E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 115 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

Vol. 163 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017 No. 188 Senate The Senate met at 9:30 a.m. and was O God, You have brought us to this RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY called to order by the Honorable LU- critical moment. Let us not lean on LEADER THER STRANGE, a Senator from the our own understanding, but help us, O The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- State of Alabama. God, to let Your Spirit take the reins pore. The majority leader is recog- f of our hearts and minds. Make us more nized. innovative and less reactive. Let the PRAYER creative genius that is part of the f The PRESIDING OFFICER. Today’s American fabric take over the urban TAX REFORM opening prayer will be offered by Rev. and rural American landscape. We pray Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, Adrian Brooks, senior pastor at Memo- now, O God, that the diversity and in- during the past decade, many in the rial Baptist Church in Evansville, IN. clusion of people and ideas become our middle class struggled to make ends The guest Chaplain offered the fol- strength and not our wedge. meet. The economy was sluggish, pay- lowing prayer: Now, Lord, help us to live by our checks were often stagnant, and jobs Let us pray. faith and not by our fears. Help us to for many were too hard to find—per- O God, we first thank You for an- face the future with a trust in You and haps not on the coasts, where the well- other day of life. We thank You for an- confidence in America’s bright, glad to-do were able to flourish under the other chance to bring joy and oppor- tomorrow. Lord, we know that if we Obama economy—but in middle Amer- tunity to someone else’s journey. Lord, trust You, our best days as a nation are ica, in States like Kentucky, the pain guide these public servants within the waiting on us. was real. United States Senate. Please lead them It is in Your powerful and majestic Hard-working families across the as they lead us to a better and more Name that we pray. Amen. country deserved better. They continue peaceful landscape. Create, O God, f to deserve an economy that reaches for within all of us, the zeal to make our PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE its true potential, one in which more communities around this country more Americans can find a good job to sup- stable. Remove from us any personal The Presiding Officer led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: port their families and achieve the animosity that might prevent us from American dream. acting as my brother and sister’s keep- I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Repub- So now this is our chance to set a er. We ask Your healing on those Mem- lic for which it stands, one nation under God, new course. This is our opportunity to bers of this legislative body who are in- indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. jump-start the economy and boost job jured or sick. f growth. Passing tax reform is the sin- We ask, O Lord, that You would ex- gle most important thing we can do tend comfort and peace to those fami- APPOINTMENT OF ACTING right now to support those left behind lies who have been affected by the trag- PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE by the Obama economy. edy in Sutherland Springs, TX. Even in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Though obvious, it is worth repeat- the midst of this tragedy, we thank clerk will please read a communication ing: Our Nation’s Tax Code is broken. You, O God, that those 26 fellow so- to the Senate from the President pro First, the rates are too high. Ameri- journers are in Your loving presence, a tempore (Mr. HATCH). cans are sending too much of their celestial place where the wicked cease The legislative clerk read the fol- hard-earned money to Uncle Sam. Sec- from troubling and the weary always lowing letter: ond, the structure is too complicated find rest. U.S. SENATE, for most Americans to understand, and Lord, bless our President. Give him, PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, it is too easy for the wealthy and well- O God, the wisdom and insight to move Washington, DC, November 16, 2017. connected to exploit. Third, the incen- us toward a more unified and loving To the Senate: tives are often outdated or simply Union. May we become, O God, more Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby make no sense at all—like those that united in the things that bring us to- appoint the Honorable LUTHER STRANGE, a actually encourage American jobs and gether and reject the smaller things Senator from the State of Alabama, to per- companies to move overseas. That is that drive us apart. Help us to catch form the duties of the Chair. bad for our country, bad for the middle the spirit of those who wrote the Dec- ORRIN G. HATCH, class, and bad for small business. laration of Independence. They knew President pro tempore. In my home State of Kentucky, a then, and we know now, that this was Mr. STRANGE thereupon assumed small business CEO wrote a column in something splendid and august and the Chair as Acting President pro tem- a publication about her experiences powerful. pore. with our broken tax system, calling for

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

S7269

.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.000 S16NOPT1 S7270 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 tax reform to fix it. Here is what she sources, this bill can help grow our consent that, notwithstanding rule said: economy, support high-paying jobs, XXII, the Senate proceed to the imme- The federal government takes too much. and strengthen our national security. I diate consideration of H.R. 4374, which Our small businesses—which according to look forward to promoting American was received from the House. I further the U.S. Small Business Administration energy independence through this leg- ask consent that the bill be considered total 96.5 percent of Kentucky’s employers— islation. read a third time and passed, and the often face the greatest tax burden. f motion to reconsider be considered This Kentuckian continued: made and laid upon the table; further, NOMINATIONS If we want better lives for the nearly that at a time to be determined be- 700,000 employees across the Mr. MCCONNELL. On another mat- tween the majority leader and the [C]ommonwealth who work for small enter- ter, today, the Senate will continue to Democratic leader, the Chair lay before prises, we must lift this weight off their fulfill its important responsibility of the Senate the conference report to ac- backs. providing advice and consent on Presi- company H.R. 2810, and the Senate vote Small businesses deserve a tax code dent Trump’s nominations. So far this on the adoption of the conference re- that works for them. Middle-class fam- week, we have confirmed talented indi- port with no intervening action or de- ilies and individuals deserve the same. viduals to important positions in the bate. That is why we are working so hard to Departments of Transportation, Labor, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- enact tax reform. Over in the Senate and Defense. pore. Without objection, it is so or- Finance Committee, Chairman HATCH Yesterday, the Senate advanced the dered. has laid down a tax reform proposal nomination of Joseph Otting to serve The bill (H.R. 4374) to amend the Fed- that is premised on a single idea; that as Comptroller of the Currency. Mr. eral Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to we should take more money out of Otting’s experience as a leader in var- authorize additional emergency uses Washington’s pockets and put more ious financial agencies has helped pre- for medical products to reduce deaths money in the pockets of the middle pare him to serve in this new role. I and severity of injuries caused by class. look forward to voting to confirm him agents of war, and for other purposes, It cuts taxes for middle-class fami- later today. was considered, ordered to a third read- Next, the Senate will consider two lies. It doubles the child tax credit. ing, read the third time, and passed. well-qualified nominees to serve on This plan does a lot of things, includ- f ing providing relief for businesses so Federal district courts. Donald Coggins they can create more jobs here in and Dabney Friedrich both have the ex- EXECUTIVE CALENDER—Continued perience and temperament to excel as America and then keep them here. The RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER Nation’s leading small business advo- judges. Both of these individuals have The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- cacy organization endorsed this legis- stellar legal credentials. Their careers pore. The Democratic leader is recog- lation, saying that it ‘‘will provide demonstrate a serious commitment to nized. the law, and by confirming them both, much needed tax relief to enable small REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN the Senate will continue to ensure the businesses to grow and create jobs.’’ Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, as the Federal judiciary fulfills its particular There is another important provision Senate Finance Committee continues of the Finance Committee’s tax reform role in our constitutional system. I would like to thank Chairman to mark up the Senate Republican tax proposal as well. It will deliver relief to GRASSLEY for his leadership of the Sen- bill, the House will take a vote this low- and moderate-income families by ate Judiciary Committee, which re- afternoon on their version of the bill. repealing ObamaCare’s individual man- ported both of these nominees on a There are plenty of reasons for House date tax. In other words, we can deliver voice vote. I look forward to advancing Republicans to vote against this bill. even more relief to the middle class by their nominations very soon. For those who care about deficits, you repealing an unpopular tax from an un- should vote no because the bill in- workable law. It just makes sense. f creases deficits by over $1.5 trillion, I would like to once again thank RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME likely more. Any deficit hawk should Chairman HATCH for his commitment The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- be against this increase. to an open process and regular order. pore. Under the previous order, the Any defense hawk should be wary of The Finance Committee will report a leadership time is reserved. this bill for the same reason. High defi- bill soon. Before it does, however, it f cits make it harder to fund important will continue to consider a number of priorities like the military. This morn- amendments from both sides of the CONCLUSION OF MORNING ing, three former Defense Secretaries— aisle. In fact, the chairman’s modified BUSINESS Leon Panetta, Chuck Hagel, and Ash mark already incorporated amend- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Carter—penned a letter warning that ments from both Republican and pore. Morning business is closed. the Republican tax plan could result, Democratic members of the com- f in their words, in a ‘‘hollowed-out mili- mittee. tary force’’ wracked by cuts to train- EXECUTIVE SESSION I look forward to the Finance Com- ing, maintenance, flight missions, and mittee completing its work on this cru- other vital military programs. cial legislation very soon. As it does, EXECUTIVE CALENDAR I spoke to General Mattis yesterday. our colleagues in the House will con- He is definitely afraid of a CR because The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- tinue working on their own tax reform pore. Under the previous order, the a CR is at sequestration levels. If we legislation. I commend Chairman Senate will proceed to executive ses- pass this tax bill with its huge deficit, BRADY and the members of the Ways sion and resume consideration of the we will have no choice but to go back and Means Committee for their efforts. Otting nomination, which the clerk to sequestration, and the fears of our I look forward to the full House passing will report. defense leaders that they cannot fund their bill. The legislative clerk read the nomi- the military adequately will be very Once both Chambers pass their tax nation of Joseph Otting, of Nevada, to real. So my shout-out is to all of those reform bills, we will keep working to- be Comptroller of the Currency for a who care about defense, particularly gether to get a bill to President term of five years. our defense hawks: If you vote for this Trump’s desk for his signature. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- bill, you are going to be voting for a I am also grateful to Chairman MUR- pore. The majority leader. ‘‘hollowed out military force,’’ as three KOWSKI and members of the Senate En- f former defense secretaries have written ergy and Natural Resources Committee to us this morning. for reporting bipartisan legislation yes- AMENDING THE FEDERAL FOOD, For those House Republicans who terday to secure our Nation’s energy DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT represent middle and upper class subur- future. By further exploring the re- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, as ban districts, you should vote no be- sponsible development of Alaska’s re- in legislative session, I ask unanimous cause this bill will raise taxes on a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.002 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7271 high number of your constituents. work, people should become wealthy, to our Democratic caucus and to the Members of Congress from New York, but they don’t need a tax break. Senate as a whole, but there is no New Jersey, Washington, Pennsyl- At the same time, middle-class fami- doubt that the Dreamers are at the top vania, Illinois, and Virginia know that lies have muddled along. Median in- of his list. They are near and dear to State and local deductibility is crucial come has barely nudged up in three his heart. He is one of the chief archi- to working families in their districts. decades. The costs of college, tects of DACA and has labored on their Today, House Republicans in many dis- healthcare, prescription drugs, cable, behalf for as long as I can remember. tricts will take a vote to raise taxes on and the internet have skyrocketed as Every Dreamer should thank Senator their constituents. And the com- corporations have consolidated in their DURBIN. He is their sponsor, their promise—the first three-quarters of the industries, reducing competition and champion, and their staunchest advo- break is rescinded even with the com- driving up prices. cate. promise over in the House, but, second, For the middle-class families in the This morning I would like to join the Senate, so desperate for money, has suburbs, for the working parent in the him in recognizing the contributions of not even included the compromise city, for the young millennials just set- a Dreamer in my State—a reminder of here. You can be sure when it comes ting off into the workforce after col- the glaring need to pass the Dream back, that compromise will not be in lege, for the single mom raising two Act, since President Trump so mis- the bill—certainly not as generous as it children, it is about as hard as ever to guidedly terminated the program a few is now. It was not very generous to balance your income with ever-rising months ago. begin with. costs. In such an economy, tax reform Zuleima Dominguez is a DACA re- According to the New York Times, could really matter to those folks, but cipient who lives in the Bronx. Zuleima the House bill would raise taxes on a only if it is done right. was brought to the United States from third of middle-class taxpayers next Instead of focusing all their efforts Mexico when she was 7 years old. She year and almost half by 2027. The rich, on improving the condition of those has grown up in the United States and meanwhile, will do just fine. working Americans, Republicans have has gone to school here; she went to The Senate bill, similarly, would directed the lion’s share of the benefits her first dance in the United States raise taxes on 20 million middle-class to the already wealthy, the already and knows no other country as her Americans by 2027. Meanwhile, folks powerful—corporate America and the home. Like so many other Americans, making over $1 million will get an av- very rich. Zuleima is working her way through erage cut of $50,000. People say: Well, There is perhaps no better example college—Hunter College, part of City they have more money; they should get than President Trump and his family, University on the Upper East Side—but a bigger tax cut. No. The wealthy are for whom this bill would be an express because of her legal status, she has doing great. They don’t need any tax mail gift from Heaven: Repealing the been unable to access enough help to cut. Give the money to the middle estate tax, they have a big one; repeal- afford her tuition. So what does class. ing the alternative minimum tax—the Zuleima do? She works 45 hours a week The number of middle-class families Trumps pay a lot of alternative min- at a homeless shelter, giving back to who would lose money from this bill imum tax; dropping the rate on pass- her fellow New Yorkers while saving up may even be higher now, considering through entities like the Trump Orga- for her next semester. nization, a huge tax break for Donald the 10-percent increase in premiums She is studying to be a social worker. that will occur as a result of the Re- Trump. Isn’t Zuleima what we hope an Amer- So scrapping middle-class deductions publican plan to repeal the individual ican citizen would be like? Wouldn’t we while maintaining loopholes for real mandate. That 10-percent increase in all be proud to call her our neighbor, estate businesses, golf course owners— health premiums could more than wipe our friend, our daughter? out the tax cuts received by some folks who do you think came up with this She is someone who works hard and in the middle. All the while, 13 million plan? Not the average middle-class guy feels a calling to give back to her com- fewer Americans get health insurance. or gal. All of these things contained in munity. Zuleima has the quintessential My friend, Senator GRAHAM, recently the House Republican bill would likely American spirit, as had millions who said: ‘‘I hope every Republican knows pile more on top of President Trump’s came to this country before her, that when you pass a repeal of the indi- fortune while millions and millions of through the centuries. vidual mandate . . . [healthcare] be- middle-class families end up paying She is part of that long and grand comes your problem.’’ LINDSEY GRAHAM more. tradition of immigration in this coun- is very politically pressured. He is tell- I am not sure any family in America try, of folks coming from all over the ing his Republican colleagues that if feels it is right to subsidize tax cuts for world to find a better life here, build they do this, every problem in folks like President Trump and his strong families and communities, and healthcare will be on their backs. family, and their voices will be heard make indelible contributions to our so- The whole idea of taking money from during the debate on this bill and after- ciety, our economy, and our culture. the pockets of hard-working Ameri- ward. Zuleima and her two children are cans, of taking money out of their This bill will be a huge burden for part of that American tradition. They, healthcare and giving it to big corpora- Republicans to carry on their backs with all of us, are what makes America tions and those at the very top is so over the next year, make no mistake great. backward, so wrong, that the American about it. So we hope they will vote There are many more Dreamers just people will reject it, and the blame will down the bill in the House and in the like Zuleima who came to this country fall on Republican shoulders. If the Re- Senate. I want to assure my friends in through no fault of their own as very publican tax bill should pass, it would the Senate on the other side of the young kids. They study at our schools; make our economy, so unfairly tilted aisle that if the bill goes down, Demo- they work in our companies; they serve toward the top as it already is, even crats are ready, willing, able, and eager in our military. They are American in more unbalanced and unfair. to work with Republicans on a bipar- every single way but one—their paper- Over the past three decades, as tech- tisan reform. work. nology has changed our economy and DACA We must fix that now and forever by our world has become ever more inter- Mr. President, before I yield the passing the Dream Act through Con- dependent, our economy has grown. floor, seeing my friend Senator DURBIN gress and giving folks like Zuleima and Yes, it has grown; there is a lot of here, I would like to address one final her kids a chance to live and thrive in growth. But that growth, more than at issue—the Dreamers. the only country they have ever any time in history, has been captured My dear friend Senator DURBIN has known. entirely, almost, by big corporations an uncommon eloquence. He speaks I know my entire caucus supports the and the top 1 percent and particularly with eloquence and yet with Mid- bill. I know how many of my friends on the top 0.1 percent of our country. We western common sense. He speaks with the other side of the aisle support it as don’t begrudge them. We are glad peo- persuasiveness and ease on a great well. So what are we waiting for? Let’s ple work hard. With new ideas and hard number of subjects. He is a great asset put the bill on the floor and pass it.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.004 S16NOPT1 S7272 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 I yield to my friend and colleague lege and now through the university at that he would abolish this program cre- from Illinois, Senator DURBIN. Carbondale and still had two semesters ated by President Obama and that it The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- left before graduation. She was telling would end on March 5, 2018. He estab- pore. The assistant Democratic leader. me about her struggles—taking time lished a standard and said: We will Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I want off to work a job, save the money, go allow those who have to renew during to thank the Democratic leader. His back to school, and here she was where this period of time—their 2-year DACA strong support of the Dream Act en- she could see the finish line. As she sat protection had expired, and they would courages me but, more importantly, there and described it to me, she have to renew—until November 5 to file gives hope to the Dreamers across stopped and broke down in tears. She and to qualify for a renewal period. He America: young men and women, just said to me: Why am I doing this? Be- picked November 5. For many of them, like the one he described, who are liv- cause of the announcement by Presi- it was a surprise and a challenge to ing in fear, fear that their time in dent Trump, I don’t have any future in come up with the filing fee and to get America is coming to an end. this country. After all these years and the papers in on time so that their pro- This is the only country they have all this effort, I really don’t have a fu- tection would continue until March 5, ever known. They have stood in class- ture here. 2018, or beyond. Some of them did ev- room after classroom and pledged alle- I don’t believe that, and I begged her erything they could think of. Some giance to the American flag, the only not to believe it either. She has a fu- went to attorneys, for example, to flag they have ever known. They sing ture, an important future in the United make sure they got this renewal of the national anthem. They believe they States and in the State of Illinois. She DACA completed successfully and ac- are part of America, but as Senator has proved through her determination curately. SCHUMER has reminded us, they are and hard work that she is an extraor- Now we have learned that something missing the paperwork. Their parents dinary young woman. She is going to terrible happened in the meantime. brought them here as infants, toddlers, get that bachelor’s degree, and I pray They relied on the Federal Govern- children and never filed the paperwork, that we in the Senate and the House— ment—particularly, they relied on our never made them legal, and here they with the President—will give her a Postal Service—to mail in their appli- are in this country, searching for an chance to be part of America. cations for renewal. Who would have answer, searching for some hope. President Obama did. He created argued that that was not a responsible My best basic question to the U.S. DACA. I had introduced the DREAM thing to do? I can tell my colleagues Senate and to my colleagues is: Why do Act years and years ago—16 years ago— that practicing attorneys across the we make this so hard? Why is this so when President Obama was my col- United States use our Postal Service difficult? Don’t we all fundamentally league in the Senate from Illinois. He regularly. agree on the premise that no young was the cosponsor. I joined with Sen- One attorney sent the renewal to person should be held responsible for ator Lugar, a Republican Senator from Washington by certified mail so that the actions or decisions of their par- Indiana, writing to President Obama, there would be proof that it was ents? That is what is happening here. saying: Find a way, if you can. Find a mailed. He mailed it on October 21. The These young people didn’t make the way to protect these Dreamers from problem was that the Postal Service key decisions in their lives; their par- deportation until we pass a law that lost the application. It didn’t arrive ents did. needs to be passed. And he did it. He until a day later, a day past the dead- Let me quickly add, because many of created the DACA Program, where line established by the President. the Dreamers say: Senator DURBIN, un- young people could come forward, pay That young person has lost the right derstand that our parents were doing the fine and fee of almost $500 or $600, to renew unless the Department of everything they could to help us. I submit themselves to a criminal back- Homeland Security comes up with a couldn’t agree more. From a moral ground check to make sure there were new ruling on the subject. That is the viewpoint, their parents were deter- no problems in their background, show complexity of the life of these young mined to help their children and were proof that they had graduated from people who are simply asking for a prepared to incur great risk, even legal high school, and then—only then— chance to be part of America’s future. risk, to do it. I understand that. I would they be allowed to stay in the That is what that young applicant would do the same thing, and I am not United States for 2 years and not be de- faced. That is what hundreds of others being critical or negative. But the sim- ported and legally be allowed to work. faced. We believe that some 8,000 were ple fact and reality is that these young Well, President Obama created by ex- not able to renew in time and lost their people, because they don’t have the pa- ecutive order the DACA Program. At protected status. perwork, don’t have a future in Amer- the end of the day, 780,000 of these I can’t tell you what their future is, ica. young people stepped forward. It was a but I pray that the Senate, before we The circumstances they face are leap of faith on their part. Each and leave this year, will decide the right bleak. Imagine, if you will, the chal- every one of them had been raised in thing for their future. lenge of college, the challenge of going America by their parents and carefully I have come to the floor over 100 from high school on to an education at schooled in this belief: Don’t raise your times to tell the personal stories of a university, with no help whatsoever head. Don’t let this government see us. these young people who are asking for from the Federal Government. You As long as we can live in the shadows, a chance to have the Dream Act be- don’t qualify for a penny in Pell as long as we are not confronted with come the law of the land. Some Repub- grants; you don’t qualify for any help the legal system, we have a chance to lican Senators have joined me in this when it comes to government loans. stay. They lived with that looming effort. Notably, LINDSEY GRAHAM, the Think about the challenge of college over their heads every single day. Republican Senator from South Caro- and higher education without that Then, when President Obama said to lina, has been a cosponsor. Three other help, without the fundamental assist- them: Come forward, tell us who you Republican Senators have joined in ance that millions of young Americans are, where you live; tell us about your sponsoring the Dream Act, and more count on. Dreamers get no help—none. family; and we will give you a chance are interested in helping. The con- They have to fight their way forward to stay here legally under this Execu- versations continue on the floor and on their own, and they do it in remark- tive order, they did it. They trusted in give me some hope that, at the end of able and heroic ways. their leaders. They trusted in their the day, we will do the right thing, be- Over the last break, I was down at government. They were prepared to fore the end of this year. Southern Illinois University at make that leap of faith, at great risk, Let me add, too, that having served Carbondale—deep southern Illinois, 300 on the chance that this might be the in the Senate—it has been my honor to miles or more away from the city of ticket they were looking for to a life in be here for some years—I know the cal- Chicago—and I sat down with a group America, to be part of America’s dream endar determines your fate many times of these Dreamers who were at the uni- and America’s future. in the Senate. The calendar we face versity. One young woman had worked Then, on September 5, President could determine the fate of these so hard to get through community col- Trump came forward and announced Dreamers.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:42 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.005 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7273 Here is what it boils down to. If we Currently, Priscilla is caring for her Why do we make this so hard? Why don’t renew the Dream Act before the three younger siblings, all of whom do we make it so difficult for these end of this year, then it has to be done were born in the United States and are young people? They have overcome the in January or February. January and U.S. citizens. In fact, almost 75 percent odds. They have shown their deter- February are well known to be months of Dreamers have a U.S. citizen spouse, mination. They have shown their love of little activity in the Senate and in child, or sibling. for this country. Many of these DACA the House. So if we wait until then, it Priscilla wrote me a letter, which I Dreamers are begging to serve in our is not likely it is going to happen. That will read into the CONGRESSIONAL military, to risk their lives for Amer- is why I am pleading with my col- RECORD: ica. Yet we have failed to act. The leagues and the leadership of the Sen- Science and learning are my biggest pas- President draws a deadline and says: ate: We can’t go home for the holidays sions and I want to keep pushing myself for- After this point, there will be no more until we do this. We can’t talk about ward so that I can be better equipped to protection for these young people. That serve my community and my students. I dreaming of a white Christmas until we want to inspire and encourage all students to isn’t what America stands for. That face the Dreamers and the bleak pursue careers in science. I want to be a role does not reflect our values. Christmas they face if we fail to act. I model and mentor to students by succeeding I stand here today honored to be the am begging my colleagues on both in a science career myself. If I can do it, so son of an immigrant to this country. sides to roll up their sleeves and join can they! My mother was brought here at the age me, sit at the table, and let’s get this But without DACA, and without the of 2 from Lithuania. That immigrant job done. Dream Act, Priscilla and 20,000 other family fought hard when they arrived, There are specific reasons why we teachers just like her will lose their as most immigrant families do. By should, and I want to tell one of those jobs in America. I am not exag- fate, my mother became a naturalized stories today, as I have done more than gerating. DACA gives Priscilla the citizen and her son became a U.S. Sen- 100 times in the past. legal right to work in America. If she ator. That is my story. That is my fam- This young lady’s name is Priscilla loses that DACA protection on the ily’s story, but it is America’s story. It Aguilar. Priscilla was 5 years old when March 5 deadline, or whenever her re- is a story that has been repeated mil- her family brought her to the United newal comes up, at that point she can lions of times over and over. People States from Mexico. She grew up in no longer work in the United States. come here begging for a chance—a Brownsville, TX. She was a great stu- This is not an isolated case. I have chance for a better life, a chance to dent. In high school she joined a med- told the story many times about 28 stu- make this a better nation. ical magnet program and graduated in dents at the Loyola University Stritch These young people and their par- the top 10 percent of her class. School of Medicine in Chicago. They ents, I might add, deserve that kind of Priscilla was a member of the Health are all protected by DACA. They came consideration. What we are considering Occupations Students of America, to that medical school in open com- today doesn’t affect their parents and where she participated in regional and petition—no quotas, no special slots. the Dream Act, but certainly we should State competitions in biomedical de- They are the best and brightest. They give these young people a chance. I bate and medical reading. This experi- came from all over the United States think their parents deserve it, too, but ence sparked her love for science. because Loyola University—thank that is a debate for another day, per- Priscilla went off to the University of goodness—decided they deserved a haps. We will see. Texas at Brownsville. She graduated chance. Young people like them all In the meantime, I beg my colleagues with honors in the winter of 2012 with across America who had given up on a to join us. Let’s do something right a bachelor’s degree in biological medical education because they were this year, before the end of the year, sciences. Remember, as a Dreamer, she undocumented finally had their chance that reflects our values of who we are. didn’t qualify for any Federal assist- under DACA. Twenty-eight of them Let’s acknowledge the obvious. Justice ance going to school. She had to work now are dedicated to becoming doctors. demands us to step up and stand behind at jobs and borrow money from others They can’t borrow money from our these Dreamers. to finish her education. Federal Government, as I mentioned The moment is about to arrive. Sen- After graduation, Priscilla was ac- before. The State of Illinois, under ator LINDSEY GRAHAM, my Republican cepted into Teach for America, a na- both a Democratic and Republican cosponsor of the bill, said that a mo- tional nonprofit organization that Governor, have created loan programs ment of reckoning is coming. He is places talented college graduates in for them in medical school with one right. It is a moment of reckoning as urban and rural schools where there condition: For every year the State of to who we are in the Senate and in the are special challenges and shortages of Illinois helps to pay for their medical Congress and in the White House. It is teachers. It is interesting, isn’t it, that education, they have to pledge 1 year a reflection on our view of America as this young woman who was brought when they finish their medical degrees a nation—a nation of immigrants that here at the age of 5 not only worked so in service to our State, in areas where has embraced diversity and become all hard for her own education but was we have shortages of doctors—medi- the stronger because of it. then willing to give 2 years of her life cally underserved areas. I yield the floor. in the schools of America to help less So 28 of them now have their fate I suggest the absence of a quorum. fortunate students. Do you think you hanging in the balance, depending on The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- have an insight into who she is and the fate of the Dream Act. Why? Be- pore. The clerk will call the roll. what her values are? cause to become a doctor, you need a The senior assistant legislative clerk Priscilla is not alone. Twenty thou- residency. A residency is a job. A resi- proceeded to call the roll. sand DACA Dreamers are currently dency means legally working. If these Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I teaching across the United States of young people lose the DACA and ask unanimous consent that the order America, including 190 in the Teach for Dreamer protection, they have to drop for the quorum call be rescinded. America Program. out of medical school. They cannot The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Priscilla now teaches biological and continue their residency and pursue a pore. Without objection, it is so or- medical microbiology at Mercedes High specialty that they have had their dered. School in Mercedes, TX. She is the heart set on. BACKGROUND CHECKS head of the Science Department. She That is the reality of our failure to Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, oversees a team of nine science teach- act. That is the reality of losing Pris- unlike past occasions when I have spo- ers. She teaches students of all grade cilla Aguilar as an inspiring science ken on the topic of gun violence pre- levels and coaches the school’s debate teacher in Texas, of losing 28 doctors vention, I am actually pleased to talk team. The team won the district cham- who are on their way to graduation at about some good news. A powerful alli- pionship last year and participated in Loyola University, and of literally ance across the aisle has enabled us the State championship. thousands of others who could make this morning to introduce a measure In 2013, a tragedy struck Priscilla’s America a better, more prosperous, and that will be a modest but significant family. Her mother died unexpectedly. a more just Nation. breakthrough. It is a breakthrough in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.006 S16NOPT1 S7274 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 hopefully providing better data, more decades of critically important Talley. He is someone who wrote that complete information for the database progress in recognizing and protecting the solution to the Newtown shooting— that provides for background checks. It reproductive rights, LGBT rights, vot- he wrote it 3 days after that mas- is essential that more accurate and ing rights, workers’ rights, environ- sacre—is to ‘‘stop being a society of thorough data be provided in the data- mental protections, and more. pansies and man up.’’ He is someone base because background checks are no For the last 10 months, this adminis- who has written that the country better than the information provided tration has tried its level best to move ‘‘overreacted’’ and that ‘‘the Second to them, as we have seen again and our country backward by imple- Amendment suffered’’ after the murder again, in Sutherland Springs most re- menting its destructive, deeply un- of 20 children and 6 adults in Newtown. cently but also Charleston and popular agenda. They want to dis- After one of the great tragedies of Blacksburg, where individuals legally mantle the Affordable Care Act. They this country in recent years, his reac- barred from accessing firearms were want to abandon LGBT Americans. tion was that the Second Amendment permitted to do so because of gaps in They want to make it harder to vote, suffered. He is someone who has dis- the NICS system. Each of those killers harder to organize, harder to breathe ingenuously written that Democrats walked out of a gun store having pur- clean air and drink clean water. want to take away everyone’s guns. chased firearms from a federally li- If they fall short in carrying out this Even setting aside the fact that he has censed dealer, even though they should cruel agenda through Executive action never tried a case in his career, he is have been ineligible, because of gaps in and legislation, this administration someone who should be nowhere near the reporting system; that is, the infor- has looked to the courts to do its dirty the bench, at least not as a judge. mation reported to the national system work. The Trump administration seeks I hope my Republican colleagues will that collects that data and provides to flood the Federal judiciary with revisit their decision to support him. the underpinning for this program. judges—appointed for life—who will de- I want to emphasize that the com- We are a bipartisan group that says, fend their indefensible goals. This plot promise that we have reached today in effect, enforcement must be rig- is not hidden. It is not secret. It is out and that we are introducing in this bi- orous, as complete and effective as pos- in the open. President Trump has made partisan group takes away no one’s sible. New laws may be sought, and we it clear. He claims to have a litmus guns if one is law-abiding and other- will continue to seek a broader back- test for Supreme Court nominees—he wise complies with the law. In fact, it ground check law, as well as a ban on will nominate someone who will ‘‘auto- provides incentives and rewards to assault weapons and high-capacity matically’’ overturn Roe v. Wade. Just States that do better reporting. It magazines. We in this coalition may be last month, the Senate voted to con- makes sure that a robust reporting sys- divided on those issues, but at the very firm two circuit court nominees—Alli- tem prevents the sales of firearms to least, we can join arms and link to- son Eid and Joan Larsen—who had people who are a danger to themselves gether on this measure. been listed by then-Candidate Trump or others, including convicted domestic These provisions will help enforce abusers. public safety protections that could as potential Supreme Court nominees, This exaggeration, distortion, misin- mean the difference between life and indicating that they have passed that formation from Mr. Talley is, I think, death. Nonreporting now puts people at litmus test. When I asked both of these emblematic of what kind of judge he lethal risk, riddling with gaping holes nominees whether their records would would be. a system that should keep guns away lead someone to believe that they Let us not forget that we are, in fact, from killers. The Federal background would ‘‘automatically’’ reverse Roe v. judged by the company that we keep. check system is only as good as the in- Wade, they both demurred. They said President Trump is willing to nomi- formation provided to it. they did not know why they were se- I am proud to be part of this alliance. lected for President Trump’s Supreme nate someone like Jeff Mateer to a life- I look forward to the next steps—the Court short list—no idea. I don’t be- time appointment on the Federal Dis- prompt passage of this legislation and lieve it. Then-Candidate Trump laid trict Court for the Eastern District of other measures that perhaps will evoke out his Supreme Court selection cri- Texas. He was not on the docket this the same kind of bipartisan spirit teria in clear, unambiguous terms. week, but he could well come before across the aisle. Yesterday we heard testimony from a the Senate Judiciary Committee for a I am working with a number of my circuit court nominee, Justice Don hearing in the coming weeks. Republican colleagues on a measure re- Willett, of the Texas Supreme Court, This is someone who has called lating to military reporting, particu- who proudly described himself in 2012 transgender children ‘‘Satan’s plan.’’ larly as it concerns domestic violence. as the ‘‘consensus, conservative choice He has proudly said: ‘‘On the basis of All of us who have been attorneys gen- from every corner of the conservative sexual orientation, we discriminate.’’ eral, as the Presiding Officer has been, movement: pro-life, pro-faith, pro-fam- He has advocated conversion therapy know the scourge of domestic violence ily, pro-liberty, pro-Second Amend- for LGBT children. and how much more dangerous it is— ment, pro-private property rights, and With these nominations, President five times more lethal—when there is a pro-limited government.’’ That is the Trump has shown the type of people he gun in the house. More than half of the way that he described himself. is willing to propose for lifetime ap- homicides in this country occur as a When I asked him what he meant by pointments on the district court, as result of domestic violence. More effec- tying himself to these labels, he re- well as the court of appeals. As some- tive enforcement requires steps that fused to give me a straight answer. In one who has practiced in the district enable resources as well as awareness fact, he said, in effect, that he was just courts of Connecticut and others in the military and in our civilian pandering to the public for votes, that around the country, as well as in courts. that was part of his reelection pitch. courts of appeals in the Second Circuit JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS Maybe he didn’t believe it, but we have and elsewhere, these appointments Mr. President, on the topic of effec- all been around long enough to know have a special meaning to me and to tive enforcement of the law, I rise what these terms mean to voters and others who are well versed in the way today on a related topic, which is the what they mean to the President of the our justice system works. quality of our judiciary. Our laws are United States. They aren’t dog whis- For many people in this country, the only as effective as the judges who im- tles, literally, but they represent spe- U.S. district court is the first place plement them. cific ideologies. They are shorthand for they seek justice. They rely on Federal I rise with regret because the admin- specific dogma. judges to be above politics and to be istration is attempting to radically re- I have no confidence that Justice above personal ideology and dogma of shape our judiciary, to remake the Willett will be an impartial and objec- the right or the left wing. The U.S. dis- bench in the image of a far-right tive implementer of the law and en- trict court is the first place they seek dogma that basically contravenes what forcer of the measures that we pass justice, and, for many, it is the last we are and where we are as a nation. here. place. Adverse rulings for them are This administration has proposed ex- Just last week, the Senate Judiciary often the end of the line because they treme nominees who will seek to undo Committee voted to advance Brett lack the resources to pursue appeals to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.008 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7275 the circuit court. Our district court sponding to emerging threats in our fi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without judges are often the voices and faces of nancial system. objection, it is so ordered. justice that the people of the United Mr. Otting is exceptionally qualified Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I States most trust and rely on. to lead the OCC as its comptroller. His yield back the time on the Otting nom- What we see in these nominees is a unique expertise and understanding of ination, and I ask for the yeas and pattern. They have clearly dem- the banking sector has been shaped by nays. onstrated through their actions, their over three decades of firsthand indus- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without statements, their temperaments, and try experience. Mr. Otting has held po- objection, it is so ordered. their characters that they are, simply, sitions at large regional and commu- Is there a sufficient second? unfit and unable to serve as impartial nity financial institutions, including There appears to be a sufficient sec- judges, especially when it comes to our key leadership positions. In fact, he ond. Nation’s most vulnerable communities. has touched virtually every segment of The question is, Will the Senate ad- Our Nation’s most vulnerable commu- the industry, working in consumer vise and consent to the Otting nomina- nities are often the ones who rely the services, business services, human re- tion? most on those Federal courts. sources, compliance, audit, and many The clerk will call the roll. There can be no benefit of the doubt others. The bill clerk called the roll. for nominees when they articulate the His understanding of how banks work Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the kinds of beliefs and dogma that these and knowledge of the laws and regula- Senator from New Jersey (Mr. BOOKER), individuals have in their pasts and that tions governing the financial sector the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. they refuse to disavow in the present. I was evident throughout his nomination FRANKEN), and the Senator from New will oppose them, and I hope my col- hearings. I was also encouraged by Mr. Jersey (Mr. MENENDEZ) are necessarily leagues will join me. I believe that on Otting’s statements about the impor- absent. both sides of the aisle, we share a com- tance of ensuring that all Americans The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. mitment to the credibility and trust of have access to banking products and FISCHER). Are there any other Senators our judiciary. services. Mr. Otting also reaffirmed his in the Chamber desiring to vote? The result was announced—yeas 54, As I have said before on the floor, our commitment to honor the OCC’s mis- nays 43, as follows: judges do not have armies; they do not sion and cooperating with the work of have police forces. The enforceability Congress. [Rollcall Vote No. 277 Ex.] of their rulings really depends on the I am confident Mr. Otting will bring YEAS—54 strong leadership to the OCC, given his credibility and trust that the people of Alexander Flake Murkowski extensive experience in the financial Barrasso Gardner Paul our Nation have in them as individuals industry. I urge my colleagues to sup- Blunt Graham Perdue who put on robes, because they are sup- port Mr. Otting’s nomination today Boozman Grassley Portman posed to put aside their personal preju- Burr Hatch Risch and vote for his confirmation in the fu- dices and beliefs and fairly, impar- Capito Heitkamp Roberts ture. Cassidy Heller Rounds tially, and objectively enforce the law. Thank you. Cochran Hoeven Rubio I fear that these nominees lack these I suggest the absence of a quorum. Collins Inhofe Sasse qualities, and that is a tragedy for our The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Corker Isakson Scott Nation, whatever your politics. Some- Cornyn Johnson Shelby clerk will call the roll. Cotton Kennedy Strange day, you will likely be before a judge— The legislative clerk proceeded to Crapo Lankford Sullivan maybe not all, but many of you will— call the roll. Cruz Lee Thune and you will want that judge to look at Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Daines Manchin Tillis Enzi McCain Toomey both sides of the courtroom and say ask unanimous consent that the order Ernst McConnell Wicker that they both have an equal chance to for the quorum call be rescinded Fischer Moran Young make their cases, not tilt one way or The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without NAYS—43 the other because of the judge’s per- objection, it is so ordered. Baldwin Harris Reed sonal beliefs. I hope that my colleagues ORDER OF PROCEDURE Bennet Hassan Sanders will send a message to the President of Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Blumenthal Heinrich Schatz the United States that one cannot po- ask unanimous consent that, notwith- Brown Hirono Schumer Cantwell Kaine Shaheen liticize the American judiciary. standing rule XXII, at 1:30 p.m. today, Cardin King Thank you. the Senate proceed to legislative ses- Stabenow Carper Klobuchar Tester I yield the floor. sion and the Chair lay before the Sen- Casey Leahy Udall Coons Markey I suggest the absence of a quorum. ate the conference report to accom- Van Hollen Cortez Masto McCaskill Warner The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- pany H.R. 2810, as under the previous Donnelly Merkley Warren pore. The clerk will call the roll. order, and that there be 15 minutes of Duckworth Murphy The senior assistant legislative clerk debate equally divided between the Durbin Murray Whitehouse Wyden proceeded to call the roll. managers or their designees prior to Feinstein Nelson Gillibrand Peters Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I ask the vote on the adoption of the con- unanimous consent that the order for ference report; further, that following NOT VOTING—3 the quorum call be rescinded. disposition of the conference report, Booker Franken Menendez The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. the Senate resume executive session The nomination was confirmed. YOUNG). Without objection, it is so or- and all postcloture time on the Coggins The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under dered. and Friedrich nominations be yielded the previous order, the motion to re- Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise to back and the Senate vote on confirma- consider is considered made and laid speak in support of the nomination of tion of the Coggins nomination imme- upon the table and the President will Mr. Joseph Otting to be Comptroller of diately, and that the confirmation vote be immediately notified of the Senate’s the Currency. The OCC’s mission is to on the Friedrich nomination occur at action. ensure that the financial institutions 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 27; fi- f it oversees operate in a safe and sound nally, that if the nominations are con- manner, provide fair access to financial firmed, the motions to reconsider be CLOTURE MOTION services, treat customers fairly, and considered made and laid upon the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant comply with the applicable laws and table and the Senate be immediately to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the regulations. notified of the Senate’s action. Senate the pending cloture motion, The OCC is responsible for overseeing The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without which the clerk will state. the supervision of all national banks objection, it is so ordered. The senior assistant legislative clerk and Federal savings associations as Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I read as follows: well as Federal branches and agencies ask unanimous consent that the votes CLOTURE MOTION of foreign banks. The OCC also plays an following the first vote in this series be We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- important role in identifying and re- 10 minutes in length. ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.009 S16NOPT1 S7276 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby Coggins, Jr., of South Carolina, to be Van Hollen Whitehouse Wyden move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- United States District Judge for the Warner Wicker Young nation of Donald C. Coggins, Jr., of South District of South Carolina. NAYS—4 Carolina, to be United States District Judge Gillibrand Kennedy for the District of South Carolina. f Hirono Warren Mitch McConnell, John Hoeven, Thom Tillis, Tom Cotton, Cory Gardner, CLOTURE MOTION NOT VOTING—3 Jerry Moran, John Barrasso, Luther Booker Franken Menendez Strange, Mike Crapo, John Cornyn, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant Richard Burr, Mike Rounds, Orrin G. to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this Hatch, David Perdue, Marco Rubio, Senate the pending cloture motion, vote, the yeas are 93, the nays are 4. John Thune, John Boozman. which the clerk will state. The motion is agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- The senior assistant legislative clerk f imous consent, the mandatory quorum read as follows: EXECUTIVE CALENDAR call has been waived. CLOTURE MOTION The question is, Is it the sense of the We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate that debate on the nomination ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the clerk will report the nomination. of Donald C. Coggins, Jr., of South Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby The bill clerk read the nomination of Carolina, to be United States District move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- Dabney Langhorne Friedrich, of Cali- Judge for the District of South Caro- nation of Dabney Langhorne Friedrich, of fornia, to be United States District lina, shall be brought to a close? California, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia. Judge for the District of Columbia. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- The yeas and nays are mandatory Mitch McConnell, John Hoeven, Thom under the rule. Tillis, Tom Cotton, Cory Gardner, ator from Connecticut. The clerk will call the roll. Jerry Moran, John Barrasso, Luther Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I The senior assistant legislative clerk Strange, Mike Crapo, John Cornyn, suggest the absence of a quorum. called the roll. Richard Burr, Mike Rounds, Orrin G. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Hatch, David Perdue, Marco Rubio, clerk will call the roll. Senator from New Jersey (Mr. BOOKER), John Thune, John Boozman. The senior assistant legislative clerk the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- proceeded to call the roll. FRANKEN), and the Senator from New imous consent, the mandatory quorum Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I ask Jersey (Mr. MENENDEZ) are necessarily call has been waived. unanimous consent that the order for absent. The question is, Is it the sense of the the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there Senate that debate on the nomination The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without any other Senators in the Chamber de- of Dabney Langhorne Friedrich, of objection, it is so ordered. siring to vote? California, to be United States District f The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 96, Judge for the District of Columbia, nays 1, as follows: shall be brought to a close? LEGISLATIVE SESSION [Rollcall Vote No. 278 Ex.] The yeas and nays are mandatory The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under YEAS—96 under the rule. the previous order, the Senate will pro- Alexander Flake Nelson The clerk will call the roll. ceed to legislative session. Baldwin Gardner Paul The assistant bill clerk called the Barrasso Gillibrand Perdue f Bennet Graham Peters roll. Blumenthal Grassley Portman Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- Blunt Harris Reed Senator from New Jersey (Mr. BOOKER), TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR Boozman Hassan Risch the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. 2018—CONFERENCE REPORT Brown Hatch Roberts Burr Heinrich Rounds FRANKEN), and the Senator from New The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Cantwell Heitkamp Rubio Jersey (Mr. MENENDEZ) are necessarily Chair lays before the Senate the con- Capito Heller Sanders absent. ference report to accompany H.R. 2810, Cardin Hoeven Sasse Carper Inhofe Schatz The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. which will be stated by title. Casey Isakson Schumer SASSE). Are there any other Senators The bill clerk read as follows: Cassidy Johnson Scott in the Chamber desiring to vote? The committee of conference on the dis- Cochran Kaine Shaheen The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 93, Collins Kennedy Shelby agreeing votes of the two Houses on the Coons King Stabenow nays 4, as follows: amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. Corker Klobuchar Strange [Rollcall Vote No. 279 Ex.] 2810), to authorize appropriations for fiscal Cornyn Lankford Sullivan year 2018 for military activities of the De- YEAS—93 Cortez Masto Leahy Tester partment of Defense, for military construc- Cotton Lee Thune Alexander Feinstein Murphy tion, and for defense activities of the Depart- Crapo Manchin Tillis Baldwin Fischer Murray ment of Energy, to prescribe military per- Cruz Markey Toomey Barrasso Flake Nelson Daines McCain Udall Bennet Gardner sonnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for Paul other purposes, having met, have agreed that Donnelly McCaskill Van Hollen Blumenthal Graham Perdue Duckworth McConnell Warner Blunt Grassley Peters the House recede from its disagreement to Durbin Merkley Warren Boozman Harris Portman the amendment of the Senate and agreed to Enzi Moran Whitehouse Brown Hassan Reed the same with an amendment, and the Sen- Ernst Murkowski Wicker Burr Hatch Risch ate agree to the same, signed by a majority Feinstein Murphy Wyden Cantwell Heinrich Roberts of the conferees on the part of both Houses. Fischer Murray Young Capito Heitkamp Cardin Heller Rounds Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to NAYS—1 Rubio Carper Hoeven consider the conference report. Hirono Casey Inhofe Sanders Cassidy Isakson Sasse (The conference report is printed in NOT VOTING—3 Cochran Johnson Schatz the House proceedings of the RECORD of Booker Franken Menendez Collins Kaine Schumer November 9, 2017.) Scott Coons King Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, today The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this Corker Klobuchar Shaheen vote, the yeas are 96, the nays are 1. Cornyn Lankford Shelby the Senate will vote on the conference The motion is agreed to. Cortez Masto Leahy Stabenow report for the National Defense Au- Cotton Lee Strange f thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018. Crapo Manchin Sullivan This legislation is the culmination of EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Cruz Markey Tester Daines McCain Thune months of bipartisan work. I want to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Donnelly McCaskill Tillis thank my friend, the Senator from Duckworth clerk will report the nomination. McConnell Toomey Rhode Island, as well as our colleagues Durbin Merkley Udall The senior assistant legislative clerk Enzi Moran in the House of Representatives, MAC read the nomination of Donald C. Ernst Murkowski THORNBERRY and ADAM SMITH, and the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.014 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7277 dozens of members who served on the the Senate Armed Services Committee. knowledgement that the Budget Con- conference committee for their hard However, if we are not satisfied that trol Act-level of defense spending is in- work and collaboration during this this new DOD-FDA compromise has sufficient and unacceptable. process. Together, we worked hard to fixed the problem, the Senate Armed My friends, for too long, our Nation negotiate the differences between the Services Committee will take action has asked our men and women in uni- House and Senate versions of this bill, through the NDAA next year. I know form to do too much with far too little. and the result is a piece of legislation that the chairman and ranking mem- Our military’s job is hard enough, but that should make all Senators—and all ber of the House Armed Services Com- we are making it harder through con- Americans—proud. mittee have expressed that same com- tinuing resolutions, unpredictable The fundamental purpose of the Na- mitment. We owe nothing less to our funding, and arbitrary spending caps tional Defense Authorization Act is to men and women in uniform, who de- that were put into law 6 years ago—be- provide our Armed Forces with the re- serve our help in saving lives on the fore the rise of ISIS, before the current sources, training, and equipment they battlefield. crisis with North Korea, before Rus- need to keep us safe. We should con- Ultimately, that is the goal of every sia’s return to aggression on the world sider this our highest duty and our provision of the National Defense Au- stage, and before so many other dan- greatest honor, to keep faith with the thorization Act—to protect our brave gerous developments. brave Americans who serve and sac- servicemembers, here at home and We have been warned that we cannot rifice on our behalf. around the world. The NDAA author- go on like this. Earlier this year, the To do that, the NDAA authorizes izes funding to rebuild our military and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, funding, advances policies, and requires allow the Defense Department to em- Gen. Joseph Dunford, warned us, ‘‘In reforms that will support our men and bark on an ambitious program of mod- just a few years if we don’t change the women in uniform, but before I discuss ernization that is desperately needed trajectory, we will lose our qualitative the many laudable aspects of this legis- and long overdue. The NDAA author- and our quantitative competitive ad- lation, let me lament for a moment the izes the acquisition of ships, aircraft, vantage, [and] the consequences will be developments that have unfolded in re- and equipment above and beyond the profound.’’ Secretary of Defense Jim cent days and delayed this important administration’s request. It provides Mattis also warned us, saying, ‘‘We are legislation. funding for an increase in end strength no longer managing risk; we are now This delay concerns a provision in across all services, laying the ground- gambling.’’ the defense bill to get our military work for a total force, ready and capa- We are gambling with risk, and we emergency approval to use new life- ble of rising to the challenges of a are gambling with lives. Today more of saving medicines on the battlefield. world where threats are on the rise. our men and women in uniform are This provision was included in the The NDAA builds on the reforms this being killed in totally avoidable train- original Senate version of this legisla- Congress has passed in recent years, ing accidents and routine operations tion that has been publicly available continuing efforts to reorganize the than by our enemies in combat. for several months, and it was included Department of Defense, spur innova- My friends, it doesn’t have to be this in this conference report with strong tion in defense technology, and im- way. The NDAA shows us what we bipartisan and bicameral support. For prove acquisition and business oper- could do with an adequate level of de- years, the Department of Defense has ations to strengthen accountability fense spending, what we could provide struggled in vain to gain approval by and streamline the process of getting for our men and women in uniform, but the Food and Drug Administration for our warfighters what they need to suc- this legislation is only part of the solu- certain vital medical products, such as ceed. It prioritizes accountability from tion. As of yet, we still have no path to freeze-dried plasma, for use by our the Department and demands the best actually appropriate the money that troops on the battlefield. Because the use of every taxpayer dollar. we are about to authorize. That re- FDA failed to act time and again, the This legislation also authorizes fund- quires a bipartisan agreement to adjust Senate Armed Services Committee did, ing for our missile defense systems to the spending caps in the Budget Con- and we received strong support from protect against rising threats. It trol Act. our House colleagues. makes important efforts to correct the As we join our colleagues in the It is outrageous that the National dangerous lack of an effective strategy House in voting to support $700 billion Defense Authorization Act has been and policy for the information domain, for defense, let this serve as a guide- held hostage by the desire to pass a including cyber, space, and electronic post for our leaders in Congress and the separate piece of legislation to address warfare. White House as they negotiate a budg- this issue differently than this con- The NDAA authorizes a 2.4 percent et deal. This is the spending level that ference report. That separate legisla- pay raise for our troops, which is the an overwhelming majority of both the tion was the product of a compromise largest in many years, and it includes House and the Senate believes is nec- between the DOD and the FDA, to several provisions to improve quality essary to meet current threats and to which neither the Senator from Rhode of life for our men and women in uni- keep faith with our men and women in Island nor I was a party. Our preferred form. In particular, the legislation con- uniform. After we vote to authorize solution remains our original one. tinues committee’s efforts to protect these vital, additional resources for our Yesterday, the Senator from Rhode our servicemembers from sexual as- military, we must all demand a bipar- Island and I received a letter from the sault and sexual harassment. There is tisan agreement so that we can appro- FDA Commissioner, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, more work to be done, and the com- priate those resources. expressing his personal commitment to mittee will continue to conduct over- This will require hard work and approve the use of freeze-dried plasma sight and hold hearings to address tough choices, and it will demand that for battlefield use by our troops. He these important issues. we have the courage of our convictions, has also pledged to establish a new In total, the National Defense Au- but in the end, this will require much process for expedited consideration of thorization Act supports a defense less of us than what we ask of from our the DOD’s future emergency medical budget of $700 billion for fiscal year men and women in uniform. As they so requests. This did not happen by acci- 2018. This exceeds the administration’s dutifully sacrifice for us every day, let dent. It happened because we acted and request by $26 billion. It also exceeds us do our part and fulfill our duties to because we exposed the unacceptable the defense spending caps in the Budg- them and to the Nation they serve. ways in which the FDA has been failing et Control Act by $85 billion. Mr. LEAHY Mr. President, the fiscal our men and women in uniform for far Earlier this week, 356 Members of the year 2018 National Defense Authoriza- too long. House of Representatives voted in tion Act, while laudable in its goals, Dr. Gottlieb was only confirmed as favor of this spending level. This after- does not comport with reality. At FDA Commissioner in May, and we in- noon, an overwhelming majority of roughly $700 billion, the proposed base tend to hold him fully accountable for this body will do the same. Let this funding in this bill is $85 billion above making good on his commitment, in- serve as a reminder of the troubling budget caps that are set in law for Fis- cluding through continued oversight by state of our military today and an ac- cal Year 2018 in the Budget Control

