E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 114 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION

Vol. 162 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016 No. 43 Senate The Senate met at 9:30 a.m. and was I want to join with the Republican Mr. President, I suggest the absence called to order by the President pro leader in recognizing the work of the of a quorum. tempore (Mr. HATCH). U.S. Capitol Police Chief, Kim Dine. He The PRESIDING OFFICER. The f spent his life in law enforcement. He clerk will call the roll. spent his entire professional life serv- The legislative clerk proceeded to PRAYER ing and protecting the people of Wash- call the roll. The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- ington, DC, and the entire metro area. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I fered the following prayer: He started as a young officer here in ask unanimous consent that the order Let us pray. Washington 41 years ago and over the for the quorum call be rescinded. Eternal God, You are the shepherd of course of three decades has moved up The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without our souls. Because of You, blessings the ranks of the Metropolitan Police objection, it is so ordered. overtake us. Thank You for inscribing Department, becoming assistant chief f each of us on the palms of Your hands. of police. RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY In 2002, he was selected to serve as Great is Your faithfulness. LEADER Bless our Senators and those who chief of police of Frederick, MD. He labor with them. Give them strength to served the people of with dis- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- meet today’s challenges with a peace tinction for 10 years. jority leader is recognized. that comes from total trust in You. Re- In 2012, our Sergeant at Arms asked f mind them that the way to find life is Chief Dine to come back to Wash- TRIBUTE TO UNITED STATES to lose it in service for others. ington, this time as Chief of the U.S. CAPITOL POLICE CHIEF KIM DINE Surround us all with Your favor, as Capitol Police Department. We are Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, this You complete the work You have start- very fortunate that took place. weekend U.S. Capitol Police Chief Kim ed in each of us. Chief Dine helped oversee President Dine will retire his badge and say good- We pray in Your marvelous Name. Obama’s 2013 inauguration, and since bye to the Senate after several decades Amen. then it has been event after big event: four State of the Union Addresses, Me- of law enforcement service, including f morial Day and Fourth of July con- more than three right here in the Cap- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE certs, and, of course, Pope Francis’s itol. The President pro tempore led the historic visit here last year. During all Chief Dine was police chief in a near- Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: of those proceedings, it was his obliga- by Maryland suburb when he first came to this position in December of 2012. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the tion to protect the people who are vis- United States of America, and to the Repub- iting and to protect the people who You could say the appointment was a lic for which it stands, one nation under God, work within this beautiful Capitol bit of a homecoming for him given that indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Complex. At every one of those events, Chief Dine began his more than 40 f Chief Dine and his department did a su- years in law enforcement with the DC perb job protecting 30,000 people—Sen- Metropolitan Police Department. He RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY ators, Congressmen, and staff—who are served there for 27 years and rose LEADER in the Capitol Complex virtually every through the ranks, eventually becom- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. day. And that doesn’t include the visi- ing assistant chief of police. HELLER). The minority leader is recog- tors who come here. I know it is never easy to leave the nized. So now, as the Chief embarks upon a Capitol, but you have to imagine Chief f well-deserved retirement, we thank Dine has a lot to look forward to in re- him for his service. We thank his wife tirement. After all, this is a guy who TRIBUTE TO UNITED STATES Robin and their two daughters for shar- has been known to get into the office CAPITOL POLICE CHIEF KIM DINE ing their husband and father with us before the sun rises and leave after it Mr. REID. Mr. President, my friend the past few years. I am sure this man sets. Most would need some rest after the Republican leader will be here was as taken care of at home as he has so many years of that kind of schedule. shortly. I have something to do down- taken care of all of us in the metropoli- So here is what we would like to say: town, so I will have to leave. I cer- tan area. I hope his family takes satis- The Senate appreciates Chief Dine’s tainly do not want to get ahead of him. faction in the outstanding work he has willingness to serve our country. And I know he is going to say something be- rendered to the American people. after nearly four decades in law en- cause we have talked about Chief of I thank you very much, Chief. We forcement, we wish him all the best in Police Kim Dine, who has retired. wish you nothing but the best. his retirement.

∑ 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 00:36 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR6.000 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1554 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 FILLING THE SUPREME COURT I thank Ranking Member MCCASKILL ities during a Presidential election VACANCY AND SUBPOENA EN- for all she has done. I thank Chairman year. The people of New Jersey elected FORCEMENT RESOLUTION PORTMAN for all he has done. me to serve a full 6-year term. That We saw Senator PORTMAN’s great means my duties and obligations as a Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, let Senator—or the duties and obligations me state an obvious point. When it work last week in passing bipartisan of each of the 100 Senators in this comes to filling the current Supreme legislation to help address America’s body—should not be interrupted by a Court vacancy—which could fundamen- heroin and opioid crisis, and again Presidential year. That is especially tally alter the direction of the Court today we will see Senator PORTMAN’s true when those duties are explicitly for a generation—Republicans and great work in leading on another im- laid out in the Constitution and when Democrats simply disagree. We simply portant issue and doing so once more the duties impact a coequal branch of disagree. Republicans think the people in a bipartisan manner. Mr. President, I suggest the absence government, such as the Supreme deserve a voice in this critical decision; Court. the President does not. So we disagree of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The I have only served in the Senate in this instance, and as a result, we since October of 2013. This is my first logically act as a check-and-balance. clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to Supreme Court nominee to consider, There is no reason one area of dis- and I look forward to thoroughly re- agreement should stop us from looking call the roll. Mr. BOOKER. Mr. President, I ask viewing Chief Judge Garland’s record, for other areas of agreement, though. to meeting with him face to face, and We will continue our work in the Sen- unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. hopefully, I believe rightfully, taking ate as the American people make their an up-or-down vote on his confirma- voices heard in this important national The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. PERDUE). Without objection, it is so or- tion. conversation. For instance, we will ad- That is what all of us swore an oath dered. dress another very important issue and signed up to do when a vacancy oc- today, which I would like to talk about f curs on the Supreme Court. That is the now. RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME duty the American people expect of Senator PORTMAN and Senator us—to abide by the Constitution and MCCASKILL are the top Republican and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under provide our advice and consent regard- top Democrat on the Homeland Secu- the previous order, the leadership time ing a Presidential nomination of this rity Committee’s Permanent Sub- is reserved. significance—a lifetime appointment— committee on Investigations. Over the f to the Supreme Court, a coequal past year, they have worked together branch of government. in a bipartisan way to examine human MORNING BUSINESS We may not ultimately agree on trafficking. Their probe has revealed The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under whether Chief Judge Garland should be how trafficking has flourished in the the previous order, the Senate will be confirmed. The Senate can vote no. age of the Internet. It has also revealed in a period of morning business until Senators have that independent choice. how many cases of sex trafficking, in- 12:45 p.m., with Senators permitted to It happens almost every day here cluding cases involving children, have speak therein for up to 10 minutes where we disagree on issues. There is been linked to one Web site in par- each. no guarantee in the Constitution that the President’s nominee should get ticular: backpage.com. f One national group who tracks the confirmed. But we should agree at least issue has told the subcommittee this: NOMINATION OF MERRICK to do the job we were elected to do and Nearly three-quarters of all suspected GARLAND to allow the confirmation process to child sex trafficking reports it receives Mr. BOOKER. Mr. President, I rise move forward. That is bigger than any from the public through its tip line today to address what I believe is the one party. have a connection to backpage. urgency of the moment, really the test Now, as I understand it, Chief Judge Garland is highly respected, experi- Chairman PORTMAN and Ranking of the time. We have a Constitution enced, and is considered by many to be Member MCCASKILL have wanted to do that was designed for three coequal a deliberate jurist whom the Senate something about this. They know they branches of government. We know the overwhelmingly confirmed in 1997 to have to keep investigating. So they importance of each of those branches of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Dis- issued a subpoena to backpage. They government and the roles they have trict of Columbia, which is known as wanted documents about the com- are spelled out in the Constitution. the second highest court in the land. pany’s business practices. They wanted A fully functioning Supreme Court— His nomination to be an Associate Jus- to know how it screens advertisements one of the coequal branches—is of the tice on the Supreme Court is certainly for warning signs of trafficking. As the utmost importance to the proper func- deserving of our consideration. leaders of the Permanent Sub- tion of our democracy. Justices decide Chief Judge Garland, in fact, has committee on Investigations, they had cases that shape the daily lives of all more Federal judiciary experience than every right to make these requests in Americans. Even one Justice can deep- any other Supreme Court nominee in the course of their investigation, but ly affect the rights and liberties of the history. backpage has refused to comply. Does American people for generations to He currently serves as Chief Judge of that mean Senators PORTMAN and come. the D.C. Circuit Court, a court where MCCASKILL give up? Of course not. And Yesterday, the President nominated he has served for almost 19 years. Pre- we shouldn’t, either. They jointly sub- Chief Judge Merrick Garland to the Su- viously, he has served under both mitted a Senate resolution that would preme Court of the United States. Democratic and Republican Presidents hold the company in civil contempt A clear and plain reading of the text at the U.S. Department of Justice. He and force it to turn over this required of the Constitution says explicitly in first worked as Deputy Assistant At- information. This resolution passed article II, section 2, that it is the duty torney General for the Criminal Divi- through the committee with unani- of the Senate to provide ‘‘advice and sion of DOJ and later served as the mous bipartisan support 15 to 0, and consent’’ to the President on key nomi- Principal Associate Deputy Attorney today it can be adopted by the full Sen- nations, particularly Justices to the General. In those posts, he supervised ate with overwhelming bipartisan sup- Supreme Court. high-profile cases at the Department of port too. We will have that opportunity I, along with my 99 colleagues, took Justice such as the prosecution of the this afternoon. If we do, it will allow an oath of office. We swore to support Oklahoma City bomber, which ulti- the Senate’s legal counsel to bring a and defend the Constitution of the mately brought Timothy McVeigh to civil suit in court and ask the court to United States and to faithfully dis- justice. order compliance with the subpoena. charge the duties of the offices we hold. To call his qualifications impressive That is critical for allowing this bipar- There was no addendum to that oath is an understatement. Chief Judge Gar- tisan investigation to move forward. that excused us from our responsibil- land has dedicated his life to public

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:36 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.002 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1555 service, and his lengthy career reflects tioning complement of members. This reflected in our democracy, and that is his commitment to the high ideals is a historic time and a critical test for what brings us together. In fact, it etched on the Supreme Courts itself, this distinguished body. It is a time harkens to the very hallmark ideal of ‘‘Equal justice under law.’’ that will test how dignified our con- our country: ‘‘E Pluribus Unum,’’ out He has said, ‘‘The role of the court is firmation process will be for future Su- of many, one. It is written into the cul- to apply the law to the facts of the case preme Court nominees. ture of our country. There is an old Af- before it—not to legislate, not to arro- It provides us an opportunity, amidst rican saying: If you want to go fast, go gate to itself the executive power, not all of the partisanship, amidst all of alone, but if you want to go far, go to- to hand down advisory opinions on the the delays that are going on, amidst all gether. issues of the day.’’ No wonder he is of the partisan rhetoric, for this body When our Founders drafted the Dec- known in legal circles and around Cap- to rise above the fray. We can show laration of Independence, they en- itol Hill for his careful opinions and that the Senate, at its best, treats shrined for all time the ideal that we lack of overt ideological bias. nominees to our highest court with a are individuals endowed by our creator Chief Judge Garland is so well ad- level of dignity, honor, and respect. In- with inalienable rights. The Founders mired, so highly regarded, and so ac- deed, we can show a greater fidelity to ended that national charter by pledg- complished that his appeal transcends the Constitution than to party, and ing their lives, their fortunes, and their the typical partisan divisions that we show that we are not susceptible to the sacred honor to each other. too often see in Washington. partisan winds of the time. There has been no greater honor in There is no possible justification— I believe Chief Judge Merrick Gar- my life than when I stood in this well based on this nominee’s reputation, his land deserves a dignified confirmation before the Vice President and swore my experience, his dedication, his service, process. It is up to each and every Sen- oath to uphold the Constitution. In and his work—to ignore, blockade, or ator to decide whether he should be a fact, if I ever have to, I will sacrifice stonewall Chief Judge Garland’s nomi- Supreme Court Justice. For me, this myself for my country. These are the nation or to deny him a hearing and a moment in time is not just about the ideals and this is the honor that I be- vote. There is no reason for that. individual; it is also about how we as a lieve has helped our great country per- There is certainly no historical or body, the Senate, will do business and severe. constitutional precedent behind such a whether we will do our jobs even in Now we are faced with a test where blockade. Since committee hearings Presidential election years. two conflicting ideals have been put began in 1916, every pending Supreme I have heard some of my colleagues forth: whether a President and a Sen- Court nominee has received a hearing, say simply: Let the people decide. ate should fulfill their obligations all except for nine nominees who were con- That sentiment appears to resonate the way to the end of their sworn terms firmed within 11 days. So what is being at first, especially since a first prin- or whether we should begin to truncate suggested—to not even meet with this ciple of any democracy is to let the the powers of a Presidency and the nominee or to not even give this nomi- voters decide important issues. But in powers of individual Senators and sus- nee a hearing in committee—is unprec- reality the people have already de- pend our constitutional obligations be- edented in our Nation’s history. cided. They decided when they voted cause it is an election year. To me, The Senate has previously confirmed for each of the 100 Members of this dis- that undermines the purpose and the Supreme Court nominees during a tinguished body, which tells us that we spirit of our constitutional institution. As I said, the nomination of Chief Presidential election year. History should do our duty. The people decided Judge Garland to the Supreme Court shows us that the Senate has pre- when they voted for President Barack will be a greater test for the Senate viously confirmed a Supreme Court Obama for a second consecutive 4-year and the constitutional values we hold nominee at least 17 separate times dur- term. The people did not decide that dear. I worry we will fail this test and ing the Presidencies of liberals and the President should be a 1-year Presi- descend deeper into the kind of divi- conservatives, Republicans and Demo- dent or a 2-year President, but that he siveness that undermines our Constitu- crats, alike. We have even held con- should serve a full 4-year term and con- tion. firmation hearings of Supreme Court duct his duties—his sworn duties—ac- I believe this is a time that calls for nominees at least five times in Presi- cordingly. an honorable stance. We have an ex- dential election years since the hearing No Senator nor the President should tremely competent Supreme Court Jus- process began in 1916. shirk from fulfilling their Constitu- tice nominee before us. I am not going Thus, the excuse that we should not tional obligations. The people in this to blockade his nomination. I am not move forward with the confirmation democracy decided when they elected going to avoid meeting with this dis- process for Chief Judge Garland be- us. We should do our job and give Chief tinguished nominee. I hope we will hold cause this is a political election season Judge Garland a hearing and a vote. hearings and a vote so that Senators simply falls flat in the face of our his- Our country has a deep history of may decide whether this nominee is tory. In fact, President Franklin D. fights, which have taken place not only worthy of sitting on the Nation’s high- Roosevelt and, more recently, Presi- in this body but in our larger democ- est Court. I hope that each individual dent saw their Supreme racy. There have been divisions and Senator will honor the precedent that Court nominees confirmed in a Presi- factions in this country. The Federalist has been continuous for years and dential election year. Since 1975, it has Papers literally acknowledged that years and years and then allow this taken, on average, a little over 2 there would be divisions and fights, but nominee an up-or-down vote. The pur- months for the full Senate to consider the Constitution was designed to call pose of our sacred Constitution, as a nomination before voting. us to a higher purpose, to overcome our spelled out and written in article II, It is only March, so there is plenty of petty divisions, and to unite us. section 2, is to allow the President to time to consider and confirm a nomi- Our Nation is mighty and strong, and put forward a nominee and the Senate nee. There is no reason why Chief I am so proud of that because, as much to give its ‘‘advice and consent,’’ which Judge Garland cannot be confirmed by as our differences matter, we always I believe means an up-or-down vote on even the end of May, given the average seem to understand that our country a nomination. time of recent Supreme Court con- matters more. The people who founded Again, we are here because greater firmations, which is more than ample our Nation understood that we would Americans made a pledge to each time for the next Justice to be on the have differences of opinion and ide- other. As different as they were, they Court before the next Supreme Court ology. They understood that our dif- came together and wrote a Constitu- term begins in October. ferences and diversity of thought would tion and a Declaration of Independ- When the Supreme Court, that co- make our country great, but they also ence. We are here because people great- equal branch of government, has a understood that, in order for our Na- er than we are pledged to each other body of work to do, for the Senate to tion to succeed and endure, we must be their lives, their fortunes, and their sa- deny this nominee a hearing and a vote loyal to our ideals and principles. cred honor. we would also deny that coequal Those ideals and principles are en- Let us harken back to that honor. branch of government its full, func- shrined in the Constitution itself and Let us put forth our sacred honor now

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:36 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.004 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1556 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 and not allow this country to lurch State as the Big First. That is a con- if you live within 40 miles of a facility, even deeper into divisiveness. Let us gressional district larger than the and the problem was that they were unify and show that, yes, there are dif- State of Illinois, and there isn’t a VA saying even if that facility doesn’t pro- ferences; yes, there are divisions; yes, hospital in that congressional district. vide the service the veteran needs. So there is partisanship, but in the end, Veterans in this part of Kansas drive by law, we changed the definition of we will unite around those bonds that hours on end to get care, or they sim- what a VA facility is, and it said that hold this Nation together and ensure ply go without it all together. it is not a VA facility if it is not open that our democracy functions for Over the past year, Congress has re- full time and doesn’t have a full-time years, decades, and generations to peatedly passed legislation designed to physician—a pretty commonsense kind come. ease the burden for veterans who are of thing that we needed to apparently I yield the floor. struggling to get health care from VA put in the law to get the Department of I suggest the absence of a quorum. facilities in my State and yours and Veterans Affairs to implement and to The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. across the country. In the wake of the interpret the Choice Act in a common- ROUNDS). The clerk will call the roll. scandal, we learned across the country sense way that was designed to meet The senior assistant legislative clerk about the false waiting list for vet- the needs of veterans. proceeded to call the roll. erans. The VA put people on a waiting Unfortunately, many of our veterans Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, I ask list that didn’t really exist. The scan- remain unaware of their options. I talk unanimous consent that the order for dal across our country allowed us, as to lots of veterans, some who have the quorum call be rescinded. Members of the Congress and the Sen- given up on Choice, some who don’t The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ate, to come together—Republicans know it is an option, and some who objection, it is so ordered. and Democrats—and we passed legisla- tried and are caught up in a bureau- (The remarks of Ms. HIRONO per- tion called the Choice Act. This legis- cratic system and are trying to get an taining to the introduction of S. 2710 lation allows veterans who can’t get answer about whether they qualify, are printed in today’s RECORD under timely service to access that service and even if they do, where they can go ‘‘Statements on Introduced Bills and with a provider outside of the VA. and how their bill will get paid. Joint Resolutions.’’) Importantly—and what I want to Examples in my State: One of the Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, I yield talk about today—the Choice Act says Kansas VA community-based out- the floor. that if you are a veteran who lives patient clinics—known as a CBOC—is I suggest the absence of a quorum. more than 40 miles from a VA facility, only open 2 days a month, and it The PRESIDING OFFICER. The then at your request you can have shouldn’t be counted as part of the clerk will call the roll. those services provided by a local Choice Act, a facility of the Choice The senior assistant legislative clerk hometown physician, be admitted to Act. There are 9 out of 14 CBOCs in proceeded to call the roll. your hometown hospital, see your local Kansas that do not have a full-time Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I ask optometrist, and be treated by your medical doctor. Those nine commu- unanimous consent that the order for local physical therapist or chiro- nity-based outpatient clinics should the quorum call be rescinded. practor. All of those things make a lot not be counted under Choice. I want to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without of sense for the veterans who live in highlight that for veterans from Kan- objection, it is so ordered. the places where I come from. sas and across the country who might f In the process of doing that, part of happen to hear what I have to say the goal was to ease the burden, in ad- VETERANS’ ACCESS TO HEALTH today so they know there are more op- dition to providing quality and timely CARE tions than they may realize. services, for those who live in rural Many Kansas veterans choose to live Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I want to places. Part of the theory—and I think in rural communities. Many of us often take a moment or two to speak about rightly so—in passage of the Choice choose to live in rural communities our Nation’s veterans. The Presiding Act was to lift a bit of the burden on and raise our families, see our Officer and I have the honor of serving the VA off of the VA. It has been dif- grandkids, and more often than not, together on the Senate Veterans’ Af- ficult for them to have the necessary those communities don’t have a VA fair Committee. I take that responsi- health care providers to meet the needs hospital or a clinic to serve those vet- bility—as does the Presiding Officer— of veterans. So we began providing erans’ needs. very seriously. There is no other group services in the community. And we are In townhall meeting after townhall of people that we should hold in higher also speeding up the process by which a meeting and up and down Main Streets regard than those who served our coun- veteran who still goes to a VA hospital of communities in my State, the most try. Today I want to talk about some or still goes to a VA clinic gets services common conversation I now have is of the challenges they are facing as a in a more timely and effective way. with veterans who are expressing how result of our failure to do that. This past July Congress passed legis- the system is failing them, the frustra- Who would we expect to get the very lation to amend the Choice Act. We did tion they are encountering, and that best health care in our country? We so because of the number of problems they are not seeing the improvements want everyone to have good quality, af- we were encountering as a result of the and changes for the betterment of the fordable health care. But of all the peo- stories that I heard from my veterans care they are entitled to. ple we would want to make certain re- across our State—and I know it is true As I said earlier, many veterans are ceived the health care services they of many Senators, if not all—about so frustrated with the back-and-forth were promised, clearly, it would be problems with the way the Choice Act they have with the VA and the redtape, those who served our country—the men was being implemented by the Depart- they simply give up and either go with- and women of our military who are ment of Veterans Affairs. We amended out health care or end up trying to pay now veterans. They deserve timely, that legislation to try to make it work for it out of their own pocket. That is high-quality health care. That is true better. In my view, that shouldn’t have exactly what occurred to Mr. Lamoine whether they live in an urban or subur- been necessary. The VA could have Guinn, who is a rural Kansan. Mr. ban setting or a rural place like your solved this challenge on their own but Guinn shared his story with me not to State and mine. There are more than didn’t. try to get me to solve the problem, but 221,000 veterans who call Kansas home, What it says is that it is not a facil- he wanted others to know how this pro- and the vast majority of them live in ity. I have used this example on the gram needed to change so that other very rural parts of our State. Senate floor before. My hometown is a veterans would benefit. After a year of Before being elected to the Senate, town of about 1,900 people. It is about dealing with the VA, he decided to sim- before the honor that Kansans allowed 23 miles from the community of Hays— ply give up on Choice. I don’t want to me to serve them here in the Senate, I about 20,000 people—where there is an let that happen. I don’t want veterans served in the U.S. House of Representa- outpatient clinic of the Department of to give up on Choice. I don’t want the tives. I represented the First District Veterans Affairs. The VA was saying Department of Veterans Affairs to have of Kansas, generally known in our that you cannot access the Choice Act the excuse to say Choice is not a viable

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:36 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.005 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1557 program, veterans don’t like it, and ability for them to get long distances fought on our behalf, and they deserve come back to Congress and tell us that is a complete challenge. To have to go the care and respect they should be re- it is no longer needed. 300 miles, when the law says that he is ceiving today from or country and its If I were home in Kansas, I would ex- a veteran and he, who served our coun- Department of Veterans Affairs. Our plain it this way: Again, my home- try, is entitled to services at home, is country must fulfill its commitments town, Plainville—population now a terrible mistake, and it ought to be to these individuals and to others who 1,900—used to have rail service, and something that can be sorted out, but provide for those who sacrificed for our over time the rail service diminished every time he has attempted to do Nation, regardless of the community and became less effective. The rates that, the burden still rests with him. they call home. went up, and fewer people used the rail We want the Department of Veterans Last week I joined my Senate col- service, the railroad, to haul grain in Affairs to step in and figure this out leagues in sponsoring the Veterans particular. Then the railroad could go and get it done and get it done quickly. Choice Improvement Act of 2016. This to the regulators and say: Nobody is Another veteran who reached out to legislation is designed to fix problems using the railroad; can we just abandon my office for assistance was Mr. with the original Choice Act that the it? Francis Wierman, a 92-year-old vet- VA has been unable to resolve on their I worry that that kind of attitude eran. He lives in La Crosse. It is a own to make sure these veterans re- and approach could happen with this county seat town of a couple thousand ceive what they are entitled to. As a issue if we don’t make certain our vet- folks. Because of his age, it is difficult member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs erans see the benefit and actually re- for him to travel for his annual phys- Committee, I look forward to working ceive the benefits that come from the ical appointments. with the Presiding Officer and other Choice Act. I don’t want to give any- Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- members and with our chairman, JOHN- body—the Department of Veterans Af- sent to speak until I conclude my re- NY ISAKSON from Georgia, as well as fairs or other Members of Congress— marks. the ranking member, Senator the opportunity to say ‘‘The Choice The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without BLUMENTHAL, for purposes of making Act doesn’t matter. People don’t like objection, it is so ordered. sure that we get this right and that we it. It is not popular. Let’s do something Mr. MORAN. I thank the Chair. make certain the VA does its job in different’’ when the reality is that it Because of his age—Mr. Wierman caring for these men and women who would be popular if it were working ef- needs to travel. It is difficult for him served our country. fectively and in a timely way and vet- to do it. What he needs is an annual I will continue to make certain that erans were being cared for. physical. So Mr. Wierman has at- happens, and I continue to express my Mr. Guinn lives in Oberlin, a small tempted to utilize the Choice Program, gratitude to those who served our town, a county seat town in Decatur and he was told there was no flexibility country and renew my willingness and County, almost in Nebraska. It is one to be seen in La Crosse by a hometown my desire to make sure they receive of those typical Kansas small farming doctor or go to a hometown hospital the health care they are entitled to. communities. The closest VA facility due to his proximity, his location next Mr. President, I yield the floor. to him is actually in Grand Island, NE. to an outpatient clinic. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Although he is a Kansas resident, he is Mr. Wierman sacrificed for our coun- ator from . part of the Nebraska VA network be- try, and he deserves to be able to re- (The remarks of Mr. COTTON per- cause of its proximity to Grand Island. ceive his care in his own community taining to the introduction of S. 2708 He is eligible under the Choice Pro- given the burden and strain traveling are printed in today’s RECORD under gram, and he needed to schedule spinal imposes upon him, a veteran of 92 years ‘‘Statements on Introduced Bills and surgery with the community provider. of age. We need to make certain he re- Joint Resolutions.’’) Mr. COTTON. I yield the floor. That is what he wanted to do. So the ceives the care he is entitled to, and we The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. VA referred him to HealthNet. need to make sure the VA is doing FISCHER). The Senator from Rhode Is- HealthNet is the organization that what needs to be done to accomplish land. manages this program for the Depart- that. ment of Veterans Affairs. HealthNet My final example today is Mr. f then referred him to TriWest because Dabney, who suffers from post-trau- he is a Kansas resident. TriWest covers matic stress. He was also told he was Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Madam Presi- Kansas while HealthNet covers Ne- eligible for Choice, so he set up an ap- dent, I come to this Chamber for the braska. The health care providers were pointment with the local care provider. 131st time to urge this body to break arguing about who is responsible for Despite the OK from the VA practi- free and wake up to what carbon pollu- his care because he lives one place and tioner about getting care outside of the tion is doing to our atmosphere and his VA provider is in an adjoining VA, the handoff got lost in the shuffle, our oceans. State. and somehow the VA determined that Last week, scientists at NOAA re- My complaint is that it shouldn’t it was Mr. Dabney’s fault that the pa- ported that carbon dioxide levels at matter where he lives. He is stuck in a perwork didn’t follow him, leaving him their Mauna Loa Observatory jumped bureaucracy. The burden ought not fall with the bill for the services provided in 2015 by the largest year-to-year in- to him to solve all of his problems. The by the outside-the-VA practitioner. crease in 56 years of research. VA ought to step in and solve the prob- I shared this case with Secretary Pieter Tans, lead scientist at NOAA, lem for him and tell him what it is McDonald at a hearing the Presiding said: that ought to be done and get him out Officer and I attended several months Carbon dioxide levels are increasing faster of the back-and-forth between the Ne- ago. The conclusion months later by than they have in hundreds of thousands of braska and Kansas networks. the VA was that Mr. Dabney simply years. It’s explosive compared to natural He has now gone a year without the didn’t understand the Choice Act and processes. surgery. He is going to now drive to an- he should have tried harder to get an We see the effects of this runaway other VA medical center in Omaha—300 official authorization before setting up carbon pollution everywhere, in ever- miles one way—so he can get the sur- the appointment; therefore, the bill climbing temperatures, in ever-chang- gery he is entitled to have by his home- still rests with him. Thankfully, the ing weather patterns, and in ever-ris- town provider or a regional hospital in provider, the network TriWest, dis- ing, warming, and acidifying seas. But his area. agreed, and they are now elevating his the Republican-controlled Congress re- Many of our veterans—I don’t know case to try to make certain he doesn’t fuses to take responsible action. They the age of this particular veteran, Mr. have to pay the bill for the services the put their climate effort elsewhere, such Guinn, but many of the veterans who VA originally authorized him to re- as attacking former Vice President Al live in those communities are World ceive outside of the VA. Gore for raising awareness of the real War II veterans and now more likely The Choice Act was designed specifi- and looming climate crisis. Vietnam veterans. The opportunity for cally to help these veterans. They gave One Republican colleague has railed them to have family around them, the of themselves to serve our country and against Mr. Gore, calling him ‘‘the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:36 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.007 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1558 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 world’s first climate billionaire,’’ Now we are going to look at what hap- pany data from the Insurance Informa- claiming that he is ‘‘drowning in a sea pened in the next three decades after tion Institute in January of 2006 show- of his own global warming illusions’’ this 1951 to 1980 period. What is going ing the climate rate of worldwide ex- and faulting him for ‘‘desperately try- to stay the same is this green line. treme weather catastrophes. Why? ing to keep global warming alarmism That will be the constant against Well, Dr. Kevin Trenberth works at the alive today.’’ which you can see the change. Let’s go National Center for Atmospheric Re- Another prominent Republican, this to the next chart. search. He says: one running for President, suggested This is 1983 to 1993. You will notice All storms are different now. ‘‘the Nobel committee should take the that everything has moved against the Do you hear that? Nobel Prize back from Al Gore.’’ constant. You will also notice down All storms are different now. There’s so Others claim that cold or snowy here that a new category has emerged. much extra energy in the atmosphere, weather proves Mr. Gore wrong. After This category is extremely hot days. there’s so much extra water vapor. Every one snow in DC a few years ago, a The next chart is 1994 to 2004. Again, storm is different now. prominent Republican TV personality the average continues to move against Well, the challenge of climate change claimed the storm ‘‘would seem to con- this green line which is a constant, and is urgent, but Mr. Gore points out that tradict Al Gore’s hysterical global now you see that new category of ex- we have the understanding and engi- warming theories.’’ A Senator gloated tremely hot days growing even more. neering prowess to generate energy after that storm, ‘‘Where’s Al Gore Here is our last decade, 2005 to 2015. from new sources, and we are doing un- now?’’ What we experience in this last decade expectedly well. Vice President Gore Another Senate colleague said while has moved completely away from the says: campaigning for President in Iowa: historic norm indicated by that green The best projections in the world 16 years I have to admit, I was really confused. Al line, and this extreme temperature, the ago were that by 2010, the world would be Gore told us this wasn’t going to happen, but extremely hot days category, is now able to install 30 gigawatts of wind capacity. it was cold there. bigger than the cooler-than-average We beat that mark by 14 and a half times These are all profoundly ignorant category. Remember, 1950 to 1980, this over. comments if you know anything about category didn’t even exist. Now it is It is the same story for solar capac- climate change, but they cannot resist. bigger. Well, it might have existed, but ity, which is taking off even more They inhabit what ’s Daniel it wasn’t visible on the graphs; let me quickly than wind. Again quoting Vice Lippman and Mike Allen this week put it that way. Now it is bigger than President Gore: ‘‘The best projections called ‘‘a political reality indifferent to the cooler-than-average category. Mr. 14 years ago were that we would install the exigencies of climate change.’’ Gore points out that these extremely one gigawatt [of solar] per year by So let’s catch up on what Al Gore is hot days in the last 10 years ‘‘are 150 2010.’’ up to on climate change. He has a TED times more common on the surface of The Vice President continues: talk on the ted.com Web site, and I the earth than they were just 30 years When 2010 came around, we beat that mark by 17 times over. Last year, we beat it by 58 highly recommend it. Mr. Gore’s pres- ago.’’ By the way, we measure this times over. This year, we’re on track to beat entation opens with the fact that our stuff. This is not a theory. it 68 times over. Worldwide, 2015 was the hottest year atmosphere is not as big as most people Look at that curve. These innova- since we began keeping records in 1880, think. He shows this picture taken tions helped renewable energy costs be- from the International Space Station according to NOAA and NASA. That come comparable with fossil fuel power to remind us that the atmosphere sur- Republican colleague who went to Iowa even though, as Vice President Gore rounding our planet is really just a and thought that the cold disproved points out, ‘‘fossil energy is now still thin shell. It is into this thin shell that climate change dismissed that finding subsidized at a rate 40 times larger we continue to spew megatons of heat- as ‘‘pseudo-scientific theory.’’ You than renewables.’’ trapping carbon pollution day in and know what. NASA is driving a rover If you look at what the International day out. Mr. Gore explains that this around on the surface of Mars right Monetary Fund has said about the ‘‘ef- thin atmosphere ‘‘right now is the open now, so I will go with them knowing fective subsidy’’ of fossil fuel, the sub- sewer for our industrial civilization as what they are talking about. sidy for fossil is actually way bigger it’s currently organized.’’ The last 5 years have been the warm- than that. Here is how he shows our carbon di- est 5-year period on record, according Most importantly, society is moving. oxide emission rates through time. You to the World Meteorological Organiza- More than 150 major U.S. companies can see the amount of carbon emissions tion, and 14 of the 15 hottest years ever signed onto the American Business Act really started to increase here after measured have been in this young cen- on Climate Pledge, supporting a strong World War II. Vice President Gore ex- tury. We are a terrestrial species. We outcome in the Paris climate negotia- plains: ‘‘[T]he accumulated amount of live on the land, so naturally we pay tions. Fifty-three percent of young Re- man-made, global warming pollution more attention to the land and not so publican voters—that is, young Repub- that is up in the atmosphere now traps much to what is happening in our lican voters under the age of 35—have as much extra heat energy as would be warming and acidifying oceans. This said they would describe a climate released by 400,000 Hiroshima-class chart shows the oceans absorbing over change denier as ‘‘ignorant,’’ ‘‘out-of- atomic bombs exploding every 24 hours, 90 percent of the excess heat trapped in touch’’ or ‘‘crazy.’’ Those are not my 365 days a year.’’ the atmosphere by greenhouse gas words; these are the words in the poll He continues: emissions. This is the effect of those that the young Republicans chose. [T]hat is a lot of energy. . . . And all that Hiroshima bomb equivalents warming Despite the recent stay of the admin- extra heat energy is heating up . . . the up the oceans that the Associated istration’s Clean Power Plan, 19 States whole earth system. Press used as their example. are continuing with EPA to develop The Vice President didn’t mention it, What does all that extra heat mean compliance strategies for their econo- but the Associated Press has used a for the oceans? Well, unless you are mies and their energy sectors. Roughly similar analogy about the heat from going to dispute the law of thermal ex- 6 in 10 Republicans and GOP-leaning climate change that is going into our pansion, it means that warming things Independents under age 50 think the oceans, a piece that said: ‘‘Since 1997, expand. government should limit greenhouse Earth’s oceans have absorbed man- Last month, a study of tidal flood gases even if it causes a $20 increase in made heat energy equivalent to a Hiro- days along my east coast came out. their monthly bill. So people are mov- shima-style bomb being exploded every The author’s conclusion? I will quote ing. second for 75 straight years.’’ him: Mr. Gore uses a line from the great Mr. Gore showed this depiction of av- It’s not the tide. It’s not the wind. It’s us. American poet Wallace Stevens: ‘‘After erage temperatures between 1951 and There is one industry, the insurance the final no, there comes a yes, and on 1980. The blue is cooler-than-average industry, that pays serious attention that yes the future world depends.’’ days, the white is average days, and to climate change as their losses have Well, Al Gore has faced a lot of ‘‘no.’’ the red is warmer-than-average days. been mounting. This is insurance com- The fossil fuel industry and its minions

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:36 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.010 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1559 have mocked and derided him. The cli- we talked about the profile of a typical York, Mr. SCHUMER; and Vice President mate denial machine keeps working its victim of human trafficking—not that BIDEN when he was chairman of the poison. In fact, we just learned that any of them are typical, but on average Senate Judiciary Committee—their ad- Arch Coal’s bankruptcy filing shows it is a girl between the ages of 12 and monitions made over the years when they were funding an extremist group 14. This is a horrific business and sor- they were in the majority—and not dedicated to harassing and threatening did business, and I encourage every move forward with the President’s scientists. Member to support this resolution. nominee at this time. As the evidence comes in, as every I thank the chairman of the sub- I think it is only a matter of funda- major science agency and organization committee, Senator PORTMAN from mental fairness to apply the same rules lines up with all our National Labs and Ohio, who has been working tirelessly to the same situation no matter who is military services and our home State to highlight this issue and bring it to in the majority and who is in the mi- universities across the country, it the Senate’s full attention. I am grate- nority. When they were in the major- turns out the mockers and the deniers ful for his bipartisan efforts and strong ity, they argued that these vacancies were wrong. In fact, in all decency, Al leadership and look forward to voting should not be filled the last year of the Gore deserves an apology, as do the yes on the resolution later today. President’s term of office. JOE BIDEN countless men and women who scruti- f did that in 1992 during the Presidency nize these data, who labor in the real of George Herbert Walker Bush. Sen- FILLING THE SUPREME COURT science, and who call us to action. If we ator REID made that same argument continue sleepwalking in Congress, we VACANCY when George W. Bush was President of will need to apologize not just to Al Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, on the United States. And in 2007, 18 Gore but to future generations. We will another matter, we all know that yes- months before George W. Bush left of- need to apologize to our own grand- terday President Obama exercised his fice, Senator SCHUMER, the heir appar- children for our negligence when we authority under the U.S. Constitution ent to the Democratic leader, said knew better. to suggest to the Senate a nominee for there should be a presumption against So let us wake up from our fossil the Supreme Court of the United confirmation. So it is only fair to play fuel-funded make-believe and meet our States. During the announcement, by the same set of rules which they moral obligation. President Obama spent time talking themselves advocated. Madam President, I yield the floor. about the serious task of selecting a Based on the conduct, based on the I suggest the absence of a quorum. Supreme Court nominee, particularly behavior of our Democratic colleagues The PRESIDING OFFICER. The one to succeed a legal lion such as Jus- when they were in the majority—well, clerk will call the roll. tice Scalia, whom the President appro- first when they were in the minority, The legislative clerk proceeded to priately called one of the most influen- when they filibustered judges for the call the roll. tial jurists of our time. His point was Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I first time, and later when they were in that the Supreme Court of the United ask unanimous consent that the order the majority, before they saw the ma- States—the highest Court in the land— for the quorum call be rescinded. jority flip to Republicans, the Demo- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without is an institution of unparalleled impor- cratic leader packed the DC Circuit objection, it is so ordered. tance. What happens at the Supreme Court of Appeals by invoking the so- Court affects the lives of every Amer- called nuclear option, breaking the f ican. So lifetime appointments to this Senate rules in a raw display of polit- BACKPAGE.COM most powerful Court in the land should ical power in order to pack a court that Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, this not be taken lightly. As the President many people call the second most im- afternoon the Senate will proceed to a put it, our Supreme Court Justices portant court in the land. So this life- vote on S. Res. 377, a resolution that have been given the role as the ‘‘final time appointment to the Court is a would hold backpage.com in contempt arbiters of American law’’ for more critical check on the executive of Congress for not complying with an than 200 years. Of course, today they branch—a check this administration investigation being conducted by the consider and answer some of the most has proved over and over again we need Permanent Subcommittee on Inves- pressing and challenging controversies desperately. tigations. Unfortunately, concerns and questions of our time. I agree with As others and I pointed out long be- have been raised that the Web site has what the President said to that point. fore the President announced this connections to sex trafficking. We all know the Supreme Court is nominee, this nomination will change Backpage has refused to comply with critical to our form of self-government the ideological balance of the Supreme the subpoena request from the sub- and our democracy, and the role it Court for a generation. Justice Scalia committee. We all know that sex traf- serves is an essential one. When it served for 30 years. Because of that, be- ficking is a heinous, evil practice, and plays a role our Founders did not in- cause of all of this, I believe the Amer- we should not and we will not tolerate tend, it really undermines respect for ican people should have their voices it. the rule of law and for the Court as an heard in the selection of the next Su- In 2012 I sponsored an amendment to institution. So the selection of the preme Court nominee. We have already the Violence Against Women Act that next Supreme Court Justice should be undertaken the process here of the included a sense of Congress demanding handled thoroughly and thoughtfully. Democrats choosing their nominee for that the owners of backpage.com re- I understand the President is taking President, and Republicans are doing move the adult services section of their his authority seriously, but under the the same. There is simply too much at Web site. same Constitution—the same Constitu- stake to leave this decision in the Last year this Chamber passed the tion that gives the President the au- hands of a President who is headed out Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, thority to nominate a person to fill the door—a decision that will have dra- and it was signed into law by President this vacancy—that same Constitution matic consequences on the balance of Obama in the spring. This law contains has a separate responsibility for the the Court and the direction of the language offered by Senator KIRK from U.S. Senate either to grant or to with- country for a generation to come. Illinois which gives law enforcement hold consent to that nomination. I believe we should listen to the officials additional tools to prosecute With the passing of Justice Scalia, voices of the American people and individuals such as those behind the Senate must exercise its constitu- allow them to cast their vote and to backpage.com who knowingly facili- tional authority as well. Regardless of raise their voice and determine who tate the sale or advertisement of how we come down on the controversy will make that selection. human trafficking victims online. of the day with regard to when this va- I know there have been some mem- Today’s resolution is another oppor- cancy should be filled, we all take this bers of the press who have asked: Well, tunity for the Senate to stand up for responsibility seriously, and because of if not now, how about in a lameduck the victims of human trafficking. that, I believe we should follow the ex- session of the Congress; that is, after As a reminder, when we debated the amples set by the minority leader, Sen- the election and before the new Presi- Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, ator REID; the senior Senator from New dent is confirmed?

