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

Vol. 165 WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 No. 9 Senate The Senate met at 10 a.m. and was DISAPPROVING THE PRESIDENT’S sis they are facing: the entry of crimi- called to order by the President pro PROPOSAL TO TAKE AN ACTION nal aliens and gang members into our tempore (Mr. GRASSLEY). RELATING TO THE APPLICATION country, the drugs that go on to infect OF CERTAIN SANCTIONS WITH our communities, the ongoing humani- f RESPECT TO THE RUSSIAN FED- tarian crises that are fueled by our ERATION—Resumed government’s mixed signals and our in- PRAYER The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under ability to enforce our own laws. According to Speaker PELOSI, these The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- the previous order, the Senate will re- urgent issues are worth about 33 cents fered the following prayer: sume consideration of S.J. Res. 2, each—33 cents. As we all know, that is Let us pray. which the clerk will report. because the Speaker has recently de- Eternal Savior, You have been with The senior assistant legislative clerk fined a brandnew dogma for the Demo- this Nation from its birth. Use our law- read as follows: cratic Party: Actually enforcing our makers to protect and preserve it A joint resolution (S.J. Res. 2) dis- immigration laws with the help of against all enemies, foreign and domes- approving the President’s proposal to take physical barriers is ‘‘an immorality’’— tic. an action relating to the application of cer- tain sanctions with respect to the Russian an immorality. Give our Senators kind hearts and That is quite the indictment of her humble spirits; help them to aspire to Federation. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under fellow Democrats’ past positions. Re- become instruments of Your purposes. cent years have seen Democrats vote Lord, guide them to find in each prob- the previous order, the time until 12:30 p.m. will be equally divided between for billions—billions—of dollars in lem and perplexity the prelude to physical walls and fencing. Recent greater understanding and usefulness. the two leaders or their designees. Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President I ask years have seen a Democratic adminis- May they seek daily to maintain their tration build the same steel barriers— ethical, moral, and spiritual fitness. unanimous consent that the time on the quorum call be equally divided be- the very same steel barriers—that this And, Lord, sustain those who are suf- President now wants to expand. fering most because of this partial gov- tween the two sides. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without But these days, it seems that Demo- ernment shutdown. crats are happy to take their cues from We pray in Your Holy Name. Amen. objection, it is so ordered. Mr. GRASSLEY. I suggest the ab- the gentlelady from San Francisco and her extreme, fringe position that walls f sence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The have now become immoral. Really? Yesterday, President Trump issued clerk will call the roll. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The senior assistant legislative clerk yet another bipartisan invitation for The President pro tempore led the proceeded to call the roll. Members of Congress to meet at the White House and actually negotiate. Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the ask unanimous consent that the order Yet, again, only Republicans came to United States of America, and to the Repub- for the quorum call be rescinded. the table. For the American people, who de- lic for which it stands, one nation under God, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without serve both a functioning government as indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. objection, it is so ordered. well as a secure border, that really is RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER f not a promising sign. For Federal The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- workers who are now stretching every jority leader is recognized. RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME dollar until Democrats lose interest in BORDER SECURITY dead-end political games, the Speaker’s The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, one $1 punchline is not very entertaining. CRAMER). Under the previous order, the dollar—one dollar—that is the amount So for everyone’s sake, I hope our leadership time is reserved. that the Speaker of the House said she Democratic colleagues will reverse would be willing to invest in physical course and work seriously with this f barriers at our southern border—one White House to reach an agreement dollar. Talk about serious, good-faith that can become law and fulfill our CONCLUSION OF MORNING negotiations. Talk about taking bor- promises to our country. BUSINESS ders seriously. In the meantime, as the White House The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning The men and women on the ground made clear just yesterday, cherry-pick- business is closed. have been unambiguous about the cri- ing continuing resolutions that fail to

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

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VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:35 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16JA6.000 S16JAPT1 S234 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 address the border crisis will not re- This is the key to understanding this Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask ceive the President’s signature. They unusual moment. This is the central unanimous consent that the order for are not going to. principle. Democrats have made a mar- the quorum call be rescinded. The only way out of this impasse is a keting decision to obstruct President The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without bipartisan agreement, and as the Trump at all costs, even if it hurts sub- objection, it is so ordered. Democratic leader and I have both stantive priorities they used to sup- RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER stated here on the floor, only an all- port. That is why we are in day 26 of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The corners bipartisan agreement will re- this partial government shutdown, Democratic leader is recognized. ceive a vote here in the Senate. with Democrats refusing to even show GOVERNMENT FUNDING S.J. RES. 2 up and negotiate on funds for border Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I just Mr. President, on another matter, be- security, which they used to brag heard Leader MCCONNELL, my good fore the Senate today is a resolution about supporting. That is why Senate friend, rail on and on. First, he doesn’t from the Democratic leader that would Democrats have decided that aid for agree with NANCY PELOSI on the wall. overrule career civil servants at the Israel and help for the people of Syria That is a surprise. Second, he doesn’t Treasury Department and fire from the are not worthy of this body’s time but like the fact that we want to get a vote hip on one of the top foreign policy are happy to spend more time trying to to open up the government before we concerns of the United States. blow up a highly technical Treasury move forward on S. 1. We know that. This is the pending business, despite Department decision that current law His arguments are getting kind of old the fact that the Democratic leader actually requires. and stale. had previously proclaimed he would Let me say that again. They are I will say to the leader, very simply— not let the Senate address any busi- happy to spend floor time trying to you may disagree with us: Open the ness—any—during this partial govern- blow up a highly technical Treasury government. Open the government. ment shutdown. Apparently there is an Department decision that current law You can do it, Leader MCCONNELL. All exception to that. actually requires. Political obstruction your blaming and flailing isn’t going to Remember, that was the reason the is their top priority. Everything else open the government. We all know Democratic leader gave for leading a follows from that. Donald Trump is the obstacle here. Democratic filibuster of a bipartisan NOMINATION OF WILLIAM BARR You know it. I know it. We all know it. package that would have reaffirmed Mr. President, on a final matter, The only way to help all the folks who our commitment to defend our allies in even in the midst of this political cli- need help is to open the government. Israel, stand alongside Jordan, and mate, the President’s nominee for At- There are a good number of Repub- unlock justice for the victims of torney General delivered an impressive licans on your side who have advocated Assad’s rogue regime. performance during the first day of his that already. To hold the government On one day, they insist we shouldn’t hearings before the Judiciary Com- hostage, you are losing the argument. do any business; on another, it is time mittee. Senators were reminded ex- You are losing it with the public. An to bring up an unrelated resolution of actly why he won bipartisan admira- overwhelming majority of Americans their own. At the end of the last Con- tion for this body in 1991 and was con- think the government should not be gress, they said they would support bi- firmed as President Bush 41’s Attorney shut down over a wall. Even a substan- partisan legislation to shore up our al- General with no opposition—none. tial number of people who support the lies in the Middle East and deliver jus- Now, as Mr. Barr himself acknowl- wall say: Don’t shut down the govern- tice for victims of unspeakable vio- edged in his testimony yesterday, lence in Syria. Now they are filibus- ment to get the wall. times have changed, but the core prin- We have problems on the border. A tering the bill and have voted against ciples that our Nation’s Attorney Gen- lot of Americans don’t think it is a cri- it three times—three times against eral must uphold haven’t changed. As sis that demands hurting our economy this potential bill that benefits our al- the nominee testified yesterday, ‘‘the and our government. lies Israel and Jordan and deals with American people have to know that Leader MCCONNELL, we know you dis- the victims of cruelty in Syria. there are places in the government agree with Leader PELOSI and me on These twists and turns are pretty where the rule of law—not politics— what should be border security. We hard to follow, confusing, until you re- holds sway . . . the Department of Jus- member the one key to our Democratic know you think we should pass S. 1 be- tice must be such a place.’’ fore we open up the government. Lead- colleagues’ thinking these days—polit- Those are the words of the right man er, you—you—can open the govern- ical spite for the President comes first, for this job. His testimony made clear ment. That is what the American peo- ahead of everything else. what he sees as key priorities for the ple want, and I dare say that is what You see, the administration isn’t op- Department of Justice: building on most of your colleagues want, at least posed to these bipartisan, urgent bills past progress in preventing violent if they talk to you privately. to back Israel, Jordan, and the Syrian crime, enforcing and improving our Na- people. President Trump, we expect, It seems that every day the Trump tion’s immigration laws, and pro- shutdown drags on, we read another would sign these bills. We might actu- tecting the integrity of our electoral story about a new way it is hurting our ally make a law, which is what people system. economy. Eight hundred thousand pub- sent us here to do, presumably. He stated definitively where his loy- Naturally, the Democratic leader alties lie: with ‘‘the rule of law, the lic servants have been without pay, in- isn’t interested. Democrats in Congress Constitution, and the American people. cluding thousands of veterans who don’t think working with the President That is how it should be. That is how it work for the Federal Government. to accomplish things suits their polit- must be. And, if you confirm me, that Each one of those Americans has a dif- ical brand these days. is how it will be.’’ ferent story about how the shutdown is The Democratic leader’s new resolu- Experience, integrity, and total com- hurting them and their families. As tion, which he has been happy to mitment—the President has made an nine essential Cabinet Departments re- prioritize ahead of Israel and the Syr- outstanding choice. The Judiciary main shuttered, we are learning that ian people, offers him a chance to Committee continues its hearings the effects of the shutdown are even make a political splash. It overrules today. I look forward to their con- more widespread and continue to wors- the careful actions of career civil serv- tinuing review of this nomination and, en. Yesterday, President Trump’s own ants at Treasury and blows up a then, to its being reported here to the White House Council of Economic Ad- nuanced decision the current law actu- floor. The American people deserve the visers doubled their projections of how ally requires. Current law actually re- very best. That is just what Attorney much economic growth is being lost quires what they do. General Bill Barr will be. each week during the shutdown. Supporting Israel? It is not too inter- I suggest the absence of a quorum. Let me repeat that. The Trump ad- esting to my friends across the aisle, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ministration’s own economic advisers but picking a political fight with the clerk will call the roll. have just said that the Trump shut- President, boy, they are up for that one The senior assistant legislative clerk down will substantially hurt our econ- every day. proceeded to call the roll. omy—twice as much as they originally

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.001 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S235 predicted. Growth is down. Economic The American people support passing should take a tough line on Putin or do and consumer confidence is down. Bil- our bills—bills that we have asked you think we should go easy on Putin lions of dollars have been pulled out of unanimous consent for by wide mar- and his cronies? From where I am our economy. Some of the leading fi- gins—two to one, including nearly 40 standing, that is an easy choice. nancial leaders in the country are now percent of Republicans. Forty percent The past half decade has seen Putin saying we might even go into contrac- of Republicans support passing our expand his malign activities around tion in the first part of this year if this bills and then debating. the world, from invading Ukraine and shutdown continues. So, Mr. President, even your prized Georgia to annexing Crimea, to prop- Do you think, Leader MCCONNELL, base—a good chunk of it, about a ping up the brutal Assad regime in that is benefiting Donald Trump? Do third—is turning away from you on Syria, to directing nerve agent attacks you think, Leader MCCONNELL, that is this issue. on foreign soil. benefiting the Republican Party, who When will the President and my Re- Russian intelligence has tried to de- the Americans know own the shut- publican colleagues wake up to the stabilize Western democracies at every down? No. Let’s open the government hardship being inflicted on so many opportunity—France, England, many and then debate our differences on bor- people across the country? It is time other European countries, and most ob- der security and whatever else. that the Senate act on House-passed viously here in the United States. As Why is our country suffering self-in- bills to open the government. proof positive, they go online, they try flicted damage? Because President The President, we know, is inflexible. to sow dissension in America, this Trump is using the American govern- He is ‘‘proud,’’ as he said, to have shut beautiful country. ment as leverage in an attempt to ex- down the government. He is, amaz- As Leader MCCONNELL said yester- tract taxpayer money for a border wall ingly—never seen a President like day—confusingly, before voting against he promised Mexico would pay for. this—impervious to the pain and suf- the resolution—‘‘We have long seen He says: You know, I hear Rush fering of Federal workers and the Vladimir Putin for the KGB thug that Limbaugh and Sean Hannity: He prom- American people. He makes stuff up: he is.’’ Those are strong words but ac- ised this in the campaign. Oh, the Federal workers want the wall. curate. No, he didn’t. He promised a wall Who? Two people who are on FOX News In the face of this global assault on that Mexico would pay for. He never all the time who are part of a Border Western democracies, of course we said once, that I can recall, in the cam- Patrol union? That is it, not the aver- have seen that the Trump administra- tion has been shamefully and sus- paign: But if Mexico doesn’t pay for it, age worker. piciously weak on President Putin. The we will pay for it. The President has refused all en- Of course people voted for it—or treaties to open up the government by President has avoided criticizing Putin at every turn. When asked about Presi- some, not that many. This is ridicu- Democrats and Republicans, like my dent Putin’s brutal tactics against his lous. The President makes a campaign friend Senator GRAHAM—one of the President’s biggest allies in this Cham- opponents, President Trump demurs. promise. He twists the campaign prom- When this body, near unanimously, ber. ise around and now shuts down the gov- passed the Russian sanction legisla- His deputies are hardly even empow- ernment so he can show he is keeping tion, President Trump contemplated ered to negotiate with the Hill since not the promise he made but a dif- vetoing it. ferent one. It would sound ridiculous President Trump retracts their offers When President Putin told President and absurd if it weren’t the reality. almost as soon as they are made. Ev- Trump he didn’t interfere in our 2016 The fact of the matter is that eight eryone—everyone—can see how fruit- elections, the President reportedly Cabinet Departments not named Home- less it is to try and negotiate with this said: I believe you. land Security have absolutely noth- President at the moment. Last weekend, we learned that Presi- ing—nothing—to do with our disagree- My friend Leader MCCONNELL is the dent Trump has expressed a desire to ments over border security. That is one who can break the impasse. He has withdraw from NATO this summer— why Democrats have offered, and con- declared before that ‘‘he is the guy who the past summer is when he expressed tinue to offer, to reopen the govern- gets us out of shutdowns.’’ He was the desire. That is Putin’s dream— ment while we debate border security. proud of that. I wish he were still Putin’s dream. All the advice of our Again, three words for Leader proud of it. military and diplomatic leaders were MCCONNELL again: Open the govern- I think we are all ready for that, against it. Somehow, the President ment. Leader MCCONNELL, because so long as wants to do it, and who benefits the Three words to my Republican col- Leader MCCONNELL hides behind the most? Putin. Who loses the most? The leagues: Open the government. President and the President’s absurd West. Three words to President Trump: and destructive shutdown strategy, the Now, with this proposed sanctions re- Open the government. Senate will be unable to vote on broad- lief, we have another example of Presi- Then, we can have all the discussion ly popular legislation to reopen the dent Trump trying to lighten the bur- and debating, as we are supposed to do, government. den on Putin’s oligarchs. We should not on these issues where we don’t agree. The longer Leader MCCONNELL allows allow it. Democrats have made entirely rea- this to continue, the more he and Re- For a very long time, the Republican sonable proposals. We proposed to open publican Senators will be tied to the Party predicated its foreign policy on the government by passing Republican President and the President’s disgrace- taking a tougher line against Russia spending bills from the last Congress so ful tactic of government by extortion. and Putin. In so many campaigns for there would be no controversy. These RUSSIA President, we Democrats were accused are not bills the Democrats put to- Mr. President, last night, the Senate of not being tough enough on the Rus- gether. These are bills the Republicans voted to proceed to the resolution to sians. I have always felt we have to be put together with some Democratic disapprove the Treasury Department’s tough on the Russians, but it seems ac- input. Leader MCCONNELL voted for plans to relax sanctions on Russia, and quiescence to the President, a fear of every one of them—every one of them. 11 Republicans—I am proud of that, breaking with the President, has held As for this idea that he will not move proud of them—joined with every Dem- back too many of my Republican col- unless Trump agrees, that may have ocrat to advance the resolution, which leagues from supporting this resolu- made sense in the first week or two. It will face a cloture vote today. Two or tion. makes no sense now because President three more Republican votes will en- The resolution, just to repeat, is sort Trump is adamant, all over the lot, and sure cloture is invoked and the passage of—I know Treasury made an effort, al- seems unwilling and unable to tie him- of the resolution achieved. So I would though I don’t have much faith in the self out of his own knots to get the like to make a direct appeal to my Re- strength. I think the Secretary of government open. Someone should step publican friends who are wondering Treasury is an intelligent man, but he in. On our side, we are willing to step about this. never stands up to Trump, and I don’t in. Where is Leader MCCONNELL? Where This resolution is about a very sim- have any faith in his strength in stand- are the Republicans? ple thing. Do you believe America ing up this time. So if Trump wanted a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.003 S16JAPT1 S236 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 weakened resolution because maybe ceived agreement from all parties. We It is particularly easy to turn our Putin or the Russians wanted it, that know that, and the Democrats know backs in the case of abortion because is what we have here. that as well, but apparently they are the injustice of abortion is hidden. It Forty-five percent control is not—45 willing to flip-flop on this issue if they happens out of the public view behind percent ownership, which is what this think it will suit their political pur- closed doors, but we must not forget does, takes Deripaska out of this? For- poses. Kind of like how they were for a that every day in the United States, get it. Then add to his 45 percent the 7 border fence before they were against unborn babies are being killed. percent the in-laws own, that the large it. That is right. The Centers for Disease Control and percentage that Russian banks—con- In 2006, the Democratic leader and Prevention, which compiles data on the trolled by Putin—own, the control is the ranking member of the Senate Ju- number of U.S. abortions, reports that just as tight as it was before. The peo- diciary Committee voted for legisla- there were more than 638,000 legal ple who were put in charge have close tion to authorize a border fence. They abortions in 2015—638,000. That is relationships with Russia. This is not a were joined in that vote by then-Sen- roughly equivalent to three-quarters of strong resolution. It is slightly less ator Biden, then-Senator Clinton, and the population of South Dakota. That than a joke—slightly less than a joke. then-Senator Obama. In 2013, every is an incredible number of lives lost, an So I hope some of our colleagues will Senate Democrat—every Senate Demo- incredible amount of joy lost, an in- come around. This is all about Amer- crat—supported legislation requiring credible amount of love lost, and it is ica, the West, the stability of our Na- the completion of a 700-mile fence all too easy to forget because we don’t tion, and if Putin thinks he can manip- along our southern border. In 2009, the see it happening. We can’t forget. We ulate our country and manipulate the Democratic leader praised border fenc- can’t forget injustice. We can’t let fear President and too many of my col- ing as a border security accomplish- or discomfort stop us from speaking up leagues who have always been strong ment. for those who cannot speak for them- against Russia go along, what is he So what has changed? The need to se- selves. going to do next? What is he going to cure our borders hasn’t changed. The ask President Trump to do next, and effectiveness of barriers hasn’t Fortunately, there are tens of thou- what will President Trump do? changed. That has been well docu- sands of men and women and young I yield the floor. mented. people around this country who are The PRESIDING OFFICER. The mi- The House majority leader, STENY committed to speaking up for the un- nority whip. HOYER, was asked about the Demo- born and who travel to Washington, GOVERNMENT FUNDING crats’ flip-flop, whether there is any DC, every year to remind us of the Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, to quote real difference between what they sup- truth about abortion, to remind us that the great Yogi Berra, ‘‘It’s deja vu all ported previously and what they are abortion is the destruction of an inno- over again.’’ opposing now. Here is what he said: ‘‘I cent human life, that every abortion It is the 26th day of the shutdown, don’t have an answer that I think is a kills an innocent human being with her and for the 26th day in a row, Demo- really good answer.’’ own DNA and her own, distinct iden- crats are refusing to seriously engage Well, that is an honest reply. Demo- tity. with the President to get the govern- crats don’t have a good answer because I can think of few greater things ment reopened. Democrats have spent there is no real difference between than to defend the defenseless, to stand a lot of time talking about their desire what they supported a few years ago up for those who cannot stand up for to get the hundreds of thousands of fur- and what they are opposing now. themselves, and I am grateful for all loughed Federal workers back to work, Democrats have flip-flopped on the those who will march through the but their actions contradict their issue because they are afraid to oppose streets of Washington, DC, on Friday words. the radical far-left wing of their party to speak up for the innocent unborn. I The only way for the government to and because they are committed to ob- thank them for reminding us of this reopen is for both sides to come to the structing this President no matter great injustice, and I join them in table and compromise. The Democrats what. praying that one day every child will are absolutely refusing to consider any If Democrats weren’t hurting any- be safe from abortion. concession. Their position is, my way body, their refusal to play ball I yield the floor. or the highway. Unfortunately, that is wouldn’t be a problem, but every single The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- not the way things work in the real day that they refuse to engage in seri- ator from Utah. world. When you have two groups with ous negotiations is a day that families Mr. LEE. Mr. President, this coming diametrically opposed positions, both aren’t getting paid, national priorities Friday, tens of thousands of Americans sides have to give a little if they are aren’t getting funded, and important will take to the snowy streets of Wash- ever going to get anything done. border security is being postponed. ington, DC, to exercise their funda- The White House has a strongly held That is where we are. I urge my col- mental rights on behalf of millions of position on this issue, but it has also leagues to rethink their obstruction others who cannot. They will come made it clear that it is willing to be and to work with the President to get from every State in the Union, includ- flexible and to negotiate with Demo- the government reopened and Federal ing the State of Utah, to march to the crats. The Democrats don’t share that workers back to work and funding for willingness, and their refusal to nego- that critical and important priority of U.S. Supreme Court. Fittingly, they tiate is victimizing the very workers ensuring that we have a secure south- will be marching down Constitution they claim they want to protect. ern border. Avenue in the name of justice and in defense of the innocent. Senate Democrats’ latest attempt to MARCH FOR LIFE distract from Democrats’ refusal to ne- Mr. President, this Friday, as they do The March for Life is a spectacular gotiate is to push for votes on House- every year, individuals from every cor- tradition in American politics, a mass passed legislation on reopening the ner of the United States will come to demonstration of joy. Despite its size government, but as Democrats know Washington, DC, to participate in the and the diversity of its participants— very well, these votes would be mean- national March for Life. sometimes north of 100,000 souls, born ingless because this is not legislation As usual, South Dakotans will be and unborn—the march is typically ig- the President is going to sign. among them. Tens of thousands of indi- nored by the mainstream media. Indeed, before Christmas, the Demo- viduals will march from the National The marchers also know that the Su- cratic leader in the Senate stated: Mall to the Supreme Court to bear wit- preme Court, rightly, is not supposed ‘‘The President must publicly support ness to a simple truth; that unborn ba- to be swayed by public opinion one way and say he will sign an agreement be- bies are human beings and that they or another. Yet they march January fore it gets a vote in either Chamber’’; deserve to be protected. after January after January, cheer- that from the Democratic leader as re- It can be easy sometimes for human fully, prayerfully, happily, peacefully, cently as just a few weeks ago. beings to turn their backs on injustice. bundled up against the cold, with ba- Well, there is no point in spending Maybe because we don’t want to get in- bies in their strollers, and wearing time taking up a bill that hasn’t re- volved, we are reluctant to speak out. smiles on their faces.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.004 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S237 I have been, and I can confirm that Abortion is evil, but so is indiffer- lying. He has shut down the govern- the March for Life is the happiest pro- ence. Human dignity impels us to tran- ment of the most powerful Nation in test you can see because they march scend both, not merely by changing the world, making us a laughing stock not principally in outrage over the laws but by changing hearts, starting, around the rest of the world, and he lives lost to the scourge of abortion but of course, with our own. It is not says he will keep us shut down until he in abiding hope for the lives yet to be enough to restore a legal regime of life; gets what he wants. It is the height of saved. we must also endeavor to forge a new irresponsibility. It certainly destroys The March for Life is often seen as culture of life that is broader and runs our effectiveness in other parts of the the pro-life movement’s response to the deeper than the law. world. Supreme Court’s 1973 decision in Roe v. Those of us who call ourselves pro- He is the President of this country. Wade. In truth, it is a continuation of life have a particular duty to exercise We all—Democrats and Republicans— the march of human dignity and equal- the very right we fight to win back for accept that he is the President. But ity that has defined American history the unborn: the right to live, the right that also means he is supposed to lead since we first declared ‘‘that all men to grow, to strive every day to become the Nation, not run it into the ground are Created equal, that they are en- more fully the person God made us to like so many of his businesses that had dowed by their Creator with certain in- be. A culture of life can be built only to declare bankruptcy. But he sits in alienable Rights, that among these are one hopeful soul at a time, one by one. the White House tweeting and watch- Life’’—yes, life—‘‘Liberty, and the pur- We have a long way to go, of course, ing television all day, ignoring the suit of Happiness.’’ but the work is well underway. To see damaging effect his actions are having Raised from the crib on the Declara- what it looks like, stop by the march. on millions of Americans of whatever tion of Independence, Americans can The struggle for life is just the latest political persuasion around the coun- sometimes take its lofty and inspiring battle in America’s long, noble crusade try. words for granted, but these truths, for justice, for equality, for freedom The shutdown not only hurts our however self-evident, remain as revolu- and liberty, and, of course, for dignity. Federal workers, it is hurting Amer- tionary today as they were when they It is another fight worth having, an- ica’s economy. The President’s own were penned in 1776. other fight most worthy of our herit- Chair of the White House Council of From the dawn of time, powerful men age, another fight worthy of our chil- Economic Advisers estimates that have dehumanized women, the poor, dren. One day soon, we are going to win gross domestic product will slow by .1 the sick, the disabled, the young and this fight. We are going to win this percent for every 2 weeks the govern- the old, those who thought differently, fight, too, just as we have won others. ment is shut down. Today, there are re- looked differently, loved differently, or Until that day, America will continue ports that this estimate is too low and worshipped differently. Whether enforced by tribal taboos, to march. that the impact could be .1 percent for I yield the floor. corrupted science, or judicial fiat, every week the government is shut- I suggest the absence of a quorum. these experiments in dehumanization tered. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The are the darkest chapters in human his- Those are numbers, but let me tell clerk will call the roll. you a story and give an example. Small tory—including the original sin of our The senior assistant legislative clerk Republic, the monstrous evil of slav- businesses employ more than 59 million proceeded to call the roll. people in this country. Small busi- ery. Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask The story of American history is the nesses in this country are one of the unanimous consent that the order for story of our Nation standing up to op- main drivers of economic growth, but the quorum call be rescinded. every day the government is closed is a pression, of our coming to the defense The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without of the vulnerable in our laws and with day small businesses can’t get Small objection, it is so ordered. our very lives. From Independence Hall Business Administration-backed loans Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President—and I to invest and grow their companies. to the Bill of Rights, from the aboli- welcome the distinguished Presiding tion of slavery to universal suffrage, to Last week, I heard from a woman Officer, who has probably presided be- who runs a small sign company in the civil rights movement, to the tri- fore, but this is the first time I have umph over nazism, fascism, and com- Essex Junction, VT. Essex Junction is been on the floor and have seen him munism, the American people have in Chittenden County outside of Bur- preside. I realize he cannot respond, fought through prejudice and pride to lington, VT. It is a beautiful commu- but I welcome him to the Senate. assert and to defend the equal dignity nity. It survives by small businesses of every single member of the human GOVERNMENT FUNDING that expand. She is trying to grow her family. Mr. President, for 26 days, President business, and she is trying to acquire For all the powerful forces arrayed Trump has held funding for our Federal another one, but the SBA backs the against it, the right to life remains a Government hostage, using it as lever- space she is trying to purchase, and so part of who we are—a common heritage age to force Congress to provide $5.7 she can’t bring the sale to finality dur- and, I believe history will prove, a billion to build his ill-conceived, expen- ing the shutdown. As a result, the sell- common destiny. That is precisely why sive, and unfortunately totally ineffec- er is threatening to just move on. He the march grows every single year not tive wall on the southern border. We can’t get an answer from the SBA. And, only here in Washington but in soli- knew this was coming because for of course, that would throw her expan- darity marches in State capitals all months during the campaign, he riled sion plans into jeopardy. around the country. up his base with chants of ‘‘Build the We have many excellent craft brew- In Salt Lake City on Friday, Utah wall. Build the wall.’’ He invented a eries in Vermont. They bring in a lot of will host its annual March for Life at crisis at the southern border and then revenue. They hire a lot of people. the Utah State Capitol building. The told supporters that only he could They are a key part of our tourism. I same group of people will also be orga- solve it. He gave his word over and over heard from one of the head brewers nizing the annual diaper drive for the again that Mexico would pay for the from one of these major craft brew- Pregnancy Resource Center, a non- wall so American taxpayers would not eries. He depends upon the Alcohol and profit organization that provides free have to. Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to ap- healthcare services to pregnant moth- That was over 2 years ago, and I prove his license applications, for- ers in need. They know that to love is think he is feeling the pressure now as mulas, and the labels he puts on his to serve, and to be pro-life is to be pro he shutters himself in the White House. beer. He has been brewing the beer and every life and not just some lives. Our Having failed to convince both Repub- it is ready to be labeled, but the office duty to justice and equality extends licans and Democrats in Congress that is closed due to the government shut- beyond the unborn child in the womb; the campaign slogan was actually good down. They are not processing applica- it extends to her mother and to her fa- policy and having failed, as we all tions. He wrote: ther, to her siblings and her friends, knew, to get Mexico to pay for the I am one of the millions of voters whose her neighborhood, her church, and her wall, he turns to a negotiation tactic livelihood depends on the government oper- school—to her whole life. that he seems to have mastered—bul- ating. . . . Every day that passes without the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.006 S16JAPT1 S238 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 ATTB up and running is another potential ment from the American Facilitation gencies. We invested in video surveil- day of lost sales. Program to help mitigate the effects of lance, radar systems to detect move- Farmers across the country and in the Trump tariffs, but she hasn’t re- ment in remote locations. These are so- Vermont are also feeling the pain of ceived the second installment because lutions that work. These are smart the shutdown. Just a few weeks ago, we of the Trump shutdown. The second in- uses of taxpayer dollars. A 30-foot wall passed the bipartisan farm bill. I was stallment is needed to help pay her that Mexico will not pay for is not a one of the conferees on that bill. I bills. good solution. praised Senator PAT ROBERTS, Repub- She says that she will be in much This shutdown is not about border se- lican from Kansas, and DEBBIE STABE- better shape when the new Dairy Mar- curity. If this were about border secu- NOW, Democrat from Michigan. They gin Coverage Program from the new rity, we would be done with it today. put together this bipartisan bill, and farm bill is implemented. Again, I ap- The Trump shutdown is the President the President took credit when he plaud Senator PAT ROBERTS and Sen- trying to distract America from his signed it. ator DEBBIE STABENOW for ushering failures as a leader and shore up the Well, it is a 5-year farm bill, and now that through in an almost unanimous support of his base. It is shameful. the President, right after signing the vote. Unfortunately, no work is being It is clear that President Trump will farm bill, has shut the U.S. Depart- done to get the program up and run- not do the right thing on his own, so it ment of Agriculture field offices that ning because of the government shut- is time for Senate Republicans to step help farmers implement the law. Farm- down. She is frustrated. She is worried up. Just yesterday morning, Democrats ers need information now as the new about her future. She is looking for asked unanimous consent to take up planting and growing season looms. help. She is an honest, hard-working two bills that would get this govern- How long will it affect operations head- person, and she is stymied. I don’t ment back open—a six-bill minibus ing into the planting year? Most of the blame her. that has bipartisan support, including staff are on furlough. If you are a farm- Implementation of the farm bill, four bills that passed the Republican- er in the Midwest and you are pre- which I spent more than a year work- controlled Senate 92 to 6—virtually paring your crops, you can’t say: Well, ing on—I was on the committee con- every Republican voted for it—and a you know, we can wait a few months— ference working hard to deliver for our continuing resolution for the Home- maybe past the growing season—to find Nation’s farmers on a wide range of land Security Department through out what the rules are going to be, and key priorities, especially our strug- February 8. Even though virtually then we will plant. The decisions have gling dairy farmers. It is now on hold every Republican has voted for this, to be made now. during the shutdown with nearly every the Republican leader objected to It also means that farmers can’t USDA Agency furloughed. This is life going forward. apply for much needed loans. They in the age of the Trump shutdown. If they continue to object to opening need these loans because the drop in The President says that shutting the government, this shutdown is as commodity prices brought on by the down the government, paralyzing our much on them as it is on the President. President’s tariffs has hit many farm- country, is necessary to address a We have bipartisan bills before us that ers hard. They need loans to help pay growing crisis on our southern border. could reopen the government. We could their bills. Many banks are not willing The only crisis we have in our country vote on them today, and they would to lend on them, so they have to rely right now is the one caused by the pass with veto-proof margins. on the Department of Agriculture as a Trump shutdown. The crisis we face is Leader MCCONNELL, bring up these lender of last resort. not at our southern border but at bills. Let’s vote to end this national Guess what happens in these multiple kitchen tables, on family farms, and in nightmare. whammies. Offices that issue these small businesses across the country as I yield the floor. loans are closed due to the shutdown. families hurt by the Trump shutdown The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. They need the loans because of the try to figure out how to make ends MCSALLY). The Senator from Wash- President’s tariffs and the President’s meet. ington. shutdown, but these offices can’t give The President talks of hordes of ille- Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I them the loans. gal immigrants rushing across our bor- ask unanimous consent to speak as in For those farmers who have better ders, but border apprehensions have morning business. credit, who can access other lending dropped 75 percent since 2000, and the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without options, many of their loans are also majority of people apprehended at bor- objection, it is so ordered. delayed by the shutdown since the ders today are families—women and Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I lenders are unable to confirm that the children—fleeing violence in their own come to the floor today with a number farmer has other outstanding loans country. They deserve our compassion, of my colleagues on the 26th day of this from the USDA. They could just con- not vitriol. deeply damaging and completely un- nect to the USDA office to ask, but it More people are in this country ille- necessary Trump shutdown. We are is closed. gally as a result of visa overstays than here today to lift up the voices and sto- Just this week at the Farm Bureau from illegal border crossings. This wall ries of the people who are being hurt by convention, the President loudly pro- does nothing to address that. To ad- President Trump and his Senate Re- claimed that he is providing assistance dress our complex immigration issues, publican allies and to once again call to the Market Facilitation Program to we need comprehensive legislation on Republican leaders here in the Sen- have farmers mitigate the financial based on facts, not bumper sticker slo- ate to finally allow a vote and work losses caused by the Trump tariffs. But gans. with us to end this manufactured cri- as of December 28, there is no one left We all support strong border secu- sis. While President Trump is very fo- in the USDA accounting offices to rity—every Democrat, every Repub- cused on his political game, actual peo- process any new applications for these lican does. By working on a bipartisan ple, their families, and their commu- much needed payments. basis in the last fiscal year, Democrats nities are paying the price. I recently heard from a dairy farmer and Republicans supported $21.1 billion People we represent—moms and dads, in what we call the Northeast Kingdom for border security and immigration workers, small business owners, people in Vermont. She milks 80 cows, and she enforcement. This followed a similar who did not do anything wrong, who is proud of her operation, but she has investment we made in fiscal year 2017. just want to work, do their job, serve been hit hard by the President’s trade As vice chairman of the Appropria- their communities—all of them have policies, which have led to retaliatory tions Committee, I know that we in- been pulled into President Trump’s tariffs against U.S. dairy exports, and vested in our ports of entry, including chaos and dysfunction, and it needs to she is now behind in her electric bill. the purchase of nonintrusive inspection end. The electric company is threatening to equipment to detect illegal and illicit I am very proud to kick off another turn off the power to her home, to her contraband. We invested in aircraft to effort here in the Senate by those who barn, to her milk parlor, to her milk- monitor our sprawling border from want to make sure that President ing machines. She received one install- above and quickly respond to emer- Trump and Senate Republican leaders

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:35 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.007 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S239 don’t forget whom this is about and un- They are people who are getting While their home is being rebuilt, derstand who is being impacted by angrier and angrier, more and more Trisha’s family moved into a rental their refusal to act. desperate with every day that goes by, home, and they are currently evacu- I want to start with a few from my who are going to make their voices ated from that rental home due to the home State of Washington, where there heard, and we are going to make their flood and mudslide risks that are cur- are nearly 13,000 workers who have voices heard. We are fighting by their rently an issue in California. been caught up in this Trump shut- side to end this shutdown. I am going Trisha said: down. to keep making sure they have a voice We have small children that we are most Lauren is a furloughed FAA em- in the Senate. concerned about (with the uncertainty of our ployee who shared her story with me I am proud to be with a number of careers as Federal employees and the incred- through my website. She told me she my Democratic colleagues today. We ibly long road ahead in rebuilding our home supports her family with one income, are going to lift up their stories until but most importantly our livelihood). and now that paycheck has been fro- President Trump and Republicans here She writes: zen. She said she has been losing sleep in the Senate agree to end this crisis We will continue to stand with our NATCA trying to figure out how to cut her own they started. Brothers and Sisters in ensuring the safety expenses and pay her bills since the I yield the floor. of the National Airspace System, but with- Federal Government isn’t meeting its The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- out the support staff working, it is a obligation to pay her. ator from California. daunting task. I heard from Adam, also from my Ms. HARRIS. We are now 26 days into Trisha’s message is one of nearly home State, who is buying his first the longest government shutdown in 20,000 phone calls, emails, and letters home with his fiance. What should be a American history, and 800,000 work- my office has received since the shut- very exciting time is now filled with ers—800,000 Americans—are going with- down started 26 days ago—all pleading unnecessary stress because Federal out pay. Half of them are working any- with us to reopen the U.S. Government. loans through USDA and FHA are held way. They are 2 of the 42,300 workers who up. As if closing a home isn’t stressful Let’s be very clear about how we got are currently being furloughed in Cali- enough, now they don’t know when or into this mess. The Senate unani- fornia. I don’t know which of them are even if a loan is going to come through. mously passed a bill to open the gov- Democrats or Republicans, and it As Adam described to me, home buyers ernment right before the holidays. The doesn’t matter. What matters is the are now caught in the middle, and that vote was 100 to 0. There was such people who are being hurt and the crit- is just wrong. jubilance on this floor that, literally, ical government functions that are One Federal employee I met with Members of the Senate were singing going undone. They are the TSA agents while I was home last week is a sci- Christmas carols. who protect our flights and the air entist at one of the impacted Agencies, Yet 2 weeks ago, the House, doing its traffic controllers who help to land our and he told me about the stress that he job, then passed a bill to reopen the planes. They are park rangers and FBI and his family have endured since the government. They sent six bills over to agents and Coast Guard members. They start of the shutdown, having to cover the Senate. This body needs to hold a inspect our food and provide loans to their childcare expenses and mortgage vote on that legislation and send it to our farmers. They conduct lifesaving while he is not being paid—expenses the President and ask him to sign it. research. Right now, though, they are The real obstacle to ending this shut- that total up to $1,700 each month. being told to pay their bills by baby- down is in the White House. The Presi- Right now, he said he is able to tap sitting or selling their belongings on dent is holding the American people into his family emergency fund to craigslist. hostage over his vanity project on the make ends meet, but he doesn’t think These Americans need their govern- southern border and peddling his usual they can hang on much longer. ment to do its job. They don’t need a propaganda to distract from a crisis of I am not the only one, by the way, wall. They need paychecks. Congress is his own making. who is hearing from people in Wash- a coequal branch of government. We The President has said that ‘‘most of ington State about how President don’t need a permission slip before we the workers not getting paid are Demo- Trump’s unnecessary shutdown is im- can vote on a bill. crats,’’ as if that is true or if that pacting their lives. These stories are On behalf of Trisha and hundreds of should matter. He has said that ‘‘many everywhere. thousands of Americans like her, let’s of the people that we’re talking about Earlier this week, the wife of a fur- take up the legislation that we have al- . . . agree with what we’re doing.’’ It loughed TSA employee with a 6-year- ready approved. Let’s send it to the has been said that the workers have old daughter told the Seattle Times President, and let’s end this pointless said to ‘‘stay out until you get the about how the shutdown has thrown shutdown as soon as possible—right funding for the wall.’’ her family into an economic tailspin. Well, that is contrary to what we away, now. I yield back my time. Their family is currently living off of have been hearing and what I have The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- money she makes from babysitting and been hearing. Last week, for example, I ator from Maryland. with the help from her retired father, heard from a woman by the name of Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, I who has taken now a minimum-wage Trisha. Trisha and her husband are thank Senator MURRAY, Senator HAR- job to help with the family’s finances. both air traffic controllers with nearly RIS, and my colleagues who are on the She worries how they are ever going to 40 years of Federal service combined. floor. make it if this shutdown continues. Trisha’s husband served in the Navy. This is a small number of the count- I point out that we are now on day 26 He now has to work long hours of over- less stories coming out of my State and of this outrageous and dangerous par- time to compensate for the workers from around the country about how tial shutdown that was totally avoid- who are absent because they have been President Trump’s reckless govern- able. It has been caused by one per- furloughed, and he is not being paid. ment shutdown is hurting real people. Trisha’s job was deemed non- son—President Trump—and is now They are people in every one of our essential, so she is also not being paid. being assisted by the Republican lead- States in the country. They are people Neither parent in this family is being ership in this body by its not allowing on every side of the border debate. paid. They have three young children, the U.S. Senate, which is a coequal They are people who heard President and this is on top of the fact that branch of government, to take up legis- Trump say he would be ‘‘proud’’ to shut Trisha and her family have already en- lation that would reopen government— down the government. They are people dured hardship these past few months legislation that has previously passed who simply do not understand why as victims of the Thomas fire. this body and would, clearly, pass on a they are being asked to bear the bur- As she wrote me: vote if the majority leader would allow den, to pay the price because President On December 5th of last year, our home us to have that vote. We could then re- Trump and Republican leaders here in was completely destroyed in the Thomas fire open the government. the Senate have boxed themselves into and we have used every resource available to The unanimous consent request that a political corner. us to work towards rebuilding our home. I offered yesterday with my colleague