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.005 S16NOPT1 S7278 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 Act, BCA, and $31 billion above the ad- rights vetting for Afghan security [Rollcall Vote No. 280 Ex.] ministration’s budget request. If the forces. YEAS—96 authorized funding level were to be ap- In 3 weeks and 1 day, the current res- Alexander Flake Nelson propriated, without changing the caps, olution funding our government will Baldwin Gardner Paul it would trigger a 12-percent across- expire; yet, instead of sitting down Barrasso Gillibrand Perdue Bennet Graham Peters the-board sequester of Defense pro- with Democrats to work together, just Blumenthal Grassley Portman grams to bring spending levels back to as we did earlier this year to enact the Blunt Harris Reed the Fiscal Year 2018 levels contained in fiscal year 2017 omnibus spending bill, Boozman Hassan Risch the Budget Control Act. A sequester of Brown Hatch Roberts to find a path forward to raise the Burr Heinrich Rounds this size would hit us in readiness. It budget caps and fund our government Cantwell Heitkamp Rubio would hamper our day-to-day oper- for the rest of the fiscal year, Repub- Capito Heller Sanders ations and maintenance. It would hurt licans are focused on a tax cut bill that Cardin Hirono Sasse Carper Hoeven Schatz our troops. Our military leaders do not will add $1.5 trillion to the debt. In- Casey Inhofe Schumer support such a sequester. stead of acting responsibly and in the Cassidy Isakson Scott If we really want to support our mili- greatest traditions of the Senate, the Cochran Johnson Shaheen tary and the men and women in uni- Collins Kaine Shelby majority is marching towards another Coons Kennedy Stabenow form, we must immediately reach a bi- partisan fight on the floor on a deeply Corker King Strange partisan budget deal to lift the artifi- flawed tax bill that will impact every Cornyn Klobuchar Sullivan cial and unrealistically low budget corner of our economy. Cortez Masto Lankford Tester caps that were set in law in 2011. It is Cotton Leahy Thune Let’s get to work for the American Crapo Lee Tillis hard to get every Member of this people. For months, have been calling Cruz Manchin Toomey Chamber to agree on anything, but on for a bipartisan budget deal to lift the Daines Markey Udall this, we can agree: Sequester has had a Donnelly McCaskill Van Hollen caps on both sides for both defense and Duckworth McConnell Warner negative impact on our country that nondefense programs based on parity. Durbin Merkley Warren will impact a generation. We need to It is time to complete those negotia- Enzi Moran Whitehouse have an honest conversation about tions. We owe it to the men and women Ernst Murkowski Wicker what the needs of our country are, both Feinstein Murphy Wyden who serve. We owe it to the American Fischer Murray Young in military and domestic spending, and people. draft our spending bills accordingly. Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I ask NOT VOTING—4 I do appreciate the work that Sen- unanimous consent that all time be Booker McCain Franken Menendez ator MCCAIN and Senator REED have considered yielded back. put into this massive legislation. While The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there The nomination was confirmed. my concerns with the funding levels objection? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under authorized in this bill prevent me from Without objection, it is so ordered. the previous order, the motion to re- supporting it, I do believe it reflects a The question is on agreeing to the consider is considered made and laid strong commitment to the programs conference report. upon the table and the President will and policies that support our service The conference report was agreed to. be immediately notified of the Senate’s members and their families. That must action. always be our goal. f The majority leader. I am pleased that the conferenced f bill maintains support for medical re- EXECUTIVE SESSION search that matter so much to our The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under LEGISLATIVE SESSION servicemembers and to all Americans the previous order, the Senate will now Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I who benefit from the lifesaving results resume executive session. move to proceed to legislative session. made possible through these programs. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The I am also grateful for the inclusion of f question is on agreeing to the motion. language I authored that would pave EXECUTIVE CALENDAR—Continued The motion was agreed to. the way for piloting a preventative f mental health program for our Na- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under tional Guard and Reserve. Like phys- the previous order, all postcloture time EXECUTIVE SESSION ical health, we know that, with par- on the Coggins and Friedrich nomina- tions is yielded back. ticular training and mental prepara- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR tion, a person can be more resilient VOTE ON COGGINS NOMINATION mentally when faced with challenges, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I and building that readiness is nec- question is, Will the Senate advise and move to proceed to executive session to essary to maintain the all-volunteer consent to the Coggins nomination? consider Calendar No. 481, Gregory force. Progress is already being made Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I ask for Katsas. with shifting to a preventative model the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The in the Special Forces community. I The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a question is on agreeing to the motion. hope to soon see similar progress in de- sufficient second? The motion was agreed to. veloping models for the members of our There appears to be a sufficient sec- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Guard and Reserve. ond. clerk will report the nomination. This final bill also includes several The clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk read the nomination of amendments I proposed to make sure The bill clerk called the roll. Gregory G. Katsas, of Virginia, to be U.S. efforts, especially in Afghanistan, Mr. CORNYN. The following Senator United States Circuit Judge for the are consistent with U.S. values. These is necessarily absent: the Senator from District of Columbia Circuit. include a provision aimed at improving Arizona (Mr. MCCAIN). CLOTURE MOTION the way the Departments of Defense Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I and State provide human rights train- Senator from New Jersey (Mr. BOOKER), send a cloture motion to the desk. ing to partner forces, and a require- the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo- ment to establish a plan on how to im- FRANKEN), and the Senator from New ture motion having been presented prove our ability to help foreign gov- Jersey (Mr. MENENDEZ) are necessarily under rule XXII, the Chair directs the ernments protect civilians. The final absent. clerk to read the motion. bill also authorizes establishment of a The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. The bill clerk read as follows: position in the Department of Defense PERDUE). Are there any other Senators CLOTURE MOTION to oversee its implementation of and in the Chamber desiring to vote? We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- coordination with the Department of The result was announced—yeas 96, ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the State on the Leahy law for human nays 0, as follows: Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Feb 13, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD17\NOVEMBER\S16NO7.REC S16NO7 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7279 move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- TRIBUTE TO BRIAN FOREST ing down with thundering marches, nation of Gregory G. Katsas, of Virginia, to Mr. President, on an entirely dif- going through Boston, and going up to be United States Circuit Judge for the Dis- ferent matter, I would like to say a few Lexington and Concord. There is no trict of Columbia Circuit. words today about Brian Forest, a key way in this world that a handful of Mitch McConnell, Mike Rounds, Chuck Grassley, Richard Burr, Thom Tillis, member of my legislative office team, trappers and hunters could have won John Hoeven, Ben Sasse, Roy Blunt, who is leaving the Senate after several that thing. Yet we know why, and he Johnny Isakson, Tom Cotton, Ron years of outstanding work in the Sen- knew why, when you talk about Pat- Johnson, Mike Lee, James Lankford, ate. rick Henry. They said: We are not Jerry Moran, Lindsey Graham, Roger Throughout his time in my office, strong enough. It can’t be done. F. Wicker, Bob Corker. Brian has been an invaluable asset, There is one thing they overlooked, Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I taking on the daily challenges and and that is the strength that comes ask unanimous consent that the man- countless responsibilities which come from God that we had, and they didn’t datory quorum call be waived. with the territory for my staff, but have. He said: The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Brian did not just handle it all—he ex- We are not weak if we make a proper use objection, it is so ordered. celled. Regardless of the pressures, the of those means which the God of nature hath NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL deadlines, or the obstacles—and, be- placed in our power. . . . armed in the holy Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, just lieve me, there were many—Brian al- cause of liberty, and in such a country as a moment ago, the Senate acted to ways came through. that which we possess, are invincible by any send the President one of the most im- Now, regretfully, he has decided to force which our enemy can send against us. portant policy bills we consider each take on a whole new set of challenges. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles year—the National Defense Authoriza- I am confident he will continue to show alone. There is a just God who [reigns] over the same skill, friendship, and good the destinies of nations; and who will raise tion Act. up friends to fight our battles for us. Not only will this legislation author- humor that endeared him to many in ize the resources, capabilities, pay, and the Senate because that is who Brian And he did, and they fired that shot benefits our men and women in uni- is. heard around the world. form need to perform their missions, I know I speak for all of those on my I think that is really important but this year’s bill also goes further. It staff when I say I am really sorry to today to think about because people takes a notable step toward author- see him go. I wish Brian well in his new come to this country and they want to izing the resources needed to start re- adventures, and I thank him for his know what makes America work. building our military and restoring service to our Nation, to the Senate, I have been privileged to sponsor the combat readiness. and to me. African dinner every February, and It will help improve our missile de- I yield the floor. people come in from all over Africa. fense capabilities and better prepare us The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- They are always surprised when they to deal with cyber threats. It will au- ator from Oklahoma. come and they find out walking thorize a well-deserved pay raise for Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask through the Capitol what real signifi- our men and women in uniform while unanimous consent that I be recog- cance God and the Bible has to the his- providing for continued reform of the nized as in morning business for such tory of this country. We are the largest benefits they and their families rely time as I shall consume. Christian community in the world. We upon, and it will support the thousands The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without cannot and should not deny the role of military servicemembers and fami- objection, it is so ordered. our Judeo-Christian values played in lies serving at military installations in MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE the formation of this country. Kentucky and in the Kentucky Na- Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, this Our first President, George Wash- tional Guard. week, after 3 years of planning and ington, was steadfast in his belief of Further, this bill strives to bring re- construction, we now will be dedicating God, His law, and that liberty is God’s form to the Pentagon. As Senator tomorrow and officially opening the gift. Washington’s leadership was based MCCAIN said of the NDAA a few months Museum of the Bible. on the conviction that Americans are ago, it will ‘‘[build] upon the sweeping This is led by Steve Green of Hobby entrusted by God to preserve basic reforms that Congress has passed in re- Lobby. We all remember Hobby Lobby freedoms established in the Constitu- cent years.’’ He is right, and none of of Oklahoma. Steve has been a friend of tion. mine and his parents have been friends this would have been possible without In a letter, Washington wrote, ‘‘We of mine for a long period of time. He is him, without his leadership. should be very cautious of violating I think I can speak for everyone in the chairman of the board of directors the rights of conscience in others, ever this Chamber when I say that our for this long-awaited museum that will considering that God alone is the judge friend Senator MCCAIN has served with allow visitors from not just this coun- of the hearts of men and to Him only in distinction as chairman of the Armed try but from all over the world—they this case they are answerable.’’ Services Committee. I know the rank- will be coming here to see what it is all ing member on his committee, Senator about and how this plays a pivotal role It is clear our Founding Fathers rec- ognized and enshrined the importance REED, thinks so as well. I know a lot of in our country’s history. There is no Members on both sides of the aisle do better place than Washington, DC, in of religious liberty, one of our most too. our Nation’s Capitol, to remind us of precious and foundational religious Senator MCCAIN’s commitment to the scope of the Bible’s impact on our freedoms that allowed them to live our men and women in uniform is obvi- history and our narrative. It has been their lives according to the teaching of ous, and it is unwavering. He respects long-awaited. the Bible. these brave Americans immensely; he Indeed, one of our Founding Fathers, The Bible’s role in the founding of cares about them deeply; and he under- Patrick Henry, was renowned for his America is just one remarkable exam- stands better than just about anyone readings of the Bible. He said at the ple of how the Bible has profoundly how important a bill like this is to end of his life: ‘‘This book is worth all shaped world history. It has influenced them, not only on a policy level but on the books that ever were printed, and cultures in every corner of the globe, a personal level as well. it has been my misfortune that I never and the Museum of the Bible, which is The NDAA he worked so hard to pass found time to read it with the proper going to be opening tomorrow, pays has now cleared both Chambers. It is attention and feeling till lately.’’ tribute to its impact and headed to the President’s desk. Soon, it He is the one—and not many people intersectionality with the world reli- will become law. When it does, it will are aware that historians are relooking gions. stand as yet another testament to the at the history of this country, and they Whether considering the Bible hard work, dedication, and unflappable are saying we could not have won that through a secular or faith-based lens, it determination of our colleague and war. I mean you have to sometimes is impossible to deny its impact on in- friend Senator JOHN MCCAIN—truly, an close your eyes and envision the great- dividuals, countries, and, indeed, all American hero. est army on the face of this Earth com- world history. The Museum of the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.024 S16NOPT1 S7280 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 Bible is the first educational experi- thing equally as valuable—to allow en- tor of the International Energy Agen- ence I have encountered that truly ap- ergy exploration in Alaska. cy, Fatih Birol, said the United States preciates the full magnitude of the Bi- Yesterday the Senate Energy and ‘‘will become the undisputed global oil ble’s role throughout history. Natural Resources Committee met to and gas leader for decades to come’’ The six exhibits, curated by a panel consider legislation to open up a very and that ‘‘the growth in production is of faith leaders that span religious and small part of the Arctic National Wild- unprecedented, exceeding all historical geographic divides, truly bring the life Refuge for responsible energy de- levels.’’ ANWR could be and should be Word of God to life in a way that posi- velopment. This bill was successfully a part of that story. tively educates, informs, and encour- passed by the committee, and I look Energy independence is vital to our ages people of all faiths and beliefs to forward to helping it continue to move national security. How many of these learn more about the Bible. through Congress. countries over there that have been General Washington reminded us in I have long been an advocate for this part of the old Soviet Union want their his Farewell Address: ‘‘Let us with cau- to happen. It is interesting, the people allegiance to us, and yet they are tion indulge the supposition that mo- in Alaska all want it. The polling is forced to buy their oil and gas from rality can be maintained without reli- something like 96 percent of the people Russia and from Iran and they don’t gion.’’ really want this to happen. They know want to do it. Now we are taking them Steve Green’s father David founded the benefits that will come to Alaska, off the hook. Hobby Lobby. I remember this so well the money that will be there. People I had a great experience not long ago. because I was in the State legislature talk about the Arctic National Wildlife I was invited by the President of Lith- at the time this happened. They start- Refuge as if it is this great big thing. It uania to come and open up their first ed in their garage making frames for is the size of South Carolina. It is a terminal. Now we are changing all pictures. It turned out to be this giant, very small thing. Right now, we are that. worldwide corporation, the largest arts going to be able to go up there to cre- We have a guy named Harold Hamm, and crafts retailer in the history of ate jobs and opportunities and author- an Oklahoman who is the chairman America, currently or in the past. ize the leases in Alaska. We will also and CEO of Continental Resources in Remember Hobby Lobby, when increase revenue to the United States. Oklahoma. He announced they would ObamaCare required that all employers It is estimated that the energy pro- begin exporting oil to China. Exporting provide free access to the pills that ter- duction in Alaska could lead to over $1 to China is kind of a big deal. He talks minate pregnancies, David clearly rec- trillion in revenue. Responsible man- about how we are going to become un- ognized this as a violation of his faith. agement will have a positive impact on deniably a leader in exporting energy That is what America is all about. If reducing our national debt and most that will have an impact on the rest of you believe in it, you do it, you take a significantly opening ANWR is allow- the world. President Trump has been clear that risk. He was risking millions of dollars, ing Alaska to do what they want to do. but the morality was so significant We are so good in this body thinking he intends to make the United States a net energy exporter, something we from the teachings of the Bible that he that we know more about what is good haven’t been since 1953. Opening up the went ahead and did it. He took the for Alaska and what is good for Okla- National Wildlife Refuge, which just challenge all the way to the U.S. Su- homa and what is good for Georgia took place this last week, will be a big preme Court and won in a split deci- than they do in their own States. One step toward this initiative, and I ap- sion. He successfully argued the impor- of few things we do right around this plaud the Senate Energy and Natural tance to maintain the fundamental place is how we do our highway bill. In Resources Committee for helping the freedom of religion to apply his faith the highway bill, we get the priorities administration make this happen. convictions to how he operates his pri- from the States when they come in, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL vate business. and they decide what it is they want to Mr. President, the leader of the Sen- David won his case, but his family do in their States. understood we needed to do more. So Remember the issue about the ate, a few minutes ago, talked about he started the Museum of the Bible. I ‘‘bridge to nowhere.’’ Everybody was the NDAA and JOHN MCCAIN’s role in that. JOHN MCCAIN, of course, has been actually was there last June, when it concerned about this. All the talk and is an American hero. Everybody was under construction at the time, as shows jumped on it without realizing, knows his past and knows what he did we walked through and visualized what until it was too late, it had already it was going to look like later on. It is and the suffering he went through. gotten committed. He was very instrumental—sure, we magnificent. Here was something that happened had some disagreements on some of the They have a stage, and you live on right for a change. I was chairman of finer parts of the bill—but this is one the stage. He is going to have perform- the committee at that time. The that had to be done. All of a sudden we ances there. I am so anxious to be ‘‘bridge to nowhere’’ in Alaska didn’t are changing what happened, unfortu- there tonight, the night before the offi- go ‘‘nowhere,’’ it went somewhere. The nately, in the past. cial opening, to see now what it looks problem was, there weren’t any people I can remember about 3 years ago we like. there once you got there, and the rea- got all the way to December before we I am so grateful David’s son Steve son is you couldn’t get there. On their voted this out. We have now voted. and his entire family are leading this list of 100 priorities, No. 4 was to build This is the 55th year in a row that we effort to make the Bible and its impact that bridge, but we, in our infinite wis- have passed a Defense authorization more accessible to the whole world. I dom here, said: No, you can’t do that. bill. If we didn’t by the end of Decem- am especially honored that the mu- Somehow the public didn’t know what ber, then our kids wouldn’t be getting seum will open on my birthday tomor- they were talking about. Well, that is hazard pay or pilots wouldn’t be get- row. I am not sure they really knew kind of the same situation we have ting flight pay, and it would be an ab- that when they made the decision, but right now. We have something in Alas- solute disaster. Of course, it didn’t hap- somebody knew it. ka that was their No. 1 priority to de- pen because we are now doing it. ENERGY INDEPENDENCE velop, and for years and years we have I have to say this. One thing that Mr. President, let me turn to another stopped them from being able to do hasn’t been said enough is what Sen- topic that I think is very important with their land what they wanted to do ator MCCAIN and a lot of his supporters right now; that is, our energy inde- with their land. The Federal Govern- were able to do; that is, reprioritize pendence. It is a huge issue. People are ment has been keeping Alaskans from what defending America is about. not aware, while we may have talked acting in their own best interest. Read the Constitution. Look at the about the importance of the budget Finally, increasing energy produc- history of this country. I always say reconciliation process to set up and to tion in Alaska is a key part of making people should sometime get out that pass the historic and much needed tax the United States not only energy old document that nobody reads any- cuts for our individuals and small busi- independent but energy dominant. We more, the Constitution, and see what nesses, the process also allowed the are on the verge of doing just that. we are supposed to be doing around Senate to use reconciliation for some- Earlier this week, the Executive Direc- here.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.027 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7281 Do you know that what we are sup- The senior assistant legislative clerk proposal fails on the test of making the posed to be doing in this body pri- proceeded to call the roll. Tax Code fairer. marily is defending America, No. 1, and Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I ask I also believe this effort fails on the they called them post roads, back then, unanimous consent that the order for test of making the code simpler. For building roads and transportation. the quorum call be rescinded. small business owners back in Michi- That is what we are supposed to be The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- gan, they want to spend their time doing, but what has happened in our pore. Without objection, it is so or- doing what they know best, which is military is something people don’t dered. running their business, not spending know about. I applaud our military in REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN days or weeks trying to figure out the uniform now because they are saying it Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise taxes they owe. But, as many of my for the first time in my memory that today to make a simple request of my colleagues in the Finance Committee we are in the most threatened position colleagues on the other side of the have pointed out throughout this week, this country has ever been in. We have aisle. When it comes to the tax legisla- the provisions for a small business adversaries out there. Some are some- tion that Republican colleagues are passthrough serve only to make a com- what mentally deranged. They are rap- rushing through Congress, please stop, plicated tax code even more com- idly getting or already have the capa- slow down, and let’s start over to- plicated—yes, even more complicated. bility of hitting an American city with gether. Expert analysis says that the pass- a weapon. As tragic as it was when we We need real tax reform with clear through provisions will require years of went through 9/11, what a lot of people policy goals that will make our Nation rulemakings and thousands of pages of don’t realize is, if that were to happen, more competitive, not a partisan at- additional rules and regulations. As a a whole city could be wiped out. tempt to pass something—anything— small business owner, unless your The problem is that we have gotten that can get 51 Republican votes in the hobby is studying the Internal Revenue away from prioritizing the fact that Senate. Our shared policy goals should Code, this bill is going to make your the No. 1 concern should be and the be making the Tax Code fairer, sim- life a whole lot more difficult. mission should be for us to defend pler, and fiscally responsible. If we can Finally, on the last test, the test of America. To give an example, up achieve these goals, that would be real whether or not this bill is responsible, this proposal fails miserably. Writing through the 1960s, we spent over 50 per- tax reform. responsible tax legislation means mak- cent of all the revenue that came into If we worked together, we could take ing hard choices—closing loopholes and the Federal Government on defending long overdue steps and build a tax code balancing out the pros and cons of any America. Do you know what it is that lets working families in Michigan and across the country keep more of action. today, Mr. President? It is 15 percent. Congress has the responsibility to their hard-earned money, levels the So we have gone from 50 percent down take seriously the threat of a growing playing field for our small businesses, to 15 percent. What does that tell you? national debt, and we have to think and keeps good jobs here at home in It tells you that the priorities aren’t about this when changing our Tax the United States. Fairer, simpler, re- right. Code. But instead of working to reduce sponsible—those are three key points So we have looked at this, and this is our debt, which we are passing on to C AIN making a tax code that works. If we a first step. This M C -led NDAA is our children and grandchildren, this the first step in reprioritizing where we don’t start over, I am afraid the cur- proposal actually adds more than $1 are. If anyone questions this, if you rent tax legislation will fail on all trillion to our deficit. And it would be look at the Obama administration, three accounts. even more expensive, but in a hap- First, this tax legislation is not fair. when we were trying to recover on se- hazard attempt to limit the cost, the It dramatically moves toward bene- questration, he had a policy. He said: majority has put forward a bill where fiting the wealthiest people in this Na- For every dollar we put in, we are hundreds of millions of dollars of provi- going to have to put an equal amount tion, with only a little sliver of the sions that middle-class families could into social programs. That shows you benefits going to working-class fami- use to reduce their taxes expire at ran- the lack of priority. All that is being lies. dom times over the next few years. changed. The Republican tax bill was clearly When you add it all up and factor in About 10 minutes ago when I started, written to cut rates for CEOs and large the additional interest costs to carry I quoted Patrick Henry. You stop and corporations and treats the middle this new debt, you have a proposal that think about the courage it took at one class like an afterthought. I would adds over $2 trillion to the Federal time to get to the point that we are argue that working Americans who are debt, according to the nonpartisan going to be progressing to, starting struggling with stagnant wages—while Committee for a Responsible Federal with this bill, when he said: There is a the cost of prescription drugs, college, Budget. It is wildly irresponsible to just God who reigns over the destinies and housing continue to rise—need tax pile on this debt to finance a tax break of nations and who will raise up friends cuts that are built around them. for the wealthiest people in this coun- to fight our battles with us. The battle Instead, we are looking at a Repub- try, but it doesn’t have to be that way. is not to the strong alone but to the lican tax plan that repeals the alter- Tax reform can be bipartisan. The vigilant, the active, the brave. Gentle- native minimum tax—a fail-safe de- goal of tax reform must be fairer, sim- men may cry ‘‘peace,’’ but there is no signed specifically to make sure that pler, and responsible. This isn’t just peace. Why stand we idle? What is it wealthy Americans cannot deduct their idealism or wishful thinking. We have that gentlemen wish? What would they way to paying nothing in taxes. From seen it happen before. When Ronald have? Is life so dear, is peace so sweet, what little we have seen of President Reagan worked with Congress to pass it must be bought at the price of chains Trump’s tax returns, we know that the tax reform in 1986, the bill received 97 and slavery? AMT—the alternative minimum tax— votes in the U.S. Senate—yes, 97 votes. That is what it used to be. That was is the only reason he paid income taxes That is the sort of bipartisan approach the priority. And this bill reestablishes at all. The Republican bill will elimi- we need, and we need to start working that priority as the No. 1 priority, as nate the AMT, and President Trump on that now. our history reflects we should be doing, and folks like him will receive a huge Michiganders—and all Americans— as our Constitution has charged us windfall and may not have to pay any deserve a tax code that is fairer, sim- with doing, and we are doing it with taxes at all—zero. pler, and more responsible, not more the passage of the national defense au- Wall Street loves this bill, too, be- multinational corporate giveaways and thorization bill. We are on the road to cause hedge funds will continue to be more debt. recovery, and I am very excited about taxed at lower rates than small busi- I will not stop fighting for hard- it. nesses in our local communities. This working American families and small I yield the floor and suggest the ab- means many hedge fund managers businesses who deserve to see more sence of a quorum. making millions of dollars will have a take-home pay, and I hope my col- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The lower tax rate than an office assistant leagues on the other side of the aisle clerk will call the roll. working at their firm. Simply put, this will join me.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.028 S16NOPT1 S7282 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 I suggest the absence of a quorum. headline reads ‘‘Senate tax bill cuts significant increase in premiums, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- taxes of wealthy and hikes taxes on which would substantially increase the pore. The clerk will call the roll. families earning under $75,000 over a number of uninsured Americans.’’ The legislative clerk proceeded to decade.’’ Let me repeat that. The Sen- The nonpartisan CBO agrees. They call the roll. ate tax bill cuts the taxes of the found that repealing the mandate will Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I ask wealthy and hikes taxes on families cause 13 million people to lose their unanimous consent that the order for earning under $75,000. The story is healthcare by 2027, and average pre- the quorum call be rescinded. based on a report from the nonpartisan miums would increase about 10 percent The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Joint Commission on Taxation which each year. pore. Without objection, it is so or- shows that the claims from President The inclusion of the mandate repeal dered. Trump and my Republican colleagues to pay for corporate tax cuts will hurt Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I ask that this bill is all about tax relief for middle-class families across our coun- unanimous consent that upon the con- the middle class are simply wrong. try. It is politics at its worst, throwing clusion of my remarks, the Senator I will quote from this story: aside the needs of our constituents to from Rhode Island be recognized. ensure that a small group of the The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- By the year 2027, Americans earning $30,000 to $75,000 a year— wealthy get wealthy. That is because pore. Without objection, it is so or- the core of this bill is based on a prom- dered. Solidly middle-class folks— Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I rise would also be forced to pay more in taxes ise proven false time and again—that today to express my deep concern with even though people earning over $100,000 tax cuts for the richest Americans and the tax reform bill that the Senate Fi- would continue to get substantial tax cuts. most profitable corporations will some- nance Committee is likely to approve Unfortunately, though, that is not how trickle down to help the majority later this week. The latest version of the end of my concerns with this legis- of working Americans. We know that is this massive tax bill, which will impact lation. I am also alarmed by how much not how our economy has actually every single American, was only re- this bill would add to our Nation’s worked. Even President Reagan’s own leased to the public late Tuesday night. budget deficits and by the long-term budget director, David Stockman, said Less than 48 hours later, the Finance impacts it would have on our debt. yesterday that this bill isn’t going to Committee is ramming through this According to the nonpartisan Con- increase wages for the middle class. bill on a party-line vote without any gressional Budget Office, this tax bill— The Senate bill proposes we cut the hearings and without a thorough re- this Republican-only tax bill—will cost top corporate rate nearly in half; ex- view of the bill. over $1.7 trillion over 10 years. That is empt more wealthy individuals from I strongly disagree with the closed- $1.7 trillion with a ‘‘t.’’ What happened the estate tax, which impacts only the door process of developing the sub- to my colleagues who spent years talk- top 0.2 percent of Americans; repeal the stance of a bill which skews the bene- ing about the danger posed by a grow- alternative minimum tax, which af- fits to the wealthy at the expense of ing national debt? Now these very fects those making hundreds of thou- middle-class families and with this same Senators and Representatives are sands annually; and cut tax rates for bill’s irresponsible cost of $1.7 trillion willing to put almost $2 trillion on our those earning over $1 million. over 10 years. I also want to tell my Nation’s credit card. It is an astound- Altogether, the core elements of this colleagues and the President that there ing figure—more than twice as large as plan amount to $1.7 trillion in tax cuts, is still an opportunity for us to do the the emergency stimulus package Con- and my Republican colleagues are sim- right thing and to work together on gress passed in 2009 to prevent the next ply asking us to trust them that the tax reform. Great Depression. It is more than twice benefits will somehow reach the middle We should follow the example of the as much as the much maligned so- class. last time there was successful tax re- called bailout that Congress authorized If that isn’t enough to prove that this form enacted by Congress. This was led to prevent the collapse of the financial bill being rushed through in today’s by Republican President Ronald system. markup is bad policy, my colleagues in Reagan, Democratic Speaker of the What does $1.7 trillion buy us? What the majority went one step further in House Tip O’Neill, and Members of is the great return on investment that this latest version by eliminating all Congress from both parties, who would justify borrowing $1.7 trillion— tax breaks for middle-class families in worked together back in 1986 to pass mostly from China—in a time of near 8 years while making the tax cuts for major tax reform legislation. Sure, record-low unemployment? The Speak- corporations permanent. This means they had strong disagreements, but er of the House, PAUL RYAN, publicly that millions of middle-class families they held lengthy public debates, com- bragged that their tax plan would will see a tax hike in the future in promised on both sides of the aisle, and produce 1 million jobs. That sounds order to fund permanency for corporate eventually passed a major tax reform good but not when you consider the tax breaks. That is just not right. bill that was bipartisan, was fair, and cost. My math may not be great, but if So here is what I think we should do. did not add to our deficits and national you spend $1.7 trillion to get 1 million Let’s slow down. Let’s work together, debt. jobs, that is $1.5 million per job. That Republicans and Democrats, to pass a For some reason, my Republican col- is not a great return on investment. bill that is actually good for all Ameri- leagues seem to have forgotten the ex- To add insult to injury, the majority cans. I believe we can get that done. I ample of the last time the Congress ac- believes they can use this bill to also think it is our job and our duty. We tually passed tax reform. It happened cut access to healthcare for millions of don’t have to start from scratch. There because both parties worked together. Americans because they have decided are bipartisan ideas. There are intro- It happened because both parties com- at the last moment to include a repeal duced, bipartisan tax bills that could promised. And while I believe there is of the Affordable Care Act’s individual make our code simpler and fairer and still time for us to undertake this ap- mandate—a critical part of that bill— more effective. proach, what we are seeing right now is law, which helps ensure a healthy risk I will mention two examples of bills I the exact opposite. I think that is a big pool, which, in turn, lowers premiums. have introduced—one with Republican mistake. Those who actually work in Senator SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO and When I am on the train back to Wil- healthcare know this is a bad idea. another with Republican Senator PAT mington or when I am at home in my That is why the American Medical As- ROBERTS—that encourage manufactur- State of Delaware hearing from my sociation, the American Academy of ers to use made-in-America parts and constituents, my message about this Family Physicians, the American Hos- incentivize companies that invent bill is simple: I am worried what this pital Association, and America’s something here to make it here. I have bill will do to our fiscal health as a Health Insurance Plans have all come introduced another bill with Repub- country and the middle class, and you out against the inclusion of the indi- lican Senator JERRY MORAN—it has should be too. vidual mandate repeal in this bill, say- eight bipartisan cosponsors—and with Let me start by quoting a story from ing that ‘‘eliminating the individual Republican Congressman TED POE that the Washington Post today whose mandate by itself likely will result in a would alter the Tax Code to boost

