gotten used to not doing and dads all across the country. Working together, we can drive down any of that heavy-lifting themselves. Last week, I held meetings with my the price of prescription drugs without And believe me, the industry has constituents in 12 counties across Iowa. derailing quality and without derailing evolved from Big Pharma, to big hos- The cost of prescription drugs comes innovation, all of which saves lives and pital chains, to the health insurance up at nearly every single Q-and-A improves the quality of life for the industry, which is in the middle of all county meeting that I hold. Iowans American people. of it. There are pharmacy benefit man- want to know why prices keep climbing I yield the floor. agers, and the drug companies give

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:03 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.025 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4758 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 them $150 billion worth of rebates, and tients were unable to afford innova- cost of drugs. It is something that through their costs and profits, less tion. The question in my mind is, How touches each American, but it doesn’t than half of that makes it to the con- do we give the patient the power to af- have to be that way. sumer or to the pharmacy. ford these innovative medicines, be- Consumer Reports did an article over The case is out there. We, as Sen- cause if she cannot afford them, it is as 1 year ago now in which they sent se- ators and Congressmen on the other if the innovation never occurred, and cret shoppers out to retail pharmacies side, shouldn’t need to be going to the for her, it never did occur. So give the to buy five generic medications, a pre- floors of our Chambers to tell you the patient power. scription for each type—again, generic, obvious: If you don’t do these things, I Let me make some remarks about like the over-the-counter pills I am don’t believe we here—at the speed at pharmaceutical companies. There are taking. They went, and they paid any- which we normally operate—can do it some incredible examples. where from $66 to $900 for the same five quickly enough for you to save your- When I was in medical school, cut- drugs. Now, we can assume that the ac- selves from that other business plan, ting away a part of one’s stomach—not quisition cost was about 60 bucks, be- which is Medicare for All. the belly but part of the stomach; as I cause you could buy it someplace—an So what do we do to prevent that? would tell patients, where the food independent pharmacy or online—for No. 1, the industry should be out there goes after you swallow it—cutting $66, but three or four chain pharmacies doing what all other companies do—be away a part of the stomach because of were charging $900 for medications that transparent. In any other part of our ulcerative disease was one of the most they could acquire for less than $60. economy, where do you not ask for and common procedures done in surgery. You could argue, why did the patient have plenty of information to work Then histamine blockers came along, pay? Because we have so little adver- with. What does it cost, and what is the H2 blockers. Cimetidine was the first. tising, if you will, cost competition, on quality? I know that where I live, peo- All of a sudden, a surgery that was what a generic medicine would cost. So ple would drive 60 miles to save 50 done multiple times a week was scarce- imagine you have a health savings ac- bucks on a big-screen TV that costs a ly ever done. Those medicines are now count, and you are going to buy your thousand bucks. sold over the counter. prescriptions, and you get charged $900 When I instituted a plan in my own This morning, I got a little bit of ar- for something that should cost $60. business that encouraged my employ- thritis, so I took my nonsteroidal anti- This is the situation in which the pa- ees to do that, to have skin in the inflammatory, which used to be sold by tient has no leverage. game, amazing things happened. Every prescription and now is over the By the way, you can ask, why didn’t time you pick up the phone or get on counter, along with my H2 blocker, my insurance cover it? It is because these the web and look for that comparison, Pepcid, which used to be sold by pre- patients were posing as uninsured. So it is kind of hard to find, but it is scription but now is over the counter. I the chain pharmacy figured out that it there. The industry just needs to give take them in the morning, and my is the uninsured who do not have some- more of it and not hide behind a sys- back feels better. All of these are medi- body working on their behalf who are tem that has benefitted them. When we cines that are generic, routine, and we going to be the most ripe for the pick- created that in my own business, peo- almost—in fact, we indeed take the in- ing for the high prices. The uninsured ple shopped around for prescriptions novation for granted. are the ones we are going to exploit, and routinely saved 30 to 70 percent, as I can go on. I am a liver doctor. Hep- the ones paying cash. That is wrong. they do on MRIs, CAT scans, and most atitis C used to be an incurable disease That is not the patient having the other procedures. which, in a certain percentage of those power; it is the patient being used as a I put the time and effort into it. Most affected, would lead to cirrhosis, vom- victim. CEOs—and you always hear about how iting blood, liver cancer, and death. There are other things we can see. employees are happy with their em- Now hepatitis C is cured by taking pills One is called evergreening. You have a ployer-provided insurance. That is be- for several weeks. Amazing. drug, and you make just a little bit of cause the employers are generally pay- Human immunodeficiency virus, a tweak to it that doesn’t improve its ing for anywhere from 85 to 100 percent AIDS. When I was in residency, if you importance or the efficacy of the of it. So folks working somewhere got HIV, you died. There was no cure drug—no clinical benefit—but it ex- don’t really have skin in the game. whatsoever. Now people live with it for tends the intellectual property protec- Consumers of healthcare need to do decades. It is a disease you live with tions. Now laws that were conceived of what they do in all other industries but do not die from. We speak of actu- and passed by Congress to reward inno- and in all other things that they buy— ally now developing cures for HIV. vation and to encourage creativity are take the time to ask how much it That is the promise of a vibrant instead being used to stifle competi- costs, what is the quality, and then the pharmaceutical industry—people who tion and to extend patent lives so that industry get with it so that we can fix not only live when otherwise they we, the patients and the taxpayers, the system before the other option ac- would have passed away but who also have to pay more—not for innovation tually takes place. There aren’t enough have a better quality of life. but, rather because, somebody figured CEOs and there aren’t enough legisla- Now, that said, if the patient doesn’t out how to evergreen it. tors to, I think, get the industry in have the power, the patient has no le- So on the one hand, I am going to shape, and the industry itself knows verage in this situation. praise pharmaceutical companies for what these problems are. Get with it I was recently with others in a con- lifesaving drugs that have meant so before you have a different business versation with the new head of the much to me, my family, and everyone partner whom you won’t like. Congressional Budget Office. The CBO who is listening today, but I must also I yield the floor. head said: You know, everybody has le- ask, why should we reward that which The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- verage in the healthcare marketplace is not innovative but which is merely ator from Louisiana. except the patient. Everybody has le- arbitraging laws meant to encourage Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, I, too, verage but not the patient. innovation? We should not encourage come to speak today regarding phar- That is so true. Let me give some ex- arbitraging laws. maceutical costs and what we can do to amples of how the patient lacks lever- There are other issues, such as pat- make lifesaving medications—and age in the pharmaceutical market- ent abuse, where companies file large sometimes these medications make our place. numbers of patents on parts of their lives a little bit better—more afford- First, I will say, if I go to church— drugs that are not innovative but are able to the average American. and I do go to church regularly—and byproducts of the production process in I happen to be a doctor, and I will ap- there is a BERNIE SANDERS supporter order to keep out competition; citizen proach these remarks as a fellow who yanking on this lapel and a Donald petitions, which typically come on 6 has seen medicine evolve, who has seen Trump supporter yanking on this lapel months before a drug is about to be- the incredible, positive benefits of and they are complaining about the come generic, so all of a sudden, we pharmaceutical innovation, but also as same thing, they are talking about ei- have all these petitions that must be a doctor who sometimes saw that pa- ther surprise medical bills or the high navigated by the companies seeking to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:03 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.027 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4759 introduce the generic; and the rebate HELP Committee and now in the Fi- Last Congress, Republicans refused to system, which works to preserve mar- nance Committee. Republicans have confirm two very highly qualified and ket share but also to increase prices solutions. My office continues to work respected nominees to additional terms and to keep them high so patients do on those. I look forward to working on the EEOC and the NLRB. not benefit from competition. with my colleagues on their implemen- Earlier this year, Republicans broke If we are going to say the patient tation. yet another longstanding tradition by should have the power in order to have Mr. President, I yield the floor. confirming a majority nominee to the lower prices, we can say right now that f EEOC without a Democratic pair. the system seems to be aligned against Last week, the White House an- the patient. RECESS UNTIL 4 P.M. TODAY nounced its intention to nominate a bi- What can we do? Well, my office and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- partisan pair of nominees to the EEOC. others have several proposals in the ate stands in recess until 4 p.m. After a year of obstruction, I am en- current pieces of legislation going Thereupon, the Senate, at 3 p.m., re- couraged by this small step toward bi- through, such as the so-called real- cessed until 4:01 p.m. and reassembled partisanship and normalcy, but I am time benefit analysis. A prescription is when called to order by the Presiding here today to urge the White House to ordered for a patient. The patient scans Officer (Mrs. BLACKBURN). formalize these nominations as quickly a barcode, and it would say: At this as possible so that the Senate can con- point, with your deductible and your f firm them and restore balance to the copay, this is how much this drug is EXECUTIVE CALENDAR—Continued EEOC. going to cost you, but there is a ge- I strongly urge the White House to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- neric available, and you can get that nominate a full slate of nominees—Re- ator from Washington. generic instead. That would be a real- publican and Democrat—to both the time benefit analysis that would save NOMINATION OF JOHN P. PALLASCH NLRB and EEOC. the patient money. Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I For those reasons and because of Mr. We just talked to the folks at Blue come to the floor today to speak about Pallasch’s lack of experience and Cross California. They are coming up the two nominations we are about to knowledge about the programs and the with so-called gainsharing. If a patient vote on. policies he would be responsible for, I selects a lower cost medication, the pa- The first one is the nomination of will vote against his nomination. tient receives some of the savings that John Pallasch to be the Assistant Sec- NOMINATION OF ROBERT L. KING would otherwise have all gone back to retary of Labor overseeing the Employ- Madam President, I also come to the the insurance company—another great ment & Training Administration. This floor today to oppose the nomination idea. Senator BRAUN was speaking is a critically important role that man- of Robert King to be the Department of about the patient having skin in the ages nearly two-thirds of the Depart- Education’s Assistant Secretary for game. In this case, there will be skin in ment of Labor’s budget and our Na- Postsecondary Education. This posi- the game because the patient shares tion’s workforce development pro- tion is especially important because so the benefit with the payor for being grams, which serve over 22 million many of our Nation’s students are cost-conscious. That is the patient hav- youth, workers, jobseekers, and seniors struggling today in higher education. ing the power. who are working to improve their em- Over the last few years, I have heard We can also add value-based arrange- ployment opportunities and the lives of from students who are worried about ments, which pharmaceutical compa- their families. nies, to their credit, have proposed. If how they are ever going to afford their This position is particularly impor- textbooks or their rent or even their you are the pharmaceutical company, tant now as we are seeing the Trump you get paid only if the medicine food, who are worried if their college is administration work to undermine preparing them for a good education works. If the medicine doesn’t work, some of the most crucial programs you don’t get paid. If it does work, you and if they are going to be able to get within the Employment & Training Ad- a good-paying job and pay off their do. That is a value-based arrangement. ministration. They are attempting to We have a bill with Senator WARNER loans. close Job Corps centers that help train First-generation college students are that would do that. at-risk youth, conserve our natural re- I would also mention attempting to struggling to navigate their financial sources, and provide economic opportu- cap Part D exposure. If there is a sen- aid and how to succeed on a college nities in rural areas and communities ior citizen who is in the catastrophic campus for the first time. I am hearing in need. They are also proposing a du- portion of her policy, then you can cap about those worried about being able the amount the senior might be ex- plicative, lower quality apprenticeship to get an education without being dis- posed to. Under current law, she might program that would put workers at criminated against or harassed or as- be paying 5 percent of $100,000 worth of risk and give taxpayer dollars to for- saulted on campus. Those are just a medicine. She is taking an essential profit colleges with very little account- snapshot of the issues students are fac- drug to treat cancer, and she is paying ability. ing in higher education today. 5 percent of that $100,000, in addition to It is clear that the Employment & These challenges are not easy to 5 percent of the other medications she Training Administration needs a leader solve. That is why Chairman ALEX- is receiving. This is something many now who is knowledgeable, who is expe- ANDER and I are working now to ad- seniors cannot afford and this is some- rienced, and who is committed to pro- dress all of those issues and more in thing we as Congress can find mecha- viding workers with the training, sup- our reauthorization of the Higher Edu- nisms by which we can cap that expo- port, and benefits they need to succeed cation Act. sure but still hold taxpayers whole. in this changing economy. Unfortu- As we work to update this critically We have to enhance existing mar- nately, Mr. Pallasch is not that person. important law, we cannot ignore the kets. As you might guess, my theme is Throughout this nomination process, current actions of this Department of that we should enhance it in terms of Mr. Pallasch has shown that he has Education, which is loosening and giving the patient the power, but we very limited experience with or under- eliminating rules that benefit preda- also have to preserve the innovation standing of the programs that he would tory colleges instead of protecting stu- that has led to the great drugs I spoke be overseeing. dents. Students should have an ally at about earlier. If all we do is steal intel- I am going to vote against this nomi- the Department of Education, someone lectual property from the pharma- nation, and I urge my colleagues to do who understands the challenges they ceutical companies, we will lose these the same. are facing and is committed to helping innovative drugs. But, again, we need At this time, I also want to once students succeed. to have the drugs affordable for the pa- again reiterate my disappointment in Among other responsibilities, this tients. This is the tension—promote in- the unprecedented obstruction to Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary novation but ensure affordability. Democratic nominees to the Equal Em- Education is responsible for developing We have a number of solutions, such ployment Opportunity Commission and rules, for developing a budget and leg- as those I have just mentioned, in the the National Labor Relations Board. islative proposals for higher education,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:37 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.029 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4760 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 and overseeing our country’s quality I hope this body will respond to, and Amendment. We are one State short of assurance system of accreditation—a that is the pay inequity based upon the 38 required for the ratification of a system this Secretary is currently dis- gender in this country. constitutional amendment. Yet there mantling. It is shocking that these women soc- is a problem here. We need to get the This position is also responsible for cer players are paid less, receive less in 38th State, but we also need to extend programs that help our low-income compensation than their male counter- the time, for the last amendment that students and first-generation students parts, even though the women on the dealt with the pay amendments of Con- and students with disabilities as they world stage have consistently out- gress that was adopted to our Constitu- prepare for and try to succeed in col- performed the men. They have a dif- tion took over 200 years to ratify. lege and programs that help support ferent pay structure. In 2014, the men’s What we are saying—and I have minority-serving institutions. total performance bonus totaled about joined with Senator MURKOWSKI in a bi- On these issues specifically, Mr. $5.4 million, even though they were partisan resolution—is to let us extend King’s record is particularly con- eliminated in the round of 16. The fol- the time for the ratification of the con- cerning. Mr. King blamed students for lowing year, the women received about stitutional amendment for the equal the daunting challenges in higher edu- one-third less than the men did, even rights of women so we can really do cation today, even saying students are though they were the world champions. something meaningful for the gender making ‘‘bad economic choices.’’ He In 2016, this body acted by passing a gap on pay that we have. also refused to answer questions on resolution about the gender pay in- In this Congress, we celebrate the whether he believes students face sys- equity—to treat all athletes with the 100th anniversary of women’s suf- temic barriers in higher education or respect and dignity they deserve. That frage—since women have had the right whether income inequality plays a role was the right thing for us to pass in to vote. Another concrete way to cele- in a student’s ability to earn a degree. 