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.009 S16JAPT1 S240 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 from Maryland, Senator VAN HOLLEN, One of the reporters there asked: Can consin, we make things—cheese, brats, would allow the appropriations bills you give us an individual hardship that and, yes, beer. Milwaukee is often that have nothing to do with this cur- you have actually confronted? called Brew City, but thanks to the rent dispute with the President to be He explained that he has a 10-year- government shutdown, there are craft fully functional, and it would allow for old daughter whom he describes as his brewers across our State that can’t a continuing resolution for the Depart- heart and pride and joy. He had to take make or sell new beer. ment of Homeland Security. We could her out of cheerleading because he Russ Klisch is the President of Lake- then work, as we should work, to deal could not pay for it while he works at front Brewery in Milwaukee. Lakefront with border security and immigration BWI without receiving a paycheck. has been making beer in Wisconsin for issues. Yet the majority leader ob- Then he said something that, I think, more than 30 years. The Alcohol and jected to the Senate’s taking up that really hit us all. He said at the press Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau ap- legislation, and the shutdown con- conference: It may not seem like the proves licenses for new beers and new tinues. end of the world, but to a 10-year-old, breweries as well as labels for beers There are 800,000-plus citizens who it is pretty close. that are sent out of State, but the work for the Federal Government who These are the circumstances in which Agency is not currently serving craft are being denied the ability to either we are putting our fellow citizens by brewers due to the Trump shutdown. Lakefront Brewery has plans to in- get paychecks for the work that they saying: Work without pay or be fur- troduce a brand-new beer in mid-Feb- do or are being furloughed without pay. loughed without pay. ruary, but those plans are now on hold. In each one of those cases, there is a It makes no sense at all. We should This government shutdown threatens hardship that is having an impact that never have had the shutdown. We could to cut its beer sales and hurt its ability goes well beyond just the 800,000. end it now by the Senate’s carrying out to grow its business and support the There are businesses in Baltimore its constitutional responsibility as a coequal branch of government. Let’s economy. Other breweries across Wis- that are wondering whether they can consin are impacted as well. keep their doors open because they de- vote on the legislation that can reopen government. Let’s do what we are re- Mosinee Brewing Company opened its pend on Federal workers to come in doors just last November, but it can’t and use their services. Whether it is a sponsible to do—let’s end this shut- down. get approval to start making and sell- laundry, a cleaner, a restaurant, or a ing its new beer until the government supply store, they know their sales de- I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- reopens. New ‘‘Made in Wisconsin’’ beer pend on people having checks to pay is also on hold until we reopen the gov- their bills. The Federal workforce does ator from Wisconsin. Ms. BALDWIN. Madam President, I ernment. not. So it is affecting secondary em- rise to address the Trump shutdown President Trump and Majority Lead- ployment. There have also been a lot of and the real consequences that have er MCCONNELL can and should end this layoffs by those who depend on the occurred since 800,000 Federal workers, shutdown today and ensure that Fed- contract services of the Federal Gov- including nearly 3,000 Wisconsinites, eral workers like Mallory can finally ernment. have been furloughed or forced to work get paid and so that small business There are many individual stories, without pay. owners like Russ can keep growing and Senator VAN HOLLEN and I have The President said this week that his their businesses. traveled throughout our State and administration is setting records. It is We should vote in the Senate today have met with government workers. true that he now holds the record for on House-passed legislation, and the We have heard the account of one per- the longest government shutdown in President should sign it so we can fi- son who was supposed to close on a new our Nation’s history, but every day nally end this useless shutdown that is home, his first home. He is not going to that it continues, the Trump shutdown preventing our country from moving be able to do that because he doesn’t is causing real pain for hard-working forward. have a paycheck that shows the wages people in my State. I yield the floor. necessary in order to support the mort- I recently read the heartbreaking The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- gage because his most recent paycheck story of Mallory Lorge. Mallory lives ator from New Hampshire. Mrs. SHAHEEN. Madam President, I is zero. in River Falls, WI, and works for the join my colleagues this morning to We have heard from a person in my Department of the Interior. On Friday, share the stories of the people in New office who is an air traffic controller. Mallory, along with thousands of other Hampshire who are currently enduring Her husband is also an air traffic con- Federal workers, did not receive a pay- hardships because of this Trump shut- troller. They are responsible for rel- check. Mallory has type 1 diabetes. down—a shutdown that has been atives who are dependent on them. One Without her paycheck, she can’t afford termed by a number of my colleagues needs a medical procedure, but they her $300 copay to get the insulin she as the longest government shutdown in are not going to be able to move for- needs to manage her diabetes and stay ward with that medical procedure be- U.S. history. alive. Mallory said she is rationing the I have here a picture of Andre and his cause they don’t have the out-of-pock- two vials of insulin she has left. Her et costs that are going to be necessary wife Maria and their three beautiful blood sugar rose to a high level last children, from Derry, NH. Andre is an to pay for that. The list goes on and on week, but she said she felt forced to ig- and on of hardship—of people won- air traffic controller who works at the nore it. Instead, she said, I just went to Boston Terminal Radar Approach Con- dering whether their credit scores are bed and hoped I would wake up. going to be affected, which could affect trol facility in Merrimack, NH. It is Think about that for a minute. Be- sounds like it would be in Boston, but their employment because they are cause President Trump and the Repub- going to be late in paying their mort- it is not. It is in New Hampshire, where licans in Congress refuse to support bi- we have hundreds of air traffic control- gage payments. That is assuming they partisan legislation to end this shut- get paychecks in the next couple of lers and FAA personnel. down and reopen the government, Mal- Andre works at the center to keep months because, then, their homes lory can’t afford to get the insulin she the airways safe for passengers who are could well be foreclosed on. needs to live. The House has done its flying over the Granite State. He also I could put a face on each one of job in passing bipartisan legislation to represents and talks to a number of these 800,000, but let me just share an end the shutdown. Now it is time for other air traffic controllers in the New account by Lamar Cobb, who is a lead Senate Majority Leader MCCONNELL to England region to hear what they have transportation security officer at BWI stop blocking a vote in the Senate so to say. Marshall Airport. I was there earlier that we can fund the government. With what he is hearing right now re- this week, meeting with the govern- We are 26 days into the Trump shut- garding the shutdown, Andre writes: ment workers who are keeping our air- down. It is not just hurting Federal Air traffic controllers have remained on ports and our air traffic safe. These are workers and contractors. It is also the job, dedicated to the safety of every dedicated people who are working with- hurting small businesses and entre- flight, but we don’t know when we will re- out pay. He came forward. preneurs across the country. In Wis- ceive our next paycheck. My colleagues and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.010 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S241 I have suffered the sudden loss of our income go to work normally like any other day and The Congress, Senate, and The White due to the government shutdown. It’s going we pay for childcare. It is going to be hard to House has once again tarnished what was to be hard for me to meet all of my financial meet all of my family’s financial obligations once considered the beacon of democracy. . . obligations. without knowing when our next paychecks The image of the United States of America. What I am most impressed by with will be. My family has no income while the Yes, I and my family need this government regard to the Federal workers with government remains shutdown. open. I need to be paid for my continued The shutdown affects us all in many ways, whom I have met is their dedication to dedication. . . for my work. . . But, the but the other major way it is effecting me is American people need the practice of govern- their jobs. All of those air traffic con- professionally. This government shutdown is ment shutdowns to end. The way for polit- trollers understand that the safety of setting back air traffic control staffing num- ical agendas to be advanced is through diplo- the skies in the United States depends bers. matic compromise not party-lined standoffs. on them, and they are there. They are The FAA Academy is closed during the Please free my family, my colleagues, and not getting paid. They are experiencing shutdown which is where all of our new the American people from this governmental hardships like Andre is talking about, trainees train initially. siege of our livelihoods and open our govern- but they are there and are doing every- There are controllers being forced to retire ment. Restore the faith of the American peo- because of age, but with the shutdown new thing they can to make sure that the ple. replacements cannot be trained. We are at a Sincerely, American public can fly safely. 30-year low in staffing and every day the Jamie (Auburn, NH). In addition to Andre’s story, I have FAA Academy is closed the more set back heard from nearly 100 other air traffic staffing becomes. New trainees that are un- DEAR SENATOR SHAHEEN: I am writing to controllers in New Hampshire who are able to train due to the Academy closure you today because of the partial government all calling for an end to the shutdown— may lead to fewer new hires for 2019. Many shutdown that is causing 800,000 federal em- air traffic controllers who are pro- controllers are working 6-day work weeks ployees to go without the certainty of their tecting our safety and who are working and these new hires will help. paychecks. This uncertainty is adding undue without pay. This career has been all I wanted to do stress to ourselves and our jobs because of fi- I want to read an excerpt from a let- since I was little. Like my coworkers I per- nancial obligations. form my duties professionally and to the As an air traffic controller and con- ter that I received from Jamie in Au- highest safety standards despite not knowing stituent, I want you to know how the partial burn, NH, because I think it so exem- when my next paycheck is. We will all con- government shutdown is affecting me. For plifies where we are and how the Amer- tinue to do so, but with financial concerns the last TWO weeks, other controllers and I ican people are feeling about this gov- until the shutdown ends. Please End the gov- have remained on the job, dedicated to the ernment shutdown. ernment shutdown. Thank you for your time. safety of every flight. Even without knowing Jamie writes: Sincerely, when we will get paid, or even if we will get Dear Senator Shaheen, there are many sto- Kristen (Milford, NH). paid. ries to be told regarding the effects of the As my husband and I do not know when or government shutdown on Federal employ- DEAR SENATOR SHAHEEN: I write today to if I will receive my paycheck, we are having ees—the stress of financial uncertainty, the urge you to end the current partial govern- to stretch every last penny to meet all our inability to take necessary time from work ment shutdown caused by a lapse in annual financial obligations. If this shutdown con- to care for our families, and the continued appropriations. As a federal air traffic con- tinues for much longer, we do not know how degradation of FAA resources. . . . These are troller and constituent, I want you to know or if some of our bills will be paid. but a few examples shared amongst us, but how the shutdown is affecting me. We ask you to end this shutdown imme- there is something that tears at the very Since air traffic control specialists per- diately! fabric of who we are. We take deep pride in form life and safety excepted activities as Sincerely, serving our country and providing the safest defined by the Antideficiency Act, control- Caitlin (Amherst, NH). and most efficient air traffic control system lers like me have remained on the job, dedi- in the world. We do so with an unwavering cated to the safety of every flight, since the DEAR SENATOR JEANNE SHAHEEN: As an air sense of duty and a deep understanding of beginning of the partial shutdown on Decem- traffic controller and constituent, I want the trust bestowed on us by the American ber 22nd. However, my family will be placed you to know how the partial government people. To be used as pawns in a political under significant financial stress if the shut- shutdown is affecting me. For the last two chess match not only disrespects us as dedi- down lasts beyond the current pay period. weeks, air traffic controllers have remained cated Federal employees, but it serves to We don’t know when we will receive our next on the job, dedicated to the safety of every weaken our democracy. A government that paycheck. flight. Yet, we don’t know when we will re- must hold hostage the livelihood of its citi- The Federal Aviation Administration has ceive our next paycheck. My colleagues and zens is the very definition of a failed closed its training academy in Oklahoma I have suffered the sudden loss of our income democracy. City, where new controllers arrive to begin due to the government shutdown. I am a col- their careers, as I did ten years ago this lege graduate and have numerous student Sadly, that is what President Donald week. Classes have been cancelled, which loans to pay as well as trying to provide for Trump is doing. He is holding hostage will invariably lead to fewer new hires in my family. hundreds of thousands of Federal work- 2019. Stopping the hiring and training pipe- Please, we as air traffic controllers beg, ers, and he is being enabled in this ef- line exacerbates the current controller staff- end the government shutdown. fort by the Republican leadership in ing crisis. The number of fully certified air Very Respectfully, this Senate who is unwilling to bring traffic controllers is now at a 30-year low. Adam (Hudson, NH). forward the bills that would open the Please do whatever you can to end the gov- ernment shutdown without delay. DEAR SENATOR SHAHEEN: As an air traffic government today. We could pass them Sincerely, controller and constituent, I want you to today. Aaron (Milford, NH). know how the partial government shutdown These are just two examples that I is affecting me. For the last couple weeks, think articulate the very real impact DEAR SENATOR SHAHEEN: There are many air traffic controllers have remained on the this shutdown is having on many hard- stories to be told regarding the effects of the job, dedicated to the safety of every flight. working Americans and their families. government shutdown on federal employees. Yet, we don’t know when our next paycheck Madam President, I ask unanimous The stress of financial uncertainty, the in- will come. This has placed an immense ability to take necessary time from work to consent to have printed in the RECORD amount of stress and financial burden on me care for our families, and the continued deg- and my family. We are having to make these letters that I have received from radation of FAA resources. . . These are but air traffic controllers. choices on whether or not to pay certain a few examples shared amongst us. But, this bills or buy groceries. There being no objection, the mate- is something that tears at the very fabric of Please end the government shutdown im- rial was ordered to be printed in the who we are. We take deep pride in serving mediately! RECORD, as follows: our country, providing the safest and most Sincerely, DEAR SENATOR: I’m writing to you today efficient air traffic control system in the Joshua (New Boston, NH). because of the effects of the government world. We do so with an unwavering sense of shutdown on my profession and family. My duty and a deep understanding of the trust DEAR SENATOR SHAHEEN: I am writing to coworkers and I have remained on the job bestowed upon us by the American people. let you know that the government shutdown dedicated to the safety of every flight de- To be used as pawns in a political chess is negatively impacting me, my wife and spite the concern of when our next paycheck match not only disrespects us as dedicated family. will come. The government shutdown has ef- federal employees but it serves to weaken As the shutdown continues my wife and I fected me professionally and personally. our democracy. A government that must are having to make some difficult financial My husband and I are both air traffic con- hold hostage the livelihood of its citizens is decisions. We have two daughters, one just trollers and we have 6-month-old twins. We the very definition of a failed democracy. out of college and the other in her senior

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.011 S16JAPT1 S242 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 year at UVM. Along with all of our regular Hospital, I have had to miss out on paid/ We have long known that something monthly bills we have student loan pay- earned sick leave for both their appoint- is broken inside this President that ments and tuition due. ments. Lastly, as a support for the training makes him incapable of caring about Not knowing when to expect our next pay- department, I am seeing a direct impact on anyone other than himself. Clearly, he check is causing undue stress on me, my wife future controllers. and family. Please end the government shutdown im- does not see Federal workers as real I would like to see you help end the shut- mediately! people with real bills to pay—people down as soon as possible! Sincerely, like Emily Nering of Basking Ridge, Ronald (Brookline, NH). Kristine (Nashua, NH). NJ. Emily has worked at the EPA’s Edi- DEAR SENATOR SHAHEEN As an air traffic DEAR JEANNE SHAHEEN: First, thank you son field office for 8 years. She coordi- controller and constituent, I want you to for all that you do for our state and country. nates water quality research and is in I am writing you today with regard to the know how the partial government shutdown has affected me. As an air traffic controller the midst of a major survey of the New government shutdown. As an air traffic con- Jersey-New York Harbor, and she as- trol trainee, my job security is something I I work a job that is 24/7, 365 days a year. We plan and bid our vacations 15 months in have to worry about until I certify. Unfortu- sisted in emergency efforts to deliver advance. However, because I am an excepted nately, the shutdown has me worrying about clean drinking water to Puerto Rico employee engaged in life-saving activities, my income and financial obligations as well. and the Virgin Islands after Hurricane my vacation time during Christmas and New Maria. She said: Morale is notably down at work, and the Year’s was canceled. I had to work over the staffing only gets worse as the more senior holidays and missed this time spent with I took an oath of office too. I want to get controllers approach retirement. Anything family. This combined with uncertainty of back to doing the important work that the you can do to assist in the swift cease of this when my next paycheck will come is adding EPA conducts and to continue to serve this shutdown would be greatly appreciated by stress that is not needed. great nation. I saved up to contribute to an air traffic controllers nationwide. Thank you PLEASE END THE GOVERNMENT SHUT- IRA this year and to start saving for a down for your time. DOWN IMMEDIATELY! payment on a home, but those funds will now Sincerely, Sincerely, be used to help me pay rent and other bills, Andre (Nashua, NH). Seth (Hollis, NH). pushing my financial and life goals further Mrs. SHAHEEN. I know every Mem- out of reach. . . . I urge the President and DEAR JEANNE SHAHEEN: I’m writing to you ber of the Senate has heard from con- Congress to put us back to work so we can in regards to the government shutdown. If continue to serve the American people! this shutdown continues it will put a huge fi- stituents who are facing significant hardships as a result of the shutdown. In recent days, I have heard from nancial burden on my family. At this time I Coast Guard members, TSA agents, am the sole provider for my household. My I know every Member wants this shut- husband is a small business owner in New down to end. Unfortunately, President IRS workers—patriots who have built Hampshire and is currently not collecting in- Trump doesn’t seem to want this shut- their careers on serving their fellow come to keep his business going. We have down to end. Americans. Their work is important, two children. A two-year-old boy and a five- The House has already passed appro- and they deserve to be paid. If Presi- month-old daughter. Since there is currently priations bills that would reopen the dent Trump wants to discuss issues no paid maternity leave I had to live off of government. This appropriations legis- like border security and comprehensive my savings while out with my new born, lation is not partisan. In fact, they are immigration reform, then he should which is why I have no money saved up to end the shutdown, reopen all of those cover all of our expenses during this shut- bills that have already had bipartisan down. Going into debt because I can’t pay for support in the Senate. So I urge Presi- elements of the government that have the childcare I use (while still working) is dent Trump, Majority Leader MCCON- nothing to do with his desired border not an option. Please find a way to stop this NELL, and our Republican colleagues to wall, release his hostages, and reopen shut down. take up these bills to reopen the gov- the government, but if he continues to Lanna (Nashua, NH). ernment. I believe we should reopen bury his head in the sand, then it is the government. Let’s do our jobs so time for the Senate to act. DEAR SENATOR SHAHEEN: Please, put an end the rest of America can do theirs. We could likely pass legislation to to the government shutdown. I soon will I yield the floor. reopen the government with a veto- have used my entire savings to pay my cur- proof majority if only the majority rent bills. I now, don’t have the down pay- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ment for a house that I was ready to buy. ator from Washington. leader would hold a vote. Let’s do the I’ve had to pass up on a vacation this month, UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT right thing for Federal employees like skiing in NH, in fear that I won’t get paid. Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I Emily. Let’s vote and end this shut- Please Senator Shaheen, put an end to this ask unanimous consent that Demo- down now. government shut down. After 30 years of crats control the time until 12 noon, I yield the floor. service in the USAF and FAA, this is a slap with Senators permitted to speak The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- in the face. therein for up to 3 minutes each, and ator from Nevada. James (Manchester, NH). the Republicans control the time from Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam Presi- dent, on Friday, the day that thou- THE HONORABLE JEANNE SHAHEEN: Please- 12 noon to 12:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there sands of Federal workers in Nevada and end the shutdown! across the country missed their first I am a 30-year controller, and I don’t think objection? I will be employed at the end of January. Without objection, it is so ordered. paycheck of the Trump shutdown, I The financial impact of the shutdown is a The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- was in Reno meeting with two dozen burden that I should not have to deal with at ator from New Jersey. affected workers and families who this stage in my career. Mr. MENENDEZ. Madam President, I work for our Federal Government. Staffing is the worst it has ever been and rise to give voice to the more than 5,000 These hard-working Nevadans who a continued shutdown will have negative ef- Federal employees across New Jersey serve the American people in the U.S. fects on the air traffic system for years! who aren’t getting paid due to Presi- Coast Guard, the Bureau of Land Man- Please work to end the shutdown!!! dent Trump’s pointless government agement, the U.S. Geological Survey, Maurice (Derry, NH). shutdown. Make no mistake. This shut- the U.S. Department of Agriculture, DEAR HONORABLE SHAHEEN: I am writing to down is the result of a Presidential the U.S. Forest Service, and govern- you today to inform you of the impact the temper tantrum. ment contractors told me about the partial government shutdown is having on Democrats have voted for border se- struggles they are having, their fears, me, as an air traffic controller, and my fam- curity funding, for new technology to and the very human consequences of ily. For the last two weeks, I have worked scan vehicles for drugs, for more port- the President’s decision to hold our air traffic, not knowing when I’d be paid of-entry infrastructure personnel, and government hostage. next. I am dedicated to the safety of every for new drones to detect unauthorized These Nevadans shared how their fi- flight. This sudden loss of income as well as crossings. Yet President Trump is hold- nances and their whole lives have been paid leave is impacting my life multiple ways. First, I missed paid time off that was ing 800,000 Federal workers hostage all thrown into chaos by this reckless prescheduled, around the holiday with my because he wants $5.7 billion for a bor- shutdown. Person after person told me family. With one child, a patient at Mass der wall that he promised Mexico that without the promise of a pay- General, and another at Boston Children’s would pay for. check, they are struggling to pay their

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16JA6.003 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S243 mortgage or rent, keep up with their as a condition for reopening the gov- Trump shutdown is having on one cou- other bills, and even put food on the ernment. ple from my home State of Vermont. table for their families. Some are even President Trump is singlehandedly Kelly and Ricky Klein own cashing out their savings while others blocking progress toward providing the Groennfell Meadery in Colchester, VT. consider taking out high-interest pay- American people with the services and In fact, this is Kelly with her very day loans, risking their good credit the essential public functions they pretty little daughter, Nora. just to stay afloat. need and deserve. Groennfell Meadery is part of a grow- It is not just Federal workers who The impact is on the consumers of ing industry in Vermont. We are a were suffering. Entire families have those functions. We are all consumers. small State. We have the most craft had the rug pulled out from under We all fly and depend on the air traffic breweries per capita in the Nation, and them because of this reckless shut- controllers and the TSA. We all eat they create jobs. They support small down. food and depend on inspections by the businesses. They bring people to While I was in Reno, I had the oppor- FDA. We all consume drugs, and the Vermont from all over the country. tunity to meet Brianna. She talked to approvals of essential pharmaceutical Business has been good. Kelly and me about her family. She is a stay-at- medicines are vital to all of us. We all Ricky have been planning an expan- home mom. She has two beautiful need and deserve the protection pro- sion. Recently, they were approved for daughters—as you can see—and her vided by the U.S. Coast Guard, whose a $1.3 million Small Business Adminis- husband works in the Coast Guard. He brave men and women are receiving no tration loan. They were going to buy is a coastguardsman. Right now, he is pay—none. three new stainless steel fermenter reporting to work without pay for the Many of those 800,000 workers going tanks. They were going to move to a duration of this shutdown. without pay are also working without bigger facility, double their produc- Brianna told me that without their pay. I have sponsored a measure that tion, hire additional people, and bought sole source of income, her family would will enable them to avoid foreclosures additional supplies in anticipation of struggle to make ends meet. She told and repossessions of their cars and it. What happened? Their loan from the me they are weighing the decision to other financial crises through meas- SBA is now on hold because of the pull her oldest daughter out of school ures similar to the Servicemembers Trump shutdown. It is not clear if it and to move in with her parents until Civil Relief Act. I have sponsored and will ever come through. So instead of the shutdown is over. That is out- supported calls for providing them with expanding, they have to use their own rageous. unemployment compensation. The ones money. They have to use their stock- I can’t tell you how many letters and who work need the compensation and piles of mead. They have to take out a emails I have also received in the of- the benefits to put food on the table loan to make payroll. They are really fice. This is one from a veteran in and make sure they stay in their hurting, but they told me one thing, Reno. He said: homes. even in this difficult time. I applaud you for standing up to Trump These 800,000 workers are experi- Even in this difficult time, they said and not wasting taxpayer money on a stupid encing real pain. They are real people they were more concerned for people wall that he promised Mexico would pay for. with real lives going through financial who have lost paychecks and lifesaving However, as a Federal employee who is also hardships. benefits and with others in their indus- a disabled vet, I am asking that you support On Monday, I met with many of them try who have been harder hit. It is a legislation to assure that we do not lose pay and benefits because of this shutdown. We at Bradley International Airport in sense of community and empathy. I are currently scheduled to receive our nor- Windsor Locks. I heard them share wish President Trump had that same mal pay on December 31, but after that, we their personal stories about how the sense of empathy and caring that they have no more checks coming until the shut- shutdown is causing them real harm. I do. down is over. Despite what others on the Hill also heard about their dedication to We have to end this shutdown. I call have said, many Federal employees depend doing their job and how the air control- on the majority leader—the Republican on those checks and face real economic im- lers and—— leader—to bring up the bills, which we pacts when the government shuts down. We The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- have already passed by an over- are tired of being demonized by the right as parasites and bureaucrats, and it is ridicu- ator’s time is expired. whelming majority, that would reopen lous that the President wants to freeze our Mr. BLUMENTHAL. The TSA are this government. Democrats and Re- pay and stop all of our pay raises. The Fed- overtired and need that help. publicans have voted for them. All we eral Government is the largest employer of I ask unanimous consent for 1 more need is for the Republican leader to veterans, and we continue supporting our minute. bring them up. country throughout our Federal service. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there Stop the shutdown. Let people go No family or individual in the United objection? back to their businesses. States of America should have their Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I I yield the floor. life upended like this. So we ask that respect the rights of the Senator. We The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the Federal Government reopen and have a number of Senators and a lim- ator from New Mexico. that the majority leader bring the bill ited amount of time. So if he could fin- Mr. UDALL. Madam President, I rise to the floor so we can open this govern- ish quickly, we would all appreciate it. today to talk about a New Mexico fam- ment on behalf of Federal workers not Thank you. ily who is severely impacted by the only in Nevada but across the country. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without shutdown, and I think there are prob- I yield the floor. objection, it is so ordered. ably hundreds of thousands of families The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Let me just fin- like this across the country. ator from Connecticut. ish by citing Adrian Pellot, one of This is Leah Teresa Ornelas, her hus- Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Thank you, those workers whom I met on Monday. band Ervie, and their sons Ian and Madam President. Adrian is a behavior detection officer. Zachary. They are all from Carlsbad, I join my colleagues today in calling He has done it for more than a decade. NM. Zachary, their youngest—in the for a simple, commonsense solution to He is one of those workers going with- middle—had a brain tumor and has un- one of the most vexing, unnecessary, out pay. I will just leave you with this dergone two surgeries. Zachary is now and avoidable crises in recent history. thought. He told me: disabled and requires constant care. The present paralysis of Agencies’ es- We have no income right now. We’re bleed- Ervie, his stepfather, reduced his work sential governmental functions is in- ing money. Just day-to-day things. Food. I as a daycare teacher by 75 percent to tolerable and unacceptable. It is still have to pay the bills. take care of Zachary. Leah is a public shameful and embarrassing to every So do all of those 800,000 workers. nurse, and her paycheck goes to their Member of this body, but it should be I yield the floor. high insurance costs and medical bills. most shameful and embarrassing to the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- The family moved back in together to Chief Executive of the United States, ator from Vermont. save on expenses. Their older son, Ian, who is singularly responsible for it by Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, let is now the main provider for the fam- insisting on a wall and agreement to it me tell you about the impact the ily. Ian works for the Department of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.014 S16JAPT1 S244 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 the Interior, has been furloughed for 26 MCCONNELL, open the government so The President has turned his back on days, and has now missed a paycheck. that the Youngblood family can open the veterans of this Nation. It is time The Ornelas family is scared to death their small business. to put these men and women back to that Ian will miss another check and I yield the floor. work. I call, and continue to call, on another check. They simply cannot The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the majority to put an end to this real make it without Ian being paid. The ator from Montana. crisis—because they can—and reopen Ornelas family has made tremendous Mr. TESTER. Madam President, ap- the government. sacrifices as a family. They can make proximately 635,000 veterans work for I yield the floor. no more adjustments, as the President the Federal Government, and the hard- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- callously advised. ships of the shutdown on these men and ator from Virginia. This Trump shutdown must end now. women are multifold. Mr. KAINE. Madam President, I The President and Senate majority First, furloughed veterans who are stand to tell the story of a great Vir- must do the right thing for the Ornelas Federal workers are missing pay- ginian named Vidisha. This is a picture family—and for hundreds of thousands checks. They are having a hard time of Vidisha and her son Ayan, who came of families across the Nation—and open paying their mortgages and paying to a Federal employee roundtable that our government now. their bills overall. Veterans with VA- I did last Friday morning. I yield the floor. guaranteed home loans are at risk of I have told stories on the floor about The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- being evicted by mortgage companies Virginians who are affected person- ator from Michigan. because they can’t make their pay- ally—worrying about missing mortgage Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, ments. payments, having to reschedule med- as my colleagues have said, it has now Second, veterans are not getting the ical appointments, having to draw been 26 days since President Trump benefits they have earned from several money out of an IRA and pay a tax shut down the government and began Federal Departments, other than the penalty because of the shutdown. But I holding Federal workers and their fam- VA. For instance, Native American thought it was interesting that Vidisha veterans, who already face unique chal- ilies hostage to force funding for an ex- came in and talked just a little bit lenges with healthcare, are unable to pensive, ineffective, and unpopular bor- about her own anxiety and the anxiety rely on the Indian Health Service to der wall. of everybody she works with. But what provide their healthcare because it is That is 26 days of working without she really wanted to talk about was closed down. Homeless veterans rely on pay for hundreds of TSA and Customs how the shutdown hurts the American the Department of Housing and Urban and Border Patrol officers in my State public. Development’s housing vouchers, She works for probably the smallest of Michigan and across the country. which are not going out because of the Agency in the Federal Government, the That is 26 days of our Federal workers shutdown. Chemical Safety Board, with 40 em- wondering how they will pay their That is not all. Other benefits and ployees and a budget of $11 million or mortgage and keep their lights on. protections are at risk. The VA is cur- $12 million. This is a small Agency, and That is 26 days of grocery stores, res- rently implementing major reform they have one job: Investigate chem- taurants, and other local businesses bills like the Appeals and Moderniza- ical spills—not to find fault, not to watching their sales dry up. tion Act and the VA MISSION Act. To help a lawyer, but investigate chemical This shutdown is also hard on Michi- roll out these new initiatives, the Fed- spills so that they can determine what gan farmers, including Jessica Young- eral Register must publish new rules went wrong, to prevent future chemical blood, whom I want to take a moment and regulations. Guess what. The Fed- spills that are going to hurt Ameri- to talk about. eral Register isn’t operational because cans. Because of the shutdown, she and She and her husband David, who is a of the shutdown, so the implementa- her colleagues—those 40—are not doing veteran, are raising their three young tion of these wide-sweeping, bipartisan that job. children on their farm in Macomb VA reforms is shut down. President Trump tweeted last week- County. Like many farmers, Jessica is On top of this, we know that those end that the reason he is forcing the also a small business owner; the stationed at the borders and at air- shutdown is he promised to protect the Youngbloods are launching a winery. ports—many of whom are veterans— safety and security of the American For 3 years, they have poured all of are among those hurting the most be- public. He is hurting the safety and se- their time and they have poured all cause of this President’s shutdown. curity of the American public. their money into their 25 acres of wine There are many more veterans suf- Vidisha said that during the shut- grapes. I have had the opportunity to fering. Colin, from Billings, wrote me down there has been a major chemical walk with Jessica and her children and said: ‘‘I am a federal employee and spill in Houston, TX. Normally, the in- through the rows of grapevines, and I a veteran, and this standoff is placing a vestigators would be on it immediately have seen how hard they are working great deal of stress on me and my fam- to do the investigation, to give rec- as a family every single day. ily.’’ ommendations, and to reduce the risk This year, they finally had grapes to His wife is pregnant, he has a 2-year- of a spill at that facility or any other. harvest so that they could launch their old son, and he has no paycheck. He But because of the shutdown, Vidisha small business. They planned to open spent his career in public service. After and her staff are not investigating. their winery on their farm and start he got out of the service, he could have How does this protect the safety and selling their wine on Memorial Day made a lot more money in the private security of the American public—by weekend. Unfortunately, the govern- sector. leaving a major chemical spill with po- ment shutdown threw a huge roadblock Unfortunately, because of the fact tentially life-threatening consequences in front of this homegrown Michigan that the President and Leader MCCON- uninvestigated and unresponded to? business. NELL will not bring the bills to the This President’s claim that he is The Tax and Trade Bureau at the De- floor, we are in a shutdown. This is the helping the safety and security of the partment of the Treasury approves human cost of the President’s shut- American people is a flat-out lie. You their labels—when they are open. Jes- down. These are men and women who are hurting the security of the Amer- sica needs to bottle her wine in March, have volunteered to serve our Nation ican people when you disable people but that can’t happen without labels and put themselves in harm’s way and like Vidisha and her colleagues from being approved and printed. As Jessica continue serving our Nation as civil- investigating chemical spills, from said: ians, and this is how the President says interdicting drugs if you are a Coast We are 100% dependent on the grapes we thank you—putting them out of a job, Guard, ATF, or DEA agent, or from grow on our family vineyard. . . . We are out of a paycheck, and out of the bene- doing law enforcement investigations farmers! We need the government to open so fits that they have earned. He belittles if you are an FBI agent. we can run our business. the financial hardship that his actions The President is hurting the security It is time to end this shutdown. Let are causing, and he turns their service of this country. It is time to reopen Jessica and her family benefit from all in the military and as civilians into a government and put the security of of their hard work. So I say: Leader political football. Americans first.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.015 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S245 I yield the floor. Without objection, it is so ordered. that money to go into, and it is des- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Mr. ISAKSON. Madam President, I ignated for the security of our bor- ator from Hawaii. thank the Senator from Washington ders—our Canadian border and our Mr. SCHATZ. Madam President, I very much for her courtesy. I will be Mexican border. have a simple request for my Repub- brief, and I will be very succinct. In That is it. They charge. Someone en- lican colleagues, and that is this: Open fact, I will be responding to some of the tering the country pays. If it is a bus the government. Open the government. things that Senator SCHATZ from Ha- that comes in 10 times a day, you know There have been too many people suf- waii and others have said on the floor. they don’t pay 10 times the amount fering for too long for this to go on any I am going to respond to myself. I that somebody comes in once a day. We further. made a speech here only yesterday, will figure that out, but create a mech- One of those people is named Scott about 2:30, in which I talked about the anism. Pekalib. He lives in Hilo, HI, and works frustration that I have and that most If you use the current mechanisms for the U.S. Geological Survey. He has Georgians have with the fact that the that are being used to collect moneys had a rough few months. government is shut down, and I talked today in our Departments, we would In October, his husband Jay went about who is losing. raise $2.5 billion a year doing that. Did into the hospital for a routine surgery We are losing. The government loses you hear me? $2.5 billion. If we had $2.5 that went horribly wrong. He went into more money when it shuts down than billion, we wouldn’t have a problem cardiac arrest and was in an induced it makes any other time. Shutting anymore. coma for several days. He had to be down is a losing proposition all the You could argue over what you build. flown to another island to receive the way around, and we are exemplifying That doesn’t matter when we have se- care that was necessary. Scott and Jay the best way to lose because we are not curity. Security is what we want. This spent all of their savings to get doing anything to solve the problem. Senate and House can get together at through this ordeal. After paying for I have a solution I am going to pro- the White House, we get in a room, and medicine, hotels, and airfare, they were pose, specifically, right now. I am not we say: What do we want to charge? To living paycheck to paycheck. going to put my name on it to be the whom do we want to give the responsi- Now, because of this government lead name. I don’t care who gets the bility? What is the goal? shutdown, Scott’s paycheck reads zero. credit. I am ready for some solutions. I The goal is to secure the border—a He doesn’t know how he is going to buy am going to talk about some very seri- mechanism to fund securing the bor- gas to take his husband to the doctor ous things right now and some very dif- der—and to get off this argument of or how they are going to pay the bills ficult things, but we are in a serious, who is right, whether it is Democrats that are due. Scott is making impos- difficult problem. We have serious or Republicans. We are just arguing sible choices between buying the pre- problems, and we need serious people about something that doesn’t matter. scription drugs he needs and the ones to solve them. What matters is the American people. that his husband needs. All of this pain In the United States today, at our What matters is how their Representa- and suffering is because the Senate will ports, our airports, and our highways— tives are handling their problems. not vote to reopen the government. every way you can cross the border to What matters is what you and I are So I ask my Republican friends to come into the United States of Amer- doing to get this whole argument that call for a vote, and if the President ve- ica—we charge fees for all kinds of is going on and put it aside. toes the bill, let’s act like a separate, things, and we have for years. We have I am here to tell you, I am throwing coequal branch of government and trust funds, like Harbor Maintenance an idea out that I think is a good idea. override that veto. That is our preroga- Trust Fund and things like that. Peo- A very smart man gave it to me. I tive in the United States, and that is ple come across our borders all the didn’t think of it. I thought about it all our obligation in the U.S. Senate—to time. In Smuggler’s Gulch in San last night. I couldn’t think of anything do what is best for the Nation, for the Diego, they come in on an eight-lane wrong with it. I am sure somebody will health, safety, and economic security highway, flooding into America in the be able to come up with something of all of our constituents. morning to go to work and flooding out that is wrong with it. Let’s reopen the government. of America in the afternoon to go home It pays for it. We decide where the I yield the floor. to bed, and we charge for that. money goes, and it goes for security. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- A constituent of mine called me last We don’t argue over what type of secu- ator from Washington. night, a gentleman I know very well, rity because that is not the issue. The Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, we who is a very successful businessper- issue is we want it secure. have heard from a number of our col- son. He said: JOHNNY, you all are fight- What we have had is that we have leagues today about personal stories ing over this border wall or how you had a couple of leaders who argued that are happening to real live people fund it or who gets credit for it. I saw about how you secure it, not whether in their home States—people who have your speech. Have you ever thought of or not you can secure it. You can al- not received a paycheck and are facing this? ways argue about how. I like pink bet- fear about what they are going to do in I listened. I listened, I thought, and I ter than purple, but I don’t let that the coming days. said: You know, I haven’t. stop me from buying a black shirt if it We have a responsibility—and I think I got my staff to get me the informa- is the only shirt I can get. I speak on behalf of Republicans and tion, and it all works. It makes sense, It is time we decide what it is we Democrats both here. We need to open and I think it would make sense to the want. We want security. We want to government. We have disagreements American people. I think it would put the government back to work. We all the time in Congress over different make sense to the President of the want the American people to get the issues. Certainly, we cannot put these United States, the Democratic Party, benefits they deserve, and we want a people’s lives at risk and leave them as and the Republican Party as well. If we mechanism to do it—that is, a simple pawns in our States. Open up govern- all start tonight, even, and decide mechanism to do it. We already do it ment, and then have a discussion about whether we want to sign it or not, we everywhere. We do the passenger facil- the issues we disagree on. can do it together. Who gets the credit ity charge. I know the Senator from Minnesota for it stops, and we fight over some- The distinguished speaker sitting in expected to be here, but I also see on thing that makes more sense fighting the Chair today knows that. He flies the floor the Senator from Georgia, over than having a border that leaks here every week and pays $7.50, I think, who would like to speak. I ask unani- and an immigration program that per ticket here and per ticket out. It mous consent that the Senator from doesn’t work. pays for the security of airports. We do Georgia be allowed to speak and the Here is the idea. We establish a fee in this all over the place. Let’s do it here. Senator from Minnesota, when she re- the United States of America through When you ask anybody what is prob- turns. our ports, through our airports, ably the biggest problem in America, The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. through all the different ways you they say the biggest problem is that LANKFORD). Is there objection? come here. You create a trust fund for the American Senate and the American

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.017 S16JAPT1 S246 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 House will not sit down and get the God bless you, Mr. President, for pre- cently started picking up shifts with work done. siding today, and God bless the United Instacart, the grocery delivery service, After that, we haven’t even opened States of America. just to make ends meet. If this shut- the door to see if we can find a solu- I yield back the balance of my time. down drags on—in her words—she is tion. This opens the door to a solution. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- simply at a loss about how she and her I am telling you, as a representative ator from Minnesota. daughter will get by. from the State of Georgia, representing Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I In my State there are 6,100 other 10.5 million people in this Senate, we appreciate the sentiment of the Sen- Federal workers with these stories. can solve our problem today—not to- ator from Georgia, and I remember ear- They are not being paid, and each of morrow, but today—with the action of lier last year when we were both part these workers has a face and a name. It our Finance Committee and our leader- of discussions to try to resolve an ear- is time to end the shutdown and reopen ship and the President of the United lier shutdown issue and an earlier issue the government. States, by not deciding who gets credit related to immigration reform. We put I yield the floor. or who gets blame but deciding it is together a bipartisan bill involving the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Dreamers, and we got some broad sup- time enough for funding games to be ator from Texas. port on our side. Unfortunately, the over with. It is time for us to get down TRIBUTE TO JOYCE SIBLEY White House, in the end, was not sup- to business. Mr. CRUZ. Mr. President, I rise today portive of that agreement, even though We all took an oath a few months ago to give tribute to a great American, a the Senator from Georgia had worked when we were sworn in, saying that is so hard. great Texan, and a 32-year veteran of what we wanted to do, and now we are I think we can’t rule out, as much as this institution who has dedicated her avoiding it every single day. we have tried and will continue to try, career to serving the needs of her fel- I will not take any more time. I to come up with bipartisan solutions low citizens. Her name is Joyce Sibley. know the Senator from Texas is here, like the majority and the minority She has led my team of caseworkers and the lovely Senator from Minnesota leader did in December that we all sup- in Texas for the last 6 years, and she is is here, and they are two very good rep- ported and would have prevented this now retiring. Joyce started working in resentatives in the Senate of the shutdown. We can’t take out the ele- the U.S. Senate in 1971, working for United States of America. ment of the fact that a number of John Tower of Texas, answering the Don’t forget about this idea. I am times we have been gut-punched, basi- phones at his Austin office. going to talk about it a lot. I don’t cally, when we have tried to do that. Since then, Joyce has become a liv- want it to be the Isakson amendment That doesn’t mean that the discussion ing legend among Texas caseworkers or the Isakson idea. I want it to be our shouldn’t continue, and I appreciate because she simply doesn’t take no for idea, America’s idea. I want to fund it his good work on that. an answer, and she always goes the with Americans’ money, to solve Amer- I want to discuss one Minnesotan, extra mile and more to help someone in ica’s borders and get our immigration Kathleen DeMaster, who has been af- need. Indeed, her work has extended so system solved and get us off of dead fected by this and her family. She many extra miles beyond our State center and talking about nothing and works for the U.S. Department of Agri- boundaries that it is difficult to com- mainly down center lane. culture in Minneapolis. She is cur- prehend. I want to end with what Zell Miller rently furloughed. This is Kathleen and ‘‘To move mountains’’ is a figurative told me. Zell was a Senator at one her daughter. She says: expression, but when I say Joyce has time. He beat me for Governor of Geor- My situation is becoming desperate. . . . I moved battleships, I mean it literally. gia in 1990. In our last debate in that accepted my position with the federal gov- During the Albanian civil war of 1997, Senate race—it was a pretty good race. ernment only a few months ago because it is Joyce got the 6th Fleet to come ashore I had gotten pretty close. In fact, if my a fantastic way for me to better myself and and help rescue nearly 100 Americans grandchildren had been old enough, it my career. I am passionate about public on a beach, including several Texans. would have almost been won by me, if service and have enjoyed my job very much The office of my predecessor, Senator I could embellish the stories a little since I started. While accepting this position Kay Bailey Hutchison, was in commu- improved my situation, I have lived pay- more. check to paycheck. . . . This has not nication with the Texans throughout At the end of the story, we had a changed unfortunately. I am a single mother that scary night in which the Amer- minute each to close our speech. I and a homeowner. And while I am college ican evacuees were huddled at the Port closed my remarks with a 1-minute educated . . . I have struggled to get where I of Durres in Albania, having been sent statement. I thought it was pretty am now. It has never been easy, and unfortu- there by the U.S. embassy. The Alba- good. Zell leaned back, with that nately, this has only made life more dif- nian Task Force at the State Depart- twang of Zell’s and said: You know, la- ficult. My funds are exhausted. At this point ment reported that everyone had been in time, I don’t have the money to pay for dies and gentlemen, if you see a turtle my mortgage or for childcare for my daugh- evacuated, but the Americans still sitting on a fence post on a country ter. The money I will receive for unemploy- trapped there disagreed and started road, there is one thing you know for ment insurance will not cover everything I calling offices in Houston and Austin. sure: He did not get there by himself. need [it to]. Joyce and her team had to give up on I know for sure right now we are Unfortunately this has put me in an unten- the State Department’s part and, in- going nowhere because we are not talk- able situation. Do I risk losing my home or stead, they transferred a cell phone ing about the problem. I know for sure do I risk having my daughter lose her call from that beach in Albania di- daycare and being unable to work when I am that it is time for us to do the simple recalled? rectly to a Pentagon duty officer who thing; that is, to solve it. It is not the In other words, she can maybe lose contacted the Texans and connected hard thing, and that is to think of the daycare because she is at home them with the 6th Fleet. Together, other reasons why we can’t solve it. I, now, but she is not going to be able to they coordinated a Zodiac evacuation for one, will do everything I can do to have the daycare when she goes back in the early morning hours. let the people I am representing here to work, when she can. Joyce was instrumental in organizing know I am doing everything I can to their escape. These are the choices I (and many others, get it open. I don’t care what we have I am sure) are facing right now. There was another occasion, when a done. I am not going to call anybody a This may be a story you have heard before, soldier was wrongfully convicted of name. I am not going to do anything but I felt it needs to be shared until it is counterfeiting in South Korea, after like that. I am not going to claim it for heard by the right ears. copying and printing Korean currency my idea. I hope nobody will steal it and These are this woman’s words—‘‘the in order to test the quality of his new claim it for theirs and cause us prob- right ears.’’ printer. There was no intent and no lems. I am at a loss for what else to do, and I’m evidence of any attempt to distribute Let’s just get to work. There is no terrified for what it means for my daughter fake Korean currency. problem we can’t solve that we don’t and myself. After being convicted and imprisoned want to, and there is no problem we Kathleen is doing everything she can for months, largely abandoned by his can solve if we don’t want to solve it. do to provide for her daughter. She re- command, the Texas office asked the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.018 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S247 Korean Government to take another in their blood now, has been trained di- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. ROM- look at the case, and the conviction rectly, hands-on, by Joyce. It is in NEY). Are there any other Senators in was reversed. The airman returned to their DNA now to go that extra mile the Chamber wishing to vote or to serve with distinction in San Antonio, and to try to get to yes, no matter the change their vote? thanks in part to the amazing case- obstacles, when they are looking out The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 57, work skills of Joyce Sibley. for and fighting for Texans. That is her nays 42, as follows: Likewise, when the earthquake hit legacy—a team inspired by her leader- [Rollcall Vote No. 6 Leg.] Haiti, there were several Texans buried ship. And I know that legacy will en- YEAS—57 in the rubble at one of the local hotels. dure. Baldwin Gillibrand Murray Joyce and others stayed in touch with Joyce starts a new adventure at the Bennet Harris Peters the family members, set up regular end of this month as she begins her Blumenthal Hassan Reed briefings with the State Department, well-earned retirement. My team will Booker Hawley Rosen Boozman Heinrich Rubio and kept the family closely informed be a little bit poorer for having lost Brown Hirono Sasse until all were found and accounted for. her, but the Senate, the people of Cantwell Jones Schatz The Haitian Government even ar- Texas, and thousands of families she Cardin Kaine Schumer rested a group of Texas missionaries Carper Kennedy Shaheen has assisted over the course of nearly Casey King Sinema and charged them with kidnapping for five decades are much richer for having Collins Klobuchar Smith providing relief and housing to or- had her on their team. Coons Leahy Stabenow phaned Haitian children. A few tense Thank you, Joyce, for your work, Cortez Masto Manchin Tester Cotton Markey Udall weeks followed, but they were all freed your passion, your patriotism, and Daines McSally Van Hollen once Joyce helped to turn up the heat. most of all, your shining heart. It has Duckworth Menendez Warner There are too many stories to list been a pleasure, an honor, and a privi- Durbin Merkley Warren about Joyce’s helping families with Feinstein Moran Whitehouse lege to serve the people of Texas along- Gardner Murphy Wyden heartbreaking international adoption side you. God bless. situations in Romania, Russia, Haiti, I yield the floor. NAYS—42 China, Korea, Guatemala, and Ethi- Mr. President, I suggest the absence Alexander Fischer Portman opia. of a quorum. Barrasso Graham Risch Blackburn Grassley Roberts Here is one of my favorite stories. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Blunt Hoeven Romney Last fall, a heart surgeon contacted clerk will call the roll. Braun Hyde-Smith Rounds our office on a Thursday evening. He The senior assistant legislative clerk Burr Inhofe Scott (FL) had been traveling out of the country. Capito Isakson Scott (SC) proceeded to call the roll. Cassidy Johnson Shelby When he was coming back to Houston, Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I ask Cornyn Lankford Sullivan he realized he had lost his passport. He unanimous consent that the order for Cramer Lee Thune was supposed to travel to Houston the quorum call be rescinded. Crapo McConnell Tillis Cruz Murkowski Toomey overnight and go straight to the hos- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Enzi Paul Wicker pital to perform several surgeries. objection, it is so ordered. Ernst Perdue Young Joyce, working with other members of CLOTURE MOTION NOT VOTING—1 our staff, was able to get a government The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant Sanders official to meet his plane to confirm to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the his identity and to get him through Senate the pending cloture motion, The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this customs at 6 a.m. on Friday morning. which the clerk will state. vote, the yeas are 57, the nays are 42. He called me when he was on the way The senior assistant legislative clerk Three-fifths of the Senators duly cho- to the hospital and said that thanks to read as follows: sen and sworn not having voted in the our office, thanks to Joyce, he was able affirmative, the motion is rejected. CLOTURE MOTION to make it there on time to perform Under the previous order, cloture not We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- having been invoked, S.J. Res. 2 is re- lifesaving surgeries. ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the There are quite literally thousands of Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby turned to the calendar. Texans whose lives have been made move to bring to a close debate on S.J. Res. The Chair recognizes the majority better by Joyce’s decision to stay in 2, a joint resolution disapproving the Presi- leader. Texas and to devote her professional dent’s proposal to take an action relating to f time to helping families who needed the application of certain sanctions with re- spect to the Russian Federation. NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR help, often in times of great stress. ABORTION AND ABORTION IN- Dealing with the Federal Government, John Thune, Mike Crapo, Tom Cotton, Todd Young, John Cornyn, Jerry SURANCE FULL DISCLOSURE the often maddening leviathan of Fed- Moran, John Boozman, Deb Fischer, ACT OF 2019—Motion to Proceed eral bureaucracy, Joyce was an expert John Hoeven, Susan M. Collins, Cory Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I at getting that leviathan to move and Gardner, Dan Sullivan, Marco Rubio, helping Texans who were frustrated Richard Burr, John Barrasso, Pat Rob- move to proceed to Calendar No. 11, S. and needed relief. erts, Roger F. Wicker, Thom Tillis, 109. Whether it has been handling an Shelley Moore Capito, Mitch McCon- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The international crisis or ensuring that a nell. clerk will report the motion. veteran gets his or her paycheck, Joyce The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- The senior assistant legislative clerk has been tireless on behalf of Texans in imous consent, the mandatory quorum read as follows: need of help and guidance. The hall- call has been waived. Motion to proceed to the consideration of mark of a great caseworker is knowing The question is, Is it the sense of the S. 109, a bill to prohibit taxpayer funded the system, having great contacts at Senate that debate on S.J. Res 2, a abortions. the multitude of Federal Agencies, and joint resolution disapproving the Presi- CLOTURE MOTION pushing back whenever she heard the dent’s proposal to take an action relat- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I word ‘‘no.’’ Instead, she would ask, ing to the application of certain sanc- send a cloture motion to the desk on isn’t there something else we could do tions with respect to the Russian Fed- the motion to proceed. to help this soldier, to help this vet- eration, shall be brought to a close? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo- eran, to help this Texan? So many The yeas and nays are mandatory ture motion having been presented times, thinking of the ‘‘something else under the rule. under rule XXII, the Chair directs the we can do’’ was exactly what was need- The clerk will call the roll. clerk to read the motion. ed. The assistant bill clerk called the The senior assistant legislative clerk Joyce has been an irreplaceable asset roll. read as follows: to the U.S. Senate and to the people of Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the CLOTURE MOTION Texas. The good news is that everyone Senator from Vermont (Mr. SANDERS) We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- who has worked with her has her spirit is necessarily absent. ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.019 S16JAPT1 S248 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby First, in terms of how the numbers deserve the same protection as NIH pa- move to bring to a close debate on the mo- show it is that illegal crossings are tients and the staff in Bethesda, MD? tion to proceed to Calendar No. 11, S. 109, a climbing, last year, Border Patrol All Americans want a healthy immi- bill to prohibit taxpayer funded abortions. stopped more than one-half million gration system that enforces the law Mitch McConnell, Mike Crapo, Mike and keeps families together. Demo- Rounds, James M. Inhofe, John Bar- people trying to enter the country ille- rasso, David Perdue, John Kennedy, gally—more than 100,000 in October and crats shouldn’t be playing politics with John Thune, Thom Tillis, James E. November alone this past year. That is border security. It is time to work to- Risch, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Pat Roberts, a huge increase from the same 2 gether to secure the border, reopen the John Boozman, James Lankford, Mi- months in 2017. government, and protect the American chael B. Enzi, Roger F. Wicker, John Second, apprehensions don’t account people. Cornyn. for all illegal crossers. The Homeland Thank you. Mr. MCCONNELL. I ask unanimous Security Department estimates that I yield the floor. consent that the mandatory quorum about 20 percent of our crossers enter, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- call be waived. which means about 104,000 illegal im- ator from Massachusetts. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there migrants entered in 2018 alone. GOVERNMENT FUNDING objection? Third, the U.S. illegal immigrant Ms. WARREN. Mr. President, today Without objection, it is so ordered. population right now is massive. Cur- is the 26th day of the longest govern- The Senator from Wyoming. rently, over 12 million illegal immi- ment shutdown in American history. BORDER SECURITY grants reside here, comparable to the Weeks ago, the Senate voted unani- Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, fol- entire population of countries like mously to keep the government open. lowing the September 11, 2001, attacks Chile, the Netherlands, and Syria. The House has now passed multiple bi- on the United States, the National In- Fourth, illegal crime levels are high- partisan bills to end the shutdown, but stitutes of Health, which is the Na- er than expected. The Center for Immi- President Trump refuses to come to tion’s medical research Agency in Be- gration Studies has found that nonciti- the negotiating table, and Leader thesda, MD, needed to secure its cam- zens accounted for more than 20 per- MCCONNELL refuses to let the Senate pus. The NIH’s grounds were always cent of Federal convictions, although vote on these bipartisan bills. As a re- open to the public before that. Any- they represent only 8.4 percent of the sult, over 800,000 people across this body could walk or drive through the population. country have been sent home or are 300-acre campus and could do it freely, Fifth, Presidents Reagan through working without pay. but in its facing heightened threats, of- Obama have acknowledged the crisis. Senate Democrats are here to share ficials planned to restrict public access In 2005, then-Senator Barack Obama the stories of people whose lives are and to build a wall. It was completed in said: ‘‘We simply cannot allow people being upended. I want to thank Sen- 2005. The wall, with the black metal pe- to pour into the United States unde- ator MURRAY for organizing these rimeter fence with guarded check- tected, undocumented, unchecked.’’ In speeches and Leader SCHUMER for lead- points, became the centerpiece of NIH’s 2014, President Obama described the ing our efforts to reopen the govern- new perimeter security system. Signs border situation as a crisis, but he ment. were posted that said ‘‘No Tres- failed to fix it. I am speaking today on behalf of 8,200 passing.’’ Even President Obama’s last Border Federal workers in Massachusetts who On its website, NIH states that the Patrol Chief, Mark Morgan, supports have been affected, including TSA purpose of this border barrier is ‘‘to en- President Trump. He was actually on workers at Logan airport, servicemem- sure the safety of our patients, employ- television just today. Trump didn’t bers, air traffic controllers, healthcare ees, guests and facilities.’’ keep him in the job, but Morgan says providers, and staff at our national NIH wasn’t alone in building a bar- that building the wall is key to solving parks. rier after the attacks in 2001. Across the security crisis, and the President Janelle, one of my constituents, the street, the National Naval Medical should, as he says, ‘‘stay the course.’’ works at Native American Lifelines of Center, now known as Walter Reed Na- Still, Democrats refuse to negotiate Boston, an urban Indian health pro- tional Military Medical Center, also with this President, so we can’t reopen gram. This program does crucial work walled off its 243-acre campus. These those Federal Agencies that have been helping to meet the health, dental, and walls have worked. Both NIH and Wal- closed for more than 3 weeks. behavioral health needs for Native peo- ter Reed remain safe and secure. Here is the Homeland Security De- ple in the Boston metropolitan area. It Now we need to deal with a security partment’s latest assessment of the is a contract site with the Indian crisis at our southern border. President southern border situation. They say Health Service, an Agency whose fund- Trump has requested $5.7 billion—it is that each month, 60,000 illegal immi- ing has been cut off by the shutdown. about one one-thousandth of the Fed- grants reach the border. Drug smug- Janelle loves her job, and she cares eral spending. The President wants to gling spiked in 2018, with a 38-percent deeply about the people she serves. She build more physical barriers—a proven increase in methamphetamine, a 22- doesn’t want them to go hungry. She border security solution. Thirty per- percent increase in heroin, and a 73- doesn’t want them to miss their ap- cent of the border already has a secure percent increase in fentanyl. We also pointments. She doesn’t want them to barrier. saw a huge surge in arrests of dan- be unable to fill their prescriptions, Congressional leaders from both par- gerous criminals, including 17,000 but she worries about what will happen ties have supported a border wall in the adults with criminal records and 6,000 if the government doesn’t open up past. In 2006, Senate Democrats, in- MS–13 and other gang members. soon. A prolonged shutdown would be a cluding then-Senator Barack Obama, In 2018, 60,000 unaccompanied chil- major hardship for Janelle, but it could Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Joe dren and 161,000 families reached the mean a health emergency, even life or Biden, and Senator CHUCK SCHUMER border—a dramatic increase from 2017. death, for her clients. voted to construct a physical barrier Many were victimized on their journey. Don, another constituent, is helping on our southern border. But Democrat Border Patrol areas that have en- Coast Guard families in Massachusetts leaders now refuse to back the Presi- hanced or expanded physical barriers make ends meet. His organization, the dent’s border security effort, pro- have actually seen a dramatic decrease Massachusetts Military Support Foun- longing the partial government shut- in illegal traffic. That is why the Presi- dation, has distributed over 5,200 down that is going on today. dent has requested additional funds to pounds of food since the start of the Meanwhile, the Democrats and media construct more barriers. shutdown. He knows that if the shut- fact-checkers are out in force to attack The facts are the facts. We have a na- down continues, he will have to start President Trump. They insist there is tional security and humanitarian crisis draining his organization’s budget, and no border crisis. The facts are that this at the southern border. The problem is that could mean he will not be able to January 10 Investor’s Business Daily the rise in illegal entries. We need to help military families afford food sup- editorial says: ‘‘Yes, There Is A Crisis solve it. Walls work. plies come September. At The Border—The Numbers Show The question is this: Do U.S. citizens Janelle’s and Don’s stories are just It.’’ living in at-risk border communities two examples of how President Trump