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.030 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7283 every aspect of the American energy tantly, I have come to admire her as a part of our team. Regardless of who industry, from oil and gas to the latest person. In addition to being incredibly someone may be, when they work with renewable and clean energy tech- competent, strategic, and quick on her Megan, they are treated with dignity nologies. These are just a few ideas, feet, it is Megan’s boundless patience and respect. Time and again, I have but they represent a simple truth: that and optimism I will most miss. Regard- heard from people who are so grateful we can and should work together on less of how stressful, jam-packed, and for her generosity, patience, and kind- tax reform instead of making this one uncertain a day may be, Megan is al- ness. I have seen her help and stick up more pointless, partisan battle. ways able to ensure that everything for her colleagues, even when that was The same thing is true for our gets done; that every constituent is difficult to do. healthcare system. The American peo- heard, every important issue is raised, Let me close by simply saying to my ple have overwhelmingly said they and that this Senator doesn’t lose his friend and colleague Megan O’Neill: want a bipartisan and open process to mind. Thank you. Thank you for everything fix healthcare, not a one-party scheme Megan is also famous for her seem- you have done for me, for your col- by either party that throws our system ingly permanent smile and sunny dis- leagues, for your friends in the Senate, into chaos with no plan to replace it. position. Some of her colleagues in my for the State of Delaware, and our I encourage President Trump and Re- office chimed in with a few anecdotes. country. The Senate is a place full of publican leaders to stop trying to pass Oftentimes, I was told, throughout the amazing, talented people, but even tax reform with only Republicans and day, Megan will announce she is off to among them, you have stood out in to reach across the aisle to work with get a ‘‘fun drink,’’ which might sound your time here, and we will all miss Democrats and pass something we can like a Margarita but is, in fact, always you dearly. Thank you. all get behind. a raspberry lemonade-flavored Dasani The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- TRIBUTE TO MEGAN O’NEILL sparkling water. When something pore. The Senator from Rhode Island is Mr. President, while I appreciate the comes up—whether it is a favorite TV recognized. opportunity to talk today about the show, album, or new restaurant, she REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN very real need for bipartisan tax re- exclaims: ‘‘That’s my jam!’’ She also Mr. REED. Mr. President, it is our re- form that helps working families, loves to travel, but one thing that sponsibility to ensure that future gen- grows the economy, and doesn’t in- makes her different is that when she erations will have greater opportunity crease our debt, I wish to turn to an- has an upcoming trip, she is just as ex- and greater security than we inherited other important topic—the impending cited to plan it out minute by minute from our parents and our forebears. To departure from my office of Megan as she is to actually go. accomplish this, we must put aside po- O’Neill, my director of scheduling. I can’t talk about Megan without litical expedience and take a sober Megan has been a part of our office mentioning her family. She speaks fre- look at the health of our national econ- for more than 5 years. She leaves later quently and lovingly about her parents omy and our ability to keep our com- this month for an exciting new oppor- Michael and Donna O’Neill and her mitments at home and around the tunity in New York City. younger brother Matt. As anyone who world. With this in mind, I rise to urge Megan is quite simply one of the knows Megan is well aware, each sum- my colleagues to reject the partisan most capable, resourceful, intelligent, mer, she is a key part of O’Neill week and fiscally irresponsible Republican effective, and kind people I have ever when she joins her parents, brother, tax proposals in the so-called Tax Cuts had the honor of knowing or working cousins, and extended family in beau- and Jobs Act. When we strip away the with. One of the most well-worn tiful Bethany Beach, DE, to play Olym- rosy, but false, economic projections sayings here in Washington is that ‘‘ev- pic-style beach games, eat, drink, and and ideologically motived economic eryone is replaceable.’’ While that may enjoy each other’s company. theories the Republicans have been be true for me, and it may be true for Anyone who understands the Senate using to hype this bill, it is clear this the Acting President pro tempore, and knows how essential schedulers are to bill trades away our nation’s long-term it may be true for many others here, it everything that goes on here. No staff- economic health and the well-being of is simply not true of Megan. She is er has a more challenging, demanding, working Americans, the poor, the sick, truly irreplaceable. I owe Megan a huge or complex role. We Senators have big and the old in order to benefit the debt of gratitude for her years of serv- vocabularies for our long-winded wealthy. Moreover, this bill will take ice to my office, to Delaware, and to speeches, but the most important word us trillions of dollars deeper into debt our country. a scheduler says is ‘‘no,’’ and Megan at a time when the costs of 16 years of Many of us who have worked with her mastered the art of saying no in a firm, debt-financed wars continue to mount. will gather to thank her and wish her professional, appropriate way, even Republicans owe it to our country and well, but I also wanted to take a few when this Senator seems to always to future generations who will be stuck minutes to talk about—and probably want to say yes. with the multi-trillion-dollar cost of embarrass—this remarkable woman. Schedulers wear too many hats to this bill to go back to the drawing Megan is from nearby Chevy Chase, count. They are field generals, fire- board and produce a balanced and per- MD, but more important, at least in fighters, political advisers, logisti- manent bipartisan path forward on our my opinion, is that she graduated from cians, psychologists, diplomats, man- Nation’s broken Tax Code. the University of Delaware as a agers, and air traffic controllers. They It does not take an economist to see ‘‘Fighting Blue Hen’’ with a degree in work as hard or harder than anyone that the Republican tax bill is a his- economics and international relations. else here but so often go unseen or un- toric $1.5 trillion transfer of wealth She interned in my Wilmington office heard. Maybe that is why Senate from poor and working Americans to during her senior year at UD and schedulers are a very tight-knit group. the very wealthiest among us, but a quickly became a staff favorite. Megan often speaks with great fond- few of its glaring injustices are worth Upon graduating, Megan moved to ness and respect for her counterparts mentioning. According to the Center Washington, and I hired her as a staff in other Senate offices, and it does not for Budget and Policy Priorities, it assistant, working at the front desk in surprise me that they think highly of gives over twice as much tax relief to my DC office. It is a particularly de- her. millionaires as it does to Americans manding job—juggling visiting con- One of Megan’s counterparts said she making under $50,000. Just 5,000 of the stituents, constant phone calls, and su- is ‘‘always quick to share advice and wealthiest American families will re- pervising interns. She proved herself to ideas, and has been a great source of ceive hundreds of billions of dollars be mature and capable. I promoted her support when any [of] her colleagues over a decade in the form of estate tax several times in quick succession until need some kind words. She is efficient breaks at a time when income and she took over as my director of sched- and effective while also being so nice wealth inequality in this country are uling in August of 2015. and compassionate.’’ at historic highs. This transfer of Over the course of her time in my of- Megan’s compassion is, at the end of wealth through estate tax repeal alone fice, I have come to deeply respect her the day, what makes her such an in- requires us to go back to the drawing as a professional, but more impor- credible person and an irreplaceable board. On the other hand, the bill