2016, and I know my colleague Senator brate that milestone is for us to pass There are students in higher education MANCHIN is working on legislation now the Equal Rights Amendment. How a who are skipping meals today or living that will follow that up since, obvi- nation treats its women economically in a car. Mr. King would not acknowl- ously, the soccer league did not re- and socially is a sign of that nation’s edge that problem. spond the way they should have in re- success. Empowering women is one of Finally, on an issue that is so impor- gard to our women’s national soccer the most important things we can do tant to me and one that is imperative team. for the future of our country. Whether to a student’s ability to succeed in In 1963, Congress passed the Equal it occurs on the soccer pitch or in the higher education, Mr. King blamed al- Pay Act. Yet, when you look at what factories or offices across the country, cohol and bad judgment—not perpetra- women earn versus men for comparable the wage disparity between American tors—for the epidemic of sexual assault work, women are paid 77 cents for men and women is hurting our Nation. on college campuses. every dollar a man earns. It is much This morning, the U.S. women’s na- I don’t believe Mr. King has the right worse for minorities. Native Hawaiians tional soccer team rolled down Broad- understanding of what students are and Pacific Islanders versus White way in a ticker tape parade befitting a facing today to be our Nation’s next males are 62 cents versus a dollar; Afri- world championship, and today or to- Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary can-American women are 61 cents morrow, the Senate will likely pass a Education. I urge my colleagues who versus a dollar for a White male; Na- resolution that will commend the are committed to making higher edu- tive Americans are 58 cents; and team. These are appropriate ways to cation within reach for all students to Latinos are 53 cents. The wage gap af- celebrate the team. Yet, if we really join me in voting against his nomina- fects not only their current earnings, want to honor the outstanding women tion. but it puts women behind men in ca- who have just brought home the World I yield the floor. reer earnings of around $400,000 during Cup again, we should join their fight The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the course of their careers, which for equal pay for themselves and for all ator from Maryland. weakens their ability to save for their women. Pass S.J. Res. 6, and let’s fi- U.S. WOMEN’S WORLD CUP VICTORY retirements. It also means there being nally ratify the Equal Rights Amend- Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, Sun- fewer Social Security benefits. It af- ment. day morning, I did what I think most fects their ability to be compensated I suggest the absence of a quorum. people in this Nation did if they were fairly—to have the wealth of this Na- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The not in France. I turned on the tele- tion and the security of this Nation. clerk will call the roll. vision to watch the women’s national We can do something to change this. The senior assistant legislative clerk soccer team perform in an incredible I have already mentioned Senator proceeded to call the roll. showing of talent and commitment on MANCHIN’s efforts and that we could do Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, I ask the soccer field. It was an incredible something specifically in regard to the unanimous consent that the order for victory for the women’s national team, soccer players, but I urge us to do the quorum call be rescinded. and we are all very proud of what they something a little bit more permanent, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without were able to accomplish. This has been and that is to pass the Equal Rights objection, it is so ordered. an incredible streak. Amendment. Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, I ask Since the Women’s World Cup was es- I think Americans would be surprised unanimous consent that we begin the tablished in 1991, there have been eight to learn that in the Constitution of the 4:30 p.m. vote. competitions. The United States has United States, there is no protection The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without won four—and the last two consecu- for equal rights for women. Most Amer- objection, it is so ordered. tively—beating the Netherlands on icans think we already did that. Any CLOTURE MOTION Sunday by a score of 2 to 0. constitution of a democratic State that The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant We all congratulate the team. We are has been created since the end of World to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the very proud. They represented our Na- War II has contained constitutional Senate the pending cloture motion, tion extremely well. Each of us shares protections for equal rights for women. which the clerk will state. that pride. Many of our State constitutions have The senior assistant legislative clerk As a Maryland Senator, I want to ac- provisions for equal rights for women, read as follows: knowledge Rose Lavelle and Mallory but our Constitution of the United CLOTURE MOTION Pugh, who are from the Washington States does not. We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- Spirit, which is based in Germantown, In 1972, the Congress of the United ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the MD. States passed an equal rights amend- Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- GENDER PAY INEQUALITY ment to the Constitution to be ratified nation of Robert L. King, of Kentucky, to be Madam President, this team rep- by the States. Originally, Congress Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Edu- resents our entire country and the best gave the States until 1979. Then Con- cation, Department of Education. of our Nation. Their performance high- gress extended it until 1982. Now 37 Mitch McConnell, Roger F. Wicker, John lighted an issue that they raised, which States have ratified the Equal Rights Barrasso, David Perdue, James E.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:03 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.031 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4761 Risch, Mike Crapo, Roy Blunt, Johnny Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby tucky, to be an Assistant Secretary of Isakson, Shelley Moore Capito, Pat move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- Labor. Roberts, John Cornyn, John Hoeven, nation of John P. Pallasch, of Kentucky, to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Steve Daines, John Boozman, Thom be an Assistant Secretary of Labor. ator from Connecticut. Tillis, Kevin Cramer, Richard Burr. Mitch McConnell, Roger F. Wicker, John PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS Barrasso, David Perdue, James E. The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I imous consent, the mandatory quorum Risch, Mike Crapo, Roy Blunt, Johnny Isakson, Richard Burr, Pat Roberts, am here to talk about insulin. You call has been waived. may wonder why someone would talk The question is, Is it the sense of the John Cornyn, John Hoeven, Steve Daines, John Boozman, Thom Tillis, about insulin, given all the weighty Senate that debate on the nomination Kevin Cramer, Shelley Moore Capito. and pressing issues we have before us of Robert L. King, of Kentucky, to be in this Chamber and even more so in Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- imous consent, the mandatory quorum the world today. I will not begin to re- Education, Department of Education, cite them, but insulin for millions of shall be brought to a close? call has been waived. The question is, Is it the sense of the people—in fact, 30 million people in the The yeas and nays are mandatory United States—is a matter of life and under the rule. Senate that debate on the nomination of John P. Pallasch, of Kentucky, to be death. The clerk will call the roll. Many of us are fortunate because we The senior assistant legislative clerk an Assistant Secretary of Labor, shall be brought to a close? never have to think about insulin. Our called the roll. bodies make enough of it to keep us Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the The yeas and nays are mandatory healthy, and we go about our lives Senator from New Jersey (Mr. BOOKER), under the rule. without a second thought concerning the Senator from New York (Mrs. The clerk will call the roll. blood glucose or how our pancreas is GILLIBRAND), the Senator from Cali- The legislative clerk called the roll. functioning, but for those 30 million fornia (Ms. HARRIS), the Senator from Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the people—and quite a few of them visited New Mexico (Mr. HEINRICH), and the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. BOOKER), us this morning in our offices, and they Senator from Vermont (Mr. SANDERS) the Senator from New York (Mrs. were present in the Committee on are necessarily absent. GILLIBRAND), the Senator from Cali- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Aging at our hearing—insulin is a con- fornia (Ms. HARRIS), the Senator from stant worry. It is top of mind. It is al- CRAMER). Are there any other Senators New Mexico (Mr. HEINRICH), and the ways present as an issue for them, in in the Chamber desiring to vote? Senator from Vermont (Mr. SANDERS), fact, on a daily basis. Patients with di- The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 56, are necessarily absent. nays 39, as follows: abetes need to carefully monitor and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there adjust their insulin levels along with [Rollcall Vote No. 198 Ex.] any other Senators in the Chamber de- managing their physical activities, YEAS—56 siring to vote? their diet, stress, pain, sleep levels. Alexander Gardner Perdue The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 54, Many of those young people who Barrasso Graham Portman nays 41, as follows: Blackburn Grassley Risch came to the Committee on Aging Blunt Hawley Roberts [Rollcall Vote No. 199 Ex.] today—by the way, I want to thank Boozman Hoeven Romney YEAS—54 Senators COLLINS and CASEY for hold- Braun Hyde-Smith Rounds ing that hearing and giving them an Burr Inhofe Alexander Fischer Paul Rubio Barrasso Gardner Perdue opportunity to come to the Nation’s Capito Isakson Sasse Cassidy Johnson Blackburn Graham Portman Scott (FL) Capitol and make us more aware—were Collins Jones Blunt Grassley Risch Scott (SC) wearing monitoring devices, hidden but Cornyn Kennedy Boozman Hawley Roberts Shelby Cotton Lankford Braun Hoeven Romney a constant concern. They depend on in- Cramer Lee Sinema Burr Hyde-Smith Rounds sulin as a matter of life and death. It is Crapo Manchin Sullivan Capito Inhofe Rubio not a luxury for them. It is not like ice Cassidy Isakson Sasse Cruz McConnell Thune cream or ball games. It is life and Daines McSally Tillis Collins Johnson Scott (FL) Enzi Moran Toomey Cornyn Kennedy Scott (SC) death. They are fortunate, too, because Ernst Murkowski Wicker Cotton Lankford Shelby they have access to insulin, unlike a Fischer Paul Young Cramer Lee Sullivan Crapo Manchin Thune lot of people around the world and un- NAYS—39 Cruz McConnell Tillis like the whole world, including Amer- Baldwin Hassan Rosen Daines McSally Toomey ica, about 100 years ago when diabetes Bennet Hirono Schatz Enzi Moran Wicker was, in fact, a death sentence, not in a Ernst Blumenthal Kaine Schumer Murkowski Young matter of years ahead but right then Brown King Shaheen NAYS—41 Cantwell Klobuchar Smith and there. Diabetes was lethal. Cardin Leahy Stabenow Baldwin Hirono Schatz That changed when two researchers, Carper Markey Tester Bennet Jones Schumer Dr. Frederick Banting and Dr. Charles Casey Menendez Udall Blumenthal Kaine Shaheen Best, succeeded in isolating insulin Brown King Coons Merkley Van Hollen Sinema from an animal pancreas in 1921. By Cortez Masto Murphy Warner Cantwell Klobuchar Smith Duckworth Murray Warren Cardin Leahy Stabenow the next year, they had collected Durbin Peters Whitehouse Carper Markey Tester enough to treat their first patient. He Feinstein Reed Wyden Casey Menendez Udall Coons Merkley was a 14-year-old boy with diabetes, Van Hollen NOT VOTING—5 Cortez Masto Murphy and he lived miraculously for another Warner Duckworth Murray Booker Harris Sanders Warren year. That was unheard of at the time. Gillibrand Heinrich Durbin Peters It was a tremendous breakthrough—an Feinstein Reed Whitehouse The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this Hassan Rosen Wyden extra year of life because of their dis- vote, the yeas are 56, the nays are 39. covery. NOT VOTING—5 The motion is agreed to. So Dr. Banting and Dr. Best filed a Booker Harris Sanders f patent. They patented their discovery Gillibrand Heinrich in 1923, and they stated their goal was CLOTURE MOTION The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this not to make a lot of money, not to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant vote, the yeas are 54, the nays are 41. make profit but to make insulin avail- to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the The motion is agreed to. able to the world, make it available to Senate the pending cloture motion, f everyone who needed it, make it avail- which the clerk will state. able to patients, regardless of their EXECUTIVE CALENDAR The senior assistant legislative clerk means and circumstance. Do you know read as follows: The PRESIDING OFFICER. The what they did with that patent? They CLOTURE MOTION clerk will report the nomination. sold it for $1—just $1. We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- The legislative clerk read the nomi- Dr. Banting said: ‘‘Insulin does not ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the nation of John P. Pallasch, of Ken- belong to me, it belongs to the world.’’

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:14 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.033 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4762 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 He was right. Insulin belongs to the There is no reason why the cost I’ve seen this chaos even more in my prac- world of people, whatever their ages, keeps going up. In fact, Emma and tice as a doctor. In medical school we are whatever their circumstances, what- Logan, both from Connecticut, have be- taught how to treat disease. We are taught ever their means, wherever they live. come world-wise—not world-weary but which medicines to use and when. In clinical training, however, we learn that that is the Certainly, in the greatest country in world-wise—about the American drug easy part. The much harder part, is figuring the history of the world, where that industry. They know those costs are out how people can get access to the treat- patent, about 100 years ago, was sold rising without any reason in terms of ments we know they need. We learn to fight for $1, shouldn’t it be affordable and ac- the cost to the manufacturer. There with insurance companies, we spend hours on cessible to everyone? are costs and prices rising for con- the phone with pharmacies making sure that Well, this story has a really discour- sumers without any justification in the our patients can actually get the medica- aging sequel, which is today in real real cost of producing the insulin they tions we prescribe. time. The price of insulin has sky- need. I want to impress upon you, how vital insu- Last week, I held an event on insulin lin is for a type 1 diabetic to stay alive. This rocketed. When I say ‘‘skyrocketed,’’ is not something we should take to stay there are different numbers. It doubled, with other diabetes patients to discuss healthy. It is something we must have, every according to one authoritative site, be- the skyrocketing costs. One of my con- hour of our lives, to stay alive. It is akin to tween the years 2012 and 2016. There is stituents who spoke was a little bit oxygen. For me, it takes just hours without another study that says it has risen 10 older than Logan and Emma. Dr. Kath- insulin before my body starts developing times in price over just the last several ryn Nagel, a physician and resident at ketones. Ketones produce an acid biproduct years. Beyond question, it has risen Yale University, was also diagnosed that is toxic to the body, creating an envi- and not just by a little bit but by lit- with diabetes when she was 18 months ronment where the other organs can no old. She is a resident now, training to longer function. Without sufficient insulin, erally hundreds of dollars for the aver- it does not take long before a diabetics heart age American who has to afford it, day become a pediatrician, among other goes into a fatal arrhythmia, causing an en- in and day out. Those yearly costs are specialties. As she put it to me, tirely preventable death. forcing people to choose, literally, be- ‘‘Banting would be ashamed of the This is what happened to Alec Smith. This tween putting food on the table and state of things now.’’ Dr. Banting said, is what happened to Kevin Houdeshell. This buying insulin, between paying mort- ‘‘Insulin does not belong to me, it be- is what has happened to too many diabetics gages and buying insulin, between the longs to the world.’’ He would be out- in this country, many of them quite young, raged and embarrassed by what is hap- because they lose access to insulin. It hap- kinds of fun that ordinary young peo- pens to too many of them at age 26, when ple would enjoy and buying insulin. pening in America today. Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- they are left to fend for themselves for I know we say this about choices health insurance. This should NEVER hap- made by Americans, but today in this sent that Kathryn Nagel’s full remarks pen. very Capitol, just steps away, I listened be printed in the RECORD. I want to tell you about a childhood hero to the parents of Logan and Emma talk There being no objection, the mate- of mine, Frederick Banting. Banting, with to me, along with them, about the real- rial was ordered to be printed in the his team, discovered insulin in 1921. It is be- life consequences of these exploding in- RECORD, as follows: cause of Banting I am still alive. But Banting did more than discover insulin. sulin costs, and it broke my heart. JULY 10, 2019. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when Knowing that it was the difference between Their experiences are truly heart- I was 18 months old. As you can imagine, life and death, he did what he could to en- breaking and gut-wrenching. this was terrifying for my family. But we sure that no greedy company would ever Logan is 12 years old, and he told me were lucky. We lived in America, where we deny people access to insulin. He sold his in the reception area right here about had access to the most advanced health care patent to the University of Toronto for $1 so his diagnosis at 18 months. He talked in the world. I was immediately connected to that it would remain accessible to everyone. about the advances in technology a team of doctors who taught my family ev- He stated, ‘‘Insulin belongs to the world, not around diabetes treatment with ex- erything we needed to know about managing to me’’. this disease. I had health insurance. Through Banting would be ashamed of the state of traordinary technological knowledge— things now. impressive not just for someone our my insurance, I received insulin and all the other supplies I would need, and my family It turns out, it’s not always such a lucky age but truly for somebody who is 12 was able to devote its attention to mastering thing to live in America. Today, 1 in 4 Amer- years old. These advances are a tribute the regimen required to keep a type 1 dia- icans with type 1 diabetes rations insulin due to American science, innovation, and betic alive. to the cost. In the time since I was diag- ingenuity. They are groundbreaking, I was lucky. nosed, the cost of insulin has increased over but at the end of the day, if his family I didn’t have to worry about where my in- 1200%. These stats don’t even include the huge financial sacrifices people with diabetes cannot afford insulin, even the best, sulin came from. I didn’t have to worry about having to scramble for a new prescrip- are making as copays, deductibles, and pre- most groundbreaking technology tion because my insurance company had miums rise to meet the sky rocketing costs means nothing. That is Logan’s re- switched allegiances to a different insulin of insulin and other medications. It does not ality. company. I didn’t have to worry about how capture the stress and gut-level fear every His mom told me about sitting in a much it cost because of a high deductible, one of us holds of not being able to access CVS parking lot and crying while she copay, or god forbid, no insurance at all. our insulin or supplies. held a box of pasta because that was all This, unfortunately, is not the reality for We cannot be fighting on a case by case she could afford—pasta for the rest of many Americans living with diabetes today. basis for access to what we need to stay alive. We must do better. the week for dinner for that family. It I had this access, not because it is a right granted to all Americans, but because my Thank you Senator Blumenthal for giving was all she could afford after the insu- dad was the employee of a University. When us the opportunities to share our stories. lin costs. For their family, Logan’s in- I was in high school, my parents started to Thank you for fighting for us, and working sulin has cost as much as $750 a month. impress upon me a vital truth: I must always towards a better future for those of us de- That is their deductible. That is what be employed by someone who would give me pendent on insulin to stay alive. they pay even with insurance. So they good health insurance. KATHRYN NAGEL, MD. have sacrificed not only in terms of With the help of protections from the Af- Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, what they eat but how they live. He fordable Care Act, and the decision to pursue Kathryn Nagel—who will be an ex- the path to medicine, I continued to have traordinary physician because she has was with Emma, and the two of them good access to health insurance. The insulin are extraordinary ambassadors for the pricing crisis and healthcare chaos in our not only a great mind, but she also has Junior Diabetes Research Foundation, country poked through in subtle, but never a great heart—is absolutely right. Drug the JDRF, which does so much won- catastrophic ways for me. companies today have moved far from drous work for diabetes patients. I saw it when I went to fill my prescrip- the outreaching motives of insulin’s Emma is 15 years old, and her father tion, and was told that because of some back original discovery. Advancements in told me about a similar struggle to af- door deals my insurance company was no biotechnology have allowed manufac- ford insulin. In fact, her own dad was longer covering the type of insulin I had used turers to make slightly more purified for the past 20 years. If I wanted to take that diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in his type of insulin, I would have to pay hundreds and precise versions of insulin, but it midthirties after Emma’s diagnosis. He of dollars out of pocket for just one vial. For works the same as Dr. Banting’s origi- told me that ‘‘the price of insulin is il- reference, when I first started this insulin, nal insulin from the 1920s because that logical.’’ its list price was $26 a vial. is what our body needs to do its work.