S5082 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 19, 2018 facto consenting to the President’s ca- this lawsuit and preserve the protec- even have the guts to vote yes or no— pitulation in Helsinki. They cannot tions for up to 130 million nonelderly because we all know that Democrats, stand by. The American people will not Americans who have preexisting condi- in their heart of hearts, want to abol- allow it. tions. The elderly, fortunately, are pro- ish ICE. The way they tell it, ICE is a f tected since we still have Medicare, de- rogue agency driven by hatred and spite some efforts by some on the other spite to tear apart communities. HEALTHCARE side to cut it back. Congressman POCAN of Wisconsin Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, fi- As millions of Americans watch their said that ICE is ‘‘ripping at the moral nally, on healthcare, ever since Repub- healthcare costs go up, as they read fabric of our nation.’’ licans have been handed the keys to the news about the latest Republican Congresswoman JAYAPAL of Wash- both Houses of Congress and the White effort to undo healthcare protections, ington said that ‘‘ICE is out of con- House after the 2016 election, they have they fear for the future and wonder trol.’’ engaged in a protracted campaign of who in Washington will be fighting for Congressman BLUMENAUER of Oregon sabotage against our healthcare sys- them. In November, they will have the calls ICE ‘‘toxic.’’ The senior Senator from Massachu- tem. Premiums are going up, coverage chance to vote for a party that will setts said that we should replace ICE is going down, and it is all falling in check the President’s dangerous ‘‘with something that reflects our val- the laps of our Republican colleagues healthcare sabotage, that will work to ues,’’ which I suppose means that the in the House and Senate. bring down costs and improve quality, 20,000 men and women of ICE don’t President Trump and congressional that will never undermine the protec- measure up to the professor’s defini- Republicans proposed legislation that tions of Americans with preexisting tion of our values. I have to ask, isn’t would have gutted Medicaid and al- conditions. the rule of law one of those values? Be- lowed insurers to charge more and I look forward to the response to my deny coverage just because a person cause ICE’s job is simply to enforce the colleagues’ announcement. law and to protect our citizens from had gotten sick. The legislation would I yield the floor. have excluded critical benefits and im- crime. f In the last year alone, ICE arrested posed lifetime or annual limits on care. Under cover of night, the Repub- more than 125,000 illegal aliens with CONCLUSION OF MORNING criminal records. Those illegal aliens licans dismantled the healthcare law’s BUSINESS were responsible for more than 80,000 coverage requirement without putting The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- DUIs, 76,000 dangerous drug offenses, anything in its place. pore. Morning business is closed. 48,000 assaults, 11,000 weapon offenses, The Trump administration canceled 5,000 sexual assaults, 2,000 kidnappings, the Federal program that helped low- f and 1,800 homicides. Yes, that is right, income customers afford insurance and EXECUTIVE SESSION almost 2,000 souls would still be on this expanded the availability of junk in- Earth but for those illegal alien crimi- surance plans that sucker Americans nals. ICE’s investigative arm seized in with low premiums but that hardly EXECUTIVE CALENDAR more than 980,000 pounds of narcotics cover anything. When people have last year. These men and women are on these plans, they ask: Why did I even The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- the frontlines of the war on drugs and buy insurance? They were duped. pore. Under the previous order, the the opioid crisis in particular. Do the Now, worse yet, the administration Senate will proceed to executive ses- Democrats really believe we should put has directed the Justice Department to sion to resume consideration of the fol- all these efforts on hold? stop defending the constitutionality of lowing nomination, which the clerk will report. This call to abolish ICE is so irre- protections for Americans with pre- sponsible that even some Democrats— existing medical conditions—turning The senior assistant legislative clerk read the nomination of Ryan Wesley those not running for President or be- its back on the most popular and hu- holden to the radical left—are speaking mane advancement in our healthcare Bounds, of Oregon, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. out against this. system over the last decade. Jeh Johnson, President Obama’s The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. SUL- I would say to my Republican former Secretary of Homeland Secu- LIVAN). The Senator from Arkansas. friends: Go to your constituents. Ask if rity, said that it ‘‘is not a serious pol- people have someone who is sick in IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT icy proposal’’ and ‘‘would compromise their families. You will get a lot of Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, I wish public safety.’’ He pointed out that hands. Then ask them if they should be to take this opportunity to express my even those who opposed the Vietnam excluded from gaining health insurance support for the 20,000 men and women war wouldn’t have demanded that we to help that sick member and see how of Immigration and Customs Enforce- abolish the Department of Defense. many support these ideas. ment. They work hard every day to Eric Holder, President Obama’s If they try to do this in the dark of keep drugs off our streets, to stop former Attorney General, said, ‘‘I don’t night, it is not going to work. In Au- human trafficking, to protect our com- think that substantively or politically gust, we Democrats are going to be munities from gang violence, and, yes, that makes a great deal of sense,’’ call- talking about this over and over again. to enforce our immigration laws. ing it ‘‘a gift to Republicans.’’ Believe me—this will probably be the Theirs can be a thankless job, but they Sarah Saldana, who ran ICE under most important factor in the 2018 elec- do it with courage, dedication, and pro- President Obama, has called it ‘‘non- tion as the American people will rebel fessionalism. So I, for one, want to say sensical.’’ from the taking away of healthcare. thank you. Perhaps the most insightful com- Imagine going back to the days when I wish to point out the overwhelming ment came from former Senator Joe a mother with a child who has cancer support that House Republicans Lieberman of Connecticut. He said, can no longer find affordable showed for ICE yesterday, which stands ‘‘This makes no sense unless you no healthcare for her daughter. When in stark contrast to the contemptible longer want any rules on immigration hard-working Americans who fall on display put on by House Democrats. On or customs to be enforced.’’ And that, I hard times are made to suffer by being a simple resolution merely expressing would contend, is the whole point. denied healthcare coverage precisely support for the men and women of ICE, Those who want to abolish ICE just because they need it, how wrong, how only 18 Democrats voted yes, 8 skipped want open borders. The very bill House backward, how immoral. That is where the vote, 34 voted no, and 133 Demo- Democrats have introduced to abolish President Trump wants to take us, and crats voted present, which is the same ICE doesn’t even say which Federal that is where all of our Republican col- thing as no. That is a pretty sad state agency should assume its critical law leagues seem to be following. of affairs. Thirty-four Democrats con- enforcement duties. They leave it up to Later this morning—actually, right demned the men and women of ICE, a commission. The reason, I submit, is now—a group of Democrats is announc- and 141 Democrats don’t even have the that they don’t really care. Their ob- ing how we plan to fight back against courage of their conviction—they don’t session with open borders is so great

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:06 Jul 20, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G19JY6.005 S19JYPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE July 19, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5083 that they are willing to risk public number, and they will tell you where that what we have done is institutional safety to achieve it. These irrespon- your package is. There was no tracking abuse of children. sible politicians should know better. number when it came to these kids. If This separation is not just another They aren’t worthy to lead the brave, you decide that you are going to order day in the life of this 2-year-old, 5- hard-working men and women of ICE. a pizza and it seems to take a little too year-old, or 8-year-old. This separation These officers are just trying to do long and you call the pizza parlor, they is something that is causing trauma their jobs and to keep us safe. On be- can generally tell you where the deliv- within their own minds. half of a grateful nation, I conclude by ery person is. The same thing is true in Have you read the stories about the again extending them my deepest so many other areas. reunifications, where some of the par- thanks. Why, then, did this agency, which my ents come back, finally get their chil- I yield the floor. colleagues are now coming to the floor dren, and the children will not even The PRESIDING OFFICER. The mi- claiming such great praise for, ignore come to the parents? They don’t quite nority whip. the obvious? This agency, the Depart- understand what just happened to Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I join ment of Homeland Security, ended up them. They think the parent might the Senator from Arkansas in com- setting free 3,000 children into care fa- have just decided to give them up. There they were alone and by them- mending those who are involved in law cilities around the United States of selves at that tender age. Can you enforcement, risking their lives for the America and didn’t keep records of the imagine that for your children or your safety of this Nation at all levels—Fed- parents. eral, State, and local. They put their grandchildren? I can’t. We asked them several weeks ago, We did it as part of the official gov- badges on every single day and risk downstairs—all of the agencies, includ- ernment policy of the Trump adminis- their lives for us, and that is a fact. ing ICE, referred to by the Senator tration under zero tolerance. Within the Department of Homeland from Arkansas: OK, let’s get down to When some of us come to the floor to Security, there are men and women basics. How many kids are we talking question the actions, the conduct, the who are conscientiously trying to keep about? management of ICE, we have good rea- America safe. I commend them as well. They wouldn’t give us a number. son to do it. I hope for the people with- I believe they are doing their job as How many kids are under the age of in that agency who are doing their jobs they understand it, and they are risk- 5? Those are the ones whom you have a conscientiously that we can at least be ing their lives many times to achieve deadline to reunite under the Federal honest in saying that this policy is one it, not only to stop the illegal flow of court order in San Diego. which doesn’t deserve praise and drugs into our country but to deter They couldn’t give us a number. doesn’t deserve our adoration on the crime and to ferret out criminals where Then, how many parents can you floor of the Senate or the House. possible. They risk their lives to identify who actually had their kids I yield the floor. achieve that goal. taken away? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I have not joined in a call for the ICE said: We can identify 10. ator from Vermont. abolition of ICE, but I will not join in Ten parents, 3,000 kids—I am not S. RES. 582 a call for the adoration of ICE because making this up. This is exactly what Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I rise of one specific issue. The zero tolerance they said. to speak about a matter of extraor- policy of the Trump administration re- They said: We have 10 parents in cus- dinary importance to the future of sulted in our agents of the Department tody. Those are the ones we can iden- American democracy and, in fact, de- of Homeland Security forcibly sepa- tify. mocracies all over the world. At the rating children from their parents— Two weeks passed, and we had an- Helsinki summit on Monday, President forcibly separating up to 3,000 children other briefing this week. The numbers Trump embarrassed our country, un- from their parents. are now more complete. There are dermined American values, and openly I saw some of those kids separated by some 2,500 kids separated from their sided with Russia’s authoritarian lead- that agency. They were toddlers and parents, spread around the United er, Vladimir Putin, against the U.S. in- infants. Some were being held by the States. telligence community’s unanimous as- care workers whom I happened to visit What happened to the parents who sessment that Russia interfered in the in Chicago. They were little babies lost their children? 2016 Presidential election. taken from their mothers—toddlers, The explanation from ICE was that Senator JOHN MCCAIN is right when children 5 and 6 years old, separated by they abandoned their kids and left. he said: It was— this agency under the President’s zero Does that sound reasonable? Does [It was] one of the most disgraceful per- tolerance policy. There were up to 3,000 that sound honest? You take the child formances by an American president in of them, according to the administra- away from the arms of a parent and memory. The damage inflicted by President tion’s own estimates. then the parent says: I am leaving the Trump’s naivete, egotism, false equivalence, and sympathy for autocrats is difficult to Had that happened before? Only rare- country. calculate. But it is clear that the summit in ly, but it became the policy of this ad- That might have happened in some Helsinki was a tragic mistake. ministration until there was such an cases, for reasons I don’t know, but it That is not BERNIE SANDERS talking. uproar in the United States and around is an outrageous suggestion. What it That is former Republican Presidential reflects is incompetency. How in the the world that President Trump re- candidate Senator JOHN MCCAIN. versed his position on zero tolerance. world can you take a child away from On Tuesday, after a strong inter- Reversing the position did not return a parent, forcibly take them away, and national backlash, Trump, in a bizarre the children to their parents. It took not keep an adequate record for their statement, claimed he misspoke and, of Federal courts to do that—one in par- reunification? How can you do that? course, blamed the media for reporting ticular, in San Diego, where the judge Common sense and common decency what he said, even then he could not called the representatives of ICE, suggests that you would do it. help but suggest that the electoral in- Health and Human Services, and all I am not going to join in any resolu- terference ‘‘could be other people also’’ the other agencies involved in these tion applauding that action by any and not just Russia. children being removed forcibly from Federal agency—the Department of In an interview last night, Trump their parents and gave them deadlines Homeland Security, ICE, or other agen- changed his answer yet again and ac- to return the children to their parents. cies. To me, it is a stain on the reputa- knowledged, in the meekest way pos- It was then that we discovered some- tion of this Nation, one that we need to sible, that, yes, Russia meddled in our thing about this agency. It was then quickly resolve by reuniting these chil- election, and, as the leader of Russia, that we discovered that they didn’t dren with their families as quickly as Vladimir Putin is responsible. keep a record of the parents and kids. possible. This is a step forward, but it is not If you place an order online to Ama- You see, it isn’t just a question of a remotely sufficient. Who knows what zon or some other source and the next holiday for these kids. Pediatricians tweet the President will release tomor- day you want to check on the status of have come forward from the American row? He seems to come up with a new your order, you use your tracking Academy of Pediatrics and have said response every few hours.