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:36 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.012 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1560 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 I think that is a terrible idea. If you throughout our government. We cannot for or against this nominee. But you believe in the principle that the Amer- delay the consideration of this Su- have to first meet with him, take his ican peoples’ voice ought to be heard, preme Court nominee. phone calls, and schedule a hearing. it makes no sense to have an election President Obama had an obligation The Seattle Times recently wrote: and then to do it and not honor their to fill this vacancy on the Court. He ‘‘The hyperpartisan milieu of Congress selection. did so by making this nomination. His this election year must not thwart the So I know some have expressed some duty does not end just because this is framers’ intent.’’ concern about that. I, for one, believe an election year. The Olympian newspaper in our we ought to be consistent. That con- The Senate has a constitutional obli- State wrote: sistent position and the consistent gation now to provide the advice and The Republican Party’s intransigence in principle are that the American people consent to the President on this nomi- Congress is legendary. But the new refusal to deserve to be heard and their voice nee. That is a job that we should all consider any appointment of a new justice to take very seriously. The American peo- the U.S. Supreme Court by President Obama heeded on who makes that selection to is an outright abuse of power. something as important as filling this ple deserve no less. In fact, the Su- So, if the other side continues to vacancy on the Supreme Court. preme Court Justice who grew up in refuse a nominee until a new President I yield the floor. the State of Washington, William O. is sworn in, it would mark the longest I suggest the absence of a quorum. Douglas, was nominated and confirmed period in the history of the Senate, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The within 16 days. That is right—16 days. since the Civil War, to fill a vacancy. clerk will call the roll. President Franklin D. Roosevelt The bill clerk proceeded to call the nominated Justice Douglas on March All the positions on the Supreme Court roll. 20, 1939, to serve on the U.S. Supreme are essential. My constituents and peo- Ms. CANTWELL. Madam President, I Court on a seat vacated by Justice ple all across America expect the Sen- ask unanimous consent that the order Brandeis. Justice Douglas was con- ate to do its job, regardless of whether for the quorum call be rescinded. firmed by the Senate on April 4, 1939. it is an election year or not. So I hope that, as our forefathers and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without He went on to serve on the Supreme Framers of our Constitution put to- objection, it is so ordered. Court for 36 years. So it can be done. While I am not gether a government that works, those f saying it has to be done in the short here in the Senate will take the phone NOMINATION OF MERRICK amount of time that took—16 days—I calls of Judge Garland, take the meet- GARLAND do believe that we can get this nominee ings, schedule a hearing, and make Ms. CANTWELL. Madam President, done in an efficient time. If you look at sure that we vote on this nominee this yesterday President Obama nominated the record of most of the Supreme year. Federal appeals court judge Merrick Court nominees, it has been, on aver- I yield the floor. age, 70 days. So we have plenty of time I suggest the absence of a quorum. Garland to fill the vacancy left by the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The death of Associate Justice Scalia. The to make this consideration and make this decision. Yet Senate Republicans clerk will call the roll. President has done his job. Now it is The bill clerk proceeded to call the time for the Senate to do ours, to use have manufactured their own artificial barrier to this debate of the Supreme roll. advice and consent on this nominee, Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, not to treat that as an option but as an Court nominee, basically saying that they don’t believe we have to take up I ask unanimous consent that the order obligation. for the quorum call be rescinded. It is my sincere hope that in the consideration of this issue. I am asking them: Please, take Judge The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without coming days and weeks, all of my Sen- Garland’s phone calls. Please make objection, it is so ordered. ate colleagues will join me in meeting your schedule available to meet with f the nominee and evaluating him based him. When we return, please schedule a on his merits and on his record and AIRPORT AND AIRWAY EXTENSION hearing to consider his nomination. that Republican objections about this ACT OF 2016 Then, do what the American people individual be laid aside so that at least Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, want us to do; that is, do our job and they can look at his qualifications, his I ask unanimous consent that the Sen- actually vote on consideration of Judge ate proceed to the immediate consider- judicial temperament, and his record. Garland. This is in the interest of the Chief Judge Garland has served the ation of H.R. 4721, which was received American people. I know that Senate U.S. Court of Appeals since 1997. Let from the House. Republicans want to say they want to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The me stress that he has served on this wait. But we cannot wait a full year to important court for almost 20 years. He clerk will report the bill by title. get another nominee on the Court. The senior assistant legislative clerk was previously at a law firm as a part- The Senate has confirmed Supreme read as follows: ner. He served as U.S. attorney for the Court Justices in the final year of a District of Columbia and as Deputy As- A bill (H.R. 4721) to amend title 49, United Presidency more than a dozen times. States Code, to extend authorizations for the sistant Attorney General in the Crimi- During the last year of President Rea- nal Division of the U.S. Department of airport improvement program, to amend the gan’s final term, Justice Kennedy was Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the Justice. Finally, he served as a U.S. unanimously confirmed by a Demo- funding and expenditure authority of the circuit judge earlier in his career. cratic-controlled Senate. So the Re- Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and for He is highly qualified as a nominee. publicans on the other side of the aisle, other purposes. America deserves to have a fully func- and many out there in the party, are There being no objection, the Senate tioning court, and they deserve to have saying they want to just allow a mi- proceeded to consider the bill. Senators who will do their job in re- nority to drive the interests of the Mr. MCCONNELL. I ask unanimous viewing this nominee. The Supreme party and delay, delay, delay. consent that the Thune-Hatch-Nelson- Court cases that impact our funda- Well, in my opinion, you are delaying Wyden substitute amendment be mental rights and our operations of justice. In fact, you are taking some of agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be government—including the extent of the gridlock that has existed in this read a third time and passed; and that property rights, privacy rights, the bal- building and are just moving it across the motion to reconsider be considered ance between civil liberty and national the street to the Supreme Court. We made and laid upon the table. security, how to ensure equal protec- cannot have delays and gridlock in our The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tion under the law, and how to guar- judicial system. We need to do our job objection, it is so ordered. antee adequate and due process—are all and move through this process. Today, The amendment (No. 3457) in the na- things that deserve to have a full Su- I am urging my colleagues to have a ture of a substitute was agreed to, as preme Court. hearing, ask the tough questions, and follows: We need a fully functioning Court to finally hold a vote. (Purpose: In the nature of a substitute) keep the balance that we have in our Let’s show the American people that Strike all after the enacting clause and in- system—the checks and balances we can do our job and that we can vote sert the following:

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.014 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1561 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (e) Section 186(d) of the Vision 100—Cen- ed by striking ‘‘April 1, 2016’’ and inserting (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as tury of Aviation Reauthorization Act (117 ‘‘July 16, 2016’’. the ‘‘Airport and Airway Extension Act of Stat. 2518) is amended by striking ‘‘March 31, (2) EXEMPTION FROM TICKET TAXES.—Sec- 2016’’. 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. tion 4261(j) of such Code is amended by strik- (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con- (f) Section 409(d) of the Vision 100—Cen- ing ‘‘March 31, 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, tents for this Act is as follows: tury of Aviation Reauthorization Act (49 2016’’. Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. U.S.C. 41731 note) is amended by striking The amendment was ordered to be TITLE I—AIRPORT AND AIRWAY ‘‘March 31, 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, engrossed, and the bill to be read a PROGRAMS 2016’’. third time. (g) Section 411(h) of the FAA Moderniza- Sec. 101. Extension of airport improvement tion and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 The bill was read the third time. program. prec. note) is amended by striking ‘‘March The bill (H.R. 4721), as amended, was Sec. 102. Extension of expiring authorities. 31, 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. passed. Sec. 103. Federal Aviation Administration (h) Section 822(k) of the FAA Moderniza- f operations. tion and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 47141 Sec. 104. Air navigation facilities and equip- note) is amended by striking ‘‘March 31, CONCLUSION OF MORNING ment. 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. BUSINESS Sec. 105. Research, engineering, and develop- SEC. 103. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION ment. OPERATIONS. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning Sec. 106. Compliance with aviation funding Section 106(k) of title 49, United States business is closed. requirement. Code, is amended— f Sec. 107. Essential air service. (1) in paragraph (1), by amending subpara- TITLE II—REVENUE PROVISIONS graph (E) to read as follows: DIRECTING SENATE LEGAL COUN- Sec. 201. Expenditure authority from Air- ‘‘(E) $7,711,387,500 for the period beginning SEL TO BRING A CIVIL ACTION on October 1, 2015, and ending on July 15, port and Airway Trust Fund. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under Sec. 202. Extension of taxes funding Airport 2016.’’; and and Airway Trust Fund. (2) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘March 31, the previous order, the Senate will pro- ceed to the consideration of S. Res. 377, TITLE I—AIRPORT AND AIRWAY 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. PROGRAMS SEC. 104. AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES AND which the clerk will report. EQUIPMENT. The senior assistant legislative clerk SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF AIRPORT IMPROVE- MENT PROGRAM. Section 48101(a)(5) of title 49, United States read as follows: Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— A resolution (S. Res. 377) directing the ‘‘(5) $2,058,333,333 for the period beginning (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 48103(a) of title 49, Senate Legal Counsel to bring a civil action on October 1, 2015, and ending on July 15, United States Code, is amended by striking to enforce a subpoena of the Permanent Sub- 2016.’’. ‘‘$1,675,000,000 for the period beginning on Oc- committee on Investigations. tober 1, 2015, and ending on March 31, 2016’’ SEC. 105. RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVEL- OPMENT. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under and inserting ‘‘$2,652,083,333 for the period be- the previous order, there will be 1 hour ginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on Section 48102(a)(9) of title 49, United States July 15, 2016.’’. Code, is amended to read as follows: of debate, equally divided in the usual ‘‘(9) $124,093,750 for the period beginning on (2) OBLIGATION OF AMOUNTS.—Subject to form. limitations specified in advance in appro- October 1, 2015, and ending on July 15, 2016.’’. The Senator from Ohio. priation Acts, sums made available pursuant SEC. 106. COMPLIANCE WITH AVIATION FUNDING Mr. PORTMAN. Madam President, I to the amendment made by paragraph (1) REQUIREMENT. rise today in support of S. Res. 377, may be obligated at any time through Sep- The budget authority authorized in this Act, including the amendments made by this which is a resolution to enforce a sub- tember 30, 2016, and shall remain available poena of the Permanent Subcommittee until expended. Act, shall be deemed to satisfy the require- ments of subsections (a)(1)(B) and (a)(2) of on Investigations, which I chair. I will (3) PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION.—For pur- poses of calculating funding apportionments section 48114 of title 49, United States Code, be joined shortly by my colleague Sen- and meeting other requirements under sec- for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, ator CLAIRE MCCASKILL of Missouri, tions 47114, 47115, 47116, and 47117 of title 49, and ending on July 15, 2016. who is the ranking Democrat on the United States Code, for the period beginning SEC. 107. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE. subcommittee and whom I worked with on October 1, 2015, and ending on July 15, Section 41742(a)(2) of title 49, United States as a partner on this issue over the past 2016, the Administrator of the Federal Avia- Code, is amended by striking ‘‘$77,500,000 for year. tion Administration shall— the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on March 31, 2016,’’ and inserting This is a subpoena that we issued to (A) first calculate such funding apportion- a group called backpage— ments on an annualized basis as if the total ‘‘$122,708,333 for the period beginning on Oc- amount available under section 48103 of such tober 1, 2015, and ending on July 15, 2016,’’. backpage.com. This resolution is in- title for fiscal year 2016 were $3,350,000,000; TITLE II—REVENUE PROVISIONS tended to enforce that subpoena. and SEC. 201. EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY FROM AIR- Backpage and its chief executive offi- (B) then reduce by 20.83 percent— PORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND. cer, Carl Ferrer, have not been willing (i) all funding apportionments calculated (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 9502(d)(1) of the to cooperate with the committee. Un- under subparagraph (A); and Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— fortunately, we are at the point where (ii) amounts available pursuant to sections (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph we have to seek the enforcement of our 47117(b) and 47117(f)(2) of such title. (A), by striking ‘‘April 1, 2016’’ and inserting subpoena. (b) PROJECT GRANT AUTHORITY.—Section ‘‘July 16, 2016’’; and For nearly a year now, Senator 47104(c) of title 49, United States Code, is (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking the amended, in the matter preceding paragraph semicolon at the end and inserting ‘‘or the MCCASKILL and I conducted a bipar- (1), by striking ‘‘March 31, 2016,’’ and insert- Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2016;’’. tisan investigation into the scourge of ing ‘‘July 15, 2016,’’. (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section human trafficking on the Internet with SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORI- 9502(e)(2) of such Code is amended by striking a focus on sex trafficking involving TIES. ‘‘April 1, 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 16, 2016’’. children. In the past 5 years, the Na- (a) Section 47107(r)(3) of title 49, United SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF TAXES FUNDING AIR- tional Center for Missing & Exploited States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘April 1, PORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND. Children reported an over 800-percent 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 16, 2016’’. (a) FUEL TAXES.—Section 4081(d)(2)(B) of increase in reports of suspected child (b) Section 47115(j) of title 49, United the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘March by striking ‘‘March 31, 2016’’ and inserting sex trafficking, an increase the organi- 31, 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. zation has found to be ‘‘directly cor- (c) Section 47124(b)(3)(E) of title 49, United (b) TICKET TAXES.— related to the increased use of the States Code, is amended by striking (1) PERSONS.—Section 4261(k)(1)(A)(ii) of internet to sell children for sex.’’ They ‘‘$5,175,000 for the period beginning on Octo- such Code is amended by striking ‘‘March 31, testified before our subcommittee ber 1, 2015, and ending on March 31, 2016,’’ 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. about this. They are the experts. They and inserting ‘‘$8,193,750 for the period begin- (2) PROPERTY.—Section 4271(d)(1)(A)(ii) of see this huge increase being related to ning on October 1, 2015, and ending on July such Code is amended by striking ‘‘March 31, 15, 2016,’’. 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. the Internet. In other words, the de- (d) Section 47141(f) of title 49, United (c) FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP PROGRAMS.— structive crime of sex slavery has States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘March (1) TREATMENT AS NON-COMMERCIAL AVIA- moved from the street corner to the 31, 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. TION.—Section 4083(b) of such Code is amend- smartphone.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR6.001 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1562 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 An adult can now shop for underaged cases in 47 States of children being sex words, backpage’s editing procedures— trafficking victims from their com- trafficked on backpage.com. far from being an effective anti-traf- puter screen. Sex traffickers are well Despite all this, backpage executives ficking measure—serve to sanitize the aware that backpage.com, the biggest said they are committed to combatting ads of the illegal content to the outside one by far, offers them a quick and sex trafficking. The company claims viewer. easy-to-use marketplace to sell chil- that its internal procedures for review- We still don’t know the full extent of dren and coerce adults. ing and screening the advertisements backpage’s editing practices. How Here is how the National Center for ‘‘lead the industry.’’ That claim led us much of the illegal conduct—or even Missing & Exploited Children spells it to ask a very simple question: What the fact that they were selling minors out, describing this growing problem at are those industry-leading procedures? online—was being concealed? Why? a hearing I chaired late last year: If they are so effective in the fight Backpage will not tell us. Online classified ad sites such as against human trafficking, Congress Then there is this email. It tells the backpage.com . . . allow [sex traffickers] to and other lawmakers ought to know moderators what to do if they have remain anonymous, test out new markets, about it. That is why Senator MCCAS- doubts about whether a girl advertised attempt to evade public or law enforcement KILL and I asked backpage for docu- on backpage is underage. I am going to detection, and easily locate customers to ments about their ad-screening prac- quote from this email. It says: consummate their sale of children for sex. Online sex trafficking also enables traf- tices—a process backpage calls ‘‘mod- If in doubt about underage: The process fickers to easily update an existing ad with eration.’’ We also asked for other infor- should for now be to accept the ad . . . how- a new location and quickly move the child to mation about their business practices— ever, if you ever find anything that you feel another geographic location where there are fair questions, targeted questions, rel- is underage and is more than just suspicious, more customers seeking to purchase a child evant questions. The company has re- you can delete the ad.... Only delete if you for rape or sexual abuse. fused to answer them and refused to co- [are] really very sure person is underage. This is from the National Center for operate. To be clear, we didn’t get this infor- Missing & Exploited Children. As co- We then took the next step and mation from backpage itself because it chair of the Senate Caucus to End issued a subpoena to backpage’s CEO, refuses to provide it. This came from Human Trafficking, I have spent many Carl Ferrer, inquiring him to produce the contractor. Backpage claims hours with those dedicated to fighting documents about backpage’s modera- emails like this are protected by the this crime and those who are victim- tion practices, efforts to combat First Amendment, which is not accu- ized by it. For victims, the toll of sex human trafficking, and financial infor- rate. trafficking is measured in stolen child- mation. The company essentially told In November, Senator MCCASKILL hoods and painful trauma. For traf- us no. Wrapping itself in a privileged and I released a bipartisan staff report fickers, it is measured in dollars—often First Amendment argument, backpage about our investigation and held a a lot of dollars. It is a problem, I be- refuses to produce documents about its hearing to consider what to do about lieve, that should command more at- business practices and told us that the backpage’s noncompliance. I encourage tention around our country and cer- company refuses to even look for docu- Members to take a look at this staff re- tainly here in the U.S. Congress. ments—not just that they don’t have port. It is online. You can find it. The aim of our investigation is very the documents, but they refuse to even By the way, despite being under sub- straightforward. We want to under- look for them, a clear sign of willful poena, backpage’s CEO refused to show stand how lawmakers, law enforce- contempt for the Senate’s process. up for the hearing we held. Shortly be- ment, and even private businesses can That is why we are here today on the fore the hearing date, he simply in- more effectively combat this serious floor. Senator MCCASKILL and I gave formed us that he wasn’t going to show crime that thrives on the online black backpage every opportunity to cooper- up. This is something Senator MCCAS- market. ate in good faith with our investiga- KILL and I will continue to focus on. Traffickers have found refuge in new tion. We carefully considered its objec- But others did show up for our hearing. customers through Web sites that spe- tions to the subpoena. We actually We heard testimony from law enforce- cialize in advertising ‘‘ordinary’’ pros- issued a 19-page opinion, thoughtfully ment, prosecutors, and the National titution and lawful escort services. A overruling their objections and direct- Center for Missing & Exploited Chil- business called backpage.com is the ing backpage to comply. They contin- dren confirming what we had come to market leader in that industry, with ued to stonewall. suspect: Backpage is not really an ally annual revenues in excess of $130 mil- In the meantime, our investigation in the fight against human trafficking; lion last year. Backpage has a special has not stopped. Our investigators and they said it profits from it. niche: According to one industry anal- lawyers found a number of third par- The general counsel of the National ysis in 2013, $8 out of every $10 spent on ties and other witnesses who had infor- Center for Missing & Exploited Chil- online commercial sex advertising in mation about backpage’s practices and dren told us that it had dozens of meet- the United States goes to procedures. Along the way, we discov- ings with backpage about improving backpage.com. The public record indi- ered that from 2010 to 2012, backpage the company’s anti-trafficking meas- cates that backpage sits at the center outsourced much of its screening and, ures, but those meetings ended because of the online black market for sex traf- again, this moderation; meaning, look- the national center concluded that ficking. ing at these ads coming in, the screen- backpage was ‘‘not engaging in good Again, the National Center for Miss- ing and moderation they outsourced to faith efforts to deter the selling and ing & Exploited Children has reported others, including to workers in India. buying of children for sex on its Web that of the suspected child trafficking We obtained emails from the Cali- site.’’ reports it receives from the public, 71 fornia company that managed those The national center told us that percent involve backpage. Again, they India-based moderators, including ‘‘[d]espite backpage’s assertions, it was have said that of the suspected child emails with backpage’s CEO and other adopting and publicizing only carefully trafficking reports they receive from executives. These emails are deeply selected sound practices, while resist- the public—and they have a 1–800 num- troubling. Our investigation showed ing recommended substantive meas- ber; they get reports from the public— that backpage edits advertisements be- ures that would protect more children 71 percent involve backpage.com. fore posting them by removing certain from being sold for sex . . . on According to a leading anti-traf- words, certain phrases, certain images. backpage.com.’’ For example, the na- ficking organization called Shared For instance, they might remove a tional center noted that backpage did Hope International, ‘‘Service providers word or image that makes it clear that not ‘‘hash’’ its photos—a very low-cost working with child sex trafficking vic- the sexual services are being offered for technique for comparing digital images tims have reported between 80 percent money. Then they might post this sani- that could help identify missing chil- and 100 percent of their clients have tized version of an ad. While this edit- dren. been bought and sold on ing changes nothing about the under- The national center also noted that backpage.com.’’ In fact, this organiza- lying transaction, it tends to conceal backpage has more stringent rules to tion has documented more than 400 the evidence of illegality. In other post an ad to sell a pet, a motorcycle,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.017 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1563 or a boat than it does to sell a person. local level who are trying to stop this There being no objection, the mate- A user is required to submit a verified practice or the attorneys general rial was ordered to be printed in the phone number for selling a hamster but around the United States of America RECORD, as follows: not in placing ads that could involve who are trying to stop this practice. ‘‘Rights4Girls applauds the Senate’s pas- the sale of a child for sex. Think about We can’t really help to stop this from sage of this important resolution that will that. happening. provide much needed accountability and in- The human toll of all this is stag- To be clear, our purpose is absolutely sight into Backpage.com’s business prac- gering. It is hard to overstate the trau- not to shut down any particular com- tices—practices that have led to the traf- pany or to deter protected advertising ficking and exploitation of children all matic effect of a minor being adver- across this country. We are especially grate- tised on a daily basis on a site like for lawful services. This is not an at- ful to Senators Portman and McCaskill for backpage.com. tempt to shut down something that is their leadership in advancing this resolution In a recent lawsuit brought against lawful on the Internet, it is an attempt and for their dedication to protecting our na- backpage in Boston, the plaintiff was a to stop something that is unlawful, and tion’s most vulnerable children.’’—Yasmin 15-year-old girl who had been raped nor are we even looking for informa- Vafa, Executive Director and Co-Founder, over 1,000 times as a result of being ad- tion about individual advertisers. In Rights4Girls ‘‘I commend the Senate, particularly Sen- vertised on backpage.com—1,000 times. fact, Senator MCCASKILL and I have ators Rob Portman and Claire McCaskill, for In the course of our investigation, we made clear that backpage should re- their leadership on the investigation into also heard some similarly heart- dact from any documents they send us Backpage and their dedication to assisting wrenching stories. For example, any of the personally identifying infor- victims of child sex trafficking and their backpage receives reports from fami- mation about its users. We don’t need families. I am outraged at the business prac- lies pleading with it to take down ads that. That is not what we are about. tices Backpage continues to engage in and of their children. Here is one such What we are interested in are facts that they are not being held accountable for email sent to backpage that the na- that will enable smart legislation on a facilitating and profiting from child sex traf- tional center shared with us. Remem- critical issue of public concern. We ficking on their website. Backpage is a shop- ping mall for people who want to exploit ber, this is an email from a parent hope our investigation will help to children and they shouldn’t be able to con- about a child being sent to backpage. It combat this process directly but also tinue profiting on the rape of children with- said this: will help to generate legislation here in out repercussions. These creeps keep hiding Your Web site has ads featuring our 16- the Congress. behind the veil of the First Amendment year-old daughter [ ], posing as an escort. This civil contempt resolution before while knowingly allowing children to be She is being pimped out by her old [boy- us today—S. Res. 377—will enable us to trafficked for sex on their website. This isn’t friend], and she is underage. I have emailed get those facts. It was reported out of about prostitution or sex between consenting the ad multiple times using your website, the full committee unanimously. I wish adults, this is about children being pur- chased for rape and sexual abuse.—John but have gotten no response.... For God’s to thank Senator RON JOHNSON, the Walsh, human and victim rights advocate sake, she’s only 16.... Stuff like this chairman of the committee, and Sen- shouldn’t be allowed to happen. and creator of America’s Most Wanted ator TOM CARPER, the ranking member ‘‘The Subcommittee’s efforts to inves- This is from a parent pleading. of the committee, and all of our col- tigate the practices of Backpage.com and de- Even after receiving such reports, the leagues on the committee for their un- mand answers in an effort to prevent the sex national center tells us backpage often wavering support for this investiga- trafficking of children on that website and does not remove the ad. Instead, the ad tion. others like it is critical to our work to end remains live on the Web site, which al- This will be the first time in more sex trafficking. Shared Hope proudly sup- lows the abuse of that child to con- than 20 years that the Senate has had ports the resolution and the Subcommittee’s important work. We are grateful to you for tinue. Imagine as a parent or a grand- to enforce a subpoena in court. I can’t parent, aunt or uncle, brother or sister your bravery and diligence.’’—Shared Hope think of a time when it has been more International feeling helpless in the face of backpage justified. To my colleagues who are SHARED HOPE INTERNATIONAL, not even being willing to take down an wondering about this, again, I hope Vancouver, WA, March 16, 2016. ad of a family member. they will look at our report and see Hon. ROB PORTMAN, It is sometimes hard to square why it is so important that we move Chair, Permanent Subcommittee on Investiga- backpage’s public statements about its forward with enforcing this subpoena. tions, Committee on Homeland Security and business practices with the reality on The Permanent Subcommittee on In- Governmental Affairs, Washington, DC. the ground. For example, the national vestigations has a long history of in- Hon. CLAIRE MCCASKILL, center recently was searching for a Ranking Member, Permanent Subcommittee on vestigating crime that infiltrates Investigations, Committee on Homeland Se- child who was missing—and by the interstate commerce and affects our curity and Governmental Affairs, Wash- way, still is missing—and found she ap- Nation’s health and safety. In our era, ington, DC., peared in a sex advertisement on the crime of human trafficking has be- DEAR CHAIRMAN PORTMAN AND RANKING backpage. Sadly, that is pretty com- come a scourge, and Congress needs to MEMBER MCCASKILL: Shared Hope Inter- mon. What made this case even more know everything it can to be able to national is writing to strongly support the incredible was that backpage ad actu- better fight it. No investigation of that resolution directing the Senate Legal Coun- ally contained a missing-child poster of sel to bring a civil action to enforce a sub- subject could omit backpage.com. poena issued by the Subcommittee to the that same child. So the ad advertising Again, as we have heard from these Chief Executive Officer of Backpage.com, sex actually used the missing-child outside groups, the vast majority of Carl Ferrer (S. Res. 377). We thank you for poster of that child. That poster had this sex trafficking that is going on on- your brave leadership on this investigation the child’s real name on it, real age, line is through this very site. The Na- and dedication to assisting the victims of on- real picture, and the date she went tional Association of Attorneys Gen- line commercial sexual exploitation and missing. The other pictures in the ad eral has described backpage as a ‘‘hub’’ trafficking. included topless photos. We certainly of ‘‘human trafficking, especially the Shared Hope International was founded would like to know what supposedly and exists to end sex trafficking of women trafficking of minors.’’ That is the at- and children and assist the victims through market-leading screening and modera- torneys general around the country. restoration and access to justice. Since 1998, tion procedures missed that one. And Unfortunately, this is an issue that we have implemented programs and advo- that, Madam President, is exactly why affects all of our communities. It cated for laws and policies that would ensure we need the documents we have asked knows no ZIP Code. victims of sex trafficking are protected, for from backpage, documents we have Madam President, before I yield the served and honored as victims. Increasingly, subpoenaed from backpage. Without floor, I ask unanimous consent to have the victims we serve have been sold for sex them, we can’t really evaluate how sex printed in the RECORD a number of on the internet, and most often the website trafficking is proliferated in these on- statements in support of the resolution named is Backpage.com. In fact, NCMEC re- ports that 71% of all child sex trafficking re- line marketplaces. We can’t really from the Nation’s leading anti-traf- ports to the CyberTipline relate to Backpage evaluate how Congress can do a better ficking organizations, including the ads. Shared Hope documented 495 cases rep- job fighting against this crime. We National Center for Missing & Ex- resenting at least 548 child victims who were can’t help the many prosecutors at the ploited Children. sold for sex on Backpage.com in nearly every

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.019 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1564 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 state in the U.S. These are cases we identi- trend of runaway children trafficked on resolution and vindicate the authority fied through media coverage, which means Backpage.com. Today, when we are looking of Congress to obtain information nec- they represent only a fraction of the total for a runaway child who we have reason to essary for sound legislation to protect number of cases. Our partners indicate most believe might be trafficked, Backpage.com is the most vulnerable among us. of the youth they serve in recovery programs the first place we look for the child. were sold on the site. A study by We have long been alarmed about We are going to hear shortly from YouthSpark in Atlanta, Georgia, found 53% Backpage’s business practices that fail to Senator CLAIRE MCCASKILL, who has of children receiving care from service pro- prevent children from being sold for sex on been a partner of mine in this effort viders across the country were bought and its website. The work of your Subcommittee from the beginning. This investigation sold for sex on Backpage.com. to investigate these practices and to demand has taken about a year. We have done The Subcommittees efforts to investigate answers is to be widely commended. it thoughtfully and carefully. Again, I the practices of Backpage.com and demand NCMEC is proud to lend our support to this wish to express my gratitude to her for answers in an effort to prevent the sex traf- important resolution, and we hope the Sen- her support for the legislation. We ficking of children on that website and oth- ate’s work can uncover more information re- ers like it is critical to our work to end sex garding the use of online websites, such as wanted to wait until she was back in trafficking. Shared Hope proudly supports Backpage.com, to traffic children. We are Congress—she was home taking care of the resolution and the Subcommittee’s im- grateful for your dedication to the safety of some important health matters—in portant work. We are grateful to you for our nation’s children and look forward to order to take up this vote today. I your bravery and diligence. continuing to work with you and others who know she will express her own strongly Sincerely, are working tirelessly to halt the terrible held views on this. LINDA SMITH, tragedy of online child sex trafficking. I just want to say I hope all of my (U.S. Congress 1995–99, Sincerely, colleagues—Republicans and Demo- Washington State JOHN F. CLARK, Senate/House 1983– President and CEO. crats alike—will look at this issue and 94), Founder and realize this is an opportunity for us to President, Shared POLARIS, go on record supporting an investiga- Hope International. Washington, DC, March 16, 2016. tion that could lead to legislation that Hon. ROB PORTMAN, can actually help to protect those most NATIONAL CENTER FOR Chairman, Permanent Subcommittee on Inves- vulnerable among us. MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN, tigations, Committee on Homeland Security With that, I yield the floor. Alexandria, VA, March 15, 2016. and Governmental Affairs, Washington, DC. Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, today Hon. ROB PORTMAN, Hon. CLAIRE MCCASKILL, Chairman, Permanent Subcommittee on Inves- the Senate will vote on S. Res. 377, a Ranking Member, Permanent Subcommittee on resolution directing Senate legal coun- tigations, Committee on Homeland Security Investigations, Committee on Homeland Se- and Governmental Affairs, Washington, curity and Governmental Affairs, Wash- sel to bring a civil action to enforce a DC., ington, DC. subpoena of the Permanent Sub- Hon. CLAIRE MCCASKILL, DEAR CHAIRMAN PORTMAN AND RANKING committee on Investigations, PSI, Ranking Member, Permanent Subcommittee on MEMBER MCCASKILL: On behalf of Polaris, a against Carl Ferrer, chief executive of- Investigations, Committee on Homeland Se- non-profit organization working to end ficer of backpage.com LLC, curity and Governmental Affairs, Wash- human trafficking and restore freedom to ington, DC. ‘‘backpage’’. I support this resolution victims and survivors, I am writing to ex- in furtherance of PSI’s bipartisan in- DEAR CHAIRMAN PORTMAN AND RANKING press my strong support for S. Res. 377, MEMBER MCCASKILL: On behalf of the Na- which directs the Senate Legal Counsel to vestigation into businesses that di- tional Center for Missing & Exploited Chil- bring a civil action to enforce a subpoena rectly or indirectly facilitate sex traf- dren (NCMEC) and the families and children issued by your Subcommittee to the Chief ficking. we serve, I am writing to express our strong Executive Officer of Backpage. I appreciate Backpage officials have publicly ac- support for your resolution directing the your tremendous work on this investigation knowledged that their website may Senate Legal Counsel to bring a civil action and your leadership in the fight to ensure have been used by criminals to engage to enforce a subpoena issued by your Sub- victims of child sex trafficking and their in sex trafficking, including the traf- committee to the Chief Executive Officer of families receive justice. Backpage (S. Res. 377). We commend you for ficking of children. Identifying and Since 2007, Polaris has operated the Na- shutting down the tools that help your leadership on this investigation and tional Human Trafficking Resource Center your dedication to assisting victims of child (NHTRC), a 24-hour, national, confidential criminals engage in such illegality is sex trafficking and their families. anti-trafficking hotline and resource center critical to preventing these crimes. We NCMEC is a private, non-profit organiza- created and overseen by the Department of must do all we can to stop these crimi- tion that for over 31 years has been des- Health and Human Services. Additionally, in nals and to support the survivors. That ignated by Congress to serve as the national March 2013, Polaris launched our BeFree is why I support this resolution and clearinghouse on issues related to missing textline, allowing trafficking victims and and exploited children. In this role, NCMEC why I have worked tirelessly to enact concerned citizens to use text message to legislation to prevent human traf- has learned a great deal about child sex traf- contact us for help. ficking, including its pervasive growth on- In 2015, the NHTRC received 1,383 cases in- ficking in the first place and to provide line and the devastating impact this crime volving sex trafficking of a minor, and Pola- resources for trafficking victims so has on children and their families. We know ris received 22 cases through our BeFree that they can begin to rebuild their that sex trafficking is a crime that takes textline involving sex trafficking of a minor. lives. place in nearly every community in the In these two sets, Backpage was specifically Last year the chairman and ranking United States and increasingly children are referenced in 222 cases. In total, the NHTRC member of PSI jointly launched a bi- sold for sex online on websites like has received 5,810 minor sex trafficking cases partisan investigation to examine busi- Backpage.com. since 2007, BeFree has received 66 cases since NCMEC receives reports of child sex traf- nesses that directly or indirectly facili- 2013, and Backpage has been referenced in 595 ficking through intakes of missing child tate sex trafficking. Backpage is one of cases. cases, requests for analytical assistance, and Backpage’s business practices have long the companies that PSI has been inves- reports to the CyberTipline, the reporting been a major source of concern for Polaris tigating, but it is not the only one. PSI mechanism for child sexual exploitation and the anti-trafficking community as a aims to learn as much as possible crimes. In recent years, NCMEC has wit- whole. We wholeheartedly support your Sub- about these businesses so that the Sen- nessed an increase in missing and exploited committee’s investigation into Backpage, child cases involving the online trafficking ate can craft appropriate legislative and we think that S. Res. 377 is critical to of children for sex. In 2015, NCMEC assisted and policy responses to combat sex ensuring Backpage is held accountable for with approximately 10,000 reports regarding trafficking and child exploitation. its shocking, blatant disregard for your in- possible child sex trafficking, but we know On October 1, 2015, and in accordance vestigation. We are proud to stand with your this is only a small fraction of suspected Subcommittee in this fight to stop child sex with subcommittee rules, PSI voted on child sex trafficking victims in this country. trafficking, and we hope the Senate will a bipartisan basis to issue a subpoena Even more concerning is that a majority of unanimously pass S. Res. 377. to backpage’s CEO, Carl Ferrer. This child sex trafficking cases reported to Sincerely, subpoena was issued only after NCMEC involve ads posted on Backpage.com. BRAD MYLES, More than seventy-one percent (71%) of all backpage failed to comply with a sub- CEO. child sex trafficking reports submitted by poena issued earlier in the year and members of the public to NCMEC relate to Mr. PORTMAN. Madam President, I after several backpage employees re- Backpage ads. We also have seen a disturbing urge my colleagues to vote yes on this fused to testify. The subpoena required,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR6.002 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1565 among other things, the production of advertise minors for commercial sex. I Every day in America, vulnerable backpage’s policies and practices with believe the Investigations Subcommit- victims are advertised over the Inter- respect to reviewing advertisements for tee’s work can inform the work of the net and exploited by traffickers. I be- potential criminal activity, informa- Congress as a whole to better protect lieve the Congress must get to the bot- tion on how backpage cooperates with vulnerable children trafficked over the tom of it, try to understand how it is law enforcement, data on how many Internet. happening, and do all that we can to advertisements backpage denies or de- Backpage is a Web site that allows stop it. So I fully support enforcement letes, and information relating to rev- for the advertisement of commercial of this subpoena and urge my col- enue earned through adult advertise- sex online. In 2013, it was estimated leagues to do the same. ments. To date, backpage has refused that $8 out of every $10 spent on online I thank the Chair. to comply with the subpoena. sex advertising in the U.S. goes to Mr. PORTMAN. I suggest the absence On November 19, 2015, PSI held a backpage. Moreover, the National Cen- of a quorum. hearing about backpage.com. At this ter for Missing & Exploited Children The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. hearing, the senior vice president of has itself determined that backpage is SASSE). The clerk will call the roll. the National Center for Missing & Ex- linked to 71 percent of all suspected The senior assistant legislative clerk ploited Children testified that 71 per- child sex trafficking reports that it re- proceeded to call the roll. cent of reports of suspected child traf- ceives from the public through its Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I ask ficking it receives involve backpage. ‘‘CyberTipline.’’ Thus, this bipartisan unanimous consent that the order for The hearing also raised significant con- investigation naturally involves ques- the quorum call be rescinded. cerns about backpage’s willingness to tions about the specifics of how The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without cooperate with law enforcement. PSI backpage operates. objection, it is so ordered. issued a subpoena compelling the testi- As I understand it, the subcommit- Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I come mony of Carl Ferrer at the hearing, but tee’s subpoena seeks documents to help to the floor today to support S. Res. explain backpage’s current policies and he refused to appear. 377, a resolution to enforce a subpoena The refusal of backpage to comply practices. These questions involve, of the Permanent Subcommittee on In- with the subpoena compelled the full among other things, whether backpage vestigations against backpage.com and Homeland Security and Governmental edits the content of ads before they are Carl Ferrer, the company’s chief execu- Affairs Committee to vote unani- published, whether backpage might be tive officer. This action comes as part mously in favor of the resolution now more helpful to law enforcement with of the subcommittee’s ongoing inves- before us. The resolution authorizes the data it collects, and whether tigation into the sex trafficking of mi- backpage has resources sufficient to Senate legal counsel to begin to take nors and the unfortunate and increas- further prevent trafficking on its site. action to enforce the subpoena in Fed- ing role of the Internet in facilitating But backpage has refused to comply eral court. PSI’s investigation is ex- this horrific crime. with this subpoena. actly the type of oversight the Senate Before I go much further, I would Where an investigative sub- like to express my deep appreciation to should be conducting. The subject mat- committee is conducting a bipartisan ter is one of utmost importance, and the chairman. Senator PORTMAN has investigation into the most horrific been tenacious. He is committed. He is PSI’s efforts have been jointly con- crimes committed against young peo- ducted by the chairman and ranking forcing us as a body to address an issue ple, it is the right thing to do for the that is so unpleasant that many times member of PSI since the investigation Senate to enforce this subpoena began. Most importantly, the requested we shy away from it because we would through the legal process. rather talk about more pleasant sub- documents are critical to under- I would like to also share about a jects and issues that are less emo- standing how online sex trafficking is case that arose in my State very re- tional. But it is what is happening in effectuated and to finding ways to stop cently. Last week, the Los Angeles America and in the world, and thanks it. County Sheriff’s Department arrested Authorizing Senate legal counsel to three individuals charged with abduct- to the leadership of Senator PORTMAN, enforce a Senate subpoena is a very se- ing a 20-year-old woman and trans- it is being addressed in a forthright rious matter that should not be taken porting her to the Bay Area to sexually manner that alerts all of us and, in- lightly. This action should be taken exploit her. The victim was initially deed, alerts the world. I very much ap- only in the most limited of cir- kidnapped in Palmdale, where she was preciate the great work he has done on cumstances and should never be pur- viciously assaulted and then moved 6 this issue. I know he remains com- sued for partisan or political motives. hours north to Oakland, where her pic- mitted for as long as he is a Member of Given the serious nature of this inves- tures were taken and posted to this body, and we are incredibly grate- tigation and the unanimous support by backpage.com. She was then driven ful for his friendship and his leader- all members of the committee and sub- back down to Orange County and had a ship. committee throughout the process, I gun pointed at her by one of her This marks the first time in 20 years support this resolution. attackers. The victim was fortunately that the Senate has been required to Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, able to make some panicked calls to enforce a subpoena in court. I have I wish to express my strong support for her mother while taken captive, and been in Congress for a long time, and I the resolution to enforce the subpoena the L.A. Sheriff’s office was able to have never seen anything quite like it. against backpage’s CEO Carl Ferrer. find her in a motel and rescue her. The As part of the subcommittee’s fair and From my work as chairman and now suspects were then captured and now deliberative investigation into human ranking member of the Select Com- face a litany of charges. This all oc- trafficking and child exploitation on mittee on Intelligence, I know how im- curred just weeks ago. the Internet, we have encountered a portant congressional investigations The point is sex trafficking, facili- company that, instead of doing every- can be to ensure that we have all the tated by the Internet, continues to thing in its power to assist in pro- facts, and that is the type of issue be- plague communities all over the coun- tecting the most vulnerable in our so- fore us today. try. ciety, has decided to focus its energies In this case, the Permanent Sub- I recently met with John Clark, the on stonewalling congressional efforts committee on Investigations is con- new president and CEO of the National to do so. ducting a bipartisan investigation into Center for Missing & Exploited Chil- Let me be clear. As is always the the use of the Internet to facilitate sex dren. The National Center reported case in this unsavory underside of soci- trafficking, particularly sex trafficking that over the last 5 years, there has ety, it is about money. Backpage.com of minors. As my colleagues know, this been an 846 percent increase in reports is the market leader in commercial sex has been an area I have worked to ad- of suspected child sex trafficking and advertising. It was valued at over $600 dress legislatively, including in an that this increase is ‘‘directly cor- million in 2015, with over $130 million amendment to the Justice for Victims related to the increased use of the in annual revenue, and their business of Trafficking Act that passed 97–2 that Internet to sell children for sex.’’ That model is dependent on the revenue gen- makes it a Federal crime to knowingly is sobering. erated from this part of its Web site.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:30 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.029 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1566 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 Backpage claims to be a leading part- Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I want did—and, yes, we had child pornog- ner in the fight to combat child sex to thank my colleague from . raphy, but I would say we didn’t see trafficking by screening advertise- He has been a leader on this issue for this tsunami of advertising that we see ments for evidence of trafficking and many years. For people who don’t now. Why? The Internet has made it taking deliberate steps from pre- know, Cindy McCain, the wife of the easier. We love the Internet. It has al- venting illegal activity from appearing Senator from Arizona, is an inter- lowed us to communicate in ways, but on its Web site. But the company has national leader on this issue dealing it has expanded demand for sex traf- refused to produce documents that with human trafficking all over the ficking victims because of the fact that could verify this claim, and the facts world and also sex trafficking here at it is easier to do than it used to be. gathered by the subcommittee from home. I appreciate his passion and his What the McCain report shows is other sources indicate this is not the commitment to it. As a former chair that the availability of potential vic- case. and a ranking member of this com- tims of domestic minor sex trafficking As Senator PORTMAN has indicated, mittee, I look to him for counsel and exceeded researcher expectations, with backpage has been linked to hundreds advice on how we conduct ourselves. He no less than 38 different Web sites ad- of human trafficking cases, including has been very helpful in this specific vertising victims who showed indica- those of children. The National Center issue, and I thank him. tions of being juvenile sex trafficking for Missing and Exploited Children has I yield to the Senator from Min- victims, with at least 4 Web sites pro- gathered data that indicates that the nesota for such time as she may con- viding customer feedback and solic- vast majority of suspected child traf- sume. iting recommendations of victims of ficking reports it receives from the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- sex trafficking. public include postings made on ator from Minnesota is recognized. The McCain report went on to say: backpage. Identifying what screening Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ‘‘In Phoenix, during 10 days of ad procedures are in place and the effec- want to thank Senator MCCAIN for his screening, 34 ads were identified as pos- tiveness of these efforts in curbing work. I started to work on some of sibly depicting minor victims with du- trafficking are an important part of these backpage issues in conjunction plicate ads resulting in 81 distinct tips this investigation. with Senator MCCAIN’s wife Cindy of domestic minor sex trafficking.’’ Thanks to the leadership from the McCain, as well as with Senator Last year we successfully passed the Senator from Ohio, it is hard to think HEITKAMP. We took a trip to Mexico fo- Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of a more worthy use of the Senate’s cusing on the trafficking going on that Senator CORNYN and I led. We are investigative authority than exam- across the border with that country. making good progress in implementing ining the methods used to facilitate I want to thank Senators PORTMAN this bill. Senator CORNYN and I met re- the buying and selling of children for and MCCASKILL for leadership on this cently with Attorney General Lynch. sexual exploitation. This investigation really important resolution. Just last They are working hard. Ongoing work is designed to guide Congress as we year, five St. Paul residents were not only includes this resolution and is consider ways to combat human traf- charged with running a multistate sex the focus on the advertising of illegal ficking and identify what can be done trafficking ring. One of the alleged vic- sex trafficking but also partnering to protect children and eliminate this tims was 16. Those underage girls were with the private sector. crime. Enforcement of this subpoena is being advertised on backpage, and the Senator WARNER and I have intro- necessary to accomplish that goal and ads were placed in Minnesota, Wis- duced the Stop Trafficking on Planes to protect the prerogative of the Sen- consin, Iowa, Georgia, Ohio, , Act or the STOP Act, which is built on ate to investigate matters of con- and Illinois. the work of the industry to train flight sequence to our national interest. I ap- In Southwest Minnesota, an oper- attendants and train people on the preciate Senators PORTMAN and ation involving backpage resulted in planes to find the victims. I note this MCCASKILL’s truly bipartisan efforts to charges against 48 men around the investigation led by the Permanent investigate matters of consequence to towns of New Ulm and Mankato, the Subcommittee on Investigations is a our national interest. I appreciate town my husband grew up in. These bipartisan attempt to address a serious their efforts to shed light on this dif- cases prove that sex trafficking isn’t issue. I urge my colleagues to join me ficult issue, and I appreciate their com- just happening in some faraway place. in supporting S. Res. 377. This is just mitment to defending the Senate’s role It is happening right now in the United one element of this fight against sex in addressing it. States of America. It is happening in trafficking, but it is an important one I hope and believe that vote will be our own neighborhoods. It is happening because people should not be allowed to 100 to 0, as we strongly support Chair- in oil patches in North Dakota. It is violate the Senate rules, they shouldn’t be allowed to skirt hearings, man PORTMAN’s right to obtain the in- happening in Cleveland, and it is hap- and they shouldn’t be allowed to get formation he believes is necessary to pening in St. Paul. These are real sto- away with this kind of behavior. the subcommittee’s investigation con- ries with real people. cerning human trafficking. I urge my In 2014 I spoke to the trafficking ad- Backpage and others of its ilk are not colleagues to join me in support of this vocacy group Polaris when they re- just a vehicle for advertising this important resolution. leased their State-by-State rankings of crime, they are actually a vehicle for I know that my friend and colleague efforts to fight human trafficking. expanding this crime and hurting more Senator PORTMAN knows that one of They said then: people. the areas where human trafficking is I appreciate the work of Senator The scope and scale of human trafficking most intense are those States that are PORTMAN and Senator MCCASKILL. within the United States presents a daunting Thank you. on the border, and our southern border challenge to policymakers, service providers, is obviously penetrated regularly by law enforcement, and advocates. Originally, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- these human traffickers. I would like, human trafficking was thought to be more of ator from Ohio. as a representative of the people of my a problem in other countries, but now it is Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I State of Arizona, where this issue is of known to be happening in our backyards. It thank my colleague from Minnesota particular importance, to thank Sen- is estimated that there are hundreds of thou- for her strong support of this resolu- ator PORTMAN and Senator MCCASKILL sands of victims of sex and labor trafficking tion today, which again is just enforc- for their unending worthy and impor- inside our borders. ing a subpoena that is targeted and fo- tant efforts on this issue. We have learned more about human cused on information that can help us By passing this legislation, we will trafficking through the advocacy and to be able to legislate in this matter. I send a message to others. We will send dedication, as I mentioned, of our hope all of my colleagues on both sides a message to others, I say to my col- friend Cindy McCain and her work at of the aisle will join us in this effort. I league from Ohio, that they can run the McCain Institute. Their 2014 report also thank her for broader work on this but they can’t hide. actually focuses specifically on this ad- issue, specifically the leadership role I yield the floor. vertising. she has played as a former prosecutor The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- When I was a prosecutor for 8 years, in trying to get at this problem of sex ator from Ohio. yes, we had trafficking—of course, we trafficking online.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.031 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1567 Senator KLOBUCHAR is absolutely We have heard the horrific stories of Mrs. MCCASKILL. Mr. President, last right. The Internet has provided so things that have happened and have year a 15-year-old girl wandered into many wonderful things for our econ- been reported. Senator PORTMAN ref- an emergency room in St. Louis, told a omy and for our society. Yet there is a erenced a recent report in Boston horrific tale, asking for help. She had dark side, isn’t there. That dark side is about a 15-year-old girl who had been been trafficked across truckstops shown as clearly as anywhere with re- raped over 1,000 times as a result of throughout the Midwest, taken from gard to backpage; the fact that this sex being advertised on backpage.com. truckstop to truckstop, and sold to trafficking has been made more effi- Of course, we have heard horrific sto- truckers for sex—all through backpage. cient through the Internet and specifi- ries about children. In one Pennsyl- As we debate this today, it is impor- cally through this one Web site that vania case, a defendant forced a minor tant we stay focused on that 15-year- contains the vast majority of sex traf- to have sex with approximately 15 dif- old girl and don’t get lost in the proc- ficking and commercial sex. ferent men in one encounter where she ess of the Senate. Again, I refer you to my comments I was threatened with a weapon—adver- This is a valid investigation. This is made earlier. We talked about the fact tised on backpage.com, so it is pretty an important investigation. What we that there is a girl who is currently straightforward. are doing today is making sure the missing. The National Center for Miss- In a Florida case, a trafficker Senate can do its work under the Con- ing & Exploited Children has been try- drugged and threatened to kill a 14- stitution. Backpage has refused to co- ing to find her. They put up posters year-old girl so he could sell her for operate. It has refused to willingly co- about her, and recently she appeared sexual services online—backpage.com. operate. It has refused two legitimate on a sex advertisement on backpage. In a case, a trafficker and duly authorized subpoenas con- Again, this is more common than you forced two women to work as pros- cerning backpage asking for informa- would expect. titutes through beating and threat- tion at the heart of the investigation. What made this case even more in- ening them with sexual violence— Under any circumstances, I find it credible to me was the backpage actu- backpage.com. shocking that a company would refuse ally contained a missing child poster of These are very legitimate questions a lawful subpoena of the U.S. Senate, that same child. So the missing child that have been asked to inform our pol- would ignore a lawful subpoena of the poster that the national center had put icy decisions of backpage.com. Yet U.S. Senate. It is particularly out- out there for all of us to help find her they will not produce the documents rageous given that backpage has al- shows up on backpage.com as an adver- that have been asked of them, to ask ready admitted that serious criminal tisement for this young girl. This post- how they were screening to ensure they activity, including sex trafficking of er had the child’s real name, real age, aren’t taking illegal actions when it children, occurs on its site. Backpage real picture, and the date she went comes to child sex trafficking and traf- simply has no excuse for not complying missing. Other photos in that ad in- ficking of women and men and boys with these legal subpoenas. During our November 19 hearing, I cluded topless photos of this girl. She and girls. Yet they will not answer promised that while the subcommittee is 16 years old. that. The CEO of backpage.com was would move forward carefully and cau- This is another example of where subpoenaed to testify, and he refused tiously, we would not go quietly into there is a problem that must be ad- to appear here. the night, and on some day in the near dressed. Our investigation is to create If backpage.com is not doing the future we would use the Senate’s en- the information for us to be able to leg- things in some of these reports that forcement measures to compel coopera- islate wisely on this issue. have come forward and is not acting il- tion from backpage. Today is that day. I see my colleague from New Hamp- legally, then they will come and talk While we stay focused on that 15-year- shire has joined us. We wish to hear to us about this. The CEO of backpage old girl, I know I speak for the chair- from her. She is another former attor- would not try to hide behind the First man—and I wish to give the chairman ney general of a State and has been in- Amendment, making arguments that great accolades for our working rela- volved in this issue for many years and don’t bear out under the First Amend- tionship. It is not always easy to rec- is an active member of the caucus we ment because we are talking about ille- oncile differences in positions, dif- talked about earlier to try to combat gality, the trafficking of children in ferences in policy, and staffs working trafficking. horrific ways—then this is a legitimate together, but he didn’t give up. We I yield to my colleague, the Senator inquiry for this committee. both stay at it, and we are both deter- from New Hampshire, such time as she I again commend Senator PORTMAN mined to work on this committee in a may need. and Senator MCCASKILL. bipartisan fashion. I am very grateful The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I urge the Members of the Senate to to him for his effort in that regard. ator from New Hampshire. support this resolution to enforce this As we think of that 15-year-old girl Ms. AYOTTE. Mr. President, I thank subpoena so we can ensure that we get and the information we need, we also Senator PORTMAN and Senator MCCAS- the information this committee needs need to think that a bigger principle is KILL for their strong leadership on the to inform our policy decisions to ad- at stake; that is, if we ignore Permanent Subcommittee on Inves- dress a very important issue that is backpage’s refusal, what does that say tigations, of which they are the chair putting children at risk, that is harm- to companies in the future when we and ranking member, on such an im- ing families, that is harming men and need information in order to do our portant issue because enforcing the women who are being trafficked, and job? That you can give the back of subpoena—the resolution we have be- we need to get to the bottom of it. your hand to the U.S. Senate and there fore us to enforce the subpoena is crit- I yield the floor back to Senator will be no consequences? Obviously, ical. PORTMAN. that is a slippery slope I don’t think we As you heard today, I was attorney The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- should go down. I don’t think the general of New Hampshire. I had the ator from Ohio. Founding Fathers would want us to go opportunity to work with the Internet Mr. PORTMAN. I thank my colleague down that slippery slope. Crimes Against Children Task Force. from New Hampshire. That is why today is the day we say The National Center for Missing & Ex- Let me just say I already talked enough. We go with this vote to the ploited Children reports that of sus- about Senator MCCASKILL in my re- courts and we get enforcement of these pected child trafficking reports it re- marks, but she has been a terrific part- legal subpoenas so we can truly find ceives from the public, 71 percent in- ner on this issue and many others. She out what, if any, role backpage has had volve backpage.com. has a passion for it as a former pros- in the highly illegal and immoral prac- What is the resolution about? It is ecutor, someone who understands this tice of trafficking children for sex. about the fact that Senator PORTMAN, issue well. I yield the floor. Senator MCCASKILL, and the com- I yield all remaining time to Senator I yield back all remaining time for mittee they lead has asked legitimate MCCASKILL. the Democrats. questions and asked for documents The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I from backpage.com. ator from Missouri. yield back the remainder of our time.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.033 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1568 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I ask I wish to ask my friend from South is yielded back. unanimous consent that the Senator Carolina: Isn’t it obvious what is going The question occurs on adoption of from South Carolina and I be permitted to happen next; and that is, an increase the resolution. to engage in a colloquy. in fighting in eastern Ukraine, more Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I ask The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Ukrainians slaughtered while we refuse for the yeas and nays. objection, it is so ordered. to give them defensive weapons, but The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a f just sufficient amount of violence and sufficient second? killing to prevent the United States of PRESIDENT’S SYRIAN POLICY AND There appears to be a sufficient sec- America or the Europeans from taking RUSSIA ond. any significant action? Indeed, won’t The clerk will call the roll. Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, briefly, there now be pressure on the part of The bill clerk called the roll. the Senator from South Carolina and I the special interests and the industri- Mr. CORNYN. The following Senators discussed this announcement that Rus- alists, particularly in Germany, to lift are necessarily absent: the Senator sia will begin withdrawing some mili- the sanctions on Vladimir Putin? from Texas (Mr. CRUZ) and the Senator tary forces from Syria. It obviously Mr. GRAHAM. I think you are right, from (Mr. VITTER). signals Vladimir Putin’s belief that he I say to Senator MCCAIN. Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the has bombed and killed enough of the Let’s look at what our military lead- Senator from California (Mrs. BOXER) opponents of the murderous Assad re- ers say rather than just look at what and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. gime to assure Assad’s survival. political people think. General SANDERS) are necessarily absent. For 4 years, this administration— Dunford, the Chairman of the Joint The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. this President—stood by as the Assad Chiefs of Staff, in a hearing you HOEVEN). Are there any other Senators regime slaughtered nearly half a mil- chaired today was asked: What is Putin in the Chamber desiring to vote? lion people in Syria. Then, when Assad up to? What do you think he is trying The result was announced—yeas 96, appeared weak, it watched as Putin in- to do here? nays 0, as follows: tervened militarily and protected his He said: Well, all I can tell you is the [Rollcall Vote No. 38 Leg.] brutal regime, in a move that the reason he came into Syria was to de- YEAS—96 President described as Putin going into stroy ISIL and help fight ISIL. He has a ‘‘quagmire.’’ Well, apparently now Alexander Flake Murphy proven that he did not do that. He Ayotte Franken Murray Vladimir Putin is leaving that ‘‘quag- didn’t try to do that. Baldwin Gardner Nelson mire,’’ and he is leaving a solid Bashar So what General Dunford said was Barrasso Gillibrand Paul Assad in a position of strength. He is Bennet Graham Perdue that basically Putin lied about why he leaving thousands of dead moderate op- Blumenthal Grassley Peters came to Syria. If he is leaving Syria, Blunt Hatch Portman position that he has indiscriminately the job against ISIL is far from done. Booker Heinrich Reed bombed, and the United States has But I think you nailed it, I say to Sen- Boozman Heitkamp Reid their begging bowl out, asking and Brown Heller Risch ator MCCAIN. The job of propping up pleading that they somehow reach Burr Hirono Roberts Assad has been accomplished. Cantwell Hoeven Rounds some agreement again in Geneva. Capito Inhofe Rubio It is really embarrassing to watch So what General Dunford said is that Cardin Isakson Sasse this President and this Secretary of the reason that Putin came into Syria Carper Johnson Schatz was not to destroy ISIL but to help his Casey Kaine Schumer State as they continue to beg Vladimir Cassidy King Scott Putin and his stooge Lavrov as they stooge, his puppet Assad. He believes Coats Kirk Sessions he achieved such military superiority Cochran Klobuchar Shaheen continue to place Russia in a position of influence they have not had since on behalf of Assad by bombing the peo- Collins Lankford Shelby ple we trained that he can now leave. Coons Leahy Stabenow Anwar Sadat threw them out of Egypt Corker Lee Sullivan in 1973. So at the end of the day, he is not Cornyn Manchin Tester They now have a major role to play leaving. A naval base and an air force Cotton Markey Thune base will be in Syria. He said: We are Crapo McCain Tillis in the Middle East. They have a mili- Daines McCaskill Toomey tary base. They have a naval base. withdrawing our forces, but, of course, Donnelly McConnell Udall They have upgraded airfields, and they we will have a naval presence and an Durbin Menendez Warner air base. Enzi Merkley Warren have now solidified Bashar Assad’s po- Ernst Mikulski Whitehouse sition in power. Here is what I would say. If he needs Feinstein Moran Wicker Is there anybody who believes that to help Assad in the future, he will. Ge- Fischer Murkowski Wyden Russia will agree to an arrangement neva has become a joke. There is no NOT VOTING—4 that Bashar Assad or his stooge doesn’t way you are going to negotiate a suc- Boxer Sanders remain in power? Of course not. Aren’t cessful agreement when Assad is Cruz Vitter we tired of begging Vladimir Putin? backed by Russia and Iran. The opposi- The resolution (S. Res. 377) was Aren’t we tired of watching the United tion has been abandoned by the United agreed to. States and the young men we trained States and the free world. The Russian The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under and equipped being bombed by Vladi- President has bombed the people the the previous order, the preamble is mir Putin and killed and murdered? American President trained to take agreed to and the motions to recon- Don’t we sometimes grow a little tired Assad out. sider are considered made and laid of that? It is no wonder that the United Mr. MCCAIN. What does the Senator upon the table. States of America has no standing and from South Carolina think that does to (The resolution, with its preamble, is no influence in the region. our reputation when we arm, train, and printed in the RECORD of February 29, I don’t often quote from the New equip young men, send them in to 2016, under ‘‘Submitted Resolutions.’’) York Times. I would ask my colleague fight, ostensibly against ISIS or The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- if he has seen this: Bashar Assad—although, in this case ator from Arizona. The Russian move may . . . be a reflection ISIS—and we stand by and watch the f that Mr. Putin is now supremely confident in Russians slaughter them from the air? Mr. Assad’s renewed stability and can afford Mr. GRAHAM. I think it sends a sig- MORNING BUSINESS to step back a bit and play statesman. Mr. nal that you can’t rely upon us. You Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I ask Putin has achieved many of his main goals: have two training programs—one by unanimous consent that the Senate be bringing Russia back to center stage as a the CIA and one by the Department of in a period of morning business, with global power; preventing, on principle, re- Defense. The people trained outside the gime change by outside powers, particularly Senators permitted to speak therein Western ones; gaining a stronger foothold in Department of Defense have been for up to 10 minutes each. Syria; picking off Russian jihadists on the wholesale slaughtered by the Russian The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Syrian battlefield; and strengthening Mr. air attacks, and we have done nothing objection, it is so ordered. Assad. about it.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.035 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1569 What does the region say? We have stronger, not weaker. We told him not The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without two enemies—Assad and ISIL. Our un- to use military force to help Assad, objection, it is so ordered. willingness to confront Assad has cre- who is the Butcher of Damascus. He f ated a sense of abandonment in the en- did. We pleaded with him not to attack IRAN tire region. Assad is a puppet of Iran. non-ISIL targets. He did. He destroyed Iran is the mortal enemy of the Sunni the opposition to Assad. Russia is in Mr. COONS. Mr. President, last week Arab states. league with Iran. So the biggest winner the Iranian Revolutionary Guard So what has the President accom- of Russia’s involvement on the ground Corps, or IRGC—the hard-line military plished here? He said Assad must go. in Syria has been the Iranians, which is force that answers only to Iran’s Su- He trained people to help take him the most destabilizing group of people preme Leader and is committed to the down. Russia came in and said Assad in the entire Mideast. The biggest loser preservation of Iran’s revolutionary re- will not go. They have attacked the has been the free Syrian opposition, gime—launched a number of ballistic people we have trained, and we basi- the Syrian people themselves, and missiles, in clear violation of United cally have abandoned the free Syrian close behind is the American reputa- Nations Security Council Resolution opposition. tion in the region. 2231. These missile launches are pro- Now we are in Geneva talking about I want the administration to know foundly disturbing and suggest a re- a peace agreement where the whole that your handling of Syria has been a gime that is content on continuing to balance now is in Assad’s favor. Does disaster on multiple levels. It has destabilize the region and threaten our anybody really believe there is mili- emboldened Iran. It has made Russia vital allies and its neighbors. They tary jeopardy for Assad? And without stronger. We are losing credibility in don’t technically violate the terms of his being in jeopardy, how do you get the region at a time when the region last summer’s nuclear agreement, but an agreement the Syrian people can needs leadership. If you go to Geneva they do serve as a vital reminder that live with? If Assad or his henchmen and you close out a peace deal that is Iran remains a revolutionary regime stay in power, how do you ever end the a joke that allows Assad or somebody— that does not respect world opinion and war in Syria? Bob Assad, not Bashar Assad—to stay does not share our values or interests. So what we have accomplished is in power, if you allow a peace agree- America and our allies must seek that we have given the Russians more ment where the Iranians control Da- every opportunity to push back on influence in the Mideast than at any mascus and Russia has a naval and air Iran’s aggressive behavior—especially time since 1973. We have allowed Iran force base and more influence than we behavior such as this that is outside basically to dictate the terms in Da- do, what have you accomplished? the parameters of the nuclear deal—by mascus. We have jeopardized our rela- I hope and pray the administration enforcing existing sanctions on Iran’s tionship with our Arab partners. We will stop this insane desire to bring illegal ballistic missile tests, its ongo- have put in question Americans’ reli- Syria to a conclusion where the conclu- ing human rights abuses, and its sup- ability in terms of the people inside of sion is going to make the whole region port for terrorism across the Middle Syria. subject to blowing up. A successful East and the world. The Syrian policy of conclusion is not having Iran being the Another critical way the inter- has done enormous damage. Without dominant force inside of Syria, Russia national community can demonstrate Russia being involved, none of this having more influence, an air base and we are serious about holding Iran ac- would have happened. a naval base, and the Syrian people los- countable is by aggressively enforcing Mr. MCCAIN. The tragedy of all of ing the ability to replace their tor- the terms of the nuclear deal. Today I this, I would say to my friend, is that menter, and ISIL having a magnet for will discuss a key element of enforcing when the United States of America was future recruitment, which is an Ira- that deal: fully funding the Inter- required to stand up because of the nian-backed Assad. That is not a suc- national Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, commitment of the President of the cessful outcome. the world’s nuclear watchdog, which is United States if the Bashar Assad re- What do you think, I ask Senator responsible for monitoring Iran’s com- gime had used chemical weapons and MCCAIN? pliance with the deal. The case for pro- slaughtered—it is the gruesome pic- Mr. MCCAIN. For the last 5 years, we viding robust, sustainable funding for tures that you and I have seen—and have been writing a shameful chapter the IAEA is further strengthened by a then backed off, that was one of the in American history. To sum all of this second topic I will discuss, which is seminal moments that American credi- up, leading from behind doesn’t work. Iran’s continued human rights abuses. bility disappeared. Here we are now If America leads from behind, some- Iran’s compliance with the nuclear still refusing to arm, train, and equip body else is going to be in front. If the deal so far does not mean that its gov- young men to fight against Bashar United States leaves conflicts and cre- ernment intends to embrace the inter- Assad and, in fact, making them pledge ates vacuums, then bad things happen. national community or heed the call of that they would only fight against Look at a map of the Middle East in the Iranian people for greater democ- ISIS. It is not ISIS that is barrel-bomb- January of 2009, when this President racy. In fact, I believe the actions of ing them. It is not ISIS that is drop- came to the Presidency of the United the IRGC and Iran’s hard-line conserv- ping chemical weapons. It is not ISIS States, and look at that map now—the ative leaders indicate that the Iranian that has brought in thousands and tor- way ISIS has metastasized, the way regime intends to continue to repress tured and beaten and killed. ISIS is our hundreds of thousands have been mur- dissent, block democratic reforms, in- enemy. ISIS is evil. But to somehow dered and millions are on the march as cite anti-Semitism, and violate basic excuse the behavior of Bashar Assad refugees. We still have apologists for human rights. with the Russians’ indiscriminate this leading from behind, a policy Mr. President, in a speech to the bombing is one of the most disgraceful which is described as ‘‘Don’t do stupid United Nations in December of 1953, chapters in American history in my stuff.’’ This is the result of leadership President Eisenhower proclaimed view. that has left the scene in a way that we American support for a new inter- Mr. GRAHAM. To build on this, sev- have not seen since the 1930s, in the national organization tasked with put- eral years ago Russia took by force Cri- days of Neville Chamberlain and ting nuclear technology ‘‘into the mea. This was not a fair election. It is ‘‘peace in our time.’’ hands of those who will know how to pretty hard to have a fair election I yield the floor. strip its military casing and adapt it to when there is a Russian tank parked in I suggest the absence of a quorum. the arts of peace.’’ front of your yard. Good luck saying The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Since its founding in 1957, the IAEA you don’t want to go to Russia. clerk will call the roll. has undertaken a broad array of re- We have done nothing other than The senior assistant legislative clerk sponsibilities—from promoting inter- sanction Russia. Russia is still engaged proceeded to call the roll. national nonproliferation efforts to in provocative behavior. We told him Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I ask supporting peaceful nuclear power—but not to go into Crimea. We told him not unanimous consent that the order for none more vital than maintaining its to dismember Ukraine. He did. He is the quorum call be rescinded. safeguards program, which provides