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.032 S16NOPT1 S7284 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 raises taxes on 19.4 million households est costs for overseas contingency op- investing it now in increasing our mili- earning under $200,000 by as much as erations spending alone are projected tary forces. If the Air Force grows by $500. Forty-six percent of households to add more than $1 trillion to the na- 30,000 personnel, it will cost an addi- making under $100,000 and 50 percent of tional debt by 2023. By 2056, a conserv- tional $6 billion per year. If the Marine households making under $75,000 will ative estimate is that the interest Corps grows by 20,000 personnel, it will either see their taxes go up over the costs will be about $8 trillion, unless cost an additional $3.6 billion per year. next decade or see no change at all, and the U.S. changes the way it pays for If you talk to the Commandant or that is just the tip of the iceberg. the wars.’’ Chief of Staff of the Air Force, they While tax cuts for big corporations are In a sense, what we are doing is will tell you they have to increase the made permanent, the Republican bill mortgaging the future of our children size of their force because of the oper- plans to claw back what little it gives and grandchildren as we continue to ational tempo. Indeed, if you talk to to everyone else after a few years, set- add debt, and this is unavoidable debt the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, he ting up even bigger tax hikes for the in so many cases. We know we cannot will tell you they are in a desperate middle class down the line. This does immediately stop our engagement in situation maintaining sufficient pilots not even begin to cover the return of countries throughout the world—in Af- to fly our aircraft. So we could be buy- TrumpCare that has been added to this ghanistan, in the Middle East and ing hundreds of new F–35 aircraft at a bill, which would take healthcare cov- other areas. And, frankly, we are fac- significant cost and watch them parked erage away from 13 million Americans ing tremendous challenges in the Ko- because we can’t afford the flight crews and drive up costs substantially for the rean Peninsula. The approximate com- to fly them and to maintain them. We poor, the sick, and the elderly. bined President’s budget request for know these costs are coming, and we This bill is a bad investment and, the Departments of Defense, State, and are ignoring them until they come due. frankly, it is one we can ill afford. Ac- USAID for fiscal year 2018 is $14 billion We are ignoring them now for the ben- cording to the Penn Wharton Budget for Iraq and Syria, and $48.9 billion for efit of these tax cuts. Model provided by the University of Afghanistan. If we do not chart a responsible path Pennsylvania, the bill will reduce Fed- Furthermore, these costs do not ac- forward on economic policy, we will eral revenue by as much as $1.7 trillion count for much needed maintenance leave all these costs to the next gen- and increase our national debt by $2 and modernization of our military as- eration, to the detriment of our chil- trillion in the 10-year budget window. sets. For example, modernizing, oper- dren, our national security, and our po- By 2040, this becomes $3.6 trillion in ating, and sustaining our nuclear sition of world leadership. Frankly, it lost Federal revenue and up to $6.9 tril- triad—which includes submarines, might not be even that long before se- lion in debt. We would take on all this bombers, and ICBMs—is projected to rious issues materialize. Once the mar- debt for an estimated 0.4 to 0.9 percent cost $1.2 trillion in 2017 dollars over the kets determine that $1.5 trillion is just boost in GDP. For $1.5 trillion, we next 30 years. We are debating taking a small fraction of what we still must could make needed repairs to our $1.5 trillion and giving it to the pay to protect ourselves; to continue streets and highways across America— wealthiest Americans when we know our commitment in Afghanistan, to creating tens of thousands of jobs in that we need an additional $1.2 trillion continue to support allies across the the process. We could pay off every over 30 years to secure the safety of the globe, markets may learn very quickly American’s credit card or student loan, United States and the civility of the that the deficit is beginning to devour or lift every American above the pov- world through nuclear deterrence. This us. The markets will react, as they erty line for years. Instead, this bill begs the very simple question: If we have in the past. So we could see a seri- would put yet another massive charge want to borrow $1.5 trillion, why don’t ous problem long before even our chil- on America’s credit card that will not we invest it in a cost we know will dren confront these debts. create jobs, will not trickle down, and come due—protecting our country and That is why earlier today former Sec- most certainly will not pay for itself. the world through the renovation and retaries of Defense Leon Panetta, We still have a $5.6 trillion in deficits reinvigoration of our nuclear triad. Chuck Hagel, and Ash Carter sent a and interest payments from the Bush The Navy recently validated a re- letter to congressional leadership and tax cuts to prove it. With over $20 tril- quirement for 355 ships. This would re- the House and Senate Armed Services lion in national debt, it is long past quire the Navy to purchase around 329 Committee leadership that warned us time to stop experimenting with peo- new ships over 30 years—an average that the fiscal irresponsibility of the ple’s lives and livelihoods to prove yet cost of $102 billion per year through Republican tax proposal will con- again there are no merits to supply- 2047, which is 13 percent more than the tribute to a growing budget crisis. The side economics. America has pressing $90 billion needed to build and operate letter urges Congress to instead ad- needs and very real bills coming due. the current 254-ship fleet envisioned in dress the sequester that threatens to Mr. President, I would like to spend the Navy’s 2017 plan. Once again, we ‘‘hollow out’’ our military’s ability to the remaining time of my remarks ad- are committing ourselves to billions of sustain the commitments of its global dressing something about which we dollars of costs to our Navy ship- missions. have heard far too little in this debate, building program while we are enter- Mr. President, tax policies have real and that is the impact on our national taining a 1.5 or more trillion-dollar tax consequences. We can debate the value economic health of the unavoidable giveaway to the wealthiest Americans. of one tax proposal over another, but and compounding cost of 16 years of We know these costs are coming due, that is not the debate before us. The military conflict paid for almost en- but we are fooling ourselves into think- simple facts are that this tax bill will tirely through debt. For the first time ing we can continue spending on credit give breaks to the people who need in our history, the United States re- forever. them the least, take money from work- duced revenue—in the form of the Bush We can expect even greater costs if ing Americans, leave millions of Amer- tax cuts—rather than the usual pay-as- our military increases end strength, as icans sicker and worse off, and further you-go approach to financing the post- so many on both sides of the aisle are strain our ability to keep America safe 9/11 wars. While we debate potentially proposing. This is because of high oper- from growing and changing threats adding trillions of dollars to the debt ational tempo, which is not likely to across the globe. It also threatens ex- for an ill-conceived tax bill, the costs diminish. For every additional 10,000 penditures on healthcare, education, of war are coming due. servicemembers, it costs roughly $1.8 infrastructure, and other vital domes- According to calculations in the billion per year for pay and benefits, tic needs as the debt balloons due to thorough report by the Costs of War and to train and equip these personnel. this bill’s unaffordable tax breaks for Project by the Watson Institute at If the Army grows to 580,000 personnel, corporate titans. This is not what we Brown University, ‘‘[e]ven if the U.S. it will cost an additional $18 billion per owe the next generation. It is not even stopped spending on war at the end of year, but we are taking that money, what we owe our children today. I urge this fiscal year, interest costs alone on and we are giving it in tax cuts, the my colleagues across the aisle to con- borrowing to pay for the wars will con- prominent amount of which is going to sider our Nation’s future and join us in tinue to grow apace . . . [f]uture inter- the wealthiest Americans. We are not opposing this legislation.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.037 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7285 Like so many here, I was here in 2001 tions and allow the hearing despite the able to block a Presidential [nomina- when President George W. Bush pro- lack of two positive blue slips. tion].’’ Well, now that Senator is with- posed his tax cuts, which I opposed, As I explained earlier this week, the holding his blue slip for a nominee to and assured us that our economy would blue-slip courtesy is just that—a cour- the Ninth Circuit. If he did not believe grow, that jobs would multiply, that tesy. For 100 years, the Judiciary Com- that 41 Senators should be able to we would be fine. Let me remind my mittee chairmen have asked for the block a nominee, he surely wouldn’t colleagues that he said this after we views of home State Senators on judi- believe that a single Senator would had made the tough decisions in the cial nominees via the blue-slip process. have that right. Clinton Administration that led to a The blue slip is meant to solicit in- I think the Democrats now seriously projected surplus in the billions of dol- sights into nominees and ensure that regret that they abolished the fili- lars. The mantra from many people at the White House is adequately con- buster, as I warned them about at that the time was, let’s give the money sulting with home State Senators as particular time when they were trying back to the American people. the advice part of the advice and con- to add a lot of people who were not We don’t have a surplus today. We sent would apply. needed on the DC Circuit Court of Ap- have a significant deficit. It will grow Let me be very clear. I will maintain peals, as an example—packing the with this bill because this bill says the blue-slip courtesy, but some of my court, in other words. They cannot that we are going to increase it by $1.5 Democratic colleagues and leftwing veto it because there is not a filibuster, trillion at a minimum, and it will not outside groups mistakenly assert that so they want to use the blue slip for be just $1.5 trillion. the blue slip affords a home State Sen- that purpose. It is very clear from the I suggest that, unless we abandon our ator veto power over a nominee. That history of the blue slip that that is not commitments to the men and women of is not true. Only 2 out of the 18 pre- what the blue slip was meant for. our Armed Forces, unless we decide to vious chairmen of this committee in On the other hand, some have argued disengage from the deterrent that we the last 100 years allowed a single Sen- that the blue-slip courtesy has no place must have to defend the Nation from a ator to wield veto power over a nomi- in modern judicial confirmations. The nuclear Armageddon, unless we decide nee. LA Times recently suggested getting to leave Afghanistan—after the Presi- Senator Joe Biden, when he was the rid of the blue slip, as did the New dent announced that no longer are we Judiciary Committee chairman, articu- York Times several years ago. Even basing our decisions on time but on lated what I consider to be a sensible our committee’s ranking member, Sen- conditions—there will continue to be policy with regard to the blue slip. He ator FEINSTEIN, once advocated for trillions and trillions of dollars of un- said that a negative blue slip will be a abolishing the blue slip. avoidable costs that should be included ‘‘significant factor’’ for the committee I disagree that we should abolish the in this debate. to weigh, but ‘‘it will not preclude con- blue slip. The blue slip serves the im- This is not the time to take trillions sideration of a nominee’’ unless the ad- portant purpose of encouraging con- of dollars and give a disproportionate ministration were to fail to consult sultation between the White House and share to the wealthiest Americans. with the Senator. I intend to follow the Senate. Otherwise, the constitu- This is the time for us to work to- this practice for negative and tional provision of advice and consent gether, to provide the resources for our unreturned blue slips. This practice is is just consent. But there is oppor- military, to provide investments for consistent with the vast majority of tunity to advise ahead of time. That is our people, and to deal with the issue the blue slip’s history. what the blue slips help to do. The blue of inequality between the wealthiest 1 I will add that I am less likely to pro- slip serves the important purpose of en- percent and everybody else. None of ceed on a district court nominee who couraging consultation between the that is accomplished by this bill. In does not have two positive blue slips White House and the Senate. The fact, this bill will complicate, com- from home State Senators, but circuit White House has an obligation to en- pound, and make even more difficult courts, as we know, cover multiple gage in good-faith consultation with the problems we face in defending the States. There is less reason to defer to home State Senators for the purpose of Nation and giving people a chance at the views of a single State’s Senator advice. having better futures. for such nominees when that nominee I will not allow the White House to I yield the floor. is going to serve several States in a cir- just steamroll home State Senators, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- cuit. but, as I have said all along, I will not pore. The Senator from Iowa. It is important to remember that the allow the blue-slip process to be BLUE SLIPS AND THE NOMINATIONS OF DAVID judicial confirmation process has abused. Ever since last November, STRAS AND KYLE DUNCAN changed over the last several years. when the press had asked me about the Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, ear- Previously, when home State Senators blue slip, I have said that we are going lier this week, I spoke about the his- did not return a positive blue slip, to honor the blue-slip process but that tory of the blue-slip courtesy. I hope their colleagues often defeated that there are always exceptions. I am not my colleagues will read that history as very same nomination on the floor but going to allow Senators to prevent a well. I explained in that speech earlier not in committee. committee hearing for political or ide- this week that in my nearly four dec- When President Bush nominated ological reasons. Those are the least ades in the Senate, I have regularly re- Carolyn Kuhl to the Ninth Circuit, her reasons not to have a hearing. Using turned my blue slip even when I would home State Senators did not return the blue slip for these purposes is not have preferred that the President had positive blue slips. Chairman HATCH, consistent with historical practice. nominated someone else. nevertheless, held a hearing and a vote This brings me to one of the two Today, I am announcing that the Ju- for that nominee. Her home State Sen- nominations we are having on Novem- diciary Committee will hold a hearing ators, however, convinced their col- ber 29, that of Justice David Stras of for two circuit court nominees, each of leagues to filibuster the nominee on Minnesota. whom has one home State Senator who the Senate floor. Carolyn Kuhl was Justice Stras appears to be excep- has not returned a blue slip containing never confirmed. tionally well qualified. He graduated a positive endorsement. A few years ago, as we know—I think first in his class from the University of The hearing for Justice David Stras, it was in 2013—Democrats abolished the Kansas Law School. He clerked for nominee to the Eighth Circuit, and filibuster for nominees to the lower both the Ninth Circuit and the Fourth Kyle Duncan, nominee to the Fifth Cir- courts. They argued that a minority of Circuit and then for U.S. Supreme cuit, will take place on November 29. Senators should not be allowed to Court Justice Clarence Thomas. After Both of these nominees appear to be block nominees who had majority sup- several years in private practice in very well qualified, and they deserve port. Minnesota, Justice Stras joined the the Judiciary Committee’s further con- Our colleague, the Senator from Or- faculty of the University of Minnesota sideration. I would therefore like to egon, said: ‘‘ ‘Advice and consent’ was Law School. He remained there until offer an explanation as to why I am never envisioned as a check that in- his appointment to the Minnesota Su- choosing to proceed on these nomina- volved a minority of the Senate being preme Court in 2010. In 2012, he was

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.039 S16NOPT1 S7286 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 elected to a full 6-year term on the The editorial board of the largest wrote a letter to the committee stat- court by 56 percent of Minnesota vot- newspaper in Minnesota echoed the re- ing: ers. Think about one’s not returning a tired justice, Paul Anderson: We are Minnesota law professors with di- blue slip when somebody gets 56 per- While Stras is more conservative than I verse political views ranging from very con- cent of the vote to be returned to the would like, that is not the point. The ques- servative to very progressive. Some of us court. tion is whether Stras is qualified to serve on have appeared before Justice Stras as advo- the Eighth Circuit. And he is. cates, and all of us are familiar with his aca- Justice Stras was raised by a single demic and judicial track records. My colleague later claimed that he mother in Kansas. He is the grandson Now as I continue the quote, I want was not adequately consulted by the of Holocaust survivors. He carries the to say to everybody, get this: White House, which would be a legiti- lessons passed down by his grand- He is no extremist, and he has approached parents with him each day. mate reason for withholding a blue his academic and judicial work without bias I want to refer to a writing he just slip, as I hope I have implied several or favoritism. submitted to a leading newspaper. times during my remarks today and be- This support is echoed by his col- Writing recently about their survival fore. So I looked into this by reviewing leagues in my State of Iowa. The com- in Auschwitz and then immigrating to the records of consultation—and thank mittee has received several letters of the United States, he recalled that his God the White House keeps pretty good support from the faculty at the Univer- grandfather had ‘‘the uncommon gift of records. It is clear the White House sity of Iowa College of Law where Jus- being able to see the light of human earnestly and repeatedly attempted to tice Stras teaches as an adjunct pro- generosity in the midst of near-total work with both home State Senators. fessor. Among his supporters are the darkness.’’ The White House reached out to my dean of the law school, Gail Agrawal, He wrote that his grandparents em- colleague from Minnesota several and Professor Sheldon Kurtz, a self-de- braced ‘‘a message of optimism, in- times between January and May of this scribed ‘‘life-long liberal.’’ tended to ensure that their children year to discuss the Eighth Circuit va- Justice Stras is a widely respected and grandchildren were able to lead a cancy that Minnesota supplies a mem- jurist, and he should have a hearing. life free from the atrocities that they ber for. Ideological differences should not pre- had witnessed.’’ It wasn’t until May 2 that my col- vent the committee from moving for- Justice Stras has an impeccable rep- league suggested alternatives to Jus- ward. utation in the Minnesota legal commu- tice Stras. That was more than 3 I would also like to address my deci- nity. months after initial contact by the sion to hold a hearing for Kyle Duncan, a nominee for the Fifth Circuit. He also His former colleagues at the Univer- White House. Nevertheless, the White has not had two positive blue slips re- sity of Minnesota Law School describe House did what they should under the Constitution by listening to Senators. turned. He is a widely respected appel- him as a person who ‘‘engaged in de- late lawyer who has litigated over 30 bate respectfully, listening to opposing They considered my colleague’s two suggested nominees. I am satisfied that cases in Federal and State appellate ideas while backing up his own views courts, including the U.S. Supreme with facts and arguments’’ and who the White House adequately tried to consult with both home State Senators Court. ‘‘wanted our students to be exposed to My friend and colleague, Senator a wide range of beliefs.’’ as the Constitution requires under ad- vice and consent. Therefore, I am not KENNEDY of Louisiana, has declined to Another group of colleagues of Jus- return a positive blue slip. However, tice Stras from his days in private going to deny Justice Stras a hearing. I would like to say a brief word about Senator KENNEDY expressed that while practice describe this justice as the Justice Stras’s supposedly rigid con- he is undecided on Mr. Duncan’s nomi- type of attorney who ‘‘never talked nation, he does not oppose a hearing servative views. The Judiciary Com- down to people’’ and ‘‘there was never for Mr. Duncan. This seems to me to be mittee has received numerous letters any hint that he felt himself superior a very sensible approach. It is the cor- attesting to Justice Stras’s intellec- to anyone.’’ Instead, Justice Stras ‘‘lis- rect distinction that a Senator should tual honesty and, probably more im- tened to others’ views, and worked to make when deciding whether to return portantly, open-mindedness. It is clear find an approach to legal problems that a blue slip. The blue slip is not meant that he has great respect for the rule of was both effective and acceptable to to signify the Senator’s ultimate sup- law, and his tenure on the Minnesota everyone on the team.’’ They also note port or opposition to the nominee. It Supreme Court demonstrates that, like in that letter his dedication to men- only expresses a Senator’s view about any good judge, he is able to put aside toring young lawyers. whether the nominee should have a his personal views and apply the law Despite these accomplishments and hearing. faithfully. accolades, one Senator has withheld Senator FEINSTEIN made this precise One letter, written by a bipartisan his blue slip. Evidently, my colleague distinction in 2003 for Carolyn Kuhl’s group of attorneys from Justice Stras’s from Minnesota believes that Justice nomination. I referred to that nomina- former firm, noted that they ‘‘never Stras has not even earned a hearing be- tion earlier in my remarks. Senator doubted for a minute that he reached fore the Senate Judiciary Committee. FEINSTEIN returned a blue slip which his decisions based on his well-consid- But the reasons given for withholding noted that she ‘‘reserved judgment’’ on ered view of the law, and not personal, the blue slip are not consistent with Carolyn Kuhl. She also supported hold- political, or ideological consider- the blue slip’s purposes and history. ing a hearing for Judge Kuhl. Ulti- ations.’’ mately, after Judge Kuhl’s hearing, Justice Stras was nominated to the They went on to note: Senator FEINSTEIN decided to oppose Eighth Circuit on May 8, more than 6 confirmation. months ago. After many months, my The lawyers whose names appear at the bottom of this letter span the political spec- Evidently, the hearing served a use- colleague formally announced that he trum, from Democrat to Republican, liberal ful purpose, and Senator FEINSTEIN was would not return a blue slip. He cited to conservative. We differ in our political able to distinguish between allowing a Justice Stras’s ‘‘deeply conservative views, but we are united in our support of hearing and supporting a nominee. Justice Stras’s nomination to the Eighth judicial philosophy,’’ as well as his ad- Senator KENNEDY has shown that he miration for Justice Thomas and Jus- Circuit Court of Appeals. understands this distinction as well. tice Scalia. To me, this amounts to an There are all kinds of people writing I look forward to hearing from Jus- ideological litmus test: Admirers of that letter—Democrats and Repub- tice Stras and Mr. Duncan at the Sen- Justice Thomas and Justice Scalia licans, liberals and conservatives. Why ate Judiciary Committee hearing on need not ever apply for being on a cir- is a Senator concerned about the jus- November 29. cuit court. tice’s ideological views when people I think that all 100 Senators ought to The Minnesota StarTribune’s edi- who know him well seem to think that look at the advice and consent clause. torial board summed it up. They said is not a consideration because he is We have an opportunity to give advice the Senator from Minnesota ‘‘rejected going to make a good judge? to a President. We have an opportunity Stras for one reason: the justice’s con- A group of former colleagues at the then, if that nominee comes up here, to servative views.’’ University of Minnesota agree. They vote for that nominee.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:51 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.040 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7287 Do we want to preserve the ‘‘advice’’ growing number of threats and chal- committee’s jurisdiction. First, the part of advice and consent? If we do, I lenges that our military must face. conference report builds on important would suggest that we look at the blue Across the globe, we have witnessed provisions included in the versions that slip as a useful tool for accomplishing the rise of dangerous new threats that passed both the House and the Senate a very important part of the process. If make the mission of our warfighters this year, and it includes the adminis- it is abused—at least while I am chair- even more challenging. In Europe, tration’s request for additional missile man, you don’t have to worry about it Vladimir Putin has shown a complete defense funding, submitted earlier this going away. But if it is abused, some- disregard for international law and month. In total, the bill authorizes an day it will go away, and then all we are order and threatens key allies and de- additional $4.4 billion above the level going to have, when it is all said and mocracies that underpin the demo- requested by the President when the done, is consent. cratic backbone of Europe. In the Pa- budget was initially submitted to im- I yield the floor. cific, we face a nuclear-armed dictator prove our missile defense systems. This The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- in North Korea who murders his own includes a significant expansion of our pore. The majority leader. people while threatening mass death Ground-based Midcourse Defense sys- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I and destruction to the United States tem and authorizes resources to begin listened carefully to the excellent re- and to our allies. In the Middle East, construction of another 20 interceptor marks of the chairman of the Judiciary we have witnessed the rapid and fear- silos at Fort Greely, AK. To further en- Committee, outlining the history of some emergence of radical extremist hance the system’s effectiveness, the the blue slip. I am going to say to the groups like ISIS, whose barbarism bill makes valuable investments in the chairman that he has outlined a sen- shocks the world. Their horrific acts of network of radars and other sensors sible use of the blue slip, which in- bloodshed show just how dangerous that support the system’s operations. volves consultation but does not lead this warped ideology is, and the efforts The bill also contains reasonable re- to a one-Senator veto of a nominee. I thank the chairman for the history of the men and women in uniform have forms to our military space enterprise lesson. It is a history lesson that the played a critical role in the fight to that are designed to achieve a more Senate needed to hear. stem this dark tide. streamlined and agile system that is I also thank the chairman for the Unfortunately, this same ideology of more responsive to the needs of our spectacular job that he has done all radical extremism is finding new fol- warfighters. year long with this new administration lowers in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Furthermore, the bill improves the in processing and bringing forward These threats demand that we be oversight and management of our nu- highly qualified nominees. For genera- ready. The fact is that the United clear command and control architec- tions to come, Americans who follow States has faced challenges before, and ture. Often overlooked, these programs the third branch will be indebted to the if one thing holds true throughout his- form the connective tissue between our chairman for the way he has handled tory, it is that our Armed Forces will national leadership and our nuclear these nominations, processed them, be called upon to defeat the enemies of forces. Their reliability and resilience moved them out on to the floor, and freedom and safeguard this Nation. For are vital to the effectiveness of our nu- given the Senate the opportunity to ex- them to succeed, the Congress must clear deterrent. press its will. provide the men and women in uniform As the specter of great power conflict I wish every Member of the Senate the support they need to execute their returns and the threat from a nuclear- had been able to hear the chairman’s missions. That is why I am so proud to armed North Korea continues to grow, remarks, but I am certainly going to stand before you today and speak our missile defense and nuclear capa- call these remarks to the attention of about the National Defense Authoriza- bilities will play an increasingly im- our Members every opportunity I get, tion Act. portant role in protecting our home- and I thank the Senator from Iowa. This legislation sends a clear mes- land. I look forward to continuing to Mr. GRASSLEY. I thank the leader. sage: Now is the time that we begin to work with my colleagues to further The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- rebuild our military. Contained in this modernize and strengthen these vital pore. The Senator from Nebraska. bill is the necessary funding to start capabilities to ensure that we stay NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL filling the gaps and ensuring our force ahead of the threats that our Nation Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise remains the best in the world. This in- faces. today to speak about the National De- cludes increases to the size of the Beyond the strategic forces portfolio, fense Authorization Act. The process of Army, Navy, Air Force, Reserves, and this bill recognizes that we must also negotiating the annual defense bill is our National Guard. It also means that rebuild our readiness and military in- one that has a long and important his- new, battle-ready systems are going to frastructure here at home, which is tory on Capitol Hill. get the funding they need to be put in why we have included funding in- This afternoon, the Senate voted to the field as quickly as possible. On creases in the bill to support 90 percent pass a conference report, continuing a land, the NDAA authorizes funding for of the requirements for facilities tradition of 55 consecutive years in 85 Abrams tank upgrades and 93 Brad- sustainment, as well as a significant which the National Defense Authoriza- ley fighting vehicles. At sea, it revital- increase for facilities restoration and tion Act has been a must-pass bill for izes our fleet, authorizing 13 new ships modernization. This means newly au- the Congress. People have a habit these for our Navy. In the air, it provides 90 thorized funding to restore and mod- days of assuming that Congress cannot new F–35 aircraft and 53 UH–60M Black ernize facilities and infrastructure pass major legislation, but this bill is a Hawk helicopters. ranging from barracks and hospitals to testament to the fact that when it Across all of these domains, the fis- runways and hangers. comes to supporting our men and cal year 2018 NDAA authorizes funding But let’s not forget the most impor- women in uniform, we work together for critical modernization priorities to tant part of our effort in crafting this to provide them with the support they help ensure that on every battlefield bill, and that is providing for the one need. I am happy to say that this year, the men and women of America’s asset we can never replace: our sol- we are carrying on this proud tradi- Armed Forces have the resources they diers, sailors, airmen, and marines. The tion. need to complete the missions they are people who wear the uniform are more This year’s National Defense Author- given. valuable than any weapons system. ization Act was passed by over- I serve as chair of the Armed Serv- The dedication, sacrifice, and honor whelming bipartisan majorities in both ices Committee’s Subcommittee on they exemplify every day is why we the Senate and the House. As a mem- Strategic Forces, and my top priority stand here today and enjoy the free- ber of the Senate Armed Services Com- has been the modernization of our nu- doms this country has to offer. For mittee, I have been proud to do my clear forces and the Department of En- that reason, included in this bill is the part to help craft this bill and to be a ergy’s nuclear weapons complex. largest pay raise for our troops in 8 part of the process. This bill strongly supports nuclear years. We live in a rapidly changing world, modernization and makes a number of We have also permanently preserved and, unfortunately, one that presents a other key investments within the sub- special survivor indemnity allowance