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Either he really doesn’t under- tions but in elections of other democ- norities. stand what is happening—and that is racies around the world—the United On Monday in Helsinki, President possible—or he is under Russian influ- Kingdom, France, and Germany, to Trump had an opportunity to speak out ence because of compromising informa- name just a few countries. on all of these things and more, to con- tion that they may have on him or be- Russia’s goal is to advance its own front Putin about these destabilizing cause he is ultimately more sympa- interests by weakening the trans- and inhumane policies. He chose not thetic to Russia’s authoritarian oligar- atlantic alliance of democracies that to. chic form of government than he is to arose after World War II, while also in- Well, here is the main point: If for American democracy. flaming internal divisions in our coun- whatever reason the President of the Whatever the reason, Congress must try and in other countries. We should United States is not going to do what act now. Democrats must act and Re- also be clear that this interference is is right, Congress must do it. Demo- publicans must act if we are serious directed from the very highest levels of crats must do it. Republicans must do about preserving American democracy. the Russian Government. Last week, it. We must demand—and I know this is a Special Counsel Mueller announced a The Congress must make it clear— radical idea—that the President of the set of indictments of 12 members of and this is the resolution I am intro- United States represent the interests Russia’s military intelligence service, ducing and asking for unanimous con- of the American people and not Russia. the GRU. There can be no doubt that sent—the Congress must make it clear Let us be as clear as we can be. Rus- given the nature of the Russian Gov- that we accept the assessment of our sia has been interfering not only in ernment, Vladimir Putin was directly intelligence community with regard to U.S. elections but in the elections of involved in this effort. Russian election interfering in our other democracies—the United King- But our concern is not only what has country and in other democracies. Does dom, France, Germany. already happened; more importantly, it anybody doubt the truth of that? I yield to the Democratic leader. is what could happen in the future. The Congress must move aggres- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I want What happened in 2016 was an outrage, sively to protect our election system to thank my friend, the Senator from but we have to make sure it does not from interference by Russia or any for- Vermont, for this outstanding resolu- happen in 2018 and future elections. eign power. Does anybody deny the im- tion. It is a resolution. I don’t see who Last week, Director of National In- portance of that? can object to it. We ask for five things telligence Dan Coats, a former Repub- The Congress must demand that the in this resolution: that our government lican U.S. Senator, raised the alarm on sanctions against Russia, as the Demo- accept the assessment of our own Intel- growing cyber attacks and threats cratic leader mentioned, which passed ligence Committees about Russia’s in- against the United States in a range of with 98 votes, be fully implemented—98 terference; that we move aggressively areas—a range of areas, not just elec- votes on that issue. to protect our election systems; that tions—including Federal, State, and The Congress must make it clear the sanctions that this body passed 98 local government agencies, the mili- that we will not accept any inter- to 2 finally be implemented by the tary, business, and academia, saying ference with the ongoing investigation Trump administration; that there be that the situation is at a ‘‘critical of Special Counsel Mueller, such as the no interference in Mr. Mueller’s inves- point.’’ Coats said Russia is ‘‘the most offer of preemptive pardons or the fir- tigation; and that there must be co- aggressive foreign actor, no question, ing of Deputy Attorney General Rod operation. and they continue their efforts to un- Rosenstein, and that the President Who in America would object to dermine our democracy.’’ Coats com- must cooperate with this investigation. that? Maybe a small group of hard- pared the warning signs to those the Time and again, I have heard Repub- right ideologues, but no one else. United States faced ahead of the Sep- licans, including leaders, make it clear Who in this body will object to it? tember 11 terrorist attacks. This is a that there should not be an inter- This is an outstanding resolution. clear and present threat to our demo- ference in that investigation. There is I know my friend from Vermont cratic system and those of our allies. nothing new here on that point. would agree with me. We need action in Ultimately, of course we want a Finally—nothing new here, either— addition to resolutions, but this is an peaceful relationship with Russia. We the Congress must make it clear to excellent start. I urge all of my col- do not want a return to the Cold War, President Trump that his job is to pro- leagues to support this fullheartedly. and we surely do not seek any type of tect the values that millions of Ameri- Our country is at risk. military conflict. But at the same cans struggled, fought, and died to de- The Senator from Vermont is sound- time, we must be very clear that we op- fend: justice, democracy, and equality; ing a clarion call and saying in a bipar- pose what Putin is doing, both in terms that he is the President of the United tisan way that we should strengthen of his foreign policy and his domestic States and his job is to protect the in- our country, not weaken it, as the policy. terests of the American people, not President has done over the last week. On foreign policy, we will not accept Russia. I hope this will get unanimous support Russia interfering in the elections of from every Member of this body— democratic countries, stoking political Tweets, comments, and press con- whether they be Democrat, Inde- tensions by promoting hatred and sus- ferences—and I know many of my Re- pendent, or Republican; whether they picion of immigrants and minorities, publican colleagues have been involved be liberal, moderate, or conservative. If and trying to undermine longstanding in those activities. They are fine. They you love America, if you care about alliances between democratic allies. are constructive. But we need more our security, support this resolution. In 2014, in violation of international from Republican Senators now. It is I thank my colleague for yielding. law, Russia invaded neighboring time for the Senate to rein in the Mr. SANDERS. I thank the Demo- Ukraine and annexed the Crimea re- President’s dangerous behavior. cratic leader for his strong efforts on gion. If their leadership—Senator MCCON- this enormously important issue. I Russia has assassinated political op- NELL—will not allow votes on this ex- want to reiterate that this really is not ponents abroad, most recently through traordinarily important matter, then a Democratic resolution. If there is any the use of poison in Salisbury, Eng- my Republican colleagues must join resolution that should be bipartisan, land. The British Government con- with Democrats to make it happen, or this is it. My Republican colleagues be- cluded in that attack that it was most all of their fine-sounding words of con- lieve in democracy. I know that. We be- likely carried out by Russia’s military cern will become meaningless. lieve in democracy. Together, we and intelligence service. UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—S. RES. 582 the American people must make it Domestically, Putin has undermined Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- clear that we will not allow Russia or democracy in Russia, crushing free sent that, as in legislative session, the

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There is not one record as saying that our intelligence debate. word in this resolution that suggests community is clear, our law enforce- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there that the United States of America ment community is clear, and today objection? should not aggressively engage in di- the Senate should be clear. The Senator from Kentucky. plomacy with Russia to ease the ten- So today Senator FLAKE and I are Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, Trump de- sions that exist between the two coun- putting forward a resolution that, in rangement syndrome has officially tries. What the Senator said is totally its language, commends the Depart- come to the Senate. The hatred for the irrelevant to what is in this resolution. ment of Justice for its ongoing inves- President is so intense that partisans What this resolution says is that we tigation into Russia’s interference in would rather risk war than give diplo- are going to tell Russia: Stop inter- our last election—the one that led to macy a chance. Does anybody remem- fering in our elections. last week’s 11-count indictment, offer- ber that Ronald Reagan sat down with What this resolution is about is tell- ing the most thorough and detailed ac- Gorbachev and that we lessened the nu- ing Russia to stop interfering with the counting to date of Russia’s complex clear tensions? We need to still have elections in democratic countries all effort to sow doubt and create chaos in those openings. over the world. the months leading up to our last elec- Nobody is excusing Russia’s meddling What this resolution is about is say- tion. in our elections. Absolutely we should ing that we should implement the sanc- The resolution also reaffirms the in- protect the integrity of our elections. tions overwhelmingly voted for by Con- telligence community’s assessment of But simply bringing the hatred of the gress. Russian interference and asserts that President to the Senate floor in order What this resolution is about is that Russia must be held to account for its to say ‘‘We are done with diplomacy. we will not accept interference with actions. This can be accomplished in We are going to add more and more the ongoing investigation of Special part by immediately and responsibly Counsel Robert Mueller. sanctions’’—you know what. I would implementing sanctions provided for in What this resolution says is that the rather that we still have open channels the Countering America’s Adversaries President must cooperate with the in- of discussion with the Russians. At the Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA, vestigation of Mr. Mueller. which this body passed 98 to 2 this sum- height of the Cold War, Kennedy had a That is what this resolution is about. direct line to Khrushchev, and it may mer. It has nothing to do with ending diplo- Finally, following the President’s have prevented the end of the world. macy with Russia at all. That is inac- summit with Putin in Helsinki, today’s Should we be so crazy about par- curate. resolution calls for prompt hearings tisanship that we now say ‘‘We don’t I would hope that, if not today, in the and the release of notes to better un- want to talk to the Russians. We are very near future, Republicans will join derstand what the two leaders dis- not going to have relations with the Democrats and do the right thing in cussed and may have agreed to during Russians’’? We should stand firm and our effort to preserve American democ- their one-on-one meeting, which ran say ‘‘Stay the hell out of our elec- racy. for over 2 hours. tions,’’ but we should not stick our The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I am encouraged by hearings that head in the ground and say we are not ator from Arizona. have already been scheduled, but I going to talk to them. UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—S. RES. 583 think it is important that it be clear I would like to see the Russians leave Mr. FLAKE. Mr. President, we are that our Senate seeks a role in engage- Ukraine. I think we could do it through here to put forward a resolution and ment and oversight. diplomacy. We are not going to have it ask unanimous consent for its adop- Congress and the American people if we don’t talk to them. tion. This is the Flake-Coons resolu- deserve to know what promises or con- I would like to see the Russians help tion, which Senator COONS will speak cessions may have been made to Presi- more with North Korea, with on and I will take it from there. dent Putin, and thorough hearings with denuclearization of the Korean Penin- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- senior officials, including Secretary sula. We are not going to have it if we ator from Delaware. Pompeo, are critical. just simply heap more sanctions on and Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I come to This resolution is a first step—a good say that we are not going to talk to the the floor with my colleague Senator first step—but we need to be clear- Russians and that anybody who talks FLAKE from Arizona to send a strong, eyed. President Putin of Russia will to the Russians is committing treason. clear, and, importantly, a bipartisan not stop until we stop him. We know For goodness’ sake, we have the message to the American people that we face continued threats to our elec- former head of the CIA, John Brennan, we stand with the men and women of tions in 2018 and beyond. Just last gallivanting across TV—now being paid the Department of Justice and the men week, Director of National Intelligence for his opinion—to call the President and women of the U.S. intelligence Dan Coats, our former colleague here treasonous. This has to stop. This is community. in the Senate, cautioned that the warn- crazy hatred of the President. Crazy We support the ongoing investigation ing lights are blinking red again on partisanship is driving this. into Russian interference in our elec- cyber attacks against our Nation. He For goodness’ sake, we don’t excuse tions, and we must act—and act un- said: Russia’s behavior in our election, but equivocally—to hold Russia account- These actions are persistent, they are per- we don’t have to have war. We can still able for its actions. vasive, and they are meant to undermine have engagement. We have engaged Just 3 days after the U.S. intel- America’s Democracy. Attacks on our coun- Russia throughout 70 years, while also ligence community issued a detailed try’s digital infrastructure [are] made prin- acknowledging the imperfections of and staggering finding that led to an cipally by Russia. their system, the parts of their system indictment against 12 Russian military He said: we vehemently disagree with—the lack intelligence officers for interfering in Russia is the most aggressive foreign actor of freedom, the lack of human rights. our 2016 election, President Trump and the worst offender. Yet we had open channels of negotia- stood shoulder to shoulder with Presi- So we know that we continue to face tion, open channels of communication. dent Putin and failed to challenge hostile threats. FBI Director Chris I could not object more strongly to Putin’s claim that his government Wray said just yesterday: ‘‘Russia is this. played no role in the effort to under- still working to sow division in the Mr. President, I object. mine our democracy. United States and continues to engage The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- In fact, when asked, at the time, in malign actions against our coun- tion is heard. whether he believed Putin’s denial or try.’’