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:40 Jan 19, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD19\JANUARY\S16JA9.REC S16JA9 abonner on DSKBCJ7HB2PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S249 is holding Massachusetts families hos- The legislative clerk proceeded to of lower taxes in their paychecks. Of tage while he demands a border wall. call the roll. course, whether a taxpayer had less or Let’s be perfectly clear about what Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask more withheld from their paycheck is the President is doing. The shutdown is unanimous consent that the order for not the final word on whether one re- not about border security. It is not the quorum call be rescinded. ceived a tax cut. about protecting anyone. It doesn’t The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Also, due to changes in withholding, make us any safer that President objection, it is so ordered. a smaller or larger refund than usual Trump has padlocked the doors at the TAXES may not tell the whole story. I encour- Department of Homeland Security or Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, tax age taxpayers to compare their 2019 tax that he is asking our Coast Guard, our filing season is just around the corner. return with that of the previous year FBI agents, our airport security, and This has never been anyone’s favorite to see the difference. At the end of the even our Border Patrol agents to work time of the year, paying taxes, but the day, the vast majority of taxpayers without pay. uncertainty created by the current par- will see that less of their hard-earned No, this shutdown is a manufactured tial government shutdown has under- money is going to the government. crisis that the President is using to fan standably created a bit more angst A chief priority for the new with- the flames of racism and bigotry—all than in a usual tax filing season. holding tables was, of course, accuracy. so he can distract the American people The Treasury Department and IRS Extensive analysis was done to help from demanding a government that have been proactive in taking steps to taxpayers get the right amount with- works for them. minimize the burden of the shutdown held from their paycheck—not too This isn’t a new playbook. It is one on taxpayers. They recently announced much, not too little. However, as we all the Republicans and the President have that tax season will start as planned, know, no withholding table will ever be been using for years. Over and over on January 28. The IRS has confirmed perfect. Every taxpayer may be af- again, they try to pit White working that taxpayers can expect refunds to be fected a little differently under the people against Black and Brown people, sent out as usual should this shutdown new law based on their personal cir- gay people against straight people, drag on. Of course, this is the right cumstances. The IRS continues to con- young people against older people, peo- conclusion, legally, and the right call sider whether future improvements to the withholding structure may be nec- ple born in the United States against for the taxpayers, as I had an oppor- essary, which I support and will be people who came here in search of a tunity to tell IRS Commissioner Rettig monitoring as chairman of the Finance better life—pit them all against each when we spoke recently. Committee. other so they don’t band together, so Congress has explicitly provided for a The IRS has also embarked on an ex- permanent appropriation for the IRS to they don’t demand real change. tensive campaign to alert taxpayers to Here is the deal: The American peo- pay tax refunds. This makes common check and update their withholding. ple are onto this twisted strategy. sense. A tax refund represents the tax- This included establishing an online They know that this government payer’s money—not Congress’s, not the withholding calculator to help tax- works just great for the rich and the government’s but the taxpayers’—de- payers determine what, if any, adjust- powerful but not for everyone else. spite what some people in Congress ments to their withholding may be nec- Across this country, people are in- seem to think; that this money belongs essary. sisting on a government that is not to the government. It should be re- That said, there are still going to be just open for business but a govern- turned then in a timely fashion and, some taxpayers who may discover that ment that actually works for them—a thank God for their decision, that is they were underwithheld due to government that expands healthcare going to be the case. changes in the law and owe taxes at coverage instead of ripping it away With around 75 percent of individuals the end of the year. A subset of these from grandparents and newborns, a receiving a tax refund on an annual taxpayers could be subject to a penalty government that tackles the sky- basis, many have come to look to their for underpayment. rocketing cost of prescription drugs in- refund to make important purchases, The ranking member of the Finance stead of selling out to giant drug com- whether that is to replace an old water Committee, Senator WYDEN, raised this panies that put profits ahead of pa- heater, make a downpayment on a reli- concern in a letter to Commissioner tients, a government that ends the able vehicle to get them to work, or Rettig on January 3, requesting that stranglehold that money has on Wash- just to make ends meet generally. It penalty relief be granted. I generally ington instead of stacking the govern- would be wrong for the government to agree with the ranking member and ment with public officials who are impose undue financial strains on fam- have encouraged the IRS to be lenient more interested in lining their own ilies across the country because Con- on penalties, especially with this first pockets than serving the public. I could gress and the President can’t get their time through a filing season under the go on and on with this list. act together. new tax law. If a taxpayer has under- I came to the U.S. Senate 6 years ago As we continue to work through our withheld as a result of the changes in to fight for working families and to differences, the least we can do is re- the law, and not through the fault of tackle these problems head-on, to end a turn to taxpayers their own money. their own, the IRS should consider rigged system that created two sets of This tax season, of course, is a little what actions the Agency can take to rules—one that applies to the rich and different, not only because of the shut- provide penalty relief, but the issue of the powerful and one for everybody down but also because it is the first tax underwithholding due to the passage of else. filing season under the tax reforms and tax reform should not be exaggerated. Republicans are trying to divide tax cuts enacted in the Tax Cuts and Yes, as the ranking member claims in Americans in order to stop us from get- Jobs Act. A lot of work has gone on to his letter to the Commissioner, it is es- ting to work ending this rigged system, get us here. Treasury and the IRS have timated that as many as 30 million tax- but we are onto their game. The Presi- been working diligently and swiftly to payers may have had taxes underwith- dent and Republicans must end this ensure taxpayers have the information held from their paychecks, but what shutdown now so that hundreds of they need. In a little over a year, they hasn’t been said is that 30 million is ac- thousands of Federal workers can get have put out 16 proposed regulations, 2 tually only about a 3-percentage point their paychecks and get back to work. final regulations, 45 notices, 21 revenue increase from how many taxpayers If they don’t, hard-working people like procedures, and updated countless would be underwithheld under the old Janelle, Don, and thousands more forms, publications, and other guid- law. across Massachusetts will continue ance—all of this geared toward imple- Moreover, just because a taxpayer paying the price. menting the law and addressing tax- was underwithheld during the year Thank you. payer questions. does not automatically mean they will I yield the floor. Right out of the gate, Treasury and be subject to a penalty tax. Safe har- I suggest the absence of a quorum. IRS went to work updating the annual bors have long been in place to protect The PRESIDING OFFICER. The withholding tables so taxpayers could taxpayers whose withholding is slight- clerk will call the roll. immediately begin seeing the benefits ly off from being penalized.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.028 S16JAPT1 S250 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 It is quite possible that some issues less money is going to come in. But of course, going after the President’s will arise this filing season that we did you see, in the 1950s top rate was 90 tax returns. not anticipate and will need to be fixed percent. Can you imagine Americans I want to put my Democratic col- as we go forward. We already identified being dumb enough to work hard to leagues on notice that I have no inten- a number of those issues, which I am only keep 10 percent of their income? tion of undoing structural changes im- hoping my Democratic colleagues will No. What you do is you change people’s plemented as part of the tax reform. allow us to fix to further help as many behavior. They decide, I am going to This would include the lower tax rates more constituents as possible. work only so much. Why should I work and family benefits, such as the in- That doesn’t detract from the fact harder and give more money to the creased child tax credit and standard that we have delivered real tax relief to Federal Government? You see, higher deductions. middle-income families, small business tax rates don’t do what a lot of people I am also not interested in elimi- owners, and the family farmer, nor want you to believe they are going to nating the cap on the deductibility of does it undermine the fact that we do. State and local taxes, backtracking on modernized our outdated international I would like to give a little history our move toward a more territorial tax tax system and improved America’s on this, because you kind of think that system, or raising tax rates on pass- business competitiveness in the global if we have lower marginal tax rates, through business owners and farmers economy. Of course, that is going to and Republicans are the ones who want or corporations, all of which provide benefit the American worker. lower tax rates, that you would give critical jobs and contribute to eco- These efforts have contributed to a Republicans a lot of credit for reducing nomic growth across the Nation. strong and growing economy. The un- these marginal tax rates. I can remem- For the first time in probably about employment rate is at a half century ber the work of Senator Bill Bradley of 30 years, our businesses are competi- low. Wages are rising at the fastest New Jersey—probably at least a mod- tive with the rest of the world. When rate in nearly a decade. Workers, em- erate Democrat. He was probably as re- we have a 35-percent tax rate—as we ployers, and small business owners are sponsible as anybody in the 1980s for did for decades—on corporations, and the world average is about 23 percent, all more optimistic than ever. reducing these marginal tax rates, be- how can we expect American corpora- Unfortunately, I hear increasing calls cause Republicans didn’t have guts tions to compete? We are now at 21 per- from the new House majority pledging enough to do it, and we might not be cent. It wasn’t long after we went to 21 to erase the progress made with the tax where we are right now. So it is not that we read about China maybe feel- cuts and reforms that we enacted 13 just Republican thinking that got ing they were uncompetitive and were months ago. At least one new Demo- these marginal tax rates down. It is going to have to lower their tax rates. cratic Member has suggested bringing not just Republican thinking that has Other countries are thinking about back top tax rates as high as 70 percent kept this red line where it has been for doing it as well. Just like with the to pay for a wish list of far-left, Big 60 years, at approximately 16 to 20 per- Government programs. Such a confis- Reagan tax cuts of the 1980s, the cent of gross national product—the United States is plowing ahead, setting catory tax rate targeted at a relatively amount of the economy that is coming small number of wealthy taxpayers a standard for the rest of the world. into the Federal Government. Lower tax rates, with businesses and would barely make a dent in the cost of I hope the talk of such confiscatory individuals making decisions on where programs they wish to implement. taxation truly is a talk of a few rogue they earn their money, how much they Policymakers across the globe aban- Members and not representative of are going to spend, and how much they doned such punitive tax rates over the things to come. I wish to think there are going to save, is a heck of a lot bet- past several decades for their negative will be opportunities for us to work to- ter than 535 Members of Congress mak- effect on economic growth, investment, gether in a bipartisan way. ing that decision. When we make deci- and incentives to work. While tax rates I am firmly in the camp that the tax sions about stuff like this, they are po- at 70 percent or higher may have been reform and tax cuts enacted by the last litical decisions. When most of the in- fairly common in the 1960s, today, not Congress represent important revisions dividual taxpayers and the corpora- a single OECD country boasts such to our tax laws, but I also understand tions of America make decisions, it is high rates. How soon people forget that no major piece of legislation is en- strictly economic and does much more about the prolonged economic stagna- tirely perfect. To the extent there is le- economic good. tion and high unemployment of the gitimate interest in improving tax Another one that I don’t want to 1970s when we last had tax rates as laws, as chairman of the Finance Com- mess with is efforts to weaponize the high as 70 percent. mittee, I am going to be all ears. authority of tax-writing committees to I am going to detract here to show a When it comes to making modifica- access tax returns for political pur- chart. How soon we forget that just tions to tax reform, our first order of poses. Such an action would be unprec- raising tax rates doesn’t automatically business should be focused on exam- edented. bring in more money. For the benefit ining how the law affects individuals, I am optimistic that we can continue of my colleagues and for the benefit of families, and the businesses in our to make progress helping Americans the public watching on C–SPAN, I States that provide the jobs and bene- improve their lives by keeping more of should have had this blown up. I doubt fits they rely on. When necessary, we their hard-earned wages, taking the it is going to do much good for me to should work together to take action chance of starting a new business or just hold up a small sheet of paper. and ensure that the law is fulfilling its continuing to expand an existing one— This goes back to the year 1955, end- potential. A key part of this discussion in short, building an opportunity econ- ing in 2017. The blue line shows the should be enacting technical correc- omy. I invite my colleagues to join me. marginal tax rates over a period of tions to the tax law—revisions to en- I yield the floor. about 60 years. You can see high tax sure that the bill does what Members The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- rates in the 1960s, going down, up, gen- thought it did when they voted on it. ator from Washington. erally down, generally down, staying Some of these are related to just poor GOVERNMENT FUNDING pretty low in recent years. You can see drafting, honest mistakes that were Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I that the red line is the amount of made. come to the floor to join my colleagues money that comes in from taxes, I also hope that there will be plenty who were speaking earlier today about whether you have high tax rates or low of opportunity to work on a bipartisan the many U.S. citizens who are Federal tax rates, which kind of tells me that basis on tax issues involving every- employees who are impacted by the the taxpayers are a lot smarter than thing from education, to renewable and shutdown. Coast Guard PO2 Amy-Erin the Congress of the United States be- alternative energy, to consumer-di- Hamilton, stationed in Seattle, WA, is cause when you talk about high mar- rected healthcare options. one of those individuals. She is the ginal tax rates, they want you to be- However, I fear opportunities to work mother of three children: Sienna, age lieve more money is going to come in. together could be put at risk should 10; Tucker, age 9; and Annabella, age 5. They are probably going to take the my colleagues become fixated on tear- Amy-Erin is married to Dan Hamilton, position that if you lower tax rates, ing apart tax reform, hiking taxes, and, who is also an Active-Duty member.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.035 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S251 Amy-Erin is a shining example of the merous Active-Duty-serving Coast Let us reopen the government. Let us service and leadership we see in our Guard men and women. Not only are meet our obligation. Let us do our job, Coast Guard today. In December, she we proud of them, but we are deeply and the man down the street on Penn- was given a meritorious advancement, mindful of the debt we owe them. It is sylvania Avenue in the White House which is rare and an incredible honor. a debt that is immeasurable in dollars ought to be doing his job too. Despite this, though, she is working and cents. It is a debt we owe them for In the meantime, let’s help them without pay and has had to seek out- the safety and security they provide meet their bills and save them from side income to support that family I this country and the blood they have debts much as we do servicemembers just mentioned. shed in defense of the country. with their relief fund; another legisla- This is the 26th day of a Federal Gov- Failing to pay them is a moral fail- tive measure I will be advocating and ernment shutdown. Yesterday, 55,000 ure, and that is why I am proud to be advancing. We owe it to them. We owe Coast Guard personnel did not receive joining the Senator from Washington it to the country. their midmonth paychecks. The Coast as well as Senator THUNE in a measure I yield the floor. Guard Commandant issued a letter to to provide payment for the Coast The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the workforce explaining what was Guard, and I hope we will meet this ob- ator from Iowa. happening, explaining that this is the ligation as soon as possible. MARCH FOR LIFE first time that a branch of our military We also have an obligation to other Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I am has not been paid during a government Federal workers because they are suf- pleased to be joined on the floor by shutdown. fering and sacrificing during this shut- Senator BLUNT, Senator WICKER, and There are 41,000 Active-Duty mem- down, now 26 days long. Senator FISCHER to speak about the bers, 6,200 Reservist members, 8,500 ci- One of them, among the workers I importance of protecting and cele- vilians, and 50,500 Coast Guard retirees. met just last Monday, is Adrian Pellot. brating life. That is the U.S. Coast Guard family. He served in the Air Force. He has This Friday, Americans from every Thirty-one percent of the Coast Guard worked as a behavior detection officer State in our Nation, from our tiny families do not have enough emergency for more than a decade. He is also one rural towns to our bustling urban cit- savings to make it through the shut- of the TSA workers at Bradley not re- ies, will gather in our Nation’s Capital down. A junior enlisted Coast Guard ceiving pay. to participate in the 46th annual March member with less than 2 years of serv- He said to me: for Life. ice makes only $23,200 a year in base We have no income right now. We are Each year, I am amazed and inspired pay. That is below the poverty level. bleeding money. Just day-to-day things. by the immeasurable strength, compas- Coast Guard members are currently Food. I still have to pay the bills. The elec- sion, and support demonstrated by the being deployed overseas—they could be tric company, the cell phone company—they pro-life community, as hundreds of in a combat zone—and these members don’t care. They are brutal. To feel like we are poker chips or leverage is very, very in- thousands of its members come to are not receiving pay. Washington, DC, and tirelessly work to I hope our colleagues will take into furiating. We are people—we have lives—not protect the most vulnerable in our so- consideration this issue with our Coast just a number to throw around. I want the government to reopen. ciety—the unborn. Guard families. They are working hard As members of the Senate Values Ac- to provide great care for us throughout Nothing I say here expresses more eloquently and powerfully the obliga- tion Team, throughout the year, we are our country and overseas. When I think blessed with the opportunity to work about the fact that a Coast Guard tion we are failing to meet. I will be proposing legislation to pro- with and hear from so many who are member could be deployed overseas in vide workers like Adrian unemploy- committed to protecting human life at an area that has seen combat, an un- ment benefit compensation. States like all stages. stable region of the world, and that I thank my colleagues for sharing they are not even receiving the Connecticut now must seek approval this message of life today, and at this childcare subsidy and support to make from the Department of Labor of the time I would like to yield to the Sen- sure their families are taken care of United States to provide unemploy- ment compensation for workers who ator from Missouri. while they are gone taking care of us, Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I want to that is just wrong. are on the job but unpaid. thank Senator ERNST for yielding and So I come here to join my colleagues The workers who are furloughed and for her leadership in these issues. who were here earlier today on the unpaid can receive that compensation. All of us here today are here at a floor giving examples of Americans The folks showing up to work, keeping time when thousands of people from throughout the United States who are us safe in the skies, assuring that our around the country, including hun- working hard for us. It is time we work security is met at the TSA lines, are dreds from Missouri, will be here to to get them their paycheck and con- unpaid, and they are uncompensated participate in the annual March for tinue to support them so they can sup- out of the State workers’ compensation port us. system, and they should be. Life. They see it, as we do, that an un- I know my colleague from Con- That is why I will propose legislation born child is not a potential person, necticut is here and would like to for fundamental fairness and necessary but it is a person with potential, a speak as well, and I thank him for al- benefits for workers like Adrian and whole living, distinct human being. lowing me to fit in this time to talk on his partner, Sarah Small, who has been Polling reflects that the American behalf of the Coast Guard families. a TSA officer for over 11 years. She people understand that in a significant I hope the Commandant’s letter can currently works part time at Bradley way. It is not a celebration but a pow- now be seen as an example of why we as a TSA officer, and she is in nursing erful reminder that we value life as need to act. We need to act to give school. people come here this time of year. these Coast Guard families their pay She said to me: ‘‘It’s more nerve- More Americans are coming all the and to make sure we are addressing the racking because of the fact that if this time to support life. We just had a shutdown and reopening government. shutdown lasts any longer, one of us is meeting with someone who was going The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. going to have to find something.’’ through the recent Knights of Colum- PERDUE). The Senator from Con- They are just two examples of thou- bus and Marist poll. Three in four necticut. sands across the country. My col- Americans say abortion should be lim- Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I leagues, every one of you has an Adrian ited to, at most, the first 3 months of am honored to follow the Senator, our Pellot or a Sarah Small or a Coast pregnancy. These numbers continue to neighbor from across the country. We Guard service man and woman or move in the direction of understanding share a common interest and commit- someone like them who are working that life begins at conception, and ment to one of the great military serv- without unemployment compensation, more and more people believe that life ices in this country, the U.S. Coast having to pay bills, mortgages, put deserves to be protected just like any Guard. food on the table. They are unable to life would. Connecticut is proud to be the home do it because the government is shut A majority of Americans oppose of the Coast Guard Academy and nu- down. using taxpayer dollars to pay for any

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.037 S16JAPT1 S252 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 abortion at any time. Seventy-five per- clients for abortions. None of that coming around to our way. Even if cent of Americans oppose using tax- money was ever to be used for those some people consider themselves to be payer dollars to fund abortion over- purposes, but it is pretty hard when pro-choice, when you delve down into seas. This includes 64 percent of self- you are in the same facility, funded by the figures and ask them the questions, identified, pro-choice Democrats who the same overall group, not to suggest it turns out they are not quite so pro- say they are not for spending taxpayer there is some connection. abortion as we might think. dollars to fund abortions overseas. President Trump and his administra- When we ask the question that the Fifty-six percent of Democrats and 80 tion have said that would not be al- No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion bill percent of Independents comprise that lowed. They have passed regulations to goes to centrally—Do you support tax- as well as, as I said before, 64 percent of further protect the right of conscience. payer funding for abortion?—the polls pro-choice individuals collectively say In a famous letter written in the last show that 24 percent oppose and 30 per- they are not for that. year of his Presidency, President Jef- cent strongly oppose. A majority, or 54 Preventing taxpayer funding for ferson said that the right of con- percent of Americans—some of whom abortion has been longstanding law and science—the right to fervently believe would actually check the box and say has had a bipartisan consensus until what you believe is the right thing— they are pro-choice—say no, we just recently. Now, this is an impor- should be the right we hold the most shouldn’t go so far as to provide tax- tant issue that the country disagrees dear, and the President is trying to be payer funding for abortions. That is on, but the one thing we reached agree- sure that applies in every possible case what this legislation, which tomorrow ment on is, those people who think to Federal law as well. afternoon will be considered on the there is nothing wrong with abortion They also voted to separate payment floor of the Senate, would do. shouldn’t force the tax dollars of peo- requirements from abortion coverage When asked another question: Should ple who believe it is the most fun- in ObamaCare and have really contin- abortions be banned after 20 weeks, damentally wrong thing you can do to ued to do exactly what the President with the exception of risking the life of be used for abortion. said he would do in these areas. the mother? And 59 percent of Ameri- So the Hyde amendment prevents I know we all also want to encourage cans say yes, they strongly support taxpayer funding of abortions or abor- those who are participating in the that or support banning abortions after tion coverage in various Federal March for Life on Friday. Every human the 20th week. healthcare programs, including Med- life matters. The advocacy of people So I would say that the March for icaid and Medicare and the Children’s who come here year after year or per- Life is working, year after year, step haps are coming for the very first time Health Insurance Program. All of those after step, and I hope we get a good makes a difference. programs are, in effect, walled off from vote on the floor of the Senate tomor- So for the efforts of the thousands row. Federal support if abortion is involved. who defy the weather—and the anni- A bill I initially passed as chairman Do I think this is going to sail versary of the decision just happens to of the Labor, Health and Human Serv- through the House of Representatives be in what almost always turns out to ices Appropriations Committee, re- and be sent by NANCY PELOSI’s House be the worst weather we have in Wash- newed again this year the Hyde amend- to the President for signature? Prob- ington during the year, but that ably not, but we make the case. We ment, as it has been renewed every doesn’t seem to deter those who are warmly welcome these marchers for year since 1976 and signed into law in marching here or those who are speak- every year since 1976 by Republicans ing to those who come here to defy the life each and every year, and we appre- and Democrats in the White House. weather and to March for Life. ciate what they have done to move the Recent calls to appeal the amend- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- needle of public opinion and to protect ment, however, in the Democratic ator from Mississippi. those innocent people who have no way Party platform and from a number of Mr. WICKER. On the Senator from of protecting themselves. my friends on the other side of the Iowa’s time, let me join her and the I see that we are joined by my distin- aisle, are just simply out of touch with Senator from Missouri, and I associate guished colleague, the senior Senator where a majority of Americans are and myself with their remarks and their from Nebraska, and perhaps she might where 100 percent of the people coming support, not only for the March for have some remarks to say. here for the March for Life are. Life, which will occur on Friday, but I will yield the floor at this point. Instead, far from being repealed, the also for the No Taxpayer Funding for The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Hyde amendment, in my view, needs to Abortion Act, which I am proud to be ator from Nebraska. be made permanent, and it needs to be the principal cosponsor of and which Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise applied across the entire Federal will, we hope, have a vote on the Sen- today in support of the thousands of spending spectrum, as it was initially ate floor by tomorrow afternoon. people who will travel to our Nation’s anticipated. I am proud to be an origi- I was a pretty young staffer for then- Capital this week to join us in the nal cosponsor of the No Taxpayer Congressman Trent Lott in 1981 when I March for Life. Marching proudly Funding for Abortion Act, which would first became aware that there was such among them will be many, many Ne- do just exactly that. a thing as the March for Life. I can as- braskans—families, neighbors, student I also want to take a moment to rec- sure you that it will be much more organizations, and church groups. They ognize the efforts of what has become massive this year then it was back in are going to brave the snow and freez- one of the most pro-life administra- those early days when Americans were ing temperatures to march along the tions in our Nation’s history. struggling with what Roe v. Wade National Mall as part of a peaceful One of the first Executive orders meant and when they weren’t quite so rally that draws attention to pro-life President Trump signed was to rein- sure about what the science was about and pro-women policies. state and expand the Mexico City pol- this practice of abortion. Since I first started my career in icy. In fact, he wanted to expand it to As each year passes, as more and public service, I have supported com- the point that he even wanted to more parents see that sonogram, as monsense pro-life measures that pro- retitle it to the Protecting Life in more and more grandparents—and I am tect women and unborn children. All Global Health Assistance policy. The a grandparent to six now; I am buddy too often, women are faced with un- policy prevents Federal tax dollars to six beautiful grandchildren—see the planned pregnancies, and they experi- from funding foreign NGOs—foreign sonograms early on and we see the feet ence condemnation instead of compas- nongovernmental organizations—that and we see the heartbeat and we see sion. These women shoulder despair, perform or promote abortion. the faces of these children, we realize pain, and judgment when they should I also want to call attention to the as Americans—and more and more receive comfort, assistance, and reas- efforts the administration has taken Americans are coming to the realiza- surance. These mothers should always proposing regulations that would first tion—that this is a living human that know that they have support as they of all prevent title X family planning deserves protection. face challenging years ahead. grantees from colocating with abortion Senator BLUNT was accurate in say- In the Senate, I am proud to pledge clinics or from promoting or referring ing we have good polling. Polling is my support for several pro-life bills.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.030 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S253 This afternoon, I would like to high- world. . . . then really you will be true to a training for fighting fires canceled. light a few of them. what the founders of this country stood for. We have prescribed burns that need to Once again, I am cosponsoring the So to all of the Nebraskans and to all be done during the winter that are Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Americans who will gather here in being canceled. We have thinning, Act. This legislation would prohibit Washington for the March for Life, which makes the forest more fire-resil- abortions after 20 weeks unless it is please know that I support your every ient, that is being canceled. We have necessary to save the life of the mother step. the reduction of fuels on the forest or the pregnancy is a result of rape or Thank you, Mr. President. floor that add to the intensity of incest. Twenty weeks, as advances in I yield the floor. fires—the removal of those—being can- science and medical technology tell us, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The celed. These just add more to the list of is the point at which an unborn child is Sentor from Iowa. so many ways that folks are being af- capable of feeling pain. (The remarks of Ms. ERNST per- fected across the country. When I served in the Nebraska Legis- taining to the submission of S. 141 are I am going to share this letter with lature, we passed the first ban on abor- printed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Sub- the Presiding Officer and our col- tions after 20 weeks. Republicans and mitted Resolutions.’’) leagues. It says: Ms. ERNST. I suggest the absence of Democrats, pro-choice and pro-life Sen- Dear Senator McConnell: ators, voted in its favor because it is a quorum. We write as Members of the Freshman sound policy. We should enact this The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Class of the 116th Congress, an historic group commonsense legislation at the Fed- clerk will call the roll. that has the distinction of being the first eral level as well. The senior assistant legislative clerk Congress to be seated in the midst of a par- I am also a cosponsor of the Protect proceeded to call the roll. tial government shutdown. Funding for Women’s Health Care Act. Mr. SASSE. Mr. President, I ask We as a legislative branch have the power This bill would prevent the Federal unanimous consent that the order for to end this shutdown now. In December, the Senate unanimously passed legislation that funding of Planned Parenthood or any the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without would have kept the government open. In of its affiliates. In 2016, Planned Par- January, the House then passed those same enthood received nearly $544 million objection, it is so ordered. Mr. SASSE. Mr. President, I am bipartisan bills and sent them to the Senate. from the Federal Government. I believe If the Senate were to pass these bills, we that Congress must redirect this fund- going to speak again shortly from the would be able to reopen the government and ing to where it belongs, and that is to floor, but, very briefly, I want to asso- then proceed to debate about immigration our community health centers. ciate myself with the comments of my reform and border security. In Nebraska we have seven commu- senior Senator, DEB FISCHER from Ne- However, it is impossible to have a mean- nity health centers, with 44 clinic sites braska, who just spoke and welcomed ingful policy discussion while the executive holds public servants hostage. We respect- all across our State. I have had the op- Nebraska’s pro-life students to the Capitol over the next 3 days. It is won- fully request that you allow the Congress to portunity to visit these sites, and I work its will and allow a vote on this bipar- have seen firsthand the high-quality, derful to be associated with a move- tisan legislation to end this shutdown so compassionate care they provide to ment that is fundamentally about love that we can end this manufactured crisis and women in need. Our patients in Ne- and is about the dignity of every baby. allow our devoted federal workers to get braska would be better served if this So I join my senior Senator in wel- back to work for the American people. Federal funding were directed toward coming Nebraska’s pro-life students to Sincerely Susie Lee, Member of Congress; these centers and also these clinics, the Capitol and to Washington, DC, for Abby Finkenauer, Member of Congress; which serve all Nebraskans—all Ne- the March for Life on Friday. Mikie Sherrill, Member of Congress; Mike I thank the President. Levin; Jahana Hayes; Lori Trahan; Katie braskans everywhere in our State—not Hill; Ayanna Pressley; David Trone; Ed Case; Planned Parenthood. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Gill Cisneros; Rashida Tlaib; Kendra Horn; The Protect Funding for Women’s Angie Craig; Joe Cunningham; Chris Pappas; Health Care Act is another common- clerk will call the roll. Andy Levin; Susan Wild; Sylvia Garcia; sense solution that will protect life and The senior assistant legislative clerk Katie Porter; Debbie Mucarsel-Powell; Ilhan help provide comprehensive healthcare proceeded to call the roll. Omar; Madeline Dean; Haley Stevens; Greg for women. Finally, I will once again Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I ask Stanton; Josh Harder; Lucy McBath; Abigail support the No Taxpayer Funding for unanimous consent that the order for Spanberger; Chrissy Houlahan; Donna Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full the quorum call be rescinded. Shalala; Lauren Underwood; Alexandria The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. COT- Ocasio-Cortez; Veronica Escobar; TJ Cox, Disclosure Act, introduced by the sen- Dean Phillips; Jahana Hayes; and then a few ior Senator from Mississippi. Since the TON). Without objection, it is so or- dered. more people who have added their names in 1970s, the Hyde amendment has prohib- script that I may not be able to read accu- GOVERNMENT FUNDING ited Federal funds for abortions, but it rately. Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I was requires a yearly passage through Con- In total, there are an estimated 46 gress. This measure would permanently just over in the Russell Senate Office Building, and a group of freshmen from signatures on this letter addressed to establish in statute the protections of Senate Majority Leader MITCH MCCON- the Hyde amendment. These are a few the House intercepted me and handed me this piece of paper, this document, NELL. of the important pro-life policies that I Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- and asked that it be made part of the am working on in the Senate. sent that the letter be printed in the Again, I want to welcome all of the RECORD of the Senate, and I have come RECORD. to do that. Nebraskans who are traveling over There being no objection, the mate- 1,000 miles to take part in the March Let me explain that these freshmen House Members want to see the Senate rial was ordered to be printed in the for Life. It is great to see the pro-life RECORD, as follows: movement building such momentum. engaged in debate on how to end this CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, More and more young people are join- shutdown of our government. They see in their home districts across this Washington, DC, January 16, 2019. ing the cause and standing tall for this Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL, timeless value, and I want to thank country tremendous damage occurring Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, each and every one of them for their in all kinds of fashions—damage to se- Washington, DC. courage and for taking a stand for curity; damage to the economy; dam- DEAR SENATOR MCCONNELL: We write as what they believe in and for what age to families trying to get a home Members of the Freshman Class of the 116th science tells us. mortgage, and they can’t get their Congress, an historic group that has the dis- They march not with anger or con- FHA approval; damage to farmers who tinction of being the first Congress to be demnation, but with love and hope. are seeking that loan that is necessary seated in the midst of a partial government shutdown. They will be living out the direction of to prepare for the next farming season; We as the legislative branch have the Mother Teresa, when at the 1994 Na- damage in the preparation for next power to end this shutdown now. In Decem- tional Prayer Breakfast she said: summer’s forest fires. ber, the Senate unanimously passed legisla- A sign of care for the weakest of the I have been hearing about this from tion that would have kept the government weak—the unborn child—must go out to the my home State. In Oregon, we just had open. In January, the House then passed

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:05 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.031 S16JAPT1 S254 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 those same bipartisan bills and sent them to nation of William Barr to be Attorney phone and email records of enormous the Senate. If the Senate were to pass these General. numbers of innocent, law-abiding bills, we would be able to re-open the govern- Today, I want to make clear that I Americans. All of this occurred in se- ment and then proceed to a debate about im- will be opposed to this nomination for cret, without warrants or any judicial migration reform and border security. However, it is impossible to have a mean- several reasons. I am just going to out- oversight at all, and almost no one—no ingful policy discussion while the executive line some of my key concerns that one in the Congress, nor even most holds public servants hostage. We respect- really haven’t been addressed much members of the Intelligence Com- fully request that you allow the Congress to over the last few weeks. mittee—knew anything about it. work its will and allow a vote on this bipar- I am specifically concerned about his The secrecy didn’t even end when the tisan legislation to end the shutdown so that view that the President of the United bulk phone and email record programs we can end this manufactured crisis and States is effectively royalty, in his allow our devoted federal workers to get were moved under the Foreign Intel- book, and he seems to believe that the ligence Surveillance Act. The Obama back to work for the American people. President is unaccountable to the laws Sincerely, administration, just like the Bush ad- Susie Lee, Abby Finkenauer, Mikie of our Nation or to the normal con- ministration, kept this abusive pro- Sherrill, Mike Levin, Jahana Hayes, straints imposed by the Congress. gram and the secret legal interpreta- Lori Trahan, Katie Hill, Ed Case, Gil Today, I am going to focus on what I tions behind it from the American peo- Cisneros, Rashida Tlaib, Kendra Horn, consider to be Mr. Barr’s dangerous ple, even lying about it in public testi- Angie Craig, Chris Pappas, Andy Levin, views on surveillance and his contempt mony. Susan Wild, Sylvia Garcia, Katie Por- for surveillance laws and the Fourth ter, Ilhan Omar, Madeleine Dean, Josh How did these abusive and illegal Amendment. programs get their start? With secret Harder, Debra A. Haaland, Lucy It is my view this is not a partisan McBath, Abigail Spanberger, Chrissy determinations made at the Depart- issue. There has been, for some years, a Houlahan, Donna Shalala, Lauren ment of Justice that the law didn’t Underwood, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, bipartisan coalition in the Senate that matter and that the President can do Veronica Escobar, TJ Cox, Dean Phil- has battled to protect the privacy and what he wants. constitutional rights of Americans, but lips, Elaine G. Luria, Tom Malinowski, That brings us to Mr. Barr. His dan- Steven Horsford, Sharice Davids, Joe Mr. Barr’s views, after I have laid them gerous views on Executive power have Neguse, Cynthia Axne. out today, ought to frighten every long been consistent—consistent— Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, the Member of this Senate. What Mr. Barr throughout his career, from his freshmen of the House are speaking a has said is that whether the Congress writings at the Department of Justice lot of common sense in this letter. supports broader or narrower surveil- in the late 1980s to the present, but in They are saying: Here we are, looking lance authorities and regardless of October of 2003, he laid out in public at bills that the Senate passed under whether Congress votes for more testimony his position that, in Mr. Republican leadership and that the checks and balances and oversight, it Barr’s view, the President is not ac- House has passed under Democratic really doesn’t matter. He has made the countable to surveillance laws and that leadership. That is the foundation for judgment, based on the proposition the President enjoys huge loopholes in going forward. Let not the Senate lead- which he has stated very clearly, that the Fourth Amendment. ership be the obstruction to common the President can essentially do what sense. Let not this Chamber sit empty, he wants. October of 2003 was shortly after Con- sit quiet, and sit without votes on This nominee, in my view, poses a gress had passed the PATRIOT Act, these bills to put our government back unique threat to the rule of law and legislation that many in Congress have to work. the Fourth Amendment. His long-held come to view as granting too much au- They want to see the Senate have the views, which presumably he would put thority with too little oversight, but courage to take positions, to be here in practice if confirmed, threaten the from Mr. Barr’s perspective, the PA- and argue, to say yes or no, but we very notion that Congress or the courts TRIOT Act was too limiting and too don’t say yes or no if there is no bill have any say in who in America gets constraining, and that wasn’t even the before us, and that must confound spied on. If he is confirmed as Attorney most troubling part of his testimony. these 46 freshmen, who kind of ex- General, he could take us back—and Right up front, he asked himself the pected that after more than 200 years not just 12 years to an era of question of whether the law was ade- of organizing, we would have a Senate warrantless wiretapping. As Mr. Barr quate to fight terrorism. Here is what that could actually operate as a legis- himself has made clear, he would be he said. He said he wasn’t worried lative body, not sit here vacant and taking us back 40 years, to an era be- about the law, and this is a direct quiet in the midst of a national catas- fore the Church Committee, when nei- quote: ‘‘The critical legal powers are trophe—a catastrophe of the Trump ther Congress nor the courts had any granted directly by the Constitution shutdown affecting so many families. role at all in checking or overseeing an itself, not by Congressional enact- There are 800,000 families of Federal abusive, out-of-control government. ments.’’ In other words, Mr. Barr’s workers, hundreds of thousands more Before the reforms of the 1970s, as view of surveillance is that the laws families of contractors, millions of has now been well documented, the passed by Congress do not matter. If Americans who simply want a core government committed one horrific the President wants to violate them, it government service so that they can abuse after another. It spied on hun- is Mr. Barr’s position that he can just proceed with their lives—a business dreds of thousands of innocent Ameri- go out and say he has constitutional permit, a home mortgage, an agricul- cans. It spied on Dr. Martin Luther authority and do it. tural loan, work being done to prevent King, Jr. It spied on activists. It spied Here is a direct quote from Mr. Barr’s forest fires, and a compromise to our on Congress. When these abuses finally testimony. Talking about laws going national security in terms of our Coast came to light, Congress acted by pass- back to the 1970s, he said: ‘‘Numerous Guard and our TSA agents. It makes no ing the Foreign Intelligence Surveil- statutes were passed, such as [the For- common sense for us to sit here with- lance Act, which established a secret eign Intelligence Surveillance Act], out action. court to issue warrants against spies that purported to supplant Presidential I praise the House freshmen for and terrorists. discretion with Congressionally crafted bringing a fresh, intense, commonsense Unfortunately, as we now know, the schemes whereby judges become the ar- view to the conversation on Capitol government violated the law when it biter of national security decisions.’’ Hill. Let their words be heard in this implemented its warrantless wire- I am going to unpack that sentence Chamber. tapping program in 2001. The program for a minute. From Mr. Barr’s perspec- Thank you. included warrantless collection of the tive, decades of laws passed by the U.S. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- content of private communications, in- Congress are nothing but schemes— ator from Oregon. cluding through warrantless targeting schemes. He is talking about the For- NOMINATION OF WILLIAM BARR of phone numbers and email addresses eign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I come of people in our country. The program fundamental framework of checks and to the floor today to discuss the nomi- also included the bulk collection of balances that Congress has relied on