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:14 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.038 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4763 Even incremental changes to an insu- why would I devote any free time to a dis- As far as background goes, I was diagnosed lin product open up new patent oppor- ease that has already taken so much? as Type I diabetic in 1999 and started used tunities for manufacturers and compa- Why? Because of Alex Smith and Kevin Humalog insulin in 2001. Just to see what Houdeshell and Micah Fischer and the count- nies that have been taking advantage we’re talking about, this is one vial of insu- less others who lost their lives due to a lack lin, for those who do not know. For me, it’s of these loopholes in our patent system of affordable access to insulin. Because one about ten days of life. for too long at the expense of patients in four type one diabetics have had to ration It being July 1st, we’re getting close to the and their families. insulin, playing a deadly game to survive as Fourth of July—the country’s birthday, if Let me give one particularly egre- pharmaceutical companies continue to un- you will. I’ll show you this, which is three gious example. Sanofi manufactures abashedly raise their prices. Because I am vials of insulin in a box, with a rubber rand the insulin product Lantus. Sanofi filed the one in four who have been forced to ra- around them, that says ‘‘One of three, two of tioned their insulin. a total of 74 patents on Lantus, with 95 three, three of three.’’ So that’s about a My story is a familiar one for the diabetes month of life, for me anyway. percent of those applications hap- community. While pursuing my dream in- I filled my prescription—I think, smartly— pening after Lantus was introduced to ternship, I turned 26 and lost my health in- on June 15th. The key date in my life is July the market in the year 2000. That is a surance. I purchased the only health insur- 1st. That’s the reset date of my high-deduct- variation of insulin—almost 20 years ance I could afford—a high-deductible plan ible plan. So this amount of insulin, again, old—protected by 74 patents way be- that cost more than my monthly paycheck this being a vial (There are three of them in yond the life of the original patent on and whose monthly payments already con- these boxes. I trust you will trust me)—if I sumed 15% of my income. But I had prepared got this today, it would be $1,008. I got it on a medicine discovered 100 years ago by for this time period. I hoarded supplies and a doctor who said, ‘‘Insulin does not be- June 15th for a $25 co-pay. There are a lot of medications for months, resorting to under- words that I could choose, but ‘‘insane’’ long to me, it belongs to the world.’’ utilizing my supplies. I hoped this would buy seems to be pretty fitting if you ask me. Sanofi has constructed such an elabo- me time to work off my deductible. It didn’t; And we’re here to talk about insulin, but rate web and tangle of patents sur- putting any money towards that deductible the cost of equipment to put that insulin rounding their product that they could was like chipping away at an iceberg with a into my body is also not cheap. toothpick. The good news is that I get a lot of gas have a competition-free monopoly on By the time I reached the last of my insu- points at the pharmacy. The bad news is I their particular version of insulin for lin vials, I knew things were becoming crit- have to figure out how to feed my family, 37 years. They are exploiting it relent- ical. There was no way I could meet my de- which includes my wife and three children, lessly and tirelessly and inexcusably. ductible without forgoing housing and food. and continue to do so. And that, even for me, And at over $250 a vial, my monthly supply The effect of elaborate patent thick- is quite a task at times. of insulin far-exceeded even my deductible. ets like Sanofi’s—constructed by com- So what do I do? I try to stockpile as much So, I did what seemed like my only choice: panies—are felt by consumers in the insulin as I can grab, while my deductible For weeks, I ate significantly less, exercised form of higher drug prices. It is that has been exhausted. Like a squirrel before more, and dangerously started rationing my hibernating, I tried to get as much of this as simple. Create a monopoly without insulin by cutting my dose and letting my I could before today. So I have about a competition, and the prices can be blood sugars rise to unhealthy levels. raised without real limit. Lantus has Even as those last vials turned to the last month or two while I’m okay, or very good. increased in price 24 percent from 2016 few drops, I refused to panic. Surely this is But this is unacceptable. This is not the what all the patient assistance programs point of healthcare reform. It has not been to 2018. In 2 years, there was a 24-per- addressed, in my opinion. cent increase unrelated to the cost of were meant for. I called my doctor, my phar- macy, my insurance company, the insulin I thank Senator Blumenthal. With my the product. In fact, the overall costs manufacturer, 3 different prescription assist- years of involvement with JDRF I’ve met of insulin have doubled in recent years, ance programs and faced the same answer him and his wonderful office members a with patients having paid an average of every time: there was nothing they could do number of times. I’m a past president of the $2,864 for insulin in 2012 and $5,705 in to help because I had insurance. With every JDRF and obviously I can tell you that I’m 2016. That is the average out-of-pocket call I became increasingly more desperate, not the only Type I in Connecticut who is finally resorting to begging and pleading. worried about this. I’m fortunate that they for insulin patient. That is the story I still asked me to come and tell my story. heard from Emma Del Vecchio of Or- Didn’t they understand I would be dead in less than 48 hours if I didn’t get my insulin? So, again, this was $25 and, if I went back ange and Logan Merwin of Haddam, as I wasn’t just frustrated at that moment; I today, or in two weeks, it would be $1,008. earlier today they shared their life- wasn’t just angry . . . I felt insignificant. And it would probably be more expensive, to and-death struggle with the cost of in- Like my survival, my life amounted to abso- tell you the truth, because the price of insu- sulin. lutely nothing. lin just keeps going up. The minute you One more story that has resonated At the end of the day, none of those ave- drive your car off the lot, it depreciates but, with me over the past few days is from nues helped me. None of those programs for some reason, insulin has appreciated pharmaceutical companies tout to the media every day for the past twenty years I’ve been Kristin Whitney Daniels. She is from saved me from death. No, my help came from using it. In November, it will be twenty Shelton, CT. a last-ditch visit to a government funded years with Type I diabetes—pretty tightly Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- community health clinic. There, my insulin controlled, but to do that is not cheap. sent to have the remarks of Kristen was provided to me for $14—$2,386 less than So again, if Senator Blumenthal’s bill is Whitney Daniel and Jonathan Chappell at the pharmacy. right near a vote, let’s get it voted on and printed in the RECORD. The insulin crisis is at a critical juncture let’s do what we can to get this issue solved. There being no objection, the mate- in America. We can no longer talk about Short-term, mid-term and forever. I thank hypotheticals—diabetics have been and are rial was ordered to be printed in the Senator Blumenthal and everybody out there continuing to die from a lack of affordable for the support. RECORD, as follows: access to a drug we need just as much as ox- Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, JULY 1, 2019. ygen. I may not have set out to be an advo- Thank you, Senator Blumenthal. cate, but I refuse to sit idly by while dia- Kristen is the chapter leader of Con- My name is Kristen Whitney Daniels and I betics suffer at the hands of companies that necticut #insulin4all and attended the am the chapter leader for Connecticut’s continue to make exorbitant money off our event I mentioned. She was inspired to #insulin4all group, part of the TI Inter- bodies. Our community will not stop until become an advocate for affordable and national organization. We are a patient-led every diabetic has equal access to insulin. equitable access to insulin after facing advocacy group committed to ensuring af- And we will not be silenced when parents, tough barriers in her own medical fordable and equitable access to all diabetes friends, and family continue to bury their treatment. She was forced to become related supplies, including insulin. Insulin is loved ones. critical for every diabetic—before it’s dis- Thank you, Senator Blumenthal for spon- one of the one in four patients with di- covery in 1922, type one diabetes was a death soring this bill. This is one bill, of hopefully abetes in the United States who has re- sentence. Today, diabetics can thrive . . . if many, where America chooses to stand with sorted to insulin-rationing in the face they have access to insulin. those who have suffered greatly at the hands of high drug costs. I was diagnosed with type one diabetes 13 of pharmaceutical companies. Let’s be clear about insulin-ration- years ago at the age of 15. Being an advocate KRISTEN WHITNEY DANIELS, ing. It means reducing the dosage—ra- never crossed my mind when I was diagnosed CT#insulin4all Chapter Leader. tioning the consumption—to lower the over a decade ago. Type one diabetes com- pletely took over my life after I was diag- Hi, my name is Johnathan Chappell and cost. When we talk about folks who nosed. It was like learning a new, complex I’m an attorney at the law firm Feldman, have to cut pills in half or seniors who language and continues to be a relentless Perlstein, and Greene in Farmington, Con- take a pill every other day instead of disease that requires constant vigilance. So necticut. every day, that is rationing. That is

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:14 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.040 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4764 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 what Kristen had to do in the face of iels, Jonathan Chappell, and others stead of defending the ACA and fight- these rising drug prices. who are taking their cause to America, ing for Americans with preexisting In order to pursue her dream intern- as well as the JDRF, which is sup- health conditions, President Trump ship, Kristen had to purchase the only porting wonderful discoveries, we will took the unprecedented step of not de- health insurance she could afford, be a better country. We will make fending current law, and the Depart- which was a high-deductible plan these prescription drugs affordable. ment of Justice revised its position to whose monthly payments consumed 15 Insulin will be available to all. Insu- support full repeal of the ACA, con- percent of her income. To try to pre- lin does not belong to me or to you; it tinuing the administration’s sabotage pare for the realities of this kind of belongs to the world. And I hope Amer- of affordable access to healthcare coverage, she had to hoard her insulin ica will be an example of making insu- through all avenues of Executive ac- and other diabetes supplies for months lin belong to the world. tion. in advance, deliberately starving her I yield the floor. If Republicans successfully overturn body of the medicine she needed in I suggest the absence of a quorum. the ACA, hundreds of millions of Amer- order to keep her head above water fi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The icans will lose access to affordable nancially. clerk will call the roll. healthcare and the monumental con- I have submitted bipartisan legisla- The bill clerk proceeded to call the sumer protections created through the tion that was recently approved unani- roll. ACA. This includes the 133 million mously by the Judiciary Committee, Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Americans with preexisting conditions, along with my colleague Senator COR- ask unanimous consent that the order 17 million people who gained insurance NYN, that would end these abusive for the quorum call be rescinded. through Medicaid expansion, 12 million practices surrounding patents—patent- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without seniors who pay less for prescription thicketing and product-hopping. You objection, it is so ordered. drugs, and over 2 million adult children don’t need to know the details of those ORDER OF PROCEDURE who will no longer be able to stay on abuses or of our legislation to under- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I their parent’s health insurance. stand the need for protection and the ask unanimous consent that at 11 a.m., I am particularly worried about the need for security and safeguards for Thursday, July 11, the Senate vote on 2.5 million Marylanders with a pre- these kinds of patients—the 30 million the confirmation of Executive Calendar existing condition, 320,000 of whom are who suffer from diabetes and who are Nos. 101 and 103 in the order listed. I children. Before the ACA, insurers de- paying exploding costs for insulin that further ask that if confirmed, the mo- nied health coverage to Americans are rising exponentially and astro- tions to reconsider be considered made with preexisting health conditions. The most common preexisting condi- nomically for not only insulin but also and laid upon the table and that the tions are pregnancy, cancer, diabetes, many other drugs, as we know from lis- President be immediately notified of high blood pressure, behavioral health tening to our constituents. the Senate’s action; further, that if All of our colleagues understand the disorders, high cholesterol, asthma, cloture is invoked on Executive Cal- high cost of prescription drugs that and heart conditions. Patients with endar No. 13, the postcloture time ex- continue to plague America across all preexisting conditions must know their pire at 1:45 p.m.; finally, that the rank- walks of life. Every day, patients are health insurance coverage is there for ing member of the Committee on Envi- forced to choose, in fact, between pay- them when they are healthy, but par- ronment and Public Works control the ing for the medicines they need and the ticularly when they become sick. The time from 1 p.m. until 1:40 p.m. needs of their families. Drugs to treat ACA took the important step to ensure The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without everything from depression, to arthri- this, by protecting all patients against objection, it is so ordered. tis, to cancer, and even basic saline so- arbitrary, sudden loss of insurance. lution for IVs have increased in price f This security would, of course, be in recent months. They are not new, LEGISLATIVE SESSION eliminated if the ACA is overturned. wondrous, magic discoveries; they are In addition to these important con- workhorse medicines. Insulin has been sumer protections, the Affordable Care around for 100 years. Many of these MORNING BUSINESS Act increased access to care for mil- other drugs have been around for dec- lions of people who previously were un- ades as well. We owe it to Americans. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I insured or underinsured. Through Med- As citizens and as patients ourselves, ask unanimous consent that the Sen- icaid expansion, 13 million low-income we know that these rising prescription ate proceed to legislative session for a Americans now have dependable, com- prices are ruining families, tearing period of morning business, with Sen- prehensive healthcare, including 300,000 apart communities, and destroying the ators permitted to speak therein for 10 Marylanders. We must protect the basic trust we have in our healthcare minutes each. Medicaid expansion population and system. Nothing is more basic. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without other uninsured or underinsured popu- Healthcare is a right. Prescription objection, it is so ordered. lations from the Trump administra- drugs should not be available just to f tion’s efforts to eliminate their access the wealthy. to affordable care. AFFORDABLE CARE ACT The bill Senator CORNYN and I are The numerous reckless attempts by hoping this Chamber will pass is just Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I the Trump administration to sabotage one step toward making prescription wish to discuss Americans’ access to the ACA disregard how much good drug prices more affordable; making healthcare and patient protections healthcare reform has done for all these cures that are America’s pride— that are carelessly being threatened by Americans. Before we passed the Af- developed by great researchers and President Trump and his administra- fordable Care Act, too many people fell wonderful minds—available to all of tion, specifically, his decision to not through the cracks with inadequate in- our citizens. uphold the Patient Protection and Af- surance coverage, annual and lifetime Logan Merwin, Emma Del Vecchio, fordable Care Act, ACA, which is the coverage caps, or limits to preventive and all of the children in America who law of the land. health services. Too many declared suffer from diabetes understand some- This week, the U.S. Court of Appeals bankruptcy because of high healthcare thing maybe we don’t as well: that in- for the fifth circuit began reviewing costs or skipped prescribed care or sulin is a matter of life and death and appeals to a December decision in the medications because of the costs. that they are alive because they live in case Texas v. U.S., in which the entire The ACA ensured that many of those the greatest country in the history of ACA was ruled unconstitutional. Re- people now have access to higher-qual- the world, where insulin is available to publican attorneys general from 18 ity coverage. Core elements of the law them even at times when it is difficult States argue that the ACA is unconsti- require companies to cover adults and for their families to afford. They know, tutional because our Republican col- children with preexisting conditions, too, that with the great advocacy of leagues repealed the individual man- prevent insurance companies from set- Kathryn Nagel, Kristin Whitney Dan- date as part of their 2017 tax bill. In- ting annual and lifetime limits, and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:14 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.041 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4765 allow young adults can stay on a par- tion passed by the senate of the State same year and is home to some of the ent’s health plan until the age of 26. of Texas be printed into the CONGRES- first posts in the country. If the Affordable Care Act is struck SIONAL RECORD. Senate Resolution No. Over the past century, the American down, insurers could bring back annual 816 was adopted by the Texas Senate on Legion has established itself as our Na- and lifetime limits on coverage, adults May 24, 2019, by a vote of 31–0 and urges tion’s largest veterans service organi- covered by Medicaid expansion would the U.S. Congress to consolidate dis- zations. As a nonpartisan and not-for- lose vital health services, young people aster recovery housing funding for Hur- profit organization, the Legion unique- would be kicked off their parent’s in- ricane Harvey. ly offers a multitude of local programs surance, and issuers could sell skimpy There being no objection, the mate- devoted to our servicemembers and plans that don’t cover essential health rial was ordered to be printed in the their communities. Through youth benefits like prescription drugs, emer- RECORD, as follows: mentorship and athletics, reintegra- gency room visits, mental health and SENATE RESOLUTION tion assistance for wounded veterans, substance use, and maternity care. Whereas, Hurricane Harvey struck the and many other critical activities, the The unprecedented actions by the Texas coast on August 25, 2017, causing an es- Legion plays an important role in their Trump administration to not defend timated $125 billion in damage; and communities throughout the United the ACA jeopardizes the healthcare of Whereas, The second most destructive States. all Americans. I believe that acces- storm in American history, the hurricane With around 150 posts across Con- sible, affordable healthcare is a human impacted approximately 30 percent of the necticut, the organization helps bring right. Securing this right has always population of Texas, destroying homes, dam- together and shape the lives of many aging infrastructure, and displacing thou- been a challenge. Democrats will con- veterans, their families, and their tinue to fight for consumer protections sands of families along the coast; and Whereas, The Federal Emergency Manage- neighborhoods. The Department of and increased access to care that have ment Agency received nearly 800,000 applica- Connecticut follows the four pillars of been guaranteed through the Afford- tions from affected Texans for some form of the American Legion: supporting able Care Act. As President Trump re- assistance; as many as 83 percent of the peo- Americanism, national security, advo- fuses to defend the Affordable Care ple whose homes flooded did not have flood cating for veterans’ affairs and Act, he risks the health and well-being insurance, creating unprecedented demand healthcare, and preparing children of millions of Americans. for state and federal disaster recovery assist- throughout our state for future suc- ance; and Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, cess. today I wish to again express my sup- Whereas, The FEMA application process is so duplicative and confusing, and the United In particular, they generously help port for the Affordable Care Act, ACA. children of all ages in Connecticut