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:06 Jul 20, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G19JY6.011 S19JYPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE S5086 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 19, 2018 So we need to join arms and look for- and fake things real, as if conditioning 12 Russian operatives who on behalf of ward to protecting our next election. others to embrace the same confusion. the Russian Government interfered in Today’s resolution is an important Ultimately, you are rendered unable to the 2016 election. It acknowledges that first step, but I think we should work tell the difference between the two and such efforts by the Russian Govern- together to take up and pass the are at critical times seemingly ren- ment to undermine our elections, as DETER Act, introduced by Senators dered incapable of thinking clearly— confirmed by our own Director of Na- RUBIO and VAN HOLLEN, to deter Russia your mind a hash of conspiracy theory tional Intelligence, continue. from interfering in our next election. and fragments of old talking points de- Specifically, the Flake-Coons resolu- I think we should take up and con- ployed in response to a question no one tion rejects the denial of election in- sider the Lankford-Klobuchar Secure even asked. Ultimately, you fail to terference by Russian President Vladi- Elections Act to strengthen election summon reality in the face of a despot mir Putin, something that our Presi- cyber security. in defense of your country. dent failed to do when given the oppor- Of course, I would like to see my Spe- It wasn’t a hard question. An Amer- tunity in a public forum in Helsinki on cial Counsel Independence and Integ- ican President was invited by a re- Monday. rity Act taken up as well. We can build porter to denounce the Russian attacks This resolution calls for the full and on $380 million invested in election se- on our elections and, in doing so, to de- immediate implementation of manda- curity, grants provided by this Con- fend the country that he was elected to tory sanctions, passed by a vote of 98 to gress to the States back in March to lead. This should have been not much 2, to deter and punish election inter- help bolster their election systems of a test at all for any American Presi- ference by the Russian Government. against threats. dent. Yet it was, and our President It is important to remember that failed that test. If there are waivers that are needed— Putin and Putin’s Russia are attacking The findings of our intelligence com- and there are some needed for the In- other democratic processes throughout munity regarding the Russian aggres- dian Government, for example, for Europe. As Americans, as Senators, we sion are not matters of opinion, no weapons they purchased from the Rus- need to stand up and fight for our de- matter how powerful and strong sian Government or for hardware— mocracy and the rule of law. Putin’s denial. To reject these findings there is a waiver process already in law I had a memorable conversation with and to reject the excruciatingly spe- for that, and I would support that. the Ukrainian leader last year, who cific indictment against the 12 named Finally, the resolution calls on the said to me: If you don’t defend your Russian operatives in deference to the relevant committees of the Senate to own elections, your own democracy, word of a KGB apparatchik is an act of exercise oversight, including prompt how can the rest of us count on you to will on the part of the President. hearings and obtaining relevant notes defend ours? That choice now leaves us contem- and information to understand what This resolution makes clear that, on plating a dark mystery: Why did he do commitments were made by the Presi- a bipartisan basis, we intend to defend that? What would compel our President dent in the summit and the impact it our democracy. Russia’s attacks on our to do such a thing? will have on our foreign policy going last elections where attacks on every Those are questions that urgently forward. American—Republicans and Demo- beg for an answer, and it is our job to The Russian Ambassador last night crats. The threat is great, it is press- find that answer. But what isn’t a mys- said that ‘‘important verbal agree- ing, and it demands that we act. tery is that, by choosing to reject ob- ments were made.’’ We need to know Today’s resolution is a first step and jective reality in Helsinki, the Presi- the details of those agreements. an important one, and I call on my col- dent let down the free world by giving Empirical, objective truth has taken leagues to join us in supporting it. If aid and comfort to an enemy of democ- a beating for the last 18 months. I said there is any Senator who disagrees racy. In so doing, he dimmed the light from this pulpit in January that ‘‘the with this very basic resolution, I look of freedom ever so slightly in our own dissemination of untruths has the ef- forward to hearing their reasons. country. Such is the power that we fect of eroding trust in our vital insti- Let me close by thanking my col- vest in the Presidency. Such are the tutions and conditioning the public to league and friend Senator FLAKE, from consequences when a President does no longer trust them.’’ Arizona, for having taken the initia- not use that power well. tive and the lead in introducing this I can add no further to the extraor- As we saw in Helsinki on Monday, en- important resolution. We may not dinary and thoroughly justified re- tertaining the untruths of a dictator agree on everything, but we agree on sponse of my fellow Americans from has the same effect. Passing this reso- this important principle: We should across the political spectrum to the lution will let our constituents, the ad- stand up and be counted in defense of events in Helsinki, ranging from heart- ministration, our allies, and our adver- our democracy. break to horror. But I will say that if saries know that here in the Senate we The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ever there was a moment to think of do not entertain the deceit of dic- ator from Arizona. not just your party but for the coun- tators. Mr. FLAKE. Mr. President, I thank try, this is it. This is not a moment for The truth is that Russia interfered in the Senator from Delaware, Mr. COONS, spin, deflection, justification, circling our elections in 2016, and these efforts for helping to get together and working the wagons, forgetting, moving on to continue. Accepting that truth is the on this resolution and for working with the next news cycle, or for more of Or- first step in preparing us to confront his colleagues. well’s doublespeak. No, when the this malign activity. Let’s pass this I hope that we can pass it today. American Government offers an on- resolution. There may be an objection to moving slaught on unreality, it puts the whole Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- forward. If there is, we will bring it world at risk. sent that the Senate proceed to the back again and again. This needs to be That is the lesson of Helsinki. That consideration of S. Res. 583, submitted passed. The Senate needs to speak is the dose of reality that hit hard. We earlier today. I ask unanimous consent here. have indulged myths and fabrications that the resolution be agreed to, the Mr. President, in his dystopian novel and pretended that it wasn’t so bad, preamble be agreed to, and that the ‘‘1984,’’ George Orwell wrote: and our indulgence got us the capitula- motions to reconsider be considered The party told you to reject the evidence tion in Helsinki. made and laid on the table with no in- with your eyes and ears. It was their most We in the Senate who have been tervening action or debate. final, essential command. elected to represent our constituents Well, what we saw on air this week in cannot be enablers of falsehoods. This The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there Helsinki was truly an Orwellian mo- bipartisan resolution from the Senator objection? ment. What we saw earlier this week in from Delaware and me, which we have The majority whip. Helsinki is what happens when you here today, commends the Department Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, reserv- wage war on objective reality for near- of Justice for its thorough investiga- ing the right to object, let me first ly 2 solid years, calling real things fake tion that has led to the indictment of thank the Senator from Arizona and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:06 Jul 20, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G19JY6.012 S19JYPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE July 19, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5087 the Senator from Delaware for express- tainly no deterrent effect on what we That was put in question this week, ing all of our concern about Russian in- all want, which is to discourage Rus- whether our government believes that terference in the 2016 election. It is ab- sian involvement in our 2018 elections. or not. We in the Senate should stand solutely clear they did, and the Presi- That is why the majority leader today and say: We don’t believe it. We know dent has said as much on a number of asked the chairman of the Banking and the intelligence is right. We stand be- occasions. Foreign Relations Committee to hold hind our intelligence community. We Now, I agree, in Helsinki he was less hearings and recommend additional need to say that in the Senate. than clear about that, but he came measures that could respond to or Yes, it is symbolic and symbolism is back and said that he misspoke and re- deter Russian malign behavior. We important. Our agencies of government affirmed his earlier position that, yes, ought to do our work through our com- need to know that we stand behind the Russian Government had at- mittees of jurisdiction. them. That is what this is about. tempted to interfere in the election, al- When we rush to judgment and do I hope we will pass this. I note, re- though nobody disputes the fact that resolutions like this, we can inadvert- gretfully, that there has been an objec- they were unsuccessful in changing a ently make mistakes. Let me point out tion to it, but we will bring it back. I single vote or affecting the outcome. one that is in this resolution. There is believe this should pass, and I believe Ironically, the very same investigation a reference to Countering America’s it ultimately will pass. which has made clear that the Rus- Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, I yield back. sians did attempt to disrupt the elec- which passed the Senate 98 to 2, to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- tion has also made clear there is no deter and punish election interference jority leader. evidence of collusion that anybody has by the Russian Federation. There is a Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, uncovered to date. provision in the current conference I ask unanimous consent that notwith- My concern with this resolution is committee on the Defense authoriza- standing Senate rule XXII, postcloture that it is purely a symbolic act, and tion that would issue a waiver of that time on the Bounds nomination expire what we need to do is not just offer act to our partner India. If we want to at 1:45 p.m. today; further, that if con- symbolic resolutions on the floor. We encourage countries like India to come firmed, the motion to reconsider be need to do the hard work Senators partner with the United States of considered made and laid upon the have to do through regular order. In America—the world’s largest democ- table, and the President be imme- other words, our committees that have racy and the world’s oldest democ- diately notified of the Senate’s action. jurisdiction over these issues ought to racy—then we ought encourage that The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without be permitted to call the witnesses and movement toward us and away from objection, it is so ordered. ask the hard questions and develop the the Russian Federation. I worry there UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT—S. RES. 584 record before we go on record as to a is no reference in here to the waiver Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, resolution like this. provision in the Defense authorization I ask unanimous consent that fol- I would point out that the indict- conference committee that India has lowing disposition of the Bounds nomi- ments that were referred to, appar- asked for and that Secretary Mattis nation, the Senate resume legislative ently, according to published reports, has requested Congress grant. session and proceed to the immediate Rod Rosenstein, the Deputy Attorney All I am asking for is a little bit of consideration of a Schumer resolution General, asked the President before caution in the rush to issue a resolu- that is at the desk; further, that the Helsinki if he should withhold the an- tion. No. 1, I don’t think we acknowl- Senate immediately vote on the resolu- nouncement of those indictments or go edge the full picture, but we also don’t tion; that if agreed to, the motion to ahead and release them before the sum- commit our work to the committees reconsider be considered made and laid mit. The President said: No, go ahead. that have jurisdiction over these mat- upon the table with no intervening ac- Anybody who read the 29 pages of the ters to do it carefully, thoughtfully, tion or debate. indictment, issued at the request of and in a bipartisan way so we come up The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Robert Mueller by a grand jury in the to the best solution to the problem. objection, it is so ordered. I think this is the wrong way to go District of Columbia, knows there is The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- about it. I think our committees ought chapter and verse of how Russians at- ator from Delaware. to continue to do their work—Senate tempted to interfere with the election. S. RES. 583 Select Committee on Intelligence, the It is a good and important read. The Mr. COONS. Madam President, I join Armed Services Committee, the For- President knew that before he went to my colleague from Arizona in briefly eign Relations Committee, and the Helsinki. That gives me some con- remarking on my regret that our reso- Banking Committee. We ought to come fidence that he did, indeed, misspeak, lution was not adopted today. up with the right kind of bipartisan an- It does call for the full implementa- especially in light of his subsequent af- swer, which I think could well include tion of mandatory sanctions as dis- firmations of Russian interference in sanctions against the Russian Federa- cussed at some length. It does not call the election. tion to deter them from meddling in I happen to be privileged to sit on the for the reckless implementation of our 2018 elections and beyond. I am Senate Select Committee on Intel- mandatory sanctions. confident they will continue until we ligence. We have been conducting a bi- There is a significant range of sanc- stop them from doing so. partisan investigation of the Russian I object. tions already provided for in this law, matter for the entire time the Presi- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. adopted 98 to 2 by this body, that have dent has been in office for the last year FISCHER). Objection is heard. not yet been adopted. I recognize that and a half. We already issued some pre- The Senator from Arizona. this resolution, standing strong behind liminary reports. The way to do our Mr. FLAKE. Madam President, I the Department of Justice, the intel- work is through bipartisan committee think it is regrettable this was ob- ligence community, and its ongoing in- work—have the witnesses come and jected to. We will bring it back. The vestigation is, as was referenced, a testify, ask them hard questions, and majority leader said this is just a sym- symbolic act, but there are moments render our judgment. bolic vote. It is. Symbolism is impor- when symbolism and standing together I know Secretary Pompeo is coming tant. are important. before the Senate Foreign Relations Obviously, we have underlying sanc- I look forward to continuing to work Committee sometime next week. He tions we ought to fully implement. If closely with my colleague and friend ought to be asked hard questions. I am there are waivers needed, there is al- from Arizona to ensure that this reso- confident he will respond to those ques- ready a waiver process in the NDAA lution is adopted, that the American tions. That is how we get the informa- authorization. I support those waivers people and the men and women of our tion we need. with regard to India. This does not af- Federal law enforcement agencies and Let me just say that I think we fect that. This says, in a symbolic way, our intelligence community under- should consider sanctions—not some that we in the Senate don’t buy Vladi- stand that this body strongly supports sort of sense-of-the Senate resolutions mir Putin’s rejection or his denial of them and their work and sees clearly that have no sting or no impact, cer- election interference. the ongoing and continuing threat to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Jul 20, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G19JY6.013 S19JYPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE S5088 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 19, 2018 our democracy posed by President the hearts and minds of every Member sinki speaks to the opposite of stand- Putin and Putin’s Russia. on the other side, all but maybe one or ing up to preserve, protect, and defend Thank you. two would feel this is the right resolu- the Constitution of the United States. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The tion, but they are afraid. Fear will not In the majority whip’s objection to Democratic leader. get us anywhere. Letting a bully push the resolution coming to a vote, I find Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, us around, meaning President Putin, as it interesting that, among other first, before I talk about the resolution he pushed President Trump around, things, he was talking about our hav- Senators MENENDEZ, SCHATZ, and I will not serve this country well. It is a ing more sanctions against Russia, have authored that will be voted on at sad moment that this resolution was which I will speak to shortly. We are in 1:45 p.m., I would like to say a few rejected. the midst of developing a new, strong words about the work the Senators S. RES. 584 package of sanctions as it relates to from Delaware and Arizona did and my Madam President, before I yield to Russia. So I embrace and welcome him severe disappointment that there was my good friend, the hard-working and to that effort if he seeks to actually objection from the Republican leader- very able ranking member of the For- see real sanctions against Russia. ship. eign Relations Committee, I want to We have sanctions. There are sanc- The bottom line is very simple. talk about our resolution which we are tions that passed by 98 to 2 in this in- President Trump has put our country going to vote on. Lord knows what stitution and that passed overwhelm- in a foreign policy crisis. President would happen if we couldn’t have even ingly in the House of Representatives, Trump has weakened the security of which forced the President to sign it as this country. A resolution is the min- gotten a vote on that. The idea that an American ambas- a result of there having been over- imum we can do. We should be acting. whelming votes. These were sanctions The idea that we cannot even pass a sador, who served us so well, should be brought before Putin and his minions that were largely mandatory but have resolution in this body because of the not been fulfilled. So we could start off objection on the other side, when this to be questioned, when there is no charge against him, no issue against by having a robust engagement of the was done in a bipartisan, careful way existing sanctions. by the Senators from Arizona and him—it is not like the 12 Russians who are indicted for trying to interfere with I am not quite sure how we start Delaware, shows something very bad. being tough on Russia. One of the ele- Our colleagues on the other side of the our elections. It is not even an anal- ogy. There is not an evenness. Presi- ments of those sanctions was to go aisle are so cowered by a President after Russia’s sales of defense weapons. that they cannot stand up for national dent Trump amazingly called this an ‘‘incredible offer.’’ Our President is Yet here we are, and we are already security. They cannot stand up to looking for waivers. There is a dif- Vladimir Putin, just as the President saying that one of our Ambassadors being hauled before an authoritarian ference between a country that, maybe, seems not to be able to. has a long history of buying Russian I have one more point. From what I regime that twists the truth, that lies military equipment, but the S–400—a am told, one of the major objections at will, that even seems to kill people new anti-defense system—is a new from the other side was that Congress they want to with poison in other wished the contemporaneous notes countries is an incredible offer? version. That is not a legacy issue. I from that secret 2-hour meeting be Well, this resolution is a fine resolu- am not sure how we are going to tell made available. That is key. tion. It will pass. It doesn’t undo what one country it can buy the S–400 but What are they hiding? What are they just happened. It doesn’t make up for tell another country it can’t. It doesn’t afraid of? The American people have a the fact that our colleagues are afraid work. That is how sanctions begin to right to know what went on in that to take real action, even a resolution crumble at the end of the day. Yet I meeting, particularly when President that posits action in terms of the welcome the response that we should Putin gets up and talks about some major misdeeds at Helsinki. At the be having new sanctions. agreements that it seems not even our very least, we are protecting the integ- S. RES. 584 high-ranking officials in the State and rity of the men and women who serve Madam President, as it relates to Defense Departments and intelligence us, because if today it is the Ambas- this resolution, it is outrageous that agencies know about. This is amazing. sador, tomorrow it could be somebody the White House would not instanta- We have come to a really low mo- in the military or somebody in the in- neously and firmly dismiss a propo- ment in this body when a bipartisan telligence agencies or elsewhere. sition that Russian prosecutors ques- resolution that is rather modest and This resolution is very clear. What it tion a former U.S. Ambassador. Again limited—I had talked to the Senator says is, when President Trump called and again, we have seen President from Delaware. He knows I wanted Putin’s offer an ‘‘incredible offer,’’ he Trump take Vladimir Putin’s word. It much more in this resolution, but in an was incredibly wrong. No President can is unconscionable that this White effort to get something done, we lim- put one of our fine servants at risk who House would give anything other than ited it. has worked hard, in this case, for the a full-throated defense of America’s In my view—the view of most Ameri- diplomatic corps. This resolution is a Foreign Service, like Ambassador Mike cans—the notes should be made avail- bare minimum of what we should be McFaul, who has served our country able. The translator should be made doing here. I am glad it will be on the with honor and distinction. available. The translator wasn’t spe- floor, and I suspect it will pass—hope- The reason Putin doesn’t like Mike cifically referred to in this resolution, fully, unanimously. McFaul is that as our U.S. Ambas- but when they talked about relevant I yield to my colleague from New sador, he stood up for democracy and people coming, my view—and I believe Jersey. human rights in Russia; he stood up to the view of the Senator from Dela- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the Russian regime; and he promoted ware—was that would include the ator from New Jersey. American values and ideals. He spoke translator. I am not sure if it was the Mr. MENENDEZ. Madam President, I truth to power inside Russia. That is view of the Senator from Arizona. It am very pleased to join with the distin- why Putin wants him. Congress doesn’t matter. We are not even pass- guished Democratic leader in co- shouldn’t have to tell America’s Presi- ing this resolution. authoring this resolution. dent to stand up for America’s public I have to say, this was a moment for S. RES. 583 servants and its diplomatic corps, but bipartisanship. This was a moment for Madam President, before I speak to apparently we have to. America pulling together. This was a it, I do want to speak to the Flake- President Trump has repeatedly dis- moment, when the President doesn’t Coons resolution. missed Russia’s attack in 2016 and served the country well, that Ameri- Certainly, I would have supported it; shrugs off the threat it poses today, de- cans of all parties, all ideologies come although, I believe it is the minimum spite all of our intelligence agencies together and fill that void and undo of what this body should be expressing and the Director of National Intel- the misdeeds that occurred in Helsinki. after what we saw in Helsinki. This is ligence, just days ago, saying there are Unfortunately, because of weakness, a moment for bipartisanship and for red blinking lights about Russia’s con- fear—my guess is, if you looked inside patriotism because what I saw in Hel- tinual engagement and interference in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Jul 20, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G19JY6.015 S19JYPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE July 19, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5089 the elections that will take place 110 voted to increase sanctions on Russia candidate suggested by the Oregon days from now. last year and place more authority for Senators, and waited several months This week, he has continuously and sanctions alleviation in the hands of for the Senators from Oregon to estab- directly contradicted his own national Congress. They were right to support lish their judicial selection committee, security advisers and, instead, has em- such measures in July of 2017, and God which is quite a tradition in that braced the line of Putin and Russian knows it would now be right to step up State. The selection committee itself intelligence. Now, I know they have and defend America’s interests. even recommended Mr. Bounds. Yet the been trying to clean it up. Yet he has It is time to show the American peo- Oregon Senators still didn’t return said it so many times and in the same ple that we can be patriots, not just their blue slips. way he said it in Helsinki. That is what partisans. It is time to show the world They say it was because Mr. Bounds he really believes. Now for him to say that we can put our country over didn’t disclose some of his college something that is different—wrong party. It is time that we defend Amer- writings to the selection committee. time, wrong continent, not too much. ica’s democratic institutions against There is a very good reason he didn’t— He has spouted talking points that Russia’s continued aggression. I look the selection committee never asked have sounded like they have come forward to the resolution and its vote, for his college writings. In fact, Sen- straight from the Kremlin. He has and I urge everyone to join us in ap- ator WYDEN’s staff instructed Mr. shown a willingness to accede to proving it. Bounds not to disclose them. Moreover, Putin’s requests to interrogate Ameri- I yield the floor. the Oregon Senators refused to ever cans, a willingness to accept Putin’s I suggest the absence of a quorum. meet with Mr. Bounds during this denials about Russian interference, a The PRESIDING OFFICER. The whole process. willingness to attack NATO allies like clerk will call the roll. It has been misleadingly said this Montenegro, and a willingness to be a The senior assistant legislative clerk will be the first time in modern history supplicant to Putin’s views. proceeded to call the roll. we will have confirmed a judge without The President keeps claiming he has Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I there having been at least one positive been tough on Russia. No. It is Con- ask unanimous consent that the order blue slip from the two State Senators. gress that has been tough on Russia by for the quorum call be rescinded. My Democratic colleagues have only its passing CAATSA, the Countering The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without themselves to blame. The way the blue America’s Adversaries Through Sanc- objection, it is so ordered. slip used to be enforced was through tions Act, with broad and deep bipar- Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, the 60-vote filibuster, and that was tisan support. Yet the White House we will vote today on the confirmation done away with in November 2013, led hasn’t taken it seriously. It has ig- of Ryan Bounds to the Ninth Circuit. by the then-Democratic majority and nored a series of mandates in the law. He has been nominated to fill the va- Senator Reid. The clear tone and intent that came cancy left by Judge O’Scannlain. Mr. For example, Chairman HATCH held from the Helsinki summit was one of Bounds once served as a law clerk to hearings for five nominees in 2003 and accommodation, not of pressure. Ninth Circuit Judge O’Scannlain. 2004, despite there being the lack of a I don’t see any other way forward, Mr. Bounds is highly qualified to positive blue slip from either home other than through further congres- serve on the Ninth Circuit. A native of State Senator. These nominees were sional action, to forcefully call out and Oregon, he attended Stanford Univer- voted out of committee. Then Senate address the administration’s willful pa- sity and Yale Law School. He has dedi- Democrats blocked these nominees on ralysis to Putin’s abhorrent behavior. cated his career to public service and the floor by using the 60-vote fili- To date, our efforts have been trans- has served in government for the past buster. But my Democratic colleagues formative, but just as the administra- 14 years. The last 8 years were as an as- abolished that filibuster, as I said, in tion has been prepared to find ways sistant U.S. attorney in Oregon. 2013 for the reason that they needed the that allow Putin to circumvent the law I have listened to my colleagues on votes and the freedom to pack the DC and to avoid implementing mandatory the other side voice their opposition to Circuit with liberal judges who would provisions of CAATSA, we must be Mr. Bounds. Interestingly, none of uphold Obama’s regulatory schemes. equally prepared to adjust and adapt them cite anything Mr. Bounds has Leading this effort was none other by closing those loopholes. done in his legal career as a reason for than Senator MERKLEY of Oregon, who That is why I will soon introduce opposing his nomination. Instead, they argued that 41 Senators shouldn’t be comprehensive legislation to increase focus on two things. First, they say we able to block a Senate majority from pressure to actually implement the law shouldn’t confirm Mr. Bounds because confirming judges. Now they have a and increase pressure on Russia for its his home State Senators didn’t return different point of view. Now he argues aggression against the United States their blue slips. Second, they say some that he alone should have the right to and our allies. Among the consider- of Mr. Bounds’ college writings were block Mr. Bounds from even getting a ations we have for this new legislation insensitive. So I am going to start with hearing in the Judiciary Committee. are to increase sanctions on Russia’s point No. 1 on which they base their In November of 2013, I told my Demo- energy sector, to increase sanctions on opposition to him. cratic colleagues that they would re- its cyber sector, to increase pressure As I have explained so many times on gret abolishing the filibuster just to on Russia’s oligarchs and those who are the floor of the U.S. Senate and in the stack the DC Circuit Court of Appeals closest to Putin, and to look at Rus- Senate Judiciary Committee—and I with their friends. Now, obviously, sia’s sovereign debt as a target. don’t know how many times to the today, as they consider the Bounds We cannot wait to see whether Rus- multitudes of journalists who are on nomination, they know they made a sia will attack us in the 2018 election. the Hill—my blue-slip policy is the mistake. We know it is in the midst of making same as all but 2 of my 18 predecessors Turning to the only other criticism that a reality, and we need to ramp up who were chairmen of the Judiciary my colleagues have made about Mr. the pressure. We can’t afford to wait. Committee over the 100-year history of Bounds, which is in regard to his col- Based on this President’s behavior, blue slips. Like Chairmen Ted Ken- lege writings, I don’t believe that mis- we also need to protect our institutions nedy, Joe Biden, and ORRIN HATCH, I guided statements made in a college here at home. That is why we want to will hold hearings for circuit court newspaper 25 years ago should dis- include protections for the Office of nominees who have negative or unre- qualify Mr. Bounds. I hope we don’t Special Counsel. The President has ported blue slips if the White House has live in a world where controversial done more to target Bob Mueller than consulted with the home State Sen- things that we write in college end our he has to go after Vladimir Putin, and ators, and I will not allow Senators to careers forever. This is especially true this must stop. This effort must be bi- abuse the blue-slip courtesy for polit- with our kids and grandkids now in the partisan, which is why I look forward ical or ideological reasons. era of social media. to working with my Republican col- In the case of Mr. Bounds, the White For example, a few years ago, just leagues who truly want to see us fight House sought the Oregon Senators’ when the same thing came up on Jus- back on Russia and nearly all of whom input, seriously considered the one tice Wright going to the Minnesota