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.042 S16NOPT1 S7288 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 payments to surviving military colleagues on the Senate Judiciary it is an impartial and objective asso- spouses. There are more than 60,000 Committee are apparently willing to ciation.’’ Americans whose spouses have died on hand over their voting cards to the Twenty-five years later, Barr’s words Active Duty or during retirement and, American Bar Association, based on were right. His words ring true. as a result of this legislation, this im- the claim that the ABA is an unbiased, Again, I want to be perfectly clear. portant payment will no longer exist indifferent umpire that just calls balls The ABA is allowed to have any view on a year-by-year basis, but it will be and strikes. that its members want to have, and preserved indefinitely. The American Bar Association is not they are allowed to advocate and to Make no mistake, these are chal- neutral. The ABA is a liberal organiza- protest on behalf of those views and on lenging times for our Nation as the tion that has publicly and consistently behalf of their members. This is Amer- world is becoming an increasingly com- advocated for left-of-center positions ica, and that is exactly what the First plex place. Now more than ever, we are for more than two decades now. The Amendment is about. That is fine. But asking our military to tackle difficult ABA has no right to special treatment what is not fine is that the ABA, which problems and to face adversaries who by Members of this body. is a liberal advocacy organization, consistently seek new ways to do us It is pretty simple. If you are playing would masquerade as a neutral and ob- harm. in the game, you don’t get to cherry- jective evaluator of judicial can- No matter the day, no matter the sit- pick who the referees are. didates. uation, America’s Armed Forces stand Take, for just a moment, a look at The ABA cannot take blatantly lib- ready to answer the call and protect the amicus briefs they have filed in re- eral positions on the one hand, and our Nation. We need to uphold our sol- cent years. then masquerade as a neutral party on emn duty as Members of the Senate In the District of Columbia v. Heller, the other, and then demand a special and keep faith with those who wear the the ABA supported denying an indi- seat at the table in the Senate Judici- uniform by giving them the tools they vidual their constitutional right to ary Committee and in the Senate—in need. keep and bear arms. this body—to try to tell us who is and The 55-year legacy of passing the Na- In Christian Legal Society v. Mar- isn’t supposedly qualified to be a judge. tional Defense Authorization Act did tinez, the ABA supported forcing Chris- Just as the ABA has every right to not happen by accident. It has hap- tian organizations on campuses to ac- advance its liberal policy positions, pened because Members of this body cept members that reject their faith. every Senator has the right—and in- know and Members of this body recog- In Medellin v. Texas, the ABA sup- deed, the duty—to give our advice and nize that this bill represents a promise ported forcing States to recognize the consent on judicial nominees. If Sen- to our servicemembers. It is a promise judgments of the world court in order ators decide that they like and value that, as you stand in harm’s way, far to stop the execution of a gruesome the ABA’s policy positions and they from your families and loved ones, we murderer. like and value the ABA’s rating, they stand with you. When you are deployed In United States v. Windsor, the ABA are free to give them due deference and during a holiday or a special occasion, supported the recognition of same-sex consideration, but don’t hide behind it. as many members of our own Nebraska marriage through judicial fiat rather Don’t pretend that the ABA is some- National Guard will be this Thanks- than through legislative debate. thing that it is not. Do not ignore the giving, we stand with you. During late In Arizona v. United States, the ABA facts of what the ABA has become. The nights and early mornings in the cold, supported a constitutional ban on American people deserve honesty, not in the heat, in battle, and in peace- State and local law enforcement assist- thinly veiled partisanship. time, we stand with you. ing in enforcing Federal immigration Thank you. Passing the National Defense Au- laws. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- thorization Act means keeping our end The list goes on. In each of these pore. The Senator from Rhode Island. of the promise to those who serve. As a cases, the ABA decided to weigh into NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL Member of the Senate Armed Services divisive and contentious issues. This is Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise to Committee, it has been my honor to their right, indeed, but it is definitely discuss the fiscal year 2018 National play a part in helping to craft this not neutral. In each of these cases, and Defense Authorization Act. year’s bill, and I would like to thank many more, the ABA took what can After several months of negotiations, our chairman, Senator JOHN MCCAIN, only be described as a left-of-center po- the House and Senate Armed Services for his leadership in guiding the com- sition. In each of these cases, the ABA Committees have arrived at a com- mittee through the process. I would was picking a side. pleted conference agreement. Earlier also like to thank America’s men and Again—to be clear—they are abso- today, we passed the NDAA for the 56th women in uniform for all that they do lutely allowed to do this. It is what consecutive year. to keep us safe. makes this country great. But it is Let me highlight some of the impor- I yield the floor. laughably naive to suggest that they tant issues that we addressed in this I suggest the absence of a quorum. are an objective and neutral organiza- agreement. This conference agreement The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- tion. They are not. authorizes a total of $692 billion, which pore. The clerk will call the roll. The ABA cannot make liberal argu- includes $626.4 billion in base budget The senior assistant legislative clerk ments to the nine members of the Su- funding for the Department of Defense proceeded to call the roll. preme Court, and then walk across the and certain security activities of the Mr. SASSE. Mr. President, I ask street and seriously expect that the 100 Department of Energy and $65.8 billion unanimous consent that the order for Members of this body in the Senate in overseas contingency operations, or the quorum call be rescinded. will be treating them like unbiased ap- OCO, funding. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- praisers. That is essentially what At- Of course, we could not have done it pore. Without objection, it is so or- torney General Bill Barr said in 1992 without the cooperation of all the dered. when the ABA first began to openly members of the committee, including AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION take pro-abortion positions—which, by the Presiding Officer, and I thank him Mr. SASSE. Mr. President, the con- the way, led to thousands of members for his contribution and his service. sideration of Federal judges with life- quitting in protest because those mem- This includes the administration’s time appointments is perhaps the most bers knew that the ABA claims to neu- $5.9 billion budget amendment we re- important and long-lasting work this trality about political issues were no ceived earlier this month, which seeks body will do between now and the end longer even possibly defensible. an additional $4.7 billion in base budget of the year. Then-U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr funding to bolster missile defense and Every Senator—Republican and Dem- commented on the ABA’s pro-abortion to repair two Navy ships after recent ocrat—took an oath to perform this advocacy at the time by saying: ‘‘By collisions, as well as $1.2 billion in OCO duty. Nobody took an oath to adopting the resolution and thereby funding for operations in Afghanistan outsource this duty to any outside or- endorsing one side of this debate, the and for additional capabilities in the ganization. Unfortunately, some of my ABA will endanger the perception that Central Command area of operations.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.043 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7289 The conference agreement includes incidents and DOD efforts to prevent Secretary Ash Carter put the situa- significant increases in additional re- them. tion eloquently when he said that a sources aimed at restoring full spec- The conference report includes a re- failure to do so, in his words, ‘‘would trum readiness, as soon as possible, quirement for the Secretary of Defense mean losing confidence in our ability across the military services. Specifi- to appoint a senior official in the De- to deter, which we can’t afford in to- cally, operation and maintenance fund- partment to lead an effort to harness day’s volatile security environment.’’ ing, widely known as the lifeblood and integrate all of the Department’s In the area of technology and acqui- readiness, was increased by $1.16 billion capabilities to confront and defeat the sition, I am pleased that this bill shows for the Army, $277.9 million for the kind of strategic influence operations strong support for the Department’s Navy, $82.3 million for the Marine that Russia has conducted against us network of labs and test ranges, which Corps, and $1 billion for the U.S. Air and our allies over the last 2 years. It help drive efforts to maintain our bat- Force. is vital that the Defense Department tlefield technological superiority. In This conference agreement supports integrate its cyber capabilities with its particular, I think this bill makes sig- the topline of $700 billion for national information warfare experts to provide nificant strides in enabling DOD to de- defense, or 050, activities, which is capabilities and options in time for velop and buy the modern software and roughly $150 billion over the Budget next year’s election cycle in the United IT systems that are integral to every Control Act cap. If the cap is not ad- States and to support our allies in Eu- system, platform, and business system justed and if this amount is fully fund- rope against Russian operations di- in the Department of Defense. Addi- ed by the appropriators, then we would rected against them. tionally, it reauthorizes the Defense trigger the harmful across-the-board Additionally, the conference report Experimental Program to Stimulate cuts of sequestration, just at the time includes a requirement for the Sec- Competitive Research to expand the when we are trying to restore readi- retary of Defense and the Secretary of number of universities capable of ness. State to develop and report to Congress working with the Pentagon on ad- I want to be clear. I agree that the on a comprehensive, whole-of-govern- vanced research. DOD needs additional resources. But ment strategy to counter the Russian The bill also pushes DOD to make use we must address the caps for both de- malign influence threat. Such a de- of advanced ‘‘Big Data’’ techniques to fense and nondefense activities. tailed strategy must include measures manage its business functions and I remind my colleagues that under to defend against and deter Russian ac- processes. New ways of collecting, ana- the Budget Control Act, or BCA, na- tivities related to national security, in- lyzing, and applying the lessons of data tional defense activities include cer- cluding hybrid warfare, cyber attacks, are revolutionizing the commercial tain programs at the FBI and the Coast and information operations. world. It is time that DOD applied Guard, while nondefense activities in- The 2018 NDAA also authorizes the these same techniques to lower costs clude the State Department, veterans’ Secretary of Defense to establish the and save money and time. care, Customs and Border Protection, Indo-Asia-Pacific Stability Initiative, The conference report also includes a and the TSA. We need to look at our which will be used to improve our pos- provision that would allow the Army Nation’s needs holistically, and we ture in the Asia-Pacific region and pro- to transfer all excess firearms no must remain vigilant over the amount vide additional resources to increase longer actively issued for military of money the DOD can effectively uti- partner capacity and multilateral exer- service to an organic facility for the lize. We have to look at national secu- cises in the region. purpose of melting and repurposing. rity, and that includes both sides and The Chief of Naval Operations’ Force This provision not only allows the both caps. Structure Assessment from last winter Army to divest itself of these weapons, With regard to our overseas oper- identified a goal of 355 ships, including but it will also provide a steady stream ations, the conference report author- 66 attack submarines. This bill makes of work to our organic foundries. These izes the entirety of the funding request a good downpayment on that goal by are an important part of our arsenal for our efforts in Afghanistan, includ- adding five ships to the budget, includ- system. ing $1.7 billion to invest in critical ing one DDG–51 destroyer, two littoral Furthermore, the provision will au- aviation capabilities, such as close air combat ships, one LX(R) amphibious thorize the Secretary of the Army to support platforms and modernized ro- ship, and one expeditionary sea base. annually designate additional excess tary wing assets, and to continue to Perhaps not as dramatic, but no less firearms that are no longer in military sustain and train the existing fleet. important, is the addition of $698 mil- use to be repurposed. This common- The report also authorizes 3,500 spe- lion in the budget request to allow the sense approach will allow the Army to cial immigrant visas to continue to up- Navy to begin expanding the submarine save money on storage costs, as well as hold our commitments to the many industrial base. Achieving the CNO’s repurposing these excess weapons for brave Afghans who have provided crit- force structure goal will require adding higher priority needs identified by the ical support to the U.S. mission in Af- 18 attack submarines to the previous Army. ghanistan. In this regard, let me thank force structure goal of 48 boats. I am also pleased that the conference Chairman MCCAIN and Senator SHA- This will be no small challenge since report builds on a markup amendment HEEN, without whose efforts this provi- retirement of older submarines will ex- by Senator NELSON that directs the De- sion would not have been included, I ceed deliveries of new submarines. Dur- partment to conduct a threat assess- believe, in the final conference. ing the 10-year period of 1991 to 2000, we ment and deliver a master plan for cli- The conference report continues ro- ordered only four attack submarines— mate change adaptation. bust support for our counterterrorism Connecticut, Jimmy Carter, Virginia, The conference report includes House efforts against ISIS, al-Qaida, and the and Texas—so we have to do some language from my colleague Congress- other violent extremist groups, includ- catching up. man JIM LANGEVIN that codifies several ing approximately $1.8 billion for the Providing the resources for the Navy findings related to climate change and Train and Equip Programs in Iraq and to expand the submarine industrial expresses the sense of Congress that Syria. It also fully funds the Depart- base in an orderly fashion will be a climate change is a threat to our na- ment’s budget request for U.S. Special critical element of efficiency and a tional security. Operations Command. critical element in building up our In the area of military personnel, the With this bill, we will enhance public fleet. conference agreement accomplishes transparency and congressional over- The conference fully supports the much on behalf of our servicemembers sight of military operations and the budget requests for the modernization and the Department of Defense. The policies that underpin them. Most no- of the triad and its nuclear command bill authorizes a 2.4-percent across-the- tably, it requires a public articulation and control to ensure we can deter ex- board pay raise for our troops and ex- of the legal and policy frameworks gov- istential threats to our homeland. Our tends authority to pay over 30 bonuses erning the use of military force outside triad of submarines, ICBMs, and bomb- and special pays to encourage recruit- of declared war zones, as well as addi- ers have been in service for decades and ment, retention, and continued serv- tional reporting on civilian casualty must be replaced. ices.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.045 S16NOPT1 S7290 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 It also includes authority for service inspirational, practical, dynamic, and cent of the National Health Service Secretaries to extend by an additional unrelenting leadership of Chairman Corps funding expired on October 1. year the time that the recruits may re- MCCAIN, we would not be at this mo- These are vital programs that serve main in the Delayed Entry Program to ment today—the 56th consecutive pas- rural America and provide incredibly ensure that background checks are sage of the National Defense Author- important healthcare services. They completed, so that they are not unnec- ization Act. are an overlooked part of our national essarily separated due to the fault of I yield the floor. healthcare system, in part because government. These are individuals who The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. they are traditionally in rural and out- are here illegally. Their status is a re- BLUNT). The Senator from Maine. back locations. sult of their joining the MAVNI Pro- Mr. KING. Mr. President, before ad- In Maine, we have 20 centers and 70 gram. If this program were terminated, dressing the topic that I want to take facilities scattered all over our State, we would lose their service to our mili- up—and I know it is one that is near and they are providing services every tary forces and they would be forced to and dear to the Presiding Officer’s day to over 200,000 people. This is a leave the country. heart—which is rural healthcare, I vital part of our healthcare system. Additionally, the bill permanently want to express my admiration and Yet the funding expired at the end of extends the special survivor indemnity thanks to Senator REED, the Senator September, and so far nothing has been allowance under the Survivor Benefit from Rhode Island, and Senator done. Plan, which was due to expire early MCCAIN for their incredible leadership How important is it? In Maine, there next year. This ensures that widows of of the Armed Services Committee. are 1,700 employees at these facilities; our veterans and servicemembers who They show us what it is like to lead. a total economic impact of over $300 die of service-connected causes will They show us what it is like to take on million a year; $8 million in State and continue to receive their monthly ben- difficult issues and to work out dif- local tax revenue and $32 million in efit and authorizes annual cost-of-liv- ficult problems, and I would like to ex- Federal tax revenue. They provide $16 ing adjustments to this benefit going press my appreciation to them for that. million worth of uncompensated care forward. I see the Senator—— that goes to Maine people who need the With regard to military family care, Mr. SASSE. Will the Senator from help. They are efficient. In Maine, they the report authorizes $50 million for Maine yield for 30 seconds? have saved Medicaid over $100 million, impact aid, including $40 million in Mr. KING. Absolutely. and $257 million is the estimate for supplemental impact aid and $10 mil- Mr. SASSE. I would just like to asso- what they have saved the overall lion—twice the usual amount—for mili- ciate myself with your comments, sir, healthcare system. Again, FQHCs pro- tary children with severe disabilities. in praising the ranking member. vide 1,700 jobs and support another 1,000 For military families and for local Senator REED went through a long jobs in their communities. school systems all across this country, list of people who have gotten the But this isn’t only about economics this impact aid is absolutely essential. NDAA across the finish line for more and economic development and jobs; it Furthermore, it requires the Depart- than half a century in a row. is about healthcare. One in six people ment to improve pediatric care and re- As a newbie rookie in this body, I in Maine gets their healthcare from lated services for children of members have to say that serving with the two FQHCs—210,000 people. They accept ev- of the military. of you on the Armed Services Com- erybody who comes to their door. I This bill will also improve military mittee is a real privilege and honor. have been to them all over the State. family readiness by addressing the Much of the body doesn’t work very They use a sliding-fee scale for people shortage of qualified childcare work- well right now, but that committee who are low income, who don’t have in- ers, requiring that the realities of mili- works incredibly well. surance, and they provide all manner tary life be considered in setting the So I want to agree with the Senator of services. It depends on the center; operating hours of childcare centers, from Maine that the ranking member different centers have different serv- and by increasing flexibility for fami- is a huge part of why the Armed Serv- ices. They have medical, behavioral lies when the military requires them to ices Committee works so well. health, dental, substance abuse treat- move. Thank you, sir. ment and support, case management, Let me conclude by stating the obvi- Mr. KING. I thank the Senator. ous. The reason this bill passed was be- optometry, podiatry, OB/GYN, pre- I say to Senator REED, I appreciate scription assistance, outreach and en- cause of the extraordinary bipartisan your leadership. leadership of Senator JOHN MCCAIN and rollment, pharmacy, radiology, and Mr. REED. I thank the Senator from school-based healthcare services. These also because of the extraordinary bi- Maine and the Senator from the great partisan leadership of Chairman MAC are the healthcare providers for rural State of Nebraska. America. And it is not only Maine; it is THORNBERRY of the House Armed Serv- Mr. SASSE. I thought you were buy- ices Committee and Ranking Member across the country. There are 10,000 ing time. sites across the United States. Some 26 ADAM SMITH. I look forward to working Mr. REED. No. Once again, we have with them in the future. million patients are at risk. been following Senator MCCAIN, and he Finally, the conference agreement Well, what is the big deal? The big took us all the way. Thank you. would not have been possible without deal is that people are going to lose the hard work of the entire committee HEALTHCARE their healthcare services. We estimate staff, who worked diligently to help fi- Mr. KING. Mr. President, I did a that in Maine, we are going to lose nalize this agreement. I thank Chris mathematic calculation a couple of about 400 clinicians and administrative Brose, Eric Swabb, and all the majority years ago, and it resulted in an inter- and support staff who will have to be committee staff for their hard work esting conclusion. The Senate is a laid off at the beginning of the year un- this past year. On the minority side, I rural body. Eighteen Members of the less we solve this problem in the imme- thank my staff director, Elizabeth U.S. Senate represent a majority of diate future. At least 25 of these sites King. I also thank Gary Leeling, Americans. That means 82 percent—or will be forced to close, and we believe Creighton Greene, Carolyn Chuhta, 82 out of 100 Senators—represent small- there will be almost 30,000 Maine resi- Maggie McNamara, Jonathan Clark, er States, more rural communities. dents who will lose access to their Jonathan Epstein, Jorie Feldman, Ozge Today, I want to talk about a disas- healthcare system. Guzelsu, Jody Bennett, Kirk McCon- trous development that is headed for Most of the FQHCs—federally quali- nell, Bill Monahan, Mike Noblet, John our rural communities that we have fied health centers—are getting by on Quirk, Arun Seraphin, and Jon Green. the capability to fix, and it is one we their funding from last year, so the ex- Let me state the obvious: They do should fix sooner rather than later. I piration of the funding hasn’t hit them the work. Sometimes we get the credit, am talking about Federal funding for yet, but it will begin to hit them on but the work is theirs. I am deeply ap- federally qualified health centers, January 1. That is what we have to re- preciative of all of their efforts. which expired on October 1. Seventy spond to. Again, let me indicate what is obvi- percent of the funding for the FQHCs It is also already having an effect ous to all our colleagues. Without the expired on October 1. One hundred per- just by creating uncertainty. I got an

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.047 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7291 impassioned letter from the leader of Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraor- one of our centers in Maine about the ask unanimous consent that the order dinary and Plenipotentiary of the fact that they have been very dili- for the quorum call be rescinded. United States of America to the King- gently recruiting a dentist to come to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without dom of Lesotho; Lisa A. Johnson, of their community. Dentists are very objection, it is so ordered. Washington, a Career Member of the hard to come by in rural America. f Senior Foreign Service, Class of Coun- They had one who was ready to come, selor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and then suddenly they heard about EXECUTIVE CALENDAR and Plenipotentiary of the United the uncertainty surrounding the fund- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I States of America to the Republic of ing—that it may or may not come ask unanimous consent that the Sen- Namibia; Irwin Steven Goldstein, of through—and that dentist is now re- ate proceed to the en bloc consider- New York, to be Under Secretary of considering their decision to go to this ation of the following nominations: Ex- State for Public Diplomacy; Sean P. Maine community. That is a tragedy. ecutive Calendar Nos. 461, 462, 464, 478, Lawler, of Maryland, to be Chief of That is a tragedy for the people of that 479, 480, 488, and 490. Protocol, and to have the rank of Am- town, where these services are literally The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without bassador during his tenure of service; not available. objection, it is so ordered. PN1199 FOREIGN SERVICE nomina- So what does it matter? It matters The clerk will report the nomina- tions (169) beginning Lisa-Felicia Afi because we are talking about people tions en bloc. Akorli, and ending Stephanie P. Wil- losing their healthcare services. The legislative clerk read the nomi- son, which nominations were received This has never been a partisan issue. nations of Joseph Kernan, of Florida, by the Senate and appeared in the CON- I don’t think there is a heck of a lot of to be Under Secretary of Defense for GRESSIONAL RECORD of November 1, debate around here about the impor- Intelligence; Guy B. Roberts, of Vir- 2017; and PN1200 FOREIGN SERVICE tance of FQHCs and that we need to get ginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of nominations (4) beginning John R. them refunded. In fact, the Presiding Defense; Robert L. Wilkie, of North Bass, II, and ending Sung Y. Kim, Officer and Senator STABENOW have Carolina, to be Under Secretary of De- which nominations were received by sponsored a bill, the CHIME Act, that fense for Personnel and Readiness; the Senate and appeared in the CON- would resolve this issue. We just need Robert Behler, of Pennsylvania, to be GRESSIONAL RECORD of November 1, to get it on the floor and get it done. Director of Operational Test and Eval- 2017. We have proved today by the passage uation, Department of Defense; Thom- Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to of the National Defense Authorization as B. Modly, of Maryland, to be Under consider the nominations en bloc. Act that we can take major issues, Secretary of the Navy; James F. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I bring them to the floor, and move them Geurts, of Pennsylvania, to be an As- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- forward, especially those that aren’t sistant Secretary of the Navy; Robert ate vote on the nominations en bloc particularly controversial. But my con- H. McMahon, of Georgia, to be an As- with no intervening action or debate; cern is that even though there doesn’t sistant Secretary of Defense; and Shon that if confirmed, the motions to re- seem to be controversy, it is just not J. Manasco, of Texas, to be an Assist- consider be considered made and laid happening, and now our centers are ant Secretary of the Air Force. upon the table en bloc; that the Presi- having to make plans for layoffs, for Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to dent be immediately notified of the closures, and for closing their doors to consider the nominations en bloc. Senate’s action; that no further mo- the people who need the care. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I tions be in order; and that any state- This is something we can do. This is ask unanimous consent that the Sen- ments relating to the nominations be something we can resolve. It is within ate vote on the nominations en bloc printed in the RECORD. our power. The legislation is ready to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without with no intervening action or debate; go, and we should get this done. objection, it is so ordered. that if confirmed, the motions to re- We are leaving today for the Thanks- The question is, Will the Senate ad- consider be considered made and laid giving holiday, but if we leave at the vise and consent to the Gonzales, John- upon the table en bloc; that the Presi- end of the year and haven’t done this, son, Goldstein, and Lawler nomina- dent be immediately notified of the it will be a tragedy for rural America. tions and all nominations placed on the Senate’s action; that no further mo- It will be a betrayal of rural America. Secretary’s desk in the Foreign Service tions be in order; and that any state- It will be a betrayal of our constitu- en bloc? ents. ments relating to the nominations be The nominations were confirmed en All of us have been to these centers printed in the RECORD. bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without and seen the care that they provide, f the caring that they provide, the pas- objection, it is so ordered. sion that the people bring to the serv- The question is, Will the Senate ad- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR ices in their communities, and how vise and consent to the Kernan, Rob- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I much they mean to their communities. erts, Wilkie, Behler, Modly, Geurts, ask unanimous consent that the Sen- This is one of the best Federal pro- McMahon, and Manasco nominations ate proceed to the en bloc consider- grams ever created, and it has always en bloc? ation of the following nominations: Ex- been supported on a bipartisan basis. The nominations were confirmed en ecutive Calendar Nos. 475, 476, and 477. I urge my colleagues today to pre- bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without pare ourselves to get this done as soon f objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report the nomina- as we possibly can when we get back EXECUTIVE CALENDAR after Thanksgiving. We have so much tions en bloc. to be thankful for, and I want my peo- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I The legislative clerk read the nomi- ple in Maine to realize that they can be ask unanimous consent that the Sen- nations of James Thomas Abbott, of thankful for those health centers that ate proceed to the en bloc consider- Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal are literally lifelines in their commu- ation of the following nominations: Ex- Labor Relations Authority for a term nities and mean so much to them. I be- ecutive Calendar Nos. 491, 492, 493, 494, of five years expiring July 1, 2020; Col- lieve this is something we can and and all nominations placed on the Sec- leen Kiko, of North Dakota, to be a should and will do. retary’s desk. Member of the Federal Labor Relations Thank you, Mr. President, and thank The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Authority for a term of five years ex- you for being a leader on this issue. objection, it is so ordered. piring July 29, 2022; and Ernest W. I yield the floor. The clerk will report the nomina- Dubester, of Virginia, to be a Member I suggest the absence of a quorum. tions en bloc. of the Federal Labor Relations Author- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The The legislative clerk read the nomi- ity for a term of five years expiring clerk will call the roll. nations of Rebecca Eliza Gonzales, of July 1, 2019. The legislative clerk proceeded to Texas, a Career Member of the Senior Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to call the roll. Foreign Service, Class of Minister- consider the nominations en bloc.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.048 S16NOPT1 S7292 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Thanksgiving began as America’s na- hard work, dedication to his customers ask unanimous consent that the Sen- tional harvest festival, a day to give and community, and an unusual talent ate vote on the nominations en bloc thanks for our rich and fertile land and for spotting and adopting cutting-edge with no intervening action or debate; the great bounty of food it produces. advances in agriculture. In 1925, he was that if confirmed, the motions to re- On this long Thanksgiving weekend, named a ‘‘Master Farmer’’ by a pres- consider be considered made and laid I plan to spend a few hours reading the tigious agricultural organization, one upon the table en bloc; that the Presi- latest book from one of my favorite of only 23 Midwestern farmers so hon- dent be immediately notified of the friends whose works capture in loving ored. Senate’s action; that no further mo- detail life on her family’s Wisconsin Even so, the Great Depression, which tions be in order; and that any state- dairy farm, but even more, the rock- destroyed so many family farms and ments relating to the nominations be solid values that sustained her family businesses, nearly wiped out the printed in the RECORD. and her life. Dougan Guernsey Dairy Farm. In 1930, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The book is called ‘‘The Round Barn: bankruptcy papers were drawn up but objection, it is so ordered. Biography of an American Farm.’’ As never filed. The question is, Will the Senate ad- one reviewer wrote, reading it ‘‘is like Jackie was born in 1928, the year be- vise and consent to the Abbott, Kiko, sitting on the porch of an early 20th fore the Great Depression, one of four and Dubester nominations en bloc? century dairy farm and watching an children of W.J.’s son Ronald and Ron- The nominations were confirmed en era in American history pass right be- ald’s wife, Eunice. bloc. fore your eyes.’’ Jackie was a natural born writer, a The Round Barn books—there are prodigy. When she was 8 she wrote a f three of them now—are the creations of short story that took first prize in a EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Jackie Dougan Jackson, a novelist, Beloit citywide contest. Her first novel poet, professor, mentor to generations Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I was serialized in the Galesburg Post in of writers, and one of the best-loved Illinois when she was 10. ask unanimous consent that the Sen- residents in my hometown of Spring- ate proceed to the consideration of the She majored in classics at Beloit Col- field, IL. lege, married, and then moved with her following nomination: Executive Cal- She lives in a big, old home in new husband to Ann Arbor, where they endar No. 292. Springfield which, legend has it, was both earned master’s degrees. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without once visited by another master story- The couple had four daughters. Jack- objection, it is so ordered. teller, Abraham Lincoln. The clerk will report the nomination. Loretta and I are lucky to count ie would go on to earn a doctorate in The legislative clerk read the nomi- Jackie as a dear friend of many years. Latin from the University of Wis- nation of Brenda Burman, of Arizona, She is a kind, creative soul who never consin. to be Commissioner of Reclamation. fails to reach out to help others. At the She was teaching writing at Kent Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to age of 89, she is still filled with energy, State University in Ohio in 1967 when consider the nomination. empathy and curiosity about nearly ev- her father suffered a heart attack. Jackie went home and sat at his hos- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I erything. ask unanimous consent that the Sen- The Round Barn books keep a prom- pital bedside for weeks as he recounted ate vote on the nomination with no in- ise that Jackie made to her grand- stories of life on the family farm. tervening action or debate; that if con- father W.J. Dougan when she was just Back in Ohio after her father’s recov- firmed, the motion to reconsider be 15 years old. She vowed then that one ery, Jackie became aware of a deep considered made and laid upon the day she would write a history of the longing within her to reconnect with table; that the President be imme- dairy farm that W.J. had founded in her rural beginnings. As she described diately notified of the Senate’s action; 1906, the farm on which three genera- it in one of her Round Barn books: that no further motions be in order; tions of Jackie’s family lived and There has been another clock within her. and that any statements relating to worked. She didn’t set it nor place it there. It’s been Jackie Jackson throws open the geared not to hours but to cycles; the daily the nomination be printed in the precession of milking and bottling, feeding RECORD. Round Barn doors at the Dougan fam- and cleaning the yearly procession of plant- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ily farm to tell us an American story. ing, cultivating, harvesting. It’s been set to objection, it is so ordered. She gives us a rich history of farm life sun, moon, health, cold, wet dry. But now if The question is, Will the Senate ad- at the mercy of the forces of science there’s a heavy spring freeze, she puts on a vise and consent to the Burman nomi- and the market but grounded in rock- coat without sensing the loss of crisp that nation? solid Midwestern values. might result from too-late planting. If the The nomination was confirmed. Some of those values were painted sky lowers black, she takes an umbrella onto the silo of the family’s round without feeling the sway of the hay wagon f barn. W.J. titled the list ‘‘Aims for the racing to reach the barn before the cloud- burst. Her dailiness is not this class, that LEGISLATIVE SESSION Farm.’’ They were: ‘‘#1. Good Crops; #2. lecture, the next trip to the stacks. . . . It Proper Storage; #3. Profitable Live was the ground she’d stood on, the air she’d Stock; #4. A Stable Market’’—and most breathed. She had no special moment, no MORNING BUSINESS important of all—‘‘#5. Life as Well as a epiphany to explain the realization of loss Living.’’ that came over her. She only knows that Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I W.J. Dougan was a deeply spiritual something elemental is gone and has been ask unanimous consent that the Sen- man and a hard worker. He struggled gone for some time. That it’s probably irre- ate proceed to legislative session for a for years to put himself through col- trievable, unless she changes the path she’s period of morning business, with Sen- lege and became a Methodist minister, treading. ators permitted to speak therein for up but encroaching deafness forced him to So that is what she did. Jackie Jack- to 10 minutes each. give up the religious life he loved. son changed her life’s path. She moved The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without In 1906, he bought a dairy farm near to Springfield, IL, and accepted a posi- objection, it is so ordered. Beloit, WI. tion teaching literature and writing at f The Round Barn was built in 1911. an innovative university that was just W.J. chose the unusual shape because opening, Sangaman State University, TRIBUTE TO JACKIE DOUGAN he believed that a barn braced on a now the University of Illinois at JACKSON central concrete pillar was cheaper to Springfield. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, in a few build, more efficient for a dairy oper- For years, she had been collecting days, Americans will celebrate Thanks- ation, and less likely to blow away in a stories and recollections about the giving, a holiday that is filled with tornado. The Round Barn quickly be- Round Barn, her family, the dairy’s meaning and memories and, if we are came a county landmark. customers, and the townspeople. Her lucky, sumptuous meals shared with W.J. marketed himself as ‘‘the Babies trove of tales included her own note- family and friends. Milk Man,’’ and he succeeded through books, stretching back to when she was

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.049 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7293 8, the stories her father had told her VOTE EXPLANATION The theme of this year’s World Day from his hospital bed, letters and notes ∑ Mr. BOOKER. Mr. President, I was of Remembrance is ‘‘2020 Target: Re- left by her grandfather, and much necessarily absent for the votes on con- duce Road Fatalities and Serious Inju- more. firmation of Executive Calendar No. ries by 50%.’’ It refers to the UN Sus- She became a sort of detective, find- 300, the motion to invoke cloture on tainable Development Goal 3.6 which ing more letters tucked into framed Executive Calendar No. 313, the motion calls on governments and their stake- pictures, stuck to the attic floor in the to invoke cloture on Executive Cal- holders, including NGOs and private old family home all sorts of unexpected endar No. 314, and the confirmation of citizens, to address the personal, med- places. Each letter or scrap of paper be- Executive Calendar No. 313. ical, and financial burden that road came a piece of the family puzzle. On vote No. 277, had I been present, I deaths and injuries cause; 1.25 million In 1976, she began to fashion the would have voted nay on the confirma- people die from road crashes every notes and letters into the first Round tion of Executive Calendar No. 300. year, and tens of millions are seriously Barn book. The book published this On vote No. 278, had I been present, I injured. Road traffic crashes are the month, ‘‘The Round Barn: Biography of would have voted yea on the motion to No. 1 killer of young people aged 15 to an American Farm’ is the fulfillment invoke cloture on Executive Calendar 29 and the eighth leading cause of of her promise to her grandfather, her No. 313. death among all people worldwide. magnum opus, a detailed and loving On Vote No. 279, had I been present, Rochelle Sobel, president of the Asso- portrait of a way of life that no longer I would have voted yea on the motion ciation for Safe International Road exists. Travel, said, ‘‘The World Day of Re- The Dougan Guernsey Dairy Farm to invoke cloture on Executive Cal- endar No. 314. membrance is an important oppor- ceased operating in 1967, just as agri- tunity to stand together with the glob- business and large corporate farms On Vote No. 280, had I been present, I would have voted yea on the con- al community to commemorate road were beginning to redefine American victims and call for an end to the crisis farming. firmation of Executive Calendar No. 313.∑ on our roads. No one should have to go In 1979, the Round Barn was added to through the needless, preventable loss the National Registry of Historic f of a child, a brother, a mother, a Places. APPROPRIATIONS friend, killed in a road traffic crash. By 2012, the dilapidated old structure This year’s theme to reduce the num- had become a safety hazard, and it was Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I would like to review for the Senate the ber of deaths by 50% by 2020, reminds torn down, but thanks to Jackie Jack- us of the need to drive responsibly, son’s beautifully detailed biography of status of appropriations for fiscal year 2018. educate our children, and advocate her family’s farm and the people who with our governments to implement lived and worked there, generations The Appropriations Committee has marked up 8 of the 12 regular appro- and enforce policies that will protect from now readers will still be able to road users and prevent more families visit the magical world of the Round priations bills for this fiscal year. The committee has also processed two sup- from suffering the pain of losing a Barn. loved one on the road.’’ As this Thanksgiving Day, this plemental appropriations bills and one f American harvest festival, approaches, continuing resolution. I am thankful for the Round Barn We have little time to finalize the ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS books that capture a bygone day of regular appropriations bills and to con- American farming like holograms, and sider additional supplemental appro- TRIBUTE TO PETTY OFFICER SEC- Loretta and I are grateful to our friend priations requests for defense and for OND CLASS TERENCE PARSONS Jackie for giving the world such a gift. natural disaster recovery. (At the request of Mr. SCHUMER, the We need a new budget deal to finish ∑ Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today I following statement was ordered to be our work. Congress and the administra- wish to honor PO2 Terence Parsons of printed in the RECORD.) tion must reach agreement on accept- Genesee, ID, whom the United Service able top-line funding levels for defense f Organization, USO has recognized as and nondefense programs. the USO’s Sailor of the Year for 2017. VOTE EXPLANATION At the funding cap currently in law, Terence Parsons took action to assist ∑ Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I the Appropriations Committee would two motorists involved in car accidents was unavailable for rollcall vote No. be hard-pressed to write a 2018 Defense and marines involved in a mass cas- 277, on the nomination of Joseph bill that fully meets our national secu- ualty situation. The USO explained, Otting, of Nevada, to be Comptroller of rity needs or reflects the priorities of ‘‘Displaying unselfish devotion and the Currency. Had I been present, I the Senate. great heroism, Terence Parsons, a would have voted nay. The current continuing resolution Navy corpsman, put himself in harm’s Mr. President, I was unavailable for expires on December 8. We cannot af- way to assist members of the commu- rollcall vote No. 278, on the motion to ford to extend that CR into next year. nity. While off duty on two separate invoke cloture on Donald C. Coggins, A budget agreement is necessary for occasions, he witnessed car accidents Jr., of South Carolina, to be United the Senate to approve responsible ap- that caused potentially life-threat- States district judge for the District of propriations legislation. I urge all par- ening injuries to the victims involved. South Carolina. Had I been present, I ties to those negotiations to redouble With little thought of his own safety, would have voted yea. their efforts to reach agreement. Parsons responded by providing life- Mr. President, I was unavailable for f saving treatment.’’ The USO further rollcall vote No. 279, on the motion to commended Terence Parsons for his re- WORLD DAY OF REMEMBRANCE invoke cloture on Dabney Langhorne sponse to a mass casualty event of 18 FOR ROAD TRAFFIC VICTIMS Friedrich, of California, to be United marines suffering multiple injuries sus- States district judge for the District of Mr. VAN HOLLEN. The World Day of tained during U.S.S. Oak Hill U.S.S. Columbia. Had I been present, I would Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims Kearsarge amphibious warfare quali- have voted yea. commemorates the millions of people fications. Terence Parsons’ quick ac- Mr. President, I was unavailable for killed and injured on the world’s roads. tion was pivotal in preventing further rollcall vote No. 280, on the nomination It is also a day to thank emergency injury and saved numerous lives. of Donald C. Coggins, Jr., of South services for their role in saving lives; Terence joined the U.S. Navy in 2011 Carolina, to be United States district to reflect on the impact of road deaths and credits the values, including a re- judge for the District of South Caro- on families and communities; and to spect for hard work and teamwork, he lina. Had I been present, I would have draw attention to the need for im- obtained growing up in Genesee and voted yea.∑ proved legislation, awareness, infra- the support of his family, command (At the request of Mr. SCHUMER, the structure, technology, and post-crash and friends with enabling his military following statement was ordered to be responses to save more families from success. Terence Parsons has also re- printed in the RECORD.) the tragedy of losing a loved one. ceived many other recognitions for his