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16JA6.007 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S255 for four decades to ensure congres- At the core of Mr. Barr’s philosophy that information is. This view has ac- sional and judicial oversight of surveil- is that no one—not Congress and cer- tually been rejected recently by the lance. He is talking about every modi- tainly not judges—has any business as- U.S. Supreme Court. What Mr. Barr fication of the Foreign Intelligence sessing the government’s assertion has been saying is actually out of sync Surveillance Act, from the PATRIOT about threats. even with the current thinking of the Act to what is called section 702, reau- Here is another quote from Mr. Barr: Supreme Court. The Supreme Court thorized last year, to the USA Freedom These are ‘‘assessments judges are not most recently held that the Fourth Act, which was intended to stop the competent to make or responsible for Amendment does apply to the govern- collection of millions of innocent making under the Constitution.’’ ment’s collection of location data from Americans’ phone records. Whatever For 40 years, judges of the Foreign wireless carriers. you think of these statutes, they are Intelligence Surveillance Act Court Apparently, yesterday Mr. Barr said how Congress determines the extent of have been making these determina- he had not read that Supreme Court the government’s surveillance powers tions, but, from Mr. Barr’s perspective, decision. Colleagues. I think that and exercises its responsibility to pro- the courts are not competent to decide ought to be really troubling to the tect the rights of Americans. Mr. Barr who gets spied on; only the President Members of this body. We are talking notwithstanding, these duly enacted gets that power. about location data. Location data can laws of Congress are not mere schemes. Some might ask whether Mr. Barr be a personal safety and national secu- Worse still, it is Mr. Barr’s conten- has had a change of heart, particularly rity nightmare. tion that all of these laws only purport since Congress has passed additional We saw what happened just last to have any effect. The President, says surveillance authority in the year week. In 2018, the wireless companies Mr. Barr, has the discretion to ignore since his testimony. I hope we see in all made promises to me that they them. By definition, if you are saying the days ahead where he stands, wheth- wouldn’t make available precise loca- that the President can just ignore the er he now believes that spying on tion data to hedge funds, bail bonds- laws, in effect, that is a position that is Americans and people in the United men—all kinds of bottom feeders just in favor of tyranny. This is as dan- States has to be consistent with the looking to make a buck. What hap- gerous a position as I have heard in laws passed by Congress, but his 2003 pened was, in 2018, those wireless com- congressional testimony. It is very testimony suggests that even new, panies said they wouldn’t make that similar to the language that was con- sweeping, bipartisan laws that have data available any longer to these loca- cocted in the Department of Justice to passed wouldn’t satisfy him. tion trackers and bail bondsmen and justify warrantless wiretapping—and A little over a decade ago, Congress the like, and then last week, a bounty these are the views coming from the created section 702 of the Foreign In- hunter got 300 bucks and found out man who might be Attorney General of telligence Surveillance Act. That al- those 2018 promises to me meant noth- the United States. lows for warrantless spying on for- ing. So last week, the wireless compa- Mr. Barr is correct that the Foreign eigners overseas. I have said our coun- nies promised again that they wouldn’t Intelligence Surveillance Act gives try faces real threats from foreigners make location data available to all of judges some say in when the govern- overseas, so I stipulate that is some- these financially interested parties. I ment can spy on Americans. It is a se- thing that is important to the safety of appreciate their saying it, but I will cret system, one that greatly advan- the law-abiding people whom we all tell you, I will believe it when I see it, tages the government and almost al- represent. I have had serious concerns because we got a promise in 2018 that ways precludes challenges from those about the number of innocent Ameri- they would be serious about protecting who are spied on. The Foreign Intel- cans whose communications are being location data, and we saw last week ligence Surveillance Act has been swept up under section 702 collection, that they weren’t. abused through secret interpretations but at least the targets of the surveil- We have the Supreme Court now of law, but the Foreign Intelligence lance are overseas. making it clear that the Fourth Surveillance Act does involve judges Mr. Barr would go further in his tes- Amendment applies to the govern- considering the Fourth Amendment timony, calling for the warrantless tar- ment’s collection of location data from rights of Americans, and that is what geting of people inside the United wireless carriers, but the person who is Mr. Barr objects to. States. According to Mr. Barr, there Based on his own testimony, it is are individuals right here in the United up for nomination, Mr. Barr, has not clear to me that Mr. Barr has funda- States who have no Fourth Amend- been willing to or doesn’t find it impor- mental problems with the Fourth ment rights. This is an important issue tant enough to even read the Supreme Amendment or at least its application today, and it will become more impor- Court decision on this case. to anything the President might uni- tant in the days ahead. The government’s collection of busi- laterally decide involves national secu- I have already stipulated that I think ness records is authorized by section rity. He believes that if the govern- there are serious threats to our coun- 215 of FISA, which was part of the PA- ment determines there is a threat, try overseas. What troubles me is, as TRIOT Act. There are serious concerns there is no need to ask a judge for a telecommunication systems around the about 215. It was abused for years to warrant. world become more globally inter- carry out a secret program that swept The Fourth Amendment protects the connected, more and more innocent up the phone records of millions of in- rights of the people to be secure Americans are going to get swept up in nocent, law-abiding Americans. Even against unreasonable searches and sei- these searches. To me, when you are after the USA FREEDOM Act, which zures unless there is a probable cause talking—as Mr. Barr seems to be was intended to end bulk collection, it warrant. That is what the Constitution doing—that there are individuals in has been used to collect hundreds of says. Mr. Barr, however, has found two our country who have no Fourth millions of phone records. All the gov- very big loopholes in the Fourth Amendment rights, that is why I think ernment needs to collect these records Amendment. all Senators should be troubled about is to show the FISA Court that the First, he insists that if the govern- these positions he has long espoused. records are relevant to an investiga- ment decides a foreigner in the United There is also the matter of collecting tion. There is no requirement for a States is ‘‘apparently acting as a ter- business records, sensitive information probable cause warrant. rorist,’’ then he or she is not one of the about Americans that are in possession This important law sunsets this year, ‘‘people,’’ and the government can just of a third party. Here, we are talking so the Congress will have a debate throw out the Fourth Amendment. about your purchases, who you are about whether these authorities are Second, Mr. Barr argues that so long communicating with, where you are lo- too broad, whether there is a need for as the government says there is a cated at any time of the day. more checks and balances. I see my threat, a warrantless search is not un- Mr. Barr believes that the Fourth colleague from Texas, who also serves reasonable, and the warrant require- Amendment doesn’t apply to any on the Intelligence Committee. We are ment under the Fourth Amendment records held by a company or other going to have a debate on it. That is simply doesn’t apply. third party, no matter how sensitive the way it ought to be.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:57 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.041 S16JAPT1 S256 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 Today, we are talking about what I been concerned about the expansive As significant as the work done consider to be dangerous views es- surveillance authorities under the For- under his leadership was, I was more poused by Mr. Barr. What Mr. Barr be- eign Intelligence Surveillance Act and impressed with the fact that after 27 lieves is that the government shouldn’t the possible abuse of that law. Those years, he was willing to take on the have any court oversight at all when it concerns are, in my view, small pota- task of becoming Attorney General comes to collecting the records on toes compared to what Mr. Barr has once again. He said he was sort of Americans. He thinks the government proposed, which is that the law need semiretired. He and his wife were look- should just unilaterally issue a sub- not constrain the President whatso- ing forward to spending more time poena and collect those records and ever. For example, some Members of with their children and grandchildren. that there would be no oversight what- this body have expressed concern about But he answered the call to public serv- ever. The foundation of Mr. Barr’s be- Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ice, and I am grateful that he did. He liefs when it comes to surveillance is warrants in connection with the Russia knows that our Nation needs a strong that the President can do whatever he investigation and whether all relevant law-and-order Attorney General at the wants if he believes national security information has been provided to the Department of Justice. is at stake. FISA Court. Consider a world in which When he spoke at his confirmation I am going to close by simply talking the government doesn’t need a warrant hearing more than 21⁄2 decades ago, he for an additional minute or two about and doesn’t have to justify its surveil- said: what it will mean if Mr. Barr is con- lance to any court. Consider the possi- The Attorney General must ensure that firmed as Donald Trump’s Attorney bility of abuse in that world. That is the administration of justice—the enforce- General. the world Mr. Barr has testified he ment of the law—is above and away from Right now, the President is openly wants. politics. Nothing could be more destructive considering a declaration that he, Don- I also would appeal to my colleagues of our system of government, the rule of law, ald Trump, has emergency powers to with whom I have had some pretty vig- or the Department of Justice as an institu- override the will of the Congress, and tion, than any toleration of political inter- orous debates over the years about sur- ference with the enforcement of the law. he is doing this while relying on a base- veillance and who may have no con- less assertion that there is a national cerns about the current framework of He repeated that commitment yes- security crisis. our laws. We can have our disagree- terday, and I think the need for that Until he was fact-checked, he was ments about how to write the law. Here sort of strong statement is more im- making very far-fetched claims about in the Senate, we do agree that the portant today than ever. terrorists coming over the border. He laws passed by the Congress mean I believe Attorney General Barr will also regularly calls journalists ‘‘en- something. They are binding, and they be a good Attorney General, assuming emies of the people’’ and calls for in- are not, as Mr. Barr has stated, what is one of the most challenging po- vestigations of his political enemies. ‘‘schemes’’ that the President can just sitions in the Cabinet because you are I would oppose the nomination of a political appointee but you are also anyone with William Barr’s views on ignore whenever he feels like it. This nominee has been more than the chief law enforcement officer in the Executive power regardless of who was country. That sometimes can be dif- President, but the kinds of threats I clear about where he stands. He be- lieves that the President alone decides ficult to navigate. am talking about are too serious to ig- As the nominee noted, doing the job nore. when there is a threat and that when he does, he doesn’t have to worry about and doing it well sometimes requires Donald Trump has openly said and being prepared to burn your political said specifically how much he would Congress, judges, or the laws, or the Constitution. In my view, that is a pre- capital in order to preserve the rule of enjoy unchecked surveillance power. law. I believe this is the most funda- During the 2016 campaign, when the scription for trouble, a prescription for more abuses—abuses that Congress mental quality of a good Attorney Gen- Russians were hacking his opponents, eral, and having a leader at the helm of the President of the United States, our may or may not even be told about. But we have been warned. We have the Department of Justice with the current President, said: ‘‘honestly, I right temperament and a fundamental wish I had that power. I’d love to have been warned by Mr. Barr’s testimony. understanding of this responsibility is that power.’’ I also would like to note that I have critical now and forever. In recent If Donald Trump decides that na- concerns about Mr. Barr that relate to tional security is at stake and William classified matters, and I am currently years, we witnessed some Attorneys Barr is the Attorney General, it would seeking declassification of those mat- General carrying out actions that re- be Mr. Barr who might give him that ters and hope that this will be resolved peatedly toed that political line, some- power—power he could use with no prior to any votes on the nominee. times crossed it. oversight from the courts and without I see colleagues are waiting. Under the Obama administration, the regard to what Mr. Barr has dismissed Mr. President, I yield the floor. Department of Justice began to veer as ‘‘the schemes’’—our laws—of Con- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- increasingly away from the impartial gress. ator from Texas. administration of law and toward poli- In case anyone thinks Mr. Barr would Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, yester- tics. That shift undoubtedly occurred himself serve as a check on the Presi- day the Senate Judiciary Committee at the hands of President Obama’s At- dent, he has also written that that is began to hear witnesses on the nomina- torneys General who were in the driv- not the Attorney General’s job. Just tion of Bill Barr to be the next Attor- er’s seat during his administration, last year, he wrote that all Executive ney General of the United States. We Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch. power rests in one and only one per- heard first, of course, from Mr. Barr Both Holder’s and Lynch’s conduct son—the President—and that the Presi- himself all day yesterday and today has come under a great deal of scru- dent doesn’t have to convince his At- from additional witnesses. tiny—even now, after they have left— torney General that his orders are By any standard, Mr. Barr is an ex- and for good reason. legal. ceptionally qualified individual, in part For example, under then-Attorney Let me be clear. The issues I have because 27 years ago, he was Attorney General Holder, there was something raised with respect to Mr. Barr’s views General, nominated and confirmed called Operation Fast and Furious in on surveillance are not kind of conjec- unanimously—nominated by President which the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, ture or possible theories. What I have George Herbert Walker Bush. Under his and Firearms and the Department of been talking about this afternoon are leadership at the time, the Department Justice purposefully allowed the illegal the views outlined in Mr. Barr’s own of Justice focused on some of the most sale of firearms in Mexico in the hopes testimony. I hope every Member of this important law enforcement challenges of being able to track them. Unfortu- body will take the time to read Mr. facing our country at that time. They nately, there were a number of casual- Barr’s testimony and consider what is worked to fight violent crime and com- ties, including Border Patrolman Brian at stake. bat the drug epidemic, both of which Terry, who was killed with one of those There are Members in both political continue to do great harm to commu- firearms in 2010. Attorney General parties in this Chamber who have long nities across the country still today. Holder never accepted responsibility

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.043 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S257 for Brian Terry’s death or ever admit- young lawyer’s career, he met his wife treating people with respect, and not ted that allowing these guns to walk Joan, a native Texan, and they decided being afraid to have a little bit of fun into Mexico, into the hands of some to move to the Lone Star State, some- along the way. His entrepreneurial criminal organizations, was a terrible thing he later referred to as the great- spirit was credited with democratizing mistake. est business decision he ever made. the skies by disrupting the airline in- Under his watch, the IRS targeting Building America’s largest domestic dustry, and I believe he was one of the controversy occurred in which politi- airline carrier was never on Herb’s to- most consequential leaders in Amer- cally aligned groups applying for tax- do list. In the late 1960s, he was an at- ican aviation, and we have all bene- exempt status faced official oppression torney in San Antonio, when one day fited from that. based upon their political affiliation. his client approached him with an idea So I join Herb’s wife Joan, his chil- Then, of course, more recently, let’s about a low-fare airline serving three dren, his grandchildren, his many not forget then-Attorney General Texas cities. Tired of spending so much friends, and, of course, his beloved Lynch’s handling of the Clinton email time in the car traveling between San Southwest Airlines family in mourning scandal—something even James Antonio and Houston and Dallas, he be- the loss of this larger-than-life figure. Comey, the FBI Director, objected to— lieved they could make point-to-point I yield the floor. along with her famous so-called tarmac intrastate travel faster and much The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- meeting with former President Bill cheaper by flying, and also cheaper ator from North Carolina. Clinton when his wife was under an ac- than other airlines. MENTHOL CIGARETTES tive FBI investigation. The conduct of Getting their innovative idea off the Mr. BURR. Mr. President, I also both Holder and Lynch undermined the ground wasn’t easy. These men who mourn Herb’s loss. It is odd that I public’s confidence in the impartial ad- founded Southwest Airlines slogged would be here to protect his ability to ministration of justice and law at the through years of legal battles before have that cigarette in his mouth as he Justice Department. the airline operated its first flight. was negotiating. Under the leadership of my friend Their vision not only led to the cre- I rise today to discuss the recent an- and our former colleague, Jeff Ses- ation of a budget airline but also drove nouncement by the Food and Drug Ad- sions, the Department of Justice has down the cost of their competitors, as ministration to move forward with a begun to right the ship and again sepa- competition will do. ban on menthol cigarettes. This an- rate politics from the impartial admin- To maintain their edge, Southwest nouncement, to say the least, is sur- istration of the law, and I am confident tried some interesting ideas along the prising. In an administration claiming that Mr. Barr will continue to do the way. After another airline ran an ad to decrease regulation on the American same. calling Southwest a cheap carrier, Herb people, this announcement works com- During his confirmation hearing, Mr. responded by filming a commercial pletely counter to that goal—increas- Barr reaffirmed that politicians should where he wore a brown paper bag over ing regulation and decreasing the not interfere with criminal investiga- his head and promised that the airline choices for adult consumers in Amer- tions, and he likewise committed not would gladly provide one to any cus- ica. to interfere with the special counsel’s tomer too embarrassed to be seen fly- Making matters worse, the an- investigation. He assured us that his ing on Southwest Airline. nouncement comes from an Agency allegiance will be to the rule of law, to At one point, to compete with the that the American people trust. They the Constitution, and to the American low fares of other airlines, Southwest trust them to make decisions based people, and that, above all else, he will started a program to keep customers, upon the most sound and reliable work to protect the professionalism and they said: You can either pay the science available. Unfortunately, the and integrity of the Department of lowest fare or pay full fare and get a FDA has not provided a sound sci- Justice and the thousands of dedicated full premium bottle of liquor in the entific argument to move forward with public servants who work there. process. Well, apparently it worked, the ban on one type of product that Not only is Mr. Barr exceptionally and for a short time, I am told, South- Americans consume understanding qualified for the job, he is prepared on west was the largest liquor distributor fully the risk. day one to step in and lead with dis- in the State of Texas. On November 30, 2018, I raised this tinction. I think one of the most distinctly concern with the Food and Drug Ad- The Senate unanimously confirmed Herb Kelleher stories is of a battle ministration. As a part of their an- his nomination to three different posi- called ‘‘The Malice in Dallas.’’ nouncement, the FDA claimed that tions at the Department of Justice, and In 1992, Southwest Airlines and an- their regulatory actions are based on I hope we can work expeditiously to other company realized their slogans— information released by the Centers for get this fine man to the Department of ‘‘Plane Smart’’ and ‘‘Just Plane Disease Control and Prevention, or Justice once again. Smart’’—were similar. Rather than CDC. I thank Mr. Barr and his entire fam- settling the matter in court, they set- When I asked for the data supporting ily for agreeing to bring his talents and tled it by holding a public arm wres- this menthol decision, I was informed his temperament to the Department of tling match. that this data would be made available Justice at a time when those qualities The 61-year-old, with the cigarette later this year. I also asked the FDA to are so desperately needed, and I look fixed between his teeth, gave his much explain to me whether the Agency has forward to voting yes on his nomina- younger competitor a run for his determined that menthol cigarettes tion. money, but he couldn’t pull off a win. make more children try smoking or REMEMBERING HERB KELLEHER At the end of the match, the two men whether these products make it more Mr. President, on another matter, I made donations to each other’s chosen difficult for children to stop smoking. want to share a few words about the charities. They agreed to share the slo- I pause here because I am sure the passing of one of the airline industry’s gan and called it a day. Presiding Officer is remembering that most unconventional and most success- Each of these stories has Herb it is illegal for people under 18 to pur- ful executives. That would be Herb Kelleher written all over it. He was chase tobacco products. Kelleher, who cofounded Southwest known for his gregarious personality, The FDA simply informed me that Airlines. his incredible work ethic, and his the information I requested would be Herb was born in 1931 in New Jersey, penchant for the nontraditional, not to part of a proposed rule available for and his young life and early career mention his affinity for Wild Turkey. stakeholder comment. kept him on the east coast. He grad- I first met Herb when I represented Now, I think you would agree that it uated from Wesleyan University and him in a lawsuit early in my legal ca- is highly unusual for a science-based New York University School of Law reer in San Antonio. He had a larger- Agency to refuse to provide the data and served as a law clerk for 2 years at than-life personality, and it was a informing its regulatory decisions to a the New Jersey Supreme Court and pleasure to know him. seated Member of the U.S. Congress. then joined a law firm in Newark. But We can all learn a lesson from Herb This should set off alarm bells. Any as fate intervened in this promising about the importance of working hard, product regulated by the FDA might

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.044 S16JAPT1 S258 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 fall into this category of ‘‘no Member Let me state that again. put under its regulatory watch. Almost of Congress being able to know.’’ The CDC’s own data shows that there a decade after enactment and more Well, it may seem odd, but the FDA has been a 12-percent reduction in the than $5 billion later, the FDA has regulates 25 cents of every dollar of the percentage of children trying tradi- failed to issue one foundational regula- U.S. economy—no wonder it takes so tional cigarettes since 2011. tion governing the viable review of any long and costs so much for new drugs Now, this is good news. The use of tobacco product. and devices to come to market. cigarettes among children is decreas- Let me state that again. Almost a As a result, I did my own research. ing, showing that our education and decade after enactment and $5 billion The chart behind me, with 2017 data our public health efforts are, in fact, later, the FDA has failed to issue a from the CDC, shows that children’s working. foundational regulation governing the use of traditional menthol cigarettes As I mentioned before, the survey viable review of any tobacco product. has decreased 3 percent since 2011. Let shows that the use of menthol ciga- This failure would be unacceptable me say that again. Since 2011, usage by rettes by children has also declined, de- from any other regulated industry. The youth in America of menthol ciga- creasing 3 percent since 2011. Center for Tobacco Products receives rettes has reduced from 5.8 percent to Even the FDA’s own data shows the hundreds of millions of user-fee dollars 2.5 percent. decline in children’s use of traditional each year and is still falling behind the This data runs counter to the need cigarettes. other product review centers at the for increased regulation and decreased Now, this chart I have basically FDA. The FDA has a responsibility to choices for consumers and calls into shows that traditional cigarettes have develop clear rules of the road for inno- question the FDA’s own decision. fallen 12 percent since 2011, compared vation and potentially less harmful to- In 2009, Congress debated the regula- to the latest survey data of 2017. It is bacco products—some of the very prod- tion of tobacco products. I was here for probably difficult for some to see, but ucts that are under scrutiny today be- the entire debate and was an active the red arrow pointing down certainly cause they are in regulatory limbo 10 participant in the dialogue. I alone pro- indicates a decrease. The red arrow years later. The Agency has had ample vided over 16 hours of remarks on the pointing up shows an increase. Now, time to act and, instead, focused its ef- Senate floor so that my colleagues un- that should be alarming, and it is an forts and resources on banning a le- derstood my concerns with this type of area that we will talk about in a sec- gally marketed product without the legislation and to ensure, quite frank- ond. data to support their own actions. ly, that the voice of North Carolinians But the solution here is simple. Data I urge my colleagues to take a seri- was clearly and deeply understood in released by the CDC and the FDA pro- ous look at the FDA’s decision to ban the U.S. Senate. vide a clear marker that the FDA’s menthol cigarettes. The FDA chose to One issue discussed during that de- focus should be on areas where chil- decrease choices for the American con- bate was actually the banning of fla- dren’s use is increasing rather than in sumer while their counterpart, the vors in cigarettes, including menthol. areas where we are already making sig- CDC, continues to show a decline in Congress struggled to come to a con- nificant progress. children’s use of menthol cigarettes. These two Agencies should, in fact, be sensus on this issue, offering many I might pause and say that if a prod- in alignment, using the CDC’s highly iterations at the time of the legisla- uct is illegal for somebody under 18, I regarded public health data to fully in- tion, taking different approaches to the don’t know how you ban a product and form the FDA’s approach to regulate ban of any, all, or none of the flavors believe that it wasn’t already banned if these products. The information it re- available in cigarettes at the time. it was illegal. leased on November 18, 2018, shows a Ultimately, the decision was made The FDA’s decision does not pass the steep increase in the use of all tobacco for the FDA to thoroughly study the commonsense test. It is time for the products. However, the FDA has not effects of menthol cigarettes. FDA to focus on the things where there provided the data to show that tradi- The Agency issued its report in 2011 is an increase for children. I give them tional cigarettes have contributed to and commissioned a third-party entity examples: marijuana, opioids, fentanyl, this increase from 2017 to 2018 in any to study the science behind menthol meth. We have debated it on the floor way or that menthol played a part in cigarettes, for which a report was of the Senate. While we are looking at this increase. If it had—I will take you issued in 2013. one thing and the FDA has got us fo- back to the original chart—we would Now, what resulted from the results cused on it, look at how many chil- see a significant change in the trend of that study? dren’s lives are devastated in this line of menthol usage of youth. For the remainder of President country—again, with illegal products. I would bet my colleagues today that One can only conclude by what we Obama’s terms in office, which ended when you get to 2018, you will continue in 2016, their FDA never attempted to are doing, which is banning menthol, to see a decline in menthol. It begs the move a menthol ban. Why? Because the that we are emulating Canada. Several question of whether the leadership at results of that information—that sci- years ago they banned menthol, and FDA is making decisions with any re- entific data—did not substantiate last year they legalized marijuana. gard for years of public health data, what, in fact, that would accomplish. That may be the route we are on. I am coming at the cost of choices for the In the 5 years since the publication of not sure. Nothing surprises me any- American people. these studies, the science has not more in Washington. This argument comes down to wheth- changed to justify the ban of an entire June of this year will mark the 10th er you believe Americans have a right product category by the FDA. anniversary of the Tobacco Control to choose. As long as I am an elected Each year, the CDC issues the latest Act, which provided the FDA regu- official, I will advocate for adult con- data from the National Youth Tobacco latory authority over tobacco prod- sumers to have these choices. Survey. This survey asks about 20,000 ucts. The law gave the FDA broad au- I realize this is the floor of great de- children about their tobacco use, and it thority to regulate these products and bate, and I am not scared to have a de- has been conducted since 1999. This sur- was intended to provide a path forward bate on whether tobacco is a legal vey covers details of middle and high for innovative products—tobacco prod- product. As long as it is a legal prod- schoolers’ use and exposure to a vari- ucts, as well—placing hope in advance- uct, why would we encumber the con- ety of tobacco products, and it includes ments in research and development to sumer with choice when, in fact, we see specifics on the use of different product provide new options for American con- a trend line like this as it relates to categories, like traditional cigarettes sumers that are down the continuum of youth? and e-cigarettes, as well as data on the risk for those individuals who choose, So I say to the FDA and I say to my percentage of survey participants who potentially replacing their use of com- colleagues: Don’t hide behind our chil- tried menthol. bustible cigarettes with electronic dren and tell us that is the reason, be- The CDC data shows that there has ones. cause the data doesn’t support it. The been a 12-point decrease in the percent- The FDA does not have a single gov- data says that what we are doing in age of children trying traditional ciga- erning regulation for the review and education, what we are doing as par- rettes since 2011. the approval of the products Congress ents is convincing the next generation

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.046 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S259 that this is not a product they want to facilities across the United States even scheduled to expire because of this use. But when you ban menthol ciga- worse. shutdown. People are suffering around rettes, you take many adults who The shutdown has closed down the the country. choose to purchase and to use a legal FAA academy where new air traffic Federal workers are suffering. Their product with full understanding of the controllers are trained and has stopped workers are suffering and veterans are risk and tell them: No, we are going to training in each facility to implement suffering because of this Trump shut- eliminate the choice of this product. new procedures and new equipment. down. More than 380,000 Federal work- That is wrong. It is wrong for Con- Toby’s father and grandfather, inci- ers have been furloughed; 450,000 or gress to do; it is wrong for a regulatory dentally, served in the U.S. military, more are being forced to work without Agency to do; and it is a blemish on as he did. This picture depicts his great pay. These are hard-working Ameri- this administration to announce that son and Toby’s granddaughter. I want- cans like the TSA officers I met last they are reducing regulation when, in ed to bring another point home. Toby’s week at O’Hare and met just a few days fact, they are going out and instituting son is deploying overseas this month. ago when I flew to St. Louis Lambert some of the most onerous regulations Toby and his wife will be looking after Airport. They go to work every single on America’s consumers, the American their 21⁄2-year-old granddaughter dur- day, and their job is to make sure that people who choose. ing the 10-month deployment. Toby’s dangerous people don’t get on the air- I urge my colleagues to become edu- lack of a paycheck since December 31 planes with you, your children, and cated on this. I will give them an op- of last year adds stress to an already your family. They can’t afford to have portunity on multiple occasions for the hectic life. their paychecks held hostage by a man- balance of this year to hear more about Toby says: ufactured crisis. this industry. Veterans are very proud of our heritage These families of Federal workers I yield the floor. and what we have done for the country. And have bills to pay. A worker at the En- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. those of us who continue to serve the Fed- vironmental Protection Agency, Cyn- BLACKBURN). The assistant Democratic eral Government as Federal employees con- thia Colquitt, is going without a pay- leader. tinue that pride throughout their careers. check after serving 26 years as a Fed- GOVERNMENT FUNDING Toby says: eral employee. How hard is it? She is a Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, last We are hardworking, proud American em- single mom, and she says, quite hon- Saturday was a historic day in Spring- ployees doing a job for the American public estly: I get by paycheck to paycheck. field, IL, my hometown. It was the big- that is essential as an air traffic controller. She has never missed a mortgage pay- gest snowfall in one day in our city’s It’s not acceptable as a veteran, as a federal ment; she is very serious about those history. I spent that Saturday not employee, as an air traffic controller to use things. But now she is worried the shaking hands with my constituents my profession and my livelihood as a polit- shutdown will impact her credit rating ical football. but shaking hands with my shovel, try- if she doesn’t have a paycheck to pay ing to shovel snow away. It was a his- Toby doesn’t stand alone as a veteran her bills on time. toric day in Springfield but, sadly, it working for the Federal Government. Shutdowns not only hurt our Federal was a historic day for America too. Veterans are some of the hardest hit workers, but the impact is also felt by Saturday marked the longest shut- Federal employees of the Trump shut- small businesses around the country down of the U.S. Government in the down. Today as many as 250,000 Federal that rely on the business of Federal history of the United States. As of workers and Federal contractors are workers and the government. This today, the shutdown has continued for going without pay during the shut- shutdown is hurting our economy and 26 days. Day by day, the harmful ef- down. According to the Office of Per- only adding to economic uncertainty. fects of this government shutdown are sonnel Management, as of the end of Remember what happened in Decem- getting worse. Alarmingly, the Presi- fiscal year 2016, veterans represented 31 ber? If you happen to have a retirement dent seems not to really understand or percent of the Federal workforce. This account with investments in stocks, appreciate the real-life impact this is more than a 5-percent increase since you noticed that December was a pret- shutdown is having on many Ameri- 2009, when President Obama encour- ty horrible month. There was an 8.7- cans. aged veterans to apply for employment percent drop in the stock market in In all, more than 8,000 Federal work- with the Federal Government to boost December—the worst December for the ers in my home State of Illinois are the hiring of men and women who stock market since 1931, during the going without a paycheck during this served our country in uniform. Great Depression. shutdown—8,000 people who are con- In Illinois, we have 50,000 Federal The CEO of JPMorgan Chase is now cerned about paying their bills, as workers, and almost 28 percent of them warning that if this shutdown lasts an- most working families are. These are are veterans. More than one-quarter of other several weeks, it could reduce hard-working Americans. all veterans working in the Federal our Nation’s quarterly growth to zero. I want to show you a photo of one of Government also have a Department of The victims of the shutdown will not them. He happens to be a friend of Veterans Affairs disability rating. be the Federal employees; it will affect mine. His name is Toby Hauck. This is For example, if SNAP, the food the entire economy because the input Toby here. Toby is a veteran of the stamp program, runs out, 38 million into the economy—the things they buy U.S. Air Force. His job in Aurora, IL, is Americans could lose their food stamp and pay for—will be diminished. to make sure that my plane, when it benefits. That includes veterans living Just why are we in this mess? Well, arrives at O’Hare, lands safely. Toby in households that participate in as the President said several weeks ago Hauck is an air traffic controller. Air SNAP. You don’t think about that very on camera in the Oval Office, it is his traffic controllers have some of the often, do you? Do you mean there are shutdown and he is very proud of it. He most important and most stressful veterans on food stamps? The figure said that he was going to hold the Federal jobs in America, and this shut- has averaged about 1.4 million veterans hard-earned paychecks of Americans down is a kick in the gut to Toby a year between 2015 and 2017, according hostage in an attempt to fulfill his Hauck and all of these air traffic con- to the Census Bureau. Illinois is home campaign promise to build a wall on trollers. to nearly 50,000 veterans who are bene- the southern border of the United Many air traffic controllers, like ficiaries of food stamps and HUD rental States, a concrete wall, as he described Toby, are already working 6 days a assistance programs on an annual basis it, ‘‘from sea to shining sea,’’ which, week. I am not happy to report that. as well. So the very programs that are incidentally, he promised would be Pushing them to the limits of physical going to be hampered, slowed down, paid for by the Mexicans. exhaustion isn’t in the best interest of and stopped because of the Trump Let me say that again. All of the safety when it comes to our aircraft, shutdown affect veterans across my pain of this shutdown is caused because but because of staffing shortages, that State of Illinois and across the Nation. the President made a campaign prom- is what they are faced with, working 6 About 1,150 contracts under the ise to build this almighty wall. Well, days a week. The shutdown is making project-based rental assistance pro- we know something about walls. They staff shortages in the air traffic control gram have lapsed, with hundreds more don’t work very well. We know it

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.047 S16JAPT1 S260 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 might have been a great response sev- were elected to do. Let’s spare Toby tains our deterrent. Many of these sys- eral hundred years ago to build a Hauck and 800,000 Federal employees, tems have aged far beyond their de- wall—not so much today. There are including many veterans, the hardships signed lifetimes. They cannot be sus- better ways to make America safe, their families are facing. tained indefinitely. Put simply, as our other than building a wall. Yet the I yield the floor. nuclear deterrent becomes more impor- President said: It is my wall or a shut- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- tant to our Nation’s defense, the need down. ator from Nebraska. for nuclear modernization only grows. If we have a debate about border se- NATIONAL DEFENSE This conclusion is echoed in the ad- curity, I want to be a part of it, but we Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ministration’s National Defense Strat- shouldn’t do it while holding the Gov- rise to discuss the state of our national egy, its Nuclear Posture Review, and ernment of the United States hostage. defense. First, I want to recognize the the bipartisan National Defense Strat- Every day of the government shutdown brave Americans who were killed in a egy Commission, which described nu- is another day that President Trump is suicide attack in Syria today. Our clear modernization as a ‘‘critical im- harming innocent Americans, pre- deepest sympathies are with the fami- perative.’’ venting hundreds of thousands of lies of those killed and the injured. We The previous administration, under Americans from getting their pay- are so grateful to these Americans for President Obama, also recognized the checks and millions more from getting their service and for their sacrifice. need for modernization and began an access to vital Federal services. As I enter my seventh year on the effort to recapitalize our nuclear We should reopen this government Senate Armed Services Committee, I forces. Right now, major programs are and we ought to do it this afternoon can’t help but reflect on our past suc- underway to replace our legacy sys- and we can. One phone call from the cesses. I am proud of what we have ac- tems. This includes the B–21 bomber, President to Senator MITCH MCCON- complished by working together to ful- which will replace the B–52 and B–2 NELL, Republican leader of the Senate, fill the first responsibility of our Fed- bombers, and the long-range standoff is all it takes. NANCY PELOSI, the new eral Government to provide for the weapon, which will replace the existing Speaker of the House, has already common defense. Together, we have nuclear-armed, air-launched cruise passed the spending bills to open the continued the committee’s long- missile. The ground-based strategic de- government. She did it last week. She standing bipartisan tradition of work- terrent is replacing the Minuteman III sent them over here. They are sitting ing to strengthen our military, and we intercontinental ballistic missile. Fi- at the desk up here. We are not touch- have been effective on a variety of nally, the Columbia-class submarine ing them because Senator MCCONNELL fronts. will replace the Ohio-class submarines said: I am not going to solve this prob- We have provided our brave men and that are currently in service. lem until the President gives me per- women in uniform with the resources The command and control networks mission. A little reminder to my col- they need to carry out the missions we on which our nuclear forces rely are league Senator MCCONNELL, under the give them every year through the Na- also in need of replacement, as is the Constitution, we are a separate branch tional Defense Authorization Act. scientific infrastructure that main- of government. We don’t wait for a per- Importantly, for the last 2 years, tains our stockpile of aging warheads. mission slip from the President of the Congress and the administration have In some cases, such as with the pro- United States to do the job we were worked together to rebuild the Depart- duction of plutonium pits—essentially elected to do. ment of Defense and reorient it to to- the cores of our nuclear weapons—we Today we had a vote earlier, and I day’s threats. As the administration’s must reconstitute lost capabilities. looked at the other side of the aisle National Defense Strategy correctly Adding to the challenge, as a result of and talked to a number of my Repub- identifies, the primary challenge to decisions to delay and defer funding, lican colleagues. I wasn’t a bit sur- U.S. interests today comes not from there is no margin for error in the prised to find so many of them fed up terrorist groups but from Russia and schedule. with this government shutdown. They China. This is the position we find ourselves want it to end today, and so do I. Then In recognition of this fact, Congress in. Our existing platforms are simulta- we can sit down and negotiate border increased funding to restore readiness neously aging out just as their replace- security and do it the right way, not and expand force structure from near- ments are scheduled to be ready. Some- with a gun at our head—I should say, a historic lows. While progress has been thing General Selva, the Vice Chair- gun to the head of 800,000 Federal em- made, significant challenges remain. man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, refers ployees. Let’s reopen the government The bipartisan support for increased to as just-in-time modernization. That and then continue to negotiate. House defense spending must continue, and means any delay, any error, could put Democrats have given us the bills we Congress must ensure our service men at risk our ability to field an effective need to do that. Now it is up to Senator and women have the necessary training nuclear deterrent in the future. We MCCONNELL. Will he come forward and equipment for the great power cannot allow that to happen. In the through that door onto the floor, call competition that defines the current face of growing threats, our deterrent these bills, and end this shutdown be- geopolitical landscape. As part of this must remain strong. fore 5 p.m. today? effort to ensure our military is pre- As chairman of the Strategic Forces He could. He has the power to do it. pared for the new threat environment, Subcommittee, I understand I carry He can pass the spending bills. He we must continue modernizing our nu- the solemn responsibility to make sure warns us that President Trump may clear forces. the nuclear forces that have deterred not sign these bills. Well, Senator Once again, this Congress I will chair conflict, safeguarded our livelihoods, MCCONNELL has been around the Sen- the Armed Services Committee’s Sub- and preserved our Nation’s power for ate for decades. He has been around so committee on Strategic Forces, and decades continues to protect the next long that I am sure he is familiar with this issue will be my top priority. generation of Americans. While U.S. our Constitution. Do you know what? Since the end of World War II, our nu- Strategic Command is located in Sarpy If the President vetoed these spending clear deterrent has formed the bedrock County, NE, it is a national asset with bills, we have the constitutional au- of our Nation’s security. With Russia a global mission—over 180,000 soldiers, thority and opportunity to override his and China increasingly seeking to chal- sailors, airmen, marines, and civilians veto—to come up with 67 votes in the lenge U.S. interests and to reshape the are working every day around the Senate, two-thirds in the House to geopolitical landscape in their favor, world in support of the command’s mis- override any Presidential veto. I think the unique role our nuclear forces play sion. the votes are there, and I think that is in deterring conflict and preventing During this Congress, I am looking the reason Senator MCCONNELL is war is becoming increasingly impor- forward to working with my colleagues afraid to call the bills. tant. on both sides of the aisle on this key It is time for the Senate to act. Let’s Meanwhile, our warheads and deliv- priority and continuing our work in not wait for a permission slip from ery systems age toward obsolescence, providing for a strong national defense. President Trump. Let’s do what we as does the infrastructure that main- Thank you.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.048 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S261 I yield the floor. they want to chip away again at every Mr. Chairman, there is a big mis- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- woman’s constitutionally protected conception regarding abortion and the ator from Washington. right to make her own healthcare deci- issue of women and their right to pro- GOVERNMENT FUNDING sions. Instead of working with us to tect their bodies. It is not that right Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, we end the shutdown and then having a de- that I object to but the right that is are 26 days into President Trump’s bate on border security or anything given them to kill an unborn fetus—an completely unnecessary government else they want to talk about, they are unborn child. shutdown—26 days of pain and uncer- planning a vote that will not do any- I want to share with you a story that tainty; 26 days of missed paychecks thing but tell women across the coun- my colleague CHRIS SMITH told me and missed bills—26 days, the longest try what they already know: Repub- some time ago on this floor. That was in our country’s history. licans in Washington, DC, think they 1992. I have heard from so many constitu- know better than you about your Ana Rosa Rodriguez is an abortion ents in my home State of Washington healthcare. survivor. This is another group of peo- who have been impacted by this shut- Let me be clear. They don’t. ple we haven’t talked about very much down. These are heart-wrenching sto- This is disgusting. Women and men on the floor. At birth, she was a ries of workers who do not know how across the country are not going to healthy 3-pound baby girl, except for much longer they can make it without stand for it. We can vote right now to her injury; she was missing an arm. a paycheck. Members of our U.S. Coast open the government. We can vote Ana survived a botched abortion. Guard—the very men and women who right now to help our workers and our Her mother attempted to get an stand ready 24/7 to make harrowing families. We can vote right now to end abortion in her 32nd week of pregnancy rescues and keep our country safe— governing by Presidential tantrum. If when she was perfectly healthy—8 didn’t get paid yesterday. They did not Republicans don’t do this—if they weeks past what New York State law get paid yesterday, marking the first choose, as they have, to attack women legally allows. In the unsuccessful time ever that servicemembers have and to throw their healthcare under abortion attempt, the baby’s right arm not been paid because of a shutdown. the bus instead of doing their basic was ripped off. However, they failed to There are small business owners who jobs—then the people across this coun- kill Ana Rosa. She lived. Pro-life sup- don’t know when their SBA loans will try are going to see exactly where they porters agree that nightmare situa- come through; people who are dedi- stand—not with them, not with their tions like the Rodriguez case are prob- cated to our national parks—our na- families, not with their constituents, ably not common, but abortion-related tional treasures—who are in despair as and certainly not with women. deaths and serious injuries occur more they hear about trash piling up and ir- I urge the Republicans to end this frequently than most people are aware. reparable damage being done; people madness—to pull this anti-women It is amazing that we can pay so waiting in lines at airports; people wor- health vote—and to, instead, schedule much attention to issues such as ried about food inspections; worried a vote to reopen the government. That human rights abroad and can allow the about losing their homes or their cars is what we should be focused on. That violent destruction of over 26 million or their jobs. Entire families, entire is what Americans want us to do. We children here at home. We are fortu- communities are impacted, uncertain, need to end this. Let’s reopen the gov- nate that Ana was not one of those and scared. ernment, not attack women one more children. She survived. In my home State of Washington and time. That was 1992, but today we still in every State in this country, I have I yield the floor. don’t have Federal protections for the come to the floor time and again to I suggest the absence of a quorum. babies who survive the brutal abortion share these stories, along with many of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The process. I am working with Senator my Democratic colleagues. We have clerk will call the roll. SASSE, who is leading the effort this called on Republican leaders to stand The senior assistant legislative clerk year to reintroduce the Born Alive with us, stand with their constituents, proceeded to call the roll. Abortion Survivor Act, which would and schedule a vote to end the shut- Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask ensure that a baby who survives an down. All it would take is a vote. We unanimous consent that the order for abortion will receive the same treat- know it would pass, and we can move it the quorum call be rescinded. ment as any child naturally born pre- through the House and send it to the The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. mature at the same age, without pre- President. CRAMER). Without objection, it is so or- scribing any particular form of treat- S. 109 dered. ment. That is just morally right, and I What have Republican leaders done, MARCH FOR LIFE don’t see how anyone could vote instead of scheduling a vote to help Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, more against something like that. We will workers and families and small busi- than 100,000 people and families will find out. ness owners and our economy; what join together in the March for Life in Just a few years later, in 1997, I was have they done, instead of standing Washington that is going to take place on the floor of this body, the U.S. Sen- with their constituents to reopen this tomorrow. They will brave the cold— ate, with my good friend former Sen- government and end this madness? there is supposed to be sleet and bad ator Rick Santorum, to try to pass the Well, they have done what they have weather—for one simple reason, to give partial birth abortion ban and end the always done when they don’t know voice to the voiceless, the unborn, our horrific practice of late-term abor- what else to do. They scheduled a vote most vulnerable among us but are still tions. I remember how active Senator to attack women and their healthcare. deserving of the right to life. Rick Santorum was at that time, a real I almost couldn’t believe it when I Jeremiah 1:5 says: leader in the pro-life cause. I spoke heard it. This government is shut Before I formed you in the womb I knew then, 1997, on the floor: down. People are hurting. They want you, I thank the Senator from Pennsyl- solutions. They want the government Before you were born I sanctified you. vania for yielding time. I think he to open, and Republicans are going to To everyone who comes to the March made one of the best presentations I vote to effectively ban abortion cov- for Life, know that we hear you, and have heard on the floor of this body. I erage. That is the business on the floor. we are standing with you, just as we want to say that, when he deals with Instead of voting to pay Federal have in the past. the facts, he is dealing with the facts workers, they are trying to tell women This is not a new topic, not for me to but, you know, we are also dealing what kind of health insurance they can speak on either. Twenty-five years ago, today with perceptions. or can’t have. Instead of working to I came down to tell a story. At that I tried to make a list of those things make sure our airports are secure, they time, I was in the House. This has been I have heard over and over. There is a want to undermine women’s access to going on for a long period of time. I lot of redundancy on this floor, but the healthcare they choose. Instead of came down here to tell the story of there are some things that have not ending the chaos and dysfunction and Hannah Rosa Rodriguez. This is a been stated. I would like to share a getting our country back on track, quote from 1992: couple of those with you.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.051 S16JAPT1 S262 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 I am going to do something that is a Ron Fitzsimmons, there is every rea- the entire Nation came with compas- little unusual because I am going to son to believe he could turn around on sion and mourned with us. read some Scriptures to you. It is not the issue. I suggest also that we are One life—I agree with Senator Moy- totally unprecedented in this body. In talking now not just about a procedure nihan—is too many. fact, I have done it many, many times. but a culture. One other issue that has not been dis- The distinguished Senator from West I have a very good friend by the name cussed in this debate this year—keep in Virginia does it quite often. of Charles Colson. We all remember mind that is 1997—is that of pain. Rath- I was talking about Bob Byrd. We re- Chuck Colson. He is the guy who start- er than go into it—I do not think any- member Bob Byrd. He is deceased now, ed the Campus Crusade for Christ. He one refutes the fact that a small baby, but this was 1997, and he read Scrip- gave these remarks upon winning the if that baby is certainly past the sec- tures every day on the floor of this prestigious Templeton Prize for a con- ond trimester, feels pain every bit as Senate. tribution to religion. Listen very care- much as anybody who is in here, as any So I would like to read a couple of fully. He puts it all together, not iso- Member of the U.S. Senate would feel Scriptures, just for those who care. lating one procedure or one issue. He pain. Anyone who does not, just don’t listen. said: There was a study conducted in Lon- First of all, I have used this a num- Courts [like to] strike down even perfunc- don, and I have the results here, but I ber of times. Jeremiah 1:35 says: ‘‘Be- tory prayers, and we are surprised that think everyone understands that this fore I formed you in the womb I knew schools, bristling with barbed wire, look is something that is very real—that you; Before you were born I sanctified more like prisons than prisons do. Univer- these babies do feel pain. you.’’ The 139th Psalm, no matter sities reject the very idea of truth, and we My junior Senator gave an excellent which interpretation you use, makes it are shocked when their best and their bright- speech on the floor, and he talked est loot and betray. about all of these issues in a different very clear when life begins. Life begins Celebrities mock the traditional family, at conception. even revile it as a form of slavery, and we way, but he is doing it currently, and Then I was, not too long ago, at the are appalled at the tragedy of broken homes we are talking about now quite a num- U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. I and millions of unwed mothers. The media ber of years ago. had been to the museum in Jerusalem, celebrate sex without responsibility, and we I have a picture of a good friend of and I found the same thing was printed are horrified by plagues. Our lawmakers jus- mine with me. His name is Jase— on the last brick as you are going tify the taking of innocent lives in sterile James Edward Rapert. through. This is Deuteronomy 30:19. It clinics, and we are terrorized by the dis- Back when people our age were hav- regard for life in blood-soaked streets. said: ‘‘I call heaven and earth as wit- ing babies—I am talking about myself nesses today against you, that I have I think that puts into context what now. Kay and I have been married 59 set before you life and death, blessing we are now approaching—that it is not years. We have 20 kids and grandkids. and cursing; therefore choose life, that just a normal type of abortion. We know a little bit about this. Back both you and your descendants may I have a great deal of respect for one at that time when they were having ba- live.’’ of the most intellectual Members of bies, they wouldn’t even let you in the Last, I am also concerned that some- this body. Keep in mind that this is hospital, let alone the delivery room. thing that is as dramatic and as sig- 1997. His name is Patrick Moynihan—a When my daughter Molly called up nificant as this issue is going to go un- very good man. He is from New York. and said, ‘‘Daddy, the time is here; noticed; that maybe there are Senators Not many people know that he actu- could you come over,’’ I went over to out there who are not really into this ally lived in his early years as my the hospital, and she said: Would you issue, and they might want to vote the neighbor in Tulsa, OK. Again, at that like to come into the delivery room? party line or they might want to say, time, nobody knew it until I mentioned I said: Yes, I would. well, maybe there aren’t as many of it. I saw for the first time what many of these procedures out there, so they just He was a self-proclaimed pro-choice you in this room have seen and many really are not knowledgeable on the Senator. He said: ‘‘And now we have of the women have experienced first- subject. So I will read Proverbs 24:11– testimony that it is not just too close hand. I was there when this little guy 12: to infanticide; it is infanticide, and one was born. It is hard to describe to some Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced would be too many.’’ of the men here who have not been to death; don’t stand back and let them die. That is Patrick Moynihan. He is through that experience of seeing this Don’t try to disclaim responsibility by say- thought of and respected as one of the wonderful life begin, and I can remem- ing you didn’t know about it. For God, who great liberal scholars of this body. ber when, in that room where the deliv- knows all hearts, knows yours, and He knows This is where we get the numbers ery took place, it occurred to me that you knew. game. I heard it said on the floor many when baby Jase, my grandson, was That is pretty specific. times that we are talking about maybe born, that is the moment when they Mr. President, I was listening to the 1 percent or that maybe talking about could have used this procedure inflict- Senator from Massachusetts who said those who are in the ninth month may ing all of the pain you have heard de- it does not do any good if we pass this be an infinitesimal number, but in fact, scribed so many times: going into the because the President is going to veto one is too many. It was said on the cranium with the scissors, opening the it anyway. floor that we may be only talking scissors, sucking the brains out, and That was actually in 1997. The Presi- about 200 lives being taken during the the skull collapses. dent, if you remember, at that time, I normal delivery process. That is when That is pain, and there are individ- advised the chairman, was Bill Clinton. a baby is given a natural birth and, uals who want to keep a procedure like But I suggest to you that the Presi- yet, they take the life by using this this legal. If you did that to a dog, they dent may not veto it, and if he does barbaric procedure. We have all kinds would picket in front of your office. veto it, maybe some people will come of documentation that it is being done Somehow, we have developed a culture over who were not here a year ago on in the ninth month and during the nor- that puts a greater value on the lives this side of the aisle. mal birth process. They say only 200— of critters than human life. I watched See, this was 1997. It was pretty close only 200 lives are taken. baby Jase being born. I suggest to back then. It could have gone either I agree with Patrick Moynihan. I am those of you who are concerned about way. totally in a different philosophy than choice that this is really the choice. It One individual at the time was Ron he is, but one is too many. is either that choice or this choice, and Fitzsimmons, who just last year in- I am from Oklahoma, and some of these choices we are facing today. sisted that the number of partial birth you remember that we lost 168 lives in This is something on which I agree abortions were a relative handful now the Murrah Federal Office Building with the Senator from Pennsylvania. I admits: ‘‘I lied through my teeth.’’ He bombing. This was the largest domestic was talking at that time about Rick was lying. So if the President is predi- terrorist attack in American history. Santorum. cating his decision to veto this ban on Did anybody say that is only 168 lives We should not be having to talk the basis of what was told to him by that were lost in Oklahoma City? No, about it. To think that 100 years from