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Jul 20, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G19JY6.017 S19JYPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE S5090 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 19, 2018 District Court, I voted and supported REMEMBERING GOVERNOR BOB RAY dent Ford to allow Iowa to welcome her despite very controversial writings Now, Madam President, I would like the Tai Dam to Iowa, allowing this she had in law school. We shouldn’t as- to address my colleagues in the U.S. close-knit ethnic group to stay intact sume that views expressed years ago Senate on the life and death of Gov- and to resettle in Iowa. during college and law school represent ernor Bob Ray, a wonderful Governor In 1978, we had another wave of the nominee today. for the State of Iowa over a long period Southeast Asians who were desperate Mr. Bounds testified that he regret- of time. I wish to honor him in this to escape communism in South Viet- ted much of what he wrote in those op- way. nam. They became known as the boat eds. I wish to pay tribute to my good people who put their lives in peril for We received numerous letters in sup- friend and an exceptional Iowan whose the pearl of freedom that we offer in port of Mr. Bounds’ nomination from life and legacy will be remembered in America. Bob Ray put his political life people who have known him personally my home State for generations to on the line to open Iowa’s homes and throughout his life. We received a let- come. As the people of Iowa mourn the hearts to rescue them from suffering ter from some of his classmates at loss of our 38th Governor, I would like and death. In so doing, he saved the Stanford. And before I quote, it is kind to share about a few ways that Robert lives of thousands of people, including of like—these sound like they were his D. Ray made Iowa a better place to generations of new Iowans yet to be friends in the dormitories. I never was grow. Looking back at his lifetime of born. a dormitory student, but I imagine you service, it seems nearly impossible Yet again, Governor Ray responded really get acquainted with people that one person could wear so many in 1979 to another humanitarian crisis there. This is what they had to say hats and reach the highest rungs of dis- going on in Southeast Asia by launch- about Mr. Bounds: tinguished service in both his private ing the Iowa SHARES Program. The acronym ‘‘SHARES’’ stands for Iowa We have become aware of a handful of con- life and in the public sector. troversial op-eds and articles Ryan wrote for After graduating from high school in ‘‘Sends Help to Aid Refugees and End The Stanford Review during that time. None 1946, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army to Starvation.’’ That very first year, the of us believes that these writings reflect serve his country that way. He re- program raised more than $600,000 in Ryan’s character, either then or now. All of turned from service and earned under- less than 1 month—small donations to us remember our dorm-mate fondly. graduate and law degrees at Drake Uni- send food and medicine to starving peo- We are a diverse bunch. Yet Ryan never ple on the Cambodian border. Volun- failed to treat all of us with courtesy, re- versity in Des Moines, IA. He married the love of his life, Billie, and together teer nurses and doctors from Iowa also spect, and civility, regardless of our respec- went to save these people, who suffered tive genders, sexual orientations, skin col- they raised three daughters. ors, religions, ethnicity, or any other charac- In addition to serving 14 years as our under the harsh Khmer Rouge regime teristics. State’s chief executive from 1969 to of Pol Pot. When one of those members of the There is not, and never has been, a racist, 1983, Governor Ray also served as our boat people first learned of Governor sexist, homophobic, or bigoted bone in Ryan State party chairman at the age of 35, Ray’s passing, she was moved to tears. Bounds’s body. chairman of the National Governors Now a wife and mother of five children, Mr. Bounds has also been a commu- Association, interim mayor of Des she prayed for Governor Ray, in fact nity leader, promoting diversity and Moines, 11th president of Drake Uni- referring to him as ‘‘Saint Bob Ray.’’ equality. As a member of the Mult- versity, U.S. delegate to the United Na- She attributed his courage and gen- nomah Bar Association’s Equity, Di- tions Conference on Refugees, and CEO erosity to saving thousands of people versity, and Inclusion Committee, Mr. and board member to a number of non- just like her. Bounds spearheaded programs to ex- profit and for-profit corporations. At his funeral, Senator ERNST and I pose underprivileged young people to Reading such an outstanding resume, the legal profession. He mentored saw a whole part of the church filled one might come to the conclusion that with these Southeast Asians who very young scholarship recipients and this Iowan must have an outsized ego helped those same people navigate law much wanted to express their apprecia- to match. To that, I can personally af- tion for Governor Ray’s leadership by school admissions and law school. He firm that Bob Ray was a humble leader expanded low-cost CLE offerings and being there at that funeral. driven by a servant’s heart. He brought In 2005, Governor Ray received Iowa’s organized anti-harassment and anti- honesty, dignity, and integrity to the highest civilian honor, the Iowan discrimination training. campaign trail and, in turn, to State Award. It is a well-deserved honor for Mr. Bounds is imminently qualified government. this legendary man of honor. He is a to serve on the Ninth Circuit. His col- His policy achievements as our 38th statesman, a humanitarian hero, and, lege writings do not represent who he Governor made government work bet- of course, to those who loved him the is today. His professional accomplish- ter for the people by reorganizing State most, he was a husband, dad, and ments and exemplary public service government, such as the creation of grandpa. speak much more loudly to his char- the department of transportation, and Years after Governor Ray left the acter and integrity. modernizing the National Guard. Those Governor’s mansion, called Terrace I strongly urge my colleagues on are just a few of the reorganizations. Hill, he launched the Robert D. and both sides of the aisle to support Mr. But through doing this, he strength- Billie Ray Center at Drake University. Bounds’ confirmation today. ened rock-solid Iowa values in edu- That center’s mission is dedicated to NOMINATION OF BRETT KAVANAUGH cation, conservation, good government, improving civility and developing eth- Madam President, I would like to say and fiscal stewardship. It was Governor ical leaders at home and throughout one thing about another nomination Ray who signed Iowa’s—we call it the the world. And for all of us, we know issue. I understand that so far, no Sen- bottle bill. You get a redemption for a that in a society less civil now than it ate Democrat has met with Judge can you return instead of throwing it has been throughout most of the his- Kavanaugh. They are apparently in the dump. He signed it into law to tory of our country, that center is awaiting their marching orders from keep our roadways clean and our State going to serve a very needed purpose. the minority leader. Well, the Amer- looking beautiful. For those who know the story of Bob ican people elected each one of those Arguably, the lasting measure of his Ray, his ray of light connected with Democratic Senators to represent governorship is defined by moral lead- the center will inspire generations of them, not the minority leader. And ership, and particularly as evidenced leaders for years to come. when Senate Democrats have largely after the fall of Saigon in 1975. Barbara and I join our fellow Iowans already made up their minds to vote As a result of the ending of the Viet- in extending our condolences to Billie against Judge Kavanaugh and none of nam war, Governor Ray’s actions tran- and the entire Ray family. We will them have even met with him, their de- scended the riverbanks of America’s miss this extraordinary Iowan. Our mand for a paper chase beyond relevant heartland to reach thousands of refu- State benefited in countless ways be- material sounds more and more like a gees across the world. Those refugees cause he shared his gift so generously demand for a taxpayer-funded fishing were fleeing communism in Southeast to make Iowa an even better place to expedition. Asia. Governor Ray persuaded Presi- grow for generations to come.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Jul 20, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G19JY6.019 S19JYPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE July 19, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5091 Madam President, I ask unanimous It seems her late teen life was not good in President Ford said, ‘I relied heavily on consent that three eulogies that high- 1969; she doubted herself. Then she listened Bob’s good advice.’ light Governor Ray’s life as a Gov- to Gov. Ray’s first Inaugural Address on the President Reagan: ‘The success you experi- ernor, political humanitarian, and a radio. She added, ‘He talked about the fu- enced was the product of good ideas, hard ture. He said the future was going to better work, a whole lot of follow through—just man with strong family values be and brighter. I felt he was talking about me what you’d expect to find in Iowa.’ printed in the RECORD. and my life. He gave me hope. My life turned President George H. W. Bush said this well, These eulogies are from David Oman, out alright, and now, I get to help him.’ ‘He never turned his back on the Party, but who served as chief of staff to Governor Gov. Ray spoke with thousands of Iowans somehow transcended Party and made public Ray; Ken Quinn, a former U.S. Ambas- through four of his campaigns in seven service better.’ sador to Cambodia who worked on the years, ending the two-year term era. Iowans Like Bush 41 and Jimmy Carter with their refugee resettlement as a member of quickly got to know his openness and de- post-Presidencies, Bob Ray also defined the the Ray administration and today cency . . . civility and sincerity . . . human- role of ‘former’ governor. His ongoing service as CEO, mayor, and serves as president of the World Food ity and humor. And who didn’t love his smile? Drake president was exemplary. Ray backed Prize Foundation in Des Moines; and That genuine persona stood in stark con- countless charities and good works. Once I the third is from Scott Raecker, who trast to the erosion of trust in a Washington told him ‘you’ve supported about everything serves as director of the Robert D. and awash in Watergate. In ’74, Bob Ray stood except ‘Iowans for Term Limits.’ Billie Ray Center at Drake University. against the tide. He won 59% of the vote To close, in the years ahead, governors and I hope my colleagues will read these when nine other GOP governors were swept perhaps Presidents like Ronald Reagan was, eulogies because there is no way that away. He acquired more momentum, if not a will be in Room 9 of the Capitol. Gov. anything I say today can do justice to mandate. Branstad fittingly designated it the ‘Robert D. Ray Conference Room.’ what they said in their separate eulo- Governor Ray knew how to campaign. He knew how to govern. And, he knew the dif- Governors have made many important de- gies. ference. cisions in that room, including Ray’s to re- There being no objection, the mate- The late Lt. Gov. Arthur Neu said, ‘Ray locate and welcome legal political refugees rial was ordered to be printed in the would take his time making decisions, but to Iowa. RECORD, as follows: when his mind was made up, he was a tough Future governors will see a large, wonder- ROBERT D. RAY EULOGY as nails.’ ful oil painting of Gov. Ray. That portrait is behind me. It returns to the Governor’s Of- DAVID OMAN The other evening, I wrote down Ray pol- icy initiatives and stopped at 30. Some were fice today. One more time, for the last time, Bob Ray Next year, or 2028, or 2046 (Iowa’s Bicenten- has done what he did so often in life—bring ahead of their time, some were copied by other states. They covered tax policy, nial year) or any year, governors will sit in people together, in this church, at the Cap- the Ray Conference Room—coping with com- itol last evening, on social media, and in streamlined government, education, con- plicated, controversial, even morality laden conversations. servation, human services, human rights, decisions. Lessons from his life have been learned and public safety, agriculture and transpor- Our Iowans and future Iowans can hope re-learned this week, none better than the tation. those governors pause, in deliberative, deci- simple reminder that a keen mind, warm I can’t list them all today. As they say sive moments, look up at the portrait, and heart, and a bias for action—by one person— about baseball stats . . . ‘you can look ‘em think . . . can cause great change, and uncork goodwill up.’ The Gov. would at times borrow or co-opt What would Robert D. Ray do? among so many. How would he lead? Gov. Ray’s life ended without regrets and good ideas from Democrats. They didn’t remorse. Embracing his example, we’re bet- know whether to laugh or cry, but he always EULOGY FOR GOVERNOR ROBERT D. RAY ter able to live our lives with renewal and re- gave them credit. solve. Gov. Ray looked beyond the next year or AMBASSADOR KENNETH M. QUINN Yesterday, a motorcade brought the Ray cycle. He paired with Gov. Culver’s father, One of the first refugees Governor Ray res- family past many touchpoints in Bob’s and Sen. Culver, to set up the Iowa 2000 project. cued and resettled in Iowa was a young man Billie’s lives—Terrace Hill, Drake Univer- In his first term, Gov. Vilsack cloned it with who was trapped in one of the most treach- sity, and Theodore Roosevelt High School. Iowa 2010. erous and threatening environments on President Roosevelt, in 1910, a year after In 1978, Gov. Ray came up with a new earth—Washington, D.C. That person he res- leaving the White House, spoke in Paris theme ‘progress with stability’ as part of a cued was me. about leadership, and making a difference. larger effort throughout his administration He brought me and my wife Le Son and our He said, ‘above all stands character, a to better connect Iowa’s cities and towns children home to Iowa where we became part man’s force and courage, his good faith and with rural Iowa. of Governor Ray’s extended family. For 4 sense of honor . . . self-restraint, common In small towns he would nudge with nu- years, I worked closely with the Governor on sense, the power of individual responsibility, ance ‘stability with progress.’ Bob Ray com- many of his humanitarian endeavors. and acting in conjunction with others.’ municated deftly. He was transparent with A few weeks ago, I was with Governor and TR didn’t know it, but he previewed the and respected the press. He helped define Mrs. Ray recalling many of these experi- life of Robert D. Ray, or as we called him, modern Iowa and did define the modern Iowa ences—and a flood of memories came back RDR. governorship. about when we were together, including: Another President Roosevelt, Franklin, With Billie Ray and three active daugh- —In the winter of 1975, at the celebration died at the end of World War II. FDR and ters, the five defined the modern Iowa First for the Tai Dam refugees from Laos, whom RDR had something in common—a very real Family. he had rescued and resettled together in human touch. During FDR’s funeral, an We thank you for supporting him, and for Iowa in order to preserve their culture, lan- aging African American man wept inconsol- your sacrifice. guage and kinship. The Tai Dam had written ably on a Pennsylvania Ave. sidewalk. A governor’s work is never easy. Gov. to every Governor in America, but Robert A reporter approached timidly and asked, Ray’s four successors, all with us today, have Ray was the only Governor to answer their ‘Did you know the President?’ The man said, said privately and publicly, over time and plea. He convinced President Ford to permit ‘No . . . but he knew me.’ Good leaders, good people, know, in a this week, how much they respected him and all of the Tai Dam to come to Iowa. They broad sense—and in the moment—what other his leadership. have been here ever since. —Or, on a cold January night in 1979, while people feel and need. Bill Clinton was the 32 year-old Gov.-elect Bob Ray had that quality. He knew Iowans, of Arkansas when he met Bob Ray, then 50, he and I watched the video of a boat filled or as he liked to say ‘our Iowans.’ at the NGA ‘new governors school’ in No- with Vietnamese ‘‘boat people’’ refugees, People who had a two-minute phone call or vember ’78. who had escaped from Communist oppression 20 minute meeting, or just a handshake at The two hit it off. It was Ray ‘charisma’ only to be pushed back out to sea by local of- the Fair, felt they mattered and were the and Clinton ‘charisma on steroids.’ ficials fearful of being inundated because no most important person to Gov. Ray at the Clinton credited Ray with mentoring him country in the world, including the United time . . . and they were. on how to be a good governor. When he would States, was accepting any more refugees Sometimes, Bob Ray wasn’t aware of his come to Des Moines as President in the 90s; from Indochina. We watched in horror as impact. he would often ask about Bob Ray and word their boat broke up in the waves, with the Two years ago, at Wesley Acres, Gov. Ray would get back to us. Wednesday, President refugees drowning before our eyes. wasn’t in room 146, nor physical therapy or Clinton tweeted a heartfelt remembrance of This so impacted Governor Ray that he the lunch room. A nurse and I couldn’t find his mentor and friend. wrote late that very night to the President, him. It turned out he was in P.T.; he told us Ray met one Pope . . . but worked with saying that Iowa would double the number of we’d been lost. seven Presidents. There is apparently no refugees it had resettled if only the Presi- Then the nurse said to me ‘Gov. Ray public record of what Richard Nixon thought dent would reopen America’s doors. changed my life . . .’ I asked her to tell me of him. The tape recorders must have been His letter and lobbying in Washington more. turned off. worked! America’s doors were reopened.