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.044 S16NOPT1 S7294 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 distinguished service. These honors in- public service. Whether supporting Taylor of Detroit, MI, for her trail- clude the Navy and Marine Corps Com- Glenville State College or getting the blazing career as the first African- mendation Medal and the Navy and tab at the Cornerstone Cafe in Glen- American female judge appointed to Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Con- ville, Ike enjoys every minute of it. the U.S. District Court for the Eastern gratulations, PO2 Terrence Parsons, on Ike got his start working for his fa- District of Michigan. receiving this recognition, and thank ther in the oil and gas business. Want- Judge Taylor was born Anna Kath- you for your exceptional service on be- ing to set out on his own, Ike moved to erine Johnston on December 9, 1932, to half of our Nation. You and the out- West Virginia in 1962 and worked serv- parents Virginius Douglass Johnston standing servicemembers you serve icing rigs until he established Waco Oil and Hazel Bramlette Johnston in alongside are true assets to our com- & Gas in 1975. No one in the north cen- Washington, DC. Her father Virginius munities, State, and Nation. I com- tral region of the Mountain State gets served as treasurer for the prestigious mend you on your achievements and confused when someone mentions Historically Black College, Howard wish you continued success.∑ ‘‘Waco.’’ When you say ‘‘Waco’’ around University, while her mother Hazel was a business teacher and homemaker. f here, people think of Ike Morris. They don’t think of Texas. In a quest to equip their daughter TRIBUTE TO RAY HAGEMAN It was in Glenville where Ike met the with the best education and set the ∑ Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, this love of his life, Sue. He knew Sue was foundation for her legal career, week I have the distinct honor of rec- the right woman for him, and he knew Virginius and Hazel Johnston enrolled ognizing Garfield County’s fire warden, that West Virginia was the right State Judge Taylor in the Northfield School Ray Hageman, for his actions to orga- for him. They have been married for for Girls, one of very few schools ac- nize and coordinate the local response over 50 years. As Ike can attest, once cepting African-American students. to the Lodgepole Complex fire. Ray and you come to West Virginia, it becomes She graduated from Northfield in 1950. his team worked to preserve the lives part of you forever. The Mountain After graduation, she went on to at- and livelihoods that were threatened State made a lasting impact on him, tend Columbia University’s Barnard College for her bachelor’s degree and by this devastating fire. Their actions and he and his family have made a last- received her law degree from Yale in exemplify the resolute character of the ing impact on the Mountain State. Ike Treasure State. 1957. is truly one of the most humble, gen- Judge Taylor’s historic career began The Lodgepole Complex fire was one erous and hard-working people I know. after her graduation when she became of the largest fires of the 2017 wildfire Together, Ike and Sue have contrib- a staff lawyer in the Solicitor’s office season. When first responders finally uted to the success of many projects at of the U.S. Department of Labor. After defeated the flames, well over a quar- Glenville State College, which is also her post at the Department of Labor, ter million acres of land had burned. home to the I.L. ‘‘Ike’’ and Sue Morris she moved to Michigan and became the Ray was on the frontlines of this rural Stadium. As a lifelong educator and Assistant Prosecutor for Wayne Coun- fire, orchestrating the distribution of 1965 alumna of Glenville State, Sue ty in 1961. local equipment, coordinating effective knows how vital it is that our edu- The Jim Crow era of the South was a initial response techniques, and help- cational institutions are provided with harrowing time for America, and Judge ing to integrate the efforts of partner the tools needed to keep up with ever- Taylor courageously fought for civil firefighting organizations from outside changing technologies. Their generous rights during the 1960s. During the his- the county. spirit and compassion extend through- toric Freedom Summer campaign in Effective local leaders like Ray are out the Glenville community and be- 1964, she represented civil rights work- supported by the committed team yond, touching the lives of countless ers in Mississippi that were arrested members they lead, team members like West Virginia workers, students, and for assisting African Americans in ex- Garfield County’s Anne Miller, who businessowners—all traits they have ercising their fundamental right to was the public information officer for passed to their children and grand- vote. Upon her arrival in Mississippi, the Lodgepole Complex fire. Anne children. three civil rights workers—James worked around-the-clock at the begin- Ike and Sue’s children, Shelly and Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael ning of the fire to build a common un- Doug, have both made Glenville their Schwerner—went missing. While in- derstanding of a changing fire environ- home. Ike and Sue are blessed with and quiring on their disappearance at the ment. By enabling open and clear lines immeasurably proud of their four Neshoba County courthouse, she was of communication, she strengthened grandchildren—Hannah, Luke, Ian, and met with disdain and racial epithets the team’s fire response efforts and Jordan—and their great-grand- from a crowd gathering around the saved many Montanans from potential daughter, Arianna. Ike wouldn’t let me courthouse. loss of property and life. stop without mentioning his beloved Following the terror she witnessed in Ray and his team weathered one of companion, Waco, his Labrador Re- Mississippi, where she feared for her the largest wildfires in the Nation. triever. own life, Judge Taylor returned to Their courage in the face of adversity Ike, as your family and friends honor Michigan and continued to fight for serves as an inspiration to all Mon- you, I know this will be a sincerely equality with an intense determina- tanans. Thank you, Ray, for leading memorable occasion for you to reflect tion. In 1966, she served as an assistant under such difficult circumstances and on your many accomplishments and ex- attorney for the Eastern District of working hard to protect Montanans periences, while you enjoy the com- Michigan. After a brief period in the from wildfires.∑ pany of your loved ones. You have pro- private sector, Judge Taylor joined f vided so much happiness and wisdom to State Senator Coleman A. Young’s the lives of those around you through- campaign for mayor of Detroit. Once TRIBUTE TO IKE MORRIS out the years. It is my wish that the elected mayor of Detroit, Coleman ∑ Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, today memory of this special day remains Young enlisted her help to improve ra- I wish to celebrate the 80th birthday of with you and Sue just as your guidance cial inequality in the city. Ike Morris, a proud honorary West Vir- and influence will remain in all the After working on President Jimmy ginian, a legendary businessman, and lives you have touched. Carter’s campaign, President Carter one of the dearest friends I have ever Again, it is with the greatest admira- nominated Judge Taylor for the U.S. known. tion that I send to you my best wishes District Court in Detroit in 1979. Her There is no better position to find on your special day. Happy Birthday.∑ appointment made her the first Afri- yourself in than being able to give back f can-American woman to serve as judge to the community you love. I can at- in the United States Sixth Circuit test my small hometown of Farm- REMEMBERING ANNA KATHERINE Court. She went on to make ington helped mold who I am, and it DIGGS TAYLOR groundbreaking rulings and became brings so much joy to my life to be able ∑ Mr. President, today I wish to recog- chief judge, serving from 1997 to 1998. to give back to the place that shaped nize and honor the life and legacy of After a 32-year career on the bench, me. Ike and I share a bond rooted in the Honorable Anna Katherine Diggs Judge Diggs Taylor retired in 2011.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.049 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7295 The Honorable Anna Katherine Diggs (The messages received today are State approving agencies for multi-State ap- Taylor made a tremendous impact on printed at the end of the Senate pro- prenticeship programs for purposes of the America’s judicial landscape. She was ceedings.) educational assistance programs of the De- a formidable force on the bench, as well partment of Veterans Affairs. f H.R. 4374. An act to amend the Federal as gracious in character. Judge Taylor MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize has received many recognitions additional emergency uses for medical prod- throughout her impressive six-decade At 10:12 a.m., a message from the ucts to reduce deaths and severity of injuries career and will be remembered as a House of Representatives, delivered by caused by agents of war, and for other pur- champion for civil rights. Judge Taylor Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- poses. is survived by her husband, S. Martin nounced that the House has passed the The enrolled bills were subsequently Taylor, son Douglass Johnston Diggs, following bills, in which it requests the signed by the Acting President pro and daughter Carla Diggs Smith, four concurrence of the Senate: tempore (Mr. STRANGE). grandchildren, brother Lowell Douglass H.R. 1207. An act to designate the facility f Johnston, as well as many relatives, of the United States Postal Service located friends, and colleagues. It is my hope at 306 River Street in Tilden, Texas, as the MEASURES REFERRED ‘‘Tilden Veterans Post Office’’. that her legacy will inspire the next H.R. 2331. An act to require a new or up- The following bills were read the first generation of leaders to follow their dated Federal website that is intended for and the second times by unanimous passion and to conquer each obstacle in use by the public to be mobile friendly, and consent, and referred as indicated: front of them.∑ for other purposes. H.R. 2672. An act to designate the facility H.R. 1207. An act to designate the facility f of the United States Postal Service located of the United States Postal Service located TRIBUTE TO ROGER MEYER at 520 Carter Street in Fairview, Illinois, as at 306 River Street in Tilden, Texas, as the ‘‘Tilden Veterans Post Office’’; to the Com- ∑ the ‘‘Sgt. Douglas J. Riney Post Office’’. Mr. ROUNDS. Mr. President, today I H.R. 2873. An act to designate the facility mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- recognize Roger Meyer for all of his of the United States Postal Service located mental Affairs. hard work on behalf of myself, my at 207 Glenside Avenue in Wyncote, Pennsyl- H.R. 2672. An act to designate the facility staff, and the State of South Dakota vania, as the ‘‘Staff Sergeant Peter Taub of the United States Postal Service located while working in my Washington, DC, Post Office Building’’. at 520 Carter Street in Fairview, Illinois, as office. H.R. 3369. An act to designate the facility the ‘‘Sgt. Douglas J. Riney Post Office’’; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Roger has devoted the majority of his of the United States Postal Service located at 225 North Main Street in Spring Lake, Governmental Affairs. career to public service, including North Carolina, as the ‘‘Howard B. Pate, Jr. H.R. 2873. An act to designate the facility working in Congress and at the Depart- Post Office’’. of the United States Postal Service located ment of Energy. In addition, Roger H.R. 3821. An act to designate the facility at 207 Glenside Avenue in Wyncote, Pennsyl- spent time on detail at the Federal of the United States Postal Service located vania, as the ‘‘Staff Sergeant Peter Taub Emergency Management Agency as an at 430 Main Street in Clermont, Georgia, as Post Office Building’’; to the Committee on adviser to the Small State and Rural the ‘‘Zack T. Addington Post Office’’. Homeland Security and Governmental Af- Advocate. H.R. 3893. An act to designate the facility fairs. of the United States Postal Service located H.R. 3369. An act to designate the facility I extend my sincere thanks and ap- at 100 Mathe Avenue in Interlachen, Florida, of the United States Postal Service located preciation to Roger for his years in as the ‘‘Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. Post Office’’. at 225 North Main Street in Spring Lake, public service and wish him all the best H.R. 4174. An act to amend titles 5 and 44, North Carolina, as the ‘‘Howard B. Pate, Jr. in the years to come.∑ United States Code, to require Federal eval- Post Office’’; to the Committee on Homeland f uation activities, improve Federal data man- Security and Governmental Affairs. agement, and for other purposes. H.R. 3821. An act to designate the facility TRIBUTE TO VAN PACE The message also announced that the of the United States Postal Service located ∑ Mr. ROUNDS. Mr. President, today I House agreed to the following concur- at 430 Main Street in Clermont, Georgia, as recognize Van Pace for all of her hard rent resolution, in which it requests the ‘‘Zack T. Addington Post Office’’; to the the concurrence of the Senate: Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- work on behalf of myself, my staff, and ernmental Affairs. the State of South Dakota while work- H. Con. Res. 92. Concurrent resolution rec- H.R. 3893. An act to designate the facility ing in my Washington, DC, office. ognizing the deep and abiding friendship be- of the United States Postal Service located Van has spent the majority of her ca- tween the United States and Israel. at 100 Mathe Avenue in Interlachen, Florida, reer in public service, including time as the ‘‘Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. Post Office’’; At 11:01 a.m., a message from the with the U.S. Department of Energy, to the Committee on Homeland Security and House of Representatives, delivered by the Federal Emergency Management Governmental Affairs. Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- Agency, and most recently with the H.R. 4174 An act to amend titles 5 and 44, nounced that the House agreed to the United States Code, to require Federal eval- Department of Homeland Security. Im- report of the committee of conference uation activities, improve Federal data man- mediately before her time in my office, on the disagreeing votes of the two agement, and for other purposes; to the Com- Van was advising Federal offices and Houses on the amendment of the Sen- mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- nonprofit organizations on regulatory ate to the bill (H.R. 2810) to authorize mental Affairs. requirements for grant awards. appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for The following concurrent resolution I extend my sincere thanks and ap- military activities of the Department was read, and referred as indicated: preciation to Van for her years in pub- of Defense, for military construction, H. Con. Res. 92. Concurrent resolution rec- lic service and wish her all the best in and for defense activities of the De- ognizing the deep and abiding friendship be- the years to come.∑ partment of Energy, to prescribe mili- tween the United States and Israel; to the f tary personnel strengths for such fiscal Committee on Foreign Relations. MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT year, and for other purposes. f Messages from the President of the ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED EXECUTIVE AND OTHER United States were communicated to At 4:28 p.m., a message from the COMMUNICATIONS House of Representatives, delivered by the Senate by Mr. Pate, one of his sec- The following communications were retaries. Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, announced that the Speaker has signed laid before the Senate, together with f the following enrolled bills: accompanying papers, reports, and doc- EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED H.R. 1545. An act to amend title 38, United uments, and were referred as indicated: In executive session the Presiding Of- States Code, to clarify the authority of the EC–3457. A communication from the Gen- ficer laid before the Senate messages Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disclose cer- eral Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory tain patient information to State controlled Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, from the President of the United substance monitoring programs, and for the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Disturbance States submitting sundry nominations other purposes. Control Standard—Contingency Reserve for which were referred to the appropriate H.R. 3949. An act to amend title 38, United Recovery from a Balancing Contingency committees. States Code, to provide for the designation of Event Reliability Standard’’ ((RIN1902–AF21)

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.051 S16NOPT1 S7296 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017

(Docket No. RM16–7–000)) received in the Of- Farm Credit Administration, for a term ex- HASSAN, Mr. HEINRICH, Mr. FRANKEN, fice of the President of the Senate on No- piring May 21, 2022. Ms. WARREN, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. DUR- vember 14, 2017; to the Committee on Energy By Mr. MCCAIN for the Committee on BIN, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. COONS, Mr. SAND- and Natural Resources. Armed Services. ERS, Mr. BOOKER, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. EC–3458. A communication from the Assist- *Anthony Kurta, of Montana, to be a Prin- UDALL, Mr. BROWN, Mr. KENNEDY, and ant Legal Adviser for Treaty Affairs, Depart- cipal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense. Mr. BENNET): ment of State, transmitting, pursuant to the *Gregory E. Maggs, of Virginia, to be a S. 2141. A bill to amend title 10, United Case-Zablocki Act, 1 U.S.C. 112b, as amended, Judge of the United States Court of Appeals States Code, to reform procedures for deter- the report of the texts and background state- for the Armed Forces for the term of fifteen minations on disposition of charges and the ments of international agreements, other years to expire on the date prescribed by convening of courts-martial for certain of- than treaties (List 2017–0188–2017–0196); to the law. fenses under the Uniform Code of Military Committee on Foreign Relations. *James E. McPherson, of Virginia, to be Justice, and for other purposes; to the Com- EC–3459. A communication from the Chair General Counsel of the Department of the mittee on Armed Services. of the Board of Governors, Federal Reserve Army. By Mr. KING: System, transmitting, pursuant to law, the By Mr. GRASSLEY for the Committee on S. 2142. A bill to amend the Energy Policy Inspector General’s Semiannual Report for the Judiciary. and Conservation Act to establish the CHP the six-month period from April 1, 2017 Scott W. Brady, of Pennsylvania, to be Technical Assistance Partnership Program, through September 30, 2017; to the Com- United States Attorney for the Western Dis- and for other purposes; to the Committee on mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- trict of Pennsylvania for the term of four Energy and Natural Resources. mental Affairs. years. By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Mr. BROWN, Mr. MURPHY, Mr. CASEY, Mr. EC–3460. A communication from the Acting Andrew E. Lelling, of Massachusetts, to be BLUMENTHAL, Mr. UDALL, Mr. SAND- Commissioner, Social Security Administra- United States Attorney for the District of ERS, Mr. CARPER, Mr. REED, Mr. tion, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Massachusetts for the term of four years. COONS, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. BOOKER, Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2017; * Nomination was reported with rec- to the Committee on Homeland Security and Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Ms. HARRIS, Mr. Governmental Affairs. ommendation that it be confirmed sub- HEINRICH, Ms. HIRONO, and Mr. MAR- EC–3461. A communication from the Acting ject to the nominee’s commitment to KEY): Chief Financial Officer, Department of respond to requests to appear and tes- S. 2143. A bill to amend the National Labor Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant tify before any duly constituted com- Relations Act to strengthen protections for employees wishing to advocate for improved to law, the Agency Financial Report for fis- mittee of the Senate. wages, hours, or other terms or conditions of cal year 2017; to the Committee on Homeland (Nominations without an asterisk employment, to expand coverage under such Security and Governmental Affairs. were reported with the recommenda- Act, to provide a process for achieving initial EC–3462. A communication from the Presi- tion that they be confirmed.) collective bargaining agreements, and to dent and CEO, Inter-American Foundation, f provide for stronger remedies for inter- transmitting, pursuant to law, the Founda- ference with these rights, and for other pur- tion’s fiscal year 2017 Annual Management INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND poses; to the Committee on Health, Edu- Report; to the Committee on Homeland Se- JOINT RESOLUTIONS cation, Labor, and Pensions. curity and Governmental Affairs. By Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for himself, Mr. EC–3463. A communication from the Under The following bills and joint resolu- CARDIN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. REED, Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), trans- tions were introduced, read the first Ms. HIRONO, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. mitting, pursuant to law, the Uniform Re- and second times by unanimous con- MARKEY, Ms. HARRIS, Mr. WHITE- source Locator (URL) for the Department of sent, and referred as indicated: HOUSE, and Ms. CORTEZ MASTO): Defense Agency Financial Report for fiscal S. 2144. A bill to provide a process for year 2017; to the Committee on Homeland Se- By Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself and Mr. KAINE): granting lawful permanent resident status to curity and Governmental Affairs. aliens from certain countries who meet spec- EC–3464. A communication from the Under S. 2136. A bill to expand the monthly pay- ments that may be eligible for public service ified eligibility requirements; to the Com- Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), trans- mittee on the Judiciary. mitting, pursuant to law, the Uniform Re- loan forgiveness; to the Committee on Health, Education , Labor, and Pensions. By Mr. MURPHY (for himself, Mr. source Locator (URL) for the Department of CARDIN, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. FRANKEN, Defense Agency Financial Report for fiscal By Mr. DONNELLY (for himself and Mr. HOEVEN): Mr. MARKEY, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Ms. year 2017; to the Committee on Homeland Se- HIRONO, and Mr. BOOKER): curity and Governmental Affairs. S. 2137. A bill to amend the Rural Develop- ment Act of 1972 to improve access to grants S. 2145. A bill to prohibit the United States EC–3465. A communication from the Acting Government from barring refugees from en- for evidence-based substance use disorder Chairman of the Surface Transportation tering the United States based on their coun- treatment services in rural areas, and for Board, Department of Transportation, trans- try of origin; to the Committee on the Judi- other purposes; to the Committee on Agri- mitting, pursuant to law, the Board’s Per- ciary. culture, Nutrition, and Forestry. formance and Accountability Report for fis- By Mr. UDALL (for himself, Mr. By Ms. WARREN (for herself and Mr. cal year 2017; to the Committee on Homeland TESTER, Mr. HEINRICH, Mr. MERKLEY, HATCH): Security and Governmental Affairs. Ms. WARREN, Ms. HARRIS, Ms. CANT- S. 2138. A bill to authorize the creation of f WELL, and Mr. MARKEY): a commission to develop voluntary accessi- S. 2146. A bill to extend the full Federal REPORTS OF COMMITTEES bility guidelines for electronic instructional medical assistance percentage to urban In- materials and related technologies used in dian organizations; to the Committee on In- The following reports of committees postsecondary education, and for other pur- were submitted: dian Affairs. poses; to the Committee on Health, Edu- By Mr. BROWN (for himself, Ms. STA- By Mr. CRAPO, from the Committee on cation, Labor, and Pensions. BENOW, Mr. MANCHIN, Ms. HEITKAMP, Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, with By Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for himself, Mr. Ms. BALDWIN, Mrs. MCCASKILL, Mr. an amendment in the nature of a substitute: KAINE, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. CASEY, Mr. FRANKEN, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. DUR- S. 1591. A bill to impose sanctions with re- MANCHIN, Mr. CARDIN, Mr. WARNER, BIN, Mr. PETERS, Mr. DONNELLY, and spect to the Democratic People’s Republic of Mr. CARPER, Mr. COONS, and Mrs. Ms. DUCKWORTH): Korea, and for other purposes. GILLIBRAND): S. 2147. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- By Mr. ROBERTS, from the Committee on S. 2139. A bill to amend the Food Security enue Code of 1986 to create a Pension Reha- Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, with- Act of 1985 to address critical conservation bilitation Trust Fund to establish a Pension out amendment: conditions under the regional conservation Rehabilitation Administration within the S. 2099. A bill to provide for the manage- partnership program, and for other purposes; Department of the Treasury to make loans ment by the Secretary of Agriculture of cer- to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, to multiemployer defined benefit plans, and tain Federal land, and for other purposes. and Forestry. for other purposes; to the Committee on Fi- f By Mr. RISCH: nance. S. 2140. A bill to provide for an exchange of By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. EXECUTIVE REPORTS OF Federal land and non-Federal land in the BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. COMMITTEES State of Idaho, and for other purposes; to the CARDIN, Mr. COONS, Ms. DUCKWORTH, The following executive reports of Committee on Energy and Natural Re- Mr. FRANKEN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Ms. sources. nominations were submitted: KLOBUCHAR, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. VAN By Mrs. GILLIBRAND (for herself, Mr. HOLLEN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, and Mr. By Mr. ROBERTS for the Committee on GRASSLEY, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Ms. SCHATZ): Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. MURKOWSKI, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mr. PAUL, S. 2148. A bill to authorize dedicated do- * Glen R. Smith, of Iowa, to be a Member of Ms. HIRONO, Mr. HELLER, Mr. WYDEN, mestic terrorism offices within the Depart- the Farm Credit Administration Board, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. MENENDEZ, Ms. ment of Homeland Security, the Department

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:42 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.015 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7297

of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Inves- S. 2159. A bill to require covered harass- By Mr. CRUZ (for himself, Mr. MENEN- tigation to analyze and monitor domestic ment and covered discrimination awareness DEZ, Mr. RUBIO, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. terrorist activity and require the Federal and prevention training for Members, offi- GARDNER, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. LEAHY, Government to take steps to prevent domes- cers, employees, interns, fellows, and and Mrs. FEINSTEIN): tic terrorism; to the Committee on the Judi- detailees of Congress within 30 days of em- S. Con. Res. 30. A concurrent resolution ex- ciary. ployment and annually thereafter, to require pressing the sense of Congress with respect By Mr. DAINES (for himself and Mr. a biennial climate survey of Congress, to to United States policy toward Tibet and TESTER): amend the enforcement process under the Of- that the treatment of the Tibetan people S. 2149. A bill to make a technical correc- fice of Congressional Workplace Rights for should be an important factor in the conduct tion to the provision of law authorizing a covered harassment and covered discrimina- of United States relations with the People’s withdrawal and reservation of public land at tion complaints, and for other purposes; to Republic of China; to the Committee on For- Limestone Hills Training Area, Montana; to the Committee on Homeland Security and eign Relations. the Committee on Armed Services. Governmental Affairs. f By Mr. BLUMENTHAL: By Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mr. S. 2150. A bill to improve requirements for RISCH, and Mr. CRAPO): ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS entering into commerce of imitation fire- S. 2160. A bill to establish a pilot program S. 58 arms, and for other purposes; to the Com- under the Chief of the Forest Service may mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- use alternative dispute resolution in lieu of At the request of Mr. HELLER, the tation. judicial review of certain projects; to the names of the Senator from Oklahoma By Mr. HOEVEN: Committee on Energy and Natural Re- (Mr. INHOFE) and the Senator from Ha- S. 2151. A bill to streamline the oil and gas sources. waii (Ms. HIRONO) were added as co- permitting process and to recognize fee own- ership for certain oil and gas drilling or spac- f sponsors of S. 58, a bill to amend the ing units, and for other purposes; to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND the excise tax on high cost employer- Committee on Energy and Natural Re- SENATE RESOLUTIONS sources. sponsored health coverage. By Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mrs. FEIN- The following concurrent resolutions S. 63 STEIN, Mr. GRASSLEY, Ms. KLO- and Senate resolutions were read, and At the request of Mr. MORAN, the BUCHAR, Mr. CORNYN, and Mr. referred (or acted upon), as indicated: name of the Senator from Nebraska TOOMEY): S. 2152. A bill to amend title 18, United By Mr. MANCHIN (for himself and Mr. (Mrs. FISCHER) was added as a cospon- States Code, to provide for assistance for vic- GRASSLEY): sor of S. 63, a bill to clarify the rights S. Res. 335. A resolution designating the tims of child pornography, and for other pur- of Indians and Indian tribes on Indian week of November 19 through November 25, poses; to the Committee on the Judiciary. 2017, during which the holiday of Thanks- lands under the National Labor Rela- By Mr. HELLER: tions Act. S. 2153. A bill to amend title 23, United giving is observed, as ‘‘National Family States Code, to establish electric vehicle Week’’; to the Committee on the Judiciary. S. 91 weight limitations, and for other purposes; By Ms. WARREN (for herself, Mr. At the request of Ms. MURKOWSKI, the to the Committee on Environment and Pub- PERDUE, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. name of the Senator from Montana BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BOOKER, Mrs. FEIN- lic Works. (Mr. TESTER) was added as a cosponsor By Mr. MORAN: STEIN, and Mr. ISAKSON): S. Res. 336. A resolution recognizing the se- of S. 91, a bill to amend the Indian Em- S. 2154. A bill to approve the Kickapoo ployment, Training and Related Serv- Tribe Water Rights Settlement Agreement, riousness of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and and for other purposes; to the Committee on expressing support for the designation of the ices Demonstration Act of 1992 to fa- Indian Affairs. month of September 2018 as ‘‘Polycystic cilitate the ability of Indian tribes to By Mr. CRAPO (for himself, Mr. DON- Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month’’; to the integrate the employment, training, NELLY, Ms. HEITKAMP, Mr. TESTER, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and and related services from diverse Fed- Mr. WARNER, Mr. CORKER, Mr. SCOTT, Pensions. eral sources, and for other purposes. Mr. COTTON, Mr. ROUNDS, Mrs. By Mr. ISAKSON (for himself, Mr. S. 322 MCCASKILL, Mr. PERDUE, Mr. COONS, and Mr. PERDUE): At the request of Mr. PETERS, the MANCHIN, Mr. TILLIS, Mr. KING, Mr. S. Res. 337. A resolution designating No- KENNEDY, Mr. KAINE, Mr. MORAN, Mr. vember 26, 2017, as ‘‘Drive Safer Sunday’’; name of the Senator from California PETERS, Mr. RISCH, and Mr. BENNET): considered and agreed to. (Ms. HARRIS) was added as a cosponsor S. 2155. A bill to promote economic growth, By Mr. CORNYN (for himself and Mr. of S. 322, a bill to protect victims of do- provide tailored regulatory relief, and en- CRUZ): mestic violence, sexual assault, stalk- hance consumer protections, and for other S. Res. 338. A resolution commending and congratulating the Houston Astros on win- ing, and dating violence from emo- purposes; to the Committee on Banking, tional and psychological trauma Housing, and Urban Affairs. ning the 2017 Major League Baseball World By Mrs. MCCASKILL (for herself and Series; considered and agreed to. caused by acts of violence or threats of Mr. BURR): By Ms. DUCKWORTH (for herself, Mr. violence against their pets. S. 2156. A bill to amend title XVIII of the HATCH, Mrs. MURRAY, Ms. COLLINS, S. 426 Mr. LEAHY, and Mr. REED): Social Security Act to provide fairness in At the request of Mr. TESTER, the S. Res. 339. A resolution designating No- hospital payments under the Medicare pro- name of the Senator from New Hamp- gram; to the Committee on Finance. vember 2017 as ‘‘National Runaway Preven- shire (Ms. HASSAN) was added as a co- By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. KING, tion Month’’; considered and agreed to. Mr. BROWN, Mr. FRANKEN, Ms. HAS- By Mr. PERDUE (for himself, Mr. ISAK- sponsor of S. 426, a bill to increase edu- SAN, and Ms. HARRIS): SON, and Mr. INHOFE): cational assistance provided by the De- S. 2157. A bill to require drug manufactur- S. Res. 340. A resolution commemorating partment of Veterans Affairs for edu- ers to disclose the prices of prescription the 100th anniversary of the 3d Infantry Divi- cation and training of physician assist- drugs in any direct-to-consumer advertising sion; considered and agreed to. ants of the Department, to establish By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Ms. COL- and marketing to practitioners of a drug; to pay grades and require competitive pay the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, LINS, Ms. BALDWIN, and Mr. HOEVEN): and Pensions. S. Res. 341. A resolution designating the for physician assistants of the Depart- By Mr. LEE (for himself and Mr. week beginning November 13, 2017, as ‘‘Na- ment, and for other purposes. LEAHY): tional Apprenticeship Week’’; to the Com- S. 654 S. 2158. A bill to amend the Foreign Intel- mittee on the Judiciary . At the request of Mr. TOOMEY, the ligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to clarify By Mr. MARKEY (for himself, Mr. name of the Senator from California and improve the procedures and account- WHITEHOUSE, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. DUR- (Ms. HARRIS) was added as a cosponsor ability for authorizing certain acquisitions BIN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. WYDEN, of foreign intelligence, to extend title VII of Ms. HIRONO, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Ms. BALD- of S. 654, a bill to revise section 48 of such Act, to ensure that the barriers to shar- WIN, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, title 18, United States Code, and for ing critical foreign intelligence among the and Mr. REED): other purposes. intelligence community that existed before S. Res. 342. A resolution expressing the S. 732 September 11, 2001, are not reimposed, and sense of the Senate that States, cities, Trib- At the request of Mr. CARDIN, the for other purposes; to the Committee on the al nations, businesses, and institutions of Judiciary. higher education in the United States should name of the Senator from Hawaii (Ms. By Mrs. GILLIBRAND (for herself, Ms. work towards achieving the goals of the HIRONO) was added as a cosponsor of S. CORTEZ MASTO, Ms. HARRIS, and Ms. Paris Agreement; to the Committee on For- 732, a bill to amend the Internal Rev- HIRONO): eign Relations. enue Code of 1986 to allow a refundable