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The United States de- ability Office here in the United States the IAEA, enforce the JCPOA, and push velops the inspections technology on echos those very same concerns, stat- back on Iran at every opportunity? A which the IAEA depends. We train and ing that ‘‘the IAEA faces potential brief review of Iran’s dismal human support the IAEA inspectors, sci- budgetary and human resource man- rights record might reenforce why it is entists, and staff, particularly through agement challenges stemming from the crystal clear that this is a priority for our system of National Laboratories. JCPOA-related workload.’’ our Nation and must remain so. Since 1980, every single IAEA inspector Effectively enforcing the terms of Iran’s Government continues to has been trained at least once at the the JCPOA will require more than just preach anti-Semitism, to incite hatred Los Alamos National Lab in New Mex- additional inspectors, while inspectors against Israel, and to call for the de- ico. At any given time, roughly 20 per- are vital; the IAEA will also be re- struction of the Jewish State of Israel, cent of all the inspectors who work for quired to train a new generation of nu- and it uses state-run media to blame the IAEA are undergoing training or clear scientists and to continue to de- the Jewish people for the instability retraining at the vital National Labs of velop more and more innovative nu- and violence that currently dominates the United States. clear detection and monitoring tech- the Middle East. Just last week, one of The commitment made by American nologies as well—an undertaking as the ballistic missiles Iran illegally scientists and taxpayers to the IAEA is complex as it is important. That is why launched supposedly had a message even more important now in light of I urge Congress to increase America’s printed on the side in Hebrew saying, the agreement reached by world powers voluntary contribution to the IAEA to ‘‘Israel must be wiped off the earth.’’ last summer to prevent Iran from de- a level at least $10.6 million above the In January, as the international veloping a nuclear weapon. This agree- President’s fiscal year 2017 request and community marked Holocaust Remem- ment, also known as the Joint Com- commit to a sustained and long-term brance Day, Iran’s Supreme Leader prehensive Plan Of Action, or JCPOA, investment so that we can be confident published a video on his official Web gives the IAEA unprecedented access that the IAEA has the resources to re- site in which the narrator condemns to monitor Iran’s nuclear efforts cruit, to train, and to place the very the world for supporting Israel and through highly intrusive physical in- best inspectors the world can produce. questions the legitimacy and mag- spections and 24–7 remote monitoring The increase of $10.6 million that I am nitude of the Holocaust. These state- technology. Unlike previous nuclear urging will provide reliable funding for ments should deeply concern and out- agreements, the JCPOA requires Iran the IAEA—the funding they need to rage the world community, but they to allow the IAEA to monitor Iran’s monitor the Iran nuclear program are simply another reflection of the entire nuclear fuel cycle, which in- while continuing to work for safe, se- Iranian regime’s longstanding dis- cludes all the steps required to go from cure, and peaceful use of nuclear tech- regard for international values and mining and milling raw uranium to nology throughout the rest of the human rights. producing centrifuges that enrich ura- world. Earlier this month, the United Na- nium, to the actual enrichment sites. An additional $10 million would not tions issued a report showing that the The IAEA’s regular inspections and crowd out contributions from other number of people executed by the Ira- continuous monitoring and oversight states. American representatives at the nian Government skyrocketed to near- mean that the international commu- U.N. offices in Vienna could direct ly 1,000 last year—twice as many as in nity will know if Iran tries to cheat on extra funding to specific projects or 2010 and 10 times as many as in 2005. the terms of the JCPOA before it can withhold it from others, allowing us to Most of these executions were alleg- dash to a nuclear weapon or build a address unanticipated needs by the edly for drug-related offenses. Accord- bomb in secret. But access alone is not IAEA without discouraging other do- ing to some reports, last year one vil- enough. The IAEA must have the re- nors from fulfilling their obligations as lage in Iran saw every single adult they should. sources to actually inspect, monitor, male—every single one in the entire We also need to continue to insist on and verify Iran’s compliance with the full transparency so that reports re- village—executed for so-called drug nuclear deal by confirming that Iran’s ceived by the IAEA, things they might crimes. These alarming statistics follow a nuclear declarations are accurate and learn, are shared with the United comprehensive, by monitoring their de- States—with our intelligence commu- January report from Amnesty Inter- clared sites to ensure Iran’s behavior nity, with our lawmakers, with our ex- national that documented Iran’s execu- actually complies with the terms of the ecutive branch—and to ensure, frankly, tion of over 70 juveniles in the decade JCPOA, and by tracking all nuclear-re- that we know if there are additional from 2005 to 2015, with another 160 lated material leaving every facility to classified or secret agreements, side young juvenile offenders still on death make sure Iran doesn’t divert and pur- agreements between the IAEA and row. No country in the world uses cap- sue illicit nuclear activities elsewhere Iran. ital punishment for minors more than in their country. Look, whether my colleagues sup- Iran. And despite Iran’s ratification of Given Iran’s long record of cheating ported the JCPOA or opposed it, surely an international treaty banning capital and of pursuing nuclear weapons illic- we can agree that it is in America’s in- punishment for minors, Iranian law itly over the decades past, investing re- terest to see the IAEA succeed in moni- still allows the death penalty for girls sources in ensuring that the IAEA can toring Iran’s behavior and attracting as young as 9 and boys as young as 15. take advantage of this unprecedented the best and brightest young scientists In addition, Iran’s unelected Guard- opportunity is a wise investment not from around the world for years to ian Council suppressed democracy in just for the American people but for come. As Brent Scowcroft—who served its most recent elections, preventing the world. To fulfill these responsibil- ably as National Security Advisor to the vast majority of either female or ities in addition to its regular and on- both President Gerald Ford and later reform-minded candidates from even going mission of ensuring nonprolifera- President George H.W. Bush—wrote in appearing on ballots. tion in every other country in the an August 21 Washington Post op-ed, Iran has illegally and inappropriately world, the IAEA must have the re- Congress ‘‘should ensure that the detained American citizens, including sources to turn access into oversight. International Atomic Energy Agency retired FBI agent Robert Levinson and Back in January, I traveled with and other relevant bodies and U.S. in- Iranian American energy executive seven other Senators to the IAEA’s telligence agencies have all the re- Siamak Namazi—both of whom we be- headquarters in Vienna, Austria, and sources necessary to facilitate inspec- lieve remain detained in Iran. The there we heard directly from Director tion and monitor compliance’’ with the Committee to Protect Journalists esti- General Yukiya Amano about the chal- nuclear deal with Iran. mates that at least 19 reporters are

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Effec- lect and inventiveness and capability Instead of detailed proposals, I was tively pushing back on these egregious and to be the products of an ancient initially told simply that health fund- human rights abuses and enforcing the and respectable culture. We in the ing issues surrounding Puerto Rico are JCPOA demands international collabo- United States do not wish the people of difficult and that the administration ration, but increasing our voluntary Iran ill, but the Iranian regime and expected Congress to address these contribution to the IAEA makes a di- those who support it deserve inter- issues in a fiscally responsive way—and rect impact without requiring approval national condemnation for a decades- to do it quickly. or action by any other country. long pattern of human rights abuses, Eventually, last month, with the re- There are two other additional uni- support for terrorism, and other bad lease of the President’s budget pro- lateral steps this Congress can take behavior. But we can and should make posal, we learned that the administra- today. a distinction between the Iranian re- tion wants to provide $30 billion—that First, we could increase Federal in- gime and the Persian people. vestment in our National Laboratories, is with a ‘‘b’’—in additional Medicaid The people of Iran—those who turn funds for Puerto Rico. When asked how which train the IAEA inspectors I out at polls to vote even in elections spoke about, develop technologies that the administration thought we should that are neither free nor fair and who pay for this, Secretary Burwell sug- nuclear inspectors depend on, and un- have repeatedly demonstrated in the dertake research that improves the gested we simply adopt the President’s streets for democracy and engagement, budget. However, given that there are lives of people around the world. risking life and limb to do so in the Second, and more promptly, the Sen- more surviving members of The decade past—must know that the ate could and should confirm Laura Beatles than there are Senators willing American people support the struggle Holgate, a nonproliferation expert who to vote in favor of an Obama budget, I was nominated more than 5 months of those who hope for real democracy don’t know if anyone can take that ago to serve as America’s Ambassador someday in Iran and those who hope suggestion very seriously. to the U.N. agencies of Vienna, which for an Iranian regime that someday re- That is the sum total of the input we includes the IAEA. After months of spects international values and human have gotten from the administration delays for purely political reasons, her rights. on dealing with Puerto Rico’s health nomination was finally approved by So today, just a few days before Mon- funding issues—a proposal for dramati- the Foreign Relations Committee on day’s Iranian New Year of Nowruz, we cally increased spending with no cred- January 28. The full Senate should not wish the people of Iran a happy, ible way to pay for it and a demand delay any further to ensure that our healthy, and peaceful new year, while that we provide that funding as quick- government is represented at the very continuing to stand firm against the ly as possible. That is all they are will- organization the world relies upon to values and actions of the Iranian re- ing to say publicly on this matter, even prevent Iran from gaining a nuclear gime. though administration officials have weapon. Thank you. labeled this a humanitarian crisis. With that, I yield the floor. Later this month, the President will By the way, buried in all of the de- Mr. COONS. Madam President, I sug- convene heads of state from around the tails is the fact that this proposal for gest the absence of a quorum. world for a fourth Nuclear Security increased Medicaid funds is meant to The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Summit, a conference dedicated to pre- shore up an inequity created by the so- venting nuclear terrorism and securing ERNST). The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk called . Apparently, stockpiles of nuclear material from the Democrats’ partisan health law around the world. The IAEA is at the proceeded to call the roll. Mr. HATCH. Madam President, I ask provided billions in additional Med- very forefront of this vital mission, and icaid funding for Puerto Rico, but also we need to work together to make sure unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. included a cliff—or a point in time it has the tools it needs to take on when that funding would drop off these serious tasks. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. quickly and dramatically—and that These goals demand involvement cliff is fast approaching. from every actor on the international f Let’s be clear: The Democrats con- stage, but by increasing America’s vol- PUERTO RICO structed that cliff, presumably know- untary contribution to the IAEA by an ing what they were doing at that time. additional $10 million, Congress can Mr. HATCH. Madam President, I am The Democrats in Congress voted for send a strong signal that we intend to trying to assess the financial and eco- it, and the Democrat in the White hold Iran to the terms of the JCPOA, nomic challenges facing Puerto Rico, House signed it into law. No Repub- to support the international cause of an issue I have been speaking about lican in Congress supported that cliff. nonproliferation, and to provide a vital since last summer. In fact, it was July incentive for our international part- of last year when I first wrote to Treas- Yet, now we are told that we must ners to dedicate more of their re- ury Secretary Lew, expressing my con- act quickly to eliminate the cliff that sources to this important agency. cern about the fiscal situation in Puer- they have created and add even more Iran remains today a revolutionary to Rico and inquiring about the Obama funds without a realistic way to pay regime fundamentally opposed to administration’s plans to address this for them. And, on top of that, Demo- America’s values and interests. Iran’s predicament. While I did eventually crats in Congress have labeled any hes- ballistic missile tests just last week get a response from the Treasury Sec- itation on the part of Republicans to serve as another reminder that the Ira- retary, numerous questions that I fix a problem they created and to fix it nian Government is neither America’s asked in that initial letter to this day in the exact way they prescribe as cal- friend nor ally. We must be relentless remain unanswered. lous indifference toward the plight of in our efforts to push back on these Over the ensuing months, I made the American citizens living in Puerto missile tests, on Iran’s destabilizing other inquiries to Health and Human Rico. support for terrorism, and on its Services Secretary Burwell because, I have been as clear as I can be on human rights abuses. We must con- for some time now, we have been told this issue. I have said repeatedly that I tinue to enforce the existing sanctions that funding—or to be more specific, a want to work with my colleagues to in American law and be willing to con- decline in funding—for Federal health find a solution, but we need to do so in sider imposing new ones when Iran’s care programs was a factor contrib- a manner that is fiscally responsible behavior warrants it. uting to Puerto Rico’s debt crisis. So with an eye toward righting the irre- Let me be clear about one thing in as the chairman of the Senate com- sponsible course taken by the Govern- closing. The Persian culture, the cul- mittee of jurisdiction over most of ment of Puerto Rico.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.042 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1572 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 Toward that end, I, along with a of the aisle have shown much interest to light. I have no qualms with any of number of my colleagues, have repeat- in discussing the substance of our bill. that because my goal and the goal of edly requested audited financial state- One would think they would want me my Republican colleagues is to provide ments from the Government of Puerto to bring it up, and if they wanted to sensible and reasonable solutions to Rico. One would think that is a reason- amend it, they could amend it. We have help the people living in Puerto Rico. able request. These requests date back to do this. We can’t just play around However, this does bring me to my to last September with the first hear- with this. Instead, we have seen the third point. Innocent and ethical inves- ing I held on these issues in the Fi- aforementioned proposals to send tens tors from , New York, New Jersey, nance Committee. That was six months of billions of dollars in health funds to and every other State in the Union, as ago, yet we still don’t have that infor- Puerto Rico, no questions asked, and a well as good-faith investors in Puerto mation from fiscal year 2014, let alone proposed bankruptcy scheme that my Rico, should not be casually labeled as 2015. colleagues have misleadingly claimed ‘‘vultures’’ or ‘‘speculators’’ and should In addition, last month I wrote a 9- would simply give Puerto Rico access be treated as any other similarly situ- page letter to the Governor of Puerto to chapter 9 debt relief—the same ac- ated investor. A retiree or near-retiree Rico, asking a number of questions cess we give to every municipality in in Sandy, UT, who invested part of her about Puerto Rico’s finances, and I the country. retirement savings in Puerto Rican asked that they be answered by the Of course, as I have made clear on a debt instruments, which carry Federal first of this month. I have received no number of occasions, the so-called tax preferences, is no less deserving of answers to these questions. chapter 9 access they are seeking for repayment than any other similarly In the face of a humanitarian crisis, Puerto Rico doesn’t really resemble situated claimant. It is easy to make it seems to be too much to ask of the the actual chapter 9 of the current exaggerated claims that the bond- holders are all rich people; they are Government of Puerto Rico that they Bankruptcy Code. In reality, their pro- not. Thousands and thousands, if not provide some verifiable financial infor- posal would create, for lack of a better hundreds of thousands, are average mation so that Congress can make an word, a super chapter 9 specifically for informed decision about how to handle people who have trusted the bonds. Puerto Rico and grant the territory un- Teresa and Julio Garcia, who are this very difficult situation. And, ap- precedented authority to restructure residents of Puerto Rico, along with parently, some of my friends on the its debt. And that is the territory not other middle-class Puerto Ricans who other side of the aisle are ready and having a special supervisory board to own a significant share of Puerto willing to spend tens of billions of dol- make sure they do restructure its debt. Rico’s debt, are certainly not vultures lars in taxpayer funds without all the Before I say more about the super and don’t deserve unequal treatment. relevant information and to publicly chapter 9 proposal, I just want to make Residents of Puerto Rico who are re- attack anyone who questions that clear that I and others have been work- tired or near retirement and who are strategy. ing for quite some time now to find an numbered among Puerto Rico’s bond- So far, my friends on the Democratic agreeable solution to these problems. holders, but don’t happen to receive side, including Members of Congress We have done so even while the Gov- public pensions, do not deserve to see and the administration, have been gen- ernment of Puerto Rico refuses to pro- their savings depleted in order to favor erally unwilling to provide even the vide anything resembling a complete certain public pension benefits in Puer- most basic information about how picture of its finances, which, it seems to Rico. To some, that last example much their various proposals for Puer- to this Senator, ought to be the first may seem oddly specific; however, if to Rico would cost the Federal Govern- thing that is done. you look at the super chapter 9 pro- ment or whether they intend to offset I have been working with colleagues posals put forward by Democrats, the those undisclosed costs. And none of in both the House and the Senate to ex- intent to favor public pensions over them show an interest in even dis- plore legislative options. And while I private bondholders—even those whose cussing ways to help Puerto Rico re- don’t want to speak for anyone else at retirement savings are invested in turn to a more sustainable fiscal and the moment, I will say we have been those bonds—is explicit. What is wrong economic course. Yet they repeatedly willing to consider various debt re- with worrying about private bond- have the audacity to accuse Repub- structuring mechanisms for Puerto holders who are like Julio and his wife? licans of indifference to the struggles Rico, balancing the need for fairness Regarding those public pensions, it is faced by the residents of Puerto Rico. and equal treatment for similarly situ- true that Puerto Rico tried to reform Sometimes I feel as though I am all ated parties. the retirement systems for its govern- alone, trying to solve this problem However, as we consider various ap- ment employees and did end up making without any help from the other side, proaches, I want to make three things some lasting changes from one of its and there are even difficult times on perfectly clear. programs. Nonetheless, the territory our side. First, the Government of Puerto Rico has not followed through on some as- The absurdity of this debate, if that must negotiate in good faith with its pects of the reforms it did make, and is what we want to call it, is com- creditors, and creditors must do the even in the face of dire fiscal condi- pounded by the fact that the only prac- same with Puerto Rico. It would be a tions, some of Puerto Rico’s major pub- tical and fiscally responsible legisla- mistake for officials in Puerto Rico to lic pension systems remain unchanged. tion introduced in Congress to address hold out or drag their feet on good- And for my friends on the other side, it these issues has come from Repub- faith bargaining efforts in an anticipa- appears that any effort to encourage licans. tion of congressional action. Puerto Rico to substantially improve As most of my colleagues should Second, contrary to claims made by its public pension systems as the island know, even with the severely incom- some of my colleagues, none of us have restructures some of its debt would be plete information we have, Senators any interest in helping out the ‘‘vul- out of the question. That just can’t be. GRASSLEY and MURKOWSKI, who chair tures’’ or ‘‘speculators’’ looking to Madam President, as we see increas- the Judiciary and Natural Resources profit out of the misery created in ingly large municipal bankruptcies and Committees, and I have introduced a Puerto Rico. If anyone uncovers illegal States with mounting fiscal pressures, bill that would provide some tax relief actions taken by investors in Puerto severely underfunded public pensions and fully offset funds to Puerto Rico Rico, then by all means they should be almost always seem to be lurking in for transition assistance as well as an prosecuted. If anyone can identify any the background. Until now, Detroit oversight authority to help ensure that investors whose actions are clearly was probably the biggest municipal Puerto Rico establishes credible budg- predatory and unethical, we should all bankruptcy in U.S. history, with a debt ets and future fiscal plans. Our bill pro- rain shame upon them. And, if former of around $18 billion. Now Puerto Rico vides the platform needed for sustained Federal Government officials who trav- is coming to Congress for help to deal economic growth and a return of access el through the revolving door of the ad- with $73 billion of debt and $43 billion to credit markets. ministration are found to be unduly en- of shockingly unfunded public pension However, neither the administration riching themselves off of Puerto Rico’s obligations, bringing the total to more nor any of my friends on the other side plight, their actions should be brought than $115 billion.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.043 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1573 It would be beyond irresponsible to tremely risky. Though my friends are the case, they would be glad to know offer aid to Puerto Rico without taking now being transparent about the relief that I have worked with JCT and the at least some action to improve public they want, it doesn’t make their pro- Congressional Budget Office to get a pension reporting and transparency. posals any more palatable. ballpark figure on the cost of their pro- Given the growing crisis of under- The bills introduced this week in- posals. All told, the provisions put for- funded public pensions around the clude proposals beyond the super chap- ward in the bill Senator MENENDEZ and country, which I have been warning my ter 9 proposal. While these ideas are some of his colleagues introduced this colleagues about for years now, taking not at all new, it is worth taking a few week would cost Federal taxpayers no action will ensure that States and minutes to go through them individ- more than $45 billion, and probably municipalities that have been respon- ually. closer to $50 billion, at least from what sible with their pensions and their fis- First, we have provisions, as poorly we can tell from the legislative lan- cal planning will see their costs go up constructed this year as they were last guage, which is not the clearest I have as a result of the bad and imprudent year, calling for additional Medicare ever seen. actors. On this point, officials of the and Medicaid funds for Puerto Rico. I can only assume that the adminis- Securities and Exchange Commission Second, we have proposals to extend tration does not support these bills, and municipal market analysts over- parts of the U.S. personal income tax given that, in what little communica- whelmingly agree: Increased trans- system that provide direct aid to U.S. tion we have had with them on these parency on public pension liabilities is taxpayers to people in Puerto Rico, ex- issues, they have consistently admon- clearly necessary. cluding any part that requires positive ished us to address the Puerto Rico Earlier this week, while our bi- tax payment. Residents of Puerto Rico problem in a ‘‘fiscally responsible cameral work to produce passable leg- do not file Federal income tax returns way.’’ I have a hard time imagining islation to address the problems in or pay any personal Federal income any argument that the approaches Puerto Rico has progressed, some of tax, yet my colleagues want the proffered by my friends this week my friends on the other side of the earned-income tax credit and child tax would satisfy even the loosest defini- aisle decided to chime in once again credits to be paid out to residents of tion of fiscal responsibility, at least with another round of implausible pol- Puerto Rico. Of course, the Joint Com- not until they come up with a icy proposals and fresh political at- mittee on Taxation—the nonpartisan semireasonable way to offset the $50 tacks. The latest group of bills intro- scorekeeper and adviser when it comes billion cost. duced by Democrats includes a number to tax policy—has already indicated Once again, given all these ominous of repackaged ideas from last year, in- that such a scheme would be rife with realities, I have to assume that these cluding unscored and unsound pro- administrative difficulties and fraud. It bills are more about politics than solu- posals to allocate funds and direct aid is, at the very least, difficult and tions. As I said, people who are serious as well as a renewed effort to grant un- counterintuitive to expect the IRS to about solving a problem typically don’t precedented debt resolution authority properly operate an income tax pro- propose tens of billions of dollars in for Puerto Rico. The only real dif- gram for people that are not subject to spending without actually disclosing ference between the ideas we have seen the income system to start with. How- the costs and talking about offsets. No, already and those that were included in ever, that doesn’t seem to faze my people who put out big ideas without a the bills this week is that Democrats friends on the other side. plausible path to get them enacted are are apparently now willing to be up- Third, we have a control board to usually more interested in talking front about the fact that the debt reso- oversee the restructuring of Puerto about a problem than they are in solv- lution authority they are seeking isn’t Rico’s debt that under the bill would be ing it and more interested in political just the same chapter 9 everyone else populated by Puerto Rican political ap- posturing than actually helping people. has, but an entirely new animal alto- pointees. That is one of the problems— Let me say that again. People who gether. the political appointees in Puerto Rico. put out big ideas without a plausible Last year, my friends on the other Why don’t they start thinking about path to get them enacted are usually side had a bill to provide Puerto Rico all the taxpayers in America? Clearly, more interested in talking about a with an ability to apply chapter 9 debt the structure of this proposed control problem than they are in solving it and resolution authority on a retroactive board would subject any financial deci- more interested in political posturing basis. The reasoning and rhetoric be- sionmaking in Puerto Rico to the same than in actually helping people. hind the bill was that municipalities in political wrangling that got the terri- This Senator is not interested in the every State have access, and so should tory into this mess in the first place. politics surrounding the crisis in Puer- Puerto Rico—never mind the retro- Yet the obviousness of these problems to Rico nor in what the polls say on activity. seems to have escaped my colleagues. this issue. I have been working for Now, however, the goalposts are As with last year, we do not know some time now to craft a legislative so- being moved. My friends have now in- the precise cost of the health funding lution that can actually pass because I troduced their super chapter 9 bank- and refundable tax credit proposals be- am more interested in enhancing the ruptcy scheme devised by administra- cause my friends have not been inter- lives and opportunities of our fellow tion officials. Of course, this new super ested in getting them scored or in dis- citizens in Puerto Rico than I am on chapter 9 is not something available to closing how much they cost. Essen- the political impact this debate could other municipalities or States. It is, in tially, my colleagues want to have a have between now and November. Since fact, without precedent. It includes vir- debate about their proposals without last summer, well before almost any- tually all government debt in Puerto any real discussion of what they will one in Congress really began thinking Rico and blows right through a payout cost the American taxpayers. about the challenges facing Puerto protection afforded to general obliga- I have been here only about 39 Rico and long before we sought any tion debt that is in Puerto Rico’s Con- years—actually, 40—but I think that is outlandish legislative proposal from stitution. This not only steps directly long enough to know that anyone who our friends on the other side, I have on Puerto Rico’s autonomy, but it also puts forward legislation designed spe- been calling on my colleagues on both sends dangerous signals by telling mu- cifically to throw taxpayer funds at a sides of the aisle to work with me to nicipal bond markets to no longer re- problem without disclosing how much find serious and credible solutions to gard general obligation debt issued by they actually want to spend isn’t all help the people, not the politicians, in States as being safe, as previously ex- that interested in passing the legisla- Puerto Rico. pected. That, of course, means higher tion. Instead, what people tend to want I repeat that call today. If there is costs to States for funding things like in those situations is to send a polit- anyone who wants to put people far out infrastructure projects, and it is some- ical message that they care about a in front of politics and frankly address thing that many State Governors have problem while the other side does not. these problems instead of merely talk- said they worry about and do not sup- Perhaps I am wrong. Perhaps my ing about them, my door remains port. Needless to say, this freshly con- friends on the other side do want to see open—wide open—and I hope some will structed bankruptcy scheme is ex- their proposals become law. If that is walk through to help us get this done.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.044 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1574 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 I want to get this done. I believe the This should have never happened. their children have been poisoned. people of Puerto Rico deserve having it This is a disaster that was clearly man- They have ingested lead. They know done, but it has to be done right, and it made. It was a result of negligence on they can’t use the water. Even now, al- can’t be done by gouging everybody the part of those folks who were given though they have filters, a lot of them else in America for profligacy and im- the trust to run the system properly. can’t use the water. They are living on proper conduct in Puerto Rico. Now we are left with an absolute catas- bottled water. With that, Madam President, I yield trophe in the city. Today I had a woman named Gladys the floor. Although every resident is hurt, who came up to me. She traveled to I suggest the absence of a quorum. there is no question that it is primarily Washington to tell her story. She The PRESIDING OFFICER. The the children of Flint who have been im- brought a bag with hair in it. She is clerk will call the roll. pacted as a result. That is what is so losing her hair as a result of using The legislative clerk proceeded to insidious about lead poisoning. Even some of this water. She can’t use her call the roll. though it will eventually be flushed home. She was in tears as she talked Mr. PETERS. Madam President, I out of your body, if you are ingesting about the lost value of her home, her ask unanimous consent that the order this when you are young while your entire life’s savings in this house. Now for the quorum call be rescinded. brain is still developing, it can have The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without she doesn’t know what that house is permanent brain damage. That damage objection, it is so ordered. worth because she is not sure whether can be mitigated, but it is going to re- the water is safe to drink. f quire the use of wraparound education Folks in Flint don’t care who caused FLINT, MICHIGAN, WATER CRISIS services. It is going to make sure those this problem, they just need help. In Mr. PETERS. Madam President, I children have proper nutrition and the past, the Federal Government and wish to talk about an issue my col- make sure they have health coverage, this body, the Senate, have always league Senator DEBBIE STABENOW of but certainly this is every resident in stepped up to help those in need. That Michigan and I have been working on Flint, not just children but also the el- is the right thing to do. That is what for 2 months. It is an issue that is sad derly and everybody who is a resident the American people expect us to do. and has been absolutely catastrophic of that city. The American people look to make for people who live in our State, in the What has been so frustrating about sure that they are always in a position city of Flint. this effort is that certainly we know to help those in need. It is our values. In fact, today we had hundreds of this is the State’s responsibility. The It is who we are as a country. It is who folks from Flint come to Washington, State broke it. They need to fix it. The we are as a people. Yet it has been ex- DC, to attend a House hearing that was State needs to put substantial re- tremely difficult to get that help out of held to talk about what had happened sources in place. The Governor was this body. in Flint and to get answers from the here today talking about some of those I am pleased to say that in the last 2 EPA Administrator, as well as the Gov- efforts. He needs to do a whole lot months we have made some progress. ernor of Michigan. The folks came to more. Everybody agrees the State has Senator MURKOWSKI of Alaska and Sen- make sure their voices were heard in to do a whole lot more, and taking re- ator INHOFE of Oklahoma have been this tragedy, to make sure people sponsibility means making sure the re- great in working with Senator STABE- would see them as human beings who sources are there to provide the serv- NOW and me. We have been able to build are being afflicted by this horrible ices that are going to be necessary— a list of cosponsors who are also help- tragedy. They are in a situation where not just now but for what will likely be ing us in this effort: Senator BURR, they can’t turn on their tapwater and many decades in the future. Senator CAPITO, Senator KIRK, and have clean water, water free from lead. What I am concerned about, what the Senator PORTMAN. A number of Sen- I think many folks are aware of what residents of the city of Flint are con- ators have come together on both sides happened. We had a situation where an cerned about, is that although right of the aisle to say: Here is a solution unelected emergency manager was ap- now this issue has received national at- we can get behind. pointed by the Governor to save dol- tention and the eyes of the country are The proposal Senator STABENOW and lars, to save money, and in the process focused on Flint, they know that soon- I have worked on will provide money contaminated a water system. er or later the TV cameras will go, that through the Safe Drinking Water Fund. The decision was made to move away the lights will not be shining on Flint, It will provide grants for any commu- from clean Detroit water from the De- and people may forget what happened nity that has an emergency. Any com- troit water system—water that comes in Flint. However, the people of Flint munity, not just Flint, that finds itself from Lake Huron in the Great Lakes— will be left dealing with this problem in an emergency of this kind could re- and move on a temporary basis until a for decades to come. We cannot let that access these resources. Although Flint new system could be put up and run- happen. These people cannot be forgot- is the only community right now that ning that drew water from the Flint ten. Certainly Senator STABENOW and I would qualify, we believe there are River. The Flint River was known to be have been working aggressively to other communities that will likely water that was very corrosive. In fact, hopefully force the Governor to create qualify in the future. In fact, there General Motors had an engine plant a future fund that will provide re- may be some in a relatively short pe- along the Flint River and used Flint sources for years to come for the peo- riod of time. River water in their manufacturing ple who have been impacted by this It also creates a loan fund of poten- process but found that the water was so horrible crisis. tially up to $700 million—perhaps even corrosive that it was damaging engine Even though this is a State responsi- more—that every single community blocks. So they stopped using this bility and the State needs to step up can access. This is an issue every com- water because of the damage it was and do more, there is also a role for the munity in our country may potentially doing to the manufacturing process, Federal Government. Wherever there face. With aging infrastructure, we but, unfortunately, the unelected has been a disaster anywhere in the know there are incredible infrastruc- emergency manager and the State gov- country, the Federal Government has ture needs that have to be met, and the ernment decided to use that water for stepped up and helped those folks who legislation we have worked on helps the people of Flint as a source of drink- have been the victims of disaster. every community of every single State ing water, and they did not put in the Some argue this is a manmade dis- deal with this very important issue. proper corrosion control chemicals aster, the Federal Government It also addresses some of the health that may have mitigated this disaster. shouldn’t be involved in it, and we only issues I mentioned earlier in my talk— As a result, this highly corrosive water deal with natural disasters, but I would issues that help the children and the was going through the pipes, damaging just say ask the people of Flint: Does it residents who have been poisoned by the pipes, and released very large matter who actually caused this prob- lead—by plussing up public health pro- amounts of lead that has led to the lem? Can we be there to help folks? grams for lead abatement and helping contamination of an entire water sys- They don’t care. They don’t really care the CDC do its great work to help tem. where it came from. They just know folks.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.045 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1575 This is a commonsense proposal that about what they are dealing with. Yet Certainly, the business community is addresses some of the pressing needs in this Senator continues to have a hold. concerned now about people coming the city of Flint, while also addressing Now, I understand the Senator may and doing business and going to res- some of the pressing needs we face as a have a problem with a particular piece taurants in the city of Flint, despite country to make sure we are investing of legislation. That happens. We are the fact that there is wonderful work in water infrastructure so that a cit- not going to agree on everything. I going on downtown in rebuilding this izen, no matter where they live or who would just ask that we allow this legis- community. There are wonderful, ex- they are, can turn on their tap and lation to come to the floor and the one citing things happening, and now they have clean drinking water come out of Senator who has the hold—if he doesn’t have really been knocked off their feet it. like the legislation, that is fine—can because of what has happened. We have also worked hard to address vote no if he likes. That is certainly Across the way in the other Chamber some of the concerns we heard from the his prerogative as an elected Member today, there are hearings going on. other side of the aisle, in addition to of this body—to vote no. But please let There is a lot of effort back and forth the fact that this is open to all commu- the other 99 Senators in this body have in talking about who is to blame for nities, not just Flint. We also heard a say. That is all we are asking for. Put what happened. We certainly under- that folks wanted it paid for, and cer- it on the floor and let this body make stand what happened, coming from tainly Senator STABENOW and I believe the final decision as to whether or not Michigan, but I have to tell you that that as well. So we are fiscally respon- this is an appropriate response to an we are laser-focused on the folks who sible. We found a pay-for in a program absolutely catastrophic disaster that had nothing to do with what hap- that deals with vehicle technology but has hit a community in this country of pened—nothing to do with what hap- one we thought was important to use ours. I don’t think that is asking a lot. pened. These are the people of Flint, to help the people of Flint and help Now, I am a new Member here. I am who assumed, like each one of us does, water infrastructure projects across new, but I cannot imagine that folks that when you get up in the morning the country. here in the Senate will not allow legis- and turn on the faucet, when you take The important thing about this, in lation that is so important for people a shower or you feed your children, addition to dealing with the problem who have been impacted in such an ex- clean water is going to come out of the and in addition to its being completely treme way to come to the Senate pipes. We all assume that. That is pret- paid for, is that it also reduces the def- Floor. What would our Founding Fa- ty much a basic human right, certainly icit. It will actually generate more thers think if they were to look upon in America. It may not be in other money than is necessary to pay for this the Senate? They were concerned about countries, but it certainly is in Amer- bill and will reduce the deficit. factions and political parties and a ica, where we assume that is the case. In the past, when we have had a na- body that would be paralyzed to really In America, when a community is tional disaster such as the one we have work on the tough issues that our struck by this kind of catastrophe—a seen in Flint, normally we see emer- country was going to face. I can’t catastrophe they did not cause—we gency funds being used, as we have imagine looking in the eyes of our come together as Americans. That is done with bridge collapses and oil re- Founders and saying: The Senate—the what we do. We pitch in. We do what finery fires and water main breaks. deliberative body, the body that is sup- we can to help. That is what Senator Even though that is probably the best posed to take up the really tough PETERS and I have been hoping to ac- source to fund this—if you treat the issues facing us as a country—refuses complish on behalf of the people of people of Flint like we treat other to act and refuses to even put it on the Flint. folks all around the country, we would floor so it can be debated and voted Since we have started debating these use emergency funds—we went the upon. issues, we have found other commu- extra distance to take a fund and make So I will close and pass this on to my nities as well that have challenges— sure it would completely pay for this colleague, the senior Senator from none to the extent we are seeing in program, while at the same time reduc- Michigan, Ms. STABENOW, and let her Flint, where 100,000 people and the en- ing the deficit. continue. I am certainly disappointed, tire city have been exposed to lead poi- We have done backflips and have and I would ask all of my colleagues to soning and the whole water system is worked with our colleagues on both please join with us to work to get this in shambles. But there are other com- sides of the aisle and have built sup- to the floor so we can have a vote. The munities that have challenges, and we port, and I believe if this bill went to people of Flint cannot wait any longer. believe it is important to help them as the floor, it would pass. I think it The rest of the country is looking at well. So we have come up with some- would pass by a good margin. We be- the Senate and they are shaking their thing, as Senator PETERS said. lieve we have very strong support for heads wondering why the Senate is in- it. Yet here we are today, about ready capable of putting this issue on the We have been working hard for the to break for 2 weeks, and we are going floor and having a simple up-or-down last 8 weeks to find a bipartisan plan— to break without addressing this issue vote. a compromise—that is not only fully that has such strong bipartisan sup- Madam President, I yield the floor. paid for but out of something that I au- port. This has been a work in progress The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- thored in the 2007 Energy bill, by the for over 2 months. It is ready to be ator from Michigan. way. Because of the importance of this voted on, yet we are going to leave Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, to the people of Flint, I said: OK, we without that vote. first I want to thank my partner and will give something we care about here. We are going to leave because there colleague, Senator PETERS, for his won- We will restructure it. We will shorten is basically one Senator out there who derful friendship and commitment to the time of the program, and we will doesn’t want to see it move forward— the people of Flint. We both share this. pay for it out of that. one Senator who doesn’t really like This has really become a second full- Senator PETERS, when he was in the this proposal. I am not going to speak time job for us, given what has hap- House, was the champion for this par- for that individual, but they have their pened in Flint, in reaching out on be- ticular advanced manufacturing loan issues and they continually want more half of the 9,000 children who are under program. We are saying: OK, we are and more. The folks who are suffering the age of 6 who have been exposed and willing to have that end in order to be right now are the people of Flint. I the homes that have exposure of lead able to pay for what is happening in wish that one Senator who has the hold that is higher than a toxic waste dump. Flint. On top of a fully paid-for pro- would have met with the people I met As a mom and now as a grandmother, gram out of a program that Republican with this morning and that Senator I can’t imagine what that must feel colleagues don’t like—so we are going STABENOW and some of our other col- like for the moms and dads and the to be ending something that folks leagues met with this morning. I wish grandpas and grandmas and the fear would like to end—tens of millions of that Senator would have heard their and horror they feel, as well as for the dollars in deficit reduction come along stories, heard their anguish, and saw adults and the seniors who are exposed with this for the score. So it doesn’t the tears in their eyes as they talked and everyone who is paying a price. get any better than this.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.047 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1576 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 We were told to find something that working behind the scenes. We are so nearly $34 billion in upgrades to its is a pay-for that is not going to in- grateful for their kind words and en- drinking water infrastructure over the fringe with what other people care couragement and for the people who next 20 years to comply with minimum about. We did that. We were told no have offered their support for what we safety standards. earmarks. We did that. We were told no are doing. Last month in Ohio, 13 water systems new programs built on current pro- I particularly want to thank our ap- were under lead advisories. In Sebring, grams. We did that. And we added def- propriations leaders, Senator COCHRAN OH, lab tests last August found unsafe icit reduction. Yet the children of Flint and Senator MIKULSKI, for going the levels of lead in drinking water—and it are still waiting. The children of extra mile to figure out some strategy took 5 months before the city told Flint—for the last 8 weeks—and their that would satisfy the Senator from pregnant women and children not to families are still waiting. Utah to get beyond this hold and to drink the water and to shut down the As Senator PETERS said, we met come together. taps and fountains in schools. some of these people this morning, and Unfortunately, despite strong bipar- Just today, the USA TODAY network it just breaks your heart. People are tisan support and our best efforts, we published a report that identified near- looking at us and saying: OK, you have find ourselves still in a spot, even ly 2,000 water systems where excessive been working on this and you have this though we have had conversations lead levels have been detected in the bipartisan group; isn’t that great. But today—and I appreciate that, and folks last 4 years, and they serve 6 million what is happening? The children of say they still want to work together, people. Flint are waiting. but it seems like we go round and Tech professor Marc So we are at a point where this has to round and round and round. We need to Edwards recently again sounded the stop. We need a vote. We need a vote. stop and have a vote at this point in alarm about lead pipes in Washington. We have a bipartisan bill, and we need time. At one point, we thought we had In Cleveland, children have high levels a vote. We are at a point where we need agreement. As I said, we met again due to exposure to lead in household to have a vote and stop this ability of today. It would make sense in moving paints. We could go on and on. Penn- one person to just hold things up. forward to offer the Senator the oppor- sylvania, high lead levels. First, I want to thank our Repub- tunity to have a second-degree amend- The reason I am saying this is be- lican colleagues as well as Democratic ment to our proposal. He has a dif- cause while the catastrophe has hap- colleagues who have been working with ferent idea on structuring that. We are pened in Flint—for many reasons be- us. First of all, our main Republican willing to make the case, let him make yond the control of anybody in Flint— sponsor, the chairman of the Environ- the case, and decide. That is what the there are other communities now that ment and Public Works Committee, Senate is about—have a vote, decide. need help as well, which is why the pro- Senator INHOFE, has been a true cham- The children of Flint need our help. posal we have is one that has broad bi- pion for supporting water infrastruc- Somehow this procedural stuff—talk- partisan support to be able to activate ture investments nationally. I am so ing to folks about holds and cloture a wider infrastructure-financing mech- grateful he came forward and offered and all this—is not going to turn on anism that allows communities around the idea of not only being able to sup- the water in Flint. It is not going to the country to be able to solve prob- port Flint but to activate a financing help the children who have already lems before they get to what happened program set up in the last water re- been exposed and their families. We in Flint on the early end to solve the sources bill that would address commu- need the sense of urgency they have. problems so people don’t get lead poi- nities across the country as well. That When we look around the country— soning. That is in this bill. We step up, is terrific. If we can help other commu- and, believe me, our focus is on Flint. because these are Americans in Flint, nities, along with what we need to do Even though there are certainly other MI, and say: We hear you. We see you. to support the families of Flint, that is communities in Michigan with water We care about you, and because you great. So we thank him for his dili- issues, others around the country, we have a Federal emergency declaration gence. He has really stepped up, and we are laser-focused on the place where we will provide the opportunity to get are so grateful. the water has been destroyed and the some help. In addition to account- I want to thank the chair of the En- people have been poisoned because of a ability and responsibility of the State, ergy and Natural Resources Committee whole range of what happened, and peo- the Federal Government, because of and the ranking member, Senator MUR- ple have not been able to take a bath the EPA’s role in this, will be a part of KOWSKI and Senator CANTWELL, who or cook with water out of a tap or to be the solution in fixing these pipes. have been stellar. I can’t count how able to care for their children or them- We also address public health issues: many hours we have talked on the selves for almost 2 years. the Centers for Disease Control Child- phone, we have had meetings, and we It is also true that when we talk to hood Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund, have talked on the floor, and the colleagues in putting together this bill, HUD’s Healthy Homes Program for lengths to which both of them have there are drinking water infrastructure lead both in water and in paint, and we been willing to go to support us in solv- needs around the country to be ad- address the opportunity to reach out ing this problem. They have been won- dressed. Utah will require $3.7 billion in and deal with the public health issues derful—even as late as a couple of drinking water infrastructure over the for children. hours ago in talking to us to figure out next 20 years to meet minimum human Needless to say, we are extremely how we could move forward both to ad- health and safety requirements. In disappointed—putting it mildly—in dress this water infrastructure bill to Jackson, MS, last month—after ran- how we feel about coming to a point help Flint and other communities and dom samples showed lead levels above today, despite best efforts on many also to move forward on the Energy Federal action levels—the mayor people’s parts, frankly, despite our pa- bill. So we need to be doing both, and issued a warning to pregnant women tience working with people, accepting we are at a point where that needs to and children 5 years of age and younger them at their word, working, trying to get done. to stay away from tapwater. The get things done, looking at various al- We have 10 cosponsors of the bill, and mayor also said: This is not Flint be- ternatives to get beyond the road- I want to thank Senator PORTMAN and cause we are telling people about it and blocks, despite a lot of effort. Again, Senator BROWN, Senator KIRK, Senator we are taking action, which, unfortu- we are grateful for those who have REED of Rhode Island, Senator BURR, nately, did not happen to protect the stood with us and worked so hard on Senator DURBIN, Senator BOXER, Sen- health and safety of the people in our behalf. It is incredibly dis- ator MIKULSKI, Senator CAPITO, and Flint. appointing and frustrating and, frank- Senator BALDWIN. People from both Last month in Crystal City, TX, ly, maddening that we are here as the parties have come together to do some- there was black sludge water coming Senate is leaving for the next 2 weeks thing that will make things better for out of the faucet, and residents were and we do not have action on Flint and the families and the communities that warned to boil tapwater before drink- on water systems across this country. we represent. There are a number of ing it—in Texas. According to a recent Again, I can tell you that for the peo- other Members and staff who have been survey by EPA, Texas will require ple of Flint who have not gotten help