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Jul 20, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G19JY6.021 S19JYPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE S5092 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 19, 2018 —Six months later, in June 1979 we were Even though the impact of Robert Ray’s father—and he took them seriously—and together in Geneva, Switzerland, at the UN leadership would often occur far from Iowa; with good humor. conference on the Boat People, where Vice The one story that most poignantly captures It has been said that you can tell what President Walter Mondale announced that Robert Ray’s humanitarian legacy and his kind of parent you are by how your grand- America would accept 168,000 new refugees place in the pantheon of Iowa’s greatest he- children turn out—and how your children each year. This led to over 1,000,000 refugees roes took place about 10 years ago, not in the care for you as you age. And by all measures from Indochina eventually being resettled in Governor’s office or far from Iowa, but in a Mrs. Ray—you and the Governor were an ex- the United States. supermarket in West Des Moines. treme success. The assembled diplomatic delegations gave As Governor Ray described it to me, he and Randi, Lu Ann and Vicki, he loved you a spontaneous standing ovation to America’s Mrs. Ray were shopping for groceries, push- girls—unconditionally. And, a gift he gave humanitarian leadership, a leadership that ing their cart down the aisle, when, as can you . . . is that you all know that fact. began when Robert D. Ray became the first happen, they almost bumped into a cart Whether singing out to you as his ‘Miss governing official anywhere in the world to being pushed by another shopper—in this America’ or, telling you at a time you need- say he would accept the Boat People refu- case, an Asian man. ed to hear it the most, that ‘you are always gees. When he saw it was Governor Ray, the man beautiful in my eyes’—he loved you in ac- —A few months later in October 1979, I was stopped; walked over to the Governor and ex- tions that reflected his words. with Governor Ray at Living History Farm tending his hand, said ‘‘you saved my life. I And even when some boundaries needed to in Des Moines, as Pope John Paul II ap- just want to say thank you.’’ be set (you know what I’m talking about), peared before 350,000 people. Among those Today thousands of Tai Dam, Lao, Hmong, that was also done in love, sometimes frus- bringing the gifts to the Pope to celebrate Cambodians and Vietnamese who live in tratingly so for you as he always wanted to Mass were Vietnamese Catholic refugees in Iowa just want to say thank you. In a very talk things out and think through the best their colorful native dress. real sense, Governor Robert Ray saved them resolutions and consequences. —Two weeks later the Governor and Mrs. all. He was your hero, he was patient and calm, Ray and I were at a place called Sa Kaew in And all of us, whom he made so proud to and even in the darkest moments he looked Thailand where 30,000 victims of the Cam- say we are Iowans—we just want to say for the positive. He was inclusive as reflected bodian genocide were lying strewn across a thank you. best in his love for you son-in-laws. field. Emaciated, starving and beset with dis- And one of the things I have heard, and Governor Ray uplifted my life. He uplifted ease, they were dying at the rate of 50–100 a seen from you as daughters, and the grand- all of our lives. And his legacy will uplift day, with their bodies being bulldozed into children as well, is this—his admonition to countless, thousands and thousands of others mass graves. ‘‘Do more, speak less—and if you have to far into the future. —This scene of incredible human suffering speak, think before you speak.’’ led Governor Ray to create Iowa SHARES. Now for you grandchildren, Robert, Jef- Iowa Sends Help to Aid Refugees and End GOVERNOR ROBERT D. RAY—FAMILY EULOGY frey, Billie Ray, John, Michael, Emma, Leah Starvation. With contributions by Iowans J. SCOTT RAECKER and Sadie—he absolutely adored and cher- across the state, we rushed food and medi- On behalf of Mrs. Ray and the entire Ray ished you—he was so proud of each of you. cine that arrived on Christmas Day, to feed family I want to express their sincere appre- He talked more about you than anything people who had been eating insects to sur- ciation for the outpouring of love, support else. And, he loved taking pictures of you. vive. This was followed by volunteer Iowa and prayers at this time. They have asked I’ve watched you grow up directly, or doctors and nurses. Together this saved for me to share that following the service through his stories, and see so many traits of thousands of lives. there will be a reception at The Robert D. him in each of you. In fact, you shared with —On that same trip, we were in Nong Khai and Billie Ray Center on the Drake campus— me the traits you possess that you saw in in Thailand, where the Tai Dam, Lao and which is walking distance from the church. your grandpa. And here they are, listen Hmong refugees were waiting uncertain So here we are Mrs. Ray, back at First closely . . . about their fate. These refugees said they Christian Church where your lifelong love Empathy, kindness, humor, humility, hon- wanted to show us their ‘‘symbol of hope.’’ story with Governor Ray started 73 years esty, sense of justice, respect, compassion, They took us across a muddy field to a ago. You met through this church and considerate, loyalty, self-confident, atten- thatched hut. Beckoning us to look inside, church camp where you were elected King tion to detail, positive, caring, adventurous they said ‘‘there is our symbol.’’ Tacked on and Queen. You became high school sweet- spirit, modest, selfless, charisma, persever- the wall was the Iowa Department of Trans- hearts—you the smart looking girl with the ance, appreciation for other cultures, a good portation highway map. Governor Robert car and Governor Ray the shy school-boy and sometimes slow decision-maker, a gen- Ray had made the shape of our state a sym- athlete. uine and good hearted person, never mad, bol of hope for people languishing in a ref- Together we’ve looked at the pictures of peace-seeking and relationship centered. ugee camp 12,000 miles from Iowa. the two of you in those early years—you and And of course, love of ice cream and choco- —There was one other event where neither Governor Ray had a youthful twinkle in your late chip cookies. the Governor nor I were present but which eyes and a shining smile that said—‘I’m in You also shared that one of the qualities has great meaning for today. In 2004, the love’—and that’s one thing that did not you admired most about him was that he was Catholic Bishop of Des Moines visited a very change over all these years. always ‘more interested in your opinion than ill Pope John Paul II. When the Bishop re- Recently you told me that in the last sev- telling you his opinion.’ A good lesson for all minded the Pontiff of his visit to Living His- eral months it was just nice to sit and hold of us. tory Farms, the Pope heard ‘‘Iowa’’—in a hands and tell each other ‘I love you’—and as And I loved this trait you shared—‘he halting voice the frail Pope said—‘‘Iowa . . . I observed these moments, I saw that same adored my grandma—and so do I.’ Farms . . . Refugees.’’ The man who put the Think of this list for a minute—these are twinkle and shining smile in both of you— words Iowa and Refugees on the lips of a the traits that emanate from you—that is and, oh my heavens, it still radiated—‘I’m so dying Pope, and who made the shape of Iowa what a lasting legacy looks like. And each of in love.’ a symbol of hope around the world, was Gov- you grandchildren will continue to make You also shared that you never had a ernor Robert D. Ray. your lives, and the world, a better place be- fight—and I believe you. However, with all The common thread in all of these experi- cause of these traits. ences was that Governor Ray was driven by due respect, it has come to my attention And, for the rest of us, these are qualities moral impulses planted deep inside him by through an un-named grandchild that there we also saw in your grandpa that continue to his parents, the educational institutions he were a few disagreements—mostly over ice shape our lives. attended, and his religion, and nurtured by cream at McDonalds, and they were resolved When you unpack the list and look deeply his wife Billie and his children. with another Diet Coke and a loving grandpa into the character qualities you share with When confronted by scenes of human suf- slipping a dollar under the table to a very your grandpa—there is something that reso- fering, Robert Ray responded, not as a polit- happy granddaughter. nates clearly—and for your grandpa it was ical candidate doing an electoral calculation, In your understated way you told me he developed in this church early in his life. but as a Christian following a moral impera- was a ‘special person’—which he was—and They are called ‘fruits of the Spirit’—they tive from the parable of the Good Samaritan. together you were spectacular . . . you were are found in Galatians 5 and they define your —Robert D. Ray saw that his obligation always his beloved Billie Lee—and you most grandfather’s life—they are ‘‘love, joy, pa- was to his fellow human beings who were suf- certainly were his beloved soul mate. tience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, fering and dying, even if the color of their Mrs. Ray, here is the message for the rest gentleness, and self-control.’’ skin, the language they spoke, and the reli- of us today—if there is an aspect of Governor Of these fruits of Governor Ray’s spirit, gion they followed were all different from his Ray’s life that should inspire us, and we love was first and foremost—and the fruits of own; should seek to emulate, it should be this— his spirit were these words . . . in action. —Or, even if they were thousands and his excellence as a man devoted to his fam- Mrs. Ray, Randi, Lu Ann, Vicki, grand- thousands of miles away on the other side of ily—and that passion was rooted deeply in children, and the entire family—Governor our planet, or adrift in the ocean. his faith, his love for you and his desire to Ray’s family legacy lives on in you and is a Through his actions, Governor Robert Ray serve others in love. lesson for all of us. answered the eternal question—‘‘Am I my It’s no secret that Governor Ray’s favorite His faith driven love served us all—and brother’s keeper?’’ titles in life were husband, father and grand- while most directly to you the family—he

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Jul 20, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A19JY6.023 S19JYPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE July 19, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5093 also served those of us who were blessed to with gritty determination and inge- tunity. His contribution to manufac- call him a friend. nuity, Eugene came up with something turing, agriculture, and the entire Governor Ray loved quotes and we shared he entitled the ‘‘Stirway Stirring Ma- rural community and our economy will many over the years. One that I gave him chine.’’ The innovative technology be an asset to farmers and the agri- that he liked was from Richard Bach who said: automated the process of stirring culture community for generations to ‘‘The bond that links your true family is stored grain and corn and became an come. It is amazing to think of what not one of blood, but of respect and joy in instant success among his fellow farm- can happen in rural and small towns each other’s life. Rarely do members of one ers. Eugene patented his invention and throughout our country thanks to the family grow up under the same roof.’’ founded the Sukup Manufacturing successful enterprise that Eugene I thought of this quote as I spoke with Tai Company in 1963. Sukup represents. Dam refugee and family friend, Som Baccam, Through my years holding annual Throughout our decades-long friend- this week when she referred to Governor Ray meetings in each of Iowa’s 99 counties, ship, I have admired his relentless as her ‘savior’—and he literally was. Sukup Manufacturing from time to work ethic and unwavering commit- Savior is a strong and powerful word, and ment to community and family. His when I reflect on times Governor Ray used time has hosted the meetings I have in that word in our discussions about faith—he Franklin County. After a tour of the civil, political, and community leader- talked about how his Savior demonstrated factory, I always enjoyed Eugene’s al- ship sets a very high bar for the rest of unconditional love—sacrificial love—service lowing his employees to have an open us in America. love—so that we could love others and know Q&A session with me so that I could Eugene was an American inventor, innovator, and a great friend. He will our eternal home. hear what is on the minds of my con- Governor Ray has left our earthly home be greatly missed. May God bless him stituents, because these constituents and created a void in our lives . . . and that and his beloved family. hurts, however, I would challenge us to can’t afford to leave their jobs and I yield the floor. think that the real void would be if we had come to the courthouse to ask me Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I never had his presence in our lives. questions. I try to go to people like rise in strong opposition to the nomi- Governor Ray set the standard for how to them to make the process of a rep- nation of Ryan Bounds to be a judge on treat people . . . and we can all be better resentative government work, and the the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. people if we look to Governor Ray as a best way to do that is face-to-face with Mr. Bounds, who, if confirmed, would model. your constituents. serve on a Ninth Circuit seat in the For me, and I hope for each of you, I want Getting back to Sukup Manufac- to be a better person each day because of State of Oregon, has received zero blue Governor Ray and his presence in my life. turing, by words and deeds, it is very slips. He is opposed by both Senators I’ve felt that way since the day I met him clear that Sukup Manufacturing is a from the State in which he would sit if . . . and I will for the rest of my life. great place to work and a devoted con- confirmed. The inspiration of Governor Ray’s life is tributor to the local community and Never before in the 100-year history that we shine our light in the lives of others global philanthropy. Fifty-five years of blue slips has a nominee been con- when we demonstrate love—and we must re- later, the Sukup Manufacturing Com- firmed over the opposition of both member to shine that light first and fore- pany—which was the idea of a small home-State Senators. The Republican most with our family and friends. majority is setting a precedent here, I challenge us all to honor his legacy by as- family farmer—holds over 80 patents piring to be better people—by shining our and sells its products in more than 85 and all of our home States are at risk light in our homes, with our family—and countries. It remains the largest fam- of being impacted by this. with our friends. ily-owned, full-line grain system manu- By moving this nominee without blue Letting our light shine may be his most facturer, employing more than 700 em- slips, Republicans are diminishing the important lesson. ployees in the community of Sheffield, voice that home-State constituents One more time—Governor Ray leading the IA, and if I had to guess its population, have through their Senators in the way. I would say it is around 1,500. process of selecting judges in their REMEMBERING EUGENE SUKUP Eugene’s pioneering invention con- States. Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I tributed to the success of tens of thou- Let me make it clear to my Repub- wish to recognize a friend, an agricul- sands of farming operations, allowing lican colleagues: If you vote to confirm tural innovator, an inventor with I farmers to safely store their grain on Ryan Bounds, you are consenting to a think about 80 patents. His name is Eu- their farms to capture the best market precedent that is likely to affect your gene Sukup. price. We have Sukup grain bins on my state someday. Consider your vote If you travel around the Midwest, own family farm near Waterloo, IA; carefully. It is hard to understand why my Re- you will see there are grain operations more specifically, the little village in publican colleagues would abandon the on a lot of family farms. If you go to New Hartford, IA. His ingenuity is a Haiti, as a result of the catastrophe blue slip for the sake of this particular perfect example of the opportunity nominee. Mr. Bounds has written and down there a few years ago, you will America’s economic system gives peo- see how smaller buildings that we published articles that should dis- ple with ideas and drive. qualify him from consideration for a would call grain storage facilities in Eugene’s legacy spans Iowa’s land- Iowa serve as homes for homeless peo- Federal judgeship. scape from the Mississippi River to the Consider how the Multnomah Bar As- ple. That resulted from that catas- Missouri River and reaches beyond the sociation in Oregon—a bar association trophe. borders of our State and the borders of that Mr. Bounds has belonged to for 12 Eugene Sukup is a quintessential the United States. Sukup Manufac- years—described Mr. Bounds’ articles bootstrap American success story. turing stepped up to reconfigure grain in a statement after the writings were After settling in Iowa during the Dust bins into housing units, as I previously revealed. Bowl and serving his Nation as a ser- said, for hurricane-ravaged Haiti. The The association said Bounds’ geant in the National Guard, Eugene units withstand 140-mile-per-hour writings ‘‘express insensitive, intoler- made his living as a farmer, earning winds, providing a safe habitat for resi- ant, and disdaining views toward racial the title of ‘‘Franklin County Out- dents. and ethnic minorities, campus sexual standing Farmer’’ in his younger years, In 2006, Eugene was inducted into assault victims, and the LGBTQ com- in 1962. Iowa’s Inventors Hall of Fame and re- munity.’’ While working on his farm, like a lot ceived the Outstanding Innovation The statement went on to say that of farmers, he tried to think of easier Award by the American Society of Ag- the bar association ‘‘strongly disavows ways to do things. He observed that ricultural and Biological Engineers. He the views expressed in those articles as pockets of grain—particularly corn— was inducted into Iowa’s Business Hall racist, misogynistic, homophobic and housed in storage bins could overheat of Fame in 2011 and was named a Leg- disparaging of survivors of sexual as- and, as a result, spoil. Understanding end in Manufacturing by Elevate Ad- sault and abuse.’’ the depth and breadth of the problem vanced Manufacturing in 2015. Mr. Bounds’ writings, which he pub- for farmers across the country, he was Through Eugene and its leaders, the lished in college, included his discus- determined to find a solution, and he Sukup family business has been a con- sions about the ‘‘more strident racial did. Through trial and error, along stant voice for job creation and oppor- factions of the student body.’’