ex- We must continue fighting to protect States Department of Housing and Urban De- velopment regulations are so complex, that plore their potential with activities the safeguards that were put in place many survivors give up trying to navigate such as State Police Youth Week, an by the ACA, which prohibits abusive the system and, therefore, receive no assist- oratorical contest focused on deep- practices that previously kept ance; and ening high school students’ under- healthcare out of reach for millions of Whereas, Consolidating funding for recov- standing of the U.S. Constitution, Americans, like denying coverage to ery housing programs into a single Disaster American Legion Baseball, and sum- people with preexisting conditions. Housing Response and Recovery Block Grant mer government education programs. About half of all Americans have pre- would increase efficiency, save taxpayer dol- As a member who has regularly at- existing conditions and could be forced lars, and speed the recovery process by com- tended events for the Legion, including to pay significantly higher premiums bining FEMA’s short-term programs and HUD’s long-term programs; Now, therefore, several of their youth programs, an- or lose access to coverage altogether if be it nual conventions, Veterans Day events, the ACA is overturned. At least 21 mil- Resolved, That the Senate of the State of and mid-winter conferences, I can lion people could lose their health in- Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby respectfully proudly attest firsthand to the impres- surance if the ACA is struck down. In urge the United States Congress to enact my State, Minnesotans would see a loss legislation to consolidate disaster recovery sive work they accomplish on behalf of of $364 million in premium tax credits, housing funding into a single Disaster Hous- Connecticut veterans and their fami- and roughly 272,000 people would lose ing Response and Recovery Block Grant; and lies. As the American Legion and its their coverage. be it further Department of Connecticut recognize Earlier this year, I came to the Sen- Resolved, That the secretary of the senate and celebrate their rich and productive forward official copies of this resolution to 100-year history, the dedicated staff ate floor to read 100 letters from people the president of the United States, to the in my State and across the country and volunteers continue to look toward president of the Senate and the speaker of the future and expand the positive im- who explained what the ACA has the House of Representatives of the United meant to them. These stories are just a States Congress, and to all the members of pact of their outreach and programs. small window into the positive impact the Texas delegation to Congress with the Committed to serving veterans and of the ACA and how so many people request that this resolution be entered in the their communities throughout our would suffer if its protections were Congressional Record as a memorial to the State, the American Legion Depart- eliminated. Congress of the United States of America. ment of Connecticut provides essential Instead of striking down this land- I hereby certify that the above Resolution advocacy and services that help to bet- mark legislation, we should build on was adopted by the Senate on May 24, 2019, ter lives and create new opportunities. by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. I applaud the accomplishments of the its strengths, defend the critical con- DAN PATRICK, sumer protections that it provides for President of the Senate. American Legion’s devoted officers and so many, and make it stronger. We PATSY SPAW, volunteers, and I hope my colleagues cannot go back to a time when people Secretary of the Senate. will join me in congratulating the who are sick can be denied health in- [State Seal Affixed] American Legion and the American Le- surance coverage. This is not the time f gion Department of Connecticut on a to look back and try to tear things century of excellence. CENTENNIAL OF THE AMERICAN down; we should look ahead and work LEGION f to strengthen our healthcare system CHRONIC DISEASE DAY moving forward. It is for this reason Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, that we must and will continue to fight today I wish to recognize the American Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, today I against efforts to take away healthcare Legion as it celebrates 100 years of wish to recognize July 10 as Chronic protections from millions of Ameri- dedication to serving and advocating Disease Day and to call attention to cans. for veterans on a local and national the unique healthcare needs of patients f level. from this diverse community. This Chartered and incorporated by Con- date is significant due to the fact that TEXAS SENATE RESOLUTION NO. gress in 1919, the American Legion has it represents the 7 out of 10 Americans 816 grown to support veterans nationwide. who will succumb to some form of Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, today I The American Legion Department of chronic illness. Governors and State ask unanimous consent that a resolu- Connecticut was established in the legislatures across the country will be

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:14 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JY6.014 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4766 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 working with local chronic disease pa- zation also produces outdoor recreation after coming down to the community tient advocates on July 10 to highlight economy report that highlights the in- from the University of Georgia in Ath- contemporary challenges and opportu- fluence of the outdoor recreation sec- ens, GA. He was brought in by two leg- nities, and I encourage my colleagues tor on the national economy, including endary Georgians themselves, Roy to join in this effort. statistics on consumer spending, tax Chalker, Sr., and Wilkes Williams of Chronic illness includes cancers, car- revenue, and job creation. This report Waynesboro, to turn their investment diovascular disease, and many other is an incredible resource for law- around. Turn it around he did, settling conditions, some very rare. Some makers, land managers, and local plan- well into the community at the same chronic illnesses can be preventable, ners. As a result, over the past half time. A short 5 years later, Robert pur- and Chronic Disease Day is an oppor- decade and following Colorado’s leader- chased the Blackshear Times. Under tunity to feature healthy lifestyles, the ship, States have created State offices Robert’s leadership during the last 48 importance of regular health of outdoor recreation to ensure that years, the newspaper has won hundreds screenings, and proper self-care. In this government leaders and business lead- of awards in a variety of categories. regard, awareness and education can go ers are working together to grow their Robert and his wife Cheryl have both a long way towards improving patient recreation economies. loyally and successfully served not outcomes, preventing the progression I am honored to continue to work only this publication, but the news- of disease, and lowering healthcare with OIA to protect our public land and paper industry as a whole. The costs. water. Earlier this year, OIA an- Blackshear Times is one of five news- Many chronic illnesses are unavoid- nounced their support for the Colorado papers that Robert and Cheryl have able though and have genetic compo- Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act, owned as part of their SouthFire News- nents or are simply idiopathic with an S. 241/H.R. 823, our bill to protect papers organization, which also in- unknown origin. These include rare 400,000 acres of public land in Colorado cludes the Alma Times, the Charlton and life-threatening conditions that re- while safeguarding existing outdoor County Herald, the Telfair Enterprise, quire near constant access to life-sus- recreation opportunities. OIA stated and the Monroe County Reporter in taining care or therapies. These pa- that they are ‘‘one hundred percent in Georgia. Robert and Cheryl have both tient occasionally rely on voluntary support of the Colorado Outdoor Recre- served as president of the Georgia charitable assistance programs to ation and Economy Act because it Press Association, our State’s news- maintain this access when they have would protect nearly half a million paper industry advocacy organization. no other options. acres of public lands across Colorado Robert was also president of the 2,300- July 10 is a time to promote the im- and support the state’s $28 billion out- member National Newspaper Associa- portance of preventing chronic disease door recreation economy while hon- tion in 2014, serving nationally as the while reflecting on opportunities to oring its history in protecting Camp voice of small-town newspapers. better serve individuals and families Hale, the origin of the 10th mountain Locally, Robert Williams served two facing serious chronic illness. I call on division during WWII.’’ I appreciate terms on the Blackshear City Council my colleagues to please join me in rec- OIA’s support for conserving public and served as executive director of ognizing Chronic Disease Day. land in Colorado. both the Pierce County Industrial De- f OIA members exemplify the collabo- velopment Authority and the Pierce rative and altruistic stewardship at the County Chamber of Commerce. Robert ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS heart of the outdoor recreation indus- is also a graduate of the Leadership try. For that, I congratulate OIA on Georgia program, an organization we RECOGNIZING THE OUTDOOR this 30-year anniversary and thank both hold dear and that has guided our INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION them for their contributions to our service to the State. Robert has found American outdoor heritage.∑ countless ways to give back. Whether ∑ Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, I wish f it was as a member of the Georgia Ag- to recognize the 30th anniversary of riculture Exposition Authority that the Outdoor Industry Association, OIA. TRIBUTE TO ROBERT WILLIAMS governs the Georgia National Fair- Based in Boulder, CO, OIA is the lead- ∑ Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, today, grounds in Perry or the local college ing trade organization of the outdoor I am honored to recognize in the foundation board, Robert and Cheryl recreation gear and apparel industry. RECORD Mr. Robert M. Williams, Jr., have made an impact well beyond Founded by a group of 14 brands and who recently retired after almost half Blackshear both professionally and specialty retailers, OIA has grown to a century as editor and publisher of the personally. include 1,300 companies that are the Blackshear Times in Blackshear, GA. Last week, Robert announced the backbone of an $887 billion outdoor While he may be a small-town news- sale of the Blackshear Times, bidding recreation economy supporting 7.6 mil- paperman, Robert Williams is known farewell after one of the longest edi- lion jobs across the United States. For throughout south Georgia and across torial tenures in Georgia. With his the past three decades, OIA has rep- much of our State because of his work final column as editor and publisher, resented American businesses and indi- ethic, his devotion to the printed word, Robert was incredibly gracious, thank- viduals whose vocations and avocations and his dedication to the newspaper ing his colleagues, employees, mentors, are connected to this Nation’s best business and what it means to a com- and the fine bankers who gave him idea: our public lands and waters. OIA munity. For more than 48 years, Rob- those first loans. is motivated by a shared commitment ert has worked to be accurate, fair, and I speak for all Georgians when I say to protecting, maintaining, and ex- to provide his readers with the news thank you to Robert and Cheryl for the panding outdoor recreation infrastruc- that affects them and the community difference you have made in our State. ture and ensuring every person in the they all cherish. He has personally I count myself lucky to call you a United States has equitable access to written more than 2,000 columns during friend, and Dianne and I wish you both nature. his career. the very best as you plan your future.∑ From its earliest days, OIA has It is worth mentioning that the news- f partnered with conservation organiza- paper’s motto, printed at the top of the tions to advocate for our public land front page of the printed publication REMEMBERING CHRIS CLINE and water. OIA helped to permanently and online, is one Robert has also ∑ Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I can’t reauthorize the Land and Water Con- claimed as his own: ‘‘Liked by Many, express enough what Chris Cline meant servation Fund, and they continue to Cussed by Some, Read by Them All.’’ to our home State of West Virginia. He press for full funding. They have also With the weekly newspaper also turn- represented the very best of the Moun- supported wildfire funding legislation, ing 150 years this year under Robert’s tain State, which is saying a lot. Born rails-to-trails, and similar transpor- leadership, both have long been widely in McDowell County and raised a tation infrastructure programs and read. stone’s throw from the train tracks in continue to work toward responsible At Just 20 years old, Robert began the coalfields of Beckley, Chris’s fam- climate and energy policy. The organi- his career at the Blackshear Times ily was wealthy beyond measure in the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:21 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JY6.017 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4767 only currency that truly matters: love, with the best possible resources to the hard work she has done for me, my work ethic, and profound strength of build their lives from the ground up, staff, and the State of South Dakota character. just as he did. His mission was for each over the past several weeks. One of my favorite stories about of his accomplishments to pave the Meredith is a graduate of Lincoln Chris is, when he was a child, he filled way for others to go even further than High School in Sioux Falls, SD. Cur- bags with dirt for his father, Paul, to he did. rently, she is attending Creighton Uni- use for blasting holes at the mine. His Chris was generous with his philan- versity in Omaha, NE, where she is father paid him a penny per bag. It was thropy publicly through the Cline double majoring in chemistry and once the front porch caved in that his Family Foundation, but most impor- Spanish. She is a hard worker who has father realized he had been getting the tantly, he was generous and compas- been dedicated to getting the most out dirt from beneath it. Chris said that sionate privately, almost daily. The of her internship experience. was how he learned the importance of foundation focuses on donations I extend my sincere thanks and ap- infrastructure. throughout West Virginia in recogni- preciation to Meredith for all of the He never lost touch with the days he tion of the community’s contribution fine work she has done and wish her would come home from a shift in the to his success. It offers scholarships continued success in the years to mines as a young man of only 15, his and grants, endows universities, and fi- come.∑ face caked in coal dust. In fact, he kept nancially supports charitable organiza- f his first hard hat, battered from years tions that make life better for children TRIBUTE TO AUDREY COPE of hard labor, in a place of honor at his and older youth. Chris once said that ∑ Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I home in Beckley. From this founda- everyone in West Virginia contributed recognize Audrey Cope, an intern in my tion, he built an opportunity empire. to his success, and he was determined Washington, DC, office, for all of the From the early days of Pioneer Fuel to to repay the favor. He certainly did, hard work she has done for me, my when Chris founded Foresight Energy, and our statewide community is better staff, and the State of South Dakota much of the success he gained was re- for it. over the past several weeks. turned to the men and women who Among other donations, the Cline Audrey is a graduate of St. Thomas keep the lights on. He treated his Family Foundation supported Place of More High School in Rapid City, SD. workforce as family, knowing very well Hope, a foster care and adoption orga- Currently, she is attending Augustana what it was like to be in their shoes, nization; Peacehaven Community University in Sioux Falls, SD, where and so he invested in the safest, most Farm, a home for disabled adults; or- she is double majoring in government innovative, and efficient tools and phanages in West Virginia and Haiti; and international affairs and French methods. Save the Children; humanitarian aid and minoring in political philosophy. His coal enterprises took him from organizations in Tanzania; churches; She is a hard worker who has been Appalachia to Illinois to Canada. He of- and the Raleigh County YMCA, among dedicated to getting the most out of fered cash incentives to his miners, in- other organizations, and many needy stalled advanced and safe mining her internship experience. individuals over the years. He also sup- I extend my sincere thanks and ap- equipment, and was ahead of his time ported the Benjamin School from preciation to Audrey for all of the fine in anticipating the market for coal. which his daughter Kameron graduated work she has done and wish her contin- Chris believed it was not enough to be in 2015. Few people beyond the recipi- ued success in the years to come.∑ innovative, you need a little luck. At ents know details of Mr. Cline’s many Foresight, his four mine complexes and constant personal acts of private f were the most productive underground charity. TRIBUTE TO RYDER FUHRMAN operations in the Nation. He bought Sharing his adventures with his four ∑ Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I docks on the Mississippi River and children and his lifelong friends was his recognize Ryder Fuhrman, an intern in built rail spurs to haul coal onto ships absolute favorite way to spend his my Aberdeen, SD, office, for all of the bound for India, Europe, and Asia. time. He would take crowds of friends hard work he has done for me, my Chris understood opponents of burn- and family to the Super Bowl, the Big staff, and the State of South Dakota ing coal while defending coal and his East Tournament, countless other over the past several weeks. role in supplying the world with it. He sporting events, and on his frequent Ryder is a graduate of Warner High believed that people deserved the world travels. Chris was an adventure School in Warner, SD. Currently, he is cheapest energy they could get. He had junkie, always looking forward to the attending Northern State University in a curious mind, was eager to learn next time he could drive a fast car or Aberdeen, where he is majoring in po- about everything, and never stopped ride a four-wheeler through the West litical science and minoring in econom- learning. As committed as he was to Virginia hills. ics and legal studies. He is a hard coal energy, for his Big Grand Cay I can’t speak enough to what a good- worker who has been dedicated to get- property, he installed solar panels and hearted, wonderful person he truly was. ting the most out of his internship ex- batteries. Where renewable energy I always thought of him as a man for perience. sources made sense, he was eager to all seasons. No matter the cir- I extend my sincere thanks and ap- embrace them. cumstances, he kept a cool head and a preciation to Ryder for all of the fine There is no greater accomplishment warm demeanor, always able to discern work he has done and wish him contin- in the world than to be in a position to the most honorable path forward. It ued success in the years to come.∑ give back to the community you love, was an honor to call him my friend, f that made you who you are. That is and I miss him dearly. what made Chris the wonderful, inspir- I join all West Virginians in extend- TRIBUTE TO KIERA LEDDY ing, and generous person he was. ing my deepest condolences to his chil- ∑ Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I Through the Cline Family Foundation, dren, Candice and her husband James, recognize Kiera Leddy, an intern in my founded in 2009, Chris made a profound Christopher, and Alex, for the loss of Washington, DC, office, for all of the impact on Marshal University and their loving father and their sister, hard work she has done for me, my West Virginia University. His legacy Kameron. I also extend my condolences staff, and the State of South Dakota will remain forever in the hearts of all to Chris’s brothers Greg and Kenneth. over the past several weeks. who had the privilege of knowing him, It is my hope the entire Cline family is Kiera is a recent graduate of Okla- and he will be remembered through the able to find peace, strength, and sup- homa State University in Stillwater, countless lives he benefited with his port in one another.∑ OK, having earned a degree in agricul- generosity to our academic institu- f tural communications. This fall, Kiera tions. Chris believed with all his heart plans to attend Drake University Law that West Virginians are the most TRIBUTE TO MEREDITH BENSON School in Des Moines, IA. She is a hard hard-working, ethical people in our Na- ∑ Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I worker who has been dedicated to get- tion, and he wanted to ensure they had recognize Meredith Benson, an intern ting the most out of her internship ex- every opportunity to utilize their skills in my Washington, DC, office, for all of perience.