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.048 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1577 for so long, for the people of Flint who The organized campaign of vilifica- I wish to say a little about the text of were told the water was OK and it tion and character attacks surrounding the Constitution. We hear both sides wasn’t—and I have now been watching Judge Bork’s nomination was so un- talk about this, but let’s see it in de- coverups and slow-walking for going on precedented and so extreme that it tail. 2 years—this is just one more time took the creation of a new word, ‘‘to I have heard so many of my Demo- when they are watching inaction and Bork,’’ to describe what had happened. cratic colleagues claim that the Senate we could be stepping up and doing The process for nominating Justices has an obligation to schedule hearings something to help. to the Supreme Court has been thor- and hold a vote on this nominee. We So that is what we are asking for; oughly politicized ever since. That have all read article II, section 2, of the that when we come back, the children politicization has done great damage Constitution. Every Member of this of Flint be a priority for action; that not only to the Court but to this body, body knows the Constitution says we work together, as we have done the U.S. Senate. It has expanded be- nothing about hearings or votes on ju- across the aisle, to put forward some- yond just Supreme Court nominees and dicial nominees. It is simply not there. thing that will address water infra- now affects so many of our nominees Senators of both parties have always structures to help the people of Flint, for circuit judgeships as well. That is understood this and have said so for to help people around the country so what happened in 2013, when then-Ma- years, regardless of who was in the ma- they don’t find themselves in a situa- jority Leader REID broke a tradition jority. In 2005, Minority Leader REID tion like the people of Flint; and that almost as old as the Senate itself by in- said: ‘‘Nowhere in the Constitution we do that together; that we pass that voking the nuclear option and breaking does it say the Senate has a duty to bill; that we pass an energy bill; and the Senate’s filibuster rule to stack give Presidential appointees a vote.’’ that we move forward after weeks and various circuit courts. Before that, in 2002, the former chief weeks and weeks of good-faith efforts I don’t think I need to remind any of judge of the DC Circuit, Abner Mikva, to get something done. my colleagues that when the Demo- who was a Carter appointee, said: ‘‘The All we are asking for is a vote. That crats were in the minority, there was Senate should not act on any Supreme is all we are asking for, after all this no shortage of protests heard in this Court vacancies that might occur until effort, is the opportunity to vote. If room about how sacred an institution after the next presidential election.’’ someone believes it is not the right the filibuster was. Keep in mind that The senior Senator from Nevada and thing to do, they have the opportunity the nuclear option was invoked after Judge Mikva were right then, and that we all have, to vote no, but the the Senate confirmed the President’s Chairman GRASSLEY and my Repub- children of Flint deserve a vote. The first nominee to the DC Circuit by a lican colleagues are right now. children in Jackson, MS, and the peo- unanimous 97-to-0 vote. It was an act Despite many of them previously ple around the country are worried of raw political power, the nuclear op- making the exact same points we are they might become the crisis, the ca- tion. today, my Democratic colleagues are tastrophe in Flint, and are asking us We heard yesterday that the Presi- continuing this diatribe of telling us to simply to vote. dent has named his nominee to the Su- do our job. I would respectfully say to Lead poisoning is a frightening thing. preme Court, but let’s be clear, any my Democratic colleagues today, we It gets in your body and never leaves. previous confirmation or record as a are doing our job. Our job as Senators It goes from your blood to your bones. judge or professional qualifications are is to decide how to responsibly exercise When a woman gets pregnant, it goes not the issue for any nominee. What is the powers of advice and consent dele- into the fetus. It is a frightening form at stake is the integrity of the process, gated to us under our Constitution. of poison. If that is not a national not the person. It is the principle, not The responsibile course of action emergency worthy of action by the the individual, because our judicial here—a course of action endorsed by Senate and the House—the Congress of nominees to the Supreme Court, the both Democrats and Republicans for this country—I don’t know what is. circuits, and the district courts deserve decades—is to refrain from initiating Frankly, there are a whole lot of peo- better than to be used as pawns in any the nomination process in the midst of ple who have lost faith in the govern- political fight, and that is exactly what an election-year political fight. The re- ment right now of Flint, who are ask- would happen if the Senate were to sponsible course of action is to avoid ing us to see them, to care about them, consider any nominee in the middle of the political theater this nomination and to help. this political season. would become. Madam President, I yield the floor. I am a new Member to this institu- I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- tion, but this has been the view of my I suggest the absence of a quorum. ator from Georgia. colleagues in both parties who have The PRESIDING OFFICER. The f served in the Senate far longer than I clerk will call the roll. have. This was their view no matter The senior assistant legislative clerk FILLING THE SUPREME COURT proceeded to call the roll. VACANCY who the nominee was. This was their view even when there wasn’t a vacancy Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I Mr. PERDUE. Madam President, re- to fill. ask unanimous consent that the order garding the vacancy on the Supreme The former chairman of the Judici- for the quorum call be rescinded. Court, many of our colleagues in the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ary Committee, Vice President BIDEN, minority party have said the same recognized this in 1992, when he said: objection, it is so ordered. things we are saying today. Let’s stop f kidding each other. This kind of polit- Once the political season is underway, and it is, action on a Supreme Court nomination HONORING NEBRASKA’S SOLDIERS ical showmanship—and, yes, indeed, must be—I want to emphasize that ‘‘must’’— WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN COM- hypocrisy—is exactly what makes ev- must be put off until after the election cam- BAT eryone in my home State absolutely paign is over. That is what is fair to the apoplectic with Washington. nominee and is central to the process. Other- Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I The last time I addressed the Su- wise, it seems to me, we will be in deep trou- rise today to continue my tribute to preme Court vacancy on the Senate ble as an institution. Nebraska’s heroes and the current gen- floor, I urged my colleagues on the I agree. The Vice President correctly eration of men and women who lost other side of the aisle not to let the saw that when we inject a nomination their lives defending our freedom in nominations process get bogged down into a contentious election-year at- Iraq and Afghanistan. Each of these in partisan politics—that is not what mosphere, we do a disservice not only Nebraskans has a special story to tell. this should be about—not to let this to the nominee but to the institution Throughout this year and beyond, I process turn into political theater be- of the itself. It is will continue to honor their memory cause that is exactly what has hap- my view that enough institutional here on the Senate floor. pened far too often in this body ever damage has already been done to the FIRST LIEUTENANT JACOB FRITZ since the Bork nomination way back in Senate through these politicized nomi- Today, I wish to highlight the life of 1987. nations. 1LT Jacob Fritz of Verdon, NE. Jake,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:30 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.049 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1578 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 as he was known to his friends and But shortly after Jake arrived at NOMINATIONS OF BETH COBERT loved ones, grew up on his family’s Karbala, all hell broke loose. On Janu- AND MICHAEL MISSAL farm near Verdon, NE, a town with ary 20, 2007, enemy militants disguised Mr. CARPER. Thank you, Mr. Presi- fewer than 200 people. While attending as friendly soldiers entered the base dent. It is good to see the Presiding Of- Dawson-Verdon High School, Jake and attacked. In a matter of minutes, ficer on this St. Patrick’s Day, and I thrived and stood out as a model stu- Lieutenant Fritz and three other am pleased to have a chance to rise and dent. He was an all-around athlete and American soldiers were captured. The to urge my colleagues to confirm two played the baritone in the honor band. militants rushed Jake and the other very important nominees. Some of my He was also passionate about helping hostages east towards Mahawil. Amer- colleagues have scattered across the others in need and regularly devoted ican troops quickly located their trail country to go home for a 2-week recess, his time to organizations that combat and they followed in hot pursuit. but the Presiding Officer is here. Hope- substance abuse in Verdon and around Shortly after crossing the Euphrates fully, the words that I am saying here the State. River and with American forces gain- today will find their way to our col- Jake’s former principal, John ing, the militants attempted to hasten leagues wherever they are or wherever Eickhoff, described him as ‘‘a great their escape by executing the four cap- they are headed. kid, student and athlete.’’ Principal tives. The American soldiers were One of the nominees is a woman Eickhoff recalls, ‘‘If I had a school full stripped of their identification and named Beth Cobert, who has been nom- of Jacob Fritzes, I wouldn’t have had shot as the militants fled the scene, inated to be the Director of the Office anything to do.’’ and Jake was mortally wounded. As his of Personnel Management, and the When Jake entered his senior year in heartless murderers fled into the abyss, other is Michael Missal, who has been high school, his focus remained on his Jake realized his body might not be nominated to be the inspector general commitment to helping others, and he identified, and so in a final act of brav- of the Department of Veterans Affairs. began pursuing a career in the U.S. ery, he managed to scrawl a few letters Like many of my colleagues, I have military. His mother Noala recalls in the dust of an abandoned vehicle. So grown frustrated over the years as, too Jake’s dream of serving his country, when the American troops arrived at often, senior positions in the Federal which was inspired by his grandfather, the scene, they saw his body and the Government have been left vacant or a retired Air Force officer. Karen word ‘‘Fritz.’’ filled by someone serving in an acting Mezger, a family friend, recalls that Back in Verdon, NE, it was a snowy capacity for far too long. A lack of Jake wanted to have a career in the day in late January of 2007. Jake’s critical leadership at agencies can— Army and more than anything come mother Noala arrived home to find two and oftentimes does—undermine the ef- back to Verdon and live the life of a strange cars in the driveway. Men fectiveness of Federal programs. I gentleman farmer. dressed in uniform approached her as know all of us want Federal agencies to With the support of his family and she walked to the back door. She in- work more efficiently to provide the the nomination from then-Senator stinctively knew why they were there, most value to American taxpayers, and Chuck Hagel, Jake left Nebraska in and she refused to listen to the words having strong leadership in place is June of 2000 to begin his first year at no mother should ever hear. It was key to that effort. I hope we can move the U.S. Military Academy at West clear that her son would not be coming Point. As soon as he arrived, Jake to quickly confirm both of these nomi- home. nees when the Senate returns after the earned the reputation among his fellow First Lieutenant Jacob Fritz was laid cadets as a warm and supportive per- recess. to rest on January 31, 2007. He received Let me start with a few words about son. His friend, 1LT Travis Reinfold, full military honors, and he was buried Beth Cobert. I don’t know if the Pre- recalls Jake’s midwestern values. ‘‘I in a church ceremony just 4 miles from siding Officer has had a chance to meet called him ‘Jolly Jake,’ ’’ Lieutenant his home. Family and friends paid their with her. She is one of the most im- Reinfold remembers, ‘‘because no mat- final respects in a moving service that pressive leaders of this administration ter who you were, he always gave you honored the courage, commitment, and a warm country smile.’’ Lieutenant Re- or any administration whom I have had sacrifice of this local hero. Jake was infold also noted Jake’s superb voice as the privilege to know. She is an excel- posthumously awarded the Bronze a member of the West Point Glee Club. lent nominee to head OPM. Right from Star, Purple Heart, Prisoner of War His voice was always filled with convic- the start, I have been very impressed Medal, and the Combat Action Badge. with her work, with her leadership, tion and beauty, particularly when His two younger brothers later fol- singing the hymn ‘‘Mansions of the with her work ethic, and with her abil- lowed in his footsteps, and they earned ity to get people to work together at Lord.’’ commissions in the Army. They serve After 4 years, Jake graduated from OMB and now during her time at OPM to this day with the same distinction West Point with a bachelor’s degree in in this acting capacity. Before that, and the honor they learned from their systems engineering. He was commis- she was Deputy Director for Manage- sioned as a second lieutenant in the big brother. ment within the Office of Management Jake’s mother retired from teaching Army on May 28, 2005. Following spe- and Budget. I just think we are really and spends much of her time helping ciality training, Jake was assigned to lucky in this country that she is will- Gold Star families throughout Ne- the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute ing to continue to serve in this capac- braska. Field Artillery Regiment, at Fort Rich- ity as well as serving in her previous Meanwhile, Jake’s memory lives on capacity. She comes out of the private ardson, AK. in the hearts and minds of the State he Not long after Jake’s arrival at Fort sector, from McKinsey & Company, a served. Nebraskans are forever in- Richardson, the 2nd Battalion was de- brand new California operation. She debted to his sacrifice. ployed to Iraq. It was 2006, and the war did that and had a number of senior po- First Lieutenant Jacob Fritz is a was escalating. The insurgency was in sitions within that company and a hero, and I am honored to tell his full force and threatening to erase the great career. story. The Office of Personnel Management progress made by American troops. By Thank you, Madam President. performs critical functions affecting the end of that year, President Bush I yield the floor. announced a counterassault known as I suggest the absence of a quorum. the entire Federal workforce. What the ‘‘surge’’ and deployed an additional The PRESIDING OFFICER. The they do every day has a direct impact 30,000 troops to the region. Lieutenant clerk will call the roll. on the quality of work at all executive Fritz joined this effort and routinely The senior assistant legislative clerk branch departments and agencies. As volunteered at Forward Operating Base proceeded to call the roll. my colleagues know, Ms. Cobert’s time Karbala to assist Iraqi soldiers. Jake Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I ask at OPM began in the aftermath of one had a natural instinct to step up and unanimous consent that the order for of the worst cyber attacks committed take charge. He felt an obligation and the quorum call be rescinded. against our government last year. One a commitment to the mission, which The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. CAS- result of that incident has been a often required volunteering for these SIDY). Without objection, it is so or- major effort to overhaul the informa- types of assignments. dered. tion technology infrastructure, which

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.071 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1579 requires great levels of management ever, there are still outstanding documents need to make more. The IG is a big attention and expertise. that have not been produced to the Com- part of helping us to meet that goal. I Even before she came to OPM, Ms. mittee. We expect the agency to fully com- think it is critical that we have quali- Cobert was deeply involved in the OPM ply with the subpoena and produce all out- fied, experienced people in place to response to the breach from her Sen- standing documents. Please contact Katie Bailey of the Chair- serve these important roles. This is ate-confirmed role at OMB. If you look man’s staff or Tim Lynch of the Ranking tough work. We are blessed by the at her management and technology ex- Member’s staff with any questions. Thank many IGs we have. perience in the private sector, her ex- you for your attention to this matter. We have seen far too many IG posi- perience at OMB, and the time she has Sincerely, tions, including the one Mr. Missal has already spent leading the Office of Per- JASON CHAFFETZ, been nominated to fill, sit vacant or be sonnel Management, she is the ideal Chairman. filled by someone serving in an acting candidate to lead OPM at such a crit- ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Ranking Member. capacity for far too long. In fact, the ical time. I am only one of many who VA, of all agencies, given the concern Mr. CARPER. Ms. Cobert is a highly have been impressed by Ms. Cobert. In we have heard and seen across the qualified nominee. We are fortunate in- addition to receiving a unanimous vote country in recent years—the IG va- deed that she is willing to serve in this from the Homeland Security and Gov- cancy at the VA—has been without a capacity and take on the many chal- ernmental Affairs Committee on her permanent, Senate confirmed inspector lenges that are currently facing OPM. nomination to lead OPM, she has the general for more than 2 years. In the I urge my colleagues to quickly con- support of Chairman JASON CHAFFETZ past several years, I have joined all the firm her so she can continue to do the at the House and of Ranking Member members of the Homeland Security and good work that she is doing at OPM. , who lead the House Governmental Affairs Committee in I have known people who are show Committee on Oversight and Govern- sending letters to the President, urging horses and folks who are workhorses. ment Reform. Representatives him to nominate people to fill all the This woman is a workhorse—I like to CHAFFETZ and CUMMINGS sent a letter IG vacancies, including one letter that think people look at us as workhorses to Majority Leader MCCONNELL and Mi- specifically pointed out the importance as well—but she is focused on getting nority Leader REID supporting Ms. of the one I am talking about today, the job done. She is especially good at Cobert’s confirmation. the inspector general position at the surrounding herself with terrific peo- Here is a taste of what they had to VA. ple. She did that at OMB, she did that say about her: ‘‘[Ms. Cobert] is a quali- Our committee held a hearing last fied and competent choice to lead at OPM, and she did that before when she was in her very significant position year on IG vacancies and pointed out OPM, which is in need of strong leader- the importance of having permanent ship, and we urge the Senate to ap- at McKinsey & Company. Let me just turn the page and talk IGs in place to ensure the independence prove her nomination swiftly.’’ of this office. Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- about Michael Missal. I want to talk I want to thank the President for re- sent to have printed in the RECORD the about him and thank him for his will- full letter. ingness to step up and serve as the in- sponding to our committee’s letters. There being no objection, the mate- spector general for the Department of He has done this by sending the Senate rial was ordered to be printed in the Veterans Affairs. He served 5 years of a number of well-qualified nominees, RECORD, as follows: Active Duty in a hot war as a naval including Mr. Missal, for our consider- ation. These words have been heard in HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COM- flight officer in Southeast Asia and an- the last couple of weeks. He is doing MITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOV- other 18 years as a P–3 aircraft mission ERNMENT REFORM, commander in the Navy right up to the his job, and now it is time for us to do Washington, DC, March 3, 2016. end of the Cold War. our job with respect to these nomina- Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL, As Governor for 8 years in Delaware tions. Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, and commander in chief of the Dela- I was pleased that both the Veterans Washington, DC. ware National Guard, we send people Affairs’ Committee and our committee, Hon. HARRY REID, the Homeland Security and Govern- Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, from Delaware. Right now we have peo- Washington, DC. ple in Afghanistan. We have sent peo- mental Affairs Committee, were able DEAR MAJORITY LEADER MCCONNELL AND ple over the years to any number of to move quickly to consider Mr. Mis- MINORITY LEADER REID: We write in support places where they are in harm’s way. sal’s nomination. I want to thank my of President Obama’s nomination of Beth I care a lot about veterans. My dad colleagues on our committee for mak- Cobert to serve as Director of the Office of was a veteran. A bunch of my uncles ing it a priority. Personnel Management (OPM). She is a were veterans. One of them got killed However, since early this year, there qualified and competent choice to manage has been no action by the Senate on OPM, which is in need of strong leadership, in World War II, the victim of a kami- and we urge the Senate to approve her nomi- kaze attack on his aircraft carrier in Mr. Missal’s nomination. This is an in- nation swiftly. the western Pacific. So veterans’ con- spector general vacancy in Veterans On February 1, 2016, the Inspector General cerns run deep in my family. Affairs, where we know there have been of OPM, on his departure from federal serv- As we all know, our inspectors gen- hospitals and facilities across the coun- ice, sent a letter to President Obama prais- eral play an extremely important role try that are troubled, and we need the ing Ms. Cobert’s leadership: best leadership we can find at the VA ‘‘I am also comforted by the fact that Act- in our government. Their work helps us ing OPM Director Beth Cobert appears to to save money while also revealing and in this position. Again, I think the have wrapped her arms around the multitude prosecuting wrongdoing, promoting the President has given us a very good per- of challenges currently facing OPM. Further, integrity and efficiency of our govern- son. He is willing to do the job. We she seems to be arduously striving to insti- ment, and hopefully increasing the need to get him confirmed. tute high standards of professionalism as she confidence and faith that the American As we know, the VA has been facing works to reinvigorate this great agency.’’ people have in their government. I be- significant challenges over the last We further expect that as Director, Ms. couple of years. I believe that con- Cobert will continue to assist the Commit- lieve the work of inspectors general, tee’s ongoing investigation of the data along with that of GAO, is invaluable firming a permanent IG at the VA will breach that OPM announced in 2015, which with respect to the work of the Home- help provide much needed oversight, resulted in the loss of personally identifiable land Security and Governmental Af- while helping to point out and resolve information for over 21.5 million individuals. fairs Committee, in which I am privi- some of the problems at the VA that On February 3, 2016, the Committee issued a leged to serve, and the whole Senate as are negatively impacting the lives of subpoena to Ms. Cobert—who has served as we look for ways to get better results our veterans every day. OPM’s Acting Director since July 10, 2015— for less money and further reduce our Leaving this position vacant impedes for documents related to the data breach in- vestigation. The agency produced some re- Federal deficit down from $1.4 trillion much needed progress on identifying sponsive documents by the February 16, 2016, a half dozen years ago to about close to and addressing serious issues at the VA deadline and has agreed to produce out- a quarter of that—which is still too that impact our veterans. If we want to standing documents on a rolling basis; how- much. We are making progress, but we do more to fix the VA, we need a strong

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:06 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.072 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1580 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 and independent inspector general to TRIBUTE TO FEDERAL He shared with me something I was be our partner in that effort. Delaying EMPLOYEES very happy to learn about. He told me this nomination also delays improve- Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, in clos- of six members of the current intel- ments to the services that our veterans ing, I want to do something I think the ligence team within TSA’s Office of In- receive. Presiding Officer has heard me do be- telligence and Analysis and how they Permanent leadership of the Depart- fore. I try to come to the floor once a recently received the 2015 Intelligence ment of Veterans Affairs Office of In- month and talk about some of the em- Community Counterterrorism Award spector General is long overdue and ployees who work at the Department of for Education and Training from the will go a long way toward providing Homeland Security. They work for us Director of the National Counterterror- stable leadership and oversight of the across this country and really around ism Center. That is a mouthful, but it agency. I urge my colleagues to quick- the world. is quite an award, quite a recognition. ly confirm Mr. Missal so he can go to This is the youngest Department, if These six individuals—three men, three work on behalf of our veterans and the you will, that we have in the Federal women—developed a counterterrorism American people—not in a couple of Government. It is about 12 years old. It threat briefing for all frontline em- months or later this year; we can do it sort of formed on the heels of 9/11. ployees who man our checkpoints and now, as soon as we come back from the Twenty-two agencies that have some transit systems so they can better un- recess that begins tomorrow. commonality in their focus or the way derstand the connection between intel- they touch the security of our home- ligence and TSA security operations. f land and the people who live in it kind In essence, these individuals are help- of glommed together. ing TSA frontline officers understand ZIKA VIRUS The morale in the Department has the ‘‘why,’’ if you will, behind their not been good. There has been a great, work. According to the Director of the Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I wish sustained effort—and certainly we are National Counterterrorism Center, to take this opportunity to talk about trying to support it in our Committee these six or seven men and women ‘‘ex- an issue that is both concerning and on Homeland Security and Govern- emplified the essential attributes of tragic; that is, the rapid spread of the mental Affairs—to turn a corner and the counter-terrorism community: ex- Zika virus in Central and South Amer- let people know that not only is the pertise, integration, collaboration, and ica in recent months. This is a virus we work they do important, but we appre- information sharing.’’ have known about ever since I was ciate their efforts. While I cannot state their names born, and that has been about 69 years. I wish to say a few words today about I think the first time somebody de- here, maybe for obvious reasons, I do some of the men and women who work wish to say to all of you out there—you tected this was maybe on an island in tirelessly to keep us safe and secure, the South Pacific. It has ebbed and know who I am talking about—thank often without a lot of recognition and you for the work you do every day to flowed over the years, and now it is thanks. I am talking about the good flowing big time. ensure that your fellow Americans, people at the Transportation Security people who work here and the people Every day researchers are discov- Administration, now led by retired ering more about this virus and its po- we represent, can travel safely and Coast Guard Admiral Neffenger, Peter that our transit systems are secure. tential impact, particularly on preg- Neffenger, a very able and impressive nant woman and their unborn children. Thank you for the work you have done leader. to ensure that your fellow TSA em- The findings are not good. In fact, they As the Easter holidays approach, are deeply troubling. There are strong ployees have the tools they need to many Americans will be traveling to carry out the critical work they do. indications that the virus is connected spend time with their families around to a developmental birth defect that Your dedication and your invaluable the country and even around the world. service are appreciated by me, by all of can lead to underdeveloped brains. We If you head to an airport, as many of have seen the photographs of smaller our colleagues in the Senate, our my colleagues, their colleagues, and staffs, and by millions of Americans heads in too many children. their constituents will be doing very Additional studies are also exam- who travel throughout our country soon, chances are you will interact every single day. ining a potential connection between with some of the hard-working men With that, I have probably said the Zika virus and other health con- and women of the TSA who keep our enough. I will say to the Presiding Offi- cerns. With the World Health Organiza- skies safe. Nearly 59,000 people work at cer, the staff, and everybody who tion estimating that as many as 4 mil- TSA. Many are focused on securing our might be tuned in, happy St. Patrick’s lion people could be infected in the re- aviation system, while others work to Day. We hope good fortune shines on gion this year, it is clear that we must protect our service transportation net- all of us and on our country, not just act swiftly to combat this threat. That works, such as the train I took to work over this holiday and upcoming recess is why I was pleased to see President this morning and will be jumping on and a special day today but for a long Obama and his administration take an later today to go home. early and proactive role in addressing TSA’s work is not only carried out by time after that. the Zika virus. For example, a coordi- frontline employees whom we see at Some of the people we have talked nated Federal response led by the Cen- the airports as we check in and go about today—their job is to make sure ters for Disease Control and Prevention through security, have our bags we are not just lucky, but that we are is working with State, local, and inter- checked, our bodies checked, there are safe, secure, and successful going for- national public health partners to step also many dedicated people who are ward. There is an old saying: The hard- up mosquito control efforts and to en- hard at work behind the scenes. We er I work, the luckier I get. I am talk- sure that health officials have the never actually see them, but they are ing about some people who work very equipment they need to test people for there keeping us safe too. These men hard so we can be fortunate and blessed this disease. and women perform the critical work in this country. I bid you a happy St. To further these efforts, President of gathering and analyzing intelligence Patrick’s Day. Obama has recently submitted a sup- in order to identify potential threats to I suggest the absence of a quorum. plemental funding request to Congress. our transportation system and to miti- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The These funds would go toward devel- gate them in real time. clerk will call the roll. oping vaccines, mosquito control ef- I would like to use the remainder of The senior assistant legislative clerk forts, and diagnostic testing, among my time to highlight the outstanding proceeded to call the roll. other things. The Senate should take a efforts of some of these individuals. I Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I long, hard look at the President’s re- learned about them yesterday while ask unanimous consent that the order quest in the coming days and weeks meeting with Admiral Neffenger, who for the quorum call be rescinded. and consider what measures we need to happened to be in a meeting that we The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. SUL- take to ensure we are ready for Zika had in my office and was with me again LIVAN). Without objection, it is so or- and for other future outbreaks. today for a secure briefing in the SCIF. dered.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.074 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1581 TRIBUTE TO MIKE DUNCAN Mike was 8 years old when his uncle imagine, but as recently as the 1970s, Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ran for superintendent of schools. It history books largely left out the con- wish to pay tribute to a distinguished was volunteering for his uncle’s cam- tributions of women in America. This Kentuckian, a man who knows the paign that sparked his love of politics, began to change in 1978, when a small meaning of public service, who I am and we are glad that it did. He has been group set out to revise the school cur- proud to call a friend. Robert M. of great service to the people of Ken- riculum in their community—Sonoma ‘‘Mike’’ Duncan will be celebrating his tucky and to the people of this Nation County, CA. The idea was to create a 65th birthday next month, and I want for many years, and we owe him our Women’s History Week, and its goal to wish him great happiness and every gratitude. was to write women back into history success on such a special occasion. I want to wish Mike a very happy books. It was an idea that was long Mike is well known in Kentucky and birthday, and I know my colleagues overdue. And Women’s History Week nationally for wearing many hats. Cur- join me in recognizing his achieve- took off around the county . . . around rently he serves as the president and ments and wishing him many happy re- the State . . . and across the Nation. It CEO of the American Coalition for turns. didn’t take long before organizers lob- Clean Coal Electricity, a national non- Thank you, Mike, for your service to bied Congress and even the White profit organization that advocates for the Party and to our country. House. And on February 28, 1980, it paid coal miners in Kentucky and elsewhere f off. and for the use of coal as an affordable President Jimmy Carter announced THIRD ANNUAL CESAR CHAVEZ for the first time that March 2–8, 1980, and reliable resource in our Nation’s DAY-LAS VEGAS FESTIVAL energy mix. would be designated as National Wom- Mike has served the Republican Mr. REID. Mr. President, today I en’s History Week. He urged libraries, Party in many roles, most notably as wish to recognize the third annual schools, and community organizations the 60th Chairman of the Republican Cesar Chavez Day-Las Vegas Festival. to focus on leaders who struggled for National Committee, RNC, from 2007 to Since 2013, the Las Vegas City Council, equality: Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner 2009. He came to that role having pre- the Cesar Chavez Committee, and Truth, Lucy Stone, Lucretia Mott, viously served as treasurer and general Councilmember Bob Coffin have orga- Elizabeth Cody Stanton, Harriet Tub- counsel of the RNC before his election nized this community festival in Las man, and Alice Paul. In 1981, the cause as chairman. Vegas to honor the lasting legacy of gained further momentum when an un- During his career, Mike’s served on civil rights activist and labor leader, likely partnership between then-Rep- the campaigns of five Presidents. He Cesar Chavez. resentative BARBARA MIKULSKI and worked in the White House as the as- Cesar Chavez led a courageous and Senator cosponsored a sistant director of the Office of Public humble life. He was born on March 31, congressional resolution for National Liaison. He was appointed to the Presi- 1927, in a small farm outside of Yuma, Women’s History Week. And 6 short dent’s Commission on White House Fel- AZ. His experiences as a laborer and years later, National Women’s History lows in 2001, and later served as the migrant worker in the fields of the Week became National Women’s His- chairman and a board member of the southwest United States encouraged tory Month. And last November, Sen- Valley Authority. He served his pilgrimage from Delano to Sac- ator MIKULSKI was awarded the Na- in various roles with the U.S.- ramento, CA. He brought attention to tion’s highest civilian honor, the Presi- High Level Political Party Leaders the workplace inequities experienced dential Medal of Freedom, in part for Dialogue and the Center for Rural De- by those who tilled America’s soil and her work on equal pay for women— velopment. harvested America’s crops. Alongside what an honor. Mike is also active politically in Dolores Huerta, Larry Itliong, and Throughout history, women have Kentucky at every level. He has served United Farm Workers, Cesar Chavez achieved significant progress in the as a precinct captain to a county chair- fought tirelessly to raise salaries and face of discrimination and, time and man to the State chairman to the na- improve the working conditions of time again, blazed new trails. So it is tional chairman. In 1998, he chaired farm workers. He organized migrant appropriate that Senator BARBARA MI- Jim Bunning’s successful U.S. Senate workers to raise awareness for the hu- KULSKI would play such an integral role race. Mike’s involvement with Ken- mane and fair treatment of all work- in creating National Women’s History tucky politics dates back to his time ers. Today Mr. Chavez’s legacy inspires Month. After all, she understands the interning for the Kentucky General As- hope, action, and prosperity for those role of a trailblazer better than many. sembly, when he got the chance to who are often burdened by And during her last year in the U.S. serve as President Richard Nixon’s marginalization and discrimination. Senate, it is fitting we honor some of driver when the President was cam- His contributions will forever be em- her accomplishments. Senator MIKUL- paigning for reelection in the Bluegrass bedded in the fabric of our country, and SKI was the first woman elevated to a State. we owe gratitude to the indelible mark leadership post in the U.S. Senate and Mike is also active with numerous that Cesar Chavez has left on our Na- the only current Member of Congress nonprofit organizations. He is a trustee tion. in the National Women’s Hall of Fame. of the Christian Appalachian Project Cesar Chavez dedicated his time to a She is also the first woman elected to and runs a student mentoring program. life of purpose in bringing social jus- Congress in her own right, not because He has been recognized with honorary tice and dignity to the workplace. As of a husband or a father or someone degrees from several schools, including we commemorate his meaningful work who served before her in higher office. the College of the Ozarks, Cumberland and contributions, it is vital that we Senator MIKULSKI embodies what Na- College, and Morehead State Univer- continue his legacy by fighting for tional Women’s History Month is all sity. higher wages, worker rights, and the about, particularly this year, when its In his professional life, Mike is the fair treatment of all workers. I com- theme is ‘‘Working to Form a More principal owner, along with his wife, mend the Las Vegas City Council, the Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Joanne, of two community banks with Cesar Chavez Committee, and Public Service and Government.’’ five offices in eastern Kentucky. He Councilmember Bob Coffin for com- So with that in mind, I would like to has served as the president of the Ken- memorating Cesar Chavez, and I join in tell you a story about Senator MIKUL- tucky Bankers Association and as a di- honoring Mr. Chavez’s visionary lead- SKI, also known in this chamber as the rector of the Cleveland Federal Reserve ership. Dean of Women. Following the election Bank Cincinnati Branch. f of a number of esteemed women into Mike holds degrees from Cumberland the Senate, a lot of reporters deemed College and the University of Kentucky NATIONAL WOMEN’S HISTORY 1992, the Year of the Woman, but Sen- MONTH College of Law. He and Joanne call ator MIKULSKI didn’t like the sound of Inez, KY, their home; and they have a Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, 29 years that. son, Rob, who is an assistant U.S. at- ago, March was designated National She said: ‘‘Calling 1992 the Year of torney. Women’s History Month. It is hard to the Woman makes it sound like the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.077 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1582 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 Year of the Caribou or the Year of the per, a great Vermonter who is soon to it will not be the last we hear and see Asparagus. We’re not a fad, fancy or a retire from the National Wildlife Fed- of this great Vermonter. year.’’ eration. f That is classic for Senator MIKULSKI. Don is a great environmental con- Today there are a record 20 female servationist whose advice I have RECOGNIZING THE ‘‘USS Members in the Senate, but BARBARA sought for at least 20 years on issues MONTPELIER’’ would be the first to point out that is affecting Vermont, the United States, Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, as a na- still a minority, and we can do better. and indeed the planet. For 17 years, tive of Montpelier and as one who at- Well, after 40 years in Congress, Sen- Don has helped lead the National Wild- tended the christening of the USS ator MIKULSKI will be sorely missed. life Federation, NWF, in Vermont and Montpelier, I was so happy to see an ar- Without the leadership and determina- the region. He helped to bring the per- ticle in the Times Argus regarding its tion of Senator MIKULSKI, the fight egrine falcon back from the brink of return to the United States after a 6- gets a little harder, and there is plenty extinction in Vermont and to restore month deployment last month. Steve of work to do. our State’s breeding population of bald Martin and Debra Smith have both Women still receive an average of 78 eagles. Beyond Vermont, he advocated been involved for years and supported cents for every dollar earned by men, for piping plovers, wolves, Atlantic the crew of the USS Montpelier. and it is even greater for women of salmon, and more. Don helped the NWF Marcelle and I had a memorable time color. African-American women make become one of the first organizations at a picnic they held for the crew in 64 cents for every dollar earned by to sound the alarm about the accel- Middlesex. As a Vermonter, they both men, and Hispanic women only make 56 erating impacts of climate change and make me proud, and I wanted my fel- cents. It is not right, and it is long past to pull together coalitions of environ- low Senators to see what they have time that Congress pass the Paycheck mental advocates, conservationists, done. Fairness Act to provide women with and sportsmen and sportswomen to I ask unanimous consent that the the necessary tools to fight wage dis- push for solutions. Times Argus article be printed in the crimination. It is also time to guar- Don’s public service extends beyond RECORD. antee paid family and medical leave for his conservation leadership. He worked There being no objection, the mate- all. Making this a reality will mean hard in the mid-1990s as Vermont’s Sec- rial was ordered to be printed in the that when major life events happen, retary of State to reduce barriers to RECORD, as follows: birth of a new child or caring for an the ballot box and to make government [From the Times Argus, Feb. 8, 2016] aging parent, hard-working Americans more open and accessible, priorities will not have to choose between their USS MONTPELIER RETURNS TO STATES both he and I share. (By Josh O’Gorman) family and debt, bankruptcy, or losing Many Vermonters also celebrate NORFOLK, Va.—The USS Montpelier has re- their job. But America can overcome Don’s 8 years representing the towns of these challenges. We have done it be- turned home to the United States following Randolph, Brookfield, and Braintree in a six-month deployment. fore. Just look how far we have come. Vermont’s General Assembly, when Here are just a few of the problems Friday afternoon, the submarine—the Don led efforts to divest pension funds third naval vessel to share the name of women faced and overcame since the from South African investments, Vermont’s capital—docked at Naval Station 1970s: women could be fired from the helped to craft significant environ- Norfolk after logging more than 38,000 nau- workplace for being pregnant; sexual mental and planning legislation, and tical miles during its most recent deploy- harassment wasn’t recognized in the achieved what would be unthinkable in ment. workplace; women couldn’t get a credit The crew of the Los Angeles-class fast-at- most States—a political redistricting card; and marital rape wasn’t consid- tack submarine, which includes 15 officers map that was adopted by near con- ered a crime in most States. But we and 129 enlisted crew, spent the recent de- solved these discriminatory and hei- sensus. ployment supporting national security inter- And as is the story with any great nous practices. You see, America’s de- ests in Europe and the Middle East, with Vermonter, Don’s foundation has been stops in Bahrain, France, Greece and the mocracy has indeed been imperfect, his family. Since 1974, the Hooper’s United Arab Emirates. but throughout our history, we have Brookfield farm, worked by Don, his ‘‘I have been connected with this amazing sought to address our Nation’s imper- wife, Allison, and sons, Sam, Jay, and group of men for 14 or 15 years now,’’ said fections. Because the story of the Miles, has been a mainstay of the com- Debra Smith, of Middlesex, who chairs the United States is not a story of a per- Veterans and Family Support Committee for fect union, It is a story about the pur- munity. They have sold hay, vegeta- the Montpelier VFW. suit to create ‘‘a more perfect union.’’ bles, goat’s milk, and meat from the Smith’s support for the sailors of the USS Let me close with this. Years ago, in farm to friends and neighbors. Don Montpelier began with her efforts to keep my home State of Illinois, then First helped found the Montpelier Farmers them entertained while at sea. Smith, who Lady Hilary Clinton said: ‘‘If you go to Market that Marcelle and I visit when- used to operate Capital Video in Montpelier ever we are home in the summer. With before it closed, would send the sailors mov- the poorest places on Earth struggling ies to watch during their down time. from social problems of poverty, dis- Allison in the lead and Don doing much heavy lifting and dishwashing, the Most recently, Smith organized an effort ease, and hunger and all that comes in which students from Hardwick Elemen- with it, and you can only ask one ques- Hoopers became cheesemakers and tary School are making ‘‘Welcome Home’’ tion to determine if they have a founded the Vermont Butter and and Valentine’s Day cards, which are ex- chance, the question you should ask is Cheese Company, which has thrived for pected to go out in the mail to the crew this this: How do you treat your women?’’ 32 years, employs 77 people directly, week. If you give women an equal playing supports many more Vermont farmers, Both Smith and Steve Martin, also of Mid- field, status, education, and oppor- and has Vermont’s specialty cheese in- dlesex, have been passengers of the 360-foot submarine, which was commissioned in 1993 tunity, you are giving them and your dustry on the international culinary map. and which launched the first Tomahawk country a chance to thrive. cruise missiles during the 2003 invasion of This March, as we pay tribute to all On top of all of this, Don is a volun- Iraq. the brave women who have moved this teer for the fire department and a ‘‘It was pretty awesome,’’ Martin said. country forward and in doing so in- member of the local Farm Bureau. It is ‘‘It’s pretty tight in there. We spent the day spired each and every one of us, let’s hard to think of a more dedicated out at sea and when they surfaced we were challenge ourselves to build on their member of the community. able to go up on the bridge with the cap- legacies and make our country a more These are just some of the layers of tain.’’ equal society for our mothers, sisters, Don’s life in Vermont. He has also done He also described the steepness with which the submarine dives and surfaces. and daughters. great work as a Peace Corps volunteer in Botswana and in the leadership of ‘‘You’re keeping your balance and your f face is a few feet from the floor,’’ Martin national organizations. Don Hooper TRIBUTE TO DON HOOPER said. stands as tall as ever in retirement, Next month, Smith and Martin will take a Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I want to and while this might conclude his lead- road trip that will include a stop in Norfolk take a moment to recognize Don Hoo- ership of the NWF in Vermont, I know to visit the boat and its crew.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.065 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1583 REMOVAL OF NOMINATION FAA REAUTHORIZATION BILL We also made progress on furthering OBJECTION Mr. BOOKER. Mr. President, today the integration of unmanned aerial systems, UAS, or drones into our air- Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, on De- the Senate Committee on Commerce, space in our legislation. This tech- cember 18, 2015, I placed a hold on the Science, and Transportation approved nology is literally taking off around nomination of Dr. Janine Ann David- legislation to reauthorize the Federal the world. It has the power to enhance son to be Under Secretary of the Navy. Aviation Administration. I applaud the search and rescue, deliver humani- As I made clear in my statement at work of my colleagues Senators THUNE tarian aid, improve agriculture prac- that time, my action was not directed and NELSON. Their leadership on this tices, and newsgathering. I introduced at Dr. Davidson; rather, it was directed important legislation was critical. I the Commercial UAS Modernization at the pending promotion by the Navy would like to make clear that, while Act to help advance this technology of RDML Brian Losey and concerns I we took important steps forward with and was pleased to see many of our had related to findings by the Depart- this legislation, more work remains to ideas incorporated in this legislation. I ment of Defense Office of Inspector be done to ensure the United States re- worked with committee leadership to General concerning Rear Admiral mains a global leader in aviation, safe- further advance a microUAS rule, Losey’s retaliation against whistle- ty, and innovation. Going into this year, many on the which would allow U.S. businesses to blowers. I have been informed by the Commerce Committee, along with De- fly micro-drones under 4.4 pounds re- Navy that Rear Admiral Losey will not partment of Transportation Secretary sponsibly and safely. be promoted. Consequently, I am re- Foxx and FAA Administrator Huerta Advancing microUAS use will bring moving my hold on Dr. Davidson’s and key stakeholders, aimed high on tremendous innovations and new effi- nomination and will support her con- FAA reauthorization. We aimed high ciencies across the country and will firmation. because there are big ideas we need to keep the United States on par with To quickly review why I took this ac- address when it comes to aviation in other developed nations who have been tion, the DOD OIG conducted several this country. making great strides ahead of us in uti- extensive investigations into allega- From the current state and financing lizing this technology. From improving tions of retaliation by Rear Admiral of our airport infrastructure, to com- research to providing unmanned bridge Losey against senior members of his pleting NextGen implementation, to inspections, the benefits of this tech- joint command. In three of those inves- accelerating commercial use of UAS nology are truly limitless. UAS has the tigations, the DOD IG concluded that technology, to new proposals about our power to save lives and create new effi- he wrongfully retaliated against his Air Traffic Control system, there were ciencies across industries. I am excited staff even after he was advised not to a lot of innovative ideas on the table, to see what the innovators and entre- do so. The DOD IG also concluded that and while we made strides on some, preneurs come up with as a result of his immediate subordinates carried out more work remains to be done. There is our rule which sets forth clear safety retaliatory actions at his behest in two widespread agreement that the status guidelines for responsible operation. of those cases. quo is not acceptable, and I was pleased Finally, I want to address a couple of I found the OIG findings compelling. to join my colleagues in taking this amendments that I put forth that were In a January 14, 2016, letter to Navy initial step forward to reauthorize the not included in this legislation and ex- Secretary Ray Mabus, Senator MCCAIN FAA for the upcoming 18 months. press my sincere hope that the chair- and Senator REED, in their capacity as Furthermore, I am pleased that I was man and ranking member will work chairman and ranking member of the able to put forth amendments that with me before this bill gets to floor. I Senate Armed Services Committee, were included in this bill to ensure ade- introduced two amendments to the bill also cited the OIG findings in support quate staffing levels at the Newark air that would address disadvantaged busi- of their request to Secretary Mabus traffic control tower. In addition, we ness enterprise, or DBE, projects. The that Losey not be promoted. were able to secure a much-needed goal of this program, of course, is to Notwithstanding Rear Admiral study of the New York and New Jersey promote equity and inclusion in feder- Losey’s long service to our country, airports, which cover the busiest air- ally financed transportation projects. the Navy would have been wrong to space in the country. Findings from While neither of these amendments dismiss the OIG findings and promote this study will enable us to make in- were incorporated into this legislation him. Doing so would have sent exactly formed decisions about how best to ad- as of yet, I am confident that we can the wrong message, namely that retal- dress this staffing problem in the fu- work together to advance this impor- iation against whistleblowers is accept- ture. tant policy goal. One amendment able. I am also concerned about staffing would ensure conformance of the DOT levels at the Transportation Security size standard for small businesses to One of the pillars of our system of Administration, TSA. There have been government is the rule of law; a prin- the metric defined by the Small Busi- incredibly long delays at Newark air- ness Administration. ciple that applies no less to our mili- port because of inadequate staffing of tary and to the vital principle of civil- This update will enable more minor- TSA agents at our airport. Safety is ity and women-owned businesses to ian control over the military. It is ille- absolutely paramount in our airports. gal to retaliate against whistleblowers, compete for infrastructure work. The It is my hope that we can achieve both second amendment sets goals for mi- whether civilian or military, and I topnotch security and an efficient, reli- commend the DOD inspector general nority and women-owned businesses on able process for travelers using our air- projects financed only by passenger fa- and his staff for their diligence in these ports. Increased staffing should help us investigations. cility charges, or PFCs. I ask the chair- achieve that goal. man and ranking member to continue I commend Secretary Mabus and the In this reauthorization, I was pleased to work with me as this bill goes to the Navy for taking what I believe is the to work with Senator CANTWELL to in- floor to advance these two important right course of action in this situation, crease competition in the Newark air- goals. but my concern with the protection of port with the hope that increased com- Thank you. whistleblowers did not begin with the petition and opening up more flight f Losey case, and it will not end with the slots at the airport may yield more op- Losey case. I will continue to work tions and price points for consumers. TRIBUTE TO MIKE ENZI here in the Senate to ensure that those But I must stress that these changes Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, on who come forward to expose waste, cannot move forward without ensuring March 29 in Laramie, the University of fraud, or abuse are protected. the airport is equipped to handle more Wyoming will recognize the work of In the meantime, I encourage the traffic and passengers. I look forward Senator MIKE ENZI with an official nominee, Dr. Janine Ann Davidson, to to continuing to work with my col- dedication of the Michael B. Enzi focus on the hard work she has before leagues on this issue and am excited by STEM Facility. It is a well-deserved her in addressing whistleblower retal- the opportunities this could bring for honor and one that I would like to iation issues in the military. my constituents. share with my fellow Senators.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.053 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1584 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 The state of the art facility opened in 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REES- Prince George’s County police officers January of 2016. With more than 107,000 TABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC put their lives on the line every day to square feet and over 30 labs, the Uni- TIES BETWEEN THE UNITED uphold the rule of law. versity of Wyoming Michael B. Enzi STATES AND THE REPUBLIC OF Officer Colson was only 28 years of age. Today, March 17, 2016, would have STEM Facility will allow 900 students ALBANIA been his 29th birthday. from multiple disciplines to be actively Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, on March On Sunday, March 13, 2016, the dis- engaged in lab studies at the same 15, we commemorated the 25th anniver- trict III station in Prince George’s time. The design of the facility allows sary of the reestablishment of diplo- County came under fire in what was a students to enjoy an active learning matic ties between the United States deliberate attack on law enforcement environment that encourages contin- and the Republic of Albania. Over 25 and on the rule of law itself. Officer uous interaction between instructors years ago, Albania emerged from near- Colson arrived on the scene. After find- ly five decades of isolation and Com- and students. Classrooms are laid out ing himself in the middle of a firefight, munist rule to establish a multiparty Officer Colson had the composure to re- in such a way that instructors have the democracy and forge closer ties with flexibility to adjust their lessons to ac- turn fire. During the firefight, Officer the free world. A quarter century later, Colson was shot and killed. commodate the needs and interests of Albania has made significant progress. Every member of the U.S. Senate, the students, ensuring that they are al- Albania’s economy grew and its people every Marylander, and every American ways in an environment most condu- participated in elections judged as should be inspired by the life of Officer cive to learning. largely free and fair. Albanians enjoy Jacai Colson. Officer Colson was an un- There is no better way to honor the freedom of religion, movement, unre- dercover narcotics agent. He had a dan- stricted Internet access, and academic lifetime work of Senator ENZI than to gerous job with zero margin for error. freedom. Today Albania is a NATO ally name this facility in his honor. Officer Colson did not make errors. He and a candidate for accession into the was a 4-year veteran of the Prince Throughout his years as an accountant European Union, EU. George’s Police Department. The com- and in elected office, MIKE has been a Since its emergence from isolation, mander of the Prince George’s County solid leader who is willing to take on Albania has been an active and contrib- Police Department’s narcotic enforce- tough challenges. From his time as uting member of the international ment division said of Officer Colson: mayor in Gillette, a town that truly community. Over the course of two ‘‘Not only is he good at his job, he’s represents the definition of an Amer- decades, Albania deployed more than that guy that you wanted on your ican boomtown, to his work in the U.S. 6,500 military personnel in support of team.’’ The president of the Fraternal Senate, MIKE studies and works operations lead by NATO, the EU, and Order of Police, Lodge 89, described Of- through an issue and always ap- the United Nations. In 2003, Albanian ficer Colson as ‘‘. . . always the first proaches the problem with an ‘‘I will troops deployed to Iraq in support of person here in the morning, ready to solve this and make it better’’ atti- Operation Iraqi Freedom. Between 2002 work and put in a full day’s work.’’ Officer Colson was a native of tude. This approach to problem solving and 2014, Albania deployed over 3,000 personnel to support U.S. and NATO Boothwyn, PA. He came from a law en- has helped MIKE succeed as chairman operations in Afghanistan. Albanian forcement family. His grandfather, of both the Senate Health, Education, personnel continue to serve in Afghani- Sergeant James G. Colson, Jr., retired Labor and Pensions Committee and the stan. from the Delaware County, PA, police Senate Budget Committee. Despite a quarter century of notable department after more than 40 years of Senator ENZI recognizes that if you strides, pervasive corruption, high un- service. Officer Colson was the quarter- provide people the tools to succeed, employment, organized crime, and back of his high school football team. He attended Randolph Macon Univer- many will. MIKE understands human underrepresentation of women in busi- ness and politics, among other issues, sity, where he also played football. He nature and recognizes that a one size sang in the Ujima Gospel Choir and fits all approach to serious problems is prevent Albania from realizing its full potential. As a member of the Senate worked in the admissions office and in not always the best way to fix things. Appropriations Subcommittee on the marketing and communications de- Senator ENZI believes in the ability of State, Foreign Operations, and Related partment. Officer Colson gave of him- people to learn, whether in the class- Programs, I have consistently voted to self to improve his community while room, on the job, or through personal support assistance to Albania to he was in college. He was a member of experiences, and to take that knowl- strengthen democratic institutions and Brothers 4 Change, a student organiza- edge and use it in a way to better the rule of law, promote sustainable tion devoted to community service, themselves and others. economic growth, and assist with its and he also volunteered with Habitat regional and international integration. for Humanity. The Michael B. Enzi STEM Facility I am thankful to the Colson family As co-chair of the Senate Albania Cau- is a perfect reflection of the man: give for sharing such a promising young cus, I will continue to work with my people an opportunity to learn, to man with the people of Prince George’s colleagues on to strengthen the U.S.- interact, to share, and in an environ- County. The pain they are going Albania relationship and support Alba- ment that works for them, and they through right now is a pain no family nia’s ongoing efforts to become a pros- should have to endure. Most tragically, will achieve great things. perous, democratic state and pillar of they are not alone. So far in 2016, 23 In praising his effort to improve edu- stability in the Balkans. law enforcement officers have died in cation in Wyoming, Chris Boswell, Uni- f the line of duty. In February, two of versity of Wyoming’s vice president for HONORING OFFICER JACAI COLSON Officer Colson’s Maryland colleagues governmental and community affairs, from the Harford County Sheriff’s of- said the following about MIKE ENZI: Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I fice, Senior Deputy Mark Logsdon and ‘‘He has been very influential in wish to recognize the tragic death of a Senior Deputy Patrick Dailey were crafting legislation that garners bipar- Marylander. Officer Jacai Colson of the killed responding to a call. tisan support in the Senate. These have Prince George’s Police Department was The loss of Officer Colson represents been bills that moved significant edu- killed in the line of duty, on Sunday, the loss of one of the best and brightest cation initiatives forward. Whether as March 13, 2016. Officer Colson was an among us. He could have done anything chairman or ranking member, Senator upstanding law enforcement officer with his life, and he chose to protect whose death shocked and saddened so his fellow Americans. I am thankful ENZI knows how to move bills through many in Maryland and the national that Officer Colson was able to enrich to become law, and Wyoming and the law enforcement community. America and save the lives of so many people country are the better for it.’’ is the great Nation it is in no small during his life. On behalf of the people I agree completely, and I congratu- part because of our respect for the rule of Maryland and my fellow U.S. Sen- late Senator ENZI on this honor. of law. Officer Colson and his fellow ators, I offer my deepest condolences to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.078 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1585 the family and friends of Officer Senator BARB has been more than a The ACA also provides more preven- Colson. I hope they are able to find sol- dedicated champion for the State of tive services for women at no cost. ace in the fact that Jacai Colson was a Maryland. She has fought tirelessly for Lifesaving preventive services like true hero. the welfare of all Americans across the mammograms, cervical cancer f country. In the Halls of the Senate, she screenings, and prenatal care are now opened doors that had previously been WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH 2016 covered at no additional cost for rough- closed to women. Sometimes she used Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I ly 48.5 million American women with gentle politicking, and sometimes she private insurance. Access to these serv- wish to join the American people in knocked the doors off the hinges. No ices means that fewer women will be celebrating Women’s History Month. It matter how she did it, Senator BARB is clear that 1 month is hardly enough refused to accept second-class treat- sidelined from the job market, unable time to recognize all that women have ment because of her gender and fought to support families because of prevent- done, what they are doing, and what to be recognized as an equal. To take able illnesses. There is no question they have yet to accomplish. Despite that one step further, Senator BARB re- that we are making progress in wom- the persistence of dogmatic opposition, fused to let other women be treated en’s health care, in terms of cost, eq- women have played a major role in ad- like second-class citizens by the rule of uity, and in providing much-needed vancing every society on earth. law or antiquated social norms. I don’t services. I am a proud husband, father, and have the time to list all that she has We have further to go. Gender-based grandfather. In my time representing done for Marylanders and working fam- disparities in medical research still re- the people of Maryland, in the U.S. ilies across the country in her long and main. Some medical trials today do not Senate, I have traversed the State distinguished career, but I will share a consider the impact of gender in their many times. As a member and now list of hard-fought firsts: first Demo- research, and diseases like heart dis- ranking member of the Senate Foreign cratic woman elected to the U.S. Sen- ease, which is the leading cause of Relations Committee, I have had the ate in her own right; first Democratic death for American women, are often chance to travel and meet with people woman to serve in both Houses of Con- from very diverse backgrounds. gress; first woman to be elected to misdiagnosed or overlooked. At home and abroad, I have found it statewide office in Maryland; first That is why I have continuously difficult and often imprudent to make Democratic woman Senator elected to fought for robust funding for the Na- generalizations with regard to policy. a leadership position; first Democratic tional Institutes of Health, NIH, which One common truth, however, that eas- woman to serve on the Senate Appro- pioneers much of our Nation’s ily crosses national borders, ethnic priations Committee; first woman to groundbreaking medical research and lines, political divides, and religious chair an Appropriations Sub- clinical trials. I was very encouraged devotions is this: the way a nation committee—the Commerce-Justice- to see the NIH receive a $2 billion in- treats its women is very much a ba- Science Subcommittee; first woman to crease in the fiscal year 2016 Omnibus rometer as to how well that nation is serve on the Senate Environment & spending bill—thanks in large part to doing. Public Works Committee; first woman Senator MIKULSKI. That is the largest And so this March we will celebrate to serve on the Senate Small Business increase NIH has received since 2003. women on the forefront of industry and Committee; first woman to serve on By ensuring that NIH has all of the innovation, science and social justice, the House Interstate & Foreign Com- tools it needs to continue such urgent policy and patriotism, and so much merce, now known as the Energy & work, we can address persistent dis- more. We must also remember that Commerce Committee—first woman on parities and continue to build on the Women’s History Month is not just the Health Subcommittee; most senior about celebrations. Women’s History woman in the Senate on January 3, gains in our health care system made Month should be a time when all Amer- 1997; longest serving woman Senator in under the ACA. One thing is certainly icans come together for a frank con- U.S. history on January 5, 2011; and clear: we only stand to gain from in- versation about the well-being of longest serving woman in Congress in creased resources for our medical com- women at home and abroad. That con- U.S. history on March 17, 2012. munity to improve the health of versation must lead to concrete action Senator BARB will be leaving the women. because, if we want to improve any as- Senate when her term ends next Janu- Improving health care is only one pect of our society, starting with em- ary. That does not mean that she will part of the equation involved in em- powering and lifting up women is an in- stop doing what she does best, fighting powering and uplifting women in the vestment that will return the greatest for what is right. Generations of young United States. dividends. women who choose to participate in Throughout American history, we public life or who dream of joining the I have previously spoken about the have made progress in so many arenas U.S. Senate have benefited from Sen- need to close the gender pay gap, the because women had the bravery to ator BARB’s trailblazing legacy. need to pass meaningful legislation to break the proverbial glass ceiling. One As we begin to fathom life in the U.S. reduce the number of women killed by such woman who I think deserves acco- Senate without Senator BARB, we guns during instances of domestic vio- lades during this Women’s History should take a minute to analyze the lence, and the need to ensure women Month, and every month for that mat- current state of politics and policy as can continue to make choices con- it relates to women in America. cerning their own reproductive health. ter, is a Member of this very body. This Regardless of any Member’s political Congress boasts the most female rep- All of these are critically important to support of anyone running to replace the well-being of women in America. resentatives in history. I suspect that President Obama, it is worth noting number would be larger if we gave the that there is a chance that a woman, a America was built on the promise of people of Washington, DC, full state- former U.S. Senator, a former Sec- equal rights. Our history is defined by hood and a voting Senator, but I will retary of State, and Former First Lady groups struggling to achieve full equal- discuss that another time. could potentially be the next President ity under the law. I think many Ameri- The record number of women in Con- of the United States. cans would be shocked to find out that gress is not an accident; it took hard The 2016 election should serve as a the Constitution still lacks a provision work and grit. The living embodiment chance to audit how our political sys- ensuring gender equality. Think about of that grit and know-how is the senior tem is working on behalf of women, in- that: women still lack the same con- Senator from Maryland, my colleague cluding in terms of health care. stitutional protections as men. I think Senator MIKULSKI. There is a wonderful The Affordable Care Act, ACA, has this is wrong and have introduced leg- sense of symmetry in the fact that in played a role in creating greater gender islation to remove the deadline for 1981, then-Congresswoman MIKULSKI equality in this country. Under the co-sponsored the first Joint Congres- ACA, being a woman is no longer a States to ratify the Equal Rights sional Resolution proclaiming a Wom- ‘‘preexisting condition.’’ What does Amendment, which 35 States have rati- en’s History Week, and today she is that mean? It means insurance compa- fied already—just three more to go. being celebrated as a role model during nies can no longer force women to pay The is Women’s History Month. more based on their gender. slightly longer than two tweets, but