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Jul 20, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A19JY6.024 S19JYPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE S5094 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 19, 2018 His writings mocked LGBTQ stu- Now, Senate Republicans are looking cruel dictator, and he was imprisoned dents for being sensitive when a group to confirm Mr. Bounds, who has shown and tortured by Batista’s thugs. of drunk athletes vandalized a statue terrible judgment with his published Then my aunt, his younger sister, my celebrating gay pride. writings and with his failure to be tia Sonia—who was there after the rev- He mocked Latino students for being forthcoming about them. olution succeeded, who discovered overly sensitive when they complained Senators have a constitutional obli- along with the rest of the world that about the termination of a Latino ad- gation to scrutinize these nominees Fidel Castro was a Communist, who ministrator. and to vote no if the nominees lack the saw the torture and the murder—my Then he wrote this, in an article experience, temperament, or judgment aunt fought in the counterrevolution about sexual assault on campus: to be a fair and impartial judge. The against Fidel Castro, and she, too, like ‘‘There is really nothing inherently Senate should not be a rubberstamp, her brother, was imprisoned and tor- wrong with the University failing to but under President Trump, all too tured, except this time by Castro’s punish an alleged rapist—regardless his often, it has been. thugs. guilt—in the absence of adequate cer- I know Senate Republicans like to Both my father and my aunt were tainty; there is nothing that the Uni- say it is unfair to nominees if we hold kids. They were kids who believed they versity can do to objectively ensure them accountable for their records. My were fighting for freedom, and they dis- that the rapist does not strike again. Republican colleagues have been com- covered they went from one tyrant to Only the legal system can do that, and ing to the floor, day after day, com- an even worse tyrant, a Communist if it lacks the certainty to do so, it is plaining about what they see as unfair dictator who would line up dissidents not necessarily up to the University to scrutiny of the Kavanaugh Supreme and shoot them. stick it to the suspect, anyway, just in Court nomination. The betrayal, the brutality, and the case. Expelling students is probably Do they have amnesia? I would re- violence experienced by my father and not going to contribute a great deal to- mind them that no Supreme Court by my aunt were all too typical of the ward a rape victim’s recovery; there is nominee in history has ever has been millions of Cubans who have suffered no moral imperative to risk egregious treated worse than Merrick Garland under the Castro regime of the last six error in doing so.’’ was treated by Senate Republicans in decades. Fidel may be dead, Raul may Not only did Mr. Bounds publish 2016. Senator MCCONNELL wouldn’t be retired, but the evil of the Castros these writings, but he chose not to even allow Judge Garland a hearing or persists. It still molds the Cuban re- share his writings with Oregon’s judi- the courtesy of a meeting. gime’s fundamental opposition to cial selection committee even though The treatment of Merrick Garland truth, to freedom, and to human rights. the committee had asked him to dis- was unprecedented, and it was dis- But the malice and menace of com- close any potentially controversial ma- respectful. His record and reputation munism cannot break down the will of terials. were torn apart by Republicans who the Cuban people. Instead, it has Mr. Bounds said he didn’t think he never gave him a chance to respond in strengthened their resolve. It has fur- needed to disclose any information to an open hearing. Even Judge Bork got ther united them to fight for freedom the committee that preceded his time a hearing and a vote. and build a better future for their at law school. I hope my Republican colleagues are country, to establish a free Cuba—a As Senators WYDEN and MERKLEY not going to simply rubberstamp Presi- Cuba not streaked by the ashes of dis- pointed out in a letter to Chairman dent Trump’s nominees. So many of sident literature or littered with the GRASSLEY, Mr. Bounds did share with these nominees are extreme. We need corpses of defenseless teenagers; a Cuba the Oregon committee information to review their full records and con- built on human decency and individual about his high school days. He just sider them carefully before voting to liberty, where citizens are heard, not conveniently left out his intolerant confirm them for life. murdered, and speech is protected, not publications from college. I have carefully considered Mr. silenced. It is the Cuba envisioned by As Senators WYDEN and MERKLEY Bounds’ nomination, and I will vote no. Oswaldo Paya Sardinas, his Christian said in their letter, ‘‘Mr. Bounds’ fail- I urge my colleagues in both parties to Liberation Movement, and their fellow ure to disclose these writings, and the join me. activists who continue to stand against nature of these writings themselves, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the Castro regime. It is the Cuba of the demonstrate a substantial lack of judg- ator from Texas. young bloggers who expose the re- ment that is unsuitable for a nominee CUBA gime’s crimes and corruption at the for a lifetime appointment.’’ Mr. CRUZ. Madam President, I rise risk of arrest, deportation, torture, or This is not a close call. The Senate today to give tribute to the spirit of worse. should not be moving forward with Mr. the Cuban people—the people of my With time, the oppressions of the Bounds’ nomination on process or sub- forefathers, who still live under a cor- Castro regime gave rise to remarkable stance. rupt and violent Communist regime— leaders like Oswaldo Paya, whose life’s Republicans are failing to be respon- and to honor the memory of Oswaldo work was the peaceful overthrow of sible stewards of nominations. The fact Paya. Oswaldo was a champion for free- communism and whose legacy we that Senate Republicans are moving dom. He died 6 years ago this Sunday, honor today. Oswaldo dedicated his life forward with this nomination is a trou- on July 22, 2012, in a car crash that is to promoting democratic freedoms and bling sign for how Republicans will widely believed to have been orches- human rights in Cuba. His memory handle the Supreme Court vacancy. trated by the Castro regime. continues to inspire dissidents in Cuba All too often, Senate Republicans are The plight of the brave people of and in other countries under tyran- failing to serve as a meaningful check Cuba has been marked by terrible suf- nical rule, countries like Venezuela, and balance on President Trump when fering under both the Castro regime where Nicolas Maduro routinely im- it comes to nominations. and the brutal dictatorship of prisons and murders those who dare Last week, 50 Senate Republicans Fulgencio Batista before it. The Cas- speak out against him, or Nicaragua, voted to confirm an unqualified lawyer tros and their revolutionary terrorist where the corrupt Ortega regime des- who had represented a suspicious Rus- lackeys, like Che Guevara, are respon- perately clings to power by persecuting sian bank as the head of the Justice sible for the suffering and murder of journalists and violently putting down Department’s Criminal Division. countless innocent Cubans. It is be- protesters. This week Republicans already voted cause of these oppressors that my fam- Last year, I introduced legislation to to confirm Andrew Oldham, a 39-year- ily fled their beloved home in Cuba for commemorate Oswaldo’s legacy by old circuit court nominee who refused a better life in the United States. naming the street in front of the Em- to say whether he thought Brown v. My father, born and raised in Cuba, bassy of Cuba, located right here in Board of Education was correctly de- fought in the revolution, initially be- Washington, as ‘‘Oswaldo Paya Way.’’ cided and who has described the Su- lieving that the principles of freedom It would send a powerful statement preme Court as ‘‘the most dangerous were what the revolution was all that here in the United States of Amer- branch.’’ about. He fought against Batista, a ica, we stand with freedom fighters

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Jul 20, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A19JY6.025 S19JYPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE July 19, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5095 like Oswaldo Paya who are working to He never acknowledged these tury of bipartisan protocol is going to bring hope and liberty to oppressed na- writings until they were uncovered and further drive the judiciary to the par- tions, who are working to make a bet- then posed a threat to his nomination. tisan extremes. ter Cuba, free of the horrors of Com- To this day, he has not fully recanted As we consider this nomination in a munist rule. the abhorrent views that are reflected few minutes, this means lights-out— I have never been to my father’s in that content. Five of the seven lights-out—for this important bipar- homeland. I have never been to Cuba. members of the bipartisan judicial se- tisan tradition. The nominee we will be My father has not returned to Cuba in lection committee, including the voting on concealed disturbing, intol- over 60 years. I look forward to one day Chair, said recently they would not erant writings from his past, mis- visiting Cuba, hopefully with my dad, have included Mr. Bounds among their leading the bipartisan committee that with my tia Sonia, my cousin Bibi, recommended candidates had they reviewed his candidacy. Moving his with my whole family, my two girls, known about the writings as he was nomination forward, in the face of that and seeing a free Cuba—where people vetted. information and without the blue slips can live according to their beliefs with- Our bipartisan committee forwarded from Senator MERKLEY and myself, de- out fear of imprisonment, violence, or Mr. Bounds’ name, along with others, stroys more than a century of bipar- oppression, but today is not that day. as part of this process, and they said if tisan tradition and certainly expands There are many, like Oswaldo, who Mr. Bounds had been straight with the power of the executive branch of have fought for this vision for a free them, he would have told them about the President. Cuba, who are no longer with us, but these offensive writings, but he misled What we learned earlier this week is their struggle will endure, and their them by keeping that secret. it would take only one U.S. Senator on spirits will shine a light through the The second issue, this is the first the other side—of all the people sitting darkest nights. We will never forget time in the 101-year history of what is over there, it would take only one to them, nor cease fighting to bring about called the blue-slip process where a stop this abomination of a process. I the free Cuba they died for. Today, and nomination moved forward without a hope one of my colleagues will be on July 22, and each day thereafter, blue slip from either home State Sen- swayed by the horrendous writings Mr. they will be remembered, ‘‘Viva Cuba ator. Senator MERKLEY and I withheld Bounds lied to conceal. libre.’’ our blue slips specifically because of This has been a sad moment for the I yield the floor. Senate and a rejection of the kind of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- what I described, these lies about omis- bipartisanship this body ought to bring ator from Oregon. sion. We didn’t consent to a hearing, a Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, soon, debate on the floor, but Chairman to judicial nominations, the kind of bi- the Senate will vote on the Ryan GRASSLEY and Majority Leader MCCON- partisanship I have been honored to be Bounds nomination, and I want to NELL barreled right ahead. part of in Oregon for two decades. I make sure each Member of the Senate Leader MCCONNELL even told the New urge my colleagues to vote no on the is aware of two important issues as York Times that blue slips ought to be Bounds nomination. they prepare to cast their votes on the viewed as nothing more than an indica- I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Bounds nomination to serve on the tion of how Senators might vote on a SASSE). The Senator from Michigan. Ninth Circuit. given nominee. That was not the tune First, Mr. Bounds flagrantly mis- Republicans were singing in 2009. FAST-GROWING STARTUP COMPANIES represented his background to our bi- Democrats then occupied the Oval Of- Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, when partisan Oregon judicial selection com- fice, held the gavel of the Judiciary you think about fast-growing startup mittee. This is the committee that was Committee, and every Member—every companies, you might think about Sil- tasked with vetting his nomination—a Member—of this body who sat on that icon Valley, Boston, or Boulder. process I have worked on with Repub- side of the Chamber in the Republican Though all these cities certainly have licans for literally two decades. I was conference sent a letter to President very vibrant ecosystems, innovative pleased to work with our former col- Obama and then-Chairman LEAHY say- startups and small businesses are league Senator Smith on this. I worked ing that the nomination’s process was launching and growing across the with the late Mark Hatfield on this. ‘‘needlessly acrimonious.’’ They want- United States, including in my home Now it is a pleasure to work with Sen- ed to return to an era of bipartisan- State of Michigan. ator MERKLEY, and the bipartisan ef- ship. Then, they said: In every State, there are hard-work- forts we have had produced this selec- We hope your Administration will consult ing entrepreneurs who have established tion, a process. Mr. Bounds misrepre- with us as it considers possible nominations job-creating startups. These dynamic sented—in my view, really lied—as he to the federal courts from our states. Regret- companies act as business leaders, covered up disturbing, intolerant fully, if we are not consulted on, and approve innovators, and job creators within our writings from his past. of, a nomination from our states, the Repub- communities. Among many hateful matters he lican Conference will be unable to support This is why I am working with Sen- moving forward to that nominee. wrote about, he defended homophobic ators WARREN, TILLIS, and SCOTT to vandals who damaged a gay pride In 2009, while in the minority, every- commemorate Startup Week Across monument. He argued against efforts one who sat on that side of the Cham- America and celebrate the ingenuity to protect the survivors of sexual as- ber rushed to defend blue slips as a and entrepreneurship in our States and sault on college campuses because, he statement of senatorial courtesy and across the country. I kicked off this wrote, he didn’t think that would guar- collegiality. What a difference a few annual event in 2013 while serving in antee absolute safety. years makes. the House of Representatives. In the As I indicated earlier, what outraged What is happening now cheapens the years since, I have had the privilege of me, and shocked me, was his compari- advice and consent role of the Senate, visiting startups in Grand Rapids, De- son of organizations that promote something delegated to us by the troit, and Traverse City. multiculturalism and tolerance in Founding Fathers. The White House I have met with business founders America to Nazi rallies. I am the child wants the Senate to act as a who code apps for Fortune 500 compa- of Jewish parents who fled Nazi terror rubberstamp on whatever nominees are nies, design and produce high-end jeans in Germany. Not all of our family got sent our way. The majority seems per- and other denim products, and grow out. My great Uncle Max was among fectly willing to go along with that. and deliver farm-fresh products. the last to be gassed at Auschwitz. For My colleagues on the other side need This Monday I visited Ferris Wheel, a Mr. Bounds to compare groups that lift to be aware of the new reality—this new coworking space in Flint, MI, a up minorities in America to Nazis is an new reality where the blue slips don’t community of hard-working extraordinary and dark stain on his matter—they are creating. This is Michiganders who are focused on their character. For him to have concealed going to be the end of the blue-slip future. these writings from Oregon’s bipar- process as it has worked in the Senate The people of Flint are committed to tisan selection committee is disquali- to promote good government on both building a stronger, healthier, more fying. sides of the aisle. This breach of a cen- prosperous community, and they are

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Jul 20, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G19JY6.023 S19JYPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE S5096 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 19, 2018 committed to doing it together. You The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- working to dismantle human traf- can see this in their schools and their ator from Iowa. ficking networks and protect our most churches and nonprofits, and you can IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT vulnerable. see this in their startups and small Mrs. ERNST. Mr. President, today I I urge my colleagues to reconsider businesses. rise to voice my support for the brave their objections and to support not One of the best parts about starting a men and women of America’s Immigra- only the resolution but to support business in Flint is 100K Ideas, a non- tion and Customs Enforcement, also those officers and personnel who carry profit staffed by university students known as ICE. Unfortunately, a resolu- out the vital mission of Immigration committed to helping entrepreneurs tion that would have shown this body’s and Customs Enforcement in order to start their companies. This group is unanimous support for these coura- ensure the safety and security of all named in honor of the 100,000 residents geous individuals was blocked. Americans. of Flint and inspired by the thought While the Border Patrol has the im- I suggest the absence of a quorum. that if they could pull one idea from portant mission of maintaining secu- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The every local resident, they could change rity at our borders, ICE agents have clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk proceeded to call the the world. the critical mission of enforcing immi- This week, I had the chance to learn roll. gration laws inside the United States. Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I ask about a few of these new ideas. I met These two work hand in hand. Our Na- unanimous consent that the order for Kiara Tyler, the founder of Kalm tion cannot have border security with- the quorum call be rescinded. Clothing. She moved the furniture out out enforcing our laws inside commu- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without of her apartment to make room for in- nities, and we cannot have secure com- objection, it is so ordered. ventory and stocked boxes of overalls munities without enforcing our laws at TRUMP-PUTIN SUMMIT and track suits where her couch used our borders. Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I rise to be, while using her car as the com- The critical mission of ICE goes far today to discuss what is on so many pany’s headquarters. Now Kiara has beyond just immigration enforcement. Americans’ minds today and the last done over $100,000 worth of business. These folks are on the frontlines of our couple of days—President Trump’s re- She is selling her clothing online, and homeland security. cent trip to Europe, his meeting with she has space for her office and inven- Here is just a short list of the types Vladimir Putin, and his comments tory at Ferris Wheel. Flint is her of activities ICE is involved in: one, in- about Russia’s interference in our elec- home, and she is excited to stay and to vestigating and combating drug smug- tions. build her business in Michigan. gling, pretty important; stopping So many Pennsylvanians—and I am I learned about Article One Eyewear, human trafficking; preventing gang-re- sure this is true in every other State— a company that has taken on office lated crimes; and working with other have called or written to our office this space next door to her. They sell law enforcement entities to stop crimi- week in complete disbelief asking: handcrafted eyeglasses and donate a nal and terrorist networks from oper- What is next? Where do we go from portion of their proceeds to combat vi- ating. here? tamin A deficiency and to fight blind- Iowa, along with the rest of the coun- These are good questions. They are ness in developing nations. try, has been gripped by an opioid cri- critically important questions. I also met with SkyPoint Ventures, a sis that puts our people and our safety This President’s views on Russia’s true homegrown Michigan story. While at risk. Additionally, we continue to past actions and the way forward have they are a for-profit investment fund, have a very grave methamphetamine seemed to change every day this week. they have also committed to social issue that threatens the core of many Rather than focus on the news cycle benefit projects and making Flint a of our already struggling rural commu- following the Helsinki summit, I want better place to live and to do business. nities. to take a minute to review where In addition to investing in companies We need ICE to help stop the flow of things stood before—before—the Presi- like Article One, SkyPoint renovated these drugs into Iowa’s communities, dent went to Europe. the Ferris Building to create the Ferris our schools, our workplaces, and to our Relations between the United States Wheel coworking space and commit to children and our families. In 2017 alone, and Russia have been deteriorating for the growing community of startups in ICE enforcement and removal oper- some time. We know that. The Russian the city of Flint. ations seized nearly 1 million pounds of Federation is clearly and unequivo- Successful business growth comes narcotics—1 million pounds of nar- cally our adversary. Vladimir Putin en- down to matching talent to capital, cotics seized by ICE. Abolishing ICE visions a world more closely resem- and the United States does this better would turn the flow of illegal drugs bling the Cold War era, certainly, than than any other country in the world. I across the border from a stream into a compared to today’s realities, and he am proud to say that I had a chance to monsoon. works toward a resurgence of Russian see this happening firsthand in Flint I also implore anyone challenging the power and influence every day. and across the State of Michigan. need for ICE to look at the horrendous Just take a few examples. Russia at- Michigan, in fact, has one of the fast- toll of human trafficking: young and tacked, annexed, and continues to ille- est growing venture capital commu- innocent women and men, boys and gally occupy Crimea. Russian-backed nities in the entire Nation, a critical girls used as human pawns, smuggled forces continue to violate cease-fire asset that will help us become the across the border with hopes of a better agreements in Ukraine and destabilize startup capital of the Midwest. We life, forced into prostitution or worse— other parts of that country, preventing have world-class colleges and univer- raped, beaten, subjected to sexual dis- the Ukrainian people from fulfilling sities, more engineers per capita than eases and stripped of all innocence and their dream of a secure and prosperous any other part of the country, and the dignity. nation. infrastructure to export not just na- Sadly, human trafficking is a major Russia is backing and enabling the tionally but global as well. issue in Iowa. In 2016, for instance, Des murderous Assad regime in Syria. The I know that if we keep pulling to- Moines was identified as one of the conflict has emboldened terrorist gether as a community and harness country’s top 100 human trafficking lo- groups, had dramatic humanitarian im- 100,000 ideas and beyond, Flint’s future cations. That information came to us pacts, and has threatened the region’s is bright. I know that Michigan’s small from our good friends at Polaris, which stability. As many as a half million businesses and startups will help to is an anti-trafficking organization. people have been killed, and half the lead the way to new innovations that Human traffickers often exploit our country has been displaced. will revolutionize our economy. immigration laws to transport their Just imagine if half of our popu- I am committed to ensuring that our victims, and our ICE agents are the lation, say 150 million people, were dis- growing startup communities will be a ones who help to stop them and to stop placed from their homes, sometimes to fixture of creativity, innovation, and their illicit activities. another part of the country and some- job creation for decades to come. Every day, 24/7, 365 days a year, ICE times to a completely different coun- I yield the floor. agents are on the frontlines. They are try. That is the reality in Syria since

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Jul 20, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G19JY6.025 S19JYPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE July 19, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5097 2011, and Russia has prolonged and ex- with a history of interrogating and tor- bilizing actions. Finally, we should in- acerbated the Syrian people’s suffering turing political opponents—that is not sist that the administration answer the for its own power projection. only insulting to our values, it is dan- questions so many of us have about No. 4, Russia is also developing a gerous and it is wrong. That is not what happened in that room in Hel- stronger relationship with the Iranian America. No official in our govern- sinki and what they plan to do to regime and is reportedly considering ment—of any branch of government— counter Russia and protect our na- arms sales and boosting their economic should support that. If the administra- tional security interests. relationship. This threatens not only tion tries it, the Congress should take We are in uncharted waters in terms our national security interests in the every effort to stop them from doing of the actions of the President. His ac- Middle East but also those security in- that. tions the last 2 weeks have made us terests of our staunchest ally, Israel. The Russian threat is serious and less safe. I will say it again—less safe. Finally, Russia continues to have a persistent. It isn’t solved by one meet- He must take decisive action to guar- substantial nuclear arsenal. It has vio- ing and a press conference. It will take antee our security by confronting ma- lated the INF Treaty, and according to sustained commitment from the na- lign Russian aggression against the the Defense Department, is developing tional security professionals across our United States and our NATO allies and low-yield, nonstrategic nuclear weap- government, and it will take real vi- partners. At the same time, Congress, ons that could threaten our allies and sion and leadership from the President both parties, both Houses, must act to partners. and his Cabinet. I do not object to protect our security and make it clear Russia uses any number of tools, meeting with an adversary, nor does to the President that this branch of from manipulation of the energy sup- anyone. That is part of the job of being government will continue to discharge ply to arms sales, to loans and aid to President. Instead, what I am con- its constitutional duties. promote its brand of corrupt authori- cerned about, what a lot of Americans I yield the floor. tarian governance around the world. It are concerned about, is this President’s The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- also employs nefarious means like conduct during and after that meeting, ator from North Carolina. hacking, espionage, and sowing false especially his unwillingness to say Mr. TILLIS. Thank you, Mr. Presi- information to meddle in the most fun- without reservation or caveat that dent. I would like to acknowledge that the damental parts of our great democ- Russia was responsible for hacking our Senator from Pennsylvania has made a racy—our elections and, of course, elections in 2016 and continues to med- number of good points on the subject of those of other countries. dle in our democratic process. This Russia and the way we need to go with I don’t think it is wrong for a United isn’t a political judgment; it is the Russia. States President to meet with a hostile judgment of our intelligence and law People have asked me about what I foreign leader. That is part of the job. enforcement experts, and it led to the think about Mr. Putin and whether he What is dead wrong is to sit across indictment of 12 Russian military in- is trustworthy, and I tell them no. The from a hostile foreign leader, one on telligence hackers this past Friday. way that I know he is misleading the one, with no notes, no staff, and to fail Director of National Intelligence Dan public on the issues of meddling is be- completely—completely—at your core Coats reaffirmed this judgment just cause his lips are moving. He is not mission, your job, which is protecting this week, saying: just telling the truth. Any time he the national security interests of the The role of the Intelligence Community is talks about it, it just flies in the face American people. to provide the best information and fact- of Federal investigations, oversight based assessments possible for the President To many people, it might seem odd hearings, and classified briefings we to be focused on who was or wasn’t in and policymakers. We have been clear in our assessments of Russian meddling in the 2016 have been involved in. I think it is an the room or whether any notes were example of where Members of Congress taken, but without them, there is abso- election and their ongoing, pervasive efforts to undermine our democracy, and we will have really come together on an issue. lutely no accountability for what was continue to provide unvarnished and objec- KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER AND ENFORCE THE said. We hear that the Russian mili- tive intelligence in support of our national LAW ACT tary—let me say that again—the Rus- security. Mr. President, now I would like to sian military is ready to start imple- So said the Director of National In- talk about another issue that I would menting the agreements reached be- telligence, Dan Coats. like Members of Congress to come to- tween President Trump and Vladimir Why can’t the President say this and gether on, and it is called the Keeping Putin in that room. say it repeatedly, that he agrees with Families Together and Enforce the We have to ask the President of the their assessment and is working to Law Act. United States, what agreements? What stop Russia from doing it again? You have heard a lot of reports re- did you agree to in that room? What My constituents, like so many Amer- cently about children being separated did the leader of our Nation agree to icans, were right to ask: Where do we from their families at the border, and that the Russian military is so eager to go from here? There is no playbook for the administration has taken a posi- start implementing? this scenario. tion, in part prompted by lawsuits, and Further, there seems to have been I believe we must act in a bipartisan we can debate whether the administra- some discussion between President fashion to make clear to Russia that tion should fix this problem through an Trump and Vladimir Putin about the the U.S. Congress will not stand for Executive order, but how about this. Russian Government’s interest in in- continued interference in our elections Why doesn’t Congress act to provide terrogating U.S. citizens, like former and will work to counter them on other long-term certainty through an act of Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul. fronts. Congress to make absolutely certain Yesterday, we heard the White House First, we should enact new legisla- that children who cross the border with say the President was giving that ab- tion to levy sanctions on Russian enti- their families can be kept with their surd proposal serious consideration. Of ties responsible for this malicious be- families while we are trying to deter- course Putin wants to question Ambas- havior and demand the administration mine in a court whether that family sador McFaul. He is an expert on Rus- fully implement legislation that was has a legitimate claim to asylum? sia who served our country honorably passed with an overwhelming bipar- It sounds fairly simple. In fact, it is as Ambassador and as a public servant. tisan majority last year. No. 2, we pretty simple. I met with Senators He stood up to Russian aggression and must pass legislation to protect the FEINSTEIN, Senator DURBIN, and Sen- promoted U.S. national security inter- special counsel and to shine a bright ator CRUZ. We sat down, and we dis- ests, especially when they contradicted light on the dark money in politics. cussed a way to actually get this into Moscow’s agenda. No. 3, we must fully fund State and law. We all agreed it needs to be very The idea that we would entertain municipal efforts to shore up our elec- narrowly focused. handing over an American citizen to an toral systems. No. 4, we must speak out The problem with immigration authoritarian Russian Government in support of our alliances. Many of our around here and the immigration sub- with no rule of law and no history of closest international partners are right ject is it gets really big and really com- treating people fairly—and, of course, on the frontlines of Russia’s desta- plex really quickly. What happens with

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Jul 20, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G19JY6.026 S19JYPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE S5098 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 19, 2018 big and complex on Capitol Hill is separated from the parents. This gives Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I nothing gets done. the parents the choice. If they want ask unanimous consent that the order So the bill we propose is very simple. the children with them while they are for the quorum call be rescinded. Fix the issues in the law, clarify the going through the legal process, then The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. process so we can actually make abso- they can have that. If they choose to PERDUE). Without objection, it is so or- lutely certain that minor children can have the child placed with a family dered. stay with their parents while their asy- member or a guardian, then they can Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I lum claims are being considered. have that too. ask unanimous consent that the order We have had agreement on virtually One of the things that I think we for the Bounds nomination be vitiated. everything. We have agreed that fami- have to talk more about is the danger The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there lies should be kept together. We have of just randomly placing children with objection? agreed that we need more judges so we a parent or guardian who comes across Without objection, it is so ordered. can reduce the background. We agreed the border. We have several cases Mr. MCCONNELL. For the informa- we need more attorneys to participate where in our system there is no way we tion of all Senators, the nomination in the process—basically a 2-to-1 ratio would place the child with some of the will be withdrawn. between a new judge and new attorneys people they are coming across the bor- I suggest the absence of a quorum. to support the legal process. We agreed der with. They have been convicted for The PRESIDING OFFICER. The on minimum standards for housing so a variety of things: child neglect, child clerk will call the roll. we make sure we are keeping these abuse, drug trafficking. All sorts of The senior assistant legislative clerk families in a place that we think are things that would have an American proceeded to call the roll. appropriate. citizen’s child removed from their fam- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask Some people may come to the floor ily are the same sort of standards we unanimous consent that the order for and say we are going to stand up tent want for a child coming across the bor- the quorum call be rescinded. cities and subject people to harsh con- der. Of course, we want to make sure The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ditions. We don’t want to do that. As a the parent who says they are their par- objection, it is so ordered. ent or guardian really is. matter of fact, we feel so strongly ORDER OF PROCEDURE So in this body, there are few oppor- about it that we are putting forth spe- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask cific requirements for housing. So we tunities where you can narrowly tailor a policy to a point to where only the unanimous consent that the Senate are addressing the judge constraint, we proceed to the consideration of S. Res. are addressing the lawyer constraint, most partisan or unreasonable person wouldn’t support it. This is one of 584 as under the previous order and we are addressing specific standards for that I then be permitted to speak brief- keeping families together. them. We can get this bill passed, sent to the President’s desk, and provide ly about it. We can actually pass this in a heart- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there beat. We can do it on the Senate floor, certainty—a compassionate, appro- priate method for dealing with what objection? and we can do it through what is called Without objection, it is so ordered. unanimous consent. Allow somebody to are now hundreds of thousands of peo- come down here, put a bill forward, and ple who have come across the border— f get it passed. Give those children and to children with their parents. Treat LEGISLATIVE SESSION parents certainty. them fairly, treat them justly, and The fact is, some of them are going have them processed in what I believe to apply for asylum and will not have is the greatest judicial system that has EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE a legitimate case. Others will, but we ever existed. SENATE AGAINST THE MAKING have proposed a bill that will prevent It is on us to solve this problem. Any- AVAILABLE OF CURRENT AND any sort of lengthy detention. As a body who comes down here and says, FORMER DIPLOMATS, OFFICIALS, matter of fact, if this bill gets passed, well, no, I have to talk about DACA, AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED the average case with a family would which is something I support, a path to FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES be prioritized. If you have an asylum citizenship or I want to talk about bor- FOR QUESTIONING BY THE GOV- request and you are with children, we der security, which I also support—yes, ERNMENT OF VLADIMIR PUTIN let’s talk about that, but let’s not hold want to keep you together and get it at The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under these children and these families hos- the front of the docket so you can get tage for other immigration matters. the previous order, the Senate will re- certainty fairly quickly—over 40 to 60 This body should have the backbone to sume legislative session to consider the days, but we have a constraint we have deal with the political challenges that following resolution, which the clerk to get past. It has to do with a court may come from their own party and do will report. ruling called the Flores case, where if the right thing—the next time. The senior assistant legislative clerk we don’t narrowly tailor the language This time, let’s solve the separation read as follows: to say, if a child—if a minor comes of children from their parents. Let’s A resolution (S. Res. 584) expressing the across the border with their parents, stop playing the political games that sense of the Senate against the making then they will be allowed to be kept make for great fodder, but they are not available of current and former diplomats, with their parents in appropriate hous- compassionate, they are not a part of officials, and members of the Armed Forces ing until such time as their asylum re- of the United States for questioning by the the solution. I hope we have enough government of Vladimir Putin. quest has been heard before a court of Members to become a part of the solu- Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to law. It is not getting rid of Flores. You tion. Next week, we will be talking consider the resolution. have some people here saying we want more about this and possibly through The PRESIDING OFFICER. The to completely eliminate the case. That unanimous consent. is not the case. I want somebody to come down to Democratic leader. We don’t want children coming this floor and explain to me why it is a Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I am across the border who don’t have par- bad idea. I want them to explain it to hopeful that we will come together on ents with them to be retained in per- the American people, but, out of re- this resolution, which I introduced petuity or indefinite detention, as it is spect for the Senate, we will not offer with the Senator from New Jersey and referred to down there. That is what a unanimous consent request today, the Senator from Hawaii, that it is nei- Flores does. So if a child comes across but you can be pretty sure we will next ther the policy nor the practice of the the border, and they don’t have a par- week. United States to submit our citizens, ent with them, then after 20 days, they I yield the floor. let alone our Ambassadors, to the in- have to be placed somewhere other I suggest the absence of a quorum. terrogation of a foreign adversary. than detention. That is a good policy. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Let this resolution be a warning to If you have a situation where Flores clerk will call the roll. the administration that Congress will stands the way that it is, then the law The bill clerk proceeded to call the not allow this to happen. I call on specifically requires the child to be roll. President Trump to say once and for

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