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:21 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JY6.020 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4768 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 I extend my sincere thanks and ap- H.R. 2919. An act to require the Securities Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- preciation to Kiera for all of the fine and Exchange Commission to carry out a ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- work she has done and wish her contin- study to evaluate the issues affecting the titled ‘‘Acetic Acid Ethenyl Ester, Polymer ued success in the years to come.∑ provision of and reliance upon investment with Ethene and Ethenol; Tolerance Exemp- research into small issuers. tion’’ (FRL No. 9995–17–OCSPP) received dur- f H.R. 3050. An act to require the Securities ing adjournment of the Senate in the Office TRIBUTE TO GEORGE MICKELSON and Exchange Commission to carry out a of the President of the Senate on July 3, 2019; study of the 10 per centum threshold limita- to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, ∑ Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I tion applicable to the definition of a diversi- and Forestry. recognize George Mickelson, an intern fied company under the Investment Com- EC–1863. A communication from the Direc- in my Washington, DC, office, for all of pany Act of 1940, and for other purposes. tor of the Regulatory Management Division, the hard work he has done for me, my f Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- staff, and the State of South Dakota MEASURES REFERRED over the past several weeks. titled ‘‘Acrylamide-Sodium Acrylamidomethylpropanesulfonate Copoly- George is a graduate of Lincoln High The following bills were read the first and the second times by unanimous mer; Tolerance Exemption’’ (FRL No. 9994– School in Sioux Falls, SD. Currently, 53–OCSPP) received during adjournment of he is attending Creighton University in consent, and referred as indicated: the Senate in the Office of the President of Omaha, NE, where he is majoring in fi- H.R. 2162. An act to require the Secretary the Senate on July 3, 2019; to the Committee nance and technology. He is a hard of Housing and Urban Development to dis- on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. worker who has been dedicated to get- count FHA single-family mortgage insurance EC–1864. A communication from the Direc- ting the most out of his internship ex- premium payments for first-time home- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, buyers who complete a financial literacy Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- perience. housing counseling program; to the Com- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- I extend my sincere thanks and ap- mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- titled ‘‘2-Propenoic acid, methyl ester, poly- preciation to George for all of the fine fairs. mer with ethene and 2,5-furandione; Toler- work he has done and wish him contin- H.R. 2409. An act to amend the Securities ance Exemption’’ (FRL No. 9995–51–OCSPP) ued success in the years to come.∑ Exchange Act of 1934 to expand access to received during adjournment of the Senate capital for rural-area small businesses, and f in the Office of the President of the Senate for other purposes; to the Committee on on July 3, 2019; to the Committee on Agri- TRIBUTE TO DANIEL MOE Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. culture, Nutrition, and Forestry. ∑ Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I H.R. 2515. An act to amend the Securities EC–1865. A communication from the Assist- and Exchange Act of 1934 to amend the defi- ant Secretary of Defense (Acquisition), recognize Daniel Moe, an intern in my nition of whistleblower, to extend the anti- transmitting, pursuant to law, a notice of Washington, DC, office, for all of the retaliation protections provided to whistle- additional time required to complete an hard work he has done for me, my blowers, and for other purposes; to the Com- independent analysis of the feasibility of de- staff, and the State of South Dakota mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- veloping a budget request for the full Future over the past several weeks. fairs. Years Defense Program; to the Committee Daniel is a graduate of Sioux Falls H.R. 2919. An act to require the Securities on Armed Services. Christian High School in Sioux Falls, and Exchange Commission to carry out a EC–1866. A communication from the Acting SD. Currently, he is attending Dordt study to evaluate the issues affecting the Principal Deputy Director, Defense Pricing provision of and reliance upon investment and Contracting, Department of Defense, University in Sioux Center, IA, where research into small issuers; to the Com- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report he is majoring in biology and minoring mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- relative to the requirement to authorize sub- in political science and chemistry. He fairs. contract placement for F–35 Lightning II Eu- is a hard worker who has been dedi- H.R. 3050. An act to require the Securities ropean and Pacific regional warehousing to cated to getting the most out of his in- and Exchange Commission to carry out a OneLogistics and BAE Systems Australia, ternship experience. study of the 10 per centum threshold limita- respectively; to the Committee on Armed I extend my sincere thanks and ap- tion applicable to the definition of a diversi- Services. EC–1867. A communication from the Under preciation to Daniel for all of the fine fied company under the Investment Com- pany Act of 1940, and for other purposes; to Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and work he has done and wish him contin- the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Sustainment), transmitting, pursuant to ued success in the years to come.∑ Urban Affairs. law, a report entitled ‘‘Report to Congress on f f Distribution of Department of Defense Depot Maintenance Workloads for Fiscal Years 2018 MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE MEASURES PLACED ON THE through 2020’’; to the Committee on Armed At 10:30 a.m., a message from the CALENDAR Services. EC–1868. A communication from the Acting House of Representatives, delivered by The following bills were read the sec- Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- Principal Deputy Director, Defense Pricing ond time, and placed on the calendar: and Contracting, Department of Defense, nounced that the House has passed the H.R. 2740. An act making appropriations transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of following bill, without amendment: for the Departments of Labor, Health and a rule entitled ‘‘Defense Federal Acquisition S. 1749. An act to clarify seasoning require- Human Services, and Education, and related Regulation Supplement: Repeal of DFARS ments for certain refinanced mortgage loans, agencies for the fiscal year ending Sep- Clause ‘Price Adjustment’ ’’ ((RIN0750–AK08) and for other purposes. tember 30, 2020, and for other purposes. (DFARS Case 2019–D048)) received during ad- The message also announced that the H.R. 3055. An act making appropriations journment of the Senate in the Office of the House has passed the following bills, in for the Departments of Commerce and Jus- President of the Senate on July 2, 2019; to tice, Science, and Related Agencies for the the Committee on Armed Services. which it requests the concurrence of fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for EC–1869. A communication from the Acting the Senate: other purposes. Principal Deputy Director, Defense Pricing H.R. 1988. An act to clarify seasoning re- The following bill was read the first and Contracting, Department of Defense, quirements for certain refinanced mortgage and second times by unanimous con- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of loans, and for other purposes. a rule entitled ‘‘Defense Federal Acquisition H.R. 2162. An act to require the Secretary sent, and placed on the calendar: Regulation Supplement: Annual Representa- of Housing and Urban Development to dis- H.R. 1988. An act to clarify seasoning re- tions and Certifications-Alternate A’’ count FHA single-family mortgage insurance quirements for certain refinanced mortgage ((RIN0750–AK69) (DFARS Case 2019–D030)) re- premium payments for first-time home- loans, and for other purposes. ceived during adjournment of the Senate in buyers who complete a financial literacy f the Office of the President of the Senate on housing counseling program. July 2, 2019; to the Committee on Armed H.R. 2409. An act to amend the Securities EXECUTIVE AND OTHER Services. Exchange Act of 1934 to expand access to COMMUNICATIONS EC–1870. A communication from the Sec- capital for rural-area small businesses, and The following communications were retary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursu- for other purposes. laid before the Senate, together with ant to law, a six-month periodic report on H.R. 2515. An act to amend the Securities the national emergency with respect to and Exchange Act of 1934 to amend the defi- accompanying papers, reports, and doc- transnational criminal organizations that nition of whistleblower, to extend the anti- uments, and were referred as indicated: was declared in Executive Order 13581 of July retaliation protections provided to whistle- EC–1862. A communication from the Direc- 24, 2011; to the Committee on Banking, Hous- blowers, and for other purposes. tor of the Regulatory Management Division, ing, and Urban Affairs.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:21 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JY6.021 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4769 EC–1871. A communication from the Sec- (FRL No. 9995–61–Region 7) received during ment of State, transmitting, pursuant to retary, Department of the Treasury, trans- adjournment of the Senate in the Office of law, a report consistent with the Authoriza- mitting, pursuant to law, the six-month peri- the President of the Senate on July 3, 2019; tion for Use of Military Force Against Iraq odic report on the national emergency with to the Committee on Environment and Pub- Resolution of 2002 (P.L. 107–243) and the Au- respect to serious human rights abuse and lic Works. thorization for the Use of Military Force corruption that was declared in Executive EC–1880. A communication from the Direc- Against Iraq Resolution of 1991 (P.L. 102–1) Order 13818 of December 20, 2017; to the Com- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, for the September 10, 2018 to November 9, mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- 2018 reporting period; to the Committee on fairs. ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Foreign Relations. EC–1872. A communication from the Chair- titled ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Air EC–1888. A communication from the Assist- man of the Board of Governors, Federal Re- Quality Implementation Plans; Delaware; ant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Depart- serve System, transmitting, pursuant to law, Emissions Statements Rule Certification for ment of State, transmitting, pursuant to the Board’s semiannual Monetary Policy Re- the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality law, a report consistent with the Authoriza- port to Congress; to the Committee on Bank- Standard’’ (FRL No. 9996–07–Region 3) re- tion for Use of Military Force Against Iraq ing, Housing, and Urban Affairs. ceived during adjournment of the Senate in Resolution of 2002 (P.L. 107–243) and the Au- EC–1873. A communication from the Assist- the Office of the President of the Senate on thorization for the Use of Military Force ant Director for Regulatory Affairs, Office of July 3, 2019; to the Committee on Environ- Against Iraq Resolution of 1991 (P.L. 102–1) Foreign Assets Control, Department of the ment and Public Works. for the November 10, 2018 to January 9, 2019 Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the EC–1881. A communication from the Direc- reporting period; to the Committee on For- report of a rule entitled ‘‘Reporting, Proce- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, eign Relations. dures and Penalties Regulations’’ (31 CFR Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- EC–1889. A communication from the Sec- Part 501) received during adjournment of the ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- retary of Education, transmitting, pursuant Senate in the Office of the President of the titled ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Air to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Title I— Senate on July 1, 2019; to the Committee on Quality Implementation Plans; Delaware; Improving the Academic Achievement of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Negative Declaration for the Oil and Natural Disadvantaged and General Provisions; Tech- EC–1874. A communication from the Assist- Gas Industry Control Techniques Guide- nical Amendments’’ (RIN1810–AB47 and ant Secretary for Export Administration, lines’’ (FRL No. 9996–26–Region 3) received RIN1810–AB55) received in the Office of the Bureau of Industry and Security, Depart- during adjournment of the Senate in the Of- President pro tempore of the Senate; to the ment of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant fice of the President of the Senate on July 3, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Revi- 2019; to the Committee on Environment and Pensions. sions to the Unverified List (UVL)’’ Public Works. EC–1890. A communication from the Sec- (RIN0694–AH79) received during adjournment EC–1882. A communication from the Direc- retary of Health and Human Services, trans- of the Senate in the Office of the President tor of the Regulatory Management Division, mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a pe- of the Senate on July 1, 2019; to the Com- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- tition to add workers at the Idaho National mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Laboratory in Scoville, Idaho, to the Special fairs. titled ‘‘Designation of Areas for Air Quality Exposure Cohort; to the Committee on EC–1875. A communication from the Presi- Planning Purposes; California; Coachella Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. dent of the United States, transmitting, pur- Valley 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area; EC–1891. A communication from the Acting suant to law, a report relative to the des- Reclassification to Extreme’’ (FRL No. 9996– Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Depart- ignation as an emergency requirements all 12–Region 9) received during adjournment of ment of Health and Human Services, trans- funding so designated by the Congress in the the Senate in the Office of the President of mitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for the Senate on July 3, 2019; to the Committee ‘‘Report to Congress on Nurse Education, Humanitarian Assistance and Security at on Environment and Public Works. Practice, Quality and Retention Programs; the Southern Border Act, 2019, pursuant to EC–1883. A communication from the Direc- Fiscal Year 2018’’; to the Committee on section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget tor of the Regulatory Management Division, Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- EC–1892. A communication from the Acting for the enclosed list of accounts; to the Com- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Depart- mittee on the Budget. titled ‘‘Standards of Performance for Sta- ment of Health and Human Services, trans- EC–1876. A communication from the Chair- tionary Compression Ignition Internal Com- mitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled man of the Federal Energy Regulatory Com- bustion Engines Amendments’’ (FRL No. ‘‘Fiscal Year 2017 Performance Report to mission, transmitting, pursuant to law, a re- 9996–21–OAR) received during adjournment of Congress for the Office of Combination Prod- port relative to the status of all extensions the Senate in the Office of the President of ucts’’; to the Committee on Health, Edu- granted by Congress regarding the deadlines the Senate on July 3, 2019; to the Committee cation, Labor, and Pensions. for the commencement of construction of on Environment and Public Works. EC–1893. A communication from the White Commission-licensed hydropower projects, EC–1884. A communication from the Direc- House Liaison, Department of Education, including information about any delays by tor of the Regulatory Management Division, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of the Commission with respect to extensions Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- a vacancy in the position of Assistant Sec- and the reasons for such delays; to the Com- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- retary, Department of Education, received mittee on Energy and Natural Resources. titled ‘‘Terre Haute, Indiana, Partial Vigo during adjournment of the Senate in the Of- EC–1877. A communication from a Senior County 2010 SO2 Redesignation and Mainte- fice of the President of the Senate on July 3, Official performing the duties of the Assist- nance Plan (Fayette and Harrison Town- 2019; to the Committee on Health, Education, ant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and ships)’’ (FRL No. 9996–11–Region 5) received Labor, and Pensions. Parks, National Park Service, Department of during adjournment of the Senate in the Of- EC–1894. A communication from the Dep- the Interior, transmitting, pursuant to law, fice of the President of the Senate on July 3, uty General Counsel, Office of General Coun- the report of a rule entitled ‘‘National Cap- 2019; to the Committee on Environment and sel, Department of Education, transmitting, ital Region; Event at the Washington Monu- Public Works. pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ment’’ (RIN1024–AE59) received during ad- EC–1885. A communication from the Assist- ‘‘Outdated Regulations—Expanding Oppor- journment of the Senate in the Office of the ant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Depart- tunity Through Quality Charter Schools President of the Senate on July 3, 2019; to ment of State, transmitting, pursuant to Program (CSP)—Grants for Credit Enhance- the Committee on Energy and Natural Re- law, a report relative to measures taken and ment for Charter School Facilities’’ received sources. results achieved to promote the rule of law in the Office of the President pro tempore; to EC–1878. A communication from the Direc- in Russia and to support U.S. trade and in- the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, tor of the Regulatory Management Division, vestment by strengthening investor protec- and Pensions. Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- tions in Russia, received in the office of the EC–1895. A communication from the Direc- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- President pro tempore of the Senate; to the tor of Regulations and Policy Management titled ‘‘Air Plan Approval; Kentucky; Jeffer- Committee on Finance. Staff, Food and Drug Administration, De- son County Existing and New VOC Water EC–1886. A communication from the Chief partment of Health and Human Services, Separators Rule Revisions’’ (FRL No. 9996– of the Publications and Regulations Branch, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of 24–Region 4) received during adjournment of Internal Revenue Service, Department of the a rule entitled ‘‘Internal Agency Review of the Senate in the Office of the President of Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Decisions; Requests for Supervisory Review the Senate on July 3, 2019; to the Committee report of a rule entitled ‘‘Self-Employment of Certain Decisions Made by the Center for on Environment and Public Works. Tax Treatment of Partners in a Partnership Devices and Radiological Health’’ ((RIN1910– EC–1879. A communication from the Direc- that Owns a Disregarded Entity; Final Regu- AH37) (Docket No. FDA–2016–N–2378)) re- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, lations’’ (RIN1545–BM77) received in the Of- ceived in the Office of the President of the Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- fice of the President of the Senate on July 8, Senate on July 8, 2019; to the Committee on ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- 2019; to the Committee on Finance. Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. titled ‘‘Air Plan Approval; Missouri; Meas- EC–1887. A communication from the Assist- EC–1896. A communication from the Acting urement of Emissions of Air Contaminants’’ ant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Depart- Assistant Secretary, Office of Finance and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:21 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JY6.024 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4770 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 Operations, Department of Education, trans- Service, Department of Commerce, transmit- EC–1912. A communication from the Dep- mitting, pursuant to law, the Department’s ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- uty Assistant Administrator for Regulatory fiscal year 2017 FAIR Act Commercial and titled ‘‘Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Programs, National Marine Fisheries Serv- Inherently Governmental Activities Inven- Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; ice, Department of Commerce, transmitting, tory and the Uniform Resource Locator Northeast Multispecies Fishery; 2019 and 2020 pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled (URL) for the report; to the Committee on Sector Operations Plans and 2019 Allocation ‘‘Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Homeland Security and Governmental Af- of Northeast Multispecies Annual Catch En- Salmon Fisheries; 2018 Management Meas- fairs. titlements’’ (RIN0648–BI71) received during ures and a Temporary Rule’’ (RIN0648–BH22) EC–1897. A communication from the Acting adjournment of the Senate in the Office of received during adjournment of the Senate Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Depart- the President of the Senate on July 3, 2019; in the Office of the President of the Senate ment of Health and Human Services, trans- to the Committee on Commerce, Science, on July 3, 2019; to the Committee on Com- mitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled and Transportation. merce, Science, and Transportation. ‘‘2018 Annual Report to Congress on the Na- EC–1906. A communication from the Dep- EC–1913. A communication from the Acting tive Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund’’; to the uty Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Director, National Marine Fisheries Service, Committee on Indian Affairs. Programs, National Marine Fisheries Serv- Department of Commerce, transmitting, pur- EC–1898. A communication from the Assist- ice, Department of Commerce, transmitting, suant to law, the report of a rule entitled ant Attorney General, Office of Legislative pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifica- Affairs, Department of Justice, transmit- ‘‘Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fish- tions of West Coast Commercial and Rec- eries of the Northeastern United States; At- ting, pursuant to law, a report on the activi- reational Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Ac- lantic Herring Specifications and Sub-An- ties of the Community Relations Service for tions No. 5 through No. 11’’ (RIN0648–XF610) nual Catch Limits for 2019’’ (RIN0648–XG608) fiscal year 2018; to the Committee on the Ju- received in the Office of the President of the received during adjournment of the Senate diciary. Senate on July 8, 2019; to the Committee on in the Office of the President of the Senate EC–1899. A communication from the Fed- Commerce, Science, and Transportation. on July 3, 2019; to the Committee on Com- eral Liaison Officer, Patent and Trademark EC–1914. A communication from the Acting Office, Department of Commerce, transmit- merce, Science, and Transportation. EC–1907. A communication from the Acting Director, National Marine Fisheries Service, ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Department of Commerce, transmitting, pur- titled ‘‘Requirement of U.S. Licensed Attor- Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regu- latory Programs, National Marine Fisheries suant to law, the report of a rule entitled ney for Foreign Trademark Applicants and ‘‘Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Registrants’’ (RIN0651–AD30) received during Service, Department of Commerce, transmit- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Highly Migratory Species; 2017 Bigeye Tuna adjournment of the Senate in the Office of Longline Fishery Closure’’ (RIN0648–XF578) the President of the Senate on July 1, 2019; titled ‘‘Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; 2018–2020 Small-Mesh Multispecies received in the Office of the President of the to the Committee on the Judiciary. Senate on July 8, 2019; to the Committee on EC–1900. A communication from the Assist- Specifications’’ (RIN0648–BH76) received dur- ing adjournment of the Senate in the Office Commerce, Science, and Transportation. ant Attorney General, Office of Legislative EC–1915. A communication from the Dep- Affairs, Department of Justice, transmit- of the President of the Senate on July 3, 2019; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, uty Assistant Administrator for Regulatory ting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ‘‘Uni- Programs, National Marine Fisheries Serv- formed Services Employment and Reemploy- and Transportation. EC–1908. A communication from the Dep- ice, Department of Commerce, transmitting, ment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) Quarterly uty Assistant Administrator for Regulatory pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled Report to Congress; Second Quarter of Fiscal Programs, National Marine Fisheries Serv- ‘‘Atlantic Migratory Species; Shortfin Mako Year 2019’’; to the Committee on Veterans’ ice, Department of Commerce, transmitting, Shark Management Measures; Final Amend- Affairs. pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ment 11’’ (RIN0648–BH75) received during ad- EC–1901. A communication from the Chair- ‘‘Fisheries of the Northeastern United journment of the Senate in the Office of the man of the National Transportation Safety States; Framework Adjustment 30 to the At- President of the Senate on July 3, 2019; to Board, transmitting, pursuant to law, the lantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Board’s 2018 Annual Report to Congress; to Plan’’ (RIN0648–BI66) received during ad- Transportation. the Committee on Commerce, Science, and journment of the Senate in the Office of the Transportation. President of the Senate on July 3, 2019; to f EC–1902. A communication from the Acting the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Director of the Office of Sustainable Fish- Transportation. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES eries, National Marine Fisheries Service, De- EC–1909. A communication from the Acting partment of Commerce, transmitting, pursu- Deputy Director, National Marine Fisheries The following reports of committees ant to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Au- Service, Department of Commerce, transmit- were submitted: thorization of Revised Reporting Require- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- ments Due to Catastrophic Conditions for By Mr. RISCH, from the Committee on titled ‘‘Fisheries of the Northeastern United Foreign Relations, with an amendment in Federal Seafood Dealers and Individual Fish- States; Northeast Skate Complex; Adjust- ing Quota Dealers in Portions of Florida’’ the nature of a substitute: ment to the Skate Wing and Skate Bait S. 1102. A bill to promote security and en- (RIN0648–XG550) received during adjourn- Inseason Possession Limits’’ (RIN0648–XF260) ment of the Senate in the Office of the Presi- ergy partnerships in the Eastern Mediterra- received in the Office of the President of the nean, and for other purposes. dent of the Senate on July 3, 2019; to the Senate on July 8, 2019; to the Committee on Committee on Commerce, Science, and Commerce, Science, and Transportation. f Transportation. EC–1910. A communication from the Acting EC–1903. A communication from the Direc- Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regu- tor of the Office of Sustainable Fisheries, latory Programs, National Marine Fisheries EXECUTIVE REPORTS OF National Marine Fisheries Service, Depart- Service, Department of Commerce, transmit- COMMITTEE ment of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- The following executive reports of to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Author- titled ‘‘Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; nominations were submitted: ization of Revised Reporting Requirements Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Due to Catastrophic Conditions for Federal Coast Groundfish Fishery; Annual Specifica- By Mr. WICKER for the Committee on Seafood Dealers in Texas and Portions of tions and Management Measures for the 2018 Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Louisiana’’ (RIN0648–XF673) received in the Tribal and Non-Tribal Fisheries for Pacific *Michelle A. Schultz, of Pennsylvania, to Office of the President of the Senate on July Whiting’’ (RIN0648–BH31) received during ad- be a Member of the Surface Transportation 8, 2019; to the Committee on Commerce, journment of the Senate in the Office of the Board for the term of five years. Science, and Transportation. President of the Senate on July 3, 2019; to *Coast Guard nominations beginning with EC–1904. A communication from the Acting the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Rear Adm. (lh) Melvin W. Bouboulis and end- Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regu- Transportation. ing with Rear Adm. (lh) Michael P. Ryan, latory Programs, National Marine Fisheries EC–1911. A communication from the Acting which nominations were received by the Sen- Service, Department of Commerce, transmit- Director, National Marine Fisheries Service, ate and appeared in the Congressional ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Department of Commerce, transmitting, pur- Record on January 30, 2019. titled ‘‘Pacific Island Fisheries; 5-Year Ex- suant to law, the report of a rule entitled *Stephen M. Dickson, of Georgia, to be Ad- tension of Moratorium on Harvest of Gold ‘‘Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fish- ministrator of the Federal Aviation Admin- Corals’’ (RIN0648–BH60) received during ad- eries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast istration for the term of five years. journment of the Senate in the Office of the Groundfish Fishery; 2017–2018 Biennial Speci- *Nomination was reported with rec- President of the Senate on July 3, 2019; to fication and Management Measures; Inseason ommendation that it be confirmed sub- the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Adjustments’’ (RIN0648–BI47) received during Transportation. adjournment of the Senate in the Office of ject to the nominee’s commitment to EC–1905. A communication from the Acting the President of the Senate on July 3, 2019; respond to requests to appear and tes- Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regu- to the Committee on Commerce, Science, tify before any duly constituted com- latory Programs, National Marine Fisheries and Transportation. mittee of the Senate.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:21 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JY6.026 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4771 EXECUTIVE REPORTS OF through a mutual agreement as of the date and Canada with Respect to Taxes on Income COMMITTEE—TREATIES of the report. and on Capital, signed at Washington Sep- (III) The number of such cases for which tember 26, 1980 (the ‘‘2007 Canada Protocol’’) The following executive reports of arbitration proceedings have commenced as (Treaty Doc. 1 10–15); and committee were submitted: of the date of the report. (iv) the Protocol Amending the Convention By Mr. RISCH, from the Committee on (ii) A list of every case presented to the between the Government of the United Foreign Relations: competent authorities after the entry into States of America and the Government of Treaty Doc. 113–4: The Protocol Amending force of the Protocol and each such treaty, the French Republic for the Avoidance of the Tax Convention with Spain (Ex. Rept. including the following information regard- Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fis- 116–1); ing each case: cal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income Treaty Doc. 112–1: Protocol Amending Tax (I) The commencement date of the case for and Capital, signed at Paris August 31, 1994 Convention with Swiss Confederation (Ex. purposes of determining when arbitration is (the ‘‘2009 France Protocol’’) (Treaty Doc. Rept. 116–2); available. 111–4). Treaty Doc. 114–1: Protocol Amending the (II) Whether the adjustment triggering the (3) The Secretary of the Treasury shall pre- Tax Convention with Japan (Ex. Rept. 116–3); case, if any, was made by the United States pare and submit the detailed report required and or the relevant treaty partner. under paragraph (2) on March I of the year Treaty Doc. 111–8: Protocol Amending Tax (III) Which treaty the case relates to. following the year in which the first report (IV) The treaty article or articles at issue Convention with Luxembourg (Ex. Rept. 116– is submitted to the Joint Committee on Tax- 4) in the case. (V) The date the case was resolved by the ation and the Committee on Finance of the The text of the committee-rec- competent authorities through a mutual Senate, and on an annual basis thereafter for ommended resolutions of advice and agreement, if so resolved. a period of five years. In each such report, consent to ratification are as follows: (VI) The date on which an arbitration pro- disputes that were resolved, either by a mu- ceeding commenced, if an arbitration pro- tual agreement between the relevant com- [Treaty Doc. 113–4 The Protocol Amending petent authorities or by a determination of the Tax Convention with Spain] ceeding commenced. (VII) The date on which a determination an arbitration panel, and noted as such in As reported by the Committee on Foreign was reached by the arbitration panel, if a de- prior reports may be omitted. Relations: termination was reached, and an indication (4) The reporting requirements referred to Resolved (two-thirds of the Senators present as to whether the panel found in favor of the in paragraphs (2) and (3) supersede the re- concurring therein), United States or the relevant treaty partner. porting requirements contained in para- Section 1. Senate Advice and Consent Sub- (iii) With respect to each dispute sub- graphs (2) and (3) of section 3 of the resolu- ject to a Declaration and Conditions. mitted to arbitration and for which a deter- tion of advice and consent to ratification of The Senate advises and consents to the mination was reached by the arbitration the 2009 France Protocol, approved by the ratification of the Protocol Amending the panel pursuant to the Protocol or any such Senate on December 3, 2009. Convention between the United States of treaty, the following information: [Treaty Doc. 114–1 Protocol Amending Tax America and the Kingdom of Spain for the (I) In the case of a dispute submitted under Convention with Japan] Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Pre- the Protocol, an indication as to whether the vention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to As reported by the Committee on Foreign presenter of the case to the competent au- Relations: Taxes on Income and its Protocol, signed at thority of a Contracting State submitted a Madrid on February 22, 1990, and a related Resolved (two-thirds of the Senators present Position Paper for consideration by the arbi- concurring therein), Memorandum of Understanding, signed on tration panel. January 14, 2013, at Madrid, together with Section 1. Senate Advice and Consent Sub- (II) An indication as to whether the deter- ject to a Declaration and Conditions. correcting notes dated July 23, 2013, and Jan- mination of the arbitration panel was ac- uary 31, 2014 (the ‘‘Protocol’’) (Treaty Doc. The Senate advises and consents to the cepted by each concerned person. ratification of the Protocol Amending the 113–4), subject to the declaration of section 2 (III) The amount of income, expense, or Convention between the Government of the and the conditions in section 3. taxation at issue in the case as determined United States of America and the Govern- Sec. 2. Declaration. by reference to the filings that were suffi- ment of Japan for the Avoidance of Double The advice and consent of the Senate cient to set the commencement date of the Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Eva- under section 1 is subject to the following case for purposes of determining when arbi- sion with respect to Taxes on Income, and a declaration: The Protocol is self-executing. tration is available. related agreement entered into by an ex- Sec. 3. Conditions. (IV) The proposed resolutions (income, ex- change of notes, both signed at Washington The advice and consent of the Senate pense, or taxation) submitted by each com- January 24, 2013, as corrected by exchange of under section 1 is subject to the following petent authority to the arbitration panel. conditions: (B) The treaties referred to in subpara- notes on March 9 and 29, 2013 (the ‘‘Pro- (I) Not later than 2 years after the Pro- graph (A) are— tocol’’) (Treaty Doc. 114–1), subject to the tocol enters into force and prior to the first (i) the 2006 Protocol Amending the Conven- declaration of section 2 and the conditions in arbitration conducted pursuant to the bind- tion between the United States of America section 3. ing arbitration mechanism provided for in and the Federal Republic of Germany for the Sec. 2. Declaration. the Protocol, the Secretary of the Treasury Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Pre- The advice and consent of the Senate shall transmit to the Committee on Finance vention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to under section 1 is subject to the following and the Committee on Foreign Relations of Taxes on Income and Capital and to Certain declaration: The Protocol is self-executing. the Senate and the Joint Committee on Tax- Other Taxes, done at Berlin June 1, 2006 Sec. 3. Conditions. ation the text of the rules of procedure appli- (Treaty Doc. 109–20) (the ‘‘2006 German Pro- The advice and consent of the Senate cable to arbitration panels, including con- tocol’’); under section 1 is subject to the following flict of interest rules to be applied to mem- (ii) the Convention between the Govern- conditions: bers of the arbitration panel. ment of the United States of America and (I) Not later than 2 years after the Pro- (2)(A) Not later than 60 days after a deter- the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium tocol enters into force and prior to the first mination has been reached by an arbitration for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and arbitration conducted pursuant to the bind- panel in the tenth arbitration proceeding the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Re- ing arbitration mechanism provided for in conducted pursuant to the Protocol or any of spect to Taxes on Income, and accompanying the Protocol, the Secretary of the Treasury the treaties described in subparagraph (B), protocol, done at Brussels July 9, 1970 (the shall transmit to the Committee on Finance the Secretary of the Treasury shall prepare ‘‘Belgium Convention’’) (Treaty Doc. 110–3); and the Committee on Foreign Relations of and submit to the Joint Committee on Tax- (iii) the Protocol Amending the Conven- the Senate and the Joint Committee on Tax- ation and the Committee on Finance of the tion between the United States of Taxation ation the text of the rules of procedure appli- Senate, subject to laws relating to taxpayer and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with cable to arbitration panels, including con- confidentiality, a detailed report regarding Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital and flict of interest rules to be applied to mem- the operation and application of the arbitra- to Certain Other Taxes, done at Berlin June bers of the arbitration panel. tion mechanism contained in the Protocol 1, 2006 (Treaty Doc. 109–20) (the ‘‘2006 German (2)(A) Not later than 60 days after a deter- and such treaties. The report shall include Protocol’’); mination has been reached by an arbitration the following information: (ii) the Convention between the Govern- panel in the tenth arbitration proceeding (i) For the Protocol and each such treaty, ment of the United States of America and conducted pursuant to the Protocol or any of the aggregate number of cases pending on the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium the treaties described in subparagraph (B), the respective dates of entry into force of the for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Secretary of the Treasury shall prepare Protocol and each treaty, including the fol- the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Re- and submit to the Joint Committee on Tax- lowing information: spect to Taxes on Income, and accompanying ation and the Committee on Finance of the (I) The number of such cases by treaty ar- protocol, done at Brussels July 9, 1970 (the Senate, subject to laws relating to taxpayer ticle or articles at issue. ‘‘Belgium Convention’’) (Treaty Doc. 110–3); confidentiality, a detailed report regarding (II) The number of such cases that have (iii) the Protocol Amending the Conven- the operation and application of the arbitra- been resolved by the competent authorities tion between the United States of America tion mechanism contained in the Protocol