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.020 S16NOPT1 S7298 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 tax credit against income tax for the S. 1927 Mr. CASEY, Mr. MANCHIN, Mr. purchase of qualified access technology At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the CARDIN, Mr. WARNER, Mr. CAR- for the blind. name of the Senator from Hawaii (Ms. PER, Mr. COONS, and Mrs. GILLI- S. 793 HIRONO) was added as a cosponsor of S. BRAND): At the request of Ms. HARRIS, her 1927, a bill to amend section 455(m) of S. 2139. A bill to amend the Food Se- name was added as a cosponsor of S. the Higher Education Act of 1965 in curity Act of 1985 to address critical 793, a bill to prohibit sale of shark fins, order to allow adjunct faculty members conservation conditions under the re- and for other purposes. to qualify for public service loan for- gional conservation partnership pro- giveness. S. 978 gram, and for other purposes; to the S. 1962 Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, At the request of Mrs. MURRAY, the name of the Senator from Hawaii (Ms. At the request of Mr. ROUNDS, the and Forestry. name of the Senator from Wyoming Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, HIRONO) was added as a cosponsor of S. (Mr. ENZI) was added as a cosponsor of 978, a bill to direct the Secretary of today I am introducing the Chesapeake S. 1962, a bill to provide relief to com- Education to establish an award pro- Bay Farm Bill Enhancements Act of munity banks, to promote access to gram recognizing excellence exhibited 2017 to accelerate our efforts to restore capital for community banks, and for by public school system employees pro- the health of one of America’s greatest other purposes. viding services to students in pre- natural treasures—the Chesapeake kindergarten through higher edu- S. 2057 Bay. This legislation will strengthen At the request of Ms. BALDWIN, the cation. our Bay clean-up program by increas- name of the Senator from Rhode Island ing and better targeting resources S. 1016 (Mr. WHITEHOUSE) was added as a co- under the Regional Conservation Part- At the request of Mr. SCHATZ, the sponsor of S. 2057, a bill to prevent con- nership Program (RCPP), which is ad- names of the Senator from Oklahoma flicts of interest that stem from the re- ministered by the Department of Agri- (Mr. LANKFORD) and the Senator from volving door that raises concerns about culture (USDA). New Mexico (Mr. HEINRICH) were added the independence of pharmaceutical I have long advocated for more effec- as cosponsors of S. 1016, a bill to amend regulators. tive protection, preservation, and res- title XVIII of the Social Security Act S. 2129 toration of the Chesapeake Bay. Dur- to expand access to telehealth services, At the request of Ms. HIRONO, the ing the development of the Farm Bill and for other purposes. name of the Senator from Massachu- of 2008, I worked with my colleagues to S. 1064 setts (Ms. WARREN) was added as a co- adopt the Chesapeake Bay Watershed At the request of Mr. UDALL, the sponsor of S. 2129, a bill to amend title Initiative, which provided assistance to name of the Senator from Hawaii (Ms. 10, United States Code, to establish a farmers to help them prevent the ex- HIRONO) was added as a cosponsor of S. punitive article in the Uniform Code of cessive runoff of nutrients and sedi- 1064, a bill to amend the Richard B. Military Justice on domestic violence, ments into the Bay and its tributaries. Russell National School Lunch Act to and for other purposes. As a result of that initiative, about $50 prohibit the stigmatization of children S. 2135 million was invested annually in the who are unable to pay for meals. At the request of Mr. CORNYN, the Chesapeake Bay watershed. S. 1281 names of the Senator from New Mexico In the 2014 Farm Bill, the RCPP was At the request of Ms. HASSAN, the (Mr. HEINRICH), the Senator from Penn- established to expand the successful name of the Senator from Colorado sylvania (Mr. TOOMEY), the Senator concept of the Chesapeake Bay Initia- (Mr. GARDNER) was added as a cospon- from Tennessee (Mr. ALEXANDER), the tive to our vital watersheds in the sor of S. 1281, a bill to establish a bug Senator from Nevada (Ms. CORTEZ country. The goal of RCPP is to en- bounty pilot program within the De- MASTO), the Senator from Delaware courage stakeholders to partner with partment of Homeland Security, and (Mr. COONS) and the Senator from Alas- agricultural producers to increase the for other purposes. ka (Ms. MURKOWSKI) were added as co- restoration and sustainable use of soil, S. 1413 sponsors of S. 2135, a bill to enforce water, wildlife and related natural re- At the request of Mr. COONS, the current law regarding the National In- sources on regional or watershed name of the Senator from Connecticut stant Criminal Background Check Sys- scales. (Mr. MURPHY) was added as a cosponsor tem. Mr. President, while very successful of S. 1413, a bill to authorize the Sec- S. RES. 291 nationally, the overall investment in retary of Education to award grants to At the request of Mr. CRUZ, the Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts establish teacher leader development names of the Senator from South Da- through the RCPP has been reduced programs. kota (Mr. ROUNDS), the Senator from relative to investments that were made Indiana (Mr. YOUNG) and the Senator under the stand-alone Chesapeake Bay S. 1591 from Arkansas (Mr. BOOZMAN) were Watershed Initiative. That is why At the request of Mr. CRAPO, his added as cosponsors of S. Res. 291, a today I am introducing the Chesapeake name was added as a cosponsor of S. resolution affirming the historical con- Bay Farm Bill Enhancements Act to 1591, a bill to impose sanctions with re- nection of the Jewish people to the an- make refinements to the RCPP in spect to the Democratic People’s Re- cient and sacred city of Jerusalem and order to improve conservation efforts public of Korea, and for other purposes. condemning efforts at the United Na- in the Chesapeake Bay—and other vital S. 1738 tions Educational, Scientific, and Cul- watersheds—through providing addi- At the request of Mr. WARNER, the tural Organization (UNESCO) to deny tional funding, bolstering the role of name of the Senator from Texas (Mr. Judaism’s millennia-old historical, re- critical conservation areas, and im- CORNYN) was added as a cosponsor of S. ligious, and cultural ties to Jerusalem. proving technical assistance. 1738, a bill to amend title XVIII of the S. RES. 319 On funding, this bill will triple the Social Security Act to provide for a At the request of Mr. BROWN, the amount of mandatory funding for home infusion therapy services tem- name of the Senator from Maine (Mr. RCPP available per fiscal year from porary transitional payment under the KING) was added as a cosponsor of S. $100 million to $300 million. The bill Medicare program. Res. 319, a resolution supporting the also allows in-kind support to count to- S. 1871 goals, activities, and ideals of Pre- wards a partner’s matching contribu- At the request of Mr. CASSIDY, the maturity Awareness Month. tion to a project. name of the Senator from North Da- f The Chesapeake Bay has already kota (Ms. HEITKAMP) was added as a co- been designated as a Critical Conserva- sponsor of S. 1871, a bill to amend title STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED tion Area under the RCPP. However, 38, United States Code, to clarify the BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS my bill will make refinements to the role of podiatrists in the Department of requirements for partnership agree- Veterans Affairs, and for other pur- By Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for him- ments awarded within Critical Con- poses. self, Mr. KAINE, Mrs. CAPITO, servation Areas that recognize key

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.022 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7299 strengths of the Chesapeake Bay re- ment concluding the exchange would (3) An unclassified May 2017 joint intel- gion. For example, the bill will have no significant environmental im- ligence bulletin from the Federal Bureau of strengthen the definitions of a critical pact, which was reaffirmed in 2009 by Investigation and the Department of Home- land Security found that ‘‘white supremacist conservation area to include critical the Department of Interior Board of extremism poses [a] persistent threat of le- conservation conditions that would im- Land Appeals. However, the exchange thal violence,’’ and that white supremacists prove water quality and water quan- has been held up since 2011 due to the ‘‘were responsible for 49 homicides in 26 at- tity. Furthermore, the bill adds a District Court for Idaho ruling that tacks from 2000 to 2016 . . . more than any prioritization for partnership agree- BLM needed to prepare a full Environ- other domestic extremist movement’’. ment applications that implement the mental Impact Statement including (4) According to the New America Founda- project consistent with multi-State detailed future use to comply with the tion, since September 11, 2001, 76 Americans watershed restoration plans and bring National Environmental Policy Act of have died in terrorist attacks by domestic extremists in the United States. 89 percent together a diverse array of stake- 1969. were killed by far-right-wing extremists. holders into a project. This raises the possibility of a dan- (5) The fatal attacks described in para- I have heard from many organiza- gerous precedent for future land con- graph (4) include— tions in my state and others states in veyances, as the exchange itself does (A) the August 5, 2012, mass shooting at a the Bay watershed that there is a sig- not authorize further activities. Future Sikh gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, in nificant need for better technical as- use of the proposed adjacent land by which a white supremacist shot and killed 6 sistance to better implement the the phosphate facility would still be members of the gurdwara; (B) the April 13, 2014, mass shooting at a RCPP. Therefore, my bill authorizes subject to NEPA with opportunity for Jewish community center and a Jewish as- the USDA to advance reasonable public comment. Halting the sisted living facility in Overland Park, Kan- amounts of funding to eligible partners Blackrock Land Exchange for this rea- sas, in which a neo-Nazi shot and killed 3 ci- for technical assistance. Also, the bill son could largely increase the scope, vilians, including a 14-year-old teenager; allows the USDA to provide written length, and cost of the NEPA process. (C) the June 8, 2014, ambush in Las Vegas, feedback to applicants throughout the This bill will allow for this exchange Nevada, in which 2 supporters of the far application process on how the pro- in Idaho that has support from—State right-wing ‘‘patriot’’ movement shot and and local government as well as var- killed 2 police officers and a civilian; posals can be improved. (D) the June 17, 2015, mass shooting at the Mr. President, I am pleased to be ious land users. It will also protect fu- Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South joined in introducing the bill by Sen- ture exchanges from cycles of unneces- Carolina, in which a white supremacist shot ator CARDIN, a long-time supporter of sary review and litigation. The and killed 9 members of the church; the Chesapeake Bay. My other Bay Blackrock Land Exchange Act of 2017 (E) the November 27, 2015, mass shooting at state colleagues, Senators CAPITO, is in the best interest of Idaho land a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado KAINE, CASEY, MANCHIN, WARNER, CAR- users, local economies, and future uti- Springs, Colorado, in which an anti-abortion extremist shot and killed a police officer and PER, COONS and GILLIBRAND are also lization of government land. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the 2 civilians; original cosponsors of the Chesapeake (F) the March 20, 2017, murder of an Afri- Bay Farm Bill Enhancements Act. My floor. can-American man in New York City, alleg- former colleague Congressman BOBBY edly committed by a white supremacist who By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. SCOTT is introducing a companion reportedly traveled to New York ‘‘for the measure in the House of Representa- BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. purpose of killing black men’’; tives. Furthermore, I am grateful that CARDIN, Mr. COONS, Ms. (G) the May 26, 2017, attack in Portland, this bill has the support of Maryland DUCKWORTH, Mr. FRANKEN, Mrs. Oregon, in which a white supremacist alleg- edly murdered 2 men and injured a third Governor Hogan, 4 other Governors GILLIBRAND, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, after the men defended 2 young women whom within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, the individual had targeted with anti-Mus- Mr. WHITEHOUSE, and Mr. the Mayor of the District of Columbia, lim hate speech; and and the Chesapeake Bay Commission. SCHATZ): (H) the August 12, 2017, attack in Char- S. 2148. A bill to authorize dedicated This bill is also supported by over 70 lottesville, Virginia, in which a white su- domestic terrorism offices within the organizations such as the Chesapeake premacist allegedly killed 1 and injured 19 Department of Homeland Security, the Bay Foundation, and Choose Clean after driving his car through a crowd of indi- Department of Justice, and the Federal viduals protesting a neo-Nazi rally, and of Water. Together, I look forward to Bureau of Investigation to analyze and which Attorney General Jeff Sessions said, working together to see the inclusion monitor domestic terrorist activity ‘‘It does meet the definition of domestic ter- of this important legislation in the and require the Federal Government to rorism in our statute.’’. next Farm Bill. (6) The Anti-Defamation League’s Center take steps to prevent domestic ter- on Extremism found that right-wing extrem- By Mr. RISCH: rorism; to the Committee on the Judi- ists were responsible for 150 terrorist acts, S. 2140. A bill to provide for an ex- ciary. attempted acts, and plots and conspiracies change of Federal land and non-Federal Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask that took place in the United States between land in the State of Idaho, and for unanimous consent that the text of the 1993 and 2017. These attacks resulted in the other purposes; to the Committee on bill be printed in the RECORD. deaths of 255 people and injured more than 600. Energy and Natural Resources. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in (7) According to the Southern Poverty Law Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I rise Center, in 2015, for the first time in 5 years, the RECORD, as follows: today to introduce the Blackrock Land the number of hate groups in the United Exchange Act of 2017. S. 2148 States rose by 14 percent. The increase in- The legislation supports a mutually Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- cluded a more than twofold rise in the num- beneficial effort between the Bureau of resentatives of the United States of America in ber of Ku Klux Klan chapters. The number of Land Management and the J.R. Congress assembled, anti-government militias and ‘‘patriot’’ Simplot Company in Idaho that began SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. groups also grew by 14 percent in 2015. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Domestic over 20 years ago. Simplot proposed an (8) In November 2017, the Federal Bureau of Terrorism Prevention Act of 2017’’. Investigation released its annual hate crime exchange of their privately owned land SEC. 2. FINDINGS. incident report, which found that in 2016, with superior natural resources and Congress finds the following: hate crimes increased by almost 5 percent, recreational opportunities for a similar (1) White supremacists and other right- including a 19 percent rise in hate crimes sized parcel of BLM land adjacent to a wing extremists are the most significant do- against American Muslims. Similarly, the Simplot phosphate processing facility. mestic terrorism threat facing the United previous year’s report found that in 2015, This facility adds significant value to States. hate crimes increased by 6 percent. Much of the Pocatello, Idaho area as a large (2) A 2009 report from the Extremism and that increase came from a 66 percent rise in employer that sustains over 350 jobs Radicalization Branch of the Department of attacks on American Muslims. In both re- Homeland Security concluded ‘‘that lone ports, race-based crimes were most numer- with an over $55 million annual eco- wolves and small terrorist cells embracing ous; more than 50 percent of those hate nomic impact. violent right-wing extremist ideology are crimes targeted African Americans. In 2007, BLM issued a Final Decision the most dangerous domestic terrorism (9) In January 2017, a right-wing extremist Record on the Environmental Assess- threat in the United States’’. who had expressed anti-Muslim views was

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.031 S16NOPT1 S7300 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 charged with murder for allegedly killing 6 (i) domestic terrorism related assessments port for the preceding year required under people and injuring 19 in a shooting rampage initiated by the Federal Bureau of Investiga- subsection (b). at a mosque in Quebec City, Canada. It was tion, including the number of assessments SEC. 5. TRAINING TO COMBAT DOMESTIC TER- the first-ever mass shooting at a mosque in from each classification and subcategory; RORISM. North America, and Prime Minister Trudeau (ii) domestic terrorism related preliminary (a) REQUIRED TRAINING AND RESOURCES.— labeled it a terrorist attack. investigations initiated by the Federal Bu- The State and Local Anti-Terrorism Pro- (10) Between January and July 2017, news reau of Investigation, including the number gram, funded by the Bureau of Justice As- reports found 63 incidents in which American of preliminary investigations from each clas- sistance of the Department of Justice, shall mosques were targeted by threats, van- sification and subcategory, and how many include training and resources to assist dalism, or arson. preliminary investigations resulted from as- State, local, and tribal law enforcement offi- SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. sessments; cers in understanding, detecting, deterring, In this Act— (iii) domestic terrorism related full inves- and investigating acts of domestic terrorism. (1) the term ‘‘Director’’ means the Director tigations initiated by the Federal Bureau of The training shall focus on the most signifi- of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Investigation, including the number of full cant domestic terrorism threats, as deter- (2) the term ‘‘domestic terrorism’’ has the investigations from each classification and mined by the quantitative analysis in the meaning given the term in section 2331 of subcategory, and how many full investiga- joint report required under section 4(b). title 18, United States Code; tions resulted from preliminary investiga- (b) REQUIREMENT.—Any individual who pro- (3) the term ‘‘Domestic Terrorism Execu- tions and assessments; vides domestic terrorism training required tive Committee’’ means the committee with- (iv) domestic terrorism related incidents, under this section shall have— in the Department of Justice tasked with as- including the number of incidents from each (1) expertise in domestic terrorism; and sessing and sharing information about ongo- classification and subcategory, the number (2) relevant academic, law enforcement, or ing domestic terrorism threats; and of deaths and injuries resulting from each in- other experience in matters related to do- (4) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Sec- cident, and a detailed explanation of each in- mestic terrorism. retary of Homeland Security. cident; (c) REPORT.— SEC. 4. OFFICES TO COMBAT DOMESTIC TER- (v) Federal domestic terrorism related ar- (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after RORISM. rests, including the number of arrests from the date of enactment of this Act and once (a) AUTHORIZATION OF OFFICES TO MONITOR, each classification and subcategory, and a each year thereafter, the Director of the Bu- ANALYZE, INVESTIGATE, AND PROSECUTE DO- detailed explanation of each arrest; reau of Justice Assistance shall submit an MESTIC TERRORISM.— (vi) Federal domestic terrorism related in- annual report to the committees of Congress (1) DOMESTIC TERRORISM UNIT.—There is au- dictments, including the number of indict- described in section 4(b)(1) on the domestic thorized a Domestic Terrorism Unit in the ments from each classification and sub- terrorism training implemented under this Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the De- category, and a detailed explanation of each section, which shall include copies of all partment of Homeland Security, which shall indictment; training materials used and the names and be responsible for monitoring and analyzing (vii) Federal domestic terrorism related qualifications of the individuals who provide domestic terrorism activity. prosecutions, including the number of inci- the training. (2) DOMESTIC TERRORISM OFFICE.—There is dents from each classification and sub- (2) CLASSIFICATION.—Each report submitted authorized a Domestic Terrorism Office in category, and a detailed explanation of each under paragraph (1) shall be unclassified, to the Counterterrorism Section of the Na- prosecution; the greatest extent possible, with a classified tional Security Division of the Department (viii) Federal domestic terrorism related annex only if necessary. of Justice— convictions, including the number of convic- (A) which shall be responsible for inves- SEC. 6. COMBATTING DOMESTIC TERRORISM tions from each classification and sub- THROUGH JOINT TERRORISM TASK tigating and prosecuting incidents of domes- category, and a detailed explanation of each FORCES AND FUSION CENTERS. tic terrorism; and conviction; and (a) IN GENERAL.—The joint terrorism task (B) which shall be headed by the Domestic (ix) Federal domestic terrorism related forces of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Terrorism Counsel. weapons recoveries, including the number of and State, local, and regional fusion centers, (3) DOMESTIC TERRORISM SECTION OF THE each type of weapon and the number of weap- as established under section 210A of the FBI.—There is authorized a Domestic Ter- Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. rorism Section within the Counterterrorism ons from each classification and sub- 124h), shall each, in coordination with the Division of the Federal Bureau of Investiga- category. Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee tion, which shall be responsible for inves- (3) CLASSIFICATION AND PUBLIC RELEASE.— and the domestic terrorism offices author- tigating domestic terrorism activity. Each report submitted under paragraph (1) ized under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of sec- (b) JOINT REPORT ON DOMESTIC TER- shall be— RORISM.— (A) unclassified, to the greatest extent pos- tion 4(a) of this Act— (1) ANNUAL REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later sible, with a classified annex only if nec- (1) share intelligence to address domestic than 180 days after the date of enactment of essary; and terrorism activities; this Act, and each year thereafter, the Sec- (B) in the case of the unclassified portion (2) conduct an annual, intelligence-based retary of Homeland Security, the Attorney of the report, posted on the public websites assessment of domestic terrorism activities General, and the Director of the Federal Bu- of the Department of Homeland Security, in their jurisdictions; and reau of Investigation shall submit a joint re- the Department of Justice, and the Federal (3) formulate and execute a plan to address port authored by the domestic terrorism of- Bureau of Investigation. and combat domestic terrorism activities in fices authorized under paragraphs (1), (2), (c) DOMESTIC TERRORISM EXECUTIVE COM- their jurisdictions. and (3) of subsection (a) to— MITTEE.—There is authorized a Domestic (b) REQUIREMENT.—The activities required (A) the Committee on the Judiciary, the Terrorism Executive Committee, which under subsection (a) shall focus on the most Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- shall— significant domestic terrorism threats, as ernmental Affairs, and the Select Committee (1) meet on a regular basis, and not less determined by the number of domestic ter- on Intelligence of the Senate; and regularly than 4 times each year, to coordi- rorism related incidents from each category (B) the Committee on the Judiciary, the nate with United States Attorneys and other and subclassification in the joint report for Committee on Homeland Security, and the key public safety officials across the country the preceding year required under section Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to promote information sharing and ensure 4(b). of the House of Representatives. an effective, responsive, and organized joint SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. (2) CONTENTS.—Each report submitted effort to combat domestic terrorism; and There are authorized to be appropriated to under paragraph (1) shall include— (2) be co-chaired by— the Department of Justice, the Federal Bu- (A) an assessment of the domestic ter- (A) the Domestic Terrorism Counsel au- reau of Investigation, and the Department of rorism threat posed by white supremacists, thorized under subsection (a)(2)(B); Homeland Security such sums as may be including white supremacist infiltration and (B) a United States Attorney or Assistant necessary to carry out this Act. recruitment of law enforcement officers and United States Attorney; members of the Armed Forces; (C) a member of the National Security Di- By Mr. DAINES (for himself and (B)(i) in the first report, an analysis of in- vision of the Department of Justice; and Mr. TESTER): cidents or attempted incidents of domestic (D) a member of the Federal Bureau of In- S. 2149. A bill to make a technical terrorism that have occurred in the United vestigation. correction to the provision of law au- States since April 19, 1995; and (d) FOCUS ON GREATEST THREATS.—The do- thorizing a withdrawal and reservation (ii) in each subsequent report, an analysis mestic terrorism offices authorized under of public land at Limestone Hills of incidents or attempted incidents of do- paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a) Training Area, Montana; to the Com- mestic terrorism that occurred in the United shall focus their limited resources on the States during the preceding year; and most significant domestic terrorism threats, mittee on Armed Services. (C) a quantitative analysis of domestic ter- as determined by the number of domestic Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask rorism for the preceding year, including the terrorism related incidents from each cat- unanimous consent that the text of the number of— egory and subclassification in the joint re- bill be printed in the RECORD.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.027 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7301 There being no objection, the text of SEC. 3. PRICE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT FOR of the manufacturer, communicates with a the bill was ordered to be printed in DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER DRUG AD- health care practitioner about a drug manu- VERTISEMENTS. the RECORD, as follows: factured by the drug manufacturer, includ- (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 303(g)(1) of the ing through promotional, educational, or S. 2149 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 marketing communications, meetings or Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- U.S.C. 333(g)(1)) is amended— paid events, and the provision of goods, gifts, resentatives of the United States of America in (1) by striking ‘‘(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘(i)’’; and samples, the drug manufacturer shall Congress assembled, (2) by striking ‘‘(B)’’ and inserting (ii); disclose to the practitioner the wholesale ac- SECTION 1. TECHNICAL CORRECTION TO WITH- (3) by striking ‘‘(1) With respect’’ and in- quisition cost (as defined in section DRAWAL AND RESERVATION OF serting ‘‘(1)(A) With respect’’; 1847A(c)(6)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 PUBLIC LAND AUTHORITY, LIME- (4) by striking ‘‘this paragraph’’ each STONE HILLS TRAINING AREA, MON- U.S.C. 1395w–3a(c)(6)(B))) for a 30-day supply place it appears and inserting ‘‘this subpara- of the drug, which may include a brief quali- TANA. graph’’; Section 2931(b) of the Military Construc- tative explanation of reduced cost avail- (5) by striking ‘‘No other civil monetary tion Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 ability for certain consumers that is con- penalties in this Act (including the civil pen- (division B of Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. sistent with the regulations described in sec- alty in section 303(f)(4))’’ and inserting ‘‘No 1031) is amended by striking ‘‘18,644 acres in tion 3(c)(2). civil monetary penalties (including the civil Broadwater County, Montana, generally de- (b) ENFORCEMENT BY FEDERAL TRADE penalty in section 303(f)(4)), other than the picted as ‘Proposed Land Withdrawal’ on the COMMISSION.— penalties under this subparagraph and sub- map entitled ‘Limestone Hills Training Area (1) UNFAIR OR DECEPTIVE ACTS OR PRAC- paragraph (B)’’; and Land Withdrawal’, dated April 10, 2013’’ and TICES.—A violation of subsection (a) by a (6) by adding at the end the following: person with respect to whom the Commis- inserting ‘‘18,964 acres in Broadwater Coun- ‘‘(B) With respect to a person who is a ty, Montana, generally depicted as ‘Lime- sion is empowered under section 5(a)(2) of the holder of an approved application under sec- Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. stone Hills Training Area Land Withdrawal’ tion 505 for a drug subject to section 503(b) or on the map entitled ‘Limestone Hills Train- 45(a)(2)) shall be treated as a violation of a under section 351 of the Public Health Serv- rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or ing Area Land Withdrawal’, dated May 11, ice Act, any such person who disseminates or 2017’’. practice prescribed under section 18(a)(1)(B) causes another party to disseminate a direct- of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 to-consumer advertisement that does not in- U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)). By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. clude the wholesale acquisition cost (as de- (2) POWERS OF FEDERAL TRADE COMMIS- KING, Mr. BROWN, Mr. FRANKEN, fined in section 1847A(c)(6)(B) of the Social SION.— Ms. HASSAN, and Ms. HARRIS): Security Act) for a 30-day supply of the drug S. 2157. A bill to require drug manu- (A) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Trade shall be liable to the United States for a civil Commission shall enforce this section in the facturers to disclose the prices of pre- penalty in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 same manner, by the same means, and with scription drugs in any direct-to-con- for the first such violation in any 3-year pe- the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as sumer advertising and marketing to riod, and not to exceed $5,000,000 for each though all applicable terms and provisions of practitioners of a drug; to the Com- subsequent violation in any 3-year period. the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. mittee on Health, Education, Labor, For purposes of this subparagraph, all viola- 41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made tions under this paragraph occurring in a a part of this Act. and Pensions. single day shall be considered one violation. (B) PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES.—Any Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask With respect to advertisements that appear unanimous consent that the text of the person who violates this section shall be sub- in magazines or other publications that are ject to the penalties and entitled to the bill be printed in the RECORD. published less frequently than daily, each privileges and immunities provided in the There being no objection, the text of issue date (whether weekly or monthly) shall Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 the bill was ordered to be printed in be treated as a single day for the purpose of et seq.). calculating the number of violations under the RECORD, as follows: (c) RULEMAKING.—The Federal Trade S. 2157 this subparagraph.’’. Commission shall promulgate in accordance (b) TRANSFER OF FUNDS.—For each fiscal with section 553 of title 5, United States Be it enacted by the Senate and House of year, there are authorized to be appro- Code, such rules as may be necessary to Representatives of the United States of America priated, and are appropriated, out of any carry out this section. in Congress assembled, funds not otherwise obligated, to the Direc- (d) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Nothing in this SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. tor of the National Institutes of Health for This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Drug-Price section shall be construed to limit, impair, purposes of carrying out medical research, or supersede the operation of the Federal Transparency in Communications Act’’. an amount equal to the amount collected in SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Trade Commission Act or any other provi- penalties during the previous fiscal year for sion of Federal law. Congress finds as follows: violations of section 303(g)(1)(B) of the Fed- (1) Direct-to-consumer advertising of eral Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. By Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mr. prescription pharmaceuticals is legal in only (c) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary of 2 developed countries, the United States and Health and Human Services, acting through RISCH, and Mr. CRAPO): New Zealand. the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall S. 2160. A bill to establish a pilot pro- (2) Direct-to-consumer advertising of promulgate regulations to carry out sub- gram under the Chief of the Forest prescription pharmaceuticals is designed to paragraph (B) of section 303(g)(1) of the Fed- Service may use alternative dispute cause patients to pressure physicians to pre- eral Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. resolution in lieu of judicial review of scribe certain medications. 333(g)(1)), as added by subsection (a). Such certain projects; to the Committee on (3) In 2015, pharmaceutical companies regulations shall include provisions setting spent more than $100,000,000 on advertising Energy and Natural Resources. forth— Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask with respect to each of 16 brand-name drugs, (1) a reasonable amount of time a manu- primarily new and expensive drugs. facturer has to update any direct-to-con- unanimous consent that the text of the (4) Prescription rates of medications ad- sumer advertising of a drug in accordance bill be printed in the RECORD. vertised directly to consumers have in- with such subparagraph (B) after a change to There being no objection, the text of creased by 34.2 percent compared to a 5.1 per- the wholesale acquisition cost of the drug; the bill was ordered to be printed in cent increase in other pharmaceuticals. and the RECORD, as follows: (5) Prescription pharmaceuticals cost (2) the specific manner in which the S. 2160 more in the United States than they do in wholesale acquisition cost of a drug is re- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- any other country. quired to be conspicuously disclosed in such resentatives of the United States of America in (6) The American Medical Association direct-to-consumer advertisements in order Congress assembled, has passed resolutions calling for the ban of to communicate such single price metric to direct-to-consumer advertising of prescrip- the public, which shall include visual and SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. tion pharmaceuticals, and to require price audio (as applicable) components of the ad- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Protect Col- transparency in any direct-to-consumer ad- vertisement, and which may include a brief laboration for Healthier Forests Act’’. vertising. qualitative explanation of reduced cost SEC. 2. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (7) The amount of spending by pharma- availability for certain consumers, such as PILOT PROGRAM. ceutical companies in marketing to health through insurance cost-sharing arrange- (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this Act: care providers is more than 4 times the ments or patient assistance programs. (1) PARTICIPANT.—The term ‘‘participant’’ spending for direct-to-consumer advertising. SEC. 4. DRUG MANUFACTURER DUTY TO DIS- means an individual or entity that files an (8) Health care providers are more likely CLOSE DRUG PRICES TO PRACTI- objection or scoping comments on a draft en- to prescribe a certain drug if they have re- TIONERS. vironmental document with respect to a ceived payments or marketing materials (a) DUTY TO DISCLOSE.—Whenever a drug project that is subject to an objection at the from the manufacturer of that drug. manufacturer, including any representative project level under part 218 of title 36, Code