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:30 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.070 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1586 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 would finally give women full and ca and a nearly 50 percent decrease in terest of these girls and of the United equal protection under the Constitu- the number of out-of-school children of States that the international commu- tion. It reads as follows: primary school age. nity speak with a united voice against Section 1. Equality of rights under the law In terms of gender equality, we still this practice. As ranking member of shall not be denied or abridged by the United have a long way to go, but today we the Senate Foreign Relations Com- States or by any State on account of sex. can cheer the fact that women have mittee, I invite all members of Con- Section 2. The Congress shall have the gained more parliamentary representa- power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, gress to work together to find a way to the provisions of this article. tion in ninety percent of the countries address this pressing human rights Section 3. This amendment shall take ef- of the world than twenty years ago. issue. fect two years after the date of ratification. The rate of maternal mortality has de- I am an original co-sponsor of S. Res. clined by forty-five percent worldwide, It is that simple. When Congress 97, a bipartisan resolution supporting including by sixty-four percent in passed the ERA in 1972, it provided that the goals of International Women’s Southern Asia and forty-nine percent the measure had to be ratified by Day. After seeing the impacts that the three-fourths of the States, 38 States, in sub-Saharan Africa. MDGs have had on vulnerable popu- within 7 years. This deadline was later When it comes to combating HIV/ lations around the world, I have no extended to 10 years by a joint resolu- AIDS, we have made truly incredible doubt that the goals contained in this tion enacted by Congress, but ulti- strides over the past fifteen years. New resolution can be accomplished if the mately only 35 out of 38 States had HIV infections dropped by forty per- United States is willing to take the ratified the ERA when the deadline ex- cent between 2000 and 2013, and the lead in organizing the international pired in 1982. To put that in context, in number of people living with HIV that community. 1992, the 27th Amendment to the Con- were receiving anti-retroviral therapy stitution prohibiting immediate Con- increased seventeenfold from 2003 to I have mentioned only a small por- gressional pay raises was ratified after 2014. tion of legislative priorities the Senate 203 years. Behind these impressive numbers are could act on right now. Article V of the Constitution con- countless women who are alive and As we move through Women’s His- tains no time limits for ratification of strengthening their families and com- tory Month, let us remember that constitutional amendments, and the munities because of the millennium de- strong and empowered women have ERA time limit was contained in a velopment goals, but there are still gotten us to this point in history and joint resolution, not the actual text of many areas where we need to make will help lead us to a brighter future. the amendment. The Senate could pass more progress. In September 2015, more than 150 my legislation removing the 10-year f deadline right now. I hope that the ma- world leaders gathered at the United Nations General Assembly to adopt the jority leader will bring this legislation BLACK WOMEN’S HISTORY WEEK up for a vote because American women 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Develop- deserve to know that their most funda- ment and the 17 sustainable develop- Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, I mental rights are explicitly protected ment goals, SDGs. The SDGs aim to wish to request that, for the second by our Nation’s most venerated docu- build on the successes of the millen- year in a row, the U.S. Government of- ment. nium development goals and catalyze ficially recognize the last week in I would like to take a moment to dis- further progress. March as Black Women’s History cuss some issues that apply more to One area where there is still much Week. During the week of March 28, women outside of the United States work to be done concerns child mar- 2016, as part of Women’s History Month but still affect every American. riages. I am pleased the sustainable de- and in honor of the second year of the I serve as the ranking member of the velopment goal 5 includes a target to United Nation’s International Decade Senate Foreign Relations Committee. eliminate child, early and forced mar- for People of African Descent, several In that position, I have seen firsthand riages. leading social justice organizations According to the United States Agen- how the relatively small amount of will be holding their second annual cy for International Development, money allocated for foreign assistance week of events to honor Black women USAID, each year, 14.2 million girls are saves both lives and American tax dol- and recognize their current struggles married before their 18th birthday. lars over time. At less than 1 percent of in American society. This week will Some of these girls are as young as 9 the Federal budget, foreign assistance shed light on the reality that Black years old. Childhood marriage robs helps us rely less on costly military op- women confront many intersectional girls of their adolescence, denies them erations and prevent international ca- challenges in American society, yet an education, greatly increases the tastrophes before they happen. their concerns are often pushed to the As I previously stated, the way a na- risk of maternal mortality, and de- margins of public attention and inter- tion treats its women is very much a creases their chance of becoming eco- vention. This week marks the perfect barometer as to how well that nation is nomically independent. Pregnancy and occasion to attend to the often hidden doing. And just as in the United States, childbirth are the leading causes of experiences of Black women and to giving women outside United States death for young girls in low- to middle- generate attention to address the chal- the tools they need to succeed uplifts income countries. And children of lenges they face. families, communities and nations. young mothers have higher rates of in- The millennium development goals, fant mortality and malnutrition com- Black women have traditionally gone MDGs, were some of the most aggres- pared to children of mothers older than above and beyond the call of duty in sive and successful attempts to combat 18. their contributions to American soci- global poverty and improve the quality Terrorist groups often use forced ety. Black women have been inspira- of life for millions of women and fami- marriages to sustain their efforts. Last tional symbols of strength and perse- lies in the developing world. April, for instance, Boko Haram kid- verance through their high voter turn- The millennium development goals, napped over 250 girls in Nigeria. Some out and historic leadership of racial first established in 2000, brought to- of those girls were later forced to justice movements. Even in the face of gether nations, businesses, inter- marry their kidnappers. The so-called grave oppression throughout our Na- national organizations, and founda- Islamic State is also notorious for forc- tion’s history, Black women have con- tions in a focused and coordinated ef- ing local women and girls to marry its tinued to stand strong and contribute fort to reduce poverty and disease by fighters. Forced marriage is deplorable to the well-being of their families, 2015. Over the last two decades, the for many reasons, not the least of their communities, and our country as number of people worldwide living in which is that is it used as a weapon of a whole; yet at the same time, Black extreme poverty has been cut in half, war. women continue to face undue burdens from about one in every six people in The women and girls being forced and obstacles to their own well-being. 1990 to 836 million in 2015. We have into these marriages are the very same Acknowledging both the centrality of made progress in global education, women and girls who could be leaders, Black women in our history and social with a 20 percent increase in primary business owners, teachers, and doctors fabric as well as the unique inequal- school enrollment in sub-Saharan Afri- if given the chance. It is in the best in- ities they face is critical in our efforts

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:30 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.068 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1587 to build a society that ensures equality these disorders and that we continue to Dane County’s Department of Equity and justice for all. work together to find solutions and to and Inclusion. It is in this role that In conjunction with the congres- offer support. Tamara’s life came full circle. She was sional declaration, a coalition of orga- f once again in Madison challenging the nizations advocating for the well-being ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS status quo on the issues that inspired of women and communities of color her to become a fierce advocate for the will partner to elevate the stories, his- poor and underrepresented. REMEMBERING TAMARA D. tories, and realities of Black women’s Although Tamara’s time with us was GRIGSBY lives, building off the momentum gen- too short, she leaves behind a legacy erated by Black Women’s History Week ∑ Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today for future leaders to emulate. She will in 2015. Our charge is to ensure that the I wish to honor the life and legacy of always be remembered for having the lives of Black women and girls are not Tamara D. Grigsby, whose untimely courage to speak for those who didn’t overlooked and that efforts to generate passing at the age of 41 has left Wis- have a voice.∑ information about their well-being is consin without one of its greatest widely shared across public agencies champions for equality and justice. Ta- f and partner institutions. mara committed her life to public serv- Thank you. ice and making a difference in the lives TRIBUTE TO JUDGE ELLEN M. f of others. She was known for her hon- HELLER BLEEDING DISORDERS esty, dedication, and ability to see be- AWARENESS MONTH yond partisan posturing to become a ∑ Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I wish to Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, today voice for those too often forgotten. honor the career of Judge Ellen M. is St. Patrick’s Day. It is a great day Growing up in Madison, WI, Tamara’s Heller. Judge Heller has served the peo- for those of us in this country whose path in life was shaped by her experi- ple of Baltimore and Maryland in sev- ancestors came here to find a better ences confronting economic disparity eral capacities for many decades. She life. And today, like many of us here, I and racial bias as a student in what is is well known and well respected in the got up and put on a green tie, but I considered Wisconsin’s most liberal legal and nonprofit and communities switched it out for this one, a red one, city. When asked about the apparent across our State. In 2010, Judge Heller to highlight support for those who suf- dichotomy of this circumstance, she brought her considerable talents to the fer from serious conditions that many simply responded: ‘‘I’m a liberal. But Weinberg Foundation, one of Balti- Americans don’t speak much about or liberal doesn’t mean enlightened, and more’s most effective nonprofit organi- know much about. it doesn’t mean informed.’’ That state- zations. After 6 years, Judge Heller will This March is the first Bleeding Dis- ment embodies the essence of who Ta- be concluding her role as chair of the orders Awareness Month. It also marks mara was. board on March 1, 2016, and she will the 30th anniversary of President Ron- After earning a bachelor’s degree at come to the end of her current term as ald Reagan’s one-time declaration of Howard University and a master’s de- a trustee of the Weinberg Foundation March as Hemophilia Awareness gree at the University of Wisconsin- on May 16, 2016. Month. Madison, Tamara put her energy and Judge Heller has helped change lives Tens of thousands of Americans have skills to work as a social worker in the while she has served at the Weinberg been diagnosed with bleeding disorders, Milwaukee office of the Wisconsin Foundation. Her commitment to serv- including more than 100 Alaskan fami- Council on Children and Families. ice and her steadfastness have made lies. These families are spread all Upon seeing the impact she could have her an incredibly effective chair- across my State, in Anchorage and on individual lives, she became con- woman. For my colleagues who may be Fairbanks, but also in rural commu- vinced of the need for effective advo- unfamiliar with the Weinberg Founda- nities like Chevak, Elim, Tuntutuliak, cacy on a larger scale. tion, the organization does incredible Kodiak, and Klawock. These Alaskans In 2004, she successfully ran for the work on behalf of low-income and vul- face serious health challenges with Wisconsin Legislature. Her drive and nerable people from Maryland to Ha- strength and grace and form a vibrant passion to change the world around her waii and from the former Soviet Union tight-knit community, and I want to led to her success in a three-way pri- to Israel and beyond. The responsi- thank those communities for sup- mary and an unopposed general elec- bility of chairing the board at the porting their fellow Alaskans. tion to represent the 18th Assembly Weinberg Foundation is significant; we Hemophilia is the most expensive District in Milwaukee. During her ten- are fortunate Judge Heller’s personal chronic condition to treat. There are ure in the assembly, Tamara was a and professional experiences helped Alaskan children whose daily dose of strong advocate for disadvantaged fam- make her uniquely suited for the job. medication exceeds $1,800 per day. The ilies and at-risk children, who were too often overlooked and marginalized. Judge Heller is no stranger to hard good news is there is treatment that work. She graduated from the Johns continues to improve. Tamara quickly gained the respect of I want to highlight the work done by her colleagues as a passionate, strong Hopkins University, cum laude. She the Alaska Hemophilia Association, a voice for equity, fairness, and the ex- also graduated from my alma mater, chapter of the National Hemophilia pansion of opportunity. She immersed the University of Maryland School of Foundation, which provides services herself in the legislative process as a Law, cum laude. She earned both de- and support for the Alaskan bleeding member of the joint finance committee grees while raising two sons. Judge disorder community. They work to pro- and as chair of the assembly com- Heller’s accomplished legal career vide access to care and insurance and mittee on children and families. She began as an assistant attorney general. support our youth by hosting an an- was an outspoken and effective advo- She soon became an associate judge in nual summer camp for Alaskan chil- cate on critical issues such as access to the Baltimore City Circuit Court, the dren with bleeding disorders and their scientifically based sex education and eighth judicial circuit, and would spend siblings. Camp Frozen Chosen allows birth control, expansion of transitional 6 years as the judge in charge of the these youth to interact with others jobs to connect unemployed individuals civil docket. with similar bleeding disorders. They with work, examination of the State’s In 1999, Judge Heller became the first are also able to learn to manage and disproportionate Black incarceration woman to serve as a circuit adminis- take ownership of their condition and rate, and the collection of racial data trative judge on the eighth circuit. She their lives, enabling them to be leaders in police traffic stops. She stood fast championed numerous reforms, includ- of their generation. against opposition to low-income tax ing the practice of alternative dispute The Alaska Hemophilia Association credits and quality health care for low- resolution, ADR, in circuit court cases and the Alaska bleeding disorder com- income Wisconsin residents. and the introduction of court-ordered munity are the epitome of Alaskan grit Although an unexpected illness ended mediation in certain civil cases. She and determination and are part of what her 8 years as a State representative in also directed the establishment of a makes Alaska such a wonderful place. 2012, her public service continued. She new pretrial discovery process, includ- I would ask that we think of those worked in the Milwaukee Public ing the appointment of two felony dis- this month who are suffering from School system and was tapped to lead covery judges. Her dedication not only

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:45 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR6.053 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1588 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 to justice as a concept, but to improv- know I join my colleagues in congratu- tion of need. The State of Nevada is ing the process by which justice is ad- lating Judge Heller on everything she fortunate to have someone like Mr. ministered, would serve her well at the has accomplished and wishing her all Lough, who demonstrates unwavering Weinberg Foundation. the best in her future endeavors.∑ loyalty to Nevada veterans, working in Judges are the public face of the rule f support of this important program. of law. I am thankful that so many Mr. Lough, a veteran himself, served people will associate justice with such RECOGNIZING THE EIGHTH GRADE in the U.S. Navy from 1967 to 1973. No a capable and revered judge. In 2003, CLASS AT BIG TIMBER GRADE words can properly thank him for his Judge Heller retired from the bench SCHOOL service to our country, but I offer my and began to lend more of her time and ∑ Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, today I deepest gratitude for his sacrifices in talent to various worthy causes around wish to recognize the eighth grade defending our freedoms. In addition, he Maryland and around the world. For class at Big Timber Grade School. The is a member of the Vietnam Veterans instance, Judge Heller served as presi- class recently took over the writing for of America in Henderson and Boulder dent of the American Jewish Joint Dis- the Big Timber Pioneer Newspaper. City Chapter 1076. In February, Mr. tribution Committee, gaining experi- The Big Timber Pioneer participated Lough was recognized as Veteran of the ence in international aid missions. In in Newspapers in Education Week, and Month by Governor Brian Sandoval for her long and illustrious career, Judge the lucky new young writers were the his efforts in the Henderson Municipal Heller has worked with many other dis- eighth graders of the Big Timber Grade Court’s Veterans Treatment Court pro- tinguished groups: the Maryland School. This very special edition of the gram, an accolade that is well de- School for the Blind, the Johns Hop- newspaper was compiled of stories served. Mr. Lough is truly a role model kins University School of Hygiene & written by the individuals of the class. to all not only for his service to our Public Health, the Task Force on There are 38 students in the class and country, but also for his ambitions in Women in Prison, Girl Scouts of Cen- they all wrote an article. caring for our Nation’s heroes. For the tral Maryland, the Greater Baltimore Big Timber is located in southern last 5 years, Mr. Lough has served as a Medical Center, the Public Trust and Montana. It is a small town of roughly mentor to struggling veterans who Confidence Implementation Com- 1,600 people. I am sure this was a huge have lost their way. His charisma, car- mittee, the Taub Center for Social Pol- honor for the eighth grade class, their ing character, and dedication to help- icy Studies in Israel, and the World parents, and the whole town. ing others are truly admirable. Jewish Restitution Organization. I Thank you to Lindsey Kroskob, the As a member of the Senate Veterans’ have omitted many more organiza- managing editor of the Big Timber Pio- Affairs Committee, I know the strug- tions, but the underlying point here is neer, for making this a goal of hers gles that our veterans face after re- that Judge Heller brought a wealth of since 2015 and for making it happen turning to civilian life after service. experience and talent to the Weinberg this year. It is people like you that can Congress has a responsibility to honor Foundation. help shape the minds of our young these brave individuals and ensure they The Weinberg Foundation has a long Montanans to realize that anything is receive the quality care they have track record of tackling issues head on. possible. earned and deserve. I remain com- The foundation has been a national Congratulations to the eighth grade mitted to upholding this promise for leader on addressing the basic human class for getting the opportunity to our veterans and servicemembers in needs of healthcare, housing, economic write for the newspaper. I look forward Nevada and throughout the Nation. I stability, and food security. The to reading your very special edition am grateful to have someone like Mr. Weinberg Foundation has also estab- and learning about the students of Big Lough working as an ally to ensure the lished itself as an effective advocate Timber Grade School. Maybe I will see needs of our veterans are being met. for people living with disabilities, the your names someday in national publi- Today I ask my colleagues and all elderly, and our veterans. cations across our country.∑ Nevadans to join me in recognizing Mr. Judge Heller has helped the Weinberg f Lough for his work at the Henderson Foundation accomplish extraordinary Municipal Court’s Veterans Treatment TRIBUTE TO ROBERT LOUGH feats during her time on the board. She Court, a program with a mission that oversaw the Baltimore Library Project ∑ Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today I is both noble and necessary. I am hon- which to seeks to design, build, equip, wish to recognize Robert Lough for his ored to acknowledge Mr. Lough for his and staff new or renovated libraries in tireless effort in helping Nevada’s efforts, and I wish him the best of luck selected schools where existing public brave servicemembers after they have in all of his future endeavors.∑ funds can be leveraged. The Weinberg returned home from the battlefield. f Foundation, with the help of 40 part- Mr. Lough has been a volunteer with ners, will create as many as 24 of these the Henderson Municipal Court’s Vet- RECOGNIZING SANFORD CENTER inspirational spaces. The Weinberg erans Treatment Court program since GERIATRIC SPECIALTY CLINIC Foundation has committed a total of its opening in 2011, going above and be- ∑ Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today I $10 million for what is expected to be a yond to help fellow veterans in need. wish to recognize the opening of the legacy project. The Henderson Municipal Court’s Sanford Center Geriatric Specialty Judge Heller doubled the amount of Veterans Treatment Court program is Clinic, the first of its kind in the Silver funding provided under the employee an invaluable resource to the southern State. This facility’s innovative and giving program. The Weinberg Founda- Nevada community, providing our vet- unique health care offerings will con- tion’s employee giving program awards erans with vital services that range tribute greatly to Nevadans’ quality of grants to their deeply committed staff from job placement to suicide preven- life and help improve the quality of to fund direct outreach programs. tion. This program assists our nation’s medical care offered to seniors across Judge Heller and the Weinberg Foun- servicemembers as they return home northern Nevada. dation have done immeasurable good and readjust to life in their commu- The geriatric specialty clinic offers for people across the State of Maryland nities. The court program includes rep- screenings and assessments on the Uni- and around the world. As Judge Heller resentatives from the legal system and versity of Nevada, Reno campus inside prepares to step down from the founda- volunteers who work to rehabilitate the Center for Molecular Medicine. The tion, I would like to thank her for her veterans with post-traumatic stress facility provides geriatric assessment dedication to lifting up all people. I disorder, traumatic brain injury, or and care management to our elderly would also like to thank her husband, drug or alcohol issues. Although there population, addressing a wide range of Shale D. Stiller, and the rest of her is no way to adequately thank the men medical concerns, including arthritis, loving family for sharing such an in- and women who lay down their lives dementia, depression, high blood pres- credible woman with humanity. Judge for our freedoms, the Henderson Munic- sure, frailty, and more. The clinic Heller has placed the Weinberg Foun- ipal Court’s Veterans Treatment Court takes on a comprehensive approach, al- dation on solid footing to continue to program acts as a one-stop solution for lowing social workers, primary care carry out its important missions. I veterans who find themselves in a posi- physicians, nurses, and psychologists

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.064 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1589 to collaborate in order to make a com- battalion, group, and major command munities. He worked with scientists to prehensive patient assessment. Effec- level. Assignments have included: tac- determine how to use photography to tive communication within the facility tical intelligence officer, counterintel- accurately portray the science of cli- connects both the physical and mental ligence officer, HUMINT team chief, mate change. He also visited Capitol health of patients, creating a better counter terrorism analyst, Iraq Threat Hill on numerous occasions, providing understanding of the patient’s needs. Finance Cell OIC, deputy chief, counter visual evidence of our changing envi- The facility also supports patients with terrorism analyst, intelligence train- ronment to me and my colleagues in multiple chronic conditions, coordi- ing officer, and deputy commander. the House and Senate. His 2007 book nating home and clinical services. In As with all our citizen soldiers, it is ‘‘Earth Under Fire’’ graced my office addition, the Sanford Center for Aging important that we acknowledge his for many years. is spearheading the start of a telemedi- service in the civilian sector. Lieuten- Gary died capturing breathtaking cine program to support our rural com- ant Colonel Walden has extensive law photos on Australia’s Great Barrier munities. Those leading the way at enforcement experience, serving as Reef, a region particular vulnerable to this center stand as role models to our both a deputy sheriff in the Rockdale the effects of climate change. His im- local community, demonstrating a gen- County sheriff’s office and as a detec- ages resonated in a way words and data uine concern in improving the health tive and special investigator with the could never do alone and will stand on and well-being of Nevadans. The State Valdosta Police Department. As an or- as a key component of our planet’s of Nevada is fortunate to have a facil- dained minister, he was able to con- record of climate change. Gary may no ity like this available to our growing tinue serving the community and pro- longer be with us but his work will senior population. vide mentorship to those in need. He continue to inspire the next generation The Silver State has one of the fast- has also worked at Ford Motor Com- of photographers and all of us who est growing elderly populations in the pany and the Maxell Corporation. It is want to protect our planet and its peo- country, which is why I am pleased to because of all of their cooperation and ple.∑ understanding during his many tours see the clinic is dedicated to caring for f Nevada’s seniors throughout the aging of duty that he was able to make such process. As a member of the Senate a positive impact on the Army Reserve. REMEMBERING BARRY LYNN Special Committee on Aging, I am Considering his many positions and COATES committed to ensuring the needs of service in both the Army and civilian ∑ Mr. SCOTT. Mr. President, today I this community are met. The opening sector, we must acknowledge the tire- wish to honor one of South Carolina’s of the Sanford Center Geriatric Spe- less support of John’s wife, Shelley, veterans, Barry Lynn Coates. Mr. cialty Clinic is another step in pro- and his children, Johnathon, Lucy, and Coates recently passed away at the age Samuel. I thank them for their sac- viding Nevada’s seniors with the sup- of 46 on January 23, 2016, after a long rifices and wish them all the best for port they need and deserve. The battle with cancer. He became the continued success in the future. voice for veterans across the nation as groundbreaking care that this facility Throughout his 29-year career, LTC will provide is invaluable to northern he fought hard to improve the Veterans John Walden has made positive im- Affairs medical system. He fought not Nevada. pacts on the careers and lives of his Those serving at this clinic have for himself, but to improve the lives of soldiers, peers, and superiors. I am gone above and beyond to address the all veterans suffering from delays in grateful for his service to our country, needs of our senior community. Today their medical care. his community, and that he chose to About a year after first complaining I ask my colleagues to join me in cele- serve as an Army leader. I join my col- to his doctors of pain, he was finally brating the opening of the Sanford Cen- leagues today in honoring his dedica- ∑ able to get a colonoscopy. Doctors dis- ter Geriatric Specialty Clinic. tion to the United States of America.∑ f covered a cancerous tumor the size of a f baseball. At that point he had stage 4 TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT REMEMBERING GARY BRAASCH cancer, and it was only a matter of COLONEL JOHN S. WALDEN ∑ Mr. MARKEY. Mr. President, Gary time before he was overtaken by the ∑ Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, today I Braasch, a gifted photographer of the illness. He suffered for months. A sim- pay tribute to LTC John Walden for his natural world, died on March 7, 2016. ple medical procedure might have 29 years of exemplary dedication to Gary dedicated his career to capturing saved his life, but he found himself on duty while serving as an officer in the visually striking portrayals of the dev- a growing list of veterans waiting for U.S. Army Reserve. I am grateful that astating effects of climate change. His appointments and procedures. Barry he will continue to serve his family and work has been published in Time, Lynn Coates was courageous in his the local community of Oxford after LIFE, , National fight against cancer and in his fight for concluding his career with the Army. Geographic, and Discover and featured other veterans to receive the care they We wish him well in his retirement. in the Boston Museum of Science, the deserve. A native of Georgia, LTC John Wal- Chicago Field Museum, and the Cali- Lynn is survived by his wife, their den was commissioned as a second lieu- fornia Academy of Sciences. Some of five children, five grandchildren, and a tenant in the U.S. Army Military Intel- Gary’s most well-known photos depict community that loved his bubbly per- ligence Corps from Georgia Military the retreat of glaciers. The juxtaposi- sonality and passion for pawn shops College in 1988. He completed a bach- tion of old photos from the turn of the and for fixing things. He loved the elor of science in criminal justice from 20th century with Gary’s modern beach, nature, his family above every- Georgia State University in 1995 and photos dramatically demonstrated thing, and he lived for the service of his masters of arts in leadership from large amounts of glacial melting. Some his country. Luther Rice University in 2013. His of these photos were featured in Al It is with pride and honor we recog- military education includes the Mili- Gore’s ‘‘An Inconvenient Truth.’’ nize Barry Lynn Coates and his family tary Intelligence Officer Basic Course; Gary also documented the environ- today and add their legacy to our Military Intelligence Officer Advance mental effects of the fossil fuel indus- March 17, 2016, CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. Course; Psychological Operations Offi- try. He famously captured the first im- We will never forget his sacrifice.∑ cer Course; Counterintelligence Officer ages of Shell’s ill-fated Kulluk oil rig, f Course; Combined Arms Exercise; Com- as it prepared to drill an exploratory TRIBUTE TO BETSY FLEMING mand and General Staff College, Inter- oil well in the Arctic Ocean. The mediate Level Education; and airborne Kulluk is now regarded as a symbol of ∑ Mr. SCOTT. Mr. President, today I school. the recklessness and dangers of Arctic wish to honor one of South Carolina’s As an Army Reserve officer, Lieuten- oil drilling and has become a powerful great college presidents, Ms. Betsy ant Colonel Walden has served with image of our need to transition to low- Fleming. Ms. Fleming is the sitting military intelligence, psychological op- carbon, renewable energy. president for Converse College. Con- erations, and special operations units Gary’s photographs were also influ- verse College is a private master’s uni- at the platoon, detachment, company, ential in the scientific and policy com- versity in Spartanburg, SC, providing a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.061 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1590 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 distinctive undergraduate liberal arts EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED United States the following enrolled education for women and innovative As in executive session the Presiding bill: programs for co-ed graduate study. Officer laid before the Senate messages S. 2426. An act to direct the Secretary of President Fleming has decided to step from the President of the United State to develop a strategy to obtain ob- down at the end of the semester after server status for Taiwan in the International States submitting sundry nominations Criminal Police Organization, and for other 11 years of leadership at the College. and a treaty which were referred to the Through her leadership, Converse purposes. appropriate committees. College has seen unprecedented growth f (The messages received today are and extraordinary success. Ms. Flem- printed at the end of the Senate pro- REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ing has used her passion for the arts to ceedings.) make great strides at Converse, in The following reports of committees Spartanburg and statewide. She is f were submitted: leaving quite a legacy in the endow- MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE By Mr. ALEXANDER, from the Committee ment growth of the school, her decision on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: At 9:57 a.m., a message from the Report to accompany S. 1177, An original to cut tuition by 43 percent, and the re- House of Representatives, delivered by bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Sec- structuring of the college to make it Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- ondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that more financially sound. every child achieves (Rept. No. 114–231). President Fleming’s love and under- nounced that the House has passed the f standing of the arts community has following bills, in which it requests the also brought value to the students and concurrence of the Senate: EXECUTIVE REPORTS OF faculty at Converse College, and she H.R. 4416. An act to extend the deadline for COMMITTEE commencement of construction of a hydro- has personified what it means to lead. The following executive reports of Her vigorous involvement in the col- electric project. H.R. 4434. An act to extend the deadline for nominations were submitted: lege as well as at the local and State commencement of construction of a hydro- By Mr. MCCAIN for the Committee on level are second to none, and she truly electric project. Armed Services. represents what it means to be an out- H.R. 4596. An act to ensure that small busi- *Jennifer M. O’Connor, of Maryland, to be standing leader, president, and trail- ness providers of broadband Internet access General Counsel of the Department of De- blazer. service can devote resources to broadband fense. It is with pride and honor we recog- deployment rather than compliance with *Todd A. Weiler, of Virginia, to be an As- nize Ms. Betsy Fleming and her out- cumbersome regulatory requirements. sistant Secretary of Defense. *Army nomination of Gen. Joseph L. standing achievements today and add ENROLLED BILL SIGNED Votel, to be General. her legacy to our March 17, 2016, CON- At 10:59 a.m., a message from the *Army nomination of Lt. Gen. Raymond A. GRESSIONAL RECORD. We will always re- House of Representatives, delivered by Thomas III, to be General. member her admiration for the arts, Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- Army nominations beginning with Brig. for Spartanburg, and above all for Con- nounced that the Speaker has signed Gen. Patrick D. Sargent and ending with verse College.∑ the following enrolled bill: Brig. Gen. Robert D. Tenhet, which nomina- tions were received by the Senate and ap- f S. 2426. An act to direct the Secretary of peared in the Congressional Record on Feb- State to develop a strategy to obtain ob- CELEBRATING 125 YEARS OF THE ruary 22, 2016. server status for Taiwan in the International Army nominations beginning with Col. Jef- JENKINS INSTITUTE Criminal Police Organization, and for other frey J. Johnson and ending with Col. Ronald ∑ purposes. Mr. SCOTT. Mr. President, I would T. Stephens, which nominations were re- like to honor and congratulate the The enrolled bill was subsequently ceived by the Senate and appeared in the Daniel Joseph Jenkins Institute for signed by the President pro tempore Congressional Record on February 22, 2016. Children in North Charleston on their (Mr. HATCH). Army nominations beginning with Col. 125th anniversary. Dennis P. LeMaster and ending with Col. Mi- In 1891, the Jenkins Institute was At 2:16 p.m., a message from the chael J. Talley, which nominations were re- founded as Jenkins Orphanage. In 1892, House of Representatives, delivered by ceived by the Senate and appeared in the the institute was chartered by the Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- Congressional Record on February 22, 2016. State of South Carolina with the mis- Army nomination of Maj. Gen. Michael K. nounced that the House agrees to the Nagata, to be Lieutenant General. sion of providing a loving and secure amendment of the Senate to the bill Army nomination of Maj. Gen. Todd T. home to many children, specifically or- (H.R. 1831) to establish the Commission Semonite, to be Lieutenant General. phans, in the community. on Evidence-Based Policymaking, and Marine Corps nominations beginning with The Jenkins Institute is an example for other purposes. Col. Bradley S. James and ending with Col. of an organization that remains com- Kurt W. Stein, which nominations were re- f mitted to the well-being of our commu- ceived by the Senate and appeared in the nity. For 125 years, they have opened MEASURES REFERRED Congressional Record on February 25, 2016. their door to orphan children, regard- Army nomination of Maj. Gen. Austin S. The following bills were read the first Miller, to be Lieutenant General. less of their race or socioeconomic and the second times by unanimous Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, for the backgrounds. consent, and referred as indicated: Today the institute continues to wel- Committee on Armed Services I report H.R. 4416. An act to extend the deadline for favorably the following nomination come those in need of a safe place to commencement of construction of a hydro- lists which were printed in the RECORDs call home. They have shown tremen- electric project; to the Committee on Energy dous faith through works of charity, and Natural Resources. on the dates indicated, and ask unani- and their honorable legacy will forever H.R. 4434. An act to extend the deadline for mous consent, to save the expense of be appreciated. I acknowledge with commencement of construction of a hydro- reprinting on the Executive Calendar pleasure the Jenkins Institute’s influ- electric project; to the Committee on Energy that these nominations lie at the Sec- ence in North Charleston and therefore and Natural Resources. retary’s desk for the information of recognize their service, dedication, and H.R. 4596. An act to ensure that small busi- Senators . ness providers of broadband Internet access 125 years rooted in love and faith. Be- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without service can devote resources to broadband objection, it is so ordered. cause of places like the Daniel Joseph deployment rather than compliance with Jenkins Institute, our children will cumbersome regulatory requirements; to the Air Force nominations beginning with have a brighter future ahead of them.∑ Committee on Commerce, Science, and James B. Anderson and ending with Hyral B. Transportation. Walker, Jr., which nominations were re- f ceived by the Senate and appeared in the MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT f Congressional Record on February 22, 2016. ENROLLED BILL PRESENTED Air Force nominations beginning with Jer- Messages from the President of the emy V. Bastian and ending with Christopher United States were communicated to The Secretary of the Senate reported A. Watson, which nominations were received the Senate by Mr. Pate, one of his sec- that on today, March 17, 2016, she had by the Senate and appeared in the Congres- retaries. presented to the President of the sional Record on February 22, 2016.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:30 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.055 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1591 Air Force nominations beginning with INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND By Mrs. MCCASKILL: Christopher F. Abbott and ending with Devin JOINT RESOLUTIONS S. 2709. A bill to require the posting online Lee Zufelt, which nominations were received of certain government contracts; to the by the Senate and appeared in the Congres- The following bills and joint resolu- Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- sional Record on February 22, 2016. tions were introduced, read the first ernmental Affairs. Air Force nomination of Christopher T. and second times by unanimous con- By Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Mrs. Stein, to be Major. sent, and referred as indicated: GILLIBRAND, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. Army nomination of Gregory L. Boylan, to By Mr. ALEXANDER (for himself and HEINRICH, Mrs. MURRAY, Ms. BALD- be Colonel. Mrs. MURRAY): WIN, Ms. STABENOW, and Mr. BROWN): Army nomination of Derek G. Bean, to be S. 2700. A bill to update the authorizing S. 2710. A bill to increase the participation Colonel. provisions relating to the workforces of the of historically underrepresented demo- graphic groups in science, technology, engi- Army nominations beginning with Adrian National Institutes of Health and the Food neering, and mathematics education and in- R. Algarra and ending with Gregory B. Wil- and Drug Administration, and for other pur- dustry; to the Committee on Health, Edu- liams, which nominations were received by poses; to the Committee on Health, Edu- cation, Labor, and Pensions. the Senate and appeared in the Congres- cation, Labor, and Pensions. By Mr. HEINRICH (for himself and Mr. By Mr. MCCAIN: sional Record on February 22, 2016. S. 2711. A bill to expand opportunity for Army nominations beginning with Philip UDALL): S. 2701. A bill to require consideration of Native American children through addi- O. Adams and ending with Benjaman M. the impact on beneficiary access to care and tional options in education, and for other Wunderlich, which nominations were re- to enhance due process protections in proce- purposes; to the Committee on Indian Af- ceived by the Senate and appeared in the dures for suspending payments to Medicaid fairs. Congressional Record on February 22, 2016. providers; to the Committee on Finance. By Mr. BOOZMAN (for himself and Mr. Army nominations beginning with Julia N. By Mr. BURR (for himself and Mr. WARNER): Alvarez and ending with April D. Williams, CASEY): S. 2712. A bill to restore amounts improp- which nominations were received by the Sen- S. 2702. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- erly withheld for tax purposes from sever- ate and appeared in the Congressional enue Code of 1986 to allow individuals with ance payments to individuals who retired or Record on February 22, 2016. disabilities to save additional amounts in separated from service in the Armed Forces Army nominations beginning with Wendy their ABLE accounts above the current an- for combat-related injuries, and for other M. Adamian and ending with D012433, which nual maximum contribution if they work purposes; to the Committee on Finance. nominations were received by the Senate and and earn income; to the Committee on Fi- By Mr. ALEXANDER: appeared in the Congressional Record on nance. S. 2713. A bill to provide for the implemen- February 22, 2016. By Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. tation of a Precision Medicine Initiative; to Army nomination of Vernita M. Corbett, BURR): the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, to be Major. S. 2703. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- and Pensions. Army nominations beginning with Mat- enue Code of 1986 to allow rollovers between By Mrs. MCCASKILL: thew H. Adams and ending with D012453, 529 programs and ABLE accounts; to the S. 2714. A bill to vest responsibility for in- which nominations were received by the Sen- Committee on Finance. spector general duties for the National Back- ate and appeared in the Congressional By Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. ground Investigations Bureau of the Office of Record on February 22, 2016. BURR): Personnel Management in the Inspector Gen- Army nomination of William D. Rose, to be S. 2704. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- eral of the Department of Defense; to the Colonel. enue Code of 1986 to increase the age require- Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- Army nomination of Mark W. Manoso, to ment with respect to eligibility for qualified ernmental Affairs. be Colonel. ABLE programs; to the Committee on Fi- By Mrs. MCCASKILL: S. 2715. A bill to amend section 2302 of title Army nomination of Eric F. Sabety, to be nance. 5, United States Code, to include the suspen- Colonel. By Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Mr. MAR- KEY, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. CARPER, and sion or revocation of access to classified in- Army nominations beginning with Andrew Mr. WYDEN): formation as a personnel action, and for R. Mciver and ending with Gerard C. Philip, S. 2705. A bill to authorize Federal agencies other purposes; to the Committee on Home- which nominations were received by the Sen- to establish prize competitions for innova- land Security and Governmental Affairs. ate and appeared in the Congressional tion or adaptation management development By Mr. REED (for himself, Mrs. FEIN- Record on March 3, 2016. relating to coral reef ecosystems and for STEIN, and Mr. WHITEHOUSE): Marine Corps nominations beginning with other purposes; to the Committee on Com- S. 2716. A bill to update the oil and gas and Aaron R. Craig and ending with Christopher merce, Science, and Transportation. mining industry guides of the Securities and T. Steinhilber, which nominations were re- By Mr. WYDEN: Exchange Commission; to the Committee on ceived by the Senate and appeared in the S. 2706. A bill to promote innovative ap- Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Congressional Record on January 28, 2016. proaches to outdoor recreation on Federal By Mr. BARRASSO (for himself and Marine Corps nominations beginning with land and to open up opportunities for col- Mr. MCCAIN): Jimmy W. Darsey and ending with Gerald E. laboration with non-Federal partners, and S. 2717. A bill to improve the safety and ad- Pirk, Jr., which nominations were received for other purposes; to the Committee on En- dress the deferred maintenance needs of In- by the Senate and appeared in the Congres- ergy and Natural Resources. dian dams to prevent flooding on Indian res- sional Record on January 28, 2016. By Mr. SCOTT (for himself and Mr. ervations, and for other purposes; to the Navy nominations beginning with Matthew ALEXANDER): Committee on Indian Affairs. T. Allen and ending with Joshua F. Zimmer, S. 2707. A bill to require the Secretary of By Mr. KAINE (for himself, Ms. BALD- which nominations were received by the Sen- Labor to nullify the proposed rule regarding WIN, Mr. PORTMAN, Mrs. CAPITO, and ate and appeared in the Congressional defining and delimiting the exemptions for Ms. AYOTTE): Record on February 22, 2016. executive, administrative, professional, out- S. 2718. A bill to amend the Carl D. Perkins Navy nominations beginning with Richard side sales, and computer employees, to re- Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 W. Lang and ending with Bradley E. quire the Secretary of Labor to conduct a to support innovative approaches to career Shemluck, which nominations were received full and complete economic analysis with and technical education and redesign the by the Senate and appeared in the Congres- improved economic data on small businesses, high school experience for students by pro- sional Record on February 22, 2016. nonprofit employers, Medicare or Medicaid viding students with equitable access to rig- Navy nomination of Michael L. Hipp, to be dependent health care providers, and small orous, engaging, and relevant real world edu- Captain. governmental jurisdictions, and all other cation through partnerships with business Navy nomination of Ronald H. Nellen, to employers, and minimize the impact on such and industry and higher education that pre- be Lieutenant Commander. employers, before promulgating any substan- pare students to graduate from high school Navy nomination of Ashley A. Hockycko, tially similar rule, and to provide a rule of and enroll into postsecondary education to be Lieutenant Commander. construction regarding the salary threshold without the need for remediation and with exemption under the Fair Labor Standards the ability to use knowledge to solve com- *Nomination was reported with rec- Act of 1938, and for other purposes; to the plex problems, think critically, commu- ommendation that it be confirmed sub- Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and nicate effectively, collaborate with others, ject to the nominee’s commitment to Pensions. and develop academic mindsets; to the Com- respond to requests to appear and tes- By Mr. COTTON: mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and tify before any duly constituted com- S. 2708. A bill to provide for the admission Pensions. to the United States of up to 10,000 Syrian mittee of the Senate. By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Mr. religious minorities as refugees of special SANDERS, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. DUR- (Nominations without an asterisk humanitarian concern in each of the fiscal BIN, and Ms. WARREN): were reported with the recommenda- years 2016 through 2020; to the Committee on S. 2719. A bill to amend the tion that they be confirmed.) the Judiciary. Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to improve