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.054 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S263 now they may look back and talk I also cosponsored the Child Inter- don’t believe there is a single Member about that barbaric society that killed state Abortion Notification Act, led by of the U.S. Senate who would wish Jas- their own young, and here we are just Senator RUBIO, which would prohibit mine’s struggle on their very worst trying to save a few lives from a very individuals from taking minors across enemy. painful death. Nonetheless, that is the State lines where they have lax laws Then comes the government shut- issue we are faced with today. just to have an abortion, stopping their down. I gave that speech in 1997 and again States from having the jurisdiction. Jasmine was due to travel to Nevada in 1998 and year after year until we won Finally, and perhaps most impor- this month for treatment related to the battle and finally ended the prac- tantly, I am cosponsoring Senator her tumor, but last week, as she was tice of partial-birth abortion in 2003—a GRAHAM’s Pain-Capable Unborn Child prepared to go, she was informed that ban that was upheld by the Supreme Protection Act, which would prohibit her health insurance had lapsed. Ini- Court in 2007. There is still much more abortions from being performed on un- tially, she thought it might be—we all that needs to be done to end abortion born babies after 20 weeks, when we know with insurance—kind of a recent on demand culture. know they can feel pain. Only five hiccup or recent problem, something President Trump gets this. He was countries allow abortions after 20 that could be corrected quickly. the first sitting President to speak at weeks, including the United States and This week, she learned that it lapsed March for Life, and his administration North Korea, and that is unacceptable. in October—October, months ago—and has made real progress to advance the I wish to acknowledge a very impor- her insurance company told her that pro-life agenda. He has reinstated the tant day. Religious Freedom Day is only her employer could fix it. Mexico City policy. We remember what today. It is clear that our Founding Jasmine’s employer is shut down. No- that was. It was the one that bans tax- Fathers recognized and enshrined the body is answering the phones. Right payer money from funding abortions importance of religious liberty—one of now, Jasmine Tool is suffering—this mother of two—and is unable to deter- abroad and directed the Justice De- our most precious and foundational re- mine what caused the lapse in her cov- partment to formally investigate ligious freedoms, which allowed them erage or what can be done to get it Planned Parenthood. to live their lives according to the President Trump also directed the fixed. teachings of the Bible. The most immediate threat is this: Department of Health and Human I have long been a strong advocate of Jasmine was told that her home health Services to expand religious and con- the basic human right to freely wor- assistant cannot continue to help her if science exemptions to protect individ- ship, and I am glad we can take a mo- she doesn’t have insurance. That uals’ religious liberty. ment today to recognize that. means that within days this 30-year-old I am working in Congress to end the Anyway, all from speeches from 1992 mom will not be able to get the infu- practice of abortion on demand that and 1997—it is as true today as it was sions she needs to stay alive. strips opportunity away from unborn then. We are ready to start saving lives Now, if that isn’t enough, Jasmine babies and deprives them of the right instead of taking the most vulnerable has been failed by the government on to life. little lives, and we are ready now. multiple occasions. Shortly after she This week I have joined my col- With that, I yield the floor. went on medical leave in early 2017, she The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- leagues in introducing five common- began the process of applying for dis- sense bills—this is taking place right ator from Oregon. ability—disability retirement. She now, as we speak—in addition to the GOVERNMENT FUNDING worked with the appropriate human re- Born Alive Abortion Survivors Act, by Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, a few sources official to prepare the paper- Senator SASSE, which I mentioned ear- minutes ago, I got off the phone with work to send to the Office of Personnel lier in this presentation. The No Tax- Jasmine Tool, who is an Oregonian liv- Management. She thought, as anybody payer Funding of Abortion Act, work- ing with an inoperable brain tumor. As would, that the process was underway ing with Senator WICKER, would estab- the shutdown lingers on, I want to and she would hear back soon about lish a governmentwide statutory prohi- share her story because she has been the results of her application. bition on taxpayer subsidies for abor- bearing the unthinkable consequences She just learned recently that the of- tion and abortion coverage—simple of her illness. ficial who prepared the documents re- enough. I am pleased that Majority I am going to start today by asking: tired without sending them in. For a Leader MCCONNELL has set up a proce- How can a country as rich and good year and a half, while Jasmine fought dural vote for this bill today. and strong as the United States of cancer and was just hoping to get some There is the Life at Conception Act, America let Jasmine Tool suffer this positive news, her disability paperwork which Senator PAUL has, which would way? sat in an unused office—just sat there recognize that life begins at concep- She is a 34-year-old mother of two collecting dust. tion. young children. She lives in Lake She had to travel to that office The Title X Abortion Provider Prohi- County, a rural community in south against her doctor’s orders to finalize bition Act, led by Senator BLACK- central Oregon. She is a public servant, the paperwork once more and prevent a BURN—one of our brand-new freshman an employee of the U.S. Fish and Wild- loss of benefits. But the Office of Per- Senators—would prohibit title X fam- life Service. She has been living with sonnel Management—that is shut down ily planning funds. Those are taxpayer an inoperable brain tumor. The cancer too. Jasmine hasn’t been able to learn funds now being used to subsidize abor- has caused related debilitating condi- where her benefits stand. tions. tions. She is in and out of hospital It is too cruel already that thousands You might be wondering how that is emergency rooms. Her digestive system and thousands of American workers are different from the one just talked is impaired. With the invaluable care going without paychecks. This shut- about. Here is how. Every year, provided by a home health worker, she down is making victims of those who Planned Parenthood receives nearly $60 takes in liquids and nutritional infu- do public service. But consider what it million from the American taxpayer sions through tubing that is plugged is doing to this young mother of two, a through title X family planning pro- into her abdomen. woman who is currently fighting for gram. The program is intended to as- Because she lives in a rural area, her her life right now. sist low-income women with family treatment can require long-distance Because of this shutdown, she can’t planning services. Unfortunately, this travel. That is hard to deal with when figure out how to restore her health in- money is being used to subsidize mas- you are suffering from the flu. Just surance. She can’t get the status of her sive organizations that engage in abor- imagine how hard it is with a brain disability application. She could be cut tion activities, such as Planned Par- tumor, a broken digestive tract, and off—I just talked to her—from her nu- enthood, and we need to stop that. feeding tubes attached to your body tritional supplements in a matter of The Protect Funding for Women’s that prevent you from eating or drink- days. That means Jasmine could Health Care Act, led by Senator ERNST, ing normally. starve. That is what she just told me. would prohibit all Federal funding of She is confronting this health chal- So I have been talking to people who Planned Parenthood. lenge with remarkable bravery, and I have suffered from health challenges

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.055 S16JAPT1 S264 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 for a long time—director of the Grey we should never resort to shutting other equally necessary expenditures Panthers about 7 years at home. I lis- down government. It harms too many or they find themselves going deeply in tened to Jasmine and I just said: How innocent Federal employees—in this debt. can it be that there is no outbreak of case, 800,000 Federal employees and The Affordable Care Act increased conscience here—no outbreak of con- their families—and it hampers the abil- the income threshold for taxpayers to science here in this Senate? How can a ity of American citizens to deal with deduct their medical expenses from 7.5 country as rich and powerful as ours their government. percent to 10 percent. I very much op- fail Jasmine in such a shameful way? At the same time, we do have a prob- posed that provision of the ACA. For Our country is going to spend $3.5 lem at our southern border. We do need individuals under 65, the increase went trillion on healthcare—$3.5 trillion on to strengthen our border security and into effect in 2013, but for those over 65, healthcare—this year. It is not a lack fix our broken immigration system. We individuals would have been exposed to of money that is causing this night- need to address the issue of the Dream- this higher threshold for the first time mare for Jasmine Tool in rural Oregon. ers population, those young children in 2017. Fortunately, we were able to With the government reopened, brought to this country through no de- remedy that for those over age 65. things would be different. Things would cision of their own who are now, often, When the ACA increase was phased be very different for Jasmine. There young adults and who are going to in, many individuals struggling with would be somebody on the other end of school or working or otherwise serving serious health conditions saw their fi- the phone line to tell Jasmine what in the military or contributing to our nancial health worsen. For example, a happened to her insurance, and because country. 2016 study estimates that parents, in- of the professionalism of those in these The outlines of a compromise are evi- cluding many with limited means, al- positions, I think they could tell her dent, but in order to get there, I be- ready provide nearly $36 billion annu- how to renew that insurance. There lieve we need to assure the President ally in uncompensated medical care at would be somebody to tell her what is that we will seriously consider his sup- home to children with special happening with her disability applica- plemental request for border security, healthcare needs, such as muscular tion. Jasmine could bring back her a request that includes not just fund- dystrophy and cystic fibrosis. home health aide and get the infusions ing for additional physical barriers to A 2016 survey of cancer survivors she needs to survive. supplement the more than 600 miles of showed that one-third go into debt, and So I am asking the Senate, how can physical barriers—walls, fences—that of those, more than half incurred more this be allowed to continue? How can were built during two previous admin- than $10,000 in unreimbursed expenses. this be allowed to continue? The Sen- istrations but also includes $800 million For seniors with significant long- ate passed a bipartisan government to meet the humanitarian needs of term care needs, the deduction helps funding bill by voice vote just 2 weeks those who are crossing the border. It with the cost of home health or per- ago in the previous Congress. also includes additional funding for sonal care services or, when needed, I see Senator COLLINS. She has a Border Patrol agents and for Immigra- the cost of a long-term care facility, longstanding interest in these tion and Customs and Border Enforce- such as a nursing home. The deduction healthcare issues. Senator SASSE also, ment. can also be used for other expenses I know from our conversations, has a This simply cannot continue. We that Medicare generally does not cover, heart and cares about people. need to come together in good faith, re- including dental treatment, vision The House passed this legislation. open government for a limited period care, and certain transportation costs. The pathway out of this shutdown is of time at least, and negotiate a pack- Seniors can also use the medical ex- right in front of us if the majority age that will strengthen security on pense deduction for expenses like leader would decide when to bring up our borders, and that is what I would wheelchair ramps, installing railings the legislation again, and we could do urge the President, his administration, and support bars in bathrooms, and it tonight. Jasmine Tool could get the and my colleagues on both sides of the lowering or modifying kitchen cabinets lifesaving healthcare that she needs, aisle to do. and equipment and other home modi- based on our conversation, by week’s In the meantime, we also need to get fications made for medical reasons. end, so she will not starve. back to the work of the Senate. That, These improvements can allow seniors Otherwise, unless the majority leader too, is important, and today I rise to with medical conditions or disabilities calls it up, it seems to me the White introduce a bill that would help Ameri- to live at home in the safety, comfort, House has no plan to end this shut- cans who are struggling with high and familiarity of their own home. down. So I just think it has to end healthcare expenses. The tax deduction Some seniors find that their savings right here—right here in the U.S. Sen- for certain unreimbursed, out-of-pock- become rapidly depleted. They may ate, where all of us say: This cannot go et medical expenses affects many tax- spend down their financial resources in on any longer. payers significantly. order to receive the services and sup- I just spoke to a young mom in rural Regrettably, the threshold to claim port they require through the Medicaid Oregon who is in a fight for her life, a this important tax deduction rose from Program. According to Genworth’s 2018 fight for her survival. 7.5 percent to 10 percent of income at Cost of Care Survey, home health aide Colleagues who are here, I am sure the end of 2018, ending its value for services can cost $50,000 annually, Jasmine is not the only such case in many American taxpayers who simply while a private room at a nursing home America. Jasmine Tool—my guess is, will no longer qualify. can cost nearly $100,000. By retaining a there are plenty of others in commu- Today, I reintroduce legislation, lower threshold for the medical ex- nities across the country. Jasmine which I have sponsored with my col- pense tax deduction, some families Tool does not have the luxury of time. league Senator CANTWELL, that would would be able to continue to pay these I am going to go back to my office. reinstate and make permanent the essential costs themselves. My staff here, my staff folks in Or- lower income threshold for the medical Some erroneously believe that this egon—we are just going to be pulling expense deduction. Our bill, the Med- deduction only benefits the wealthy, out all the stops now because it really ical Expense Savings Act, would once when, in fact, it is mainly lower and is a matter of hours to get Jasmine the again allow taxpayers to deduct unre- middle-income Americans who have help she needs. We do it recognizing imbursed healthcare costs that exceed been hurt. According to AARP, nearly that there is only one immediate solu- 7.5 percent of their income. 70 percent of taxpayers taking the de- tion: The shutdown must end, and it For those who suffer from preexisting duction in 2014 reported income of must end now. medical conditions, have chronic ill- $75,000 or less, and nearly half reported I yield the floor. nesses, experience unexpected sickness incomes of $50,000 or less. In Maine, ac- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- or injuries, or require long term care, cording to AARP, almost 36,000 of our ator from Maine. out-of-pocket healthcare expenses can residents claimed this deduction in Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, govern- quickly become an unbearable burden. 2014, and nearly 19,000 of these individ- ment shutdowns are never the answer. Too many Americans are forced to uals reported an income of $50,000 or No matter how difficult the problem, choose between medical services and less.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.057 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S265 That is why, during the tax reform care. The medical expense deduction makes nominated by the President to be a debate in 2017, I introduced a successful health care more affordable for people with Federal judge for the District of Ne- amendment that rolled back the in- significant out-of-pocket expenses. braska. This is an honor for him and come threshold to 7.5 percent for tax- Furthermore, older Americans often face his family, a celebration of his brain, high costs for long-term services and sup- payers to deduct their medical ex- ports—which are generally not covered by work ethic, and his integrity. By the penses in 2017 and 2018. My amendment Medicare—as well as hospitalizations and way, Brian is also Catholic and an ac- expanded upon the efforts of Senators prescription drugs. The median cost for a tive member of the Knights of Colum- ROB PORTMAN and SHERROD BROWN, private room in a nursing home is over bus. who had worked to prevent this in- $97,000 annually, while the median cost for The Knights of Columbus, for those crease from going into effect for indi- even more cost-effective home-based care is of you who don’t know, is the largest viduals over 65. As I said, my amend- still over $30,000 per year (for 20 hours of care Catholic fraternal service organization ment was incorporated into the new a week). In 2013, roughly 25.8 million bene- in the world. The Knights’ 1.6 million ficiaries in traditional Medicare spent at members of the organization raise mil- tax law, and thus, for 2017 and for 2018, least 10 percent of their income on out-of- the threshold for deducting these out- pocket health care expenses. Tax relief in lions of dollars for charity every year, of-pocket medical costs was 7.5 percent this area can provide needed resources, espe- and they contribute millions of hours of income. But at the end of last year, cially important to middle income seniors of volunteer service. that expired. with high long-term care and medical costs. Like a lot of guys back in Nebraska, The AARP and 44 other consumer The medical expense deduction is a critical Brian joined the Knights of Columbus groups have strongly endorsed the ef- tool in managing health care cost for Ameri- to give back and to also be involved in fort undertaken by Senator CANTWELL cans with high out-of-pocket expenses. For a bunch of fish frys. This is not the and me, stating that ‘‘it provides im- these reasons, we are pleased to endorse this stuff of headlines, but it is the stuff of legislation and look forward to working on a portant tax relief which helps offset bipartisan basis with you to enact this legis- basic neighborliness. the costs of acute and chronic medical lation into law. If you have any questions or This is where the story gets weird be- conditions for older Americans, chil- need additional information, please feel free cause at Brian’s confirmation hearing dren, pregnant women, disabled indi- to contact me or Jasmine Vasquez. before the Senate Judiciary Committee viduals, and other adults as well as the Sincerely, a few weeks ago, one of my colleagues costs associated with long-term care JOYCE A. ROGERS, on the Judiciary Committee called the and assisted living.’’ Senior Vice President, Knights of Columbus ‘‘an extremist or- This is a step we can take to rein- Government Affairs. ganization.’’ Huh? It got worse. Brian state an expired tax deduction that Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I yield then got a letter from a Member of this will make a real difference to people the floor. body asking him if he would resign his who are struggling with high out-of- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- membership in the Knights of Colum- pocket medical costs. ator from Nebraska. bus if he were confirmed to the Federal I urge my colleagues to support our f bench to ‘‘avoid the appearance of legislation that will help our families bias.’’ EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE cope with high medical costs by mak- This is nuts. We are talking about SENATE THAT DISQUALIFYING A ing sure that this important deduction the largest Catholic fraternal organiza- NOMINEE TO FEDERAL OFFICE remains available for future tax years. tion in the world being called an ex- ON THE BASIS OF MEMBERSHIP Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- tremist organization and a nominee for IN THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS sent to have printed in the RECORD a the Federal bench being asked to re- VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION letter from AARP dated January 15, sign from this organization so that he OF THE UNITED STATES 2019, endorsing the Collins-Cantwell can serve without the appearance of legislation. Mr. SASSE. Mr. President, I rise bias. The clear implication here was There being no objection, the mate- today to offer a very basic resolution. I that Brian’s religious beliefs and his rial was ordered to be printed in the want Senators to unanimously reaffirm religious affiliations—in this case, an RECORD, as follows: our oath of office to a Constitution affiliation with a Catholic organization AARP, that explicitly rejects religious big- that invests countless hours and mil- Washington, January 15, 2019. otry. lions of dollars annually serving spe- Hon. SUSAN COLLINS, It is useful to regularly remind our- cial needs kids—Brian was supposedly U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. selves that Americans are First therefore potentially unfit for Federal Hon. MARIA CANTWELL, Amendment people. Each of the five service. This is the same kind of gar- U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. freedoms in the First Amendment— DEAR SENATORS COLLINS AND CANTWELL: On bage that was thrown at a Member of behalf of our members and all Americans age speech, press, religion, assembly, and this body, John F. Kennedy, 60 years 50 and older, AARP is writing to thank you protest—defines who we are. In Amer- ago when he was campaigning for the for introducing the Medical Expense Savings ica, we talk, we read, we argue, and we Presidency. Act (S. 110), legislation to permanently ex- march and worship without fear. Be- So today I have introduced a resolu- tend the 7.5 percent income threshold for the cause of this fundamental celebration tion—a 101-level, basic resolution—that medical expense deduction AARP, with its of human dignity and human freedom, simply reaffirms the belief of this body more than 38 million members in all 50 America is big enough to welcome a in American religious liberty. The res- states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories, represents individuals seeking fi- whole bunch of meaty and messy fights olution simply says that it is the sense nancial stability while managing their on everything from whom you vote for of the Senate that disqualifying a health care and every effort should be made to whom you call God. nominee for the Federal bench or any to keep the threshold for the deduction as Just as the First Amendment pro- Federal office on the basis of his Catho- low as possible to help protect those with hibits the government from dictating lic beliefs or membership in the high medical costs. anyone’s religious beliefs, so, too, the Knights of Columbus violates the no The medical expense deduction provides Constitution explicitly rejects reli- religious test clause of the Constitu- important tax relief that helps offset the gious tests for Federal office. Our Con- cost of acute and chronic medical conditions tion. It seems obvious on its face. for older Americans, children, and individ- stitution explicitly rejects religious In this resolution, we are simply re- uals with disabilities. For many, the medical tests for Federal office. This isn’t a Re- affirming with President Kennedy and expense deduction can help offset high out- publican belief; this isn’t a Democratic with countless other Americans across of-pocket expenses—expenses that qualify in- belief; this is an American belief. But, 230 years—Protestant, Catholic, Jew, clude money paid for diagnosis, treatment, tragically, over the last couple of Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Agnostic, equipment, long-term care services, and years, some strange things have been Atheist and others—we are simply re- long-term care insurance premiums. happening in this body, and we seem to affirming the idea that America is big The tax filers who claim the medical ex- pense deduction have historically been age 50 be forgetting some of those basic 101 enough for disagreements. Stated dif- or older and living with a chronic condition American civics truths. ferently, we are saying that we believe or illness. The average Medicare beneficiary I want to tell you a story. Brian the U.S. Government is not in the busi- spends about $5,680 out of pocket on medical Buescher from my State was recently ness of trying to resolve debates about

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.059 S16JAPT1 S266 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 Heaven and Hell; rather, the business consideration of S. Res. 19, submitted What a great pair. As a young couple of the U.S. Government is to preserve earlier today. in the 1980s, Tom and Marilyn served peace and order so that you and your The PRESIDING OFFICER. The together in the Peace Corps, helping neighbors can precisely wrestle about clerk will report the resolution by rainforest dwellers in the highlands of things such as Heaven and Hell or title. Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. sports loyalties or dietary preferences. The bill clerk read as follows: They were married for 46 years. America can handle principled plu- A resolution (S. Res. 19) expressing the After finishing their Peace Corps ralism and honest, serious debate. sense of the Senate that disqualifying a service in 1986, Tom and Marilyn re- This resolution ought to have the nominee to Federal office on the basis of turned to Aurora, and Tom was hired support of every single Member of this membership in the Knights of Columbus vio- by the city’s then-mayor, David Pierce, body. After all, each of us took an oath lates the Constitution of the United States. to be Aurora’s director of emergency to defend this very idea when we first There being no objection, the Senate services. Over the next 18 years, he came here. This is what America is ac- proceeded to consider the resolution. headed a number of city agencies, in- tually about. Mr. SASSE. I ask unanimous consent cluding the departments of motor vehi- The text of the resolution before us that the resolution be agreed to, the cles, public property, and community states: preamble be agreed to, and that the services and organizational develop- Expressing the sense of the Senate that motions to reconsider be considered ment. disqualifying a nominee to Federal office on made and laid upon the table with no ‘‘It was in his three terms as Auro- the basis of membership in the Knights of intervening action or debate. ra’s mayor, from 2005 to 2016, that Tom Columbus violates the Constitution of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Weisner left his greatest mark. His United States. objection, it is so ordered. keen understanding of organizational Whereas, throughout the history of the The resolution (S. Res. 19) was agreed efficiency, his commitment to public United States, the religious liberty protected to. service, and his passion for children, by both the First Amendment and the No Re- The preamble was agreed to. ligious Test Clause of the Constitution of the (The resolution, with its preamble, is for a vibrant, sustainable economy, for United States has been at the heart of the the arts and environment, and many American experiment; printed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Sub- mitted Resolutions.’’) other concerns helped to make Aurora Whereas, in 1960, the presidential can- a better place to live, own a business, didacy of John F. Kennedy was met with sig- Mr. SASSE. I thank the Members of nificant anti-Catholic bigotry; this body for reaffirming basic con- and raise a family. Whereas, then-Senator Kennedy responded stitutional 101 stuff today. I will report There is one statistic that says a lot to the bigotry with these timeless words: back to Brian Buescher, the nominee about the kind of leader Tom Weisner ‘‘For while this year it may be a Catholic for the Federal Bench for the District was: In his 11 years as mayor, Aurora against whom the finger of suspicion is of Nebraska, that he can ignore those rehabilitated 11 bridges. At a time pointed, in other years it has been, and may when government at all levels is strug- someday be again, a Jew or a Quaker or a questions he received about whether he would resign his membership in the gling and often failing to maintain Unitarian or a Baptist. . . . Today I may be basic public infrastructure, Aurora re- the victim, but tomorrow it may be you, Knights of Columbus before this body until the whole fabric of our harmonious so- proceeds to vote on his confirmation. paired 11 bridges in 11 years. The ciety is ripped at a time of great national The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- strengthened bridges helped spur a re- peril.’’; jority leader. birth of Aurora’s downtown. Whereas the Knights of Columbus (in this The Fox River is one of Aurora’s preamble referred to as the ‘‘Knights’’) con- f greatest economic and cultural assets. stitute the largest Catholic fraternal service MORNING BUSINESS Mayor Weisner authorized the city’s organization in the world; first long-term plan for the river. He Whereas the Knights have a proud tradi- MR. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I tion of standing against the forces of preju- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- oversaw the removal of a dam on the dice and oppression, such as the Ku Klux ate be in a period of morning business, Fox River, which opened up space for Klan and Nazi Germany; with Senators permitted to speak bike paths and new commercial ven- Whereas the Knights are founded on the therein for up to 10 minutes each. tures, and he helped organize a re- principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without gional coalition of communities to im- patriotism; and prove the southern portion of the Fox Whereas, in 2017, the Knights made more objection, it is so ordered. than $185,000,000 in charitable contributions f River. Tom Weisner championed new con- and volunteered more than 75,600,000 service REMEMBERING TOM WEISNER hours: Now, therefore, be it servation and sustainability policies Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, Aurora, that made Aurora a greener city. At that disqualifying a nominee to Federal of- IL, is blessed with a long history of vi- the same time, he supported changes fice on the basis of membership in the sionary leadership. The first public that made it easier and faster to obtain Knights of Columbus violates clause 3 of ar- school district in my State was found- city building and other permits. ticle VI of the Constitution of the United ed in Aurora in 1851. Aurora was a cen- He oversaw the construction of a new States, which establishes that Senators police headquarters, with new tools ‘‘shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to ter of abolitionist activism before the support th[e] Constitution’’ and ‘‘no reli- Civil War. and more resources, and crime in Au- gious Test shall ever be required as a Quali- In 1881, Aurora, of Chicago’s north- rora decreased. fication to any Office or public Trust under west suburbs, became one of the first Children were a special concern of the United States.’’ cities in America to line its streets Mayor Weisner. Under his leadership, Period. Full stop. with electric lights, and people began Aurora created a new program called If a Senator has a problem with this to call it a City of Lights—Paris on the SPARK to help children from birth to resolution, they are probably in the Plains. age 5 to prepare for kindergarten. wrong line of work because this is what Sadly, last month, 2 days after SPARK stands for ‘‘Strong, Prepared, America is. This is a super basic point. Christmas, one of Aurora’s brightest and Ready for Kindergarten.’’ It is a No religious tests. If someone has a lights was extinguished. Former Au- collaboration involving Aurora’s public problem with this resolution, what rora mayor Tom Weisner died after a schools and public library, the local other parts of the Constitution are long, brave, and public struggle with United Way, and other groups. Nearly they against? Freedom of the press? cancer. He was 69 years old. 5,500 children and their families have Women’s right to vote? Freedom of Tom Weisner spent his earliest years benefited from its services. speech? in nearby Batavia, IL. He came to Au- Next year, a new Paramount School This isn’t hard. There are no reli- rora in the 1960s to attend Marmion of Performing Arts will open and offer gious tests for serving on the Federal Military Academy. It was during his young people a chance to study under bench. We in this body should rebuke time at Marmion that Tom met his fu- some of the best teaching artists and these anti-Catholic attacks. ture wife, Marilyn Hogan, who was professionals in the country. Tom Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- then a student at Marmion’s ‘‘sister helped raise money to make this hap- sent that the Senate proceed to the school,’’ Aurora Madonna High School. pen.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:57 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.060 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S267 The DuPage Mayors and Managers of Missouri and Kentucky. The growth chairman may designate the ranking minor- Conference honored Tom in 2015 as its of Local 881 in an age when the labor ity member to preside at hearings of the Governmental Leader of the Year. The movement is under relentless attack committee or subcommittee. Rule 3.—Meetings of the committee or a American Public Works Association and many unions are losing members is subcommittee, including meetings to con- awarded him its Exemplary Service a testament to Ron Powell’s leadership duct hearings, shall be open to the public ex- Award in 2017, the year after Tom re- and his commitment to dignity and cept as otherwise specifically provided in tired. fairness for working people. subsections (b) and (d) of rule 26.5 of the Tom Weisner’s public achievements Ron Powell became president of Standing Rules of the Senate. are even more remarkable, given the UFCW Local 881 in 1983, just 2 years Rule 4.—(a) Subject to paragraph (b), one- private pain that he and Marilyn en- after the local was chartered. Strength, third of the membership of the committee, dured during his years as mayor. In vision, and compassion are the hall- actually present, shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business. Any 2006, they lost the younger of their two marks of his service. Illinois’ working quorum of the committee which is composed sons, Thaddeus, to complications of families and our State’s economy have of less than a majority of the members of the cerebral palsy. The following year, both benefited from his progressive and committee shall include at least one member Tom was first diagnosed with colon innovative leadership. of the majority and one member of the mi- cancer. He continued to serve the peo- In addition, under Ron Powell’s lead- nority. ple of Aurora through two surgeries ership, Local 881 Ron has raised hun- (b) A majority of the members of a sub- and long bouts of treatment. When his dreds of thousands of dollars for the committee, actually present, shall con- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, stitute a quorum for the purpose of cancer became public, he used his own transacting business: provided, no measure health challenges as a public service with the hope to find a cure. It has also or matter shall be ordered reported unless reminder, urging people to get raised funds for the Jackson Park Hos- such majority shall include at least one colonoscopies and early treatment. pital in Chicago and for the Little City member of the minority who is a member of In 2013, Aurora welcomed RiverEdge Foundation, which helps Chicago-area the subcommittee. If, at any subcommittee Park, a tremendous new waterfront children with developmental disabil- meeting, a measure or matter cannot be or- open space and concert venue. Years ities. dered reported because of the absence of such earlier, when the Great Recession My old friend, Senator Paul a minority member, the measure or matter threatened to derail the project, Mayor Wellstone, liked to sum up his defini- shall lay over for a day. If the presence of a member of the minority is not then ob- Weisner helped ensure that it contin- tion of good economic policy by saying, tained, a majority of the members of the ued. In 2016, the Aurora city council ‘‘We all do better when we all do bet- subcommittee, actually present, may order voted unanimously to rename the park ter.’’ such measure or matter reported. in Tom Weisner’s honor. It is a fitting Ron Powell believes in that same, (c) No measure or matter shall be ordered tribute to a leader who loved few proven plan for economic growth and reported from the committee or a sub- things more than enjoying music in his justice. Working families in my, State committee unless a majority of the com- city’s parks, dressed in a brightly of Illinois and far beyond are better off mittee or subcommittee is physically present. printed Tommy Bahama shirt and san- because of his decades of service on Rule 5.—With the approval of the chairman dals. their behalf. I am honored to join those of the committee or subcommittee, one Loretta and I offer our condolences families in honoring Ron Powell on his member thereof may conduct public hearings to Tom’s wife Marilyn, their son An- distinguished career, and as a former other than taking sworn testimony. thony, their two granddaughters, and member of UFCW’s early unions, I wish Rule 6.—Proxy voting shall be allowed on to Tom’s many friends. him the very best as he begins the next all measures and matters before the com- He ran the race, he fought the good chapter in his remarkable life. mittee or a subcommittee if the absent fight. Now he is gone, but the light member has been informed of the matter on f which he is being recorded and has affirma- that Mayor Tom Weisner helped to COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDU- tively requested that he be so recorded. bring to Aurora will continue to shine CATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS While proxies may be voted on a motion to for a long while. RULES OF PROCEDURE report a measure or matter from the com- f mittee, such a motion shall also require the Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, in concurrence of a majority of the members TRIBUTE TO RON POWELL accordance with rule XXVI.2 of the who are actually present at the time such Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I want Standing Rules of the Senate, I submit action is taken. to take a moment to thank a leader for publication in the CONGRESSIONAL The committee may poll any matters of committee business as a matter of unani- who has worked for nearly 60 years to RECORD the rules of procedure for the mous consent; provided that every member create a strong economy built on pride, Committee on Health, Education, is polled and every poll consists of the fol- progressive values, and shared pros- Labor, and Pensions, as unanimously lowing two questions: perity for all Americans. adopted by the committee on January (1) Do you agree or disagree to poll the pro- Ronald Powell is the legendary presi- 16, 2019. posal; and dent of Local 881 of the United Food I ask unanimous consent that the (2) Do you favor or oppose the proposal. and Commercial Workers International text of the Rules of Procedure be print- Rule 7.—There shall be prepared and kept a complete transcript or electronic recording Union. He is also a vice president on ed in the RECORD. adequate to fully record the proceedings of the UFCW International Union and a There being no objection, the mate- each committee or subcommittee meeting or vice president of the Illinois State rial was ordered to be printed in the conference whether or not such meetings or AFL-CIO. He is retiring this month RECORD, as follows: any part thereof is closed pursuant to the after an astonishing 58 years as a proud SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, specific provisions of subsections (b) and (d) union member and leader. LABOR, AND PENSIONS of rule 26.5 of the Standing Rules of the Sen- ate, unless a majority of said members vote You may not be familiar with the ini- LAMAR ALEXANDER, CHAIRMAN tials UFCW, but you almost surely ben- to forgo such a record. Such records shall RULES OF PROCEDURE (AS AGREED TO JANUARY efit from the good work of its mem- contain the vote cast by each member of the 16, 2019) committee or subcommittee on any question bers. The men and women of the UFCW Rule 1.—Subject to the provisions of rule on which a ‘‘yea and nay’’ vote is demanded, include grocery store workers and bak- XXVI, paragraph 5, of the Standing Rules of and shall be available for inspection by any ery clerks, hospital and nursing home the Senate, regular meetings of the com- committee member. The clerk of the com- employees—even barbers and beauty mittee shall be held on the second and fourth mittee, or the clerk’s designee, shall have shop employees. Wednesday of each month, at 10:00 a.m., in the responsibility to make appropriate ar- When Ron Powell joined the United room SD–430, Dirksen Senate Office Build- rangements to implement this rule. Retail Workers union, a forerunner to ing. The chairman may, upon proper notice, Rule 8.—The committee and each sub- Local 881, in 1961, the union had fewer call such additional meetings as he may committee shall undertake, consistent with deem necessary. the provisions of rule XXVI, paragraph 4, of than 5,000 members. Fifty-eight years Rule 2.—The chairman of the committee or the Standing Rules of the Senate, to issue later, UFCW Local 881 represents more of a subcommittee, or if the chairman is not public announcement of any hearing or exec- than 34,000 working men and women in present, the ranking majority member utive session it intends to hold at least one Illinois, northwest Indiana, and parts present, shall preside at all meetings. The week prior to the commencement of such