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:21 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JY6.044 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4772 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 and such treaties. The report shall include [Treaty Doc. #112–1 Protocol Amending Tax (VI) The date on which an arbitration pro- the following information: Convention with Swiss Confederation] ceeding commenced, if an arbitration pro- (i) For the Protocol and each such treaty, As reported by the Committee on Foreign ceeding commenced. the aggregate number of cases pending on Relations: (VII) The date on which a determination the respective dates of entry into force of the Resolved (two-thirds of the Senators present was reached by the arbitration panel, if a de- Protocol and each treaty, including the fol- concurring therein), termination was reached, and an indication lowing information: Section 1. Senate Advice and Consent Sub- as to whether the panel found in favor of the (I) The number of such cases by treaty ar- ject to a Declaration and Conditions. United States or the relevant treaty partner. ticle or articles at issue. The Senate advises and consents to the (iii) With respect to each dispute sub- (II) The number of such cases that have ratification of the Protocol Amending the mitted to arbitration and for which a deter- been resolved by the competent authorities Convention between the United States of mination was reached by the arbitration through a mutual agreement as of the date America and the Swiss Confederation for the panel pursuant to the Protocol or any such of the report. Avoidance of Double Taxation with Respect treaty, the following information: (III) The number of such cases for which to Taxes on Income, signed at Washington on (I) In the case of a dispute submitted under arbitration proceedings have commenced as October 2, 1996, signed on September 23, 2009, the Protocol, an indication as to whether the of the date of the report. at Washington, as corrected by an exchange presenter of the case to the competent au- (ii) A list of every case presented to the of notes effected November 16, 2010 (the ‘‘pro- thority of a Contracting State submitted a competent authorities after the entry into posed Protocol’’) (Treaty Doc. 112–1 ), and a Position Paper for consideration by the arbi- force of the Protocol and each such treaty, related agreement effected by an exchange of tration panel. (II) An indication as to whether the deter- including the following information regard- notes on September 23, 2009 (the ‘‘related mination of the arbitration panel was ac- ing each case: Agreement’’) subject to the declaration of cepted by each concerned person. (I) The commencement date of the case for section 2 and the conditions in section 3. (III) The amount of income, expense, or purposes of determining when arbitration is Sec. 2. Declaration. taxation at issue in the case as determined available. The advice and consent of the Senate by reference to the filings that were suffi- (II) Whether the adjustment triggering the under section 1 is subject to the following cient to set the commencement date of the case, if any, was made by the United States declaration: The Protocol is self-executing. case for purposes of determining when arbi- or the relevant treaty partner. Sec. 3. Conditions. tration is available. (III) Which treaty the case relates to. The advice and consent of the Senate (IV) The proposed resolutions (income, ex- (IV) The treaty article or articles at issue under section 1 is subject to the following pense, or taxation) submitted by each com- in the case. conditions: petent authority to the arbitration panel. (V) The date the case was resolved by the (1) Not later than 2 years after the Pro- (B) The treaties referred to in subpara- competent authorities through a mutual tocol enters into force and prior to the first graph (A) are— agreement, if so resolved. arbitration conducted pursuant to the bind- (i) the 2006 Protocol Amending the Conven- (VI) The date on which an arbitration pro- ing arbitration mechanism provided for in tion between the United States of America ceeding commenced, if an arbitration pro- the Protocol, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Federal Republic of Germany for the ceeding commenced. shall transmit to the Committee on Finance Avoidance of Double panel was accepted by (VII) The date on which a determination and the Committee on Foreign Relations of each concerned person. was reached by the arbitration panel, if a de- the Senate and the Joint Committee on Tax- (III) The amount of income, expense, or termination was reached, and an indication ation the text of the rules of procedure appli- taxation at issue in the case as determined as to whether the panel found in favor of the cable to arbitration panels, including con- by reference to the filings that were suffi- United States or the relevant treaty partner. flict of interest rules to be applied to mem- cient to set the commencement date of the (iii) With respect to each dispute sub- bers of the arbitration panel. case for purposes of determining when arbi- mitted to arbitration and for which a deter- (2)(A) Not later than 60 days after a deter- tration is available. mination was reached by the arbitration mination has been reached by an arbitration (IV) The proposed resolutions (income, ex- panel pursuant to the Protocol or any such panel in the tenth arbitration proceeding pense, or taxation) submitted by each com- treaty, the following information: conducted pursuant to the Protocol or any of petent authority to the arbitration panel. (I) In the case of a dispute submitted under the treaties described in subparagraph (B), (B) The treaties referred to in subpara- the Protocol, an indication as to whether the the Secretary of the Treasury shall prepare graph (A) are— presenter of the case to the competent au- and submit to the Joint Committee on Tax- (i) the 2006 Protocol Amending the Conven- thority of a Contracting State submitted a ation and the Committee on Finance of the tion between the United States of America Position Paper for consideration by the arbi- Senate, subject to laws relating to taxpayer and the Federal Republic of Germany for the tration panel. confidentiality, a detailed report regarding Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Pre- (II) An indication as to whether the deter- the operation and application of the arbitra- vention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to mination of the arbitration America and tion mechanism contained in the Protocol Taxes on Income and Capital and to Certain Canada with Respect to Taxes on Income and and such treaties. The report shall include Other Taxes, done at Berlin June 1, 2006 on Capital, signed at Washington September the following information: (Treaty Doc. 109–20) (the ‘‘2006 German Pro- 26, 1980 (the ‘‘2007 Canada Protocol’’) (Treaty (i) For the Protocol and each such treaty, tocol’’); Doc. 110–15); and the aggregate number of cases pending on (ii) the Convention between the Govern- (iv) the Protocol Amending the Convention the respective dates of entry into force of the ment of the United States of America and between the Government of the United Protocol and each treaty, including the fol- the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium States of America and the Government of lowing information: for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the French Republic for the Avoidance of (I) The number of such cases by treaty ar- the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Re- Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fis- ticle or articles at issue. spect to Taxes on Income, and accompanying cal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income (II) The number of such cases that have protocol, done at Brussels July 9, 1970 (the and Capital, signed at Paris August 31, 1994 been resolved by the competent authorities ‘‘Belgium Convention’’) (Treaty Doc. 110–3); (the ‘‘2009 France Protocol’’) (Treaty Doc. through a mutual agreement as of the date (iii) the Protocol Amending the Conven- 111–4). of the report. tion between the United States of America (3) The Secretary of the Treasury shall pre- (III) The number of such cases for which and Canada with Respect to Taxes on Income pare and submit the detailed report required arbitration proceedings have commenced as and on Capital, signed at Washington Sep- under paragraph (2) on March 1 of the year of the date of the report. tember 26, 1980 (the ‘‘2007 Canada Protocol’’) following the year in which the first report (ii) A list of every case presented to the (Treaty Doc. 110–15); and is submitted to the Joint Committee on Tax- competent authorities after the entry into (iv) the Protocol Amending the Convention ation and the Committee on Finance of the force of the Protocol and each such treaty, between the Government of the United Senate, and on an annual basis thereafter for including the following information regard- States of America and the Government of a period of five years. In each such report, ing each case: the French Republic for the Avoidance of disputes that were resolved, either by a mu- (I) The commencement date of the case for Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fis- tual agreement between the relevant com- purposes of determining when arbitration is cal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income petent authorities or by a determination of available. and Capital, signed at Paris August 31, 1994 an arbitration panel, and noted as such in (II) Whether the adjustment triggering the (the ‘‘2009 France Protocol’’) (Treaty Doc. prior reports may be omitted. case, if any, was made by the United States 111–4). (4) The reporting requirements referred to or the relevant treaty partner. (3) The Secretary of the Treasury shall pre- in paragraphs (2) and (3) supersede the re- (III) Which treaty the case relates to. pare and submit the detailed report required porting requirements contained in para- (IV) The treaty article or articles at issue under paragraph (2) on March 1 of the year graphs (2) and (3) of section 3 of the resolu- in the case. following the year in which the first report tion of advice and consent to ratification of (V) The date the case was resolved by the is submitted to the Joint Committee on Tax- the 2009 France Protocol, approved by the competent authorities through a mutual ation and the Committee on Finance of the Senate on December 3, 2009. agreement, if so resolved. Senate, and on an annual basis thereafter for

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:21 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JY6.045 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4773 a period of five years. In each such report, pensation for veterans with service-con- S. 2082. A bill to strengthen the position of disputes that were resolved, either by a mu- nected disabilities and the rates of depend- the United States as the world’s leading in- tual agreement between the relevant com- ency and indemnity compensation for the novator by amending title 35, United States petent authorities or by a determination of survivors of certain disabled veterans, and Code, to protect the property rights of the an arbitration panel, and noted as such in for other purposes; to the Committee on Vet- inventors that grow the country’s economy; prior reports may be omitted. erans’ Affairs. to the Committee on the Judiciary. (4) The reporting requirements referred to By Mr. BOOZMAN (for himself and Mr. By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and in paragraphs (2) and (3) supersede the re- TESTER): Mrs. MURRAY): porting requirements contained in para- S. 2073. A bill to address fees erroneously S. 2083. A bill to amend chapter 2205 of title graphs (2) and (3) of section 3 of the resolu- collected by Department of Veterans Affairs 36, United States Code, to ensure pay equity tion of advice and consent to ratification of for housing loans, and for other purposes; to for amateur athletes, and for other purposes; the 2009 France Protocol, approved by the the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. to the Committee on Commerce, Science, Senate on December 3, 2009. By Ms. HASSAN (for herself and Ms. and Transportation. MURKOWSKI): By Mr. MARKEY (for himself, Mr. CAR- [Treaty Doc. #111–8 Protocol Amending the S. 2074. A bill to amend section 303(g) of Tax Convention with Luxembourg] PER, Mr. SANDERS, and Mr. DURBIN): the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. S. 2084. A bill to amend title 23, United As reported by the Committee on Foreign 823(g)) to eliminate the separate registration States Code, to require transportation plan- Relations: requirement for dispensing narcotic drugs in ners to consider projects and strategies to Resolved (two-thirds of the Senators present schedule III, IV, or V, such as buprenorphine, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and for concurring therein), for maintenance or detoxification treatment, other purposes; to the Committee on Envi- Section 1. Senate Advice and Consent Sub- and for other purposes; to the Committee on ronment and Public Works. ject to a Declaration. Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. By Ms. ROSEN (for herself, Mr. The Senate advises and consents to the By Ms. WARREN (for herself, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. RUBIO, and Mr. ratification of the Protocol Amending the SCHATZ, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. VAN BLUMENTHAL): Convention between the Government of the HOLLEN, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mrs. GILLI- S. 2085. A bill to authorize the Secretary of United States of America and the Govern- BRAND, Mr. BENNET, Mr. Education to award grants to eligible enti- ment of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. MAR- ties to carry out educational programs about the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the KEY, Mr. MERKLEY, Ms. HARRIS, Ms. the Holocaust, and for other purposes; to the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to SMITH, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. SCHUMER, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Taxes on Income and Capital, signed on May and Mr. CARPER): 20, 2009, at Luxembourg (the ‘‘Protocol’’) and S. 2075. A bill to amend the Securities Ex- Pensions. the related agreement effected by exchange change Act of 1934 to require issuers to dis- f of notes on May 20, 2009 (Treaty Doc. 111–8), close certain activities relating to climate ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS subject to the declaration in section 2. change, and for other purposes; to the Com- Sec. 2. Declaration. mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- S. 133 The advice and consent of the Senate fairs. At the request of Ms. MURKOWSKI, the under section 1 is subject to the following By Ms. HARRIS (for herself and Mr. name of the Senator from West Vir- declaration: The Protocol is self-executing. BOOKER): S. 2076. A bill to reform the screening and ginia (Mrs. CAPITO) was added as a co- f eviction policies for Federal housing assist- sponsor of S. 133, a bill to award a Con- INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND ance in order to provide fair access to hous- gressional Gold Medal, collectively, to JOINT RESOLUTIONS ing, and for other purposes; to the Com- the United States merchant mariners mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- of World War II, in recognition of their The following bills and joint resolu- fairs. tions were introduced, read the first dedicated and vital service during By Mr. MARKEY (for himself, Mr. World War II. and second times by unanimous con- BLUMENTHAL, and Mr. SCHATZ): sent, and referred as indicated: S. 2077. A bill to establish the complete S. 153 By Mr. CASEY: streets program, and for other purposes; to At the request of Mr. RUBIO, the S. 2067. A bill to amend title XIX of the So- the Committee on Environment and Public names of the Senator from Nebraska cial Security Act to encourage States to dis- Works. (Mrs. FISCHER) and the Senator from regard parental income and assets when de- By Ms. MURKOWSKI: Michigan (Mr. PETERS) were added as S. 2078. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- termining Medicaid eligibility for disabled enue Code of 1986 to treat Alaska Permanent cosponsors of S. 153, a bill to promote children; to the Committee on Finance. Fund dividends as earned income for pur- veteran involvement in STEM edu- By Mr. BOOKER: poses of the kiddie tax; to the Committee on cation, computer science, and sci- S. 2068. A bill to prohibit the Bureau of the Finance. entific research, and for other pur- Census from including citizenship data in the By Ms. MURKOWSKI: poses. legislative redistricting data prepared by the S. 2079. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- S. 284 Bureau; to the Committee on Homeland Se- enue Code of 1986 to treat certain tribal ben- curity and Governmental Affairs. efits as earned income for purposes of the At the request of Mr. ISAKSON, the By Mr. MARKEY (for himself and Mrs. kiddie tax; to the Committee on Finance. name of the Senator from West Vir- BLACKBURN): By Ms. BALDWIN (for herself, Mrs. ginia (Mr. MANCHIN) was added as a co- S. 2069. A bill to assist prisoners of con- CAPITO, Mr. KING, Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, sponsor of S. 284, a bill to provide for a science in Burma, and for other purposes; to Ms. SINEMA, Mr. CRAMER, Mrs. SHA- the Committee on Foreign Relations. biennial budget process and a biennial HEEN, and Mr. HOEVEN): appropriations process and to enhance By Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Mr. S. 2080. A bill to amend the Public Health BLUMENTHAL, and Mr. WYDEN): Service Act to increase the number of per- oversight and the performance of the S. 2070. A bill to create a new Federal manent faculty in palliative care at accred- Federal Government. grant program that provides grants to State ited allopathic and osteopathic medical S. 362 libraries to allow schools with summer lunch schools, nursing schools, social work schools, At the request of Mr. WYDEN, the programs to keep their libraries open for stu- and other programs, including physician as- name of the Senator from Oklahoma dent use during the summer months; to the sistant education programs, to promote edu- Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and cation and research in palliative care and (Mr. INHOFE) was added as a cosponsor Pensions. hospice, and to support the development of of S. 362, a bill to amend the Internal By Mr. ROUNDS (for himself, Ms. faculty careers in academic palliative medi- Revenue Code of 1986 to reform tax- SINEMA, and Mr. LANKFORD): cine; to the Committee on Health, Edu- ation of alcoholic beverages. S. 2071. A bill to repeal certain obsolete cation, Labor, and Pensions. S. 382 laws relating to Indians; to the Committee By Mr. PETERS (for himself and Ms. At the request of Mr. BARRASSO, the on Indian Affairs. STABENOW): By Mr. ISAKSON (for himself, Mr. S. 2081. A bill to amend title XVIII of the name of the Senator from Montana TESTER, Mr. MORAN, Mr. BOOZMAN, Social Security Act to require drug manufac- (Mr. DAINES) was added as a cosponsor Mr. CASSIDY, Mr. ROUNDS, Mr. TILLIS, turers to provide rebates for drugs furnished of S. 382, a bill to authorize a special Mr. SULLIVAN, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. under Medicare part B for which the growth resource study on the spread vectors of CRAMER, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. SANDERS, in average sales price has exceeded inflation, chronic wasting disease in Cervidae, Mr. BROWN, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Ms. and for other purposes; to the Committee on and for other purposes. HIRONO, Mr. MANCHIN, and Ms. Finance. S. 427 SINEMA): By Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. COT- S. 2072. A bill to provide for an increase, ef- TON, Mr. DURBIN, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. At the request of Mr. MENENDEZ, the fective December 1, 2019, in the rates of com- KENNEDY, and Mr. CRAMER): names of the Senator from Connecticut

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:21 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JY6.047 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4774 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 (Mr. MURPHY), the Senator from Alas- plans to provide for cost sharing for S. 1081 ka (Mr. SULLIVAN) and the Senator oral anticancer drugs on terms no less At the request of Mr. MANCHIN, the from Nevada (Ms. ROSEN) were added as favorable than the cost sharing pro- name of the Senator from Illinois (Ms. cosponsors of S. 427, a bill to amend the vided for anticancer medications ad- DUCKWORTH) was added as a cosponsor Public Health Service Act to enhance ministered by a health care provider. of S. 1081, a bill to amend title 54, activities of the National Institutes of S. 750 United States Code, to provide perma- Health with respect to research on au- At the request of Mr. BLUNT, the nent, dedicated funding for the Land tism spectrum disorder and enhance names of the Senator from Louisiana and Water Conservation Fund, and for programs relating to autism, and for (Mr. KENNEDY) and the Senator from other purposes. other purposes. Colorado (Mr. GARDNER) were added as S. 1088 S. 474 cosponsors of S. 750, a bill to amend the At the request of Mr. MARKEY, the At the request of Mr. WYDEN, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to per- name of the Senator from New Jersey name of the Senator from Minnesota manently extend the new markets tax (Mr. MENENDEZ) was added as a cospon- (Ms. SMITH) was added as a cosponsor credit, and for other purposes. sor of S. 1088, a bill to amend the Immi- of S. 474, a bill to amend title XI of the S. 785 gration and Nationality Act to require Social Security Act to require drug At the request of Mr. TESTER, the the President to set a minimum annual manufacturers to publicly justify un- name of the Senator from Montana goal for the number of refugees to be necessary price increases. (Mr. DAINES) was added as a cosponsor admitted, and for other purposes. S. 560 of S. 785, a bill to improve mental S. 1152 health care provided by the Depart- At the request of Ms. BALDWIN, the At the request of Mr. BOOZMAN, the names of the Senator from Rhode Is- ment of Veterans Affairs, and for other name of the Senator from Indiana (Mr. purposes. land (Mr. REED) and the Senator from BRAUN) was added as a cosponsor of S. Nebraska (Mrs. FISCHER) were added as At the request of Mr. MORAN, the 1152, a bill to provide for the transfer of cosponsors of S. 560, a bill to amend the name of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. administrative jurisdiction over cer- Public Health Service Act, the Em- CRAPO) was added as a cosponsor of S. tain parcels of Federal land in Arling- ployee Retirement Income Security 785, supra. ton, Virginia, and for other purposes. Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue S. 792 S. 1168 Code of 1986 to require that group and At the request of Ms. BALDWIN, the individual health insurance coverage name of the Senator from Michigan At the request of Mr. BLUNT, the name of the Senator from Arkansas and group health plans provide cov- (Mr. PETERS) was added as a cosponsor erage for treatment of a congenital of S. 792, a bill to require enforcement (Mr. COTTON) was added as a cosponsor anomaly or birth defect. against misbranded milk alternatives. of S. 1168, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to ensure campus S. 661 S. 800 access at public institutions of higher At the request of Ms. HIRONO, the At the request of Mr. CASSIDY, the education for religious groups. name of the Senator from Pennsyl- names of the Senator from Pennsyl- S. 1183 vania (Mr. CASEY) was added as a co- vania (Mr. TOOMEY), the Senator from sponsor of S. 661, a bill to provide for Illinois (Ms. DUCKWORTH), the Senator At the request of Ms. KLOBUCHAR, the enhanced protections for vulnerable from Alaska (Mr. SULLIVAN) and the names of the Senator from Michigan alien children, and for other purposes. Senator from Minnesota (Ms. KLO- (Ms. STABENOW) and the Senator from S. 668 BUCHAR) were added as cosponsors of S. Maine (Ms. COLLINS) were added as co- sponsors of S. 1183, a bill to establish At the request of Mr. BROWN, the 800, a bill to establish a postsecondary name of the Senator from Arizona (Ms. student data system. an energy storage and microgrid grant and technical assistance program. MCSALLY) was added as a cosponsor of S. 849 S. 668, a bill to amend title XVIII of the At the request of Mr. CRAMER, the S. 1190 Social Security Act to waive coinsur- name of the Senator from New York At the request of Mrs. CAPITO, the ance under Medicare for colorectal can- (Mr. SCHUMER) was added as a cospon- names of the Senator from Tennessee cer screening tests, regardless of sor of S. 849, a bill to provide for the in- (Mrs. BLACKBURN) and the Senator whether therapeutic intervention is re- clusion on the Vietnam Veterans Me- from Montana (Mr. TESTER) were added quired during the screening. morial Wall of the names of the lost as cosponsors of S. 1190, a bill to amend S. 679 crew members of the U.S.S. Frank E. title XVIII of the Social Security Act At the request of Ms. BALDWIN, the Evans killed on June 3, 1969. to provide for payments for certain name of the Senator from South Caro- S. 888 rural health clinic and Federally quali- lina (Mr. SCOTT) was added as a cospon- At the request of Mr. GRASSLEY, the fied health center services furnished to sor of S. 679, a bill to exempt from the name of the Senator from Alabama hospice patients under the Medicare calculation of monthly income certain (Mr. JONES) was added as a cosponsor program. benefit paid by the Department of Vet- of S. 888, a bill to require a standard fi- S. 1200 erans Affairs and the Department of nancial aid offer form, and for other At the request of Mr. MERKLEY, the Defense. purposes. name of the Senator from Montana S. 727 S. 980 (Mr. TESTER) was added as a cosponsor At the request of Mr. COONS, the At the request of Mr. BURR, the name of S. 1200, a bill to create protections name of the Senator from Maryland of the Senator from Nebraska (Mrs. for depository institutions that provide (Mr. VAN HOLLEN) was added as a co- FISCHER) was added as a cosponsor of S. financial services to cannabis-related sponsor of S. 727, a bill to combat 980, a bill to amend title 38, United legitimate businesses and service pro- international extremism by addressing States Code, to improve the provision viders for such businesses, and for global fragility and violence and stabi- of services for homeless veterans, and other purposes. lizing conflict-affected areas, and for for other purposes. S. 1252 other purposes. S. 1015 At the request of Mr. MENENDEZ, the S. 741 At the request of Mr. BURR, the name name of the Senator from New Hamp- At the request of Ms. SMITH, the of the Senator from Maryland (Mr. shire (Mrs. SHAHEEN) was added as a co- names of the Senator from Rhode Is- CARDIN) was added as a cosponsor of S. sponsor of S. 1252, a bill to direct the land (Mr. WHITEHOUSE) and the Senator 1015, a bill to require the Director of Secretary of State to review the termi- from West Virginia (Mrs. CAPITO) were the Office of Management and Budget nation characterization of former added as cosponsors of S. 741, a bill to to review and make certain revisions members of the Department of State amend the Public Health Service Act to the Standard Occupational Classi- who were fired by reason of the sexual to require group and individual health fication System, and for other pur- orientation of the official, and for insurance coverage and group health poses. other purposes.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:21 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JY6.037 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4775 S. 1282 ROSEN), the Senator from Maine (Ms. and for other purposes; to the Com- At the request of Mr. CRUZ, the COLLINS) and the Senator from North mittee on Commerce, Science, and names of the Senator from North Da- Carolina (Mr. BURR) were added as co- Transportation. kota (Mr. CRAMER) and the Senator sponsors of S. 2054, a bill to post- Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I from Utah (Mr. LEE) were added as co- humously award the Congressional rise today to introduce the Athletics sponsors of S. 1282, a bill to amend the Gold Medal, collectively, to Glen Fair Pay Act of 2019 with my colleague Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Senator MURRAY. certain rules related to the determina- Stevens, and Sean Smith, in recogni- Women and girls have made great tion of unrelated business taxable in- tion of their contributions to the Na- strides in sports. Before Title IX of the come. tion. Civil Rights Act was passed 47 years ago, athletic programs for girls and S. 1317 S. 2062 young women were virtually non- At the request of Ms. MURKOWSKI, the At the request of Mr. MANCHIN, the existent. Now, women are world class names of the Senator from Wyoming names of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. athletes and compete in a wide range of (Mr. BARRASSO) and the Senator from WYDEN), the Senator from Massachu- sports including soccer, basketball, West Virginia (Mrs. CAPITO) were added setts (Mr. MARKEY), the Senator from hockey, and tennis. Minnesota (Ms. KLOBUCHAR), the Sen- as cosponsors of S. 1317, a bill to facili- In the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de tate the availability, development, and ator from Ohio (Mr. BROWN), the Sen- Janeiro, a record 45 percent of the ath- environmentally responsible produc- ator from Vermont (Mr. SANDERS) and letes competing at the games were tion of domestic resources to meet na- the Senator from New York (Mrs. women, and this year, the U.S. Wom- tional material or critical mineral GILLIBRAND) were added as cosponsors en’s National Soccer Team won a his- needs, and for other purposes. of S. 2062, a bill to prohibit the use of toric fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup S. 1326 funds for the 2026 World Cup unless the title. Despite the incredible advance- At the request of Mr. HOEVEN, the United States Soccer Federation pro- ments made by women in sports, fe- name of the Senator from West Vir- vides equitable pay to the members of male athletes are paid significantly ginia (Mr. MANCHIN) was added as a co- the United States Women’s National less than their male counterparts and sponsor of S. 1326, a bill to amend the Team and the United States Men’s Na- are given fewer opportunities to suc- Animal Health Protection Act to es- tional Team. ceed. tablish a grant program for research on S. CON. RES. 9 Sports organizations in the United chronic wasting disease, and for other At the request of Mr. ROBERTS, the States still do not invest equally in purposes. name of the Senator from Wisconsin girls’ and women’s athletics. This lack S. 1374 (Mr. JOHNSON) was added as a cosponsor of investment means that many female of S. Con. Res. 9, a concurrent resolu- At the request of Ms. MCSALLY, the athletes never reach their full poten- names of the Senator from West Vir- tion expressing the sense of Congress tial. In addition, studies show that that tax-exempt fraternal benefit soci- ginia (Mrs. CAPITO) and the Senator sports participation has a positive in- eties have historically provided and from New York (Mrs. GILLIBRAND) were fluence on girls’ academic perform- added as cosponsors of S. 1374, a bill to continue to provide critical benefits to ance, employment opportunities, and amend title II of the Social Security the people and communities of the their physical and mental health. The inequities faced by female ath- Act to eliminate the waiting periods United States. letes were highlighted in a wage dis- for disability insurance benefits and S. RES. 142 crimination lawsuit recently filed by Medicare coverage for individuals with At the request of Mr. MARKEY, the the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team against metastatic breast cancer, and for other names of the Senator from Minnesota their employer, the U.S. Soccer Fed- purposes. (Ms. SMITH) and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. LEAHY) were added as co- eration. S. 1902 sponsors of S. Res. 142, a resolution In addition to winning four FIFA At the request of Mr. CASEY, the condemning the Government of the Women’s World Cup titles, the Wom- name of the Senator from Massachu- Philippines for its continued detention en’s Soccer Team has won four Olym- setts (Mr. MARKEY) was added as a co- of Senator Leila De Lima, calling for pic gold medals and has been ranked sponsor of S. 1902, a bill to require the her immediate release, and for other number one by FIFA for 10 of the last Consumer Product Safety Commission purposes. 11 years. By contrast, the U.S. Men’s to promulgate a consumer product Soccer Team failed to qualify for last safety rule for free-standing clothing S. RES. 194 year’s World Cup and has not won an storage units to protect children from At the request of Mr. GRASSLEY, the Olympic medal since 1904. Yet, accord- tip-over related death or injury, and names of the Senator from Tennessee ing to the lawsuit filed by the Women’s for other purposes. (Mrs. BLACKBURN) and the Senator Team, the U.S. Soccer Federation pays from Illinois (Mr. DURBIN) were added S. 1906 the women an average of 38 cents on as cosponsors of S. Res. 194, a resolu- At the request of Mr. BOOZMAN, the the dollar compared to the male play- tion designating July 30, 2019, as ‘‘Na- name of the Senator from Arizona (Ms. ers. tional Whistleblower Appreciation MCSALLY) was added as a cosponsor of Unfortunately, the Women’s Soccer Day’’. S. 1906, a bill to require the Secretary Team is not alone. In 2017, the U.S. of Veterans Affairs to provide financial S. RES. 252 Women’s Hockey Team received a pay assistance to eligible entities to pro- At the request of Mr. GRAHAM, the raise from its national governing body, vide and coordinate the provision of name of the Senator from Missouri USA Hockey, only after the team suicide prevention services for veterans (Mr. BLUNT) was added as a cosponsor threatened to boycott a major competi- at risk of suicide and veteran families of S. Res. 252, a resolution designating tion. through the award of grants to such en- September 2019 as National Democracy Prior to the boycott, USA Hockey tities, and for other purposes. Month as a time to reflect on the con- did not pay female athletes at all in tributions of the system of government non-Olympic years and paid each just S. 2023 of the United States to a more free and $6,000 in the year leading up to an At the request of Mr. RISCH, the stable world. Olympic games. name of the Senator from Alaska (Ms. f It is clear that we must do more to MURKOWSKI) was added as a cosponsor ensure that female athletes are paid of S. 2023, a bill to modify the Federal STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED equally and treated with the respect and State Technology Partnership Pro- BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS and dignity they deserve. This legisla- gram of the Small Business Adminis- By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself tion gets us closer to that goal. tration, and for other purposes. and Mrs. MURRAY): This legislation updates the Ted Ste- S. 2054 S. 2083. A bill to amend chapter 2205 vens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act At the request of Mr. MARKEY, the of title 36, United States Code, to en- to mandate that the national gov- names of the Senator from Nevada (Ms. sure pay equity for amateur athletes, erning bodies chartered under the Ted

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:21 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JY6.039 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S4776 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 10, 2019 Stevens Act pay female amateur ath- NOTICE: REGISTRATION OF MASS SEC. 3. WATERCRAFT INSPECTION STATIONS. letes fairly and equally. MAILINGS Section 104(d)(1)(A)(iii) of the River and This bill also requires national gov- Harbor Act of 1958 (33 U.S.C. 610(d)(1)(A)(iii)) The filing date for the 2019 second is amended by striking ‘‘Arizona River’’ and erning bodies to provide annual reports quarter Mass Mailing report is Thurs- inserting ‘‘Arkansas River’’. to Congress on amateur athlete pay. day, July 25, 2019. An electronic option SEC. 4. LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESERVOIR PER- This new reporting requirement in- is available on Webster that will allow MIT REVIEW. creases accountability and allows Con- forms to be submitted via a fillable Section 1119(b) of the America’s Water In- gress to monitor whether the national PDF document. If your office did no frastructure Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–270) governing bodies are complying with mass mailings during this period, is amended by striking ‘‘owned or operated their equal pay obligations. please submit a form that states by the Secretary’’. I am deeply disappointed that we ‘‘none.’’ SEC. 5. UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER PROTECTION. still need this kind of legislation in Mass mailing registrations or nega- Section 2010(e) of the Water Resources Re- 2019. I am hopeful that the Senate will form and Development Act of 2014 (128 Stat. tive reports can be submitted elec- 1270) is amended by striking ‘‘the Act of Oc- take up, and pass, this important legis- tronically at http://webster.senate.gov/ tober 15, 1940 (33 U.S.C. 701h–1)’’ and insert- lation and show its support for women secretary/mass_mailing_form.htm or ing ‘‘section 5 of the Act of June 22, 1936 around the country. As a United States delivered to the Senate Office of Public (commonly known as the ‘Flood Control Act Senator, I will continue fighting for Records, 232 Hart Building, Wash- of 1936’) (49 Stat. 1572, chapter 688; 33 U.S.C. fair pay and equality of treatment for ington, D.C. 20510–7116. 701h)’’. all women, including our nation’s ath- The Senate Office of Public Records SEC. 6. BENEFICIAL USE OF DREDGED MATE- letes. is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (9:00 RIAL. I thank the president, and I yield the a.m. to 5:00 p.m. when the Senate is not Section 1148 of the America’s Water Infra- floor. structure Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–270) is in session). For further information, amended— please contact the Senate Office of (1) in subsection (a)— f Public Records at (202) 224–0322. (A) by striking ‘‘grant’’ and inserting ‘‘ap- f prove’’; and (B) by striking ‘‘granting’’ and inserting AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MAKING TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS MEET ‘‘approving’’; and TO THE AMERICA’S WATER IN- (2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘grants’’ Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I FRASTRUCTURE ACT OF 2018 and inserting ‘‘approves’’. have 5 requests for committees to meet Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I SEC. 7. KLAMATH BASIN WATER SUPPLY EN- during today’s session of the Senate. ask unanimous consent that the Com- HANCEMENT ACT OF 2000 TECH- They have the approval of the Majority NICAL CORRECTIONS. mittee on Environment and Public Section 4(b) of the Klamath Basin Water and Minority leaders. Works be discharged from further con- Supply Enhancement Act of 2000 (114 Stat. Pursuant rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), sideration of S. 1811 and the Senate 2222) is amended— of the Standing Rules of the Senate, proceed to its immediate consider- (1) in paragraph (1)— the following committees are author- ation. (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph ized to meet during today’s session of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The (A)— the Senate: clerk will report the bill by title. (i) by striking ‘‘Pursuant to the reclama- The bill clerk read as follows: tion laws and subject’’ and inserting ‘‘Sub- COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES ject’’; and The Committee on Armed Services is A bill (S. 1811) to make technical correc- (ii) by striking ‘‘may’’ and inserting ‘‘is authorized to meet during the session tions to the America’s Water Infrastructure authorized to’’; and of the Senate on Wednesday, July 10, Act of 2018, and for other purposes. (B) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘, in- 2019, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing There being no objection, the com- cluding conservation and efficiency meas- pending military nominations. mittee was discharged, and the Senate ures, land idling, and use of groundwater,’’ proceeded to consider the bill. after ‘‘administer programs’’; COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND (2) in paragraph (3)(A), by inserting ‘‘and’’ Mr. MCCONNELL. I ask unanimous TRANSPORTATION after the semicolon at the end; The Committee on Commerce, consent that the bill be considered read (3) by redesignating the second paragraph Science, and Transportation is author- a third time. (4) (relating to the effect of the subsection) ized to meet during the session of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without as paragraph (5); and Senate on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at objection, it is so ordered. (4) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)— The bill was ordered to be engrossed (A) by striking subparagraph (B); 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on the (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘; or’’ following nominations: Stephen M. for a third reading and was read the third time. and inserting a period; and Dickson, of Georgia, to be Adminis- (C) by striking ‘‘the Secretary—’’ and all Mr. MCCONNELL. I know of no fur- trator of the Federal Aviation Admin- that follows through ‘‘to develop’’ in sub- ther debate on the bill. istration, Michelle A. Schultz, of Penn- paragraph (A) and inserting ‘‘the Secretary sylvania, to be a Member of the Sur- The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there to develop’’. is no further debate, the bill having face Transportation Board, and a rou- Mr. MCCONNELL. I ask unanimous been read the third time, the question tine list in the Coast Guard. consent that the motion to reconsider is, Shall the bill pass? be considered made and laid upon the COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC The bill (S. 1811) was passed, as fol- WORKS table. lows: The Committee on Environment and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without S. 1811 Public Works is authorized to meet objection, it is so ordered. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- f during the session of the Senate on resentatives of the United States of America in Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at 10 a.m., to Congress assembled, ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, JULY 11, conduct a hearing. SECTION 1. NON-FEDERAL IMPLEMENTATION 2019 COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS PILOT PROGRAM. Section 1043(b)(7) of the Water Resources Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I The Committee on Foreign Relations ask unanimous consent that when the is authorized to meet during the ses- Reform and Development Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 2201 note) is amended by striking ‘‘5 Senate completes its business today, it sion of the Senate on Wednesday, July years’’ and inserting ‘‘10 years’’. adjourn until 9:30 a.m., Thursday, July 10, 2019, at 10:15 a.m., to conduct a SEC. 2. MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION OF 11; further, that following the prayer hearing. WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT and pledge, the morning hour be SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING PROJECTS BY NON-FEDERAL INTER- deemed expired, the Journal of pro- ESTS. The Special Committee on Aging is Section 204(c)(1) of the Water Resources ceedings be approved to date, the time authorized to meet during the session Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2232(c)(1)) for the two leaders be reserved for their of the Senate on Wednesday, July 10, is amended by striking ‘‘under subsection use later in the day, morning business 2019, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing. (b)’’ and inserting ‘‘under this section’’. be closed, and the Senate proceed to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:25 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JY6.042 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE July 10, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4777 executive session and resume consider- sent that it stand adjourned under the THE JUDICIARY ation of the King nomination. previous order. T. KENT WETHERELL II, OF FLORIDA, TO BE UNITED The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without There being no objection, the Senate, STATES DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA. objection, it is so ordered. at 6:16 p.m., adjourned until Thursday, DAMON RAY LEICHTY, OF INDIANA, TO BE UNITED f July 11, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. STATES DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA. ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 9:30 A.M. f J. NICHOLAS RANJAN, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE TOMORROW UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, if CONFIRMATIONS there is no further business to come be- Executive nominations confirmed by fore the Senate, I ask unanimous con- the Senate July 10, 2019:

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:21 Jul 11, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 9801 E:\CR\FM\G10JY6.044 S10JYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE