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E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 115 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION Vol. 164 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2018 No. 97 Senate The Senate met at 10:03 a.m. and was appoint the Honorable MITCH MCCONNELL, a that it will begin a process that leads called to order by the Honorable MITCH Senator from the Commonwealth of Ken- to a historic peace. MCCONNELL, a Senator from the Com- tucky, to perform the duties of the Chair. monwealth of Kentucky. ORRIN G. HATCH, f President pro tempore. f f NATIONAL DEFENSE PRAYER RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY AUTHORIZATION BILL The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- LEADER Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, fered the following prayer: The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- on a related matter, history clearly Let us pray. jority leader is recognized. shows us that skillful diplomacy, glob- Holy One, Uncreated Creator, Light al peace, and a stronger American mili- of Light, we praise Your Holy Name. f tary are in no way opposed to one an- Lord, You are the joy and strength of TRUMP-KIM SUMMIT other—quite the opposite. These com- our lives. You can remove all pain, Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, ponents of America’s strength are com- misery, and strife. just a few hours ago, President Trump, plementary. Be for our lawmakers a source of Secretary of State Pompeo, National As President Reagan explained, truth. May they view pressing issues in Security Advisor Bolton, and the rest ‘‘Peace does not exist of its own will. It the light of Your precepts, embracing of the American delegation concluded depends on us, on our courage to build Your wisdom and power. Give them a their summit meeting with North Ko- it and guard it and pass it on to future passion for compassion and joy, as they rean officials. generations.’’ Yesterday afternoon, the remember Your desire that they live This was a historic first step in an Senate took a step toward doing just abundantly. important negotiation. In the words of that by turning to the John S. McCain Continue to shine in all of our hearts, the joint statement agreed to by the 2019 National Defense Authorization so that neither the shadow of doubt nor United States and North Korea, both Act. the shadow of death can blind us to the sides have committed to pursuing a This legislation builds on the land- light of Your great love. lasting and robust peace regime and mark bipartisan budget agreement We pray in Your sacred Name. Amen. complete—complete—denuclearization Congress and the President reached f of the Korean Peninsula. earlier this year. That deal established the outlines for the largest year-on- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The next steps in the negotiation will test whether we can get to a verifiable year increase in funding for American The Presiding Officer led the Pledge deal that enhances the security of Armed Forces in 15 years. Now this of Allegiance, as follows: Northeast Asia, our allies, and, of NDAA will authorize the use of those I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the course, the United States. resources for the priorities that matter United States of America, and to the Repub- Resolving this 61-year-old inter- most to the men and women who serve lic for which it stands, one nation under God, national challenge will take a great our country and to their commanders indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. deal of hard work. As President Trump who plan for the future. f explained a few hours ago, ‘‘Today is The legislation will equip our All- APPOINTMENT OF ACTING the beginning of the arduous process. Volunteer Force to meet a variety of PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE Our eyes are wide open.’’ challenges abroad, but its impact will The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. I support the goals contained in the also be felt right here at home, where joint statement, and I remain sup- servicemembers will receive more top- HYDE-SMITH). The clerk will please read a communication to the Senate portive of the administration’s stated notch training and expanded support from the President pro tempore (Mr. position as Secretary Pompeo has reit- services for themselves and for their erated: The goal of the United States is families. HATCH). The senior assistant legislative clerk the ‘‘complete, verifiable, and irrevers- The 2019 NDAA includes a pay raise read the following letter: ible denuclearization of the Korean pe- for all Active-Duty personnel—the ninsula.’’ If North Korea does not prove largest such increase in nearly a dec- U.S. SENATE, willing to follow through, we and our ade. It directs billions in new funding PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, Washington, DC, June 12, 2018. allies must be prepared to restore the to the construction of new family hous- To the Senate: policy of maximum pressure. ing and on-base support infrastructure. Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, Today, I congratulate the President It expands resources for child and of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby on this major step and share his hope health services as well. ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. S3729 . VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:30 Jun 13, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A12JN6.000 S12JNPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S3730 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 12, 2018 I know each of my colleagues can tes- On Christmas Eve last year, the sen- gressional review of certain regulations tify to the important roles military in- ior Senator from Montana took to the issued by the Committee on Foreign Invest- stallations play in communities all Bozeman Daily Chronicle with a piece ment in the United States. across our country. My fellow Ken- titled ‘‘Tax bill a disastrous plan, fails Reed/Warren amendment No. 2756 (to amendment No. 2700), to require the author- tuckians and I take great pride in Fort Montana and our future.’’ Quite a pro- ization of appropriation of amounts for the Campbell, Fort Knox, and the Blue nouncement. It reminded me of the development of new or modified nuclear Grass Army Depot. We are proud that Democratic leader of the House. She weapons. Kentucky is home base to many out- said our plan to give tax cuts to mid- Lee amendment No. 2366 (to the language standing units, such as the 101st Air- dle-class families and businesses would proposed to be stricken by amendment No. borne Division and those of Kentucky’s bring about ‘‘Armageddon.’’ Armaged- 2282), to clarify that an authorization to use Air and Army National Guard units. don. military force, a declaration of war, or any In our State, as in every State, the How are these prognostications hold- similar authority does not authorize the de- tention without charge or trial of a citizen military’s presence anchors entire ing up? The new Tax Code is causing or lawful permanent resident of the United communities and offers a constant re- Northwestern Energy to pass along States. minder of the sacrifices that keep us millions of dollars in savings to Mon- Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, safe. It is our responsibility to support tana utility customers. My friend Sen- I suggest the absence of a quorum. them. I look forward to delivering that ator DAINES recently shared what tax The PRESIDING OFFICER. The support when the Senate votes on the reform already means to Montana clerk will call the roll. NDAA later this week. small business owners. In Chester, at The senior assistant legislative clerk f Stricks Ag, it means bonuses of nearly proceeded to call the roll. $1,000 for each employee. In Missoula, WISHING LARRY KUDLOW A Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I at Big Sky Brewing, it means worker SPEEDY RECOVERY ask unanimous consent that the order bonuses and money to purchase new for the quorum call be rescinded. Mr. MCCONNELL. Now, Madam equipment. The same goes for Cabinet The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without President, on another matter, I want to Mountain Brewing in Libby. Over in objection, it is so ordered. share the Senate’s warmest wishes for Thompson Falls, tax reform gave RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER a speedy recovery for Larry Kudlow, Thompson River Lumber the breathing The Democratic leader is recognized. the Director of the National Economic room to buy their first new forklift in Council and Assistant to the President, 19 years. CONGRATULATING MITCH MCCONNELL AS THE LONGEST SERVING SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER who is currently recovering at Walter These are the workers and job cre- Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, Reed from what we are told was a ators whom Senator DAINES bet on before I begin my remarks, I wish to small heart attack. Larry is not just a when he voted for tax reform and congratulate our Republican leader on famously happy warrior for pro- helped make all of this possible. He becoming the longest serving Repub- growth, pro-opportunity economics; he voted for Montanans to send less to the lican leader in the Senate. My friend is also widely regarded as really one of IRS and keep more of their own hard- Leader MCCONNELL reached that mile- the best guys in Washington. We hope earned money to save or invest as they stone today. he gets well soon. see fit. It is too bad their senior Sen- It is no secret we disagree on a whole ator took the opposite approach and f lot of issues, both political and philo- tried to block these tax cuts from hap- TAX REFORM sophical, but that doesn’t mean we pening, let alone that Democratic lead- can’t or don’t work together or that I Mr.