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16JA6.006 S16JAPT1 S268 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 hearing or executive session. In the case of are supplemental, minority, or additional (II) information relating to financial and an executive session, the text of any bill or views, an appropriate opportunity shall be other background of the nominee, to be made joint resolution to be considered must be given the majority to examine the proposed public when the committee determines that provided to the chairman for prompt elec- text prior to filing or publication. Unless the such information bears directly on the nomi- tronic distribution to the members of the chairman and ranking minority member nee’s qualifications to hold the position to committee. agree on a shorter period of time, the minor- which the individual is nominated. Rule 9.—The committee or a subcommittee ity shall have no fewer than three business Information relating to background and fi- shall require all witnesses heard before it to days to prepare supplemental, minority or nancial interests (parts I and II) shall not be file written statements of their proposed tes- additional views for inclusion in a com- required of nominees for less than full-time timony at least 24 hours before a hearing, mittee report from the time the majority appointments to councils, commissions or unless the chairman and the ranking minor- makes the proposed text of the committee boards when the committee determines that ity member determine that there is good report available to the minority. some or all of the information is not rel- cause for failure to so file, and to limit their Rule 17.—(a) The committee, or any sub- evant to the nature of the position. Informa- oral presentation to brief summaries of their committee, may issue subpoenas, or hold tion relating to other background and finan- arguments. Testimony may be filed elec- hearings to take sworn testimony or hear cial interests (part II) shall not be required tronically. The presiding officer at any hear- subpoenaed witnesses, only if such investiga- of any nominee when the committee deter- ing is authorized to limit the time of each tive activity has been authorized by major- mines that it is not relevant to the nature of witness appearing before the committee or a ity vote of the committee. the position. subcommittee. The committee or a sub- (b) For the purpose of holding a hearing to Committee action on a nomination, includ- committee shall, as far as practicable, uti- take sworn testimony or hear subpoenaed ing hearings or meetings to consider a mo- lize testimony previously taken on bills and witnesses, three members of the committee tion to recommend confirmation, shall not measures similar to those before it for con- or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum: be initiated until at least five days after the sideration. provided, with the concurrence of the chair- nominee submits the form required by this Rule 10.—Should a subcommittee fail to re- man and ranking minority member of the rule unless the chairman, with the concur- port back to the full committee on any committee or subcommittee, a single mem- rence of the ranking minority member, measure within a reasonable time, the chair- ber may hear subpoenaed witnesses or take waives this waiting period. man may withdraw the measure from such sworn testimony. Rule 19.—Subject to statutory require- subcommittee and report that fact to the (c) The committee may, by a majority ments imposed on the committee with re- full committee for further disposition. vote, delegate the authority to issue sub- spect to procedure, the rules of the com- Rule 11.—No subcommittee may schedule a poenas to the chairman of the committee or mittee may be changed, modified, amended meeting or hearing at a time designated for a subcommittee, or to any member des- or suspended at any time; provided, not less a hearing or meeting of the full committee. ignated by such chairman. Prior to the than a majority of the entire membership so No more than one subcommittee executive issuance of each subpoena, the ranking mi- determine at a regular meeting with due no- meeting may be held at the same time. nority member of the committee or sub- tice, or at a meeting specifically called for Rule 12.—It shall be the duty of the chair- committee, and any other member so re- that purpose. man in accordance with section 133(c) of the questing, shall be notified regarding the Rule 20.—When the ratio of members on Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, as identity of the person to whom it will be the committee is even, the term ‘‘majority’’ amended, to report or cause to be reported to issued and the nature of the information as used in the committee’s rules and guide- the Senate, any measure or recommendation sought and its relationship to the authorized lines shall refer to the party of the chairman approved by the committee and to take or investigative activity, except where the for purposes of party identification. Numer- cause to be taken, necessary steps to bring chairman of the committee or sub- ical requirements for quorums, votes and the the matter to a vote in the Senate. committee, in consultation with the ranking like shall be unaffected. Rule 13.—Whenever a meeting of the com- minority member, determines that such no- Rule 21.—First degree amendments must mittee or subcommittee is closed pursuant tice would unduly impede the investigation. be filed with the chairman at least 24 hours to the provisions of subsection (b) or (d) of All information obtained pursuant to such before an executive session. The chairman rule 26.5 of the Standing Rules of the Senate, investigative activity shall be made avail- shall promptly distribute all filed amend- no person other than members of the com- able as promptly as possible to each member ments electronically to the members of the mittee, members of the staff of the com- of the committee requesting same, or to any committee. The chairman may modify the mittee, and designated assistants to mem- assistant to a member of the committee des- filing requirements to meet special cir- bers of the committee shall be permitted to ignated by such member in writing, but the cumstances with the concurrence of the attend such closed session, except by special use of any such information is subject to re- ranking minority member. Rule 22.—In addition to the foregoing, the dispensation of the committee or sub- strictions imposed by the rules of the Sen- proceedings of the committee shall be gov- committee or the chairman thereof. ate. Such information, to the extent that it erned by the Standing Rules of the Senate Rule 14.—The chairman of the committee is relevant to the investigation shall, if re- and the provisions of the Legislative Reorga- or a subcommittee shall be empowered to ad- quested by a member, be summarized in nization Act of 1946, as amended. journ any meeting of the committee or a writing as soon as practicable. Upon the re- subcommittee if a quorum is not present quest of any member, the chairman of the GUIDELINES OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON within fifteen minutes of the time schedule committee or subcommittee shall call an ex- HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS for such meeting. ecutive session to discuss such investigative WITH RESPECT TO HEARINGS, MARKUP SES- Rule 15.—Whenever a bill or joint resolu- activity or the issuance of any subpoena in SIONS, AND RELATED MATTERS tion shall be before the committee or a sub- connection there with. HEARINGS committee for final consideration, the clerk (d) Any witness summoned to testify at a Section 133A(a) of the Legislative Reorga- shall distribute to each member of the com- hearing, or any witness giving sworn testi- nization Act requires each committee of the mittee or subcommittee a document, pre- mony, may be accompanied by counsel of his Senate to publicly announce the date, place, pared by the sponsor of the bill or joint reso- own choosing who shall be permitted, while and subject matter of any hearing at least lution. If the bill or joint resolution has no the witness is testifying, to advise him of his one week prior to the commencement of such underlying statutory language, the docu- legal rights. hearing. ment shall consist of a detailed summary of (e) No confidential testimony taken or The spirit of this requirement is to assure the purpose and impact of each section. If confidential material presented in an execu- adequate notice to the public and other the bill or joint resolution repeals or amends tive hearing, or any report of the pro- Members of the Senate as to the time and any statute or part thereof, the document ceedings of such an executive hearing, shall subject matter of proposed hearings. In the shall consist of a detailed summary of the be made public, either in whole or in part or spirit of section 133A(a) and in order to as- underlying statute and the proposed changes by way of summary, unless authorized by a sure that members of the committee are in each section of the underlying law and ei- majority of the members of the committee themselves fully informed and involved in ther a print of the statute or the part or sec- or subcommittee. the development of hearings: tion thereof to be amended or replaced show- Rule 18.—Presidential nominees shall sub- 1. Public notice of the date, place, and sub- ing by stricken-through type, the part or mit a statement of their background and fi- ject matter of each committee or sub- parts to be omitted and, in italics, the mat- nancial interests, including the financial in- committee hearing should be inserted in the ter proposed to be added, along with a sum- terests of their spouse and children living in Congressional Record seven days prior to the mary of the proposed changes; or a side-by- their household, on a form approved by the commencement of such hearing. side document showing a comparison of cur- committee which shall be sworn to as to its 2. At least seven days prior to public notice rent law, the proposed legislative changes, completeness and accuracy. The committee of each committee or subcommittee hearing, and a detailed description of the proposed form shall be in two parts— the majority should provide notice to the changes. (I) information relating to employment, minority of the time, place and specific sub- Rule 16.—An appropriate opportunity shall education and background of the nominee re- ject matter of such hearing. be given the minority to examine the pro- lating to the position to which the individual 3. At least three days prior to the date of posed text of committee reports prior to is nominated, and which is to be made pub- such hearing, the committee or sub- their filing or publication. In the event there lic; and, committee should provide to each member a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16JA6.037 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S269 list of witnesses who have been or are pro- meetings to conduct hearings, shall be open mittee, except for the reporting of a bill, res- posed to be invited to appear. to the public, except that a meeting or series olution, or nomination or authorizing a sub- 4. The committee and its subcommittee of meetings by the Committee, or any sub- poena. Proxies may not be counted in mak- should, to the maximum feasible extent, en- committee, on the same subject for a period ing a quorum for purposes of this paragraph. force the provisions of rule 9 of the com- of no more than 14 calendar days may be 3. TAKING TESTIMONY.—For the purpose of mittee rules as it relates to the submission closed to the public on a motion made and taking sworn testimony a quorum of the of written statements of witnesses twenty- seconded to go into closed session to discuss Committee and each subcommittee thereof, four hours in advance of a hearing. only whether the matters enumerated in now or hereafter appointed, shall consist of 1 Witnesses will be urged to submit testi- subparagraphs (A) through (F) would require member of the Committee. mony even earlier whenever possible. When the meeting to be closed, followed imme- RULE III—PROXIES statements are received in advance of a hear- diately by a record vote in open session by a When a record vote is taken in the Com- ing, the committee or subcommittee (as ap- majority of the members of the Committee, mittee on any bill, resolution, amendment, propriate) should distribute copies of such or any subcommittee, when it is determined or any other question, the required quorum statements to each of its members. Witness that the matter to be discussed or the testi- being present, a member who is unable to at- testimony may be submitted and distributed mony to be taken at such meeting or meet- tend the meeting may submit his or her vote electronically. ings— by proxy, in writing or through personal in- EXECUTIVE SESSIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF (A) will disclose matters necessary to be structions. MARKING UP BILLS kept secret in the interests of national de- RULE IV—CONSIDERATION OF BILLS AND In order to expedite the process of marking fense or the confidential conduct of the for- RESOLUTIONS eign relations of the United States; up bills and to assist each member of the IT SHALL NOT BE IN ORDER DURING A MEETING (B) will relate solely to matters of Com- committee so that there may be full and fair OF THE COMMITTEE TO MOVE TO PROCEED TO mittee staff personnel or internal staff man- consideration of each bill which the com- THE CONSIDERATION OF ANY BILL OR RESOLU- agement or procedure; mittee or a subcommittee is marking up the TION UNLESS THE BILL OR RESOLUTION HAS (C) will tend to charge an individual with following procedures should be followed: BEEN FILED WITH THE CLERK OF THE COM- 1. Seven days prior to the proposed date for crime or misconduct, to disgrace or injure MITTEE NOT LESS THAN 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE an executive session for the purpose of mark- the professional standing of an individual, or OF THE COMMITTEE MEETING, IN AS MANY ing up bills the committee or subcommittee otherwise to expose an individual to public COPIES AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE (as appropriate) should provide written no- contempt or obloquy, or will represent a PRESCRIBES. THIS RULE MAY BE WAIVED WITH tice to each of its members as to the time, clearly unwarranted invasion of the privacy THE CONCURRENCE OF THE CHAIRMAN AND place, and specific subject matter of such of an individual; THE RANKING MINORITY MEMBER OF THE FULL session, including an agenda listing each bill (D) will disclose the identity of any in- COMMITTEE. or other matters to be considered and includ- former or law enforcement agent or will dis- RULE V—SUBPOENAS; COUNSEL; RECORD ing: close any information relating to the inves- (a) a copy of each bill, joint resolution, or tigation or prosecution of a criminal offense 1. SUBPOENAS.—The Chairman, with the ap- other legislative matter (or committee print that is required to be kept secret in the in- proval of the ranking minority member of thereof) to be considered at such executive terest of effective law enforcement; the Committee, may subpoena the attend- session; and (E) will disclose information relating to ance of witnesses for hearings and the pro- (b) a copy of a summary of the provisions the trade secrets of, or financial or commer- duction of memoranda, documents, records, of each bill, joint resolution, or other legis- cial information pertaining specifically to, a or any other materials. The Chairman may lative matter to be considered at such execu- given person if— subpoena such attendance of witnesses or tive session including, whenever possible, an (1) an Act of Congress requires the infor- production of materials without the approval explanation of changes to existing law pro- mation to be kept confidential by Govern- of the ranking minority member if the posed to be made. ment officers and employees; or Chairman or a member of the Committee 2. Insofar as practical, prior to the sched- (2) the information has been obtained by staff designated by the Chairman has not re- uled date for an executive session for the the Government on a confidential basis, ceived notification from the ranking minor- purpose of marking up bills, the committee other than through an application by such ity member or a member of the Committee or a subcommittee (as appropriate) should person for a specific Government financial or staff designated by the ranking minority provide each member with a copy of the other benefit, and is required to be kept se- member of disapproval of the subpoena with- printed record or a summary of any hearings cret in order to prevent undue injury to the in 72 hours, excluding Saturdays and Sun- conducted by the committee or a sub- competitive position of such person; or days, of being notified of the subpoena. If a committee with respect to each bill, joint (F) may divulge matters required to be subpoena is disapproved by the ranking mi- resolution, or other legislative matter to be kept confidential under other provisions of nority member as provided in this para- considered at such executive session. law or Government regulations. graph, the subpoena may be authorized by vote of the Members of the Committee, the f 3. STATEMENTS.—Each witness who is to appear before the Committee or any sub- quorum required by paragraph 1 of rule II COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, committee shall file with the Committee, at being present. When the Committee or Chair- SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION least 24 hours in advance of the hearing, a man authorizes a subpoena, it shall be issued RULES OF PROCEDURE written statement of the witness’s testimony upon the signature of the Chairman or any in as many copies as the Chairman of the other Member of the Committee designated Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, the by the Chairman. At the direction of the Committee or subcommittee prescribes. In Committee on Commerce, Science, and Chairman, with notification to the ranking the event a witness fails to file a timely minority member of not less than 72 hours, Transportation has adopted rules gov- written statement in accordance with this the staff is authorized to take depositions erning its procedures for the 116th Con- rule, the Chairman of the Committee or sub- from witnesses. The ranking minority mem- gress. Pursuant to rule XXVI, para- committee, as applicable, may permit the ber, or a member of the Committee staff des- graph 2, of the Standing Rules of the witness to testify, or deny the witness the ignated by the ranking minority member, privilege of testifying before the Committee, Senate, I ask unanimous consent that shall be given the opportunity to attend and or permit the witness to testify in response the accompanying rules for the Senate participate in the taking of any deposition. to questions from members without the ben- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Witnesses at depositions shall be examined efit of giving an opening statement. Transportation be printed in the upon oath administered by an individual au- 4. FIELD HEARINGS.—Field hearings of the Record. full Committee, and any subcommittee thorized by law to administer oaths, or ad- There being no objection, the mate- thereof, shall be scheduled only when au- ministered by any member of the Committee rial was ordered to be printed in the thorized by the Chairman and ranking mi- if one is present. 2. COUNSEL.—Witnesses may be accom- RECORD, as follows: nority member of the full Committee. panied at a public or executive hearing, or RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, RULE II—QUORUMS the taking of a deposition, by counsel to ad- SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION 1. BILLS, RESOLUTIONS, AND NOMINATIONS.— vise them of their rights. Counsel retained 116TH CONGRESS A majority of the members, which includes by any witness and accompanying such wit- RULE I—MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE at least 1 minority member, shall constitute ness shall be permitted to be present during 1. IN GENERAL.—The regular meeting dates a quorum for official action of the Com- the testimony of the witness at any public or of the Committee shall be the first and third mittee when reporting a bill, resolution, or executive hearing, or the taking of a deposi- Wednesdays of each month. Additional meet- nomination. Proxies may not be counted in tion, to advise the witness, while the witness ings may be called by the Chairman as the making a quorum for purposes of this para- is testifying, of the witness’s legal rights. In Chairman may deem necessary, or pursuant graph. the case of any witness who is an officer or to the provisions of paragraph 3 of rule XXVI 2. OTHER BUSINESS.—One-third of the en- employee of the government, or of a corpora- of the Standing Rules of the Senate. tire membership of the Committee shall con- tion or association, the Chairman may rule 2. OPEN MEETINGS.—Meetings of the Com- stitute a quorum for the transaction of all that representation by counsel from the gov- mittee, or any subcommittee, including business as may be considered by the Com- ernment, corporation, or association or by

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:57 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16JA6.037 S16JAPT1 S270 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 counsel representing other witnesses, creates I ask unanimous consent for, state- She stands for women, both as a champion a conflict of interest, and that the witness ments supporting the separation of of a woman’s right to choose and as a de- may only be represented during testimony church and state from Catholics for fender of those who have been sexually as- before the Committee by personal counsel saulted; she fought Trump and the Repub- not from the government, corporation, or as- Choice, People for the American Way, and several Hawaii residents. licans in defense of the Affordable Care Act, sociation or by personal counsel not rep- against the Muslim ban and the Kavanaugh There being no objection, the mate- resenting other witnesses. This paragraph Supreme Court nomination. She is being at- shall not be construed to excuse a witness rial was ordered to be printed in the tacked because she has become one of the from testifying in the event the witness’s RECORD, as follows: most eloquent and effective voices of the val- counsel is ejected for conducting himself or CATHOLICS FOR CHOICE, ues Indivisible Hawaii cherishes. herself in such manner as to prevent, im- Washington, DC, January 4, 2019. The attack comes not only from rightwing pede, disrupt, obstruct, or interfere with the Hon. MAZIE HIRONO, ideologues, it now comes from Hawaii’s own orderly administration of a hearing or the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, member of the House of Representatives, taking of a deposition. This paragraph may Washington, DC. Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat who on Friday not be construed as authorizing counsel to DEAR SENATOR HIRONO: Catholics for coach the witness or to answer for the wit- Choice represents the majority of Catholics announced her candidacy for the presidency. ness. The failure of any witness to secure across the United States that believes that Her article in The Hill accuses Democratic counsel shall not excuse the witness from each woman should be free to follow her con- Party members of the Senate Judiciary Com- complying with a subpoena. science in moral matters regarding reproduc- mittee of ‘‘fomenting religious bigotry’’ and 3. RECORD.—An accurate electronic or sten- tive health. ‘‘weaponizing religion’’ during their ques- ographic record shall be kept of the testi- We were very disappointed to see your col- tioning of nominee Brian Buescher to the mony of all witnesses in executive and public leagues, Senators Hirono and Harris, at- U.S. District Court in Nebraska. hearings and depositions. If testimony given tacked for duly questioning district court This thinly veiled attack on Sen. Hirono, by deposition is transcribed, the individual nominee Brian Buescher about his ability to administering the oath shall certify on the who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee keep judicial impartiality due to his mem- which is responsible for approving judicial transcript that the witness was duly sworn bership in the hardline Catholic organiza- in his or her presence and the transcriber nominees, is a ludicrous assertion and a tion, Knights of Columbus. They had every shall certify that the transcript is a true stunning act of hypocrisy on the part of Rep. reason to raise these questions due to the record of the testimony. The transcript with Gabbard. The assertion is that Hirono is a re- Knights’ troubling record. ligious bigot because of questions designed these certifications shall be filed with the Today’s Knights of Columbus have strayed to reveal a nominee’s clear record of anti- chief clerk of the Committee. The record of far from their civic roots as a philanthropic choice activism as a barrier to his appro- a witness’s testimony, whether in public or organization. Our enclosed report, The executive session or in a deposition, shall be priateness for a judicial appointment. Knights of Columbus: Crusaders for Dis- made available for inspection by the witness crimination, provides a detailed look at how This attack is not only inaccurate, it ex- or the witness’s counsel under Committee they have brazenly used their 501c8 status to poses Gabbard’s self-serving attempt to supervision. A copy of any testimony given pour money, effort and influence into polit- project herself as a defender of religious free- in public session, or that part of the testi- ical contests and policy debates. dom—a position which is inconsistent with mony given by the witness in executive ses- As our investigation showed, they have her own actions. Rather than align herself sion or deposition and subsequently quoted spent more than $10 million since 2014 in di- or made part of the record in a public ses- with India’s overt right-wing Hindu Nation- rect antichoice and anti-LGBT lobbying, like sion, shall be provided to that witness at the alists or Syria’s Assad, we suggest Rep. their petition in Albuquerque to try to ban witness’s expense if so requested. Upon in- Gabbard follow Sen. Hirono as a model of later abortion. The Knights’ organization specting the transcript, within a time limit both authentic patriotic behavior and de- uses a large portion of its time and effort set by the Clerk of the Committee, a witness fense of civil rights. funding ultrasound equipment for fake may request changes in the transcript to health centers that actively deceive and Members of Indivisible Hawaii and other correct errors of transcription and grammat- pressure women to keep unwanted preg- groups have visited Sen. Hirono’s offices, as ical errors. The witness may also bring to nancies. The insurance arm of the Knights well as those of the other members of Ha- the attention of the Committee errors of fact waii’s Congressional delegation, dozens of in the witness’s testimony by submitting a ranks in the top one percent of the North American insurance market, yet pays no fed- times since President Donald Trump’s Jan. sworn statement about those facts with a re- 20, 2017, inauguration. We know firsthand quest that it be attached to the transcript. eral and nearly no state or local taxes. Make no mistake: they do not represent what the that she has championed our beliefs because The Chairman or a member of the Com- we have talked with her and her staff many mittee staff designated by the Chairman majority of Catholics believe on issues of re- times. We have followed her votes, watched shall rule on such requests. productive health or the separation of church and state. her on television, read her Facebook Page RULE VI—BROADCASTING OF HEARINGS We believe this and other attacks on Sen- and emails, and attended her town halls. Public hearings of the full Committee, or ators fulfilling their obligations to question Sen. Hirono immigrated to Hawaii as a any subcommittee thereof, shall be televised judicial nominees are just the latest tactic or broadcast only when authorized by the child and understands from personal experi- in shifting the conversation about religious ence the challenges faced by immigrants. Chairman and the ranking minority member liberty toward making special accommoda- of the full Committee. She is the first Buddhist to serve in the Sen- tions to those who wish to refuse, impede ate. Her years of public service establish a RULE VII—SUBCOMMITTEES and impose rather than to protect the true record which, in particular, show her to be a 1. HEARINGS.—Any member of the Com- religious liberty of all, no matter their be- defender of religious tolerance as well as the mittee may sit with any subcommittee dur- liefs. As Religious Freedom Day nears—and values of democratic government and the ing its hearings. we usher in a historic new Congress that em- rule of law upon which our country depends. 2. CHANGE OF CHAIRMANSHIP.—Subcommit- bodies our country’s religious plurality—we tees shall be considered de novo whenever must remember that our society allows for We witnessed what Gabbard did at, during, there is a change in the chairmanship, and free religious exercise, but also protects and after the Democratic Party Convention seniority on the particular subcommittee against religious influence in politics. ion 2016 to attack not Trump or the Repub- shall not necessarily apply. Catholics for Choice works at the intersec- licans, but former Secretary of State Hillary f tion of religious liberty, reproductive free- Clinton and the Democratic Party. Since dom and freedom of conscience for all. We Trump’s election Gabbard’s silence in re- S. RES. 19 are at your and your staff’s disposal as the sponse to Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, S. Res. committee continues to protect fundamental institutions of our democracy has been deaf- 19 is unnecessary because no religious freedoms through its work. Should you have ening and stands in stark contrast to Sen. test is being applied to nominees for any questions, please contact me at Hirono’s forthright, clear and courageous ac- Federal office. If my colleague, the jun- [email protected] or 202–986– tions to fight the racist, misogynist, and au- 6093. thoritarian actions of Trump and the GOP. ior Senator from Nebraska, wants to Sincerely, The Hill article mimics her past behavior— embrace the alt-right’s position by of- GLENN NORTHERN, why does she choose to do this again? fering this resolution, that is his busi- Domestic Program Director. ness. As we fight to preserve our democracy unity is more important than ever. An at- Rather than passing a resolution to [From Honolulu Civil Beat, Jan. 14, 2019] tack on Sen. Mazie Hirono as a champion of address a problem that doesn’t exist, LETTER TO THE EDITOR progressive values in the Democratic Party we should focus on something real, like (By Lisa H. Gibson, Ray Markey, Maya is an attack on all of us who want to take ending this totally unnecessary, un- Maxym) our country back. We must stand with Sen. justified shutdown that is harming mil- U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, Democrat of Ha- Hirono and other champions of democracy to lions of Americans. waii, is under attack. be successful.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16JA6.039 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S271 [Jan. 8, 2019] job as a federal judge will uphold every ality, protecting the legal rights of all Amer- PEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY: CONSERV- Americans’ rights. In the case of Buescher icans of all faiths by ensuring that nominees ATIVES’ DISHONEST USE OF ‘RELIGIOUS BIG- this is doubtful, given that as an unsuccess- for powerful lifetime seats on America’s fed- OTRY’ TO DEFLECT ATTENTION FROM NOMI- ful candidate for attorney general of Ne- eral courts are committed to enforcing them NEE’S DISTURBING RECORDS braska, he said he did not believe LGBT is one of senators’ most important respon- (By Rev. Leslie Watson Malachi) Americans should be protected by anti-dis- sibilities, one that the current Republican crimination laws the way people are pro- majority has abandoned in its rush to Happy New Year! Well, for most of us it tected from racial or ethnic discrimination. achieve ideological domination of the courts. should be—unless you are fighting to protect It was also at this time that he declared that f our courts. New year, same old tactic by con- he supported the ‘‘complete reversal’’ of Roe servatives, who are hoping to insulate nar- v. Wade. Buescher has a long record as a par- ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS row-minded judicial nominees from scrutiny tisan ideological warrior, an additional rea- by smearing people who ask critical ques- son cited by the Leadership Conference on tions about their records and rhetoric. Civil Rights in opposing his confirmation. TRIBUTE TO KORI KELLER This dishonest ‘‘religious bigotry’’ strat- Religious freedom is a core constitutional egy has been around as long as the organized principle, and as the Constitution makes ∑ Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, this effort to shift the federal judiciary to con- clear, there must be no religious test for servatism and reverse decades of precedent week I have the honor of recognizing public office. We rely on the federal courts to Kori Keller of Yellowstone County for that protect Americans’ legal and constitu- enforce all Americans’ constitutional rights. tional rights. In the recent past, for example, her impact on the Billings community, That means judges, regardless of their reli- through her work at the Ramsey Keller these groups have charged some Catholic gious or personal beliefs, must be counted on senators with wanting to keep Catholics off to uphold Americans’ legal protections. Sub- Memorial. the federal bench. sequently, a person’s political positions or Mrs. Keller, a Billings native, has The latest smear is being pushed by the no- legal ideology grounded in their faith does dedicated her time to aiding parents toriously right-wing editorial board of the not make those legal and political stances who have undergone the hardship of Wall Street Journal, which has run an at- off-limits to questioning or criticism. tack on Senators Kamala Harris and Mazie losing a child too young. Mrs. Keller With Senate Republicans rubber-stamping Hirono. The Journal’s editorial is an over- and her husband lost their precious even President Trump’s most extreme and the-top response to written questions sub- daughter Ramsey soon after she was unqualified nominees, right-wing intimida- mitted by Sens. Harris and Hirono to federal born. tion tactics must not prevent senators from court nominee Brian Buescher about his fulfilling their constitutional obligation to As a way of honoring their daughter, commitment to upholding legal equality for ensure that lifetime federal judges are com- Kori and her husband founded the LGBTQ Americans and American women’s mitted to protecting the rights of all Ameri- Ramsey Keller Memorial. The Ramsey legal right to abortion. cans. Keller Memorial is dedicated to helping In their questions, the senators noted Thank you, Senators Harris and Hirono! Buescher’s long-time membership in the families who have lost children under It’s a new year, and it’s time to retire this Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal the age of 1 year old. The foundation old dishonest tactic of silencing and at- organization that does much laudable chari- raises money through both an annual tempts to shame. Let the questions be asked table work, but which was also a top funder and let them be answered. race and a pink-tie affair to pay for the of anti-marriage-equality efforts and sup- funerals of Montana infants that have ports restrictions on federal family-planning [From the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Jan. 6, passed away before their first birthday. funds. Before the 2016 election, the group’s 2019] Since then, Kori has been an advocate influential leader declared that Catholics and provided comfort for numerous cannot vote for candidates who support abor- LETTER TO THE EDITOR tion rights. (By Gary Edwards) parents going through the same hard- Given these facts, the senators asked With regard to Donna L. Ching’s letter ships she experienced. Buescher whether he could assure litigants (‘‘Leave religion out in vetting qualifica- I congratulate Kori on her growing that he would deal with these issues fairly tions,’’ Star-Advertiser, Dec. 27): While I role in the State of Montana. She has and impartially as a federal judge. agree that a person’s religious affiliation, been a constant source of hope and aid (Buescher’s answer stated that while he had alone, should not be a means of exclusion for to families going through similar hard- run for political office as a ‘‘pro-life can- public office, I do not agree that religion ships she has endured. I look forward didate,’’ as a judge he would ‘‘faithfully should be ‘‘left out of the conversation.’’ to seeing the success of the Ramsey apply all United States Supreme Court and One of the real concerns in vetting can- Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals precedent on Keller Memorial, as it continues to didates for public office is how they will ∑ all issues, including Roe v. Wade’’ and apply their personal beliefs, including their pour into Montana family’s lives. Obergefell.) religion, to the role they seek to fill. And f The Journal’s editorial board responded to while freedom of religion is a vital right, so the senators’ reasonable line of questioning is freedom from religion. REMEMBERING EUCARIO with outrage and horror. By seeking to pro- Significant damage can be done to our so- BERMUDEZ tect LGBTQ equality and reproductive ciety by those who would seek to impose ∑ Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I would rights, and asking questions about the their religious beliefs and values on others Knights’ public policy positions, the edi- through the force of law. These beliefs and like to honor the life and legacy of Co- torial implied, Sens. Harris and Hirono were values do not always align with the prin- lombian-American journalist and resurrecting the kind of anti-Catholic big- ciples of our Constitution, and laws based on broadcaster, Eucario Bermudez. otry directed at John F. Kennedy and earlier them would deny others their freedom and Bermudez, a beloved south Florida presidential candidate Al Smith. The edi- fair treatment. radio legend amongst the Hispanic torial said the questions were part of a ‘‘dis- I’m glad U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and community, died earlier this month tressing pattern’’ that seeks to ‘‘banish’’ re- Kamala Harris are probing these issues. after years of service to the Hispanic ligious people from public life—the kind of Kaneohe. false charge Religious Right groups have community in the State of Florida. often leveled to deflect criticism of their po- [From the Wall Street Journal, Jan. 15, 2019] Today I pay tribute to Eucario’s life, litical agendas or tactics. with immense gratitude for his work SENATORS WERE RIGHT TO ASK THOSE This is not only absurd, but an insult to ∑ QUESTIONS ON RELIGION and dedication. American voters. The Journal also gave space to conserv- (By Michael Keegan) f ative African American pastor Eugene Riv- Regarding your editorial ‘‘Kamala Harris’s RECOGNIZING INDIAN PASS RAW ers to repeat the charge, saying that the sen- Dark Knights’’ (Jan. 3): Sens. Harris and BAR ators’ questions were ‘‘about silencing be- Mazie Hirono’s questions for Brian Buescher lievers of any kind whose views differ from were focused on appropriate and important ∑ Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today I the progressive view on social issues.’’ He questions, namely whether the nominee would like to highlight the hard work unbelievably suggested that opponents of could be counted on as a federal judge to rec- and unique entrepreneurial spirit that Buescher’s confirmation would be voting to ognize and protect the legal equality of can be found across my home State of deny his chance to be a public servant based LGBTQ Americans and the right of Amer- Florida. As chairman of the Senate on his baptism in the Catholic Church. ican women to have access to safe and legal These inflammatory charges are designed abortion. Committee on Small Business and En- to create distraction. It is not only accept- You charge that such questioning is about trepreneurship, each week I recognize a able, but necessary for senators to explore trying to ‘‘banish’’ people from public life for small business that exemplifies hard whether a nominee for a powerful lifetime their religious beliefs and associations. In re- work and dedication toward the local

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16JA6.030 S16JAPT1 S272 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 community. Today, it is my distinct small business. During a catastrophe, process, is to continue in effect beyond privilege to honor Indian Pass Raw Bar the Indian Pass Raw Bar helped bring January 23, 2019. from Port St. Joe in Gulf County, FL, their fellow citizens together by offer- The crisis with respect to grave acts as the Senate Small Business of the ing emergency supplies in order to help of violence committed by foreign ter- Week. their customers and to give back to the rorists who threaten to disrupt the Indian Pass Raw Bar has deep histor- community that has supported their Middle East peace process that led to ical ties to the Florida Panhandle business. Indian Pass Raw Bar is an ex- the declaration of a national emer- along the coastline of the Gulf of Mex- ample of Florida’s exceptional entre- gency on January 23, 1995, has not been ico, tracing its roots to a commissary preneurship, continuing a 90-year his- resolved. Terrorist groups continue to store founded in 1903, for workers in tory, being resilient and innovative in engage in activities that have the pur- the then-booming turpentine industry. its approach to challenges, and giving pose or effect of threatening the Middle It is located in the same building as back to the community during a time East peace process and that are hostile the original Indian Pass Trading Post of need. I would like to congratulate to United States interests in the re- that opened in 1929, where Mrs. Gypsy the McNeil family and all the employ- gion. Such actions continue to pose an McNeil established her talent with her ees at Indian Pass Raw Bar for being unusual and extraordinary threat to delicious seafood gumbo. named the Senate Small Business of the national security, foreign policy, In 1986, Hurricane Kate struck the the Week for the week of January 14 to and economy of the United States. Florida Panhandle and destroyed the 18, 2019. I wish them continued success Therefore, I have determined that it is Indian Pass Trading Post. The McNeil in their future endeavors.∑ necessary to continue the national family showed resilience after the f emergency declared in Executive Order storm and recovered by converting the 12947 with respect to foreign terrorists general store into an oyster bar, set- MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT who threaten to disrupt the Middle ting the stage for business to sky- Messages from the President of the East peace process and to maintain in rocket. United States were communicated to force the sanctions against them to re- Twenty-three miles from Apalachi- the Senate by Mr. Pate, one of his sec- spond to this threat. cola, FL, Indian Pass Raw Bar serves retaries. DONALD J. TRUMP. the panhandle’s world-famous oysters THE WHITE HOUSE, January 16, 2019. f and iconic seafood dishes, such as f steamed shrimp and crab legs. Drinks EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE are served on an honor system where As in executive session the Presiding customers keep their tabs to turn in at At 10:28 a.m., a message from the Officer laid before the Senate messages House of Representatives, delivered by checkout, treating customers like from the President of the United trusted friends. It has become a re- Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, States submitting sundry nominations announced that the House has passed nowned location for Floridians and which were referred to the appropriate tourists alike to enjoy time with fam- the following bills, in which it requests committees. the concurrence of the Senate: ily. Southern Living magazine once de- (The messages received today are scribed Indian Pass Raw Bar as ‘‘quite H.R. 113. An act to require the purchase of printed at the end of the Senate pro- domestically made flags of the United States possibly the best seafood shack in ex- ceedings.) istence.’’ It has also received praise of America for use by the Federal Govern- f ment. from the Garden & Gun magazine as H.R. 135. An act to amend the Notification one of Florida’s ‘‘Hidden Hotspots.’’ In- PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination dian Pass Raw Bar’s success continued and Retaliation Act of 2002 to strengthen with the opening of a second location Federal antidiscrimination laws enforced by in June 2017, in downtown Port St. Joe, REPORT RELATIVE TO THE CON- the Equal Employment Opportunity Com- FL. TINUATION OF THE NATIONAL mission and expand accountability within In October 2018, category 5 Hurricane EMERGENCY THAT WAS DE- the Federal Government, and for other pur- poses. Michael devastated the Florida Pan- CLARED IN EXECUTIVE ORDER H.R. 136. An act to amend title 5, United handle, including Gulf County. The 12947 OF JANUARY 23, 1995, WITH States Code, to protect unpaid interns in the storm severely damaged Indian Pass RESPECT TO TERRORISTS WHO Federal Government from workplace harass- Raw Bar, as high winds blew off the THREATEN TO DISRUPT THE ment and discrimination, and for other pur- front door, forcefully removed the air- MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS— poses. conditioning system, and threw its PM 1 H.R. 202. An act to amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 relative to the powers of iconic street sign hundreds of yards The PRESIDING OFFICER laid be- away. However, just as they did after the Department of Justice Inspector Gen- fore the Senate the following message eral. the 1986 storm, the McNeil family is re- from the President of the United H.R. 247. An act to amend chapter 36 of building and looks forward to con- States, together with an accompanying title 44, United States Code, to make certain tinuing to serve their world-famous report, which was referred to the Com- changes relating to electronic Government services, and for other purposes. oysters again this spring. Upon reopen- mittee on Banking, Housing, and ing, they will welcome visitors to the Urban Affairs: f gulf coast of Florida for their 90th year MEASURES REFERRED in business. To the Congress of the United States: The Indian Pass Raw Bar became Section 202(d) of the National Emer- The following bills were read the first what it is today partly because of Hur- gencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides and the second times by unanimous ricane Kate in 1986. The McNeil family for the automatic termination of a na- consent, and referred as indicated: understands how devastating these tional emergency unless, within 90 H.R. 113. An act to require the purchase of storms truly are and the impact they days before the anniversary date of its domestically made flags of the United States can have on small business and work- declaration, the President publishes in of America for use by the Federal Govern- ment; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- ing families. To help their community, the Federal Register and transmits to rity and Governmental Affairs. the McNeil family enthusiastically the Congress a notice stating that the H.R. 135. An act to amend the Notification opened their facilities as emergency emergency is to continue in effect be- and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination supply distribution centers to their yond the anniversary date. In accord- and Retaliation Act of 2002 to strengthen neighbors in need, despite having their ance with this provision, I have sent to Federal antidiscrimination laws enforced by own difficulties. Meredith McNeil said the Federal Register for publication the the Equal Employment Opportunity Com- in October 2018: ‘‘This whole area, the enclosed notice stating that the na- mission and expand accountability within tional emergency declared in Executive the Federal Government, and for other pur- whole Gulf, we’ve done this before. poses; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- We’re all resilient.’’ Order 12947 of January 23, 1995, with re- rity and Governmental Affairs. This is the kind of commitment to spect to foreign terrorists who threat- H.R. 136. An act to amend title 5, United community that is unique to American en to disrupt the Middle East peace States Code, to protect unpaid interns in the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.062 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S273

Federal Government from workplace harass- By Ms. ERNST (for herself, Ms. HAS- By Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Ms. ment and discrimination, and for other pur- SAN, Mr. PORTMAN, Mr. GARDNER, Mr. KLOBUCHAR): poses; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- KING, and Mr. HEINRICH): S. 153. A bill to promote veteran involve- rity and Governmental Affairs. S. 143. A bill to authorize the Department ment in STEM education, computer science, H.R. 202. An act to amend the Inspector of Energy to conduct collaborative research and scientific research, and for other pur- General Act of 1978 relative to the powers of with the Department of Veterans Affairs in poses; to the Committee on Commerce, the Department of Justice Inspector Gen- order to improve healthcare services for vet- Science, and Transportation. eral; to the Committee on the Judiciary. erans in the United States, and for other pur- By Mr. TESTER (for himself, Mr. H.R. 247. An act to amend chapter 36 of poses; to the Committee on Energy and Nat- BLUMENTHAL, Ms. BALDWIN, Mrs. title 44, United States Code, to make certain ural Resources. MURRAY, Mr. KAINE, Mr. BENNET, and changes relating to electronic Government By Mr. ENZI (for himself and Mr. BAR- Ms. SINEMA): services, and for other purposes; to the Com- RASSO): S. 154. A bill to amend title 38, United mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- S. 144. A bill to designate the mountain at States Code, to improve oversight of con- mental Affairs. the Devils Tower National Monument, Wyo- tracts for services and financial processes of f ming, as Devils Tower, and for other pur- the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for poses; to the Committee on Energy and Nat- other purposes; to the Committee on Vet- INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND ural Resources. erans’ Affairs. JOINT RESOLUTIONS By Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina (for By Mr. JONES (for himself, Ms. HAS- The following bills and joint resolu- himself, Mr. MCCONNELL, Mr. ALEX- SAN, and Mrs. GILLIBRAND): S. 155. A bill to improve the financial lit- tions were introduced, read the first ANDER, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. SASSE, Mrs. eracy of secondary school students; to the and second times by unanimous con- BLACKBURN, and Mr. BRAUN): Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and sent, and referred as indicated: S. 145. A bill to expand opportunity Pensions. By Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Mrs. through greater choice in education, and for By Ms. BALDWIN: GILLIBRAND, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, and Mr. other purposes; to the Committee on Health, S. 156. A bill to prevent conflicts of inter- SCHATZ): Education, Labor, and Pensions. est that stem from executive branch employ- S. 137. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- By Mr. HOEVEN (for himself and Mr. ees receiving bonuses or other compensation enue Code of 1986 to increase the credit for WYDEN): arrangements from non-Government sources, employers establishing workplace child care S. 146. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- from the revolving door that raises concerns facilities, to increase the child care credit to enue Code of 1986 to provide for Move Amer- about the independence of executive branch encourage greater use of quality child care ica bonds and Move America credits; to the employees, and from the revolving door that services, to provide incentives for students Committee on Finance. casts aspersions over the awarding of Gov- to earn child care-related degrees and to By Mr. PAUL (for himself, Mr. LEE, ernment contracts and other financial bene- work in child care facilities, and to increase and Ms. ERNST): fits; to the Committee on Homeland Security the exclusion for employer-provided depend- S. 147. A bill to amend title 31, United and Governmental Affairs. ent care assistance; to the Committee on Fi- States Code, to provide for automatic con- By Mr. CRUZ (for himself, Mr. JOHN- nance. tinuing resolutions; to the Committee on Ap- SON, Mr. SASSE, Mr. PAUL, Mr. BLUNT, By Mr. ALEXANDER (for himself and propriations. Mr. COTTON, Mr. TOOMEY, Mr. Mrs. BLACKBURN): By Mr. PAUL (for himself, Mr. LEE, LANKFORD, and Mr. LEE): S. 138. A bill to modify the boundary of the Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. BOOZ- S. 157. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Shiloh National Military Park located in the MAN, Mr. LANKFORD, Mr. PORTMAN, enue Code of 1986 to permit kindergarten States of Tennessee and Mississippi, to es- and Mr. YOUNG): through grade 12 educational expenses to be tablish Parker’s Crossroads Battlefield as an S. 148. A bill to require a full audit of the paid from a 529 account; to the Committee affiliated area of the National Park System, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve on Finance. and for other purposes; to the Committee on System and the Federal reserve banks by the By Mr. PAUL: Energy and Natural Resources. Comptroller General of the United States, S. 158. A bill to prohibit Federal funding of By Mr. ALEXANDER (for himself and and for other purposes; to the Committee on Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Mrs. BLACKBURN): Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. to the Committee on Health, Education, S. 139. A bill to designate the bridge lo- By Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. Labor, and Pensions. cated in Blount County, Tennessee, on the MORAN): By Mr. PAUL (for himself, Mr. INHOFE, Foothills Parkway (commonly known as S. 149. A bill to establish a Senior Scams Mr. CRAPO, Mr. RISCH, Mr. HOEVEN, ‘‘Bridge 2’’ ) as the ‘‘Dean Stone Bridge’’; to Prevention Advisory Council; to the Com- Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina, Mr. the Committee on Energy and Natural Re- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- ROUNDS, Mr. PERDUE, Mr. CRAMER, sources. tation. Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. THUNE, and Mr. By Mr. ALEXANDER (for himself and By Mr. SANDERS (for himself, Mrs. BOOZMAN): Mrs. BLACKBURN): MURRAY, Mr. SCHUMER, Ms. BALDWIN, S. 159. A bill to implement equal protec- S. 140. A bill to require the Secretary of Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. tion under the 14th Amendment to the Con- the Interior to study the suitability and fea- BROWN, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. CARDIN, stitution of the United States for the right sibility of designating the President James Ms. DUCKWORTH, Mr. DURBIN, Mrs. to life of each born and preborn human per- K. Polk Home in Columbia, Tennessee, as a FEINSTEIN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Ms. son; to the Committee on the Judiciary. unit of the National Park System, and for HARRIS, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. KAINE, Ms. By Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. other purposes; to the Committee on Energy KLOBUCHAR, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. MARKEY, RUBIO, Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. and Natural Resources. Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. MURPHY, Mr. RISCH, Mr. LANKFORD, Mr. PORTMAN, By Ms. ERNST (for herself, Mr. PETERS, Mr. REED, Ms. ROSEN, Mr. Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. TILLIS, Mr. LANKFORD, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. RISCH, Mr. SCHATZ, Ms. SMITH, Ms. STABENOW, HOEVEN, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. CRAPO, COTTON, Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. ROUNDS, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Ms. WARREN, Mr. Mr. BRAUN, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. SASSE, Mr. CRAPO, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, and Mr. WYDEN): Mr. INHOFE, Ms. ERNST, Mr. BOOZMAN, SASSE, Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, Mr. RUBIO, S. 150. A bill to provide for increases in the Mrs. FISCHER, Mr. CRAMER, Mrs. Mrs. FISCHER, Mr. MORAN, Mr. KEN- Federal minimum wage, and for other pur- BLACKBURN, Mr. ROUNDS, Mrs. HYDE- NEDY, Mr. THUNE, Mr. ENZI, Mr. poses; to the Committee on Health, Edu- SMITH, Mr. PERDUE, Mr. MORAN, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. HAWLEY, Mr. CASSIDY, cation, Labor, and Pensions. SULLIVAN, Mr. WICKER, Mr. YOUNG, Mr. ROMNEY, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr. By Mr. THUNE (for himself and Mr. Mr. ENZI, Mr. BURR, Mr. CASSIDY, Mr. HOEVEN, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. DAINES, MARKEY): ROMNEY, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. JOHNSON, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. PAUL, Mr. S. 151. A bill to deter criminal robocall vio- Mr. DAINES, Mr. SCOTT of South Caro- BOOZMAN, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. BAR- lations and improve enforcement of section lina, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. COTTON, Mr. RASSO, and Mr. SCOTT of South Caro- 227(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, LEE, Mr. PAUL, Mr. MCCONNELL, Mr. lina): and for other purposes; to the Committee on TOOMEY, and Mr. THUNE): S. 141. A bill to prohibit Federal funding of Commerce, Science, and Transportation. S. 160. A bill to amend title 18, United Planned Parenthood Federation of America; By Mr. COTTON (for himself and Mr. States Code, to protect pain-capable unborn to the Committee on Health, Education, VAN HOLLEN): children, and for other purposes; to the Com- Labor, and Pensions. S. 152. A bill to direct the President to im- mittee on the Judiciary. By Mr. RUBIO: pose penalties pursuant to denial orders with By Mr. SULLIVAN: S. 142. A bill to impose privacy require- respect to certain Chinese telecommuni- S. 161. A bill to require the Comptroller ments on providers of internet services simi- cations companies that are in violation of General of the United States to conduct a lar to the requirements imposed on Federal the export control or sanctions laws of the study and submit a report on filing require- agencies under the Privacy Act of 1974; to United States, and for other purposes; to the ments under the Universal Service Fund pro- the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban grams; to the Committee on Commerce, Transportation. Affairs. Science, and Transportation.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16JA6.021 S16JAPT1 S274 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 By Ms. SMITH (for herself, Mr. BROWN, until after 2021; to the Committee on Fi- branch shall have no force or effect un- Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. WARNER, Mr. nance. less a joint resolution of approval is en- CARDIN, Mr. KAINE, Mr. MARKEY, Ms. f acted into law. KLOBUCHAR, Ms. WARREN, Ms. HAS- S. 96 SAN, Mr. JONES, Ms. HARRIS, Mr. SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND At the request of Ms. KLOBUCHAR, the UDALL, Mr. HEINRICH, Ms. SENATE RESOLUTIONS DUCKWORTH, Mr. KING, Ms. HIRONO, name of the Senator from Ohio (Mr. The following concurrent resolutions Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. SCHATZ, Mr. BROWN) was added as a cosponsor of S. TESTER, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. WHITE- and Senate resolutions were read, and 96, a bill to revise the authorized route HOUSE, and Mr. BLUMENTHAL): referred (or acted upon), as indicated: of the North Country National Scenic S. 162. A bill to provide back pay to low- By Mr. SASSE: Trail in northeastern Minnesota and to wage contractor employees, and for other S. Res. 19. A resolution expressing the extend the trail into Vermont to con- purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Se- sense of the Senate that disqualifying a nect with the Appalachian National curity and Governmental Affairs. nominee to Federal office on the basis of Scenic Trail, and for other purposes. By Mr. SULLIVAN (for himself and Ms. membership in the Knights of Columbus vio- S. 98 MURKOWSKI): lates the Constitution of the United States; S. 163. A bill to prevent catastrophic fail- considered and agreed to. At the request of Mr. JOHNSON, the ure or shutdown of remote diesel power en- By Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. name of the Senator from Texas (Mr. gines due to emission control devices, and ISAKSON, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. CARDIN, CRUZ) was added as a cosponsor of S. 98, for other purposes; to the Committee on En- and Mr. COONS): a bill to authorize the President to vironment and Public Works. S. Con. Res. 1. A concurrent resolution award the Medal of Honor to James By Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mr. calling for credible, transparent, and safe MANCHIN, Mr. CRAPO, Ms. BALDWIN, Megellas, formerly of Fond du Lac, elections in Nigeria, and for other purposes; Wisconsin, and currently of Colleyville, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. TESTER, Mr. BOOZ- to the Committee on Foreign Relations. MAN, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mr. MORAN, Mr. Texas, for acts of valor on January 28, JONES, Mr. HOEVEN, and Ms. ROSEN): f 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge in S. 164. A bill to amend title 10, United ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS World War II. States Code, to remove the prohibition on S. 104 eligibility for TRICARE Reserve Select of S. 20 members of the reserve components of the At the request of Mr. PORTMAN, the At the request of Mr. WYDEN, the name of the Senator from Pennsyl- Armed Forces who are eligible to enroll in a name of the Senator from Michigan health benefits plan under chapter 89 of title vania (Mr. TOOMEY) was added as a co- 5, United States Code; to the Committee on (Ms. STABENOW) was added as a cospon- sponsor of S. 104, a bill to amend title Armed Services. sor of S. 20, a bill to amend the Ethics 31, United States Code, to provide for By Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself, in Government Act of 1978 to require automatic continuing resolutions. Ms. HARRIS, and Mr. MURPHY): the disclosure of certain tax returns by S. 106 S. 165. A bill to amend chapter 85 of title 5, Presidents and certain candidates for United States Code, to clarify that Federal At the request of Mr. BLUNT, the the office of the President, and for names of the Senator from Massachu- employees excepted from a furlough are eli- other purposes. gible for unemployment compensation; to setts (Ms. WARREN) and the Senator the Committee on Finance. S. 39 from Arkansas (Mr. BOOZMAN) were By Mr. GRAHAM: At the request of Mr. BRAUN, the added as cosponsors of S. 106, a bill to S. 166. A bill to provide provisional pro- names of the Senator from West Vir- reauthorize and extend funding for tected presence status for certain aliens and ginia (Mrs. CAPITO) and the Senator community health centers and the Na- to provide mandatory appropriations relat- from Florida (Mr. SCOTT) were added as tional Health Service Corps. ing to border security; to the Committee on the Judiciary. cosponsors of S. 39, a bill to provide S. 113 By Mr. YOUNG: that Members of Congress may not re- At the request of Mr. JOHNSON, the S. 167. A bill to amend the National Trails ceive pay after October 1 of any fiscal names of the Senator from Missouri System Act to extend the Lewis and Clark year in which Congress has not ap- (Mr. BLUNT), the Senator from Wyo- National Historic Trail, and for other pur- proved a concurrent resolution on the ming (Mr. ENZI) and the Senator from poses; to the Committee on Energy and Nat- budget and passed the regular appro- Pennsylvania (Mr. TOOMEY) were added ural Resources. priations bills. By Mr. YOUNG (for himself and Mr. as cosponsors of S. 113, a bill to appro- BRAUN): S. 47 priate funds for pay and allowances of S. 168. A bill to retitle Indiana Dunes Na- At the request of Ms. MURKOWSKI, the excepted Federal employees, and for tional Lakeshore as Indiana Dunes National names of the Senator from Utah (Mr. other purposes. Park, and for other purposes; to the Com- ROMNEY) and the Senator from Maine S. 119 mittee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Mr. KING) were added as cosponsors of At the request of Mr. RUBIO, the By Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Mr. names of the Senator from Indiana WYDEN, Mr. PORTMAN, Mr. CARPER, S. 47, a bill to provide for the manage- (Mr. BRAUN), the Senator from Ten- Ms. KLOBUCHAR, and Mrs. CAPITO): ment of the natural resources of the S. 169. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- United States, and for other purposes. nessee (Mrs. BLACKBURN) and the Sen- ENNEDY enue Code of 1986 to provide an exemption S. 69 ator from Louisiana (Mr. K ) from gross income for civil damages as rec- were added as cosponsors of S. 119, a At the request of Mr. CORNYN, the ompense for trafficking in persons; to the bill to amend title 18, United States name of the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Committee on Finance. Code, to prohibit taking minors across YOUNG) was added as a cosponsor of S. By Mr. DAINES (for himself and Ms. State lines in circumvention of laws re- 69, a bill to allow reciprocity for the STABENOW): quiring the involvement of parents in S. 170. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- carrying of certain concealed firearms. enue Code of 1986 to limit the amount of cer- abortion decisions. S. 83 tain qualified conservation contributions; to S. 120 the Committee on Finance. At the request of Mr. RUBIO, the At the request of Ms. KLOBUCHAR, the By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and name of the Senator from Wyoming name of the Senator from New Hamp- Mr. CORNYN): (Mr. ENZI) was added as a cosponsor of shire (Ms. HASSAN) was added as a co- S. 171. A bill to authorize the Office on Vio- S. 83, a bill to amend section 203 of sponsor of S. 120, a bill to protect vic- lence Against Women to improve the han- Public Law 94–305 to ensure proper au- tims of stalking from gun violence. dling of crimes of domestic violence, dating thority for the Office of Advocacy of violence, sexual assault, and stalking by in- S. 131 corporating a trauma-informed approach the Small Business Administration, At the request of Mr. CASSIDY, the into the initial response to and investigation and for other purposes. name of the Senator from Utah (Mr. of such crimes; to the Committee on the Ju- S. 92 LEE) was added as a cosponsor of S. 131, diciary. At the request of Mr. PAUL, the name a bill to amend title XIX of the Social By Mr. GARDNER (for himself, Mrs. of the Senator from Mississippi (Mrs. Security Act to prohibit Federal Med- SHAHEEN, Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. JONES, HYDE-SMITH) was added as a cosponsor icaid funding for the administrative Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina, and Ms. SINEMA): of S. 92, a bill to amend chapter 8 of costs of providing health benefits to in- S. 172. A bill to delay the reimposition of title 5, United States Code, to provide dividuals who are unauthorized immi- the annual fee on health insurance providers that major rules of the executive grants.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16JA6.025 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S275 S.J. RES. 3 the day that he was born—again, the hood facilities do not even perform in- At the request of Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, size of the palm of my hand. Micah im- house mammograms; something so the names of the Senator from Utah mediately ran up to that picture. He simple is not performed by Planned (Mr. LEE) and the Senator from Colo- pointed at it, and he said: ‘‘Baby.’’ Parenthood. rado (Mr. GARDNER) were added as co- Micah recognized right away that On the other hand, just as my col- sponsors of S.J. Res. 3, a joint resolu- even at just 20 weeks postfertilization, league the senior Senator from Ne- tion proposing an amendment to the the humanity of the child was undeni- braska stated, community health cen- Constitution of the United States rel- able. ters continue to greatly outnumber ative to balancing the budget. Micah’s parents and the doctors and Planned Parenthood clinics nationwide f nurses at the University of Iowa Hos- and provide more comprehensive pre- pitals & Clinics recognized this human- STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED ventive and primary health services, ity, as well, and were dedicated to his BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS including cervical and breast cancer survival. Today Micah is a happy, screenings, diagnostic laboratory and By Ms. ERNST (for herself, Mr. healthy, and energetic 6-year-old boy. radiology services, well childcare, pre- LANKFORD, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. Stories like Micah’s are extraor- natal and postnatal care, immuniza- RISCH, Mr. COTTON, Mr. GRASS- dinary reminders that the life-affirm- tions, and so much more. Access to LEY, Mr. ROUNDS, Mr. CRAPO, ing services, for which the pro-life comprehensive health services is abso- Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. SASSE, community marches, have real and sig- lutely critical to women and families Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, Mr. RUBIO, nificant impacts on the lives of fami- across this Nation, and federally quali- Mrs. FISCHER, Mr. MORAN, Mr. lies across America. fied health centers offer such services, KENNEDY, Mr. THUNE, Mr. ENZI, Since coming to Congress, I have also regardless of a person’s ability to pay. Mr. INHOFE, Mr. HAWLEY, Mr. tried to do my part to ensure that this A recent GAO study that I requested, CASSIDY, Mr. ROMNEY, Mr. GRA- message from those in my home State along with many of my colleagues in HAM, Mr. HOEVEN, Mr. ROBERTS, of Iowa and from other communities both the House and the Senate, showed Mr. DAINES, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. all across the Nation is taken back and that over a 3-year period, federally CRUZ, Mr. PAUL, Mr. BOOZMAN, turned into action in Washington. For qualified health centers served 25 mil- Mr. CRAMER, Mr. BARRASSO, and me, that has meant supporting crucial lion individuals compared to only 2.4 Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina): pro-life initiatives, such as the Pain- million individuals that Planned Par- S. 141. A bill to prohibit Federal Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, enthood served. That is more than 10 funding of Planned Parenthood Federa- which would prevent abortions after 20 times more people served by those tion of America; to the Committee on weeks of development—the very same healthcare centers. Health, Education, Labor, and Pen- age at which my dear Micah was born. Furthermore, a recent Marist poll sions. Another critical piece of legislation, shows that 54 percent of Americans do The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Pro- not support taxpayer dollars going to- ator from Iowa. tection Act, would create concrete en- ward abortions. While there are Fed- Ms. ERNST. Thank you very much to forcement provisions to hold abortion- eral regulations that prevent Federal my colleagues, the Senator from Ne- ists accountable if they do not provide dollars from directly covering abor- braska, the Senator from Mississippi, the same degree of care to a baby who tion, these laws are governed by a com- as well as our other colleague, the Sen- survives an abortion as they would any plicated patchwork of policies and ator from Missouri. Thank you for child born naturally premature at that funding riders that must be reapproved joining us on the floor today to express same age. during the appropriations process our support for those who march for Fighting for commonsense legisla- every single year. life. Thank you so much. tion that protects innocent life has Since 1976, the Hyde amendment has As my colleagues can attest, the in- been a priority of mine in the Senate. been attached to appropriations bills in valuable message being shared by the But Congress must also do more to en- order to block Federal funds from pay- pro-life community this week has im- sure that taxpayers are not forced to ing for abortions. However, this policy, plications far beyond that of simply subsidize abortion or the abortion in- which once drew widespread bipartisan the March for Life. As I travel across my home State of Iowa, I see this life- dustry giants, such as Planned Parent- support, has recently been under at- affirming message in our pregnancy re- hood. tack. For the first time ever, the Af- During the 115th Congress, I led the source centers, maternity homes, and fordable Care Act authorized and ap- fight in the Senate to pass critical leg- adoption agencies. These comprehen- propriated funds that bypassed the sive on-the-ground services provide islation, which was signed into law in Hyde amendment funding restrictions. women and families with service op- 2017, that ensures States are not forced In 2016, the Democratic Party added tions that are changing and saving to provide entities like Planned Par- the repeal of the Hyde amendment pro- lives every single day. enthood, the Nation’s single largest tections to its Presidential platform. These life-affirming services are the provider of abortions, with Federal The Hyde amendment is a long- foundation of the pro-life movement title X dollars. standing and critical provision that across our Nation, and I sincerely I am grateful to have worked with protects Federal dollars and ensures thank those centers and agencies for former Congresswoman Diane Black, that taxpayers are not footing the bill their critical work to fight for vulner- my Senate colleagues, and President for abortion procedures. That is why I able lives throughout the year. Trump to make sure States are not support the No Taxpayer Funding for I see the same message in the re- forced to award providers like Planned Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full markable stories of individual families, Parenthood with taxpayer dollars like Disclosure Act of 2019, which was re- such as the Pickering family from title X family planning grants. cently reintroduced in the Senate. This Newton, IA. I have had the opportunity As I have stated time and again, tax- legislation would permanently codify to share the phenomenal story of payers should not be forced to foot the the Hyde amendment, ensuring that Micah Pickering on the Senate floor bill for roughly one-half billion dollars funding restrictions remain in place before. As you may recall, Micah was annually for an organization like and are applied to all Federal pro- born at just 20 weeks postfertilization. Planned Parenthood, which exhibits grams. Furthermore, this bill takes im- He was only about the size of a bag of such disrespect for human life. With portant steps to eliminate certain tax M&M’s—the size of the palm of my that in mind, today I reintroduced leg- benefits related to abortions and im- hand. That was Micah. Yet Micah was islation that would defund Planned prove disclosure requirements related also a perfect, fully-formed baby boy, Parenthood while still protecting vital to insurance coverage of abortion. with 10 fingers and 10 toes. In fact, no funding for women’s healthcare serv- Preventing our taxpayer dollars from one makes his case more eloquently ices. Contrary to what they claim, paying for abortion procedures—a posi- than Micah himself. Planned Parenthood is not the Nation’s tion that a majority of Americans When I first met Micah, I had a pic- preeminent provider of women’s agree with—should not be a com- ture of him displayed in my office from healthcare. In fact, Planned Parent- plicated process vulnerable to partisan

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16JA6.022 S16JAPT1 S276 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 attack. Congress must take steps to the date of issuance of the required notice or Commission shall submit to the Committee ensure that permanent protections notice of apparent liability; and on Commerce, Science, and Transportation apply governmentwide. ‘‘(ii) under subparagraph (B) if the viola- of the Senate and the Committee on Energy As such, I urge the Senate to con- tion charged occurred more than 3 years and Commerce of the House of Representa- sider the No Taxpayer Funding for prior to the date of issuance of the required tives a report on the determination required notice or notice of apparent liability. under paragraph (2), which shall include— Abortion and Abortion Insurance Dis- ‘‘(F) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Notwith- (A) an analysis of the extent to which pro- closure Act on the floor in order to pro- standing any law to the contrary, the Com- viders of a voice service have implemented tect not only our taxpayer dollars but mission may not determine or impose a for- the STIR/SHAKEN authentication frame- the innocent lives of our most vulner- feiture penalty on a person under both sub- work; and able. paragraphs (A) and (B) based on the same (B) an assessment of the efficacy of the I appreciate all of the marchers who conduct.’’; and STIR/SHAKEN authentication framework, will be coming to Washington, DC, in (2) by striking subsection (h). as being implemented under this section, in the following days and spending their (b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made addressing all aspects of call authentication. (4) REVIEW AND REVISION OR REPLACE- time in a most worthy effort, which is by this section shall not affect any action or MENT.—Not later than 3 years after the date our annual March for Life. God bless proceeding commenced before and pending on the date of enactment of this Act. of enactment of this Act, and every 3 years them all. Of course, God bless my (c) DEADLINE FOR REGULATIONS.—The Fed- thereafter, the Federal Communications Iowans for that journey. eral Communications Commission shall pre- Commission, after public notice and an op- Thank you very much. scribe regulations to implement the amend- portunity for comment, shall— ments made by this section not later than (A) assess the efficacy of the call authen- By Mr. THUNE (for himself and 270 days after the date of enactment of this tication framework implemented under this Mr. MARKEY): Act. section; (B) based on the assessment under subpara- S. 151. A bill to deter criminal SEC. 3. CALL AUTHENTICATION. graph (A), revise or replace the call authen- robocall violations and improve en- (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: tication framework under this section if the forcement of section 227(b) of the Com- (1) STIR/SHAKEN AUTHENTICATION FRAME- munications Act of 1934, and for other Commission determines it is in the public in- WORK.—The term ‘‘STIR/SHAKEN authen- terest to do so; and purposes; to the Committee on Com- tication framework’’ means the secure tele- (C) submit to the Committee on Com- merce, Science, and Transportation. phone identity revisited and signature-based merce, Science, and Transportation of the Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask handling of asserted information using to- Senate and the Committee on Energy and unanimous consent that the text of the kens standards proposed by the information Commerce of the House of Representatives a and communications technology industry to bill be printed in the RECORD. report on the findings of the assessment There being no objection, the text of attach a certificate of authenticity to each under subparagraph (A) and on any actions phone to verify the source of each call. the bill was ordered to be printed in to revise or replace the call authentication (2) VOICE SERVICE.—The term ‘‘voice serv- the RECORD, as follows: framework under subparagraph (B). ice’’— (5) EXTENSION OF IMPLEMENTATION DEAD- S. 151 (A) means any service that is inter- LINE.—The Federal Communications Com- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- connected with the public switched tele- mission may extend any deadline for the im- resentatives of the United States of America in phone network and that furnishes voice com- plementation of a call authentication frame- Congress assembled, munications to an end user using resources work required under this section by 12 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. from the North American Numbering Plan or months or such further amount of time as This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Telephone any successor to the North American Num- the Commission determines necessary if the Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and bering Plan adopted by the Commission Commission determines that purchasing or Deterrence Act’’ or the ‘‘TRACED Act’’. under section 251(e)(1) of the Communica- upgrading equipment to support call authen- SEC. 2. FORFEITURE. tions Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 251(e)(1)); and tication would constitute a substantial hard- (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 227 of the Com- (B) includes— ship for a provider or category of providers. munications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227) is (i) transmissions from a telephone fac- (c) SAFE HARBOR AND OTHER REGULA- amended— simile machine, computer, or other device to TIONS.— (1) in subsection (b), by adding at the end a telephone facsimile machine; and (1) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Communica- the following: (ii) without limitation, any service that tions Commission shall promulgate rules— ‘‘(4) CIVIL FORFEITURE.— enables real-time, two-way voice commu- (A) establishing when a provider of voice ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Any person that is de- nications, including any service that re- service may block a voice call based, in termined by the Commission, in accordance quires internet protocol-compatible cus- whole or in part, on information provided by with paragraph (3) or (4) of section 503(b), to tomer premises equipment (commonly the call authentication framework under have violated any provision of this sub- known as ‘‘CPE’’) and permits out-bound subsection (b); section shall be liable to the United States calling, whether or not the service is one- (B) establishing a safe harbor for a pro- for a forfeiture penalty pursuant to section way or two-way voice over internet protocol. vider of voice service from liability for unin- 503(b)(1). The amount of the forfeiture pen- (b) AUTHENTICATION FRAMEWORK.— tended or inadvertent blocking of calls or for alty determined under this subparagraph (1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraphs (2) the unintended or inadvertent shall be determined in accordance with sub- and (3), not later than 18 months after the misidentification of the level of trust for in- paragraphs (A) through (F) of section date of enactment of this Act, the Federal dividual calls based, in whole or in part, on 503(b)(2). Communications Commission shall require a information provided by the call authentica- ‘‘(B) VIOLATION WITH INTENT.—Any person provider of voice service to implement the tion framework under subsection (b); and that is determined by the Commission, in ac- STIR/SHAKEN authentication framework in (C) establishing a process to permit a call- cordance with paragraph (3) or (4) of section the internet protocol networks of voice serv- ing party adversely affected by the informa- 503(b), to have violated this subsection with ice providers. tion provided by the call authentication the intent to cause such violation shall be (2) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Federal Commu- framework under subsection (b) to verify the liable to the United States for a forfeiture nications Commission shall not take the ac- authenticity of the calling party’s calls. penalty. The amount of the forfeiture pen- tion described in paragraph (1) if the Com- (2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In establishing the alty determined under this subparagraph mission determines that a provider of voice safe harbor under paragraph (1), the Federal shall be equal to an amount determined in service, not later than 12 months after the Communications Commission shall consider accordance with subparagraphs (A) through date of enactment of this Act— limiting the liability of a provider based on (F) of section 503(b)(2) plus an additional (A) has adopted the STIR/SHAKEN authen- the extent to which the provider— penalty not to exceed $10,000. tication framework for calls on the internet (A) blocks or identifies calls based, in ‘‘(C) RECOVERY.—Any forfeiture penalty de- protocol networks of voice service providers; whole or in part, on the information pro- termined under subparagraph (A) or (B) shall (B) has agreed voluntarily to participate vided by the call authentication framework be recoverable under section 504(a). with other providers of voice service in the under subsection (b); ‘‘(D) PROCEDURE.—No forfeiture liability STIR/SHAKEN authentication framework; (B) implemented procedures based, in shall be determined under subparagraph (A) (C) has begun to implement the STIR/ whole or in part, on the information pro- or (B) against any person unless such person SHAKEN authentication framework; and vided by the call authentication framework receives the notice required by paragraph (3) (D) will be capable of fully implementing under subsection (b); and or (4) of section 503(b). the STIR/SHAKEN authentication frame- (C) used reasonable care. ‘‘(E) STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.—No for- work not later than 18 months after the date (d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in feiture penalty shall be determined or im- of enactment of this Act. this section shall preclude the Federal Com- posed against any person— (3) IMPLEMENTATION REPORT.—Not later munications Commission from initiating a ‘‘(i) under subparagraph (A) if the violation than 12 months after the date of enactment rulemaking pursuant to its existing statu- charged occurred more than 1 year prior to of this Act, the Federal Communications tory authority.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.033 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S277 SEC. 4. PROTECTIONS FROM SPOOFED CALLS. constitutes such a violation would assist in By Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mr. (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year the successful prevention and prosecution of MANCHIN, Mr. CRAPO, Ms. BALD- after the date of enactment of this Act, and such violations; and WIN, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. TESTER, consistent with the call authentication (G) the extent to which, if any, Depart- Mr. BOOZMAN, Mrs. SHAHEEN, framework under section 3, the Federal Com- ment of Justice policies to pursue the pros- munications Commission shall initiate a ecution of violations causing economic Mr. MORAN, Mr. JONES, Mr. rulemaking to help protect a subscriber from harm, physical danger, or erosion of an in- HOEVEN, and Ms. ROSEN): receiving unwanted calls or text messages habitant’s peace of mind and sense of secu- S. 164. A bill to amend title 10, from a caller using an unauthenticated num- rity inhibits the prevention or prosecution of United States Code, to remove the pro- ber. such violations. hibition on eligibility for TRICARE (b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In promulgating (c) MEMBERS.—The interagency working Reserve Select of members of the re- rules under subsection (a), the Federal Com- group shall be composed of such representa- serve components of the Armed Forces munications Commission shall consider— tives of Federal departments and agencies as who are eligible to enroll in a health (1) the Government Accountability Office the Attorney General considers appropriate, benefits plan under chapter 89 of title report on combating the fraudulent provi- such as— 5, United States Code; to the Com- sion of misleading or inaccurate caller iden- (1) the Department of Commerce; tification required by section 503(c) of divi- (2) the Department of State; mittee on Armed Services. sion P of the Consolidated Appropriations (3) the Department of Homeland Security; Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask Act 2018 (Public Law 115–141); (4) the Federal Communications Commis- unanimous consent that the text of the (2) the best means of ensuring that a sub- sion; bill be printed in the RECORD. scriber or provider has the ability to block (5) the Federal Trade Commission; and There being no objection, the text of calls from a caller using an unauthenticated (6) the Bureau of Consumer Financial Pro- the bill was ordered to be printed in North American Numbering Plan number; tection. the RECORD, as follows: (3) the impact on the privacy of a sub- (d) NON-FEDERAL STAKEHOLDERS.—In car- S. 164 scriber from unauthenticated calls; rying out the study under subsection (a), the (4) the effectiveness in verifying the accu- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- interagency working group shall consult resentatives of the United States of America in racy of caller identification information; and with such non-Federal stakeholders as the (5) the availability and cost of providing Congress assembled, Attorney General determines have the rel- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. protection from the unwanted calls or text evant expertise, including the National Asso- messages described in subsection (a). This Act may be cited as the ‘‘TRICARE ciation of Attorneys General. Reserve Improvement Act’’. SEC. 5. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP. (e) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than SEC. 2. MODIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR (a) IN GENERAL.—The Attorney General, in 270 days after the date of enactment of this TRICARE RESERVE SELECT OF CER- consultation with the Chairman of the Fed- Act, the interagency working group shall TAIN MEMBERS OF THE SELECTED eral Communications Commission, shall con- submit to the Committee on Commerce, RESERVE. vene an interagency working group to study Science, and Transportation of the Senate Section 1076d(a) of title 10, United States Government prosecution of violations of sec- and the Committee on Energy and Commerce Code, is amended— tion 227(b) of the Communications Act of 1934 of the House of Representatives a report on (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘(1) Except (47 U.S.C. 227(b)). the findings of the study under subsection as provided in paragraph (2), a member’’ and (b) DUTIES.—In carrying out the study (a), including— inserting ‘‘A member’’; and under subsection (a), the interagency work- (1) any recommendations regarding the (2) by striking paragraph (2). ing group shall— prevention and prosecution of such viola- f (1) determine whether, and if so how, any tions; and Federal laws, including regulations, policies, (2) a description of what progress, if any, SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS and practices, or budgetary or jurisdictional relevant Federal departments and agencies constraints inhibit the prosecution of such have made in implementing the rec- violations; ommendations under paragraph (1). SENATE RESOLUTION 19—EX- (2) identify existing and potential Federal PRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SEC. 6. ACCESS TO NUMBER RESOURCES. policies and programs that encourage and SENATE THAT DISQUALIFYING A (a) IN GENERAL.— improve coordination among Federal depart- NOMINEE TO FEDERAL OFFICE ments and agencies and States, and between (1) EXAMINATION OF FCC POLICIES.—Not States, in the prevention and prosecution of later than 180 days after the date of enact- ON THE BASIS OF MEMBERSHIP such violations; ment of this Act, the Federal Communica- IN THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS (3) identify existing and potential inter- tions Commission shall commence a pro- VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION national policies and programs that encour- ceeding to determine whether Federal Com- OF THE UNITED STATES age and improve coordination between coun- munications Commission policies regarding Mr. SASSE submitted the following access to number resources, including num- tries in the prevention and prosecution of resolution; which was considered and such violations; and ber resources for toll free and non-toll free (4) consider— telephone numbers, could be modified, in- agreed to: (A) the benefit and potential sources of ad- cluding by establishing registration and S. RES. 19 ditional resources for the Federal prevention compliance obligations, to help reduce ac- Whereas, throughout the history of the and prosecution of criminal violations of cess to numbers by potential perpetrators of United States, the religious liberty protected that section; violations of section 227(b) of the Commu- by both the First Amendment and the No Re- (B) whether to establish memoranda of un- nications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(b)). ligious Test Clause of the Constitution of the derstanding regarding the prevention and (2) REGULATIONS.—If the Federal Commu- United States has been at the heart of the prosecution of such violations between— nications Commission determines under American experiment; (i) the States; paragraph (1) that modifying the policies de- Whereas, in 1960, the presidential can- (ii) the States and the Federal Govern- scribed in that paragraph could help achieve didacy of John F. Kennedy was met with sig- ment; and the goal described in that paragraph, the nificant anti-Catholic bigotry; (iii) the Federal Government and a foreign Commission shall prescribe regulations to Whereas then Senator Kennedy responded government; implement those policy modifications. to the bigotry with these timeless words: (C) whether to establish a process to allow (b) AUTHORITY.—Any person who know- ‘‘For while this year it may be a Catholic States to request Federal subpoenas from ingly, through an employee, agent, officer, against whom the finger of suspicion is the Federal Communications Commission; or otherwise, directly or indirectly, by or pointed, in other years it has been, and may (D) whether extending civil enforcement through any means or device whatsoever, is someday be again, a Jew or a Quaker or a authority to the States would assist in the a party to obtaining number resources, in- Unitarian or a Baptist. . . . Today I may be successful prevention and prosecution of cluding number resources for toll free and the victim, but tomorrow it may be you, such violations; non-toll free telephone numbers, from a com- until the whole fabric of our harmonious so- (E) whether increased forfeiture and im- mon carrier regulated under title II of the ciety is ripped at a time of great national prisonment penalties are appropriate, such Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 201 et peril.’’; as extending imprisonment for such a viola- seq.), in violation of a regulation prescribed Whereas the Knights of Columbus (in this tion to a term longer than 2 years; under subsection (a) of this section, shall, preamble referred to as the ‘‘Knights’’) con- (F) whether regulation of any entity that notwithstanding section 503(b)(5) of the Com- stitute the largest Catholic fraternal service enters into a business arrangement with a munications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 503(b)(5)), organization in the world; common carrier regulated under title II of be subject to a forfeiture penalty under sec- Whereas the Knights have a proud tradi- the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. tion 503 of that Act. A forfeiture penalty tion of standing against the forces of preju- 201 et seq.) for the specific purpose of car- under this subsection shall be in addition to dice and oppression, such as the Ku Klux rying, routing, or transmitting a call that any other penalty provided for by law. Klan and Nazi Germany;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16JA6.027 S16JAPT1 S278 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 Whereas the Knights are founded on the maining challenges and concerns such as politicize the security and law enforcement principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and delays in finalizing the legal framework for agencies; patriotism; and the elections, delayed release of funds for the (8) encourages civil society organizations Whereas, in 2017, the Knights made more elections, security threats in the Middle Belt in Nigeria to— than $185,000,000 in charitable contributions and North East, instances of vote-buying, (A) promote the peaceful participation of and volunteered more than 75,600,000 service and incitement to violence and citizens in the electoral process and draw on hours: Now, therefore, be it disinformation; and existing inter-religious and peacebuilding Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate Whereas ensuring transparency in elec- bodies to enhance their efforts; that disqualifying a nominee to Federal of- toral preparations and building public con- (B) disseminate information about citizen- fice on the basis of membership in the fidence in the electoral process is vital for based observation findings and analysis to Knights of Columbus violates clause 3 of ar- the success of the upcoming elections in Ni- increase public knowledge and under- ticle VI of the Constitution of the United geria: Now, therefore, be it standing about the conduct of the elections; States, which establishes that Senators Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- and ‘‘shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to resentatives concurring), That the Senate— (C) continue leading important early warn- support th[e] Constitution’’ and ‘‘no reli- (1) reaffirms that the people of the United ing and response mechanisms to mitigate gious Test shall ever be required as a Quali- States will continue to stand with the people election-related violence, including moni- fication to any Office or public Trust under of Nigeria in support of peace and democ- toring efforts to incite violence or further in- the United States’’. racy; flame tensions; (2) calls on the Government of Nigeria and (9) supports efforts by the Department of f all political parties and actors to— State, including the Bureau of Conflict and SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLU- (A) take actions to facilitate elections that Stabilization Operations, and the United are credible, transparent, and peaceful in TION 1—CALLING FOR CREDIBLE, States Agency for International Develop- order to support the will of the people and ment (USAID) to assist election-related TRANSPARENT, AND SAFE ELEC- advance the consolidation of democracy and TIONS IN NIGERIA, AND FOR preparation in Nigeria, including through the stability of the broader region; programs focused on conflict mitigation; and OTHER PURPOSES (B) condemn in the strongest terms the use (10) calls on the United States Government of speech that incites to violence, and refrain and other international partners, especially Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. from any rhetoric or action that seeks to de- election-focused nongovernmental organiza- ISAKSON, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. CARDIN, and monize or delegitimize opponents, sow divi- tions, to— Mr. COONS) submitted the following sion among Nigerians, or otherwise inflame (A) continue to support efforts by the Gov- concurrent resolution; which was re- tensions; ernment of Nigeria to address the remaining (C) seek to resolve any disputes over re- ferred to the Committee on Foreign electoral preparation challenges and identify sults peacefully, including through the legal Relations: gaps in which additional resources or diplo- system as necessary; and S. CON. RES. 1 matic engagement could make important (D) respect the impartiality of the Inde- contributions to the conduct of the elec- Whereas it is in the national interest of pendent National Electoral Commission; tions; and the United States to maintain a strong bilat- (3) calls on the Government of Nigeria to— eral relationship with a politically stable, (A) refrain from deploying security forces (B) support civil society organizations and democratic, and economically sound Nigeria in a partisan manner; media organizations working towards trans- that can play a leadership role in the region (B) ensure that security services maintain parency and accountability in the use of and the continent more broadly; the highest level of professionalism and im- state resources around the election period. Whereas Nigeria has presidential elections partiality in facilitating the electoral proc- f scheduled for February 16, 2019, and guber- ess, enable accredited observers and journal- AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND natorial and National Assembly elections ists to perform their work, and protect the scheduled for March 2, 2019; right of citizens to exercise their votes free- PROPOSED Whereas credible elections could further ly; SA 1. Mr. KAINE (for himself and Mr. VAN consolidate democratic gains achieved in Ni- (C) move expeditiously to finalize the pro- HOLLEN) submitted an amendment intended geria over the last two decades since the posed reforms to the legal framework for the to be proposed by him to the joint resolution transition from military to civilian demo- 2019 elections; and S.J . Res. 2, disapproving the President’s pro- cratic rule; (D) enforce laws against election malfea- posal to take an action relating to the appli- Whereas a 2017 survey conducted by sance, including vote buying, and ensure cation of certain sanctions with respect to Afrobarometer found that 72 percent of Nige- equal and robust application through such the Russian Federation; which was ordered rians agreed that democratic elections are measures as the establishment of the Elec- to lie on the table. the best means of choosing their country’s toral Offenses Commission and Tribunal; SA 2. Mr. KAINE (for himself, Mr. VAN leaders, thus indicating that the country’s (4) urges all Nigerians to fully and peace- HOLLEN, and Mr. WARNER) submitted an citizens are deeply committed to democracy; fully engage in the electoral process, insist amendment intended to be proposed by him Whereas collaboration between civil soci- on full enfranchisement, reject inflam- to the bill S. 109, to prohibit taxpayer funded ety actors and the international community matory or divisive rhetoric or actions, and abortions; which was ordered to lie on the was a key factor that contributed to success- seek to resolve any disputes over results table. ful elections in 2015; through the legal system; SA 3. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. JOHNSON Whereas successive elections in Nigeria (5) calls upon the Independent National (for himself and Mr. PETERS)) proposed an have featured varying degrees of violence; Electoral Commission to sustain confidence amendment to the bill H.R. 251, to extend by Whereas there have been deeply concerning and trust in its management of the electoral 15 months the Chemical Facility Anti-Ter- instances of incitement to violence in Nige- process by— rorism Standards Program of the Depart- ria by members of both the ruling coalition (A) taking concrete measures to combat ment of Homeland Security, and for other and the opposition inciting supporters to vote buying through voter education cam- purposes. ethnic violence as a means by which to gain paigns, enforcement of laws against voter in- SA 4. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. JOHNSON electoral advantage, intimidate electoral ri- ducement, and a nationwide ban on cell (for himself and Mr. PETERS)) proposed an vals, or suppress voter turnout; phones in the voting cubicle; amendment to the bill H.R. 251, supra. Whereas, during the Ekiti and Osun guber- (B) releasing specimen ballots well in ad- f natorial elections in July 2018 and Sep- vance of Election Day so that civil society tember 2018, respectively, there were con- and other electoral stakeholders can conduct TEXT OF AMENDMENTS cerning incidents in which some elements of sufficient education to orient voters; Mr. KAINE (for himself and Mr. Nigeria’s security agencies displayed par- (C) making adequate arrangements to en- SA 1. tisanship and a lack of objectivity, which sure the participation in the election of in- VAN HOLLEN) submitted an amendment risks escalating tensions within the country; ternally displaced persons (IDPs); and intended to be proposed by him to the Whereas Nigeria’s Independent National (D) taking steps to clean the voter roll and joint resolution S.J. Res. 2, dis- Electoral Commission (INEC) has improved ensure timely production and distribution of approving the President’s proposal to the voting process, notably through the in- the Permanent Voter Card to new voters; take an action relating to the applica- troduction of continuous voter registration, (6) encourages political parties in Nigeria tion of certain sanctions with respect the adoption of simultaneous accreditation to adhere to and enforce existing codes of to the Russian Federation; which was and voting, improvements to the secrecy of conduct that commit parties to democratic ordered to lie on the table; as follows: the ballot, and the advancement of smart electoral standards regarding campaign use card reader technology; of resources, engagement of voters, peaceful At the end, add the following: Whereas the statement of the September resolution of disputes, and acceptance of SEC. 2. APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019. 2018 Joint National Democratic Institute/ verified and credible results; (a) The provisions of the following meas- International Republican Institute Pre-Elec- (7) condemns any efforts on the part of any ures of the 116th Congress are hereby enacted tion Assessment Mission to Nigeria cited re- politicians or political parties in Nigeria to into law:

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16JA6.036 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S279 (1) H.R. 21, as passed by the House of Rep- COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND ate proceed to the immediate consider- resentatives on January 3, 2019. TRANSPORTATION ation of Calendar No. 8, H.R. 251. (2) H.J. Res. 1, as passed by the House of The Committee on Commerce, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Representatives on January 3, 2019. Science, and Transportation is author- clerk will report the bill by title. (b) In publishing this Act in slip form and ized to meet during the session of the The bill clerk read as follows: in the United States Statutes at Large pur- Senate on Wednesday, January 16, 2019, suant to section 112 of title 1, United States A bill (H.R. 251) to extend by two years the Code, the Archivist of the United States at 10 a.m., to conduct an Executive Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards shall include after the date of approval at Session. Program of the Department of Homeland Se- the end appendixes setting forth the texts of COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC curity, and for other purposes. the measures referred to in subsection (a) of WORKS There being no objection, the Senate this section and the text of any other meas- The Committee on Environment and proceeded to consider the bill. ure enacted into law by reference by reason Public Works is authorized to meet Mr. MCCONNELL. I ask unanimous of the enactment of this Act. during the session of the Senate on consent that the Johnson amendment Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at 10 a.m., at the desk be considered and agreed Mr. KAINE (for himself, Mr. SA 2. to conduct a hearing on the nomina- to, the bill, as amended, be considered VAN HOLLEN, and Mr. WARNER) sub- tion of Andrew Wheeler, of Virginia, to read a third time and passed, the John- mitted an amendment intended to be be Administrator of the Environmental son title amendment be agreed to, and proposed by him to the bill S. 109, to Protection Agency. that the motions to reconsider be con- prohibit taxpayer funded abortions; COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY sidered made and laid upon the table. which was ordered to lie on the table; The Committee on the Judiciary is The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without as follows: authorized to meet during the session objection, it is so ordered. At the appropriate place, insert the fol- of the Senate on Wednesday, January The amendment (No. 3) was agreed to lowing: 16, 2019, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing as follows: SEC. ll. APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR on the nomination of William Pelham (Purpose: To extend by 15 months the Chem- 2019. Barr, of Virginia, to be Attorney Gen- ical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (a) The provisions of the following meas- Program of the Department of Homeland ures of the 116th Congress are hereby enacted eral, Department of Justice. Security) into law: SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE (1) H.R. 21, as passed by the House of Rep- The Select Committee on Intel- On page 2, line 7, striking ‘‘6 years’’ and in- resentatives on January 3, 2019. ligence is authorized to meet during sert ‘‘5 years and 3 months’’. (2) H. J. Res. 1, as passed by the House of the session of the Senate on Wednes- The amendment was ordered to be Representatives on January 3, 2019. day, January 16, 2019, at 10 a.m., to engrossed and the bill to be read a (b) In publishing this Act in slip form and conduct a closed briefing. third time. in the United States Statutes at Large pur- SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING The bill was read the third time. suant to section 112 of title 1, United States The bill (H.R. 251), as amended, was Code, the Archivist of the United States The Special Committee on Aging is authorized to meet during the session passed. shall include after the date of approval at The amendment (No. 4) was agreed to the end appendixes setting forth the texts of of the Senate on Wednesday, January the measures referred to in subsection (a) of 16, 2019, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hear- as follows: this section and the text of any other meas- ing entitled ‘‘Fighting Elder Fraud: (Purpose: To amend the title) ure enacted into law by reference by reason Progress Made, Work to be Done’’. Amend the title so as to read: ‘‘An Act to of the enactment of this Act. extend by 15 months the Chemical Facility f Anti-Terrorism Standards Program of the SA 3. Mr. MCCONNELL (for Mr. JOHN- PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR Department of Homeland Security, and for SON (for himself and Mr. PETERS)) pro- Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I ask other purposes.’’. posed an amendment to the bill H.R. unanimous consent that my intern, f 251, to extend by 15 months the Chem- Celine Wolff, have privileges of the ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, ical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards floor for the remainder of the day. JANUARY 17, 2019 Program of the Department of Home- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without land Security, and for other purposes; objection, it is so ordered. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I as follows: ask unanimous consent that when the f Senate completes its business today, it On page 2, line 7, striking ‘‘6 years’’ and in- sert ‘‘5 years and 3 months’’. APPOINTMENTS adjourn until 4 p.m. Thursday, January The PRESIDING OFFICER. The 17; further, that following the prayer SA 4. Mr. MCCONNELL (for Mr. JOHN- Chair, on behalf of the Democratic and pledge, the morning hour be SON (for himself and Mr. PETERS)) pro- Leader, pursuant to the provisions of deemed expired, the Journal of pro- posed an amendment to the bill H.R. Public Law 99–93, as amended by Public ceedings be approved to date, the time 251, to extend by 15 months the Chem- Law 99–151, appoints the following Sen- for the two leaders be reserved for their ical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards ators as members of the United States use later in the day and morning busi- Program of the Department of Home- Senate Caucus on International Nar- ness be closed; further, following leader land Security, and for other purposes; cotics Control The Honorable DIANNE remarks, the Senate resume consider- as follows: FEINSTEIN of California (Vice Chair- ation on the motion to proceed to S. Amend the title so as to read: ‘‘An Act to man); The Honorable SHELDON WHITE- 109; finally, notwithstanding the provi- extend by 15 months the Chemical Facility HOUSE of Rhode Island; The Honorable sions of rule XXII, there be 30 minutes Anti-Terrorism Standards Program of the JACKY ROSEN of Nevada. of debate equally divided between the Department of Homeland Security, and for The Chair announces, on behalf of two leaders or their designees, and other purposes.’’. the Majority Leader, pursuant to the upon the use or yielding back of that f provisions of Public Law 100–458, sec. time, the Senate vote on the motion to 114(b)(2)(c), the appointment of the fol- invoke cloture on the motion to pro- AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO lowing individual to serve as a member ceed to S. 109. MEET of the Board of Trustees of the John C. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Stennis Center for Public Service objection, it is so ordered. have 5 requests for committees to meet Training and Development for a six- f during today’s session of the Senate. year term: Thomas Daffron of Maine. ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT They have the approval of the Majority f and Minority leaders. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, if Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph CHEMICAL FACILITY ANTI-TER- there is no further business to come be- 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Sen- RORISM STANDARDS PROGRAM fore the Senate, I ask unanimous con- ate, the following committees are au- EXTENSION ACT sent that it stand adjourned under the thorized to meet during today’s session Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I previous order following the remarks of of the Senate: ask unanimous consent that the Sen- Senator MERKLEY.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16JA6.033 S16JAPT1 S280 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tages has anything to do with the bat- duty, and that is not what this Cham- objection, it is so ordered. tle over the border. So why not release ber should be about. It is not a proud The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- six of these hostages? Why not end the moment to have such dysfunction in ator from Oregon. Trump-McConnell shutdown and re- the heart of the Senate. f lease six of the seven hostages and on I am reminded of the historical ref- the seventh do a continuing resolution GOVERNMENT FUNDING erence: ‘‘While Nero fiddles, Rome so we can continue debating the issues burns.’’ It is a reference to the year Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, the at stake while putting people back to A.D. 64, when Rome burned to the most important words of our Constitu- work. That is a pretty good idea. ground. The historian Suetonius tion are the first three: ‘‘We the Peo- Here is the genius of the idea, which records that Nero was responsible for ple.’’ Those three words, written in big, is, these are bills that already have the fire, and he watched it from a bold, beautiful script, convey the mis- support in the Senate. If we were to tower while playing an instrument and sion of our Constitution. We are a na- look at that support, we would find it singing about the destruction of a dif- tion, as Abraham Lincoln opined, ‘‘of was substantial when these bills came ferent place—the destruction of Troy. the people, by the people, and for the through in a bipartisan fashion under a Here we sit today with our leader- people.’’ That was the mission. Republican-led Senate. You have the ship’s fiddling while our Nation suffers, Our Constitution also lays out how Republican endorsement from here and while our leadership watches from afar our Founding Fathers intended to be a you have the Democratic endorsement from the tower, playing some fiddle for nation of, by, and for the people to be from the House. That is the making of its amusement, instead of taking ac- governed by coequal branches, with the a path forward. tion here on the floor of the Senate. branch carrying the weight of policy Yet we need to remind the Members While the Republican Senate leader- development being Congress: the how our Constitution is constructed. ship fiddles, our farmers aren’t getting House, and the Senate. The Executive Article I section 7 says in an abbre- the funds or assistance they need to is to have quite a different role in exe- viated format: ‘‘If he approve he shall get through the winter to prepare for cuting the laws. Judiciary has yet an- sign it, but if not he shall return it, the next season because the Depart- other role in weighing whether the with his Objections.’’ Then it goes back ment of Agriculture is closed for busi- laws are in accordance with the param- to the House and Senate, whichever ness. eters of the Constitution—the prin- body first initiated it. ‘‘ . . . and if ap- While the Republican leadership of ciples of the Constitution. proved by two-thirds . . . it shall be- So there we are, the branch of gov- this Chamber fiddles, firefighters come a Law.’’ whom we ask to risk their lives in ernment—the Senate and the House— Let’s recognize that the vision of our fighting massive infernos in our Na- with the power of the purse, with the Constitution was not for us to sit on tion’s forests are missing out on crit- responsibility for laying out the gov- some chair or bench somewhere wait- ical training and preparation time for erning vision and rules for our Nation. ing for someone far down Pennsylvania the next fire season. In addition, the Yet, one-quarter of our government Avenue to tell us what to do. That is work being done to thin the forests, to goes unfunded for a fourth week. Why not fulfilling our job. The President is make the forests more fire resistant, is is this Chamber not full of Senators? supposed to implement the laws we suspended. The work getting the fuel Why are we not debating funding bills? pass—the vision we adopt—not for us off the forest floors to make them more Why is there not a bill before the Sen- to sit here doing nothing, waiting for fire resistant is suspended. The pre- ate right now? It is because the rhythm the man in the Oval Office to tell us he scription burns being done to make the of the floor in this Chamber is guided has some message from on high on forests more fire resistant are can- by the majority leader. The majority what we are supposed to do. No, that is celed. Yet this is the time they have to leader refuses to put the bill on the not the vision of our Constitution. happen. While the leadership fiddles, it floor so we can go about our work, put- It is disturbing that a responsibility is setting the stage for more savage ting the government back in business we all signed on to—we took our oath forest fires to wreak havoc on the and ending this shutdown. of office—is being neglected in this Western States in the United States in The majority leader has refused to Chamber at this moment, when so the summer to come. have the Senate fulfill its responsi- many Americans are suffering as a re- bility and, indeed, has said: ‘‘ . . . will sult. While the Republican leadership of not take up any proposal that does not Those funding bills that I was speak- this Chamber fiddles, 100,000 low-in- have a real chance of . . . getting a ing of and that partisan support, how come tenants are at risk because there Presidential signature.’’ strong it was—the Agriculture bill, In- is no staffer in place at Housing and In the Constitution, we have the abil- terior, Financial Services, General Urban Development to renew the 1,100 ity to set law without a Presidential Government, Transportation, Housing, affordable housing contracts that ex- signature. It is certainly not a waste of and Urban Development. Those passed pired last month. time to be here debating proposals for this floor just a few weeks ago on a 92- While the leadership fiddles, small, funding the government. In fact, this is to-6 vote. How much more bipartisan rural economies, like that of Lakeview, a complete abdication of our responsi- does it get? OR, are stuck in limbo and are unable bility. It is an abdication at a time The State and Foreign Operations to move forward on critical projects. when 800,000 American families have a bill passed out of the Republican-led According to the South Central Oregon mother or father who is not getting Appropriations Committee 31 to 0. The Economic Development District’s di- paid, when many more thousands of Commerce, Justice, and Science spend- rector, they are working at trying to contractors are not getting paid. Mil- ing bill passed 30 to 1 in our spending give a loan to a small business in lions of Americans are seeking govern- committee. Homeland Security passed Lakeview, but they need EPA staff ap- ment services and finding there is no out 26 to 5. proval to be able to use the grant fund- one to answer their phone call or their So these have a powerful imprint of ing for an environmental assessment letter or process their online applica- overwhelming bipartisan support in before they can borrow funds to buy a tion, whether for an FAA mortgage, this Chamber, and yet we sit here building. So they are up the creek whether for an agricultural grant or afraid to take action and lay out the while the Republican leadership fid- loan for the next farming season, vision we have a responsibility to lay dles. whether it is any of a host of hundreds out. The real victims in this misguided of roles the government plays in facili- I hope every Member will say back standoff are the hundreds of thousands tating the commerce and life of this home that they invite the feedback of of Federal workers who aren’t being Nation. their constituents; that they will hold paid and the contractors who might President Trump and the Senate ma- townhalls because then they will hear never be paid. Let’s listen to them. jority are holding seven funding bills what I hear, which is that is an absurd- What do they have to say about this? hostage. Hostage-taking is not the ity. It is an irresponsibility. It is a fail- Are they writing and saying: ‘‘Love wisest move. Only one of these hos- ure of leadership. It is a neglect of this dysfunction in the Senate. Love

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.066 S16JAPT1 January 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S281 the failure of leadership. Love the in- out pay, is an in-home provider with three middle-class family hostage to rich competence. Love the fact that nobody teenaged children of her own. I cannot ask men’s antics.’’ is working here to solve the problem’’? her to go without pay as she too needs to Air traffic controllers are essential No, that is not what they are saying. continue keeping her family financially sta- to the safety of our air traffic across Erin, a furloughed Forest Service em- ble. this country. I received a stack of ployee of Sandy, OR, writes that both She writes: handwritten letters last week—old- she and her husband are Forest Service There are very few expenses in my life that fashioned, ink on paper, all kinds of employees who have been furloughed in can go without money: food, daycare, gas to paper, all colors of pens. They were the Mt. Hood National Forest, and they get to work, car insurance to drive legally, a handwritten by Oregon air traffic con- phone required for my job to contact me in trollers who have been absolutely in- are terrified about their personal fi- an emergency, medical expenses. Both of my nances. kids have been sick during this furlough and censed with what is going on. Being an Erin writes: have had to see the doctor to get medication. air traffic controller is an unbelievably I have two boys that I will still have to After 26 days without pay, these bills con- tough job. Air traffic controllers are continue to pay daycare for so I do not lose tinue to require cash to pay, and I continue responsible for thousands of lives at their spot. That’s $1,400 a month alone. to wonder how much longer I should keep any given moment. They have to be on She went on to write: coming to work or when I should look for an- their game 100 percent of the time. It other job. We have to be smart on how we balance can’t be 99.5 or a plane is going to our finances because the cost of living is Linnea from Roseburg, OR, writes: crash on you that day. These folks are going up, but our salaries have not been in- The unrepentant hostage holding of peo- working without pay. It is inflicting creased besides a minor cost-of-living adjust- ple’s wages is cruel and shows just how re- stress and anxiety on people who ment last year. So I am very worried what a moved the Trump administration is from the should have their absolute, full atten- long shutdown means for my family and my American people. I live in a single-income tion solely on the job of making sure coworkers. household in which the only breadwinner is a no plane hits another. Erin and her husband have every government employee, my mother. This James Ferguson, of Forest Grove, right to be worried about what is in the means that we went through the holidays writes: future for her family. They are suf- not knowing when the next paycheck was going to come. We still don’t know. If the shutdown lasts any longer, I will lose fering the effects of this shutdown my health insurance and will no longer be through no fault of their own. Britt, a furloughed IRS worker who able to pay for my 1-year-old son’s physical Steven, of southeast Portland, was proud of his government service therapy, potentially adding additional writes: and called it his small way of partici- months to correct his spine and neck muscle problems. I am writing as a constituent, residing in pating in our democracy, writes: southeast Portland, and as a furloughed Fed- My savings is small and will not last This is another example of the pain. eral employee. I do not in any way support through an extended shutdown. I have al- Here is a parent who feels the medical President Trump’s efforts to build a wall ready applied for unemployment insurance affliction of his child is going to be ac- along our southern border. The proposed wall compensation, but that process takes several centuated by the actions of the Repub- is unneeded. It would be a wantonly wasteful weeks before I actually receive any money. I lican leadership in the Senate and use of taxpayer money. It would be environ- have never had to file for unemployment be- President Trump in the Oval Office. mentally destructive, and it would further fore, and it’s quite unsettling that I am James isn’t complaining that he needs forced to resort to government aid. the inhumane disregard of the rights of those to go shopping for new clothes or that seeking asylum. Like so many other Oregonians in a he wants to check out a new car. He is Steven is a Federal worker who is State that is 20-percent National For- worried about getting medical care for not being paid, and he doesn’t support est, Brien, of Pendleton, OR, writes: his infant child. He is worried about his this shutdown. As a United States Forest Service em- infant child’s recovery and of his im- Julie, the wife of a firefighter in ployee, I am waiting for relocation reim- provement being stalled or damaged by Redmond, OR, wrote last week that her bursement on a current move. I used most of this callous, inhumane shutdown. husband ‘‘isn’t able to work because of my savings to move duty stations 2 months Trevor Stokes, of Hillsboro, OR, and ago, and with the current furlough, I cannot the government shutdown.’’ In just his wife are veterans of the U.S. Navy. over a week, they are supposed to hire afford to miss a pay period even if I will get it in the end. I am currently paying interest They certainly are no strangers to sac- all of their seasonal firefighters for the on my move that was to be covered by the rificing for their country. summer. If they can’t work, the hiring Forest Service. If the furlough lasts longer In fact, in his letter, Trevor writes: will get delayed or not happen, which than January 13, it will be extremely dif- Over the past few weeks, during the shut- will put communities at serious risk ficult to avoid late payment charges on utili- down, I have worked both Christmas and this summer from wilderness fires. ties, mortgage, and other bills. Don’t hold New Year’s as well as their eves. I was not This risk for this coming summer is me and my middle-class family hostage to able to spend time with my family, which is very real in our State of Oregon. rich men’s antics. a necessary sacrifice. Julie writes: That is exactly what is happening Then he writes: In no way is it OK to let the government with a President who is so far removed Now our financial future is uncertain due shut down. . . . Don’t participate in holding from the reality of ordinary people, to a potentially long unpaid period. I’ve had our own country hostage. with a President who worked with the to withdraw from mutual funds just to cover monthly financial obligations. My family Dr. Genevieve Grady, of Sheridan, leadership of this body in the Senate to and the families of my air traffic colleagues OR, wrote: approve a series of spending bills that have suffered from the sudden loss of income. I am a licensed clinical psychologist who is we passed by a vast bipartisan major- Please end the shutdown. working at the Federal Bureau of Prisons in ity but who then changed his mind and We ask so much of these people. We Sheridan, OR. I am also a single mom with withdrew his support after they were ask long hours and missed holidays in two children under the age of 5. As an essen- passed. The President switched his po- tial Federal employee, I am required to con- the name of protecting us as travelers. sition after the bills went through the Shouldn’t we also be looking out for tinue to work without being paid. As a li- Senate. The President bragged about censed psychologist, I could cultivate out- them in their time of need? side work with Agency permission to supple- owning this shutdown. He didn’t have 1 Why don’t we reopen the Department ment my income. However, I am unable to do second of worry about the plight of an of Transportation and make sure our this due to having to continue working full ordinary American who was struggling air traffic controllers start getting time. Given that I am a single mother of two to pay his bills. paid? All of these individuals are say- small children, I must provide care for my From his ivory tower, his skyscraper ing: Do your job. Do your job. Do your children during all other hours of the day. In in Florida, and his club—and, oh, he is job. Senate leadership, do your job. order to maintain a roof over my and my still happy with his golf courses—he Put the bills that have passed the children’s heads, I have had to contact my has no idea of the pain this is inflicting Federal student loan company to seek relief. Senate already back on the floor so Unfortunately, they cannot alter my student on people. If someone explains it to that we can send them to the Oval Of- loan status any earlier than February 6. My him, he doesn’t care. That says a lot fice. Let us do our job. daycare provider, who watched my children about the failure of leadership. As this This Trump-McConnell shutdown, so that I may continue going to work with- writer said, ‘‘Don’t hold me and my this inaction of the Senate, abdicating

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:57 Jan 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16JA6.067 S16JAPT1 S282 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 16, 2019 its responsibility—isn’t that exactly Thereupon, the Senate, at 6:35 p.m., BANK OF THE UNITED STATES FOR A TERM EXPIRING JANUARY 20, 2023, VICE SEAN ROBERT MULVANEY, TERM parallel to Nero fiddling while Rome adjourned until Thursday, January 17, EXPIRED. burned? That fire here in America is 2019, at 4 p.m. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION touching the lives of so many. There f ANN MARIE BUERKLE, OF NEW YORK, TO BE A COMMIS- are 800,000 workers without pay. Thou- SIONER OF THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMIS- NOMINATIONS SION FOR A TERM OF SEVEN YEARS FROM OCTOBER 27, sands more are contractors. Millions of 2018. (REAPPOINTMENT) Americans are caught in limbo in the Executive nominations received by ANN MARIE BUERKLE, OF NEW YORK, TO BE CHAIRMAN the Senate: OF THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION, VICE midst of an important transaction—ap- ELLIOT F. KAYE. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE plying for an agricultural loan, trying METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON AIRPORTS to get a mortgage, signing up for help MINDY BRASHEARS, OF TEXAS, TO BE UNDER SEC- AUTHORITY from the Small Business Administra- RETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR FOOD SAFETY, VICE ELISABETH ANN HAGEN, RESIGNED. ALAN E. COBB, OF KANSAS, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE tion to launch their business, getting NAOMI C. EARP, OF MARYLAND, TO BE AN ASSISTANT BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE METROPOLITAN WASH- their paperwork processed in one of SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, VICE JOE LEONARD, JR. INGTON AIRPORTS AUTHORITY FOR A TERM EXPIRING SCOTT HUTCHINS, OF INDIANA, TO BE UNDER SEC- NOVEMBER 22, 2023, VICE WILLIAM SHAW MCDERMOTT, 1,000 different ways, and here, the lead- RETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATION, TERM EXPIRED. AND ECONOMICS, VICE CATHERINE E. WOTEKI. ership fiddles while the American pub- AMTRAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY lic suffers. It is wrong. RICK A. DEARBORN, OF OKLAHOMA, TO BE A DIRECTOR It may not be comfortable to have a WILLIAM BOOKLESS, OF CALIFORNIA, TO BE PRINCIPAL OF THE AMTRAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR A TERM OF DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR, NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECU- FIVE YEARS, VICE JEFFREY R. MORELAND, TERM EX- debate on the spending bills. It may RITY ADMINISTRATION, VICE MADELYN R. CREEDON. PIRED. not be comfortable to vote on these DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION bills. It may not be sweet to support or VERONICA DAIGLE, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE AN ASSISTANT DIANA FURCHTGOTT–ROTH, OF MARYLAND, TO BE AN oppose a particular amendment, but do SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, VICE FREDERICK VOLLRATH, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION. (NEW PO- you know what is worse? What is worse RESIGNED. SITION) is doing nothing. DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY That is what this Chamber is doing JOSEPH BRUCE HAMILTON, OF TEXAS, TO BE A MEM- LANE GENATOWSKI, OF NEW YORK, TO BE DIRECTOR OF right now. It is doing nothing, despite BER OF THE DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY THE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY–ENERGY, BOARD FOR A TERM EXPIRING OCTOBER 18, 2022, VICE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, VICE ELLEN DUDLEY WIL- our responsibility to millions of Ameri- DANIEL J. SANTOS, TERM EXPIRED. LIAMS. cans to act. Let’s change that. Let’s DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AMTRAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS change it now. THOMAS MCCAFFERY, OF CALIFORNIA, TO BE AN AS- JOSEPH RYAN GRUTERS, OF FLORIDA, TO BE A DIREC- I understand that the majority is SISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, VICE JONATHAN TOR OF THE AMTRAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR A TERM WOODSON, RESIGNED. going on a retreat. Instead of going on OF FIVE YEARS, VICE ALBERT DICLEMENTE, TERM EX- DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD PIRED. a retreat to play the fiddle, how about CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING you be here on the floor and put these JESSIE HILL ROBERSON, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE A MEM- BER OF THE DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY JANICE MIRIAM HELLREICH, OF HAWAII, TO BE A MEM- bills on the floor? Let’s get all 100 Sen- BOARD FOR A TERM EXPIRING OCTOBER 18, 2023. (RE- BER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORA- ators on the floor to actually talk to APPOINTMENT) TION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING FOR A TERM EXPIRING LISA VICKERS, OF TEXAS, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE DE- JANUARY 31, 2024, VICE HOWARD ABEL HUSOCK, TERM EX- each other, to actually wrestle with FENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD FOR A PIRED. TERM EXPIRING OCTOBER 18, 2021, VICE JOSEPH BRUCE the issues, to actually make our argu- HAMILTON, TERM EXPIRED. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ments, and to actually take the votes DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN HEIDI R. KING, OF CALIFORNIA, TO BE ADMINISTRATOR instead of going off somewhere to DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINIS- TRATION, VICE MARK R. ROSEKIND. party. That is just wrong. SETH DANIEL APPLETON, OF MISSOURI, TO BE AN AS- I encourage the majority leader to SISTANT SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVEL- CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING OPMENT, VICE KATHERINE M. O’REGAN. read the letter that was sent to him ROBERT A. MANDELL, OF FLORIDA, TO BE A MEMBER EXPORT–IMPORT BANK OF THE UNITED STATES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION today from the freshmen from the FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING FOR A TERM EXPIRING JAN- House of Representatives down the SPENCER BACHUS III, OF ALABAMA, TO BE A MEMBER UARY 31, 2022, VICE BRENT FRANKLIN NELSEN, TERM EX- OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE EXPORT–IMPORT PIRED. hall. The freshmen haven’t been here BANK OF THE UNITED STATES FOR A TERM EXPIRING DON MUNCE, OF FLORIDA, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE long enough to become cynical. They JANUARY 20, 2023, VICE PATRICIA M. LOUI, TERM EX- BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION FOR PUB- PIRED. haven’t become trapped in the partisan LIC BROADCASTING FOR A TERM EXPIRING JANUARY 31, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 2024, VICE LORETTA CHERYL SUTLIFF, TERM EXPIRED. boundaries and warfare that seem to DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ensnare so much of this Chamber and THELMA DRAKE, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE FEDERAL TRAN- SIT ADMINISTRATOR, VICE PETER M. ROGOFF, RE- BARRY LEE MYERS, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE UNDER the Chamber across the way. No, they SIGNED. SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR OCEANS AND ATMOS- are here, fresh from other occupations DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY PHERE, VICE KATHRYN D. SULLIVAN, RESIGNED. and other responsibilities, still full of DINO FALASCHETTI, OF MONTANA, TO BE DIRECTOR, CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING common sense and the passion to do OFFICE OF FINANCIAL RESEARCH, DEPARTMENT OF THE BRUCE M. RAMER, OF CALIFORNIA, TO BE A MEMBER what is right for the American people. TREASURY, FOR A TERM OF SIX YEARS, VICE RICHARD B. OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION BERNER, RESIGNED. FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING FOR A TERM EXPIRING JAN- So let’s listen to them. NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION UARY 31, 2024. (REAPPOINTMENT) Today they sent a letter to Majority RODNEY HOOD, OF NORTH CAROLINA, TO BE A MEMBER SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD Leader MCCONNELL, which I read on the OF THE NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION MICHELLE A. SCHULTZ, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE A BOARD FOR A TERM EXPIRING AUGUST 2, 2023, VICE RICH- MEMBER OF THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD floor earlier today, and they said: Put ARD T. METSGER, TERM EXPIRED. the bills on the floor, put the spending FOR THE TERM OF FIVE YEARS. (NEW POSITION) DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN AMTRAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS bills on the floor—the bills that have DEVELOPMENT already passed here in the Republican- LEON A. WESTMORELAND, OF GEORGIA, TO BE A DIREC- ROBERT HUNTER KURTZ, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE AN AS- TOR OF THE AMTRAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR A TERM led Senate or that passed overwhelm- SISTANT SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVEL- OF FIVE YEARS. (NEW POSITION) OPMENT, VICE SANDRA BROOKS HENRIQUEZ, RESIGNED. ingly by the Republican-led Appropria- METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON AIRPORTS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE tions Committee, endorsed by the AUTHORITY JEFFREY NADANER, OF MARYLAND, TO BE AN ASSIST- Democratic House. Put them on the WILLIAM SHAW MCDERMOTT, OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO ANT SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, VICE DAVID W. MILLS, BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE floor and act. RETIRED. METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON AIRPORTS AUTHORITY Let’s listen to the freshmen down the DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY FOR A TERM EXPIRING MAY 30, 2024, VICE NINA MITCHELL hall. They are reminding us that we WELLS, TERM EXPIRED. BIMAL PATEL, OF GEORGIA, TO BE AN ASSISTANT SEC- have a responsibility to act, and let’s RETARY OF THE TREASURY, VICE CHRISTOPHER CAMP- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY BELL, RESIGNED. do so immediately. RITA BARANWAL, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE AN AS- Thank you. EXPORT–IMPORT BANK OF THE UNITED STATES SISTANT SECRETARY OF ENERGY (NUCLEAR ENERGY), VICE PETER BRUCE LYONS, RESIGNED. JUDITH DELZOPPO PRYOR, OF OHIO, TO BE A MEMBER f OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE EXPORT–IMPORT DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BANK OF THE UNITED STATES FOR A TERM EXPIRING ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 4 P.M. JANUARY 20, 2021, VICE LARRY W. WALTHER, TERM EX- SUSAN COMBS, OF TEXAS, TO BE AN ASSISTANT SEC- PIRED. RETARY OF THE INTERIOR, VICE RHEA S. SUH, RE- TOMORROW KIMBERLY A. REED, OF WEST VIRGINIA, TO BE PRESI- SIGNED. DENT OF THE EXPORT–IMPORT BANK OF THE UNITED DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under STATES FOR A TERM EXPIRING JANUARY 20, 2021, VICE the previous order, the Senate stands FRED P. HOCHBERG, RESIGNED. WILLIAM COOPER, OF MARYLAND, TO BE GENERAL CLAUDIA SLACIK, OF NEW YORK, TO BE A MEMBER OF COUNSEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, VICE STE- adjourned until 4 p.m. tomorrow. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE EXPORT–IMPORT VEN CROLEY, RESIGNED.

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CHRISTOPHER FALL, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE DIRECTOR OF OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL THE OFFICE OF SCIENCE, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, VICE CHERRY ANN MURRAY. IRVING BAILEY, OF FLORIDA, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE OVERSEAS PRIVATE IN- ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION MINA CHANG, OF TEXAS, TO BE AN ASSISTANT ADMIN- VESTMENT CORPORATION FOR A TERM EXPIRING DE- ISTRATOR OF THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTER- AIMEE KATHRYN JORJANI, OF WISCONSIN, TO BE CEMBER 17, 2021, VICE MATTHEW MAXWELL TAYLOR KEN- NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, VICE JONATHAN NICHOLAS CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HISTORIC NEDY, TERM EXPIRED. STIVERS. PRESERVATION FOR A TERM EXPIRING JANUARY 19, 2021, MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION VICE MILFORD WAYNE DONALDSON, TERM EXPIRED. DEPARTMENT OF STATE ALEXANDER CRENSHAW, OF FLORIDA, TO BE A MEM- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE BER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MILLENNIUM R. CLARKE COOPER, OF FLORIDA, TO BE AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE (POLITICAL–MILITARY AFFAIRS), JOHN FLEMING, OF LOUISIANA, TO BE ASSISTANT SEC- CHALLENGE CORPORATION FOR A TERM OF THREE VICE PUNEET TALWAR, RESIGNED. RETARY OF COMMERCE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, YEARS, VICE MARK GREEN, TERM EXPIRED. VICE ROY K. J. WILLIAMS. OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION, UNITED TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LOUIS DEJOY, OF NORTH CAROLINA, TO BE A MEMBER STATES AND CANADA OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE OVERSEAS PRI- JOHN L. RYDER, OF TENNESSEE, TO BE A MEMBER OF VATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION FOR A TERM EXPIR- JANE L. CORWIN, OF NEW YORK, TO BE COMMISSIONER THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY ING DECEMBER 17, 2020, VICE JAMES M. DEMERS, TERM ON THE PART OF THE UNITED STATES ON THE INTER- AUTHORITY FOR A TERM EXPIRING MAY 18, 2021, VICE MI- EXPIRED. NATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND CHAEL MCWHERTER, TERM EXPIRED. CANADA, VICE LANA POLLACK. MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY GEORGE M. MARCUS, OF CALIFORNIA, TO BE A MEMBER DEPARTMENT OF STATE PETER C. WRIGHT, OF MICHIGAN, TO BE ASSISTANT AD- OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MILLENNIUM MINISTRATOR, OFFICE OF SOLID WASTE, ENVIRON- EDWARD F. CRAWFORD, OF OHIO, TO BE AMBASSADOR CHALLENGE CORPORATION FOR A TERM OF THREE MENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, VICE MATHY EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE YEARS, VICE MORTON H. HALPERIN, TERM EXPIRED. STANISLAUS. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO IRELAND. SUSAN M. MCCUE, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE A MEMBER OF ROBERT A. DESTRO, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE ASSISTANT SOCIAL SECURITY ADVISORY BOARD THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MILLENNIUM CHAL- SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEMOCRACY, HUMAN LENGE CORPORATION FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS. (RE- RIGHTS, AND LABOR, VICE TOMASZ P. MALINOWSKI. MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO BE A APPOINTMENT) JEFFREY L. EBERHARDT, OF WISCONSIN, A CAREER MEMBER OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER OF THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE, TO BE FOR A TERM EXPIRING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022, VICE ALAN L. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PRESIDENT FOR NU- COHEN, TERM EXPIRED. DEVELOPMENT CLEAR NONPROLIFERATION, WITH THE RANK OF AMBAS- JASON J. FICHTNER, OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, SADOR. TO BE A MEMBER OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADVISORY RICHARD C. PARKER, OF NORTH CAROLINA, TO BE AN DAVID T. FISCHER, OF MICHIGAN, TO BE AMBASSADOR BOARD FOR A TERM EXPIRING SEPTEMBER 30, 2024, VICE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR OF THE UNITED STATES EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE LANHEE J. CHEN, TERM EXPIRED. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, VICE T. CHARLES COOPER, RESIGNED. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE KINGDOM OF MO- FEDERAL HOSPITAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND ROCCO. OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION MICHAEL J. FITZPATRICK, OF VIRGINIA, A CAREER JAMES B. LOCKHART III, OF CONNECTICUT, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE, CLASS OF MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE FEDERAL CHRISTOPHER P. VINCZE, OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO BE MINISTER–COUNSELOR, TO BE AMBASSADOR EXTRAOR- HOSPITAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND FOR A TERM OF A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE OVER- DINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES FOUR YEARS, VICE CHARLES P. BLAHOUS III, TERM EX- SEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION FOR A TERM OF AMERICA TO THE REPUBLIC OF ECUADOR. PIRED. EXPIRING DECEMBER 17, 2019, VICE TODD A. FISHER, KENNETH S. GEORGE, OF TEXAS, TO BE AMBASSADOR TERM EXPIRED. EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE FEDERAL OLD–AGE AND SURVIVORS INSURANCE DEPARTMENT OF STATE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE ORIENTAL REPUB- TRUST FUND LIC OF URUGUAY. JOHN P. ABIZAID, OF NEVADA, TO BE AMBASSADOR EX- JAMES S. GILMORE, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE U.S. REP- JAMES B. LOCKHART III, OF CONNECTICUT, TO BE A TRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED RESENTATIVE TO THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE FEDERAL STATES OF AMERICA TO THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARA- AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, WITH THE RANK OF AM- OLD–AGE AND SURVIVORS INSURANCE TRUST FUND AND BIA. BASSADOR. THE FEDERAL DISABILITY INSURANCE TRUST FUND FOR STEPHEN AKARD, OF INDIANA, TO BE DIRECTOR OF BRETT P. GIROIR, OF TEXAS, TO BE REPRESENTATIVE A TERM OF FOUR YEARS, VICE CHARLES P. BLAHOUS III, THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN MISSIONS, WITH THE RANK OF OF THE UNITED STATES ON THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF TERM EXPIRED. AMBASSADOR, VICE GENTRY O. SMITH, RESIGNED. THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, VICE THOMAS FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL INSURANCE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL FRIEDEN. JEFFREY ROSS GUNTER, OF CALIFORNIA, TO BE AM- TRUST FUND DEVELOPMENT BASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE REPUBLIC OF JAMES B. LOCKHART III, OF CONNECTICUT, TO BE A JOHN BARSA, OF FLORIDA, TO BE AN ASSISTANT AD- ICELAND. MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE FEDERAL MINISTRATOR OF THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR KENNETH A. HOWERY, OF TEXAS, TO BE AMBASSADOR SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, VICE MARCELA EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE FOR A TERM OF FOUR YEARS, VICE CHARLES P. ESCOBARI. BLAHOUS III, TERM EXPIRED. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE KINGDOM OF SWE- DEPARTMENT OF STATE DEN. SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION PAMELA BATES, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE REPRESENTATIVE TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY DAVID FABIAN BLACK, OF NORTH DAKOTA, TO BE DEP- OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE ORGANIZA- UTY COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY FOR THE TION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT, DARRELL E. ISSA, OF CALIFORNIA, TO BE DIRECTOR OF TERM EXPIRING JANUARY 19, 2019, VICE CAROLYN W. WITH THE RANK OF AMBASSADOR. THE TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, VICE COLVIN, TERM EXPIRED. MARSHALL BILLINGSLEA, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE AN LEOCADIA IRINE ZAK. DAVID FABIAN BLACK, OF NORTH DAKOTA, TO BE DEP- UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (CIVILIAN SECURITY, DE- UTY COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY FOR A TERM MOCRACY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS), VICE SARAH SEWALL, DEPARTMENT OF STATE EXPIRING JANUARY 19, 2025. (REAPPOINTMENT) RESIGNED. RONALD DOUGLAS JOHNSON, OF FLORIDA, TO BE AM- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES LYNDA BLANCHARD, OF ALABAMA, TO BE AMBAS- SADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF BASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF ELIZABETH DARLING, OF TEXAS, TO BE COMMISSIONER THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE REPUBLIC OF ON CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF SLOVENIA. EL SALVADOR. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, VICE RAFAEL J. LOPEZ. DOUG MANCHESTER, OF CALIFORNIA, TO BE AMBAS- INTER–AMERICAN FOUNDATION SADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE COMMON- KIMBERLY BREIER, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE A MEMBER OF WEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE INTER–AMERICAN MICHAEL J. DESMOND, OF CALIFORNIA, TO BE CHIEF LANA J. MARKS, OF FLORIDA, TO BE AMBASSADOR EX- FOUNDATION FOR A TERM EXPIRING SEPTEMBER 20, 2020, COUNSEL FOR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AND TRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED VICE ADOLFO A. FRANCO, TERM EXPIRED. AN ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL IN THE DEPARTMENT STATES OF AMERICA TO THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRI- OF THE TREASURY, VICE WILLIAM J. WILKINS. UNITED NATIONS CA. MICHAEL FAULKENDER, OF MARYLAND, TO BE AN AS- RONALD MORTENSEN, OF UTAH, TO BE AN ASSISTANT SISTANT SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, VICE KAREN ANDREW P. BREMBERG, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE REP- SECRETARY OF STATE (POPULATION, REFUGEES, AND DYNAN. RESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO MIGRATION), VICE ANNE CLAIRE RICHARD. UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND OTHER INTER- W. PATRICK MURPHY, OF VERMONT, A CAREER MEM- NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN GENEVA, WITH THE RANK BER OF THE SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE, CLASS OF MIN- COMMISSION OF AMBASSADOR. ISTER–COUNSELOR, TO BE AMBASSADOR EXTRAOR- AMY KARPEL, OF WASHINGTON, TO BE A MEMBER OF DEPARTMENT OF STATE DINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES THE UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMIS- OF AMERICA TO THE KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA. SION FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TERM EXPIRING BRIAN J. BULATAO, OF TEXAS, TO BE AN UNDER SEC- JUNE 16, 2020, VICE F. SCOTT KIEFF, RESIGNED. RETARY OF STATE (MANAGEMENT), VICE PATRICK BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS FRANCIS KENNEDY. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE KATE MARIE BYRNES, OF FLORIDA, A CAREER MEMBER MICHAEL PACK, OF MARYLAND, TO BE CHIEF EXECU- OF THE SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE, CLASS OF MINISTER– TIVE OFFICER OF THE BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOV- JEFFREY KESSLER, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE AN ASSISTANT COUNSELOR, TO BE AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND ERNORS FOR THE TERM OF THREE YEARS. (NEW POSI- SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, VICE PAUL PIQUADO, RE- PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TION) SIGNED. TO THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA. DEPARTMENT OF STATE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION JOHN RAKOLTA, JR., OF MICHIGAN, TO BE AMBAS- ANDREW M. SAUL, OF NEW YORK, TO BE COMMIS- SEAN CAIRNCROSS, OF MINNESOTA, TO BE CHIEF EXEC- SIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY FOR THE TERM EXPIRING SADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF UTIVE OFFICER, MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORA- THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE UNITED ARAB JANUARY 19, 2019, VICE MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, RESIGNED. TION, VICE DANA J. HYDE. ANDREW M. SAUL, OF NEW YORK, TO BE COMMIS- EMIRATES. SIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY FOR THE TERM EXPIRING DEPARTMENT OF STATE LEANDRO RIZZUTO, OF NEW JERSEY, TO BE AMBAS- JANUARY 19, 2025. (REAPPOINTMENT) SADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF JOSEPH CELLA, OF MICHIGAN, TO BE AMBASSADOR EX- THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO BARBADOS, AND TO UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE TRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED SERVE CONCURRENTLY AND WITHOUT ADDITIONAL COM- COMMISSION STATES OF AMERICA TO THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI, AND TO PENSATION AS AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND SERVE CONCURRENTLY AND WITHOUT ADDITIONAL COM- PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA RANDOLPH J. STAYIN, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE A MEMBER PENSATION AS AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND TO THE FEDERATION OF SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS, SAINT OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COM- PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LUCIA, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, THE COMMONWEALTH MISSION FOR A TERM EXPIRING JUNE 16, 2026, VICE MER- TO THE REPUBLIC OF KIRIBATI, THE REPUBLIC OF OF DOMINICA, GRENADA, AND SAINT VINCENT AND THE EDITH M. BROADBENT, TERM EXPIRED. NAURU, THE KINGDOM OF TONGA, AND TUVALU. GRENADINES.

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INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW MARK ROSEN, OF CONNECTICUT, TO BE UNITED STATES HUMANITIES COMMISSION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONE- MICHELLE ITCZAK, OF INDIANA, TO BE A MEMBER OF MARCO M. RAJKOVICH, JR., OF KENTUCKY, TO BE A TARY FUND FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS, VICE THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE ARTS FOR A TERM EX- MEMBER OF THE FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH MARGRETHE LUNDSAGER, RESIGNED. PIRING SEPTEMBER 3, 2020, VICE IRVIN M. MAYFIELD, JR., REVIEW COMMISSION FOR A TERM OF SIX YEARS EXPIR- DEPARTMENT OF STATE TERM EXPIRED. ING AUGUST 30, 2024, VICE ROBERT F. COHEN, JR., TERM PHYLLIS KAMINSKY, OF ARIZONA, TO BE A MEMBER OF EXPIRED. DANIEL N. ROSENBLUM, OF MARYLAND, A CAREER THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE HUMANITIES FOR A MEMBER OF THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE, TO BE TERM EXPIRING JANUARY 26, 2020, VICE ADELE LOGAN DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY ALEXANDER, TERM EXPIRED. CHERYL MARIE STANTON, OF SOUTH CAROLINA, TO BE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE REPUBLIC LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION ADMINISTRATOR OF THE WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION, DE- OF UZBEKISTAN. PARTMENT OF LABOR, VICE DAVID WEIL, RESIGNED. DAVID SCHENKER, OF NEW JERSEY, TO BE AN ASSIST- ABIGAIL L. KUZMA, OF INDIANA, TO BE A MEMBER OF ANT SECRETARY OF STATE (NEAR EASTERN AFFAIRS), THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE LEGAL SERVICES FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW VICE ANNE W. PATTERSON, RESIGNED. CORPORATION FOR A TERM EXPIRING JULY 13, 2019, VICE COMMISSION CHARLES NORMAN WILTSE KECKLER, RESIGNED. INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION, UNITED ARTHUR R. TRAYNOR III, OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUM- ABIGAIL L. KUZMA, OF INDIANA, TO BE A MEMBER OF STATES AND CANADA BIA, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE FEDERAL MINE SAFETY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE LEGAL SERVICES AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION FOR A TERM EXPIR- CORPORATION FOR A TERM EXPIRING JULY 13, 2022. (RE- ROBERT C. SISSON, OF MICHIGAN, TO BE COMMIS- ING AUGUST 30, 2022, VICE PATRICK K. NAKAMURA, TERM APPOINTMENT) SIONER ON THE PART OF THE UNITED STATES ON THE EXPIRED. INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION, UNITED STATES JOHN G. LEVI, OF ILLINOIS, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE AND CANADA, VICE DERETH BRITT GLANCE. BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE LEGAL SERVICES COR- UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PORATION FOR A TERM EXPIRING JULY 13, 2020. (RE- DEPARTMENT OF STATE APPOINTMENT) RON A. BLOOM, OF NEW YORK, TO BE A GOVERNOR OF THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE FOR A TERM EX- DAVID STILWELL, OF HAWAII, TO BE AN ASSISTANT NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE PIRING DECEMBER 8, 2020, VICE MICKEY D. BARNETT, SECRETARY OF STATE (EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AF- HUMANITIES TERM EXPIRED. FAIRS), VICE DANIEL R. RUSSEL. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY PEACE CORPS BARBARA COLEEN LONG, OF MISSOURI, TO BE A MEM- BER OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE ARTS FOR A WILLIAM BRYAN, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE UNDER SEC- TERM EXPIRING SEPTEMBER 3, 2022, VICE DEEPA GUPTA, ALAN R. SWENDIMAN, OF NORTH CAROLINA, TO BE RETARY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT TERM EXPIRED. DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE PEACE CORPS, VICE CARLOS OF HOMELAND SECURITY, VICE L. REGINALD BROTHERS, J. TORRES. LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION JR., RESIGNED. DEPARTMENT OF STATE JOHN G. MALCOLM, OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, TO MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DONALD R. TAPIA, OF ARIZONA, TO BE AMBASSADOR JULIA AKINS CLARK, OF MARYLAND, TO BE A MEMBER LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION FOR A TERM EXPIRING EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE OF THE MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD FOR THE JULY 13, 2020, VICE MARTHA L. MINOW, TERM EXPIRED. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO JAMAICA. TERM OF SEVEN YEARS EXPIRING MARCH 1, 2021, VICE FRANK X. NEUNER, JR., OF LOUISIANA, TO BE A MEM- KIP TOM, OF INDIANA, FOR THE RANK OF AMBASSADOR ANNE MARIE WAGNER, TERM EXPIRED. DURING HIS TENURE OF SERVICE AS U.S. REPRESENTA- BER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE LEGAL SERV- TIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES FOR FOOD AND ICES CORPORATION FOR A TERM EXPIRING JULY 13, 2019, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AGRICULTURE. VICE SHARON L. BROWNE, RESIGNED. CHRISTINE J. TORETTI, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE AM- FRANK X. NEUNER, JR., OF LOUISIANA, TO BE A MEM- JOSEPH V. CUFFARI, OF ARIZONA, TO BE INSPECTOR BASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF BER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE LEGAL SERV- GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, VICE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE REPUBLIC OF ICES CORPORATION FOR A TERM EXPIRING JULY 13, 2022. JOHN ROTH. MALTA. (REAPPOINTMENT) UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE MATTHEW H. TUELLER, OF UTAH, A CAREER MEMBER OF THE SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE, CLASS OF MINISTER– CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ROBERT M. DUNCAN, OF KENTUCKY, TO BE A GOV- COUNSELOR, TO BE AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND SERVICE ERNOR OF THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE FOR A PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 8, 2025. (REAPPOINTMENT) TO THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ. HEATHER REYNOLDS, OF TEXAS, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION FOR MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION, UNITED NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR A TERM EX- DENNIS DEAN KIRK, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE A MEMBER OF STATES AND CANADA PIRING SEPTEMBER 14, 2021, VICE DEAN A. REUTER, TERM EXPIRED. THE MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD FOR THE LANCE V. YOHE, OF NORTH DAKOTA, TO BE COMMIS- TERM OF SEVEN YEARS EXPIRING MARCH 1, 2023, VICE SIONER ON THE PART OF THE UNITED STATES ON THE LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION SUSAN TSUI GRUNDMANN, TERM EXPIRED. DENNIS DEAN KIRK, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE CHAIRMAN OF INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION, UNITED STATES GLORIA VALENCIA–WEBER, OF NEW MEXICO, TO BE A AND CANADA, VICE RICHARD M. MOY. THE MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD, VICE SUSAN MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE LEGAL TSUI GRUNDMANN. DEPARTMENT OF STATE SERVICES CORPORATION FOR A TERM EXPIRING JULY 13, 2020. (REAPPOINTMENT) UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ADRIAN ZUCKERMAN, OF NEW JERSEY, TO BE AMBAS- SADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE ROMAN MARTINEZ IV, OF FLORIDA, TO BE A GOVERNOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO ROMANIA. HUMANITIES OF THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE FOR A TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 8, 2024, VICE JAMES C. MILLER III, NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE CARLETON VARNEY, OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO BE A TERM EXPIRED. MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE ARTS FOR HUMANITIES MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD A TERM EXPIRING SEPTEMBER 3, 2022, VICE PAUL W. KATHE HICKS ALBRECHT, OF CALIFORNIA, TO BE A HODES, TERM EXPIRED. ANDREW F. MAUNZ, OF OHIO, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE HUMAN- JEAN M. YARBROUGH, OF MAINE, TO BE A MEMBER OF MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD FOR THE TERM OF ITIES FOR A TERM EXPIRING JANUARY 26, 2024, VICE THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE HUMANITIES FOR A SEVEN YEARS EXPIRING MARCH 1, 2025, VICE MARK A. BRUCE R. SIEVERS, TERM EXPIRED. TERM EXPIRING JANUARY 26, 2022, VICE MARTHA WAG- ROBBINS, TERM EXPIRED. NER WEINBERG, TERM EXPIRED. PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW GORDON HARTOGENSIS, OF CONNECTICUT, TO BE DI- COMMISSION CALVIN R. TUCKER, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE A GOV- RECTOR OF THE PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORA- ERNOR OF THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE FOR A TION FOR A TERM OF FIVE YEARS, VICE W. THOMAS WILLIAM I. ALTHEN, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE A MEMBER OF TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 8, 2023, VICE CAROLYN L. REEDER, JR., RESIGNED. THE FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COM- GALLAGHER, TERM EXPIRED. NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE MISSION FOR A TERM OF SIX YEARS EXPIRING AUGUST DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY HUMANITIES 30, 2024. (REAPPOINTMENT) DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RONALD D. VITIELLO, OF ILLINOIS, TO BE AN ASSIST- CHARLES WICKSER BANTA, OF NEW YORK, TO BE A ANT SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY, VICE SARAH MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE ARTS FOR WILLIAM BEACH, OF KANSAS, TO BE COMMISSIONER OF R. SALDANA. A TERM EXPIRING SEPTEMBER 3, 2022, VICE MARIA LABOR STATISTICS, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, FOR A OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL ROSARIO JACKSON, TERM EXPIRED. TERM OF FOUR YEARS, VICE ERICA LYNN GROSHEN, KEEGAN F. CALLANAN, OF VERMONT, TO BE A MEMBER TERM EXPIRED. INTELLIGENCE OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE HUMANITIES FOR A TERM EXPIRING JANUARY 26, 2024, VICE MANFREDI NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE WILLIAM R. EVANINA, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE DI- PICCOLOMINI, RESIGNED. HUMANITIES RECTOR OF THE NATIONAL COUNTERINTELLIGENCE AND DAVID ARMAND DEKEYSER, OF ALABAMA, TO BE A SECURITY CENTER. (NEW POSITION) MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE HUMAN- MARY ANNE CARTER, OF TENNESSEE, TO BE CHAIR- PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OVERSIGHT ITIES FOR A TERM EXPIRING JANUARY 26, 2020, VICE PERSON OF THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS DAWN HO DELBANCO, TERM EXPIRED. FOR A TERM OF FOUR YEARS, VICE R. JANE CHU, RE- BOARD SIGNED. LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION ADITYA BAMZAI, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE A MEMBER OF EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION THE PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OVERSIGHT BOARD ROBERT J. GREY, JR., OF VIRGINIA, TO BE A MEMBER FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TERM EXPIRING JANUARY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE LEGAL SERVICES JANET DHILLON, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE A MEMBER 29, 2020, VICE ELISEBETH COLLINS COOK, RESIGNING. CORPORATION FOR A TERM EXPIRING JULY 13, 2020. (RE- OF THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMIS- APPOINTMENT) SION FOR A TERM EXPIRING JULY 1, 2022, VICE JENNY R. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE YANG, TERM EXPIRING. SHANNON LEE GOESSLING, OF FLORIDA, TO BE DIREC- NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE SHARON FAST GUSTAFSON, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE GEN- TOR OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN OFFICE, DE- ERAL COUNSEL OF THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPOR- HUMANITIES PARTMENT OF JUSTICE, VICE SUSAN B. CARBON. TUNITY COMMISSION FOR A TERM OF FOUR YEARS, VICE KIM R. HOLMES, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE P. DAVID LOPEZ, RESIGNED. PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OVERSIGHT NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE HUMANITIES FOR A TERM EXPIRING JANUARY 26, 2022, VICE PAULA BARKER DUFFY, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR BOARD TERM EXPIRED. JOHN LOWRY III, OF ILLINOIS, TO BE ASSISTANT SEC- TRAVIS LEBLANC, OF MARYLAND, TO BE A MEMBER OF CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY RETARY OF LABOR FOR VETERANS’ EMPLOYMENT AND THE PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR A TERM EXPIRING JANUARY 29, 2022, VICE JAMES XA- SERVICE TRAINING, VICE MICHAEL HERMAN MICHAUD. SCOTT A. MUGNO, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE AN AS- VIER DEMPSEY, TERM EXPIRED. VICTORIA ANN HUGHES, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE A MEMBER SISTANT SECRETARY OF LABOR, VICE DAVID MORRIS MI- UNITED STATES PAROLE COMMISSION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION CHAELS. FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR A TERM JOHN P. PALLASCH, OF KENTUCKY, TO BE AN ASSIST- VIRGIL MADDEN, OF INDIANA, TO BE A COMMISSIONER EXPIRING OCTOBER 6, 2021. (REAPPOINTMENT) ANT SECRETARY OF LABOR, VICE PORTIA Y. WU. OF THE UNITED STATES PAROLE COMMISSION FOR A

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TERM OF SIX YEARS, VICE PATRICIA CUSHWA, TERM EX- PIRING APRIL 30, 2023, VICE MATTHEW S. PETERSEN, SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PIRED. TERM EXPIRED. DAVID CHRISTIAN TRYON, OF OHIO, TO BE CHIEF COUN- GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION SEL FOR ADVOCACY, SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRA- ROBERT C. TAPELLA, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE DIRECTOR OF TION, VICE DARRYL L. DEPRIEST, RESIGNED. JAMES E. TRAINOR III, OF TEXAS, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE, VICE DAVITA THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION FOR A TERM EX- VANCE–COOKS.

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