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:30 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR6.011 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1592 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 the protections provided to members of the the Committee on Environment and Public By Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Mr. uniformed services and their families, and Works. ALEXANDER, Mr. COONS, Mr. MARKEY, for other purposes; to the Committee on Vet- By Mr. MARKEY (for himself and Ms. Mr. BENNET, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. DON- erans’ Affairs. WARREN): NELLY, Ms. WARREN, Mr. BROWN, Mr. By Ms. BALDWIN (for herself, Mr. S. 2730. A bill to award a Congressional PORTMAN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. SANDERS, and Ms. Gold Medal to the 23rd Headquarters Special PETERS, Mr. CARPER, Mr. GARDNER, WARREN): Troops, known as the ‘‘Ghost Army’’, collec- Ms. STABENOW, and Mr. TOOMEY): S. 2720. A bill to require the Securities and tively, in recognition of its unique and in- S. Res. 403. A resolution designating the Exchange Commission to amend certain reg- credible service during World War II; to the week beginning April 24, 2016 as ‘‘National ulations, and for other purposes; to the Com- Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Industrial Assessment Center Week’’ in cele- mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- Affairs. bration of the 40th anniversary of Industrial fairs. By Mr. MARKEY: Assessment Centers; to the Committee on By Mr. MURPHY (for himself and Mr. S. 2731. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Judiciary. SANDERS): the Interior to carry out a land exchange in- By Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself and S. 2721. A bill to amend title II of the So- volving land within the boundary of the Cape Mr. ISAKSON): cial Security Act to credit individuals serv- Cod National Seashore, and for other pur- S. Res. 404. A resolution designating March ing as caregivers of dependent relatives with poses; to the Committee on Energy and Nat- 2016 as ‘‘National Middle Level Education deemed wages for up to five years of such ural Resources. Month’’; to the Committee on the Judiciary. service; to the Committee on Finance. By Mr. SULLIVAN (for himself and Ms. By Mr. CASEY: By Ms. HEITKAMP (for herself and Mr. MURKOWSKI): S. Res. 405. A resolution designating Phila- S. 2732. A bill to amend the Federal Water MORAN): delphia, Pennsylvania, as the site of the cen- Pollution Control Act to exempt Indian S. 2722. A bill to amend the Home Owners’ tennial commemoration of the 19th Amend- tribes from compensatory mitigation re- Loan Act to allow Federal savings associa- ment to the Constitution of the United quirements in connection with certain dis- tions to elect to operate as national banks, States, in coordination with Vision 2020; to charges of dredged or fill material, and for and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Committee on the Judiciary. other purposes; to the Committee on Envi- By Ms. MIKULSKI (for herself, Ms. Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. ronment and Public Works. By Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mrs. COLLINS, Mrs. MURRAY, Mrs. CAPITO, By Mr. FLAKE (for himself, Mr. GARD- MCCASKILL, and Mr. WYDEN): Ms. BALDWIN, Ms. AYOTTE, and Mr. NER, and Mr. LEE): S. 2723. A bill to amend the Congressional S. 2733. A bill to ensure that venue in pat- SCHUMER): S. Res. 406. A resolution recognizing the Accountability Act of 1995 to apply whistle- ents cases is fair and proper, and for other blower protections available to certain exec- purposes; to the Committee on the Judici- Girl Scouts of the United States of America utive branch employees to legislative branch ary. on the 100th Anniversary of the Girl Scout employees, and for other purposes; to the By Mr. MURPHY: Gold Award, the highest award in the Girl Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- S. 2734. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Scouts, which has stood for excellence and ernmental Affairs. enue Code of 1986 to extend the exclusion of leadership for girls everywhere since 1916; to By Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mr. gain or loss from the sale or exchange of cer- the Committee on the Judiciary. GRASSLEY, Mr. LEE, Mr. LANKFORD, tain brownfield sites from unrelated business By Mr. ENZI (for himself and Mr. BAR- Mr. FLAKE, Mr. TILLIS, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. taxable income, and to extend expensing of RASSO): SASSE, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. SULLIVAN, environmental remediation costs; to the S. Res. 407. A resolution congratulating the Mr. INHOFE, and Mr. PERDUE): Committee on Finance. University of Wyoming men’s Nordic ski S. 2724. A bill to amend title 5, United By Mr. SCHUMER: team for winning the 38th annual United States Code, with respect to the judicial re- S. 2735. A bill to strengthen the enforce- States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Asso- view of agency interpretations of statutory ment of explosive materials prohibitions, ciation national championship; considered and regulatory provisions; to the Committee and for other purposes; to the Committee on and agreed to. on the Judiciary. the Judiciary. By Mr. SESSIONS (for himself and Mr. By Ms. AYOTTE (for herself, Mr. By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Ms. CARDIN): RUBIO, Mr. KIRK, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr. HEITKAMP, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. CRAPO, S. Res. 408. A resolution designating April MCCONNELL, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. GARD- Mr. ROUNDS, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. GRASS- 2016 as ‘‘National Congenital Diaphragmatic NER, Mr. RISCH, Mrs. ERNST, Mr. LEY, Mr. MANCHIN, Mr. DAINES, Mr. Hernia Awareness Month’’; considered and PORTMAN, Ms. MURKOWSKI, and Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. COCHRAN, Ms. HIRONO, agreed to. CRUZ): Mr. BENNET, Mrs. ERNST, Mr. KING, By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Ms. S. 2725. A bill to impose sanctions with re- and Mr. TESTER): MURKOWSKI, Ms. HIRONO, Ms. BALD- spect to the ballistic missile program of S. 2736. A bill to improve access to durable WIN, Ms. HEITKAMP, Ms. MIKULSKI, Iran, and for other purposes; to the Com- medical equipment for Medicare bene- Ms. AYOTTE, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mrs. mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- ficiaries under the Medicare program, and BOXER, Mrs. CAPITO, Mrs. MURRAY, fairs. for other purposes; to the Committee on Fi- Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. DUR- By Mr. KIRK (for himself, Mr. RUBIO, nance. BIN, Mr. SCHUMER, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. Ms. AYOTTE, Mr. COATS, Mr. GARD- By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and REED, Ms. WARREN, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, NER, Mr. MCCONNELL, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. ROBERTS): Ms. STABENOW, Mrs. FISCHER, Mrs. Mr. PORTMAN, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. S. 2737. A bill to improve medical device MCCASKILL, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mrs. SASSE, Mr. COTTON, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. innovation; to the Committee on Health, ERNST, Mr. CARPER, Mr. HEINRICH, MORAN, Mr. ISAKSON, Ms. MURKOWSKI, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Mr. CARDIN, and Mr. BROWN): and Mr. PERDUE): By Mr. GRASSLEY: S. Res. 409. A resolution recognizing March S. 2726. A bill to hold Iran accountable for S. 2738. A bill to amend the Lobbying Dis- 2016 as ‘‘National Women’s History Month’’; its state sponsorship of terrorism and other closure Act of 1995 to require the disclosure considered and agreed to. threatening activities and for its human of political intelligence activities, to amend By Mr. MCCONNELL: rights abuses, and for other purposes; to the title 18, United States Code, to provide for S. Con. Res. 34. A concurrent resolution restrictions on former officers, employees, Committee on Foreign Relations. providing for an adjournment of the House of and elected officials of the executive and leg- By Mr. SULLIVAN (for himself and Ms. Representatives; considered and agreed to. islative branches regarding political intel- MURKOWSKI): ligence contacts, and for other purposes; to f S. 2727. A bill to amend the Federal Water the Committee on Homeland Security and Pollution Control Act to allow preservation ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS Governmental Affairs. leasing as a form of compensatory mitiga- By Ms. CANTWELL (for herself and S. 453 tion for discharges of dredged or fill material Mrs. MURRAY): At the request of Mr. CASSIDY, the affecting State or Indian land, and for other S. 2739. A bill to provide for equitable com- name of the Senator from South Da- purposes; to the Committee on Environment pensation to the Spokane Tribe of Indians of kota (Mr. ROUNDS) was added as a co- and Public Works. the Spokane Reservation for the use of tribal By Mr. SULLIVAN: sponsor of S. 453, a bill to amend the land for the production of hydropower by the Public Health Service Act to provide S. 2728. A bill to facilitate the import of Grand Coulee Dam, and for other purposes; marine mammal products into the United to the Committee on Indian Affairs. grants to States to streamline State States by Alaska Natives; to the Committee requirements and procedures for vet- f on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. erans with military emergency medical By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself and Ms. SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND training to become civilian emergency CANTWELL): SENATE RESOLUTIONS S. 2729. A bill to require full spending of medical technicians. the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, provide The following concurrent resolutions S. 491 for expanded uses of the Fund, and prevent and Senate resolutions were read, and At the request of Ms. KLOBUCHAR, the cargo diversion, and for other purposes; to referred (or acted upon), as indicated: name of the Senator from New York

VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:39 Jun 17, 2016 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD16\MAR2016\S17MR6.REC S17MR6 bjneal on DSK2TWX8P1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1593 (Mrs. GILLIBRAND) was added as a co- S. 2085 kota (Mr. ROUNDS) was added as a co- sponsor of S. 491, a bill to lift the trade At the request of Mr. PORTMAN, the sponsor of S. 2502, a bill to amend the embargo on Cuba. names of the Senator from Indiana Employee Retirement Income Security S. 774 (Mr. DONNELLY) and the Senator from Act of 1974 to ensure that retirement At the request of Mr. MORAN, the Georgia (Mr. PERDUE) were added as co- investors receive advice in their best names of the Senator from Wyoming sponsors of S. 2085, a bill to clarify that interests, and for other purposes. (Mr. ENZI) and the Senator from South nonprofit organizations such as Habi- S. 2505 tat for Humanity may accept donated Dakota (Mr. ROUNDS) were added as co- At the request of Mr. KIRK, the sponsors of S. 774, a bill to amend the mortgage appraisals, and for other pur- names of the Senator from Arkansas poses. Federal Financial Institutions Exam- (Mr. BOOZMAN) and the Senator from S. 2102 ination Council Act of 1978 to improve South Dakota (Mr. ROUNDS) were added the examination of depository institu- At the request of Mr. LEE, the name as cosponsors of S. 2505, a bill to amend tions, and for other purposes. of the Senator from Indiana (Mr. the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to COATS) was added as a cosponsor of S. S. 1082 ensure that retirement investors re- 2102, a bill to amend the Clayton Act At the request of Mr. RUBIO, the ceive advice in their best interests, and and the Federal Trade Commission Act for other purposes. name of the Senator from Montana to provide that the Federal Trade Com- S. 2531 (Mr. DAINES) was added as a cosponsor mission shall exercise authority with of S. 1082, a bill to amend title 38, respect to mergers only under the At the request of Mr. NELSON, his United States Code, to provide for the Clayton Act and only in the same pro- name was added as a cosponsor of S. removal or demotion of employees of cedural manner as the Attorney Gen- 2531, a bill to authorize State and local the Department of Veterans Affairs eral exercises such authority. governments to divest from entities based on performance or misconduct, that engage in commerce-related or in- S. 2125 and for other purposes. vestment-related boycott, divestment, At the request of Mrs. FEINSTEIN, the S. 1208 name of the Senator from Delaware or sanctions activities targeting Israel, At the request of Mr. MARKEY, the (Mr. COONS) was added as a cosponsor and for other purposes. name of the Senator from Massachu- of S. 2125, a bill to make the Commu- At the request of Mr. KIRK, the name setts (Ms. WARREN) was added as a co- nity Advantage Pilot Program of the of the Senator from (Mr. BEN- sponsor of S. 1208, a bill to amend title Small Business Administration perma- NET) was added as a cosponsor of S. 49, United States Code, to require gas nent, and for other purposes. 2531, supra. pipeline facilities to accelerate the re- S. 2216 S. 2603 pair, rehabilitation, and replacement At the request of Ms. COLLINS, the At the request of Mr. MARKEY, the of high-risk pipelines used in com- name of the Senator from Illinois (Mr. name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. merce, and for other purposes. KIRK) was added as a cosponsor of S. MERKLEY) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1209 2216, a bill to provide immunity from S. 2603, a bill to deny corporate average At the request of Mr. MARKEY, the suit for certain individuals who dis- fuel economy credits obtained through name of the Senator from Massachu- close potential examples of financial a violation of law, establish an Air setts (Ms. WARREN) was added as a co- exploitation of senior citizens, and for Quality Restoration Trust Fund within sponsor of S. 1209, a bill to establish other purposes. the Department of the Treasury, and State revolving loan funds to repair or S. 2377 for other purposes. replace natural gas distribution pipe- At the request of Mr. REID, the name S. 2613 lines. of the Senator from Massachusetts At the request of Mr. GRASSLEY, the S. 1333 (Ms. WARREN) was added as a cosponsor name of the Senator from Vermont At the request of Mr. GARDNER, the of S. 2377, a bill to defeat the Islamic (Mr. LEAHY) was added as a cosponsor name of the Senator from South Caro- State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and pro- of S. 2613, a bill to reauthorize certain lina (Mr. GRAHAM) was added as a co- tect and secure the United States, and programs established by the Adam sponsor of S. 1333, a bill to amend the for other purposes. Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act Controlled Substances Act to exclude S. 2390 of 2006. cannabidiol and cannabidiol-rich At the request of Mr. GRASSLEY, the S. 2630 plants from the definition of mari- name of the Senator from Wisconsin At the request of Mr. FRANKEN, the huana, and for other purposes. (Ms. BALDWIN) was added as a cospon- name of the Senator from Vermont sor of S. 2390, a bill to provide adequate S. 1383 (Mr. SANDERS) was added as a cospon- protections for whistleblowers at the At the request of Mr. PERDUE, the sor of S. 2630, a bill to amend the Fair Federal Bureau of Investigation. name of the Senator from Wyoming Labor Standards Act of 1938 to require S. 2437 (Mr. ENZI) was added as a cosponsor of certain disclosures be included on em- At the request of Ms. MIKULSKI, the S. 1383, a bill to amend the Consumer ployee pay stubs, and for other pur- name of the Senator from Montana Financial Protection Act of 2010 to sub- poses. (Mr. TESTER) was added as a cosponsor ject the Bureau of Consumer Financial S. 2632 of S. 2437, a bill to amend title 38, Protection to the regular appropria- At the request of Mr. CASSIDY, the United States Code, to provide for the tions process, and for other purposes. name of the Senator from North Caro- burial of the cremated remains of per- S. 1631 sons who served as Women’s Air Forces lina (Mr. TILLIS) was added as a co- At the request of Mrs. MCCASKILL, Service Pilots in Arlington National sponsor of S. 2632, a bill to promote her name was added as a cosponsor of Cemetery, and for other purposes. freedom, human rights, and the rule of law as part of United States-Vietnam S. 1631, a bill to amend the Employee S. 2494 relations and for other purposes. Retirement Income Security Act of At the request of Mr. MARKEY, the 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of name of the Senator from Rhode Island S. 2633 1986 to modify certain provisions relat- (Mr. WHITEHOUSE) was added as a co- At the request of Mr. TESTER, the ing to multiemployer pensions, and for sponsor of S. 2494, a bill to amend the name of the Senator from Connecticut other purposes. Federal Power Act to provide that any (Mr. MURPHY) was added as a cosponsor S. 1890 inaction by the Federal Energy Regu- of S. 2633, a bill to improve the ability At the request of Mr. HATCH, the latory Commission that allows a rate of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to name of the Senator from Louisiana change to go into effect shall be treat- provide health care to veterans (Mr. VITTER) was added as a cosponsor ed as an order by the Commission for through non-Department health care of S. 1890, a bill to amend chapter 90 of purposes of rehearing and court review. providers, and for other purposes. title 18, United States Code, to provide S. 2502 S. 2646 Federal jurisdiction for the theft of At the request of Mr. ISAKSON, the At the request of Mr. BURR, the name trade secrets, and for other purposes. name of the Senator from South Da- of the Senator from Missouri (Mr.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR6.035 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1594 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 BLUNT) was added as a cosponsor of S. ation products, like canoes, kayaks, would stop. In the end, however, these 2646, a bill to amend title 38, United bikes, and fishing poles, recreation sup- ISIS terrorists killed the boy, killed States Code, to establish the Veterans ports the broader travel and tourism his father, and killed two other Chris- Choice Program of the Department of industry including equipment retailers tians solely over the faith they pro- Veterans Affairs to improve health and gear shops. But the benefit doesn’t fessed. They did so by crucifixion. care provided to veterans by the De- stop when the sun goes down. Then In the time of Christ, the cross was partment, and for other purposes. visitors go to the brewpubs and res- not just a means of execution but a S. 2693 taurants, and they stay overnight at brutal and public warning to all. Be- cause of Christ’s suffering, the cross At the request of Mr. ALEXANDER, the the hotels and the motels. So what we was transformed into a revered symbol name of the Senator from Arizona (Mr. need to do is ensure that recreation is of His sacrifice and promise of salva- MCCAIN) was added as a cosponsor of S. a higher priority for the future so it tion, but today it is clear ISIS seeks to 2693, a bill to ensure the Equal Employ- can continue to boost economies large turn the cross once again into a mes- ment Opportunity Commission allo- and small. sage of dread. cates its resources appropriately by Yet on my tour of Oregon’s Seven Wonders, I consistently heard one trou- Eight other Christians in the village prioritizing complaints of discrimina- that day were also killed. They were tion before implementing the proposed bling theme that’s yanking our recre- ation economy’s potential back down executed by public beheading, but not revision of the employer information before ISIS barbarians raped the two report EEO–1, and for other purposes. to earth. Simply put, red tape is tying down the opportunities for Oregon women among the victims and forced S. RES. 383 recreation and tourism to lift off to the crowd to witness the atrocity. At the request of Mr. PERDUE, the Today was the deadline set by law for even greater heights. Outfitters and names of the Senator from Michigan Secretary of State Kerry to present guides must navigate confusing permit (Mr. PETERS), the Senator from Penn- Congress with an evaluation of the per- processes only to wait months or years sylvania (Mr. CASEY) and the Senator secution of Christians, Yazidis, and for their permits to get approved, and from Texas (Mr. CRUZ) were added as other religious minorities in Syria and outdoor enthusiasts searching for out- cosponsors of S. Res. 383, a resolution Iraq. I am heartened Secretary Kerry door recreation opportunities often get recognizing the importance of the this morning took the needed step of lost in the paperwork before they ever United States-Israel economic rela- declaring the systemic murder of reli- hit the trails. tionship and encouraging new areas of gious minorities by ISIS what it plain- That is why today I am introducing cooperation. ly is: genocide. the Recreation Not Red-Tape, RNR, S. RES. 391 The nature of these horrific crimes of Act to ensure that recreation is a pri- ISIS has not been a secret. It is no se- At the request of Mr. ROBERTS, the ority for Federal agencies and to cut names of the Senator from Arkansas cret that the story of the torture and the bureaucratic red tape in the recre- death of that 12-year-old Syrian boy, (Mr. BOOZMAN) and the Senator from ation permitting process to make ac- his minister father, and 10 other Chris- Georgia (Mr. PERDUE) were added as co- cessing outdoor recreation opportuni- tians is repeated many times over in sponsors of S. Res. 391, a resolution ex- ties easier and much more fun. I gath- different villages, with different vic- pressing the sense of the Senate to op- ered input from Oregonians who enjoy tims of different religions throughout pose the transfer of foreign enemy public lands, entrepreneurs in the out- the region. It is no secret that hun- combatants from the detention facili- door travel and tourism industry, and dreds of thousands of religious minori- ties at United States Naval Station, community leaders from Oregon and ties in Syria and Iraq have been driven Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the United across the Nation. The bill focuses on by war and violence from homes and States homeland. making sure everyone has easier access lands they have held for generations. It f to the outdoors, recognizing and build- is no secret ISIS terrorists have de- STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED ing on recreation as an economic driv- stroyed Christian churches, desecrated BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS er, and making the repair and manage- holy ancient shrines, and dug up Chris- ment of our recreational public lands tian graves and smashed their tomb- By Mr. WYDEN: easier. Additionally, the bill supports stones. It is no secret bishops, priests, S. 2706. A bill to promote innovative improving access to outdoor recreation and other clerical leaders are being ab- approaches to outdoor recreation on for veterans, seniors, and youth. ducted and murdered. It is no secret Federal land and to open up opportuni- My friend and colleague, Representa- ISIS terrorists capture Yazidi women ties for collaboration with non-Federal tive EARL BLUMENAUER, is today intro- and girls and lock them into a life of partners, and for other purposes; to the ducing the House companion of the sexual slavery and repeated rape. Many Committee on Energy and Natural Re- Recreation Not Red-Tape Act. The bill of these victims choose to take their sources. is supported by over 50 Oregon and na- own lives, seeing suicide as their only Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, last sum- tional organizations, from American escape amidst hopelessness and un- mer, I set out on a tour of Oregon’s Alpine Club to Vet Voice. imaginable suffering. It is no secret Seven Wonders to hear from Orego- that thousands of Christians and other nians in every corner of the State By Mr. COTTON: religious minorities have been system- about how to improve access to out- S. 2708. A bill to provide for the ad- atically raped and tortured, beheaded, door recreation. Recreation is a big mission to the United States of up to crucified, burned alive, and buried in economic multiplier for my State, and 10,000 Syrian religious minorities as mass graves, if buried at all. It is no se- Oregonians are the true experts on— refugees of special humanitarian con- cret the word we should use to describe outdoor recreation—it is in our DNA. cern in each of the fiscal years 2016 the whole of these atrocities—the word Oregon’s recreation and tourism through 2020; to the Committee on the we must use—is ‘‘genocide.’’ economy generates an estimated $10 Judiciary. The plain reality is that the Islamic billion a year in direct economic im- Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, 6 State is seeking to eradicate Chris- pact for the state and supports more months ago, a 12-year-old boy stood be- tians, Yazidis, Sabean-Mandeans, Jews, than 101,000 jobs—enough people essen- fore a crowd in a Syrian village not far and other religious groups it sees as tially to fill every seat in Autzen and from Aleppo. This boy was Christian apostates and infidels. This is part of Reser stadiums, home to the Univer- and standing above him were Islamic its fanatical focus on establishing a ca- sity of Oregon Ducks and Oregon State State terrorists holding knives. In the liphate first in the Middle East and Beavers. Recreation supports commu- crowd was the boy’s father, a Christian eventually across the rest of the world. nities and businesses large and small minister. Methodically, the terrorists Christians, Yazidis, and others who throughout urban and rural Oregon and began cutting off the young boy’s fin- have managed to find refuge have seen can have astounding benefits on vet- gers. Amidst his screams, they turned ISIS’s genocidal campaign firsthand. erans, youth, and seniors. to the minister, his father. If he re- They can list name after name of miss- Not only do you have outfitters and nounced his faith and in their terms re- ing family members—wives and daugh- the crafts people who produce recre- turned to Islam, his son’s suffering ters kidnapped into sexual slavery,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR6.037 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1595 sons and brothers killed, and others only 41 were religious minorities. Of gious Persecution Relief Act would spirited away to unknown fates. These that 41, 29 were Christian. That means grant religious minorities fleeing per- victims know the truth of the genocide that while 13 percent of Syria’s prewar secution from groups like ISIS and occurring in Syria and Iraq, and now population consisted of religious mi- other groups in Syria priority status so that truth is recognized officially by norities, only 2.3 percent of the refu- they can apply directly to the U.S. re- the United States of America. gees who make it to the United States settlement program, without going There are those who wavered on are religious minorities. Without through the U.N. first. It will set aside whether this was genocide. They feared doubt, Syrians of all confessions are 10,000 resettlement slots annually that that uttering this truth would compel being victimized by this savage war must be devoted to religious minori- U.S. action to stop the genocide. My and are facing unimaginable suffering, ties. answer is—and? A mortal enemy who but only Christians and other religious The priority status, known as P–2 wishes to commit mass terrorist atroc- minorities are the deliberate targets of status, will allow religious minorities ities against the United States is also systemic persecution and genocide. to skip the U.N. referral process, and it systematically persecuting and exter- Their ancient communities are at risk will fast track the process by which we minating Christians and other reli- of extermination. Their ancestral confirm that they are in fact targets of gious minorities. When will our na- homes and religious sites are being persecution and genocide. To answer in tional security interests ever overlap erased from the Middle Eastern map. advance a most urgent and understand- more perfectly with our moral senti- Christians and other minorities should able question, those who apply for P–2 ment than now? We can and we ought not be shut out from the small number status will be subject to the exact same to stop ISIS dead, stop them before of refugees who find shelter in the security vetting process as all other they kill more Americans, stop them United States. We ought to help ensure refugee applicants. It is my strong po- before they eliminate Christian com- that these faith communities survive, sition that the United States must munities that have existed since the but why are Christians underrep- work with known religious leaders in days of Christ himself. resented among the refugees? There are the region and pursue other proven vet- Still others argue that while a geno- a number of factors. Perhaps chief ting methods to ensure that those who cide may be occurring, recognizing it among them is that the United States, may somehow play into ISIS’s propa- enter this country are not threats to ganda that it is fighting a righteous for all intents and purposes, relies ex- the security of the American people. Extending a hand to help persecuted jihad against a supposed new Crusade. I clusively on the U.N. refugee agency to people in this manner is not a new never understood this argument. To identify candidates for resettlement. idea. In 1989, the late Senator from stay silent in the face of ISIS’s propa- According to the State Department, New Jersey, Frank Lautenberg, crafted ganda is to accommodate that propa- less than 1 percent of the thousands of what has been called the Lautenberg ganda. To cede any power to ISIS’s Syrian refugees referred by the U.N. to narrative is to bend the light of truth the United States are religious minori- amendment, which granted P–2 pri- to the hard darkness of a lie. Standing ties. ority status to Soviet Jewry, Viet- up for the practitioners of religions Let me stress that this underrep- namese nationals, and other religious born in the Middle East and calling the resentation is not the result of inten- minorities seeking refuge. In 2004, the region home since the beginning of re- tional discrimination. The U.N. does late Senator from Pennsylvania, Arlen corded history is not a new Crusade. It praiseworthy and hard work in reliev- Specter, expanded the Lautenberg is a defense of world order dem- ing the suffering of refugees around the amendment to cover religious minori- onstrated through the periods of peace- world and, as a result, improving the ties fleeing oppression from the Aya- ful coexistence of the many religions in security and stability of nations in and tollahs in Iran. In 2007 the late Senator those ancient lands—an existence that near conflict and disaster zones, but it from Massachusetts, Ted Kennedy, today is threatened with extinction by is well established that many religious passed a bill that granted priority sta- ISIS’s barbarism. minorities in Syria are very reluctant tus to certain Iraqi religious minority Today the United States rightly rec- to register as refugees with the United members. ognizes this genocide, but we must also Nations because they fear facing even The bill I am introducing today fol- take action to relieve it. ISIS is a more persecution. The U.N. itself has lows this bipartisan tradition of the threat to the United States, our allies, reported that minority communities Senate and our country. Among the and to the stability of the whole Mid- ‘‘fear that registration might bring ret- first Americans were Pilgrims from re- dle East. Destroying ISIS and stopping ribution from other refugees’’ in camps ligious persecution in the Old World. its malignant expansion is a core na- or other areas in which they sought That is one reason we have a long tra- tional security interest of the United safe haven. The U.S. Commission on dition of defending religious minorities States, but stopping ISIS and the de- International Religious Freedom has here and around the world. praved ideology that enables it is also reported that Christians refrain from In the coming weeks, I will discuss a pursuit that aligns with our highest registering with the U.N. because they this bill with my fellow Senators. My ideals and humanitarian principles. fear being marked for revenge by forces hope is, it will pass and pass soon be- I and many of my colleagues in the loyal to Bashar al-Assad should he re- cause each day will bring another Senate have deep disagreements with main in power in Syria. Christian child who is tortured, an- the President’s policy to defeat ISIS. Whether these fears are well-founded other minister crucified, and another For 2 years his policy of confusion, or not, the reality is, they exist and girl raped. Faith communities in the delay, and paralysis has failed to stop they deter Christians from seeking Middle East are slowly being strangled these terrorists. An entirely new ap- U.N. protection. While the U.N. has out of existence. proach that has the United States in sought to educate minority popu- We are coming upon Easter, the day the lead of a determined coalition is lations on the safety of the registra- of Christ’s resurrection. The message badly needed, but it is not only Presi- tion system, the fact remains that only of Easter is one for all of humanity; dent Obama’s strategic approach that 1 percent of the millions of Syrian refu- that in times of pain and suffering, is ill-considered. His policy on Syrian gees who registered with the U.N. are trial and tribulation, there can ulti- refugee resettlement is as well. Be- non-Muslim. mately be salvation, there can ulti- cause the United States unwisely relies The United States ought not to de- mately be triumph over death. on the United Nations for all referrals pend solely on the U.N. for refugee re- I try to keep this message in mind, of refugees seeking resettlement in the settlement referrals. If we are to do our particularly amidst these times when United States, Christians and other re- part in saving ancient faith commu- religious conflict and oppression do not ligious minorities fleeing persecution nities from genocide, we must find al- seem to be waning but waxing. Today are the victims of unintentional dis- ternate ways to identify persecuted Christianity is the most persecuted re- crimination when seeking asylum and people to whom we can grant safe ligion in the world. Other religions are protection in the United States. haven. not far behind in the scope and depth of Last year, of the 1,790 Syrian refu- Today I am introducing legislation to the oppression they face. While the gees resettled in the United States, create that alternate way. The Reli- United States cannot save all those

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.027 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1596 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 who are suffering from religious perse- still slow the advancement of girls and mentoring programs, and programs to cution, when the persecutors are rabid women. Research shows that issues of increase the recruitment and retention terrorists who want to kill Americans bias can hinder interest in STEM, in- of women and minority faculty. and we have the means not only to de- fluence academic performance, and in- I am also working on another bill to feat those terrorists but to also protect fluence whether faculty encourages fe- address some of the cultural and insti- the innocent, we ought to act. Cer- male students to pursue STEM careers. tutional barriers that I mentioned tainly we have an obligation to stop Furthermore, bias—whether conscious today, which impede women’s and mi- the unintentional discrimination in or unconscious—can harm the hiring, norities’ advancement in STEM fields. our own refugee process that unfairly promotion, and career advancement of In addition to increasing mentoring blocks Christians and other religious women in STEM. Bias can even hurt fe- and outreach programs, the second bill minorities from seeking safety in the male researchers’ chances of winning will improve guidance, training, and United States. competitive science grants. Approxi- coordination among Federal STEM mately half of the U.S. population and agencies and universities to By Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Mrs. workforce is made up of women. But proactively combat bias and discrimi- GILLIBRAND, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, women make up just over a quarter of nation. Mr. HEINRICH, Mrs. MURRAY, the STEM workforce. We are on the right track to grow our Ms. BALDWIN, Ms. STABENOW, As our economy becomes more glob- STEM workforce in the United States, and Mr. BROWN): al, our entire population—men and but we still need to move forward fast- S. 2710. A bill to increase the partici- women—must be engaged in fields that er. We must act now to speed this proc- pation of historically underrepresented will keep America competitive on the ess. My bill will help expose more girls, demographic groups in science, tech- world stage. Expanding the number of women, and minorities to opportuni- nology, engineering, and mathematics women and minorities in STEM fields ties in STEM fields and accelerate education and industry; to the Com- is essential to meeting that challenge. their participation. mittee on Health, Education, Labor, The importance of growing the U.S. I urge my colleagues to join me in and Pensions. STEM workforce is acknowledged by supporting women and minorities in Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, March is leaders and businesses in all fields at STEM now. Women’s History Month. So this morn- all levels. For example, this recogni- ing I would like to highlight the tion was very evident in the Senate’s By Mr. MCCAIN: progress women have made in the fields immigration reform debate. When I S. 2711. A bill to expand opportunity of science, technology, engineering, served on the Senate Judiciary Com- for Native American children through and math—or the STEM fields—chal- mittee in 2013, increasing our STEM additional options in education, and for lenges that persist, and legislation that workforce through immigration policy other purposes; to the Committee on I will be introducing to help overcome drove major sections of the bipartisan Indian Affairs. these challenges. immigration reform bill passed by the Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, today I Today we rely on computers for Senate. am introducing legislation to help much of our modern life. For that, we In Hawaii and elsewhere, there are tackle the challenging problem of fix- thank pioneer RDML Grace Hopper, programs that expose students to ing our broken education system on In- who was one of the first computer pro- STEM careers through mentoring and dian reservations. The bill, known as grammers. Space travel is one of the interactive activities such as robotics. the Native American Education Oppor- most technologically challenging en- I want to focus on one school in Hawaii tunity Act, would expand the edu- deavors that humankind has under- that created these opportunities for cation opportunities of Native Amer- taken. The road to becoming an astro- their students—Molokai Middle ican student living on reservations by naut requires intelligence and tough- School. This is a school that struggled allowing their parents to take full ad- ness, not to mention fortitude. Astro- with science and math scores, but when vantage of Education Savings Account nauts like Sally Ride, the first Amer- their teachers established a robotics which would be funded by the Bureau ican woman in space, have shown that programs, students from all back- of Indian Education, BIE. women belong in every endeavor. grounds got interested in science. The Under this bill, eligible students Hawaii is home to women leaders in year the program started, the Molokai could apply for up to 90 percent of the STEM fields. Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott Middle School robotics team overcame per pupil expenditure that BIE would was raised in rural Hana on the island all odds to represent Hawaii in a na- spend on them at a BIE school and use of Maui. She became the first Native tional robotics tournament. This year, those funds to pay for private school Hawaiian woman to receive a Ph.D. in they will compete in an international tuition, tutors, online curriculum science and went on to discover over robotics competition in Kentucky. courses, special needs services, and 200 species of algae. She remains a Molokai is an island of only about 7,000 other K–12 education needs. This fund- leading expert on Pacific algae. These people. Their students have thrived and ing would be provided through the use women persevered and rose to great succeeded through their STEM experi- of Education Savings Accounts, or heights of success in the STEM fields. ence. While programs like these have a ESA’s, which are established State-ad- However, we must do better to make positive impact on encouraging stu- ministered programs in the States of sure that many more women have the dents to stay excited about STEM Arizona, Mississippi, Florida, Ten- opportunity to pursue STEM careers. fields, there are not enough of such nessee, and Nevada. While girls and boys express a similar programs. Across the Nation, there is a growing level of interest in STEM at an early That is why today I am proud to be interest in State legislatures in enact- age, studies have found that women joined by Senators GILLIBRAND, MUR- ing ESA’s because of the freedom and start to lose interest in STEM as early RAY, FEINSTEIN, HEINRICH, BALDWIN, opportunity they give to families, but as in middle school. This loss of women STABENOW, and BROWN to introduce the in particular low-income students. My and minorities continues at nearly Women and Minorities in STEM Boost- home State of Arizona is at the fore- every stage of the STEM career trajec- er ACT to improve the recruitment, re- front of this revolutionary approach of tory. For example, women are more tention, and success of women and mi- empowering parents-To customize likely to switch from a STEM to non- norities at all stages of the STEM pipe- their child’s education. I believe that STEM major in their first year of col- line. This bill authorizes the National families living on Indian reservations lege than their male counterparts. Science Foundation to award competi- in my state and elsewhere should reap Girls and women report many rea- tive grants for outreach, mentoring, the benefits of ESA’s too. sons for losing interest in STEM. These and professional development pro- As my colleagues know, the need to include negative stereotypes about grams. improve Indian County is a crisis issue. women in STEM, perceived gender bar- The STEM booster act also author- I’m of course referring to the broken riers, feelings of isolation, and a lack izes funding for STEM education out- Bureau of Indian Education system of female role models and mentors. reach programs at the elementary and which consists of 185 schools and 41,000 Gender bias and institutional barriers secondary school levels, funding for students. By some estimates, the BIE’s

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.027 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1597 average per pupil spending is $15,000— courage my colleagues to support this fidence and the integrity of the securi- higher than the national average. Less legislation. ties marketplace. than 7 percent of all Native American I thank Ceres for their support, and I students attend a BIE school, but the By Mr. REED (for himself, Mrs. also thank Representative CARTWRIGHT performance disparity between BIE FEINSTEIN, and Mr. WHITE- for introducing companion legislation students and Native American students HOUSE): in the House of Representatives today. attending non-BIB schools is stag- S. 2716. A bill to update the oil and I urge our colleagues to join us in sup- gering. Almost half of BIE students do gas and mining industry guides of the porting this legislation. not graduate from high school. Their Securities and Exchange Commission; test scores trail by double digits com- to the Committee on Banking, Hous- By Mr. BARRASSO (for himself pared to their peers. Some BIB schools ing, and Urban Affairs. and Mr. MCCAIN): have facilities that are unsuitable as a Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I am S. 2717. A bill to improve the safety learning environment. A series of re- introducing legislation to require the and address the deferred maintenance needs of Indian dams to prevent flood- cent reports by the Government Ac- Securities and Exchange Commission, ing on Indian reservations, and for countability Office, GAO, have focused SEC, to update its industry guides for other purposes; to the Committee on on the disrepair of schools and bureau- oil, gas, and mining companies. Indian Affairs. cratic mismanagement. Some schools In November 2015, Peabody Energy agreed to provide comprehensive SEC Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise desks, school supplies, and even heat. today to introduce the Dam Repairs I wholeheartedly agree that Congress disclosures about climate change risks and Improvements for Tribes Act of must intervene and implement admin- facing the company when it settled 2016 or DRIFT Act. This important leg- istrative reforms and maintenance im- charges of misleading investors. The islation is intended to address the flood provements. But, let us consider that company executed this settlement with prevention and dam safety needs in In- market competition could be a power- the New York Attorney General after an investigation discovered that Pea- dian Country. It would address the de- ful tool for improving teacher reten- ferred maintenance needs of Bureau of tion, diversifying education options, body Energy ‘‘repeatedly denied in pub- lic financial filings to the SEC that it Indian Affairs, BIA, dams, as well as and improving test scores and gradua- reform tribal programs within the U.S. had the ability to predict the impact tion rates in Indian Country more so Army Corps of Engineers. that potential regulation of climate than any 5-year BIB plan developed in The BIA has 137 high-hazard dams Washington. change pollution would have on its and over 700 low-hazard dams across This bill is particularly useful for business, even though Peabody and its the United States. Nearly all of the rural Indian reservations with large consultants actually made projections high-hazard dams are in Western land bases where children living on the that such regulation would have severe United States, including two high-haz- reservation have little choice but to at- impacts on the company.’’ ard dams on the Wind River Reserva- tend a BIB school. Take for example Unfortunately, it appears that the tion in my home State of Wyoming— the Navajo Nation where non-BIB pub- SEC had no role in this settlement, in Washakie Dam and Ray Lake Dam. Ac- lic schools can be over 50 miles away, which Peabody Energy agreed to cording to the BIA staff, on average and private school options are few and amend its SEC disclosures, admitting these dams are 70 to 80 years old and far between. It is unconscionable to that ‘‘concerns about the environ- have over $500 million in deferred leave students stranded in failing mental impacts of coal combustion . . . maintenance needs. Funding is simply schools when we can create the option could significantly affect demand for not keeping up with the maintenance of expanding their educational oppor- our products or our securities.’’ needs of these dams and the threat to tunities in even the most remote parts It is clear that the SEC needs to do public safety in and around Indian of Indian County. We can and should do more when it comes to critically re- Country is very real. The United States more to create a market that attracts viewing the disclosures being filed by has a trust obligation to maintain and private schools and other education publicly traded companies, but it is operate these dams and prevent what services willing to open shop on remote also clear that the SEC’s industry could be a future dam failure. Indian reservations. guides for oil, gas, and mining compa- The legislation I am introducing School choice initiatives, while still nies should be updated to reflect the today would require the Assistant Sec- relatively new, are building a track growing risk of climate change to these retary of Indian Affairs, in consulta- record of success. One example is a companies. By so doing, the investing tion with the Secretary of the Army, Federal program set up 12 years ago to public can access the material informa- to address the maintenance backlog of address the beleaguered public school tion necessary to make informed deci- BIA dams by establishing a High-Haz- system in our Nation’s capital, Wash- sions when investing in these types of ard Indian Dam Safety Deferred Main- ington, D.C. Congress established the companies. Indeed, it is for this reason tenance Fund and a Low-Hazard Indian D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program that the SEC has established industry Dam Safety Deferred Maintenance which at one time provided up to $20 guides for certain industries with com- Fund. The high-hazard fund would re- million in scholarships to low income plex financial and non-financial data. ceive $22,750,000 each year from fiscal families to pull their children out of a These disclosures are important to years 2017 through 2037. The low-hazard failing DC public schools and place investors, such as Allianz Global Inves- fund would receive $10,000,000 for the them in a private school. The DC pro- tors, which is a global diversified ac- same time period. The bill funds low- gram transformed the future of thou- tive investment manager with nearly hazard dams if their needs are critical sands of children in the District. In $500 billion in assets under manage- as well and are not being addressed by 2011, a U.S. Department of Education ment. Allianz has specifically called available scarce resources. Neglecting study found that graduation rates, par- for ‘‘achieving better disclosure of the the deferred maintenance needs of ticularly among minority students effects of carbon costs on the Oil & Gas these dams may result in them becom- jumped by as much as 20 percent for companies.’’ ing high hazard dams in the near fu- the kids who participated in the pro- In updating the industry guides for ture. gram. oil, gas, and mining companies, my leg- The DRIFT Act establishes criteria The situation in the BIE school sys- islation would direct the SEC to work for how the money would be tem is failing, and it is a reflection of with the SEC’s Investor Advisory Com- prioritized, looking at criteria such as our failure in our solemn obligation to mittee. This Committee was estab- threats to public safety, natural or cul- meet certain needs of Native Ameri- lished by the Wall Street Reform and tural resources, and economic con- cans living on Indian reservations. I be- Consumer Protection Act to advise and cerns. The criteria also looks at the lieve that opening up education oppor- consult with the SEC on regulatory ability of increasing water storage ca- tunism beyond BIE schools for Native priorities, the regulation of securities pacity of BIA dams to prevent flooding American families can prove to be one products, trading strategies, fee struc- to downstream communities. of the most effective agents for change tures, disclosure effectiveness, and on The legislation also seeks to make for education in Indian Country. I en- initiatives to promote investor con- other important flood prevention and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR6.022 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1598 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 dam safety policy reforms for both the nerstone of high-quality CTE. When these predatory practices and give BIA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- the National Research Center for Ca- servicemembers and the government neers. Specifically, the DRIFT Act es- reer and Technical Education con- the tools they need to fight back when tablishes a 4-year pilot program for a ducted a 4-year longitudinal study in banks and student loan servicers deny BIA flood mitigation program for three states, they found that students servicemembers their rights. tribes; establishes a Tribal Safety of participating in CTE programs or ca- In 2014, I learned of allegations that Dams Committee within the Depart- reer pathways outperformed their peers at least one major student loan ment of the Interior to make rec- on the number of credits they earned in servicer had been overcharging men ommendations to Congress for modern- science, technology, engineering and and women in uniform on their student izing the Indian Dam Safety Act; and math, STEM, and AP classes, while loans while they were on active duty. mandates that tribes regularly report also earning higher grade point aver- That’s unacceptable. One servicemem- their dam inventory to BIA. ages in their CTE classes. ber overcharged on their student loans The bill requires the BIA to report That is why I am introducing with is one too many. annually on the safety status of their my colleagues, Senators PORTMAN, That is why this bill will end the un- fair and improper practices of student dams to Congress; makes reforms to BALDWIN, and CAPITO, the CTE Excel- the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ lence and Equity Act. This bipartisan loan servicers by requiring them to Tribal Partnership Program to allow legislation supports funding for innova- automatically apply the Servicemem- the Corps to pay for any feasibility tion in career and technical education bers Civil Relief Act, SCRA, interest study of a project costing not more to help redesign the high school experi- rate cap, respond within 14 days to any than $10,000,000; allows in-kind con- ence for historically underserved stu- request for SCRA protections, and pro- vide a full explanation any time they tributions by tribes to count towards a dents. It would authorize grants to deny an SCRA protection, along with cost-share of a U.S. Army Corps of En- partnerships among school districts, clear instructions on how to remedy gineers’ feasibility study; and allows employers, and institutions of higher the situation so the servicemember can tribes to not have a cost share for stud- education in Virginia and other states receive that protection. It will also re- ies and projects that cost up to $200,000. that help students earn industry recog- quire student loan servicers to have a This is the same cost-sharing require- nized credentials or credit toward a designated service representative or ments the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- postsecondary degree or certificate. point of contact for servicemembers neers allows for U.S. territories. The bill also places an emphasis on un- and ensure these individuals are prop- It is time to make sure that we make derstanding the relevance of erly trained on the needs of service- the necessary changes to ensure that coursework in the context of a future members, how the military operates, tribes and surrounding communities career by placing an emphasis on and the protections required by SCRA, are protected, and that the Federal teaching workplace skills through job the Higher Education Act, and other Government collaborates with and em- shadowing, internships, and appren- laws. powers Indian tribes to secure their ticeships. The bill will hold servicers account- communities.’’ CTE programs are critical compo- able for their conduct and treatment of nents to every student’s education. I By Mr. KAINE (for himself, Ms. servicemembers by requiring them to am pleased to be introducing this bi- retain all communications with serv- BALDWIN, Mr. PORTMAN, Mrs. partisan legislation to strengthen CTE icemembers so we can conduct thor- CAPITO, and Ms. AYOTTE): programs in high school so that stu- S. 2718. A bill to amend the Carl D. ough oversight. dents are better prepared for postsec- The SCRA Enhancement and Im- Perkins Career and Technical Edu- ondary studies and the workforce. I provement Act will also hold the De- cation Act of 2006 to support innova- hope that my colleagues consider this partment of Education accountable for tive approaches to career and technical legislation as we move to reauthorize enforcing standards and the law with education and redesign the high school the Carl D. Perkins CTE Act. its student loan servicers. Following experience for students by providing numerous allegations of servicemem- students with equitable access to rig- By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, bers being mistreated by student loan orous, engaging, and relevant real Mr. SANDERS, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, servicers who were not complying with world education through partnerships Mr. DURBIN, and Ms. WARREN): the SCRA interest rate caps, and at with business and industry and higher S. 2719. A bill to amend the least 69,000 servicemembers who were education that prepare students to Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to im- overcharged by one Federal contractor, graduate from high school and enroll prove the protections provided to mem- I asked the Department to review how into postsecondary education without bers of the uniformed services and many servicemembers had been im- the need for remediation and with the their families, and for other purposes; properly denied their benefits under ability to use knowledge to solve com- to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. SCRA. Shockingly, the Department plex problems, think critically, com- Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I have told us that the servicers were com- municate effectively, collaborate with often said when our nation sends men plying in the ‘‘vast majority of cases.’’ others, and develop academic mindsets; and women to war we commit to tak- This was inconsistent with what the to the Committee on Health, Edu- ing care of them when they return Department of Justice and the Con- cation, Labor, and Pensions. home. We also promise them important sumer Financial Protection Bureau Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, the de- legal protections to allow them to had found. mands of today’s competitive global focus on their mission and in recogni- I wrote to the Department of Edu- market require that students have the tion that while they are deployed or cation’s Inspector General and asked right skills and knowledge to succeed away from home servicemembers often her to review the Department’s find- in postsecondary education and enter do not have the resources to respond to ings. Two weeks ago the IG released the workforce. Providing students with a range of financial and legal issues. their report, and it showed that instead an engaging experience that is relevant Despite these protections, too many of doing a thorough investigation to to the workforce and integrates part- servicemembers have been cheated on find out exactly how many service- nerships with industry and higher edu- their student loans, on their mort- members may have been overcharged cation is critical to our Nation’s fu- gages, and on their credit cards. on their student loans, the Depart- ture. Unfortunately, these opportuni- When our men and women in uniform ment’s review was riddled with errors ties are lacking in many of today’s are serving our country, they should and papered over mishandling of mili- high schools, leaving students unpre- not have to worry about whether our tary borrowers’ loans. pared for 21st century careers. government is going to hold up its end The bill I am introducing today will Career and technical education, CTE, of the bargain and fulfill its respon- require sufficient notice to be given is often overlooked in discussions on sibilities to them. when a loan is transferred or sold, and increasing relevancy and rigor in our So today I introduce the SCRA En- that all benefits or protections for the Nation’s schools—despite the fact that hancement and Improvement Act of servicemember are seamlessly trans- a strong focus on academics is the cor- 2016, which will put an end to many of ferred to the new loan servicer. It will

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR6.025 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1599 also forgive all Federal and private stu- it is providing clear, useful informa- casualties while camouflaging early dent loan debt in the event the service- tion to servicemembers on their rights beach installations. The Ghost Army’s member dies in the line of duty. and how to invoke them, and that the secret deception operations com- The SCRA Enhancement and Im- training stays current. I especially menced in France on June 14, 1944, provement Act also expands protec- commend the Consumer Financial Pro- when Task Force Mason landed at tions beyond student loans. I was con- tection Bureau for its dedicated work Omaha Beach to draw enemy fire and cerned when several years ago some of on behalf of our men and women in uni- protect the 980th Artillery. the nation’s largest mortgage servicers form. improperly overcharged and foreclosed Our servicemembers deserve better Task Force Mason was a prelude to upon deployed servicemembers in vio- than what they have gotten over the full scale tactical deceptions completed lation of the SCRA. Thousands of serv- last several years. The SCRA Enhance- by the Ghost Army. Often operating on icemembers and veterans were wronged ment and Improvement Act will go a or near the front lines, the Ghost Army over several years. After those allega- long way to ensuring our servicemem- used inflatable tanks, artillery, air tions came to light, and after the De- bers are protected, putting a stop to planes and other vehicles, advanced en- partment of Justice reached a settle- the predatory practices of banks and gineered soundtracks, and skillfully ment with those mortgage servicers, student loan servicers, and change the GAO released a report in 2014 looking apathy that has characterized the De- crafted radio trickery to create the il- at the importance of mortgage and partment of Education’s oversight. I lusion of sizable American forces where foreclosure protections in the SCRA. encourage all of my colleagues to sup- there were none and to draw the enemy The results were concerning, especially port this legislation. away from Allied troops. when they found at one mortgage Ghost Army soldiers impersonated By Mr. MARKEY (for himself and servicer that 82 percent of loans that other, larger Army units by sewing Ms. WARREN): would have benefitted from the SCRA’s counterfeit patches onto their uni- interest rate cap still had rates in ex- S. 2730. A bill to award a Congres- forms, painting false markings on their cess of 6 percent. sional Gold Medal to the 23rd Head- This bill would reduce the interest quarters Special Troops, known as the vehicles, and creating phony head- rate cap to three percent to provide ‘‘Ghost Army’’, collectively, in rec- quarters staffed by fake generals, all in meaningful protection to servicemem- ognition of its unique and incredible an effort to feed false information to bers, including a zero percent cap for service during World War II; to the Axis spies. During the Battle of the servicemembers eligible for hostile fire Committee on Banking, Housing, and Bulge, the Ghost Army created coun- or imminent danger pay. It would ex- Urban Affairs. terfeit radio traffic to mask the efforts pand the SCRA interest rate protection Mr. MARKEY. Mr. President, today I of General George Patton’s Third Army am introducing the Ghost Army Con- to all of a servicemember’s debt re- as it mobilized to break through to the gressional Gold Medal Act to honor the gardless of when it was incurred, in 101st Airborne. It also provided assist- order to cover consolidation loans and 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, ance to elements of 10th Armored Divi- in recognition that the same chal- called the ’’Ghost Army,’’ which was a lenges exist for military borrowers re- top-secret unit of the United States sion in the besieged Belgian town of gardless of when a debt was first in- Army that served in the European The- Bastogne. curred. It would also strengthen the ater of Operations during World War II. In its final mission, Operation protections that prevent judgements The unit was actively engaged in bat- Viersen, the Ghost Army deployed a against a servicemember who cannot tlefield operations from June of 1944 tactical deception that drew German appear in court because of military through March of 1945. The deceptive units down the Rhine River and away activities of the Ghost Army were es- service. from the 9th Army, allowing the 9th As the daughter of a World War II sential to several Allied victories Army to cross the Rhine into Ger- veteran, I know how much our military across Europe and are estimated to families sacrifice on behalf of their have saved thousands of lives. many. On this mission, the 1,100 men of country. So I believe protecting our I was inspired to introduce this bill the Ghost Army, with the assistance of military men and women from preda- after hearing the story of Jack other units, impersonated forty thou- tory practices is an absolutely essen- McGlynn of Medford, MA. I have sand men, or two complete divisions of tial commitment we make to them. We known Jack for decades going back to American forces, by using fabricated will not allow our servicemembers to my time in the Massachusetts State radio networks, soundtracks of con- be taken advantage of. Legislature, but I never knew that he struction work and artillery fire, and Finally, as we have seen too often, was a member of the Ghost Army. Like more than 600 inflatable vehicles. these protections are only as good as many World War II Veterans, Jack re- our ability to enforce the law and hold turned home to Massachusetts after Three Ghost Army soldiers gave their people accountable. The SCRA En- the War, started a family, and got in- lives and dozens were injured in car- hancement and Improvement Act will volved in local politics. Jack was a city rying out their mission. Their activi- give servicemembers, the Department councilor, Mayor, and State Represent- ties remained classified for more than of Justice, and the Consumer Financial ative. He kept his service in the Ghost forty years after the war and I believe Protection Bureau the legal and over- Army a secret from everyone, even his the extraordinary accomplishments of sight tools they need to hold entities wife and 6 children. Finally in 2008, this unit are deserving of belated rec- accountable. It would clarify that serv- Jack read that it was declassified and ognition. The United States will be icemembers may bring a private right he finally shared the story with his eternally grateful to the Ghost Army of action to enforce their rights and family and friends. for their proficient use of innovative make arbitration clauses unenforce- In evaluating the performance of the able unless all parties agree after a dis- Ghost Army after the War, a U.S. tactics throughout World War II, which pute arises. The bill will give the At- Army analysis found that ‘‘Rarely, if saved thousands of lives and were in- torney General the authority to issue ever, has there been a group of such a strumental in the defeat of Nazi Ger- civil investigative demands in SCRA few men which had so great an influ- many. investigations. It would double the ence on the outcome of a major mili- I ask all my colleagues to cosponsor fines against parties found to be vio- tary campaign.’’. Many Ghost Army this legislation to give a Congressional lating the protections afforded by the soldiers were specially selected for Gold Medal to the members of the SCRA. their mission, and were recruited from Ghost Army. With the number of Federal entities art schools, advertising agencies, com- involved, it is essential the depart- munications companies, and other cre- ments and agencies work collabo- ative and technical professions. ratively to protect servicemembers. The first four members of the Ghost The Defense Department must ensure Army landed on D-day and two became

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17MR6.024 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1600 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS for Middle Level Education, the National zations that represent more than 20,000,000 Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, women and girls in the United States; and the National Association of Elementary Whereas in 2020, celebratory events will SENATE RESOLUTION 403—DESIG- School Principals have declared March 2016 take place in cities all across the United as ‘‘National Middle Level Education NATING THE WEEK BEGINNING States, particularly in cities in which monu- Month’’; mental historic events and people shaped the APRIL 24, 2016 AS ‘‘NATIONAL IN- Whereas schools that educate middle level women’s suffrage movement; DUSTRIAL ASSESSMENT CENTER students are responsible for educating nearly Whereas Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, WEEK’’ IN CELEBRATION OF THE 24,000,000 young adolescents between the ages which was home to historic women who 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDUS- of 10 and 15, in grades 5 through 9, who are played significant roles in the women’s TRIAL ASSESSMENT CENTERS undergoing rapid and dramatic changes in rights movement, including Lucretia Mott, their physical, intellectual, social, emo- Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Mr. Alice Paul, Fanny Jackson Coppin, and Eliza tional, and moral development; Sproat Turner, should be designated as the ALEXANDER, Mr. COONS, Mr. MARKEY, Whereas young adolescents deserve chal- headquarters and coordinating site to cele- Mr. BENNET, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. DON- lenging and engaging instruction and knowl- brate the centennial of women’s suffrage; NELLY, Ms. WARREN, Mr. BROWN, Mr. edgeable teachers and administrators who Whereas the women’s suffrage movement PORTMAN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. PETERS, are prepared to provide young adolescents was closely tied to abolitionism and many Mr. CARPER, Mr. GARDNER, Ms. STABE- with a safe, challenging, and supportive suffragists gained previous experience in ad- learning environment; NOW, and Mr. TOOMEY) submitted the vocacy as antislavery activists; Whereas young adolescents deserve organi- following resolution; which was re- Whereas the first major event in the wom- zational structures that banish anonymity en’s suffrage movement occurred on July 19, ferred to the Committee on the Judici- and promote personalization, collaboration, ary: 1848, the date on which Lucretia Mott and and social equity; Elizabeth Cady Stanton organized the first S. RES. 403 Whereas the habits and values established convention on women’s rights, the Seneca Whereas Industrial Assessment Centers during early adolescence have a lifelong in- Falls Convention; (IACs) are university-led programs funded by fluence that directly affects the future Whereas in 1850, Lucy Stone organized the the Department of Energy that provide en- health and welfare of the United States; National Women’s Rights Convention and ergy efficiency assessments to small and me- Whereas research indicates that the aca- gave a speech that inspired Susan B. An- demic achievement of a student in grade 8 dium-sized manufacturing enterprises in the thony and others to join the cause for wom- has a larger impact on the readiness of that United States for improving energy effi- en’s rights; student for an institution of higher edu- ciency and reducing water usage and waste; Whereas in 1851, Sojourner Truth gave her cation at the end of high school than any Whereas IACs increase the energy effi- famous speech entitled ‘‘Ain’t I a Woman?’’ academic achievement of that student in ciency, productivity, sustainability, and at a convention in Akron, Ohio; high school; and competitiveness of manufacturers in the Whereas in 1869, women suffragists formed Whereas in order to improve graduation United States; the National Woman Suffrage Association rates and prepare students to be lifelong Whereas, since the inception of the IAC and the American Woman Suffrage Associa- learners who are ready for an institution of program in 1976, IACs have conducted more tion, which were national organizations es- higher education or a career and civic par- than 16,000 assessments at manufacturing tablished to work for the right of women to ticipation, the people of the United States plants across the United States; vote that united in 1890 to form the National Whereas the assessments conducted by must have a deeper understanding of the dis- tinctive mission of middle level education: American Woman Suffrage Association; IACs have saved an estimated Whereas in 1872, Susan B. Anthony and a 76,000,000,000,000 British thermal units, a Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— group of women voted in the Presidential quantity equivalent to meeting the energy (1) designates March 2016 as ‘‘National Mid- election and were arrested and fined for vot- needs of almost 1,400,000 homes in the United dle Level Education Month’’; ing illegally; States; (2) honors and recognizes the importance of Whereas in the late 19th century, the Sen- Whereas IACs have saved participating middle level education and the contributions ate voted on women’s suffrage for the first manufacturers more than $1,000,000,000 in en- of the individuals who educate middle level time; ergy costs; students; and Whereas during the early 20th century, a Whereas an estimated 6,000,000 metric tons (3) encourages the people of the United new generation of women joined the women’s of carbon dioxide emissions have been avoid- States to observe National Middle Level suffrage movement and devoted time to ed due to IAC assessments, a quantity equiv- Education Month by visiting and celebrating marches and other active forms of protest, alent to the emissions from more than schools that are responsible for educating including the first picket lines in front of the 1,200,000 cars; young adolescents in the United States. White House; Whereas the IAC program equips under- Whereas women suffragists were often de- f graduate and graduate university students tained and sent to jail and some of those with the skills to conduct energy audits, im- SENATE RESOLUTION 405—DESIG- women who went on hunger strikes were ag- proving workforce training and cultivating NATING PHILADELPHIA, PENN- gressively force fed; the next generation of energy engineers; Whereas since the ratification of the 19th Whereas more than 3,000 students have SYLVANIA, AS THE SITE OF THE Amendment, the work begun by the suffra- graduated from the IAC program, with more CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION gists continues to advance the equality of than 60 percent continuing on to pursue ca- OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT TO women in all political, social, economic, and reers in energy-related fields; and THE CONSTITUTION OF THE cultural aspects of life in the United States, Whereas 2016 marks the 40th anniversary of UNITED STATES, IN COORDINA- including shared leadership; and the IAC program: Now, therefore, be it TION WITH VISION 2020 Whereas the contributions of women suf- Resolved, That the Senate— fragists who fought for and won, for women (1) designates the week beginning April 24, Mr. CASEY submitted the following of the United States, the right to vote should 2016 as ‘‘National Industrial Assessment Cen- resolution; which was referred to the be celebrated on the 100th anniversary of the ter Week’’; and Committee on the Judiciary: ratification of the 19th Amendment: Now, (2) calls on the people of the United States S. RES. 405 therefore, be it to observe National Industrial Assessment Whereas the 19th Amendment to Constitu- Center Week with appropriate programs, tion of the United States was ratified on Au- Resolved, That the Senate— ceremonies, and activities. gust 18, 1920, guaranteeing women in the (1) recognizes the crucial role that the rati- fication of the 19th Amendment to the f United States the right to vote; Whereas the 100th anniversary of the rati- United States Constitution played in advanc- SENATE RESOLUTION 404—DESIG- fication of the 19th Amendment will occur in ing the rights of women and promoting the NATING MARCH 2016 AS ‘‘NA- 2020; democratic values at the core of the United TIONAL MIDDLE LEVEL EDU- Whereas Vision 2020, developed by the In- States; (2) designates Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, CATION MONTH’’ stitute for Women’s Health and Leadership at Drexel University, has launched the Vi- as the site of the national centennial com- Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself and sion 2020 Campaign for Equality— memoration of the ratification of the 19th Mr. ISAKSON) submitted the following (1) to commemorate the centennial of Amendment; and resolution; which was referred to the women’s suffrage; and (3) commends the efforts of Vision 2020— Committee on the Judiciary: (2) to advance and achieve economic, so- (A) to orchestrate, lead, and coordinate cial, and political equality for women in the that momentous occasion in Philadelphia; S. RES. 404 United States by 2020; and Whereas the National Association of Sec- Whereas Vision 2020 is partnering with na- (B) to continue the fight for equality for ondary School Principals, the Association tional associations and professional organi- women.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR6.044 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1601 SENATE RESOLUTION 406—RECOG- Scouts can have on the life of a girl, and by my badges. Those badges I earned NIZING THE GIRL SCOUTS OF extension, the community of the girl and the served as symbols for success, leader- THE UNITED STATES OF AMER- world; ship, and service to my community. It ICA ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY Whereas earning the Girl Scout Gold was during my time as a Girl Scout Award is comparable to achieving the rank OF THE GIRL SCOUT GOLD of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America; that I learned about the values and at- AWARD, THE HIGHEST AWARD IN Whereas a girl who earns the Girl Scout titudes that serve as good guides THE GIRL SCOUTS, WHICH HAS Gold Award— throughout life, like courage, con- STOOD FOR EXCELLENCE AND (1) joins an elite group of less than 6 per- fidence, and strong character to help LEADERSHIP FOR GIRLS EVERY- cent of Girl Scouts each year; and make the world a better place. WHERE SINCE 1916 (2) may be eligible for a higher grade when I also loved the camaraderie of work- enlisting in the Armed Forces of the United ing with other girls on various chal- Ms. MIKULSKI (for herself, Ms. COL- States or for scholarships at certain institu- lenges. It really is about friendship. I LINS, Mrs. MURRAY, Mrs. CAPITO, Ms. tions of higher education; am so proud to be among the more BALDWIN, Ms. AYOTTE, and Mr. SCHU- Whereas according to a study of the Girl than 59 million women in the United MER) submitted the following resolu- Scout Research Institute entitled ‘‘The tion; which was referred to the Com- Power of the Girl Scout Gold Award: Excel- States who are alumnae of the Girl mittee on the Judiciary: lence in Leadership and Life’’, recipients of Scouts of America. I could not have the Girl Scout Gold Award, compared to non- done it without the support of Ms. S. RES. 406 recipient peers— Helen Nimick, my Girl Scout leader. In Whereas each girl who pursues the Girl (1) report a more positive sense of self; fact, I wanted to grow up and be just Scout Gold Award aspires to transform an (2) are more engaged civically and in com- original idea and vision for change into an munity service; like Ms. Nimick. She seemed to know actionable plan with far reaching and sus- (3) have more confidence in their leader- how to do 43 different things with oat- tainable results; ship abilities; and meal boxes. Whereas for more than a century preceding (4) experience greater life satisfaction and The Girl Scouts is an organization the date of adoption of this resolution, the success; that has meant so much to me, and to Girl Scouts of the United States of America Whereas the Girl Scout Gold Award ac- this country. What started out as a (referred to in this preamble as the ‘‘Girl knowledges the power and dedication of each group of eighteen girls in Georgia orga- Scouts’’) has inspired girls to lead with cour- young woman to better herself and to make the world a better place for other individ- nized by Juliette Gordon Low has age, confidence, and character; grown into an organization of more Whereas the Girl Scout Gold Award rep- uals; resents the highest form of the ideals of Whereas during the century preceding the than 2 million girls and women, with courage, confidence, and character; date of adoption of this resolution, millions over 800,000 adult volunteers. When the Whereas the Girl Scout Gold Award calls of Girl Scout alumnae have positively im- Girl Scouts started, women were not on a Girl Scout in grades 9 through 12 to pacted their communities and the world with allowed to vote or have property in take on a project that has a measurable and creative, effective, and sustainable Take Ac- their name, and only few ever made it sustainable impact on the community of the tion projects; and Whereas in the centennial of the Girl to college. Girl Scout by— The founding of the Girl Scouts (1) assessing a need; Scout Gold Award, the Girl Scouts invites (2) designing a solution to the need; alumnae and supporters of the Girl Scouts started a revolutionary movement to (3) completing the project; and everywhere to ‘‘Celebrate 100 Years of train and educate girls. Now, it is (4) inspiring others to sustain the project; Changing the World’’: Now, therefore, be it working to bring gender balance to Whereas the highest award in Girl Scout- Resolved, That the Senate— leadership roles, whether it is in busi- ing honors leadership in the tradition of the (1) recognizes the remarkable impact that ness or politics. I believe in that mis- Girl Scouts; recipients of the Girl Scout Gold Award dur- sion, and I know we can do it. While we Whereas the Girl Scout movement began ing the century preceding the date of adop- have a long ways to go, we certainly on March 12, 1912, when Juliette ‘‘Daisy’’ tion of this resolution have had on— Gordon Low, a native of Savannah, Georgia, (A) the lives of individuals in the United have made progress. When I came to organized a group of 18 girls and provided the States; and the Senate almost 30 years ago, there group of girls with an opportunity to develop (B) the world; were only two women—Senator Nancy physically, intellectually, socially, and spir- (2) recognizes the lasting impact of the Kassebaum of Kansas and myself. itually; projects of recipients of the Girl Scout Gold Today, there are 20 women in the Sen- Whereas the goals of Juliette ‘‘Daisy’’ Gor- Award on the communities of the recipients; ate! Nearly 45 years ago, there was only don Low were to bring girls of all back- (3) congratulates the Girl Scouts of the one woman CEO of a Fortune 500 com- grounds together to develop self-reliance and United States of America and Girl Scout pany; now there are 23. resourcefulness, and to prepare each girl for Gold Award recipients everywhere on the I bring the lessons I learned from centennial of the Girl Scout Gold Award; and a future role as a professional woman and ac- Girl Scouts with me to the United tive citizen outside the home; (4) joins the Girl Scouts of the United Whereas shortly after the inception of the States of America in celebrating 100 years of States Senate, every day and in every Girl Scout movement, it was decided that the Girl Scout Gold Award. way. I love the Girl Scout promise: ‘‘To there should be a special recognition for each Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise serve God and my country, to help peo- girl who— today not only to recognize the 104th ple at all times, and to live by the Girl (1) represents the very best of the Girl anniversary of the Girl Scouts, but also Scout law.’’ To this day, I still carry Scouts; and the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scout the Girl Scout law in my wallet. I be- (2) through courage, tenacity, dedication, lieve that if you follow the Girl Scout and skill, takes action in her community Gold Award. The Gold Award is the with an immediate and sustainable impact; most prestigious award in Girl Scout- law, you’re in pretty good shape—it Whereas, in 1916, the Golden Eaglet was in- ing, only comparable to the Boy Scouts has certainly worked for me. ‘‘I will do troduced as the highest award in Girl Scout- of America’s Eagle Scout recognition. my best to be honest and fair, friendly ing; Approximately one million Girl and helpful, considerate and caring, Whereas the highest award in Girl Scout- Scouts have earned this prestigious courageous and strong, and responsible ing has been known as the Golden Eaglet, award. Girls who pursue their Gold for what I say and what I do, and to re- the Curved Bar Award, First Class, and, for Award aspire to transform an idea and spect myself and others, to respect au- the period of 35 years preceding the date of thority, use resources wisely, make the adoption of this resolution, the Girl Scout vision for change into an actionable Gold Award; plan with measurable, sustainable, and world a better place, and be a sister to Whereas although the name of the highest far-reaching results. Since 1916, Gil every Girl Scout, and a sister to every award in Girl Scouting has changed over the Scouts have been planning and exe- Boy Scout.’’ years, the conviction, dynamism, and ideal- cuting significant projects in response While I am in the Senate now, in ism it takes to earn the award have not; to pressing community needs. The Gold many ways I am still working on my Whereas the Girl Scout Gold Award, like Award has inspired girls in Maryland badges. But instead of working on my each girl who earns the award and the and across the country to find great- cookie badge, the badges I am working project the girl undertakes— ness inside themselves and share their on now are called ‘‘ending gender dis- (1) stands as an enduring symbol of the for- crimination in health care,’’ ‘‘guaran- titude and personal strength of a Girl Scout; ideas and passions with their commu- and nities. teeing equal pay for equal work,’’ and (2) clearly demonstrates the tangible, real- I love the Girl Scouts. I loved being a ‘‘promoting access to quality and af- world impact that participation in the Girl Girl Scout, especially when working on fordable child care.’’

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR6.045 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1602 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 In today’s hectic and increasingly SENATE RESOLUTION 408—DESIG- (i) to improve screening and treatment for uncertain world, Girl Scouts are more NATING APRIL 2016 AS ‘‘NA- CDH; TIONAL CONGENITAL DIAPHRAG- (ii) to discover the causes of CDH; and important than ever before. The Girl (iii) to develop a cure for CDH; and Scouts are an important contribution MATIC HERNIA AWARENESS (3) calls on the people of the United States, to American society—they prepare the MONTH’’ interest groups, and affected persons— leaders of tomorrow, and every day Mr. SESSIONS (for himself and Mr. (A) to promote awareness of CDH; (B) to take an active role in the fight they inspire millions across this coun- CARDIN) submitted the following reso- lution; which was considered and against this devastating birth defect; and try to make the world a better place. (C) to observe National Congenital Dia- Ladies, let us put on our badges, square agreed to: phragmatic Hernia Awareness Month with our shoulders, suit up, and work to- S. RES. 408 appropriate ceremonies and activities. gether to make a change. Whereas congenital diaphragmatic hernia f (referred to in this preamble as ‘‘CDH’’) oc- curs in individuals in which the diaphragm SENATE RESOLUTION 409—RECOG- f fails to fully form, allowing abdominal or- NIZING MARCH 2016 AS ‘‘NA- gans to migrate into the chest cavity and TIONAL WOMEN’S HISTORY SENATE RESOLUTION 407—CON- preventing lung growth; MONTH’’ GRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY Whereas the Director of the Centers for Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Ms. Disease Control and Prevention recognizes OF WYOMING MEN’S NORDIC SKI MURKOWSKI, Ms. HIRONO, Ms. BALDWIN, TEAM FOR WINNING THE 38TH CDH as a birth defect; Whereas the majority of CDH patients suf- Ms. HEITKAMP, Ms. MIKULSKI, Ms. ANNUAL UNITED STATES COLLE- fer from underdeveloped lungs or poor pul- AYOTTE, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mrs. BOXER, GIATE SKI AND SNOWBOARD AS- monary function; Mrs. CAPITO, Mrs. MURRAY, Ms. CANT- SOCIATION NATIONAL CHAM- Whereas babies born with CDH endure ex- WELL, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. PIONSHIP tended hospital stays in intensive care with SCHUMER, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. REED, Ms. multiple surgeries; WARREN, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Ms. STABE- Mr. ENZI (for himself and Mr. BAR- Whereas CDH patients often endure long- NOW, Mrs. FISCHER, Mrs. MCCASKILL, RASSO) submitted the following resolu- term complications, such as pulmonary hy- Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mrs. ERNST, Mr. CAR- tion; which was considered and agreed pertension, pulmonary hypoplasia, asthma, PER, Mr. HEINRICH, Mr. CARDIN, and Mr. gastrointestinal reflux, feeding disorders, BROWN) submitted the following resolu- to: and developmental delays; tion; which was considered and agreed S. RES. 407 Whereas CDH survivors sometimes endure long-term mechanical ventilation depend- to: Whereas, on March 12, 2016, the University ency, skeletal malformations, supplemental S. RES. 409 of Wyoming men’s Nordic ski team won the oxygen dependency, enteral and parenteral Whereas National Women’s History Month 2016 United States Collegiate Ski and nutrition, and hypoxic brain injury; recognizes and spreads awareness of the im- Snowboard Association (referred to in this Whereas CDH is treated through mechan- portance of women in the history of the preamble as the ‘‘USCSA’’) national cham- ical ventilation, a heart and lung bypass United States; pionship in Lake Placid, New York, by (commonly known as ‘‘extracorporeal mem- Whereas, throughout the history of the sweeping all 4 events; brane oxygenation’’), machines, and surgical United States, whether in the home, at the Whereas the University of Wyoming men’s repair; office, in school, in the courts, or in war- Nordic ski team has won consecutive USCSA Whereas surgical repair is often not a per- time, women have fought for themselves, national titles; manent solution for CDH and can lead to re- their families, and all people of the United Whereas as members on the University of herniation and require additional surgery; States and played an essential role in the Wyoming Nordic ski teams, Will Timmons Whereas CDH is diagnosed in utero in less history of the United States; won the 2016 USCSA men’s individual title than 50 percent of cases; Whereas, even from the early days of the and Elise Sulser won the 2016 USCSA wom- Whereas infants born with CDH have a United States, Abigail Adams urged her hus- en’s individual title; high mortality rate, ranging from 20 to 60 band to ‘‘Remember the Ladies’’ when rep- Whereas the University of Wyoming men’s percent, depending on the severity of the de- resentatives met for the Continental Con- Nordic ski team placed 3 men among the top fect and interventions available at delivery; gress in 1776; 10 overall individual finishers at the 2016 Whereas CDH has a rate of occurrence of 1 Whereas women were particularly impor- USCSA national event; in every 3,836 live births worldwide; tant in the establishment of early chari- Whereas co-head coaches Christi Boggs and Whereas in the United States, CDH affects table, philanthropic, and cultural institu- Rachel Watson have successfully guided the approximately 1,088 babies each year; tions in the United States; University of Wyoming men’s and women’s Whereas since 2000, CDH has affected more Whereas women led the efforts to secure Nordic ski teams to multiple USCSA na- than 700,000 babies worldwide; suffrage and equal opportunity for women tional titles; Whereas CDH does not discriminate based and also served in the abolitionist move- Whereas the University of Wyoming men’s on race, gender, or socioeconomic status; ment, the emancipation movement, labor and women’s Nordic ski teams have each Whereas the cause of CDH is unknown; movements, civil rights movements, and won 6 team USCSA national titles between Whereas the average CDH survivor will other causes to create a more fair and just 2003 and 2016: Now, therefore, be it face postnatal care that totals not less than society for all people; $100,000; and Whereas suffragists wrote, marched, were Resolved, That the Senate— Whereas Federal support for CDH research arrested, went on hunger strikes, and were (1) congratulates the University of Wyo- at the National Institutes of Health for 2015 force-fed in prison but were ultimately suc- ming men’s Nordic ski team as the winner of is estimated to be not more than $3,300,000: cessful in achieving the enactment of the the 2016 United States Collegiate Ski and Now, therefore, be it 19th Amendment to the Constitution of the Snowboard Association national champion- Resolved, That the Senate— United States, which provides, ‘‘The right of ship; (1) designates April 2016 as ‘‘National Con- citizens of the United States to vote shall (2) commends the athletes, coaches, par- genital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness not be denied or abridged by the United ents, and staff of the University of Wyoming Month’’; States or by any State on account of sex.’’; Nordic ski teams for their hard work and (2) encourages that steps should be taken— Whereas women have served and continue dedication; (A) to raise awareness of and increase pub- to serve as leaders in the forefront of social (3) recognizes the students, alumni, and lic knowledge about congenital diaphrag- change efforts; loyal fans that supported the University of matic hernia (referred to in this resolving Whereas women of every race and back- Wyoming men’s Nordic ski team on the clause as ‘‘CDH’’); ground have played and continue to play a team’s journey to win another national title; (B) to inform all people of the United critical economic, cultural, and social role in and States about the dangers of CDH, especially every sphere of the life of the United States, (4) respectfully requests that the Secretary groups of people that may be disproportion- including by constituting a significant por- of the Senate prepare an official copy of this ately affected by CDH or have lower survival tion of the labor force working inside and resolution for presentation to— rates; outside of the home; (A) the president of the University of Wyo- (C) to disseminate information on the im- Whereas women now represent approxi- ming; portance of quality neonatal care of CDH pa- mately 1⁄4 of the workforce in the fields of (B) the athletic director of the University tients; science, technology, engineering, and mathe- of Wyoming; and (D) to promote quality prenatal care and matics; (C) the co-head coaches of the University ultrasounds to detect CDH in utero; and Whereas women once were routinely barred of Wyoming Nordic ski teams. (E) to support research funding of CDH— from attending medical schools in the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR6.046 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1603 United States but now represent 47 percent motion offered pursuant to this subsection tions 47114, 47115, 47116, and 47117 of title 49, of medical school students; by its Majority Leader or his designee, the United States Code, for the period beginning Whereas women previously were turned House shall again stand adjourned pursuant on October 1, 2015, and ending on July 15, away from law schools but now represent 47 to the first section of this concurrent resolu- 2016, the Administrator of the Federal Avia- percent of law school graduates but only 20 tion. tion Administration shall— percent of law school deans and 27 percent of f (A) first calculate such funding apportion- State and Federal judges; ments on an annualized basis as if the total Whereas women have served in the United AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND amount available under section 48103 of such States Armed Forces in volunteer and en- PROPOSED title for fiscal year 2016 were $3,350,000,000; listed positions, with 201,400 active-duty and SA 3457. Mr. MCCONNELL (for Mr. THUNE women currently serving and women com- (B) then reduce by 20.83 percent— (for himself, Mr. HATCH, Mr. NELSON, and Mr. prising approximately 10 percent of veterans; (i) all funding apportionments calculated WYDEN)) proposed an amendment to the bill Whereas more than 9,900,000 women own under subparagraph (A); and H.R. 4721, to amend title 49, United States small businesses in the United States; (ii) amounts available pursuant to sections Code, to extend authorizations for the air- Whereas women in the United States con- 47117(b) and 47117(f)(2) of such title. port improvement program, to amend the In- tribute significantly to the artistic and lit- (b) PROJECT GRANT AUTHORITY.—Section ternal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the erary advancements of the United States; 47104(c) of title 49, United States Code, is funding and expenditure authority of the Whereas the 2016 theme of National Wom- amended, in the matter preceding paragraph Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and for en’s History Month is ‘‘Working to Form a (1), by striking ‘‘March 31, 2016,’’ and insert- other purposes. More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in ing ‘‘July 15, 2016,’’. Public Service and Government’’; f SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORI- TIES. Whereas, in 1932, Hattie Wyatt Caraway of TEXT OF AMENDMENTS Arkansas was the first woman elected to the (a) Section 47107(r)(3) of title 49, United United States Senate; SA 3457. Mr. MCCONNELL (for Mr. States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘April 1, Whereas Margaret Chase Smith of Maine THUNE (for himself, Mr. HATCH, Mr. 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 16, 2016’’. (b) Section 47115(j) of title 49, United was the first woman to serve in both houses NELSON, and Mr. WYDEN)) proposed an of Congress; States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘March amendment to the bill H.R. 4721, to 31, 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. Whereas, in the 114th Congress, 20 women amend title 49, United States Code, to serve as Senators and 84 women serve in the (c) Section 47124(b)(3)(E) of title 49, United House of Representatives, both of which are extend authorizations for the airport States Code, is amended by striking records; improvement program, to amend the ‘‘$5,175,000 for the period beginning on Octo- Whereas, in 1980, President Jimmy Carter Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend ber 1, 2015, and ending on March 31, 2016,’’ issued the first proclamation designating the funding and expenditure authority and inserting ‘‘$8,193,750 for the period begin- March 2 through 8 as ‘‘National Women’s of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, ning on October 1, 2015, and ending on July History Week’’; and for other purposes; as follows: 15, 2016,’’. Whereas, in 1987, a bipartisan group of Sen- (d) Section 47141(f) of title 49, United Strike all after the enacting clause and in- ators introduced the first joint resolution to States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘March sert the following: pass Congress designating ‘‘Women’s History 31, 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. Month’’; SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (e) Section 186(d) of the Vision 100—Cen- Whereas, in 1987, President Ronald Reagan (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as tury of Aviation Reauthorization Act (117 issued the first Women’s History Month the ‘‘Airport and Airway Extension Act of Stat. 2518) is amended by striking ‘‘March 31, proclamation; and 2016’’. 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. (f) Section 409(d) of the Vision 100—Cen- Whereas, despite the advancements of (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con- tury of Aviation Reauthorization Act (49 women in the United States, much remains tents for this Act is as follows: U.S.C. 41731 note) is amended by striking to be done to ensure that women realize Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. ‘‘March 31, 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, their full potential as equal members of the TITLE I—AIRPORT AND AIRWAY 2016’’. society of the United States: Now, therefore, PROGRAMS (g) Section 411(h) of the FAA Moderniza- be it Sec. 101. Extension of airport improve- tion and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 Resolved, That the Senate— ment program. prec. note) is amended by striking ‘‘March (1) designates March 2016 as ‘‘National Sec. 102. Extension of expiring authorities. 31, 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. Women’s History Month’’; Sec. 103. Federal Aviation Administration (h) Section 822(k) of the FAA Moderniza- (2) recognizes the celebration of National operations. tion and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 47141 Women’s History Month as a time to reflect Sec. 104. Air navigation facilities and note) is amended by striking ‘‘March 31, on the many notable contributions that equipment. 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. women have made to the United States; and Sec. 105. Research, engineering, and devel- SEC. 103. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (3) urges the people of the United States to opment. OPERATIONS. observe National Women’s History Month Sec. 106. Compliance with aviation fund- Section 106(k) of title 49, United States with appropriate programs and activities. ing requirement. Code, is amended— f Sec. 107. Essential air service. (1) in paragraph (1), by amending subpara- TITLE II—REVENUE PROVISIONS graph (E) to read as follows: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLU- ‘‘(E) $7,711,387,500 for the period beginning TION 34—PROVIDING FOR AN AD- Sec. 201. Expenditure authority from Air- port and Airway Trust Fund. on October 1, 2015, and ending on July 15, JOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE OF 2016.’’; and REPRESENTATIVES Sec. 202. Extension of taxes funding Air- port and Airway Trust Fund. (2) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘March 31, 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. Mr. MCCONNELL submitted the fol- TITLE I—AIRPORT AND AIRWAY lowing concurrent resolution; which SEC. 104. AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS EQUIPMENT. was considered and agreed to: SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF AIRPORT IMPROVE- Section 48101(a)(5) of title 49, United States Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- MENT PROGRAM. Code, is amended to read as follows: resentatives concurring), That when the House (a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— ‘‘(5) $2,058,333,333 for the period beginning adjourns on any legislative day from (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 48103(a) of title 49, on October 1, 2015, and ending on July 15, Wednesday, March 23, 2016, through Friday, United States Code, is amended by striking 2016.’’. April 8, 2016, on a motion offered pursuant to ‘‘$1,675,000,000 for the period beginning on Oc- SEC. 105. RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVEL- this concurrent resolution by its Majority tober 1, 2015, and ending on March 31, 2016’’ OPMENT. Leader or his designee, it stand adjourned and inserting ‘‘$2,652,083,333 for the period be- Section 48102(a)(9) of title 49, United States until 3:30 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 2016, or ginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on Code, is amended to read as follows: until the time of any reassembly pursuant to July 15, 2016.’’. ‘‘(9) $124,093,750 for the period beginning on section 2 of this concurrent resolution, (2) OBLIGATION OF AMOUNTS.—Subject to October 1, 2015, and ending on July 15, 2016.’’. whichever occurs first. limitations specified in advance in appro- SEC. 106. COMPLIANCE WITH AVIATION FUNDING SEC. 2. (a) The Speaker or his designee, priation Acts, sums made available pursuant REQUIREMENT. after consultation with the Minority Leader to the amendment made by paragraph (1) The budget authority authorized in this of the House, shall notify the Members of the may be obligated at any time through Sep- Act, including the amendments made by this House to reassemble at such place and time tember 30, 2016, and shall remain available Act, shall be deemed to satisfy the require- as he may designate if, in his opinion, the until expended. ments of subsections (a)(1)(B) and (a)(2) of public interest shall warrant it. (3) PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION.—For pur- section 48114 of title 49, United States Code, (b) After reassembling pursuant to sub- poses of calculating funding apportionments for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, section (a), when the House adjourns on a and meeting other requirements under sec- and ending on July 15, 2016.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR6.042 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1604 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 SEC. 107. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE. to meet during the session of the Sen- Davidson, of Virginia, to be a under Section 41742(a)(2) of title 49, United States ate on March 17, 2016, at 10 a.m., in Secretary of the Navy; and Todd A. Code, is amended by striking ‘‘$77,500,000 for room SD–226 of the Dirksen Senate Of- Weiler, of Virginia, to be an Assistant the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and fice Building. Secretary of Defense. ending on March 31, 2016,’’ and inserting ‘‘$122,708,333 for the period beginning on Oc- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to tober 1, 2015, and ending on July 15, 2016,’’. objection, it is so ordered. consider the nominations en bloc. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I TITLE II—REVENUE PROVISIONS SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask know of no further debate on the nomi- SEC. 201. EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY FROM AIR- nations. PORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND. unanimous consent that the Select The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 9502(d)(1) of the Committee on Intelligence be author- Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— ized to meet during the session of the is no further debate, the question is, (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph Senate on March 17, 2016, at 2 p.m., in Will the Senate advise and consent to (A), by striking ‘‘April 1, 2016’’ and inserting room SH–219 of the Hart Senate Office the Davidson and Weiler nominations ‘‘July 16, 2016’’; and Building. en bloc? (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The nominations were confirmed en semicolon at the end and inserting ‘‘or the objection, it is so ordered. bloc. Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2016;’’. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section ask unanimous consent that the mo- 9502(e)(2) of such Code is amended by striking Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask tions to reconsider be considered made ‘‘April 1, 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 16, 2016’’. unanimous consent that the Special and laid upon the table en bloc, and the SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF TAXES FUNDING AIR- Committee on Aging be authorized to President be immediately notified of PORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND. meet during the session of the Senate the Senate’s action. (a) FUEL TAXES.—Section 4081(d)(2)(B) of on March 17, 2016, at 9:45 a.m., in room The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended SD–562 of the Dirksen Senate Office by striking ‘‘March 31, 2016’’ and inserting objection, it is so ordered. Building. ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without (b) TICKET TAXES.— ask unanimous consent that the Sen- objection, it is so ordered. (1) PERSONS.—Section 4261(k)(1)(A)(ii) of ate proceed to the consideration of the such Code is amended by striking ‘‘March 31, SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS following nominations en bloc: Cal- 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask endar Nos. 486, 489 through 494, 496, 497, (2) PROPERTY.—Section 4271(d)(1)(A)(ii) of unanimous consent that the Com- and all nominations on the Secretary’s such Code is amended by striking ‘‘March 31, mittee on Energy and Natural Re- 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, 2016’’. desk; that the nominations be con- (c) FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP PROGRAMS.— source’ Subcommittee on National firmed en bloc and the motions to re- (1) TREATMENT AS NON-COMMERCIAL AVIA- Parks be authorized to meet during the consider be considered made and laid TION.—Section 4083(b) of such Code is amend- session of the Senate on March 17, 2016, upon the table with no intervening ac- ed by striking ‘‘April 1, 2016’’ and inserting at 3 p.m., in room SD–366 of the Dirk- tion or debate; that no further motions ‘‘July 16, 2016’’. sen Senate Office Building. be in order; that any statements re- (2) EXEMPTION FROM TICKET TAXES.—Sec- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without lated to the nominations be printed in tion 4261(j) of such Code is amended by strik- objection, it is so ordered. ing ‘‘March 31, 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘July 15, the RECORD; that the President be im- SUBCOMMITTEE ON REGULATORY AFFAIRS AND 2016’’. mediately notified of the Senate’s ac- FEDERAL MANAGEMENT tion and the Senate then resume legis- f Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask lative session. AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO unanimous consent that the Sub- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without MEET committee on Regulatory Affairs and objection, it is so ordered. Federal Management of the Committee COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES The nominations considered and con- on Homeland Security and Govern- Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask firmed en bloc are as follows: mental Affairs be authorized to meet unanimous consent that the Com- IN THE COAST GUARD during the session of the Senate on mittee on Armed Services be author- The following named officer for appoint- March 17, 2016, at 9 a.m., to conduct a ized to meet during the session of the ment to a position of importance and respon- hearing entitled, ‘‘Examining Agency sibility in the United States Coast Guard Senate on March 17, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. use of Deference, Part II.’’ and to the grade indicated under title 14, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without U.S.C., Section 50: objection, it is so ordered. objection, it is so ordered. To be vice admiral COMMITTEE ON FINANCE f Rear Adm. Karl L. Schultz Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR IN THE ARMY unanimous consent that the Com- The following named officer for appoint- mittee on Finance be authorized to Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, I ask ment in the to the grade meet during the session of the Senate unanimous consent that Priyanka indicated while assigned to a position of im- on March 17, 2016, at 10 a.m., in room Hooghan, a fellow serving in my office, portance and responsibility under title 10, SD–215 of the Dirksen Senate Office be granted floor privileges for the re- U.S.C., section 601: Building, to conduct a hearing entitled mainder of the 114th Congress. To be general ‘‘HealthCare.gov: A Review of Oper- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Gen. Joseph L. Votel ations and Enrollment.’’ objection, it is so ordered. The following named officer for appoint- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without f ment in the United States Army to the grade objection, it is so ordered. indicated while assigned to a position of im- EXECUTIVE SESSION COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS portance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601: Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Com- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR To be general Lt. Gen. Raymond A. Thomas, III mittee on Foreign Relations be author- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ized to meet during the session of the The following named officers for appoint- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- ment in the United States Army Medical Senate on March 17, 2016, at 10 a.m., to ate proceed to executive session to con- conduct a hearing entitled ‘‘Reviewing Service Corps to the grade indicated under sider the following nominations en title 10, U.S.C., sections 624 and 3064: the Administration’s Nuclear Agenda.’’ bloc: Calendar Nos. 439 and 488. To be major general The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Brig. Gen. Patrick D. Sargent objection, it is so ordered. Brig. Gen. Robert D. Tenhet COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY The clerk will report the nomina- The following named officers for appoint- Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask tions en bloc. ment in the United States Army Medical unanimous consent that the Com- The senior assistant legislative clerk Corps to the grade indicated under title 10, mittee on the Judiciary be authorized read the nominations of Janine Anne U.S.C., sections 624 and 3064:

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:22 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR6.048 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1605 To be brigadier general which nominations were received by the Sen- F. ZIMMER, which nominations were re- Col. Jeffrey J. Johnson ate and appeared in the Congressional ceived by the Senate and appeared in the Col. Ronald T. Stephens Record of February 22, 2016. Congressional Record of February 22, 2016. PN1179 NAVY nominations (4) beginning The following named officers for appoint- PN1172 ARMY nomination of Vernita M. RICHARD W. LANG, and ending BRADLEY ment in the United States Army Medical Corbett, which was received by the Senate E. SHEMLUCK, which nominations were re- Service Corps to the grade indicated under and appeared in the Congressional Record of ceived by the Senate and appeared in the title 10, U.S.C., sections 624 and 3064: February 22, 2016. PN1173 ARMY nominations (44) beginning Congressional Record of February 22, 2016. To be brigadier general MATTHEW H. ADAMS, and ending D012453, PN1198 NAVY nomination of Michael L. Col. Dennis P. LeMaster which nominations were received by the Sen- Hipp, which was received by the Senate and Col. Michael J. Talley ate and appeared in the Congressional appeared in the Congressional Record of The following named officer for appoint- Record of February 22, 2016. March 3, 2016. ment in the United States Army to the grade PN1175 ARMY nomination of William D. PN1200 NAVY nomination of Ronald H. indicated while assigned to a position of im- Rose, which was received by the Senate and Nellen, which was received by the Senate portance and responsibility under title 10, appeared in the Congressional Record of Feb- and appeared in the Congressional Record of U.S.C., section 601: ruary 22, 2016. March 3, 2016. PN1202 NAVY nomination of Ashley A. To be lieutenant general PN1176 ARMY nomination of Mark W. Manoso, which was received by the Senate Hockycko, which was received by the Senate Maj. Gen. Michael K. Nagata and appeared in the Congressional Record of and appeared in the Congressional Record of IN THE MARINE CORPS February 22, 2016. March 3, 2016. The following named officers for appoint- PN1177 ARMY nomination of Eric F. f ment in the United States Marine Corps Re- Sabety, which was received by the Senate serve to the grade indicated under title 10, and appeared in the Congressional Record of LEGISLATIVE SESSION U.S.C., 12203: February 22, 2016. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- To be brigadier general PN1197 ARMY nominations (2) beginning ate will now resume legislative session. ANDREW R. MCIVER, and ending GERARD Col. Bradley S. James f Col. Kurt W. Stein C. PHILIP, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congres- ENSURING PATIENT ACCESS AND IN THE ARMY sional Record of March 3, 2016. EFFECTIVE DRUG ENFORCEMENT The following named officer for appoint- ment in the United States Army to the grade IN THE FOREIGN SERVICE ACT OF 2015 indicated while assigned to a position of im- PN464 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations (7) Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I portance and responsibility under title 10, beginning Eric Del Valle, and ending Ryan ask unanimous consent that the Sen- U.S.C., section 601: Truxton, which nominations were received ate proceed to the immediate consider- To be lieutenant general by the Senate and appeared in the Congres- sional Record of May 7, 2015. ation of Calendar No. 368, S. 483. Maj. Gen. Austin S. Miller PN952 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations The PRESIDING OFFICER. The NOMINATIONS PLACED ON THE SECRETARY’S (11) beginning Cheryl L. Anderson, and end- clerk will report the bill by title. DESK ing Melissa A. Williams, which nominations The legislative clerk read as follows: IN THE AIR FORCE were received by the Senate and appeared in A bill (S. 483) to improve enforcement ef- PN1164 AIR FORCE nominations (16) begin- the Congressional Record of November 19, forts related to prescription drug diversion ning JAMES B. ANDERSON, and ending 2015. and abuse, and for other purposes. HYRAL B. WALKER, JR., which nomina- PN953 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations There being no objection, the Senate tions were received by the Senate and ap- (37) beginning Jennifer M. Adams, and end- proceeded to consider the bill, which ing Sunil Sebastian Xavier, which nomina- peared in the Congressional Record of Feb- had been reported from the Committee ruary 22, 2016. tions were received by the Senate and ap- PN1165 AIR FORCE nominations (14) begin- peared in the Congressional Record of No- on the Judiciary, with an amendment ning JEREMY V. BASTIAN, and ending vember 19, 2015. to strike all after the enacting clause CHRISTOPHER A. WATSON, which nomina- PN1086 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations and insert in lieu thereof the following: tions were received by the Senate and ap- (4) beginning Daryl Arthur Brehm, and end- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. peared in the Congressional Record of Feb- ing Melinda D. Sallyards, which nominations This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Ensuring Pa- ruary 22, 2016. were received by the Senate and appeared in tient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement PN1166 AIR FORCE nominations (2068) be- the Congressional Record of January 19, 2016. Act of 2016’’. ginning CHRISTOPHER F. ABBOTT, and PN1087 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations SEC. 2. REGISTRATION PROCESS UNDER CON- ending DEVIN LEE ZUFELT, which nomina- (23) beginning Scott D. Hocklander, and end- TROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT. tions were received by the Senate and ap- ing Catherine Mary Trujillo, which nomina- (a) DEFINITIONS.— peared in the Congressional Record of Feb- tions were received by the Senate and ap- (1) FACTORS AS MAY BE RELEVANT TO AND CON- ruary 22, 2016. peared in the Congressional Record of Janu- SISTENT WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY.— PN1167 AIR FORCE nomination of Chris- ary 19, 2016. Section 303 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 topher T. Stein, which was received by the PN1089 FOREIGN SERVICE nomination of U.S.C. 823) is amended by adding at the end the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Holly S. Higgins, which was received by the following: Record of February 22, 2016. Senate and appeared in the Congressional ‘‘(j) In this section, the phrase ‘factors as may IN THE ARMY Record of January 19, 2016. be relevant to and consistent with the public PN1077 ARMY nomination of Gregory L. PN1156 FOREIGN SERVICE nomination of health and safety’ means factors that are rel- Boylan, which was received by the Senate John McCaslin, which was received by the evant to and consistent with the findings con- and appeared in the Congressional Record of Senate and appeared in the Congressional tained in section 101.’’. January 11, 2016. Record of February 22, 2016. (2) IMMINENT DANGER TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH PN1107 ARMY nomination of Derek G. PN1157 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations OR SAFETY.—Section 304(d) of the Controlled Bean, which was received by the Senate and (11) beginning Laurie Farris, and ending Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 824(d)) is amended— appeared in the Congressional Record of Jan- James Rigassio, which nominations were re- (A) by striking ‘‘(d) The Attorney General’’ uary 28, 2016. ceived by the Senate and appeared in the and inserting ‘‘(d)(1) The Attorney General’’; PN1168 ARMY nominations (120) beginning Congressional Record of February 22, 2016. and ADRIAN R. ALGARRA, and ending GREG- IN THE MARINE CORPS (B) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(2) In this subsection, the phrase ‘imminent ORY B. WILLIAMS, which nominations were PN1117 MARINE CORPS nominations (5) danger to the public health or safety’ means received by the Senate and appeared in the beginning AARON R. CRAIG, and ending that, due to the failure of the registrant to Congressional Record of February 22, 2016. CHRISTOPHER T. STEINHILBER, which maintain effective controls against diversion or PN1169 ARMY nominations (50) beginning nominations were received by the Senate and otherwise comply with the obligations of a reg- PHILIP O. ADAMS, and ending BENJAMAN appeared in the Congressional Record of Jan- istrant under this title or title III, there is a sub- M. WUNDERLICH, which nominations were uary 28, 2016. stantial likelihood of an immediate threat that received by the Senate and appeared in the PN1130 MARINE CORPS nominations (2) death, serious bodily harm, or abuse of a con- Congressional Record of February 22, 2016. beginning JIMMY W. DARSEY, and ending PN1170 ARMY nominations (27) beginning trolled substance will occur in the absence of an GERALD E. PIRK, JR., which nominations JULIA N. ALVAREZ, and ending APRIL D. immediate suspension of the registration.’’. were received by the Senate and appeared in WILLIAMS, which nominations were re- (b) OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT CORRECTIVE AC- the Congressional Record of January 28, 2016. ceived by the Senate and appeared in the TION PLAN PRIOR TO REVOCATION OR SUSPEN- Congressional Record of February 22, 2016. IN THE NAVY SION.—Subsection (c) of section 304 of the Con- PN1171 ARMY nominations (178) beginning PN1178 NAVY nominations (53) beginning trolled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 824) is amend- WENDY M. ADAMIAN, and ending D012433, MATTHEW T. ALLEN, and ending JOSHUA ed—

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:30 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 6333 E:\CR\FM\A17MR6.054 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1606 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2016 (1) by striking the last three sentences; (5) Hospitals, physicians, and other health ‘‘SEC. 3. RIGHTS OF STARR-CAMARGO BRIDGE (2) by striking ‘‘(c) Before’’ and inserting care providers. COMPANY AND SUCCESSORS AND ‘‘(c)(1) Before’’; and (6) State attorneys general. ASSIGNS. (3) by adding at the end the following: (7) Federal, State, local, and tribal law en- ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Starr-Camargo ‘‘(2) An order to show cause under paragraph forcement agencies. Bridge Company and its successors and as- (1) shall— (8) Health insurance providers and entities signs shall have the rights and privileges ‘‘(A) contain a statement of the basis for the that provide pharmacy benefit management granted to the B and P Bridge Company and denial, revocation, or suspension, including spe- services on behalf of a health insurance pro- its successors and assigns under section 2 of cific citations to any laws or regulations alleged vider. the Act of May 1, 1928 (45 Stat. 471, chapter to be violated by the applicant or registrant; (9) Wholesale drug distributors. 466). ‘‘(B) direct the applicant or registrant to ap- (10) Veterinarians. ‘‘(b) REQUIREMENT.—In exercising the pear before the Attorney General at a time and (11) Professional medical societies and boards. rights and privileges granted under sub- place stated in the order, but not less than 30 (12) State and local public health authorities. (13) Health services research organizations. section (a), the Starr-Camargo Bridge Com- days after the date of receipt of the order; and pany and its successors and assigns shall act ‘‘(C) notify the applicant or registrant of the Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I in accordance with— opportunity to submit a corrective action plan ask unanimous consent that the com- ‘‘(1) just compensation requirements; on or before the date of appearance. mittee-reported substitute amendment ‘‘(2) public proceeding requirements; and ‘‘(3) Upon review of any corrective action be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be ‘‘(3) any other requirements applicable to plan submitted by an applicant or registrant read a third time and passed, and the the exercise of the rights referred to in sub- pursuant to paragraph (2), the Attorney Gen- section (a) under the laws of the State of eral shall determine whether denial, revocation, motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. Texas.’’; and or suspension proceedings should be discon- (5) in section 4 (as redesignated by para- tinued, or deferred for the purposes of modifica- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. graph (3))— tion, amendment, or clarification to such plan. (A) by inserting ‘‘and its successors and as- ‘‘(4) Proceedings to deny, revoke, or suspend The committee-reported amendment signs,’’ after ‘‘such company’’; shall be conducted pursuant to this section in in the nature of a substitute was (B) by striking ‘‘or’’ after ‘‘public agen- accordance with subchapter II of chapter 5 of agreed to. cy,’’; title 5, United States Code. Such proceedings The bill (S. 483), as amended, was or- (C) by inserting ‘‘or to a corporation,’’ shall be independent of, and not in lieu of, dered to be engrossed for a third read- after ‘‘international bridge authority or criminal prosecutions or other proceedings ing, was read the third time, and commission,’’; and under this title or any other law of the United passed. (D) by striking ‘‘authority, or commis- States. ‘‘(5) The requirements of this subsection shall f sion’’ each place it appears and inserting not apply to the issuance of an immediate sus- PROVIDING AUTHORITY TO MAIN- ‘‘authority, commission, or corporation’’. pension order under subsection (d).’’. TAIN AND OPERATE A TOLL SEC. 3. REPORT TO CONGRESS. BRIDGE ACROSS THE RIO f (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after GRANDE the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary ADDING ZIKA VIRUS TO THE FDA of Health and Human Services, acting through Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I PRIORITY REVIEW VOUCHER the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, the Ad- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- PROGRAM ACT ministrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental ate proceed to the immediate consider- Health Services Administration, the Director of ation of Calendar No. 374, S. 2143. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I the Agency for Healthcare Research and Qual- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ask unanimous consent that the Sen- ity, and the Director of the Centers for Disease clerk will report the bill by title. ate proceed to the immediate consider- Control and Prevention, in coordination with The legislative clerk read as follows: ation of Calendar No. 389, S. 2512. the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Ad- A bill (S. 2143) to provide for the authority The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ministration and in consultation with the Sec- for the successors and assigns of the Starr- clerk will report the bill by title. retary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Camargo Bridge Company to maintain and The legislative clerk read as follows: Affairs, shall submit a report to the Committee operate a toll bridge across the Rio Grande on the Judiciary of the House of Representa- A bill (S. 2512) to expand the tropical dis- near Rio Grande City, Texas, and for other ease product priority review voucher pro- tives, the Committee on Energy and Commerce purposes. of the House of Representatives, the Committee gram to encourage treatments for Zika on the Judiciary of the Senate, and the Com- There being no objection, the Senate virus. mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pen- proceeded to consider the bill. There being no objection, the Senate sions of the Senate identifying— Mr. MCCONNELL. I ask unanimous proceeded to consider the bill, which (1) obstacles to legitimate patient access to consent that the bill be read a third had been reported from the Committee controlled substances; time and passed and the motion to re- on Health, Education, Labor, and Pen- (2) issues with diversion of controlled sub- consider be considered made and laid stances; sions, with an amendment to strike all upon the table. after the enacting clause and insert in (3) how collaboration between Federal, State, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without local, and tribal law enforcement agencies and lieu thereof the following: the pharmaceutical industry can benefit pa- objection, it is so ordered. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. tients and prevent diversion and abuse of con- The bill (S. 2143) was ordered to be This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Adding Zika trolled substances; engrossed for a third reading, was read (4) the availability of medical education, the third time, and passed, as follows: Virus to the FDA Priority Review Voucher Pro- gram Act’’. training opportunities, and comprehensive clin- S. 2143 SEC. 2. EXPANDING TROPICAL DISEASE PRODUCT ical guidance for pain management and opioid Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- prescribing, and any gaps that should be ad- PRIORITY REVIEW VOUCHER PRO- resentatives of the United States of America in GRAM TO ENCOURAGE TREATMENTS dressed; Congress assembled, FOR ZIKA VIRUS DISEASE. (5) beneficial enhancements to State prescrip- SECTION 1. STARR-CAMARGO BRIDGE. Section 524(a)(3) of the Federal Food, Drug, tion drug monitoring programs, including en- Public Law 87–532 (76 Stat. 153) is amend- and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360n(a)(3)) is hancements to require comprehensive prescriber ed— amended— input and to expand access to the programs for (1) in the first section, in subsection (1) by redesignating subparagraph (R) as sub- appropriate authorized users; and (a)(2)— (6) steps to improve reporting requirements so paragraph (S); (A) by inserting ‘‘, and its successors and (2) in subparagraph (Q), by striking that the public and Congress have more infor- assigns,’’ after ‘‘State of Texas’’; ‘‘Filoviruses’’ and inserting ‘‘Filovirus Dis- mation regarding prescription opioids, such as (B) by inserting ‘‘consisting of not more eases’’; and the volume and formulation of prescription than 14 lanes’’ after ‘‘approaches thereto’’; (3) by inserting after subparagraph (Q) the opioids prescribed annually, the dispensing of and following: such prescription opioids, and outliers and (C) by striking ‘‘and for a period of sixty- ‘‘(R) Zika Virus Disease.’’. trends within large data sets. six years from the date of completion of such (b) CONSULTATION.—The report under sub- Mr. MCCONNELL. I ask unanimous bridge,’’; section (a) shall incorporate feedback and rec- consent that the committee-reported (2) in section 2, by inserting ‘‘and its suc- ommendations from the following: cessors and assigns,’’ after ‘‘companies’’; substitute amendment be agreed to, (1) Patient groups. the bill, as amended, be read a third (2) Pharmacies. (3) by redesignating sections 3, 4, and 5 as (3) Drug manufacturers. sections 4, 5, and 6, respectively; time and passed, and the motion to re- (4) Common or contract carriers and ware- (4) by inserting after section 2 the fol- consider be considered made and laid housemen. lowing: upon the table.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:30 Mar 18, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR6.057 S17MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 17, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1607 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ate proceed to the consideration of S. A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 34) objection, it is so ordered. Res. 408, submitted earlier today. providing for an adjournment of the House of The committee-reported amendment The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Representatives. in the nature of a substitute was clerk will report the resolution by There being no objection, the Senate agreed to. title. proceeded to consider the concurrent The bill (S. 2512), as amended, was or- The legislative clerk read as follows: resolution. dered to be engrossed for a third read- A resolution (S. Res. 408) designating April Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ing, was read the third time, and 2016 as ‘‘National Congenital Diaphragmatic ask unanimous consent that the con- passed. Hernia Awareness Month.’’ current resolution be agreed to and the f There being no objection, the Senate motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no AUTHORIZING USE OF proceeded to consider the resolution. intervening action or debate. EMANCIPATION HALL Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the reso- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I lution be agreed to, the preamble be objection, it is so ordered. ask unanimous consent that the Sen- agreed to, and the motions to recon- The concurrent resolution (S. Con. ate proceed to the consideration of H. sider be considered made and laid upon Res. 34) was agreed to. Con. Res. 111, which is at the desk. (The concurrent resolution is printed The PRESIDING OFFICER. The the table with no intervening action or debate. in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Submitted clerk will report the concurrent resolu- Resolutions.’’) tion by title. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The legislative clerk read as follows: objection, it is so ordered. f A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 111) The resolution (S. Res. 408) was agreed to. REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SE- authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in CRECY—TREATY DOCUMENT NO. the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony as The preamble was agreed to. part of the commemoration of the days of re- (The resolution, with its preamble, is 114–11 membrance of victims of the Holocaust. printed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Sub- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, as There being no objection, the Senate mitted Resolutions.’’) in executive session, I ask unanimous proceeded to consider the concurrent f consent that the injunction of secrecy resolution. be removed from the following treaty Mr. MCCONNELL. I ask unanimous NATIONAL WOMEN’S HISTORY transmitted to the Senate on March 17, consent that the concurrent resolution MONTH 2016, by the President of the United be agreed to and the motion to recon- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I States: Treaty with Kazakhstan on sider be laid upon the table with no in- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal tervening action or debate. ate proceed to the consideration of S. Matters, Treaty Document No. 114–11. I The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Res. 409, submitted earlier today. further ask that the treaty be consid- objection, it is so ordered. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ered as having been read the first time; The concurrent resolution (H. Con. clerk will report the resolution by that it be referred, with accompanying Res. 111) was agreed to. title. papers, to the Committee on Foreign f The legislative clerk read as follows: Relations and ordered to be printed; CONGRATULATING THE UNIVER- A resolution (S. Res. 409) recognizing and that the President’s message be SITY OF WYOMING MEN’S NOR- March 2016 as ‘‘National Women’s History printed in the RECORD. DIC SKI TEAM Month.’’ The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I There being no objection, the Senate The message of the President is as ask unanimous consent that the Sen- proceeded to consider the resolution. follows: ate proceed to the consideration of S. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Res. 407, submitted earlier today. know of no further debate on the reso- To the Senate of the United States: The PRESIDING OFFICER. The lution. With a view to receiving the advice clerk will report the resolution by The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there and consent of the Senate to ratifica- title. further debate? tion, I transmit herewith the Treaty The legislative clerk read as follows: If not, the question is on the adop- between the United States of America A resolution (S. Res. 407) congratulating tion of the resolution. and the Republic of Kazakhstan on Mu- the University of Wyoming men’s Nordic ski The resolution (S. Res. 409) was tual Legal Assistance in Criminal Mat- team for winning the 38th annual United agreed to. ters, signed at Washington on February States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Asso- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I 20, 2015. I also transmit, for the infor- ciation national championship. ask unanimous consent that the pre- mation of the Senate, the report of the There being no objection, the Senate amble be agreed to and the motions to Department of State with respect to proceeded to consider the resolution. reconsider be considered made and laid the Treaty. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I upon the table with no intervening ac- The Treaty is one of a series of mod- ask unanimous consent that the reso- tion or debate. ern mutual legal assistance treaties ne- lution be agreed to, the preamble be The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without gotiated by the United States to more agreed to, and the motions to recon- objection, it is so ordered. effectively counter criminal activities. sider be considered made and laid upon The preamble was agreed to. The Treaty should enhance our ability the table with no intervening action or (The resolution, with its preamble, is to investigate and prosecute a wide va- debate. printed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Sub- riety of crimes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without mitted Resolutions.’’) objection, it is so ordered. The Treaty provides for a broad The resolution (S. Res. 407) was f range of cooperation in criminal mat- agreed to. ters. Under the Treaty, the Parties PROVIDING FOR AN ADJOURN- agree to assist each other by, among The preamble was agreed to. MENT OF THE HOUSE OF REP- (The resolution, with its preamble, is other things: producing evidence (such RESENTATIVES printed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Sub- as testimony, documents, or items) ob- mitted Resolutions.’’) Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I tained voluntarily or, where necessary, f ask unanimous consent that the Sen- by compulsion; arranging for persons, ate proceed to the immediate consider- including persons in custody, to travel NATIONAL CONGENITAL DIA- ation of S. Con. Res. 34. to another country to provide evidence; PHRAGMATIC HERNIA AWARE- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The serving documents; executing searches NESS MONTH clerk will report the concurrent resolu- and seizures; locating and identifying Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I tion by title. persons or items; and freezing and for- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- The legislative clerk read as follows: feiting assets or property that may be

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TRICIA ROCHELLE GARCIA the proceeds or instrumentalities of There being no objection, the Senate, ERWIN N. GINES crime. at 6:33 p.m., adjourned until Monday, LORRAINE S. GRAVLEY LINDA A. HAGEMANN I recommend that the Senate give March 21, 2016, at 10 a.m. GACQUETTE R. JENNINGS early and favorable consideration to KAREE M. JENSEN f DEBORAH K. JONES the Treaty, and give its advice and con- JOHN L. MANSUY sent to ratification. NOMINATIONS GINGER S. MILLER JOANN V. PALMER BARACK OBAMA. Executive nominations received by PATRICK W. STILLEY THE WHITE HOUSE, March 17, 2016. PATRICIA A. B. TATE the Senate: JENNIFER L. TRINKLE f UNITED STATES ADVISORY COMMISSION ON SHEELAH Z. WALKER RICHARD E. WALLEN PUBLIC DIPLOMACY REPORTING AUTHORITY JOHN J. WEATHERWAX DOUGLAS BARRY WILSON, OF DELAWARE, TO BE A CYNTHIA J. WEIDMAN Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES ADVISORY COMMIS- THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT ask unanimous consent that notwith- SION ON PUBLIC DIPLOMACY FOR A TERM EXPIRING TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES AIR standing the Senate’s adjournment, JULY 1, 2017, VICE ELIZABETH F. BAGLEY, TERM EX- FORCE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: PIRED. To be colonel committees be authorized to report CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY legislative and executive matters on LAIRD S. ABBOTT SERVICE PHILIP F. ACQUARO Monday, March 28, from 10:30 a.m. to HEIDI NEEL BIGGS, OF OREGON, TO BE A MEMBER OF KIRSTEN G. AGUILAR 11:30 a.m. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION FOR JENNIFER J. ALLEE NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR A TERM EX- MATTHEW S. ALLEN The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without PIRING OCTOBER 6, 2017, VICE ERIC J. TANENBLATT, MICHAEL P. ALLISON objection, it is so ordered. TERM EXPIRED. JAMES JAY ALONZO WESTLEY WATENDE OMARI MOORE, OF MARYLAND, TO AARON D. ALTWIES f BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE STEVEN J. ANDERSON CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE DAVID R. ANZALDUA APPOINTMENTS AUTHORITY FOR A TERM EXPIRING OCTOBER 6, 2016, VICE STAN Z. CHRISTOPHER E. AUSTIN SOLOWAY, TERM EXPIRED. MAURICE C. AZAR Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I WESTLEY WATENDE OMARI MOORE, OF MARYLAND, TO BRIAN J. BACARELLA ask unanimous consent that notwith- BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE STEPHEN G. BAILEY CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE JEREMIAH W. BALDWIN standing the upcoming adjournment of FOR A TERM EXPIRING OCTOBER 6, 2021. (REAPPOINT- CHAD A. BALETTIE MENT) JENNIFER M. BARNARD the Senate, the President of the Sen- WILEY L. BARNES ate, the President pro tempore, and the DEPARTMENT OF STATE JOHN R. BARNETT JEREME A. BARRETT majority and minority leaders be au- ANNE HALL, OF MAINE, A CAREER MEMBER OF THE WILLIAM A. BARRINGTON, JR. thorized to make appointments to com- SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE, CLASS OF MINISTER–COUN- BENITO J. BARRON SELOR, TO BE AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND CHRISTIAN A. BARTHOLOMEW missions, committees, boards, con- PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ROBERT R. BASOM ferences, or interparliamentary con- TO THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA. JAMES EARL BASS UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE TODD A. BEAN ferences authorized by law, by concur- JASON L. BECK rent action of the two Houses, or by JEFFREY A. ROSEN, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE A GOVERNOR ERIC J. BEERS OF THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE FOR A TERM STEPHEN M. BEHM order of the Senate. EXPIRING DECEMBER 8, 2021, VICE LOUIS J. GIULIANO, STEVEN G. BEHMER The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without TERM EXPIRED. SCOTT J. BELANGER ANTHONY P. BELLIONE objection, it is so ordered. UNITED STATES PAROLE COMMISSION MATTHEW J. BIEWER f ALMO J. CARTER, OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, TO MICHAEL R. BLACK BE A COMMISSIONER OF THE UNITED STATES PAROLE STEVEN M. BOATRIGHT ORDERS FOR MONDAY, MARCH 21, COMMISSION FOR A TERM OF SIX YEARS, VICE PATRICIA MICHAEL C. BOGER CUSHWA, TERM EXPIRED. RHETT CAMERON BOLDENOW 2016, THROUGH MONDAY, APRIL 4, LARRY T. GLENN, OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, TO BE A BARTHOLOMEW G. BONAR 2016 COMMISSIONER OF THE UNITED STATES PAROLE COM- CHAD B. BONDURANT MISSION FOR A TERM OF SIX YEARS, VICE ISAAC STEVEN P. BORDING FULWOOD, JR., RETIRED. PHILLIP G. BORN Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I JOHN P. BOUDREAUX ask unanimous consent that when the THE JUDICIARY JOSHUA D. BOWMAN BRIAN L. BRACY Senate completes its business today, it LISABETH TABOR HUGHES, OF KENTUCKY, TO BE SEAN A. BRADLEY adjourn to then convene for pro forma UNITED STATES CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR THE SIXTH CIR- KENNETH B. BRATLAND CUIT, VICE BOYCE F. MARTIN, JR., RETIRED. sessions only, with no business being THEODORE A. BREUKER IN THE AIR FORCE ROBERT M. BRINKER conducted, on the following dates and DOUGLAS F. BROCK THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT CHRISTOPHER J. BROMEN times, and that following each pro TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES AIR KATHRYN A. BROWN forma session, the Senate adjourn until FORCE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: MICHAEL D. BROX DAVID R. BUCHANAN the next pro forma session: Monday, To be colonel ROSS M. BULLOCK March 21, at 10 a.m.; Thursday, March LAURA S. BARCHICK PAUL C. BURGER 24, at 11 a.m.; Monday, March 28, at CHRISTOPHER A. BROWN WILLIAM H. BURKS CHAD C. CARTER PAUL K. CARLTON III 11:30 a.m.; and Thursday, March 31, at W. SHANE COHEN MICHELLE C. CARNS 6:30 p.m. I further ask that when the PAUL R. CONNOLLY PHILIP E. CARPENTER ERIK C. COYNE JEFFREY F. CARTER Senate adjourns on Thursday, March PAUL E. CRONIN MICHAEL B. CASEY 31, it next convene at 3 p.m., Monday, DON D. DAVIS III RONALD E. CHEATHAM JOEL F. ENGLAND STEVEN R. CHERRINGTON April 4; that following the prayer and JOHN E. GILLILAND ANDREW M. CLARK pledge, the morning hour be deemed PAULA M. GRANT TAD D. CLARK JENNIFER C. HYZER ROBERT K. CLEMENT expired, the Journal of proceedings be JUDY L. KING SPENCER C. COCANOUR approved to date, and the time for the CHRISTINE A. LAMONT SHAWN T. COCHRAN JEFFREY G. PALOMINO JASON J. COCKRUM two leaders be reserved for their use TODD W. PENNINGTON STEVEN P. COLLEN later in the day, I ask that following JULIE L. PITVOREC THOMAS R. COLVIN JULIE L. RUTHERFORD JOSHUA W. CONINE leader remarks, the Senate be in a pe- MICHAEL W. SAFKO CEIR CORAL riod of morning business until 5 p.m., CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR SMITH ALFREDO CORBETT RONALD L. SPENCER, JR. JASON E. CORROTHERS with Senators permitted to speak DAVID E. VERCELLONE CHARLES R. COSNOWSKI KEVIN J. WILKINSON LARRY T. COUNCELL therein for up to 10 minutes each. WILLIAM E. COURTEMANCHE The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT SEAN J. COVENEY TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES AIR AARON S. COWLEY objection, it is so ordered. FORCE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: DANE B. CRAWFORD f To be colonel KEITH I. CRAWFORD JEFFREY S. CRIDER ADJOURNMENT UNTIL MONDAY, MICHELLE D. AASTROM JAMES R. CULPEPPER REGINA D. AGEE CRUZ MICHAEL A. CURLEY MARCH 21, 2016, AT 10 A.M. JOHN F. BAER SARA A. CUSTER BARBARA A. CAIN CAMERON DADGAR Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, if RUSSELL D. CARTER TODD D. DARRAH there is no further business to come be- JULIET T. DEGUZMAN CHAD J. DAVIS KAREY M. DUFOUR GREGORY A. DAVIS fore the Senate, I ask unanimous con- DONNA M. EGGERT MICHAEL T. DAVIS sent that it stand adjourned under the INGRID D. FORD WILLIAM A. DAYTON JEANETTE L. FRANTAL CHRISTOPHE J. DEGUELLE previous order. RUSSEL L. FRANTZ, JR. ANTHONY M. DELUCA

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JUSTIN D. DEMARCO LEO LAWSON, JR. JON M. RHONE WILLIAM S. DENHAM EARL D. LAYNE GLYNN E. RICHARDS DAVID R. DETHLEFS MATTHEW A. LEARD ROBERT B. RIEGEL DUANE JEFFREY DIESING CHRISTOPHER J. LEONARD ROBB N. RIGTRUP MITCHELL K. DIXON DAVID D. LEROY MICHAEL S. RIMSKY MICHAEL W. DONAHUE II SHERRI J. LEVAN RAMIRO RIOJAS DAVID A. DOSS HARMON S. LEWIS, JR. MARK A. RISELLI JESS W. DRAB PAUL C. LIPS JOSE L. RIVERAHERNANDEZ CHARLES M. DROUILLARD TONY S. LOMBARDO JASON I. ROBERSON CLIFTON M. DURHAM DAVID R. LOPEZ BRANDON J. ROBINSON DEBORAH KAYE DUSEK GABRIEL N. LOPEZ MARK S. ROBINSON SCOTT T. EKSTROM SHANE D. LOUIS KEITH M. ROESSIG JOHN W. ELLER DANIEL L. LUCE DAVID P. RONDEAU DAVID C. EPPERSON STEVEN E. MACEDA WILLIAM T. RONDEAU, JR. CHARLES B. ERICSON ROBERT H. MAKROS LEONARD T. ROSE ROBERT T. EWERS III DANIEL R. MANNING MICHAEL S. ROWE MICHELLE E. EWY FRANK MARCONI JON K. RUCKER WILLIAM B. FARLOW GAVIN P. MARKS CHRISTOPHER J. RUSSELL BRIAN J. FARMER LISA MARIE MARTINEZ CHRISTOPHER J. RUSSELL PETER P. FENG ROBERT A. MASAITIS TIMOTHY H. RUSSELL DEREK R. FERLAND DAVIS H. MAULDING ANDREW P. RUTH DERON L. FRAILIE TIMOTHY P. MAXWELL MATTHEW J. SANDELIER JOHN C. FRAZIER KENNETH C. MCADAMS STEPHEN T. SANDERS LANCE R. FRENCH BRIAN A. MCCULLOUGH GLENN V. SANTOS CHRISTOPHER K. FULLER DAVID M. MCILLECE BRIAN M. SCHAFER DANIEL L. GABLE BRIDGET M. MCNAMARA GEORGE F. SCHEERS, JR. FRANKLIN D. GAILLARD II ANDREW B. MCVICKER JOCELYN J. SCHERMERHORN JACK P. GARDNER DAVID S. MENKE THOMAS M. SCHRAMEL KRISTOFER W. GIFFORD ERIES L. G. MENTZER FRANK B. SCHREIBER RONALD E. GILBERT ROGER R. MESSER JEFFREY T. SCHREINER MARCUS K. GLENN JOSEPH R. MEYER JOHN D. SCHULIGER JEFFREY L. GOGGIN WILLIAM B. MICKLEY JOHN M. SCHUTTE JERRY GONZALEZ JACOB MIDDLETON, JR. GEORGE H. SEBREN, JR. RICHARD A. GOODMAN ANDREA C. MILLER KEVIN L. SELLERS CHRISTOPHER E. GOODYEAR CAROL J. MILLER JASON E. SEYER BETH D. GRABORITZ CRAIG S. MILLER JEFFREY R. SGARLATA JEFFREY H. GREENWOOD DAVID S. MILLER BRIAN R. SHAFFER RICHARD GRESZLER, JR. RAYMOND G. MILLERO, JR. DOUGLAS S. SHAHAN G. JOHN GRIMM JOHN F. MOESNER IV GENE S. SHERER BRIAN J. GROSS JEREMIAH R. MONK THOMAS S. SHIELDS SCOTT A. GRUNDAHL SCOTT J. MONROE BRIAN D. SIDARI PETER J. GRYZEN MATTHEW A. MORAND COREY A. SIMMONS MICHAEL C. GUISCHARD DAVID J. MORELAND TRAVOLIS A. SIMMONS NICHOLAS O. GUTTMAN STEVEN W. MORITZ COLIN J. SINDEL ROBERT F. HAAS TARA J. MUEHE PAUL M. SKIPWORTH JAMES R. HACKBARTH ANTHONY B. MULHARE ERIC A. SMITH DAVID A. HAMMERSCHMIDT MARK J. MULLARKEY MICHAEL S. SMITH LINDA M. HAMPTON DOUGLAS A. MUSSELMAN CHRISTOPHER J. SPINELLI JON T. HANNAH SCOTT J. NAHRGANG ERIN M. STAINEPYNE ROBERT L. HANOVICH, JR. ROBERT L. NANCE MICHAEL R. STAPLES JOHN C. HANSEN CRAIG T. NARASAKI SHANE D. STEINKE TIMMY W. HARBOR RICHARD J. NELSON KAYLE M. STEVENS MARK E. HARRIS JACK L. NEMCEFF II BRITTANY D. STEWART MICHAEL C. HARVEY LISA A. NEMETH TRACE B. STEYAERT BRENT R. HATCH BRETT D. NEVILLE MARC A. STITZEL WALTER C. HATTEMER MICHAEL S. NEWSOM ADAM J. STONE DAVID R. HAUCK QUY H. NGUYEN DANIEL W. STONE JEREMIAH S. HEATHMAN JUSTIN H. NIEDERER MELISSA A. STONE DANIEL G. HENDRIX CRAIG M. NIEMAN KRISTOPHER W. STRUVE JOHN A. HENLEY PHILLIP L. NOLTEMEYER, JR. JEFFREY A. STYERS SCOTT A. HERITSCH JOHN D. NORTON GERALD D. SULLIVAN, JR. CURTIS L. HERNANDEZ DAVID M. NYIKOS DAVID E. SUMERA JOSHUA L. HETSKO RANDY P. OAKLAND PATRICK J. SUTHERLAND RENAE M. HILTON BRADLEY R. OLIVER JAMES A. SWEENEY GEORGE H. HOCK, JR. DAVID R. OMALLEY RYAN S. SWEENEY SCOTT A. HOFFMAN BRIAN P. ONEILL PAUL E. SWENSON PHILIP A. HOLMES BRYAN C. OPPERMAN THOMAS K. SWOVELAND DEAN M. HOLTHAUS LOUIS E. ORNDORFF RICHARD C. TANNER SCOTT M. HOPPER STEVEN G. OWEN BRYAN E. TASH DOUGLAS W. HORNE NATHAN L. OWENDOFF MARK E. TATE THOMAS E. HOSKINS JODY M. OWENS BEVERLY L. H. TEMPLEMAN BRIAN C. HOYBACH MARC L. PACKLER TIMOTHY W. THURSTON II KEVIN D. HUEBERT DARIAN J. PADILLA MICHAEL D. TIEMANN DARIN P. HUMISTON THOMAS S. PALMER DOUGLAS F. TIPPET WILLIAM H. HUNTER SUKIT T. PANANON STEVEN J. TITTEL JOHN S. HUTCHESON PHILLIP R. PARKER, JR. RICARDO L. TRIMILLOS ROBERT J. HUTT BRIAN L. PATTERSON TIMOTHY W. TRIMMELL TRAVIS L. INGBER TRACY W. PATTERSON SCOTT A. TRINRUD CHRISTOPHER P. INGLETON ERIC C. PAULSON KEITH R. TURNER DARRYL L. INSLEY JOHN F. PEAK BRIAN V. UCCIARDI DOUGLAS D. JACKSON ROBERT J. PEDERSEN WILLIAM K. UHRIG MICHAEL A. JACKSON ROBERT K. PEKAREK MICHELLE VANCOURT TRAUNA L. JAMES JAY E. PELKA TRICIA A. VANDENTOP AMY K. JARDON JEAN PHILIPPE N. PELTIER SERGIO J. VEGA, JR. BRADLEY L. JOHNSON DEVIN R. PEPPER DAVID G. VERNAL KEVIN S. JOHNSON WILLIAM D. PERCIVAL SCOTT A. VICKERY MELISSA A. JOHNSON MANUEL P. PEREZ STEVEN E. VILPORS MICHAEL J. JOHNSON KIRK W. PETERSON MARK J. VITANTONIO MICHELE ELAINE JOHNSON MICHAEL J. PFINGSTEN JASON D. VOORHEIS SAM C. JOHNSON MICHAEL E. PHILLIPS ROBERT J. WAARVIK OTIS C. JONES DOUGLAS E. PIERCE SEAN C. WADE STEPHEN R. JONES JASON D. PIFER EUGENE M. WALL SHANNON L. JUBY MATTHEW G. POLLOCK TREVOR A. WALL JAMES R. KAFER PAUL H. PORTER DAVID C. WALLIN CHRISTIAN D. KANE CRAIG D. PRATHER DANIEL P. WALLS CHRISTOPHER P. KARNS CHRISTOPHER I. PRICE TERRENCE L. WALTER KIERAN F. KEELTY CAMERON S. PRINGLE PATRICK A. WAMPLER BARTON D. KENERSON NORMAN W. PRUE, JR. JASON T. WARD JOHN A. KENT IV ANTHONY L. PUENTE TRACY T. WARD HERBERT L. KEYSER DAVID M. PUGH JESSE F. WARREN ROBERT A. KIELTY ANDREW MICHAEL PURATH MAX C. WEEMS JASON S. KING VARUN PURI THERESA E. WEEMS ROBERT F. KING CHRISTOPHER S. PUTMAN CHRISTOPHER S. WELCH GEORGE B. KINNEY III EDUARDO A. QUERO SEAN T. WELSH JASON T. KIRBY ERIK N. QUIGLEY ROBERT D. WESTOVER EILEEN M. W. KIRKLAND SEAN A. RAESEMANN JON S. WHEELER, JR. NIKI J. KISSIAR GERALD I. RAY, JR. JEFFREY J. WHITE MICHAEL A. KLEPPE SAMANTHA D. RAY NATHAN A. WHITE STEVEN W. KLINGMAN WILLIAM F. RAY STEPHEN D. WIER TIMOTHY A. KODAMA NICHOLAS J. REED DAVID E. WILLIAMS, JR. KURT A. KOENIGSFELD GREGORY T. REICH KEVIN L. WILLIAMS TERRY A. KOESTER ADAM D. REIMAN DAVID A. WILLIAMSON TIMOTHY P. KUEHNE MATTHEW W. RENBARGER ROCKIE K. WILSON BRIAN S. LAIDLAW LENDY G. RENEGAR LORI L. WINN CHRISTOPHER L. LAMBERT STEPHEN G. RENY PATRICK C. WINSTEAD BRIAN L. LAMIRANDE KEITH REPIK STEPHANE LAINE WOLFGEHER CHRISTOPHER A. LANE KYLE A. REYBITZ PAUL J. YUSON

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CHRISTOPHER J. ZUHLKE SIGHT BOARD FOR A TERM EXPIRING JANUARY 29, 2022. IN THE ARMY (REAPPOINTMENT) IN THE ARMY ARMY NOMINATION OF GREGORY L. BOYLAN, TO BE THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT f COLONEL. TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY ARMY NOMINATION OF DEREK G. BEAN, TO BE COLO- UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: CONFIRMATIONS NEL. ARMY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH ADRIAN R. To be major Executive nominations confirmed by ALGARRA AND ENDING WITH GREGORY B. WILLIAMS, GEOFFREY E. ANDERSON the Senate March 17, 2016: WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FEBRUARY 22, 2016. TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY ARMY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH PHILIP O. JANINE ANNE DAVIDSON, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE UNDER UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: ADAMS AND ENDING WITH BENJAMAN M. WUNDERLICH, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. To be major WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE IN THE COAST GUARD AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON FANY L. RIVERA FEBRUARY 22, 2016. THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT ARMY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH JULIA N. ALVA- TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY IN REZ AND ENDING WITH APRIL D. WILLIAMS, WHICH JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL’S CORPS UNDER TITLE 10, THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AND TO THE GRADE NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND AP- U.S.C., SECTIONS 624 AND 3064: INDICATED UNDER TITLE 14, U.S.C., SECTION 50: PEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON FEBRUARY To be vice admiral 22, 2016. To be major ARMY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH WENDY M. BRUCE H. ROBINSON REAR ADM. KARL L. SCHULTZ ADAMIAN AND ENDING WITH D012433, WHICH NOMINA- TIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON FEBRUARY 22, 2016. TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY ARMY NOMINATION OF VERNITA M. CORBETT, TO BE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C. SECTION 624: TODD A. WEILER, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE. MAJOR. To be major ARMY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH MATTHEW H. IN THE ARMY ADAMS AND ENDING WITH D012453, WHICH NOMINATIONS MATTHEW B. BOOTH WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT DONALD W. MOYER CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON FEBRUARY 22, 2016. IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER IN THE GRADE INDI- ARMY NOMINATION OF WILLIAM D. ROSE, TO BE COLO- WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND CATED IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY UNDER TITLE 10, NEL. RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601: U.S.C., SECTION 12203: ARMY NOMINATION OF MARK W. MANOSO, TO BE COLO- To be colonel To be general NEL. ARMY NOMINATION OF ERIC F. SABETY, TO BE COLO- ROBERT L. CRONYN GEN. JOSEPH L. VOTEL NEL. ARMY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH ANDREW R. THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT MCIVER AND ENDING WITH GERARD C. PHILIP, WHICH TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND AP- UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601: PEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON MARCH 3, To be colonel 2016. To be general DARRELL W. COLLINS IN THE MARINE CORPS LT. GEN. RAYMOND A. THOMAS III IN THE NAVY MARINE CORPS NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH AARON THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT R. CRAIG AND ENDING WITH CHRISTOPHER T. THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY MEDICAL SERVICE CORPS STEINHILBER, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S. C., SEC- THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RESERVE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: TIONS 624 AND 3064: RECORD ON JANUARY 28, 2016. To be captain To be major general MARINE CORPS NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH JIMMY W. DARSEY AND ENDING WITH GERALD E. PIRK, JR., DARREN J. DONLEY BRIG. GEN. PATRICK D. SARGENT WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT BRIG. GEN. ROBERT D. TENHET AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON IN THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE REGULAR NAVY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT JANUARY 28, 2016. UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 531: IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY MEDICAL CORPS TO THE IN THE NAVY To be lieutenant commander GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 624 AND 3064: NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH MATTHEW T. STEPHANIE M. SIMONI To be brigadier general ALLEN AND ENDING WITH JOSHUA F. ZIMMER, WHICH THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND AP- IN THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE REGULAR NAVY COL. JEFFREY J. JOHNSON PEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON FEBRUARY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 531: COL. RONALD T. STEPHENS 22, 2016. To be lieutenant commander THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH RICHARD W. IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY MEDICAL SERVICE CORPS LANG AND ENDING WITH BRADLEY E. SHEMLUCK, WHICH JENNIFER L. SHAFER TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S. C., SEC- NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND AP- PEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON FEBRUARY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT TIONS 624 AND 3064: 22, 2016. IN THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE REGULAR NAVY To be brigadier general NAVY NOMINATION OF MICHAEL L. HIPP, TO BE CAP- UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 531: TAIN. To be lieutenant commander COL. DENNIS P. LEMASTER NAVY NOMINATION OF RONALD H. NELLEN, TO BE COL. MICHAEL J. TALLEY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER. JUSTIN K. CONROY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT NAVY NOMINATION OF ASHLEY A. HOCKYCKO, TO BE ANDREW G. MONTALVO IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED LIEUTENANT COMMANDER. REBECCA L. YOUNG WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601: FOREIGN SERVICE TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY To be lieutenant general FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: ERIC DEL VALLE AND ENDING WITH RYAN TRUXTON, To be captain MAJ. GEN. MICHAEL K. NAGATA WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON IN THE MARINE CORPS BRICE A. GOODWIN MAY 7, 2015. THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE TO THE CHERYL L. ANDERSON AND ENDING WITH MELISSA A. UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: WILLIAMS, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL To be lieutenant commander To be brigadier general RECORD ON NOVEMBER 19, 2015. FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH BRIAN J. HAMER COL. BRADLEY S. JAMES JENNIFER M. ADAMS AND ENDING WITH SUNIL SEBAS- COL. KURT W. STEIN THE FOLLOWING NAMED INDIVIDUAL FOR APPOINT- TIAN XAVIER, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY MENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE REGULAR NAVY IN THE ARMY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 531: RECORD ON NOVEMBER 19, 2015. To be lieutenant commander THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED DARYL ARTHUR BREHM AND ENDING WITH MELINDA D. SCOTT F. GRUWELL WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND SALLYARDS, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601: THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY To be lieutenant general RECORD ON JANUARY 19, 2016 . UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH MAJ. GEN. AUSTIN S. MILLER SCOTT D. HOCKLANDER AND ENDING WITH CATHERINE To be lieutenant commander MARY TRUJILLO, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED IN THE AIR FORCE SHANNON D. LORIMER BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL AIR FORCE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH JAMES B. RECORD ON JANUARY 19, 2016 . IN THE COAST GUARD ANDERSON AND ENDING WITH HYRAL B. WALKER, JR., FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATION OF HOLLY S. HIGGINS. FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATION OF JOHN MCCASLIN. THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH IN THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES COAST LAURIE FARRIS AND ENDING WITH JAMES RIGASSIO, GUARD AS MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD PERMANENT FEBRUARY 22, 2016. AIR FORCE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH JEREMY V. WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE COMMISSIONED TEACHING STAFF UNDER TITLE 14, AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON U.S.C., SECTION 188: BASTIAN AND ENDING WITH CHRISTOPHER A. WATSON, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE FEBRUARY 22, 2016. To be lieutenant AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON FEBRUARY 22, 2016. JONATHAN P. TSCHUDY f AIR FORCE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH CHRIS- MATTHEW B. WILLIAMS TOPHER F. ABBOTT AND ENDING WITH DEVIN LEE PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OVERSIGHT ZUFELT, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE WITHDRAWAL BOARD SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON FEBRUARY 22, 2016. Executive message transmitted by JAMES XAVIER DEMPSEY, OF CALIFORNIA, TO BE A AIR FORCE NOMINATION OF CHRISTOPHER T. STEIN, TO MEMBER OF THE PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OVER- BE MAJOR. the President to the Senate on March

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