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.028 S16NOPT1 S7302 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017

of Federal Regulations (or successor regula- (B) REQUIREMENTS.—A request to initiate shall make a decision with respect to the re- tions). arbitration under subparagraph (A) shall— quest to initiate arbitration. (2) PILOT PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘pilot pro- (i) be filed not later than the date that is (l) EFFECT OF ARBITRATION DECISION.—A gram’’ means the pilot program established 30 days after the date of the notification by under subsection (b). the Secretary under paragraph (1); and decision of an arbitrator under this Act— (3) PROJECT.—The term ‘‘project’’ means a (ii) include an alternative proposal for the (1) shall not be considered to be a major project described in subsection (c). applicable project that describes each modi- Federal action; (4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ fication sought by the participant with re- (2) shall be binding; and means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting spect to the project. (3) shall not be subject to judicial review, through the Chief of the Forest Service. (C) NO JUDICIAL REVIEW.—A project for except as provided in section 10(a) of title 9, (b) ARBITRATION PILOT PROGRAM.—Not which arbitration is initiated under subpara- United States Code. later than 180 days after the date of enact- graph (A) shall not be subject to judicial re- (m) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.— ment of this Act, the Secretary shall estab- view. (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— lish within Region 1 of the Forest Service an (3) COMPELLED ARBITRATION.— (A) be solely responsible for the profes- (A) MOTION TO COMPEL ARBITRATION.— arbitration pilot program as an alternative sional fees of arbitrators participating in the dispute resolution process in lieu of judicial (i) IN GENERAL.—If a participant seeks judi- pilot program; and review for projects described in subsection cial review of a final decision with respect to (B) use funds made available to the Sec- (c). a project, the Secretary may file in the ap- retary and not otherwise obligated to carry (c) DESCRIPTION OF PROJECTS.— plicable court a motion to compel arbitra- out subparagraph (A). (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, at the sole tion in accordance with this Act. discretion of the Secretary, may designate (ii) FEES AND COSTS.—For any motion de- (2) ATTORNEY’S FEES.—No arbitrator may for arbitration projects that— scribed in clause (i) for which the Secretary award attorney’s fees in any arbitration (A)(i) are developed through a collabo- is the prevailing party, the applicable court brought under this Act. rative process (within the meaning of section shall award to the Secretary— (n) REPORTS.— 603(b)(1)(C) of the Healthy Forest Restora- (I) court costs; and (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after tion Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591b(b)(1)(C))); (II) attorney’s fees. the date on which the pilot program is estab- (ii) are carried out under the Collaborative (B) ARBITRATION COMPELLED BY COURT.—If a lished, and annually thereafter, the Sec- Forest Landscape Restoration Program es- participant seeks judicial review of a retary shall submit to the Committee on Ag- project, the applicable court shall compel ar- tablished under section 4003 of the Omnibus riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the bitration in accordance with this Act. Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources U.S.C. 7303); or (g) SELECTION OF ARBITRATOR.—For each of the Senate and the Committee on Natural (iii) are identified in a community wildfire arbitration commenced under this Act— Resources of the House of Representatives, protection plan (as defined in section 101 of (1) the Secretary shall propose 3 arbitra- and publish on the website of Region 1 of the the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 tors from the list published under subsection (16 U.S.C. 6511)); (e)(1); and Forest Service, a report of not longer than 10 (B) have as a purpose— (2) the applicable participant shall select 1 pages describing the implementation of the (i) hazardous fuels reduction; or arbitrator from the list of arbitrators pro- pilot program for the applicable year, includ- (ii) mitigation of insect or disease infesta- posed under paragraph (1). ing— tion; and (h) RESPONSIBILITIES OF ARBITRATOR.— (A) the reasons for selecting certain (C) are located, in whole or in part, in a (1) IN GENERAL.—An arbitrator selected projects for arbitration; wildland-urban interface (as defined in sec- under subsection (e)— (B) an evaluation of the arbitration proc- tion 101 of the Healthy Forests Restoration (A) shall address all claims of each party ess, including any recommendations for im- Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6511)). seeking arbitration with respect to a project provements to the process; (2) INCLUSION.—In designating projects for under this Act; but (C) a description of the outcome of each ar- arbitration, the Secretary may include (B) may consolidate into a single arbitra- bitration; and tion all requests to initiate arbitration by projects that receive categorical exclusions (D) a summary of the impacts of each out- all participants with respect to a project. for purposes of the National Environmental come described in subparagraph (C) on the Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). (2) SELECTION OF PROPOSALS.—An arbi- trator shall make a decision with respect to timeline for implementation and completion (d) LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF PROJECTS.— of the applicable project. The Secretary may not designate for arbitra- each applicable request for initiation of arbi- tration under this Act by— (2) GAO REVIEWS AND REPORTS.— tion under the pilot program more than 2 (A) INITIAL REVIEW.—Not later than 2 years projects per calendar year. (A) selecting the project, as approved by the Secretary; after the date on which the pilot program is (e) ARBITRATORS.— (B) selecting an alternative proposal sub- established, the Comptroller General of the (1) APPOINTMENT.—The Secretary shall de- United States shall review the implementa- velop and publish a list of not fewer than 15 mitted by the applicable participant; or tion by the Secretary of the pilot program. individuals eligible to serve as arbitrators (C) rejecting both projects described in (B) REVIEW ON TERMINATION.—On termi- for the pilot program. subparagraphs (A) and (B). (3) LIMITATIONS.— nation of the pilot program under subsection (2) QUALIFICATIONS.—To be eligible to serve as an arbitrator under this subsection, an in- (A) ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD.—The evidence (o), the Comptroller General of the United dividual shall be— before an arbitrator under this subsection States shall review the implementation by (A) certified by— shall be limited solely to the administrative the Secretary of the pilot program. (i) the American Arbitration Association; record for the project. (C) REPORT.—On completion of the review or (B) NO MODIFICATIONS TO PROPOSALS.—An described in subparagraph (A) or (B), the (ii) a State arbitration program; or arbitrator may not modify any proposal con- Comptroller General of the United States (B) a fully retired Federal or State judge. tained in a request for initiation of arbitra- shall submit to the Committee on Agri- tion of a participant under this Act. (f) INITIATION OF ARBITRATION.— culture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the (i) INTERVENTION.—A party may intervene (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 7 days in an arbitration under this Act if, with re- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources after the date on which the Secretary issues spect to the project to which the arbitration of the Senate and the Committee on Natural the final decision with respect to a project, relates, the party— Resources of the House of Representatives a the Secretary shall— (1) meets the requirements of Rule 24(a) of report describing the results of the applica- (A) notify each applicable participant and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (or a ble review. the Clerk of the United States District Court successor rule); or for the district in which the project is lo- (o) TERMINATION.—The pilot program shall (2) participated in the applicable collabo- terminate on the date that is 5 years after cated that the project has been designated rative process referred to in clause (i) or (ii) the date . for arbitration in accordance with this Act; of subsection (c)(1)(A). and (j) SCOPE OF REVIEW.—In carrying out arbi- (p) EFFECT.—Nothing in this Act affects (B) include in the decision document a tration for a project, the arbitrator shall set the responsibility of the Secretary to comply statement that the project has been des- aside the agency action, findings, and con- with— ignated for arbitration. clusions found to be arbitrary, capricious, an (1) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 (2) INITIATION.— abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in ac- U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or (A) IN GENERAL.—A participant may ini- cordance with law, within the meaning of (2) the National Environmental Policy Act tiate arbitration regarding a project that has section 706(2)(A) of title 5, United States of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). been designated for arbitration under this Code. Act in accordance with— (k) DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION OF ARBITRA- (i) sections 571 through 584 of title 5, TION.—Not later than 90 days after the date United States Code; and on which a request to initiate arbitration is (ii) this paragraph. filed under subsection (f)(2), the arbitrator

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.030 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7303 SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS Whereas PCOS is the most common cause S. RES. 337 of female infertility; Whereas motor vehicle travel is the pri- Whereas PCOS in pregnancy is associated mary means of transportation in the United SENATE RESOLUTION 335—DESIG- with increased risk of gestational diabetes, States; NATING THE WEEK OF NOVEM- preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced hyper- Whereas every individual traveling on BER 19 THROUGH NOVEMBER 25, tension, preterm delivery, cesarean delivery, roads and highways should drive in a safe 2017, DURING WHICH THE HOLI- miscarriage, and fetal and infant death; manner so as to reduce deaths and injuries Whereas women with PCOS are at in- that result from motor vehicle accidents; DAY OF THANKSGIVING IS OB- creased risk of developing high blood pres- SERVED, AS ‘‘NATIONAL FAMILY Whereas, according to the National High- sure, high cholesterol, stroke, heart dis- way Traffic Safety Administration, wearing WEEK’’ ease—the leading cause of death among a seat belt saves as many as 15,000 lives each Mr. MANCHIN (for himself and Mr. women—and have a 4 to 7 times higher risk year; and GRASSLEY) submitted the following res- of experiencing a heart attack compared to Whereas the Sunday after Thanksgiving is olution; which was referred to the women of the same age who do not have the busiest highway traffic day of the year: PCOS; Committee on the Judiciary: Now, therefore, be it Whereas women with PCOS have a more Resolved, That the Senate— S. RES. 335 than 50 percent chance of developing type 2 (1) encourages— Whereas the family is the basic strength of diabetes or prediabetes before the age of 40; (A) high schools, colleges, universities, ad- any free and orderly society; Whereas women with PCOS may be at a ministrators, teachers, primary schools, and Whereas it is appropriate to honor the fam- higher risk for breast cancer and ovarian secondary schools to launch campus-wide ily unit as essential to the continued well- cancer, and have a 3 times higher risk for de- educational campaigns to urge students to being of the United States; and veloping endometrial cancer, compared to focus on safety when driving; Whereas it is fitting that official recogni- women who do not have PCOS; (B) national trucking firms— tion be given to the importance of family Whereas up to 80 percent of women in the (i) to alert employee drivers to be espe- loyalties and ties: Now, therefore, be it United States with PCOS are overweight or cially focused on driving safely on the Sun- Resolved, That the Senate— have obesity; day after Thanksgiving; and (1) designates the week of November 19 Whereas an estimated 50 percent of women (ii) to publicize the importance of driving through November 25, 2017, during which the with PCOS are undiagnosed, and many re- safely on the Sunday after Thanksgiving on holiday of Thanksgiving is observed, as ‘‘Na- main undiagnosed until they experience fer- the Citizens Band Radio Service and at truck tional Family Week’’; tility difficulties or develop type 2 diabetes stops across the United States; (2) encourages States and local govern- or other cardiometabolic disorders; (C) clergies to remind congregations to ments to designate the week of November 19 Whereas the costs involved with the diag- travel safely when attending services and through November 25, 2017, as ‘‘National nosis and management of PCOS to the gatherings; Family Week’’; and healthcare system of the United States is (D) law enforcement personnel to remind (3) encourages the people of the United over $4,300,000,000 per year during the repro- drivers and passengers to drive safely, par- States to observe ‘‘National Family Week’’ ductive years of patients; ticularly on the Sunday after Thanksgiving; with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Whereas that amount does not include the (E) motorists to drive safely during the f costs associated with the treatment of holiday season and throughout the rest of comorbidities, including high blood pressure, the year; and SENATE RESOLUTION 336—RECOG- sleep apnea, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, (F) the people of the United States— NIZING THE SERIOUSNESS OF cardiovascular disease, obesity, and cancer; (i) to understand the life-saving impor- POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME Whereas the cause of PCOS is unknown, tance of wearing a seat belt; and AND EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR but researchers have found strong links to (ii) to educate themselves about highway THE DESIGNATION OF THE significant insulin resistance, which affects safety; and MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2018 AS up to 70 percent of women with PCOS, and (2) designates November 26, 2017, as ‘‘Drive genetic predisposition; and Safer Sunday’’. ‘‘POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME Whereas there is no known cure for PCOS: AWARENESS MONTH’’ Now, therefore, be it f Ms. WARREN (for herself, Mr. Resolved, That the Senate— SENATE RESOLUTION 338—COM- PERDUE, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. (1) recognizes the seriousness of Polycystic MENDING AND CONGRATU- BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BOOKER, Mrs. FEIN- Ovary Syndrome (referred to in this resolv- LATING THE HOUSTON ASTROS ing clause as ‘‘PCOS’’); STEIN, and Mr. ISAKSON) submitted the (2) supports the goals of PCOS Awareness ON WINNING THE 2017 MAJOR following resolution; which was re- Month— LEAGUE BASEBALL WORLD SE- ferred to the Committee on Health, (A) to increase awareness of, and education RIES Education, Labor, and Pensions: about, PCOS among the general public, Mr. CORNYN (for himself and Mr. S. RES. 336 women, girls, and healthcare professionals; CRUZ) submitted the following resolu- Whereas Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (re- (B) to improve diagnosis and treatment of PCOS; tion; which was considered and agreed ferred to in this preamble as ‘‘PCOS’’) is a to: common health problem among women and (C) to disseminate information on diag- girls involving a hormonal imbalance; nosis and treatment options for PCOS; and S. RES. 338 Whereas there is no universal definition of (D) to improve the quality of life and out- Whereas, on November 1, 2017, the Houston PCOS, but researchers estimate that be- comes for women and girls with PCOS; Astros won the 2017 Major League Baseball tween 5,000,000 and 10,000,000 women in the (3) recognizes the need for further research, World Series (referred to in this preamble as United States are affected by PCOS; improved treatment and care options, and a the ‘‘World Series’’) with a 5–1 victory over Whereas PCOS can affect women from the cure for PCOS; the Los Angeles Dodgers; onset of puberty and throughout the remain- (4) acknowledges the struggles affecting all Whereas the Houston Astros won the World der of their lives; women and girls residing within the United Series in Game 7 at Dodger Stadium in Los Whereas the symptoms of PCOS include in- States who are afflicted with PCOS; Angeles, California; fertility, irregular or absent menstrual peri- (5) urges medical researchers and Whereas the Houston Astros overcame the ods, acne, weight gain, thinning scalp hair, healthcare professionals to advance their un- home field advantage of the Los Angeles excessive facial and body hair growth, nu- derstanding of PCOS in order to research, di- Dodgers to win the World Series; merous small ovarian cysts, pelvic pain, and agnose, and provide assistance to women and Whereas all of the following 25 players on mental health problems; girls with PCOS; and the World Series roster of the Houston Whereas women with PCOS have higher (6) encourages States, territories, and lo- Astros should be congratulated: Jose Altuve, rates of psychosocial disorders, including de- calities to support the goals of PCOS Aware- Carlos Beltran, Alex Bregman, Juan pression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and eat- ness Month. Centeno, Carlos Correa, Chris Devenski, ing disorders, and are at greater risk for sui- f Derek Fisher, Evan Gattis, Ken Giles, cide; Marwin Gonzalez, Luke Gregerson, Yulieski Whereas adolescents with PCOS often are SENATE RESOLUTION 337—DESIG- Gurriel, Will Harris, Dallas Keuchel, Fran- not diagnosed; NATING NOVEMBER 26, 2017, AS cisco Liriano, Cameron Maybin, Brian Whereas PCOS causes metabolic dysfunc- ‘‘DRIVE SAFER SUNDAY’’ McCann, Lance McCullers, Jr., Collin tion and insulin resistance, which can lead McHugh, Charlie Morton, Joe Musgrove, to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Mr. ISAKSON (for himself, Mr. Brad Peacock, Josh Reddick, George Spring- obstructive sleep apnea, nonalcoholic fatty COONS, and Mr. PERDUE) submitted the er, and Justin Verlander; liver disease, and endometrial cancer at a following resolution; which was consid- Whereas, in addition to the World Series young adult age; ered and agreed to: roster, all of the following Houston Astros

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.034 S16NOPT1 S7304 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 players who contributed to the 2017 regular Whereas the Houston Astros is an organi- family, community, and national responsi- season should be congratulated: Norichika zation of great character, determination, and bility; Aoki, Tyler Clippard, J.D. Davis, Dayan heart, and a reflection of the city of Houston Whereas the future well-being of the Na- Diaz, Michael Feliz, Mike Fiers, Reymin and the State of Texas; tion is dependent on the value placed on Guduan, Jandel Gustave, Teoscar Hernandez, Whereas, in the wake of Hurricane Harvey youth and the opportunities provided for James Hoyt, Jordan Jankowski, Tony Kemp, and the devastation along the entire Gulf youth to acquire the knowledge, skills, and Jake Marisnick, Francis Martes, Colin Coast in the State of Texas, the Houston abilities necessary to help youth successfully Moran, David Paulino, A.J. Reed, Tony Sipp, Astros as World Series champions personifies develop into safe, healthy, and productive Max Stassi, Ashur Tolliver, and Tyler White; the ‘‘can do’’ Texas spirit and signals to the adults; Whereas the front office, the clubhouse, world that, even after an incredibly difficult Whereas effective programs supporting and all of the supporting staff and team few months, the State of Texas is coming runaway youth and assisting youth and their members of the Houston Astros should be back stronger than ever; and families in providing safe and stable homes congratulated; Whereas the Houston Astros are the 2017 succeed because of partnerships created Whereas the Houston Astros won an in- World Series champions: Now, therefore, be among families, youth-based advocacy orga- credible 101 games during the regular season, it nizations, community-based human service which earned the team the American League Resolved, That the Senate— agencies, law enforcement, schools, faith- West division championship; (1) commends the Houston Astros— based organizations, and businesses; and Whereas the following 6 Houston Astros (A) for winning the 2017 Major League Whereas the National Network for Youth players selected to the 2017 Major League Baseball World Series championship title; and National Runaway Safeline are cospon- Baseball All-Star Game should be congratu- and soring National Runaway Prevention Month lated: Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Chris (B) for an outstanding performance during in November to increase public awareness of Devenski, Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers, the 2017 Major League Baseball season; the issues facing runaway and homeless Jr., and George Springer; (2) recognizes the achievements of the youth and to educate the public about solu- Whereas the Houston Astros became the players, coaches, management, and support tions and the role the public can play in end- first team in the history of Major League staff of the Houston Astros, which made vic- ing youth homelessness: Now, therefore, be Baseball to capture both the National tory possible; it League Championship pennant and the (3) recognizes the dedication, hard work, Resolved, That the Senate— American League Championship pennant; and persistence of the operations staff of (1) designates November 2017 as ‘‘National Whereas the Houston Astros bounced back Minute Maid Park in the city of Houston; Runaway Prevention Month’’; and from a loss in the 2015 playoffs to win the (4) congratulates— (2) recognizes and supports the goals and American League Championship pennant for (A) the city of Houston; ideals of National Runaway Prevention the first time; (B) Houston Astros fans everywhere; Month. Whereas Houston Astros center fielder (C) the mayor of the city of Houston, the f George Springer broke the record for extra Honorable Sylvester Turner; base hits in the World Series, including 5 (D) Houston Astros Owner and Chairman SENATE RESOLUTION 340—COM- home runs, and was named the Most Valu- Jim Crane and the Crane family; MEMORATING THE 100TH ANNI- able Player in the World Series; (E) Houston Astros President of Business VERSARY OF THE 3D INFANTRY Whereas Houston Astros catcher Brian Operations Reid Ryan; and DIVISION McCann, in the first year playing for the (F) Houston Astros Executive Advisor Mr. PERDUE (for himself, Mr. ISAK- Houston Astros, hit a home run in Game 5 of Nolan Ryan; and the World Series, and guided the pitching (5) respectfully requests that the Secretary SON, and Mr. INHOFE) submitted the fol- staff for 7 games; of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of lowing resolution; which was consid- Whereas Alex Bregman is the first Jewish this resolution to— ered and agreed to: player to hit a World Series walk off hit, (A) Houston Astros Owner and Chairman S. RES. 340 Jim Crane; which led the Houston Astros past the Los Whereas November 21, 2017, is the 100th an- (B) Houston Astros General Manager Jeff Angeles Dodgers in a 13–12, 10-inning win in niversary of the organization of the 3d Infan- Luhnow; and Game 5 of the World Series; try Division; (C) Houston Astros Manager A.J. Hinch. Whereas Houston Astros pitcher Justin Whereas the 3d Infantry Division was orga- Verlander was named the Most Valuable f nized in 1917 as the 3d Division, with head- Player of the American League Champion- quarters at Camp Greene in North Carolina, ship Series; SENATE RESOLUTION 339—DESIG- NATING NOVEMBER 2017 AS ‘‘NA- and has been on continuous duty ever since; Whereas Houston Astros second baseman Whereas, from its inception, the 3d Infan- Jose Altuve— TIONAL RUNAWAY PREVENTION try Division and the component units of the (1) compiled at least 200 hits for the fourth MONTH’’ 3d Infantry Division have played a vital role consecutive year; and in the history of the United States by serv- (2) won a Silver Slugger Award for best Ms. DUCKWORTH (for herself, Mr. HATCH, Mrs. MURRAY, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. ing in— American League second baseman; (1) World War I; Whereas Houston Astros General Manager LEAHY, and Mr. REED) submitted the (2) World War II; Jeff Luhnow joined the Houston Astros front following resolution; which was consid- (3) the Korean War; office in 2011 and succeeded in building a ered and agreed to: (4) the Cold War; World Series championship team; S. RES. 339 (5) Operations Desert Shield and Desert Whereas the Houston Astros fell short in Storm (commonly known as ‘‘the Persian Whereas the prevalence of runaway youth the 2015 American League Division Series, Gulf War’’); and homelessness among youth is stag- fueling a determination— (6) Operation Enduring Freedom; (1) to return to the playoffs; and gering, with studies suggesting that every (7) Operation Iraqi Freedom; (2) to win the World Series in 2017; year, between 1,600,000 and 2,800,000 youth (8) Operation Freedom’s Sentinel; Whereas Houston Astros fans followed the live on the streets of the United States; (9) Operation Resolute Support; triumphs of the 2017 season by tuning into Whereas runaway youth most often are (10) Operation Atlantic Resolve; and games called by Houston Astros television youth who have been expelled from their (11) a number of other named and unnamed broadcasters Geoff Blum and Todd Kalas and homes by their families, have experienced operations around the world; Houston Astros radio broadcasters Robert abuse and trauma, are involved in the foster Whereas elements of the 3d Division first Ford and Steve Sparks; care system, are too poor to secure their own went into combat in March 1918 at the begin- Whereas the Houston Astros played the fol- basic needs, and may be ineligible or unable ning of the German offensive efforts that lowing 3 excellent teams in the 2017 to access medical or mental health re- were designed to end World War I; postseason that should be congratulated: sources; Whereas, soon after the 3d Division was es- (1) the Boston Red Sox in the American Whereas youth who run away are at an in- tablished, the division began to gain prestige League Division Series; creased risk for exploitation and exposure to for its service during World War I; (2) the New York Yankees in the American criminal networks, such as domestic sex Whereas, in July of 1918, the success of the League Championship Series; and trafficking; 3d Division at the Battle of Chateau-Thierry (3) the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Whereas youth who run away are more earned the division, and especially the 38th Series; likely to be recruited or coerced into partici- Infantry of the division, the legendary nick- Whereas the Houston Astros won the World pating in criminal acts, such as gangs and il- name ‘‘Rock of the Marne’’ because the divi- Series for the first time ever, filling with legal substance abuse, that lead to a higher sion held steadfast against German soldiers pride the people in the city of Houston and likelihood of involvement in the criminal who were marching toward Paris in what Houston Astros fans everywhere; justice system; would be the last German offensive of World Whereas the Houston Astros showed ex- Whereas preventing youth from running War I; traordinary steadiness, teamwork, focus, and away from home or from foster care and sup- Whereas, during the Battle of Chateau- love of the game; porting youth in high-risk situations is a Thierry, division commander Major General

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.032 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7305 Joseph Dickman gave his famous order to (1) the French Croix de Guerre with Palm Whereas, from 2000 to 2001, elements of the hold the defensive position along the Marne (and streamer embroidered with ‘‘Colmar’’); 3d Infantry Division deployed to Bosnia and River in French, stating, ‘‘Nous resterons (2) the French Fourragere, for seizing the Kosovo in support of the United Nations Mis- la!’’, which in English means, ‘‘We shall re- last Nazi stronghold in France; and sion in Bosnia and Herzegovina (commonly main here!’’, providing what would become (3) the Presidential Unit Citation; known as ‘‘UNMIBH’’); the official motto of the 3d Division; Whereas, during World War II, 39 soldiers Whereas the 3d Infantry Division began its Whereas the 3d Division played an impor- of the 3d Infantry Division earned the Medal participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom on tant role in other major campaigns of World of Honor; March 20, 2003, leading the coalition assault War I, including the campaigns of— Whereas one of the most decorated soldiers into Iraq; (1) Aisne; of World War II, Lieutenant Audie Murphy, Whereas, as of April 4, 2003, the 3d Infantry (2) Champagne-Marne; served in the 3d Infantry Division; Division had entered the Saddam Inter- (3) Aisne-Marne; Whereas the 3d Infantry Division was again national Airport and renamed it the Baghdad (4) Saint-Mihiel; and called to service in September of 1950 when International Airport; (5) Meuse-Argonne; the first elements of the division arrived on Whereas, from April 5 to 9, 2003, the 3d In- Whereas 2 soldiers of the 3d Division, Pri- the Korean Peninsula in support of the Gov- fantry Division was the vanguard unit in the vate First Class John L. Barkley and First ernment of the Republic of Korea and its march to Baghdad, leading what would be- Lieutenant George Price Hays, earned the military, contributing to operations in come known as the ‘‘Thunder Run’’ into the Medal of Honor during World War I; Hamhung-Hungnam in 1950 and the recapture heart of the city and effectively crippling Whereas, after World War I, the 3d Division of the South Korean capital of Seoul in 1951, the Iraqi regime; was one of only 3 divisions of the Army to re- following the surge of Chinese troops; Whereas, from January 2005 to January main on active duty, a strong testament to Whereas, from November 30 to December 2006, the 3d Infantry Division returned to the steadfastness, combat experience, and 24, 1950, the 3d Infantry Division served as Iraq to provide security for independent elec- mission success of the division; the covering force for the largest beachhead tions and the peaceful transfer of power to Whereas the 3d Division was redesignated evacuation in the history of the military of newly and democratically elected Iraqi offi- as the 3d Infantry Division in 1942; the United States, facilitating the escape of cials; Whereas the 3d Infantry Division was again 105,000 troops, 91,000 refugees, 17,500 vehicles, Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team of called into action in November of 1942, enter- and 350,000 tons of cargo from Hungnam, the 3d Infantry Division was the first Army ing World War II as one of the first divisions after which the division moved from the East brigade to serve 3 tours in Iraq; of the United States to fight the Nazi empire Coast to the West Coast of South Korea and Whereas, in March 2007, as part of Task in north Africa; helped to fight back the Chinese forces that Force Marne, the 3d Infantry Division was Whereas the 3d Infantry Division made an had overtaken Seoul; given a large area of responsibility in Iraq, amphibious landing in French Morocco and Whereas, in 1951, elements of the 3d Infan- including Multi-National Forces–Center and quickly captured the city of Casablanca, dis- try Division helped to recapture Seoul and Multi-National Forces–West; tinguishing itself as one of the premier as- were instrumental in pushing Chinese forces Whereas Sergeant First Class Paul R. sault units of the Army; back to the 38th parallel and in enduring the Smith was posthumously awarded the Medal Whereas the 3d Infantry Division advanced brunt of Chinese attempted attacks to re- of Honor for his actions in Iraq in 2003; through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia be- take Seoul, earning the division the new Whereas the 3d Infantry Division had units fore participating in the amphibious assault nickname, the ‘‘Rock of Seoul’’; in every region of Iraq; on Sicily; Whereas, during the Korean War, the 3d In- Whereas, in November 2009, the Combat Whereas, during the campaign to take con- fantry Division also became known as the Aviation Brigade of the 3d Infantry Division trol of Sicily, and before moving to mainland ‘‘Fire Brigade’’ for its quick responses to cri- deployed to Afghanistan as Task Force Fal- Italy, the 3d Infantry Division earned a rep- ses; con; utation as one of the best divisions in the Whereas the 3d Infantry Division partici- Whereas, in 2012, the 3d Infantry Division Seventh Army under the command of Lieu- pated in 8 campaigns during the Korean War deployed to Afghanistan in support of oper- tenant General George Patton; and had 13 Medal of Honor recipients as a re- ations in Regional Command–South, assist- Whereas, between January and May of 1943, sult of that service; ing with the closure of more than 60 forward the 3d Infantry Division participated in an Whereas, in recognition of exemplary serv- operating bases and providing support to amphibious assault operation and beachhead ice during the Korean War, the 3d Infantry various units in the theater of operation; defense at Anzio on the West Coast of Italy, Division and its subordinate units received— Whereas, in 2015, multiple units of the 3d repelling multiple attacks by 3 German divi- (1) the Presidential Unit Citation; Infantry Division deployed to Europe in sup- sions, fighting valiantly, and, on 1 day, suf- (2) the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit port of Operation Atlantic Resolve, training fering 995 casualties, once again proving to Citation (and streamer embroidered with with NATO allies to remain prepared for con- be a steadfast ‘‘Rock’’; ‘‘Uijongbu Corridor’’); tingency operations in Europe; Whereas the 3d Infantry Division, after (3) the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Whereas, as of 2017, a contingent of 3d In- breaking out of the Anzio beachhead and Citation (and streamer embroidered with fantry Division soldiers serve in Afghanistan reaching Rome, participated in Operation ‘‘Iron Triangle’’); and in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Dragoon, the Allied invasion of southern (4) the Chryssoun Aristion Andrias–Brav- taking on the train and assist mission as the France; ery Gold Medal of Greece (and streamer em- United States Forces-Afghanistan’s National Whereas the 3d Infantry Division, after broidered with ‘‘Korea’’); Support Element alongside Afghan National months of intense fighting, entered Germany Whereas the 3d Infantry Division returned Security Forces; and crossed the Rhine River, making its way to Germany in April 1958 to help secure Whereas, as of 2017, the 3d Infantry Divi- through Nuremberg, Munich, and Salzburg Western Europe from the threat of attack by sion is still a premier fighting force with before assisting in the capture of Adolf Hit- the nations, headed by the Soviet Union, units deployed in support of contingency op- ler’s mountain retreat near Berchtesgaden in that had signed the Warsaw Pact and re- erations across 4 distinct combatant com- April of 1945; mained stationed in Germany until 1996 to mand areas of responsibility in more than 20 Whereas, as of the date on which Germany assist fellow member nations of the North countries and under 5 separate named oper- unconditionally surrendered in May of 1945, Atlantic Treaty Organization (referred to in ations, including Operation Resolute Sup- the 3d Infantry Division had suffered 35,000 this preamble as ‘‘NATO’’), directly contrib- port in Iraq, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel casualties during World War II, while fight- uting to the peaceful end of the Cold War; in Afghanistan, and Operation Atlantic Re- ing and marching 3,200 miles from Casa- Whereas, in December 1990, in response to solve in Eastern Europe; blanca to Salzburg; the invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein, Whereas the 3d Infantry Division has been Whereas, during World War II, the 3d In- the 3d Brigade of the 3d Infantry Division de- honorably stationed in Fort Stewart, Geor- fantry Division was the only division of the ployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Oper- gia, since fiscal year 1996; and United States to serve in 10 major cam- ations Desert Storm and Desert Shield; Whereas, since 1917, the 3d Infantry Divi- paigns, specifically the campaigns of— Whereas the 3d Brigade of the 3d Infantry sion has— (1) Algeria-French Morocco; Division distinguished itself as the Advanced (1) been deployed around the world, assist- (2) Tunisia; ing in combat and noncombat missions; (3) Sicily; Guard Brigade leading the main attack of (4) Naples-Foggia; the 1st Armored Division and VII Corps (2) endured the loss of more than 10,000 sol- (5) Anzio; against the Iraqi Republican Guard Forces diers in combat operations; and (6) Rome-Arno; Command as part of the 100-hour ground as- (3) had 55 soldiers receive the Medal of (7) southern France; sault on Iraq from February 24 to 28, 1991; Honor, a greater number than from any (8) Rhineland; Whereas, as of the date on which the Per- other division: Now, therefore, be it (9) Ardennes-Alsace; and sian Gulf War ended, the 3d Brigade of the 3d Resolved, That the Senate— (10) Central Europe; Infantry Division had, during that conflict, (1) commemorates the 100th anniversary of Whereas, in recognition of exemplary serv- destroyed 105 enemy tanks, 70 armored per- the 3d Infantry Division on November 21, ice during World War II, the 3d Infantry Di- sonnel carriers, and 92 artillery pieces and 2017, and reveres its century of service to the vision was awarded— captured 836 prisoners; military of the United States;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.038 S16NOPT1 S7306 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 (2) applauds the 3d Infantry Division for flects the strong commitment of the spon- (1) 2.5 percent per year through 2020; and continuing to serve with one of the most suc- sors of the national registered apprentice- (2) 3 percent per year from 2021 through cessful combat records of any division of the ship system; 2030; Army; Whereas an evaluation of registered ap- Whereas additional States may also soon (3) commends the 3d Infantry Division for prenticeship programs in 10 States conducted join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; continuing to exemplify its motto, ‘‘Nous by Mathematica Policy Research in 2012 Whereas 11 States have approved at least 1 resterons la!’’, which in English means, ‘‘We found that— energy efficiency standard for appliances or shall remain here!’’; (1) individuals who completed registered equipment that are not covered by Federal (4) honors— apprenticeship programs earned over $240,000 standards; (A) the memory of the more than 10,000 sol- more over their careers than individuals who Whereas 47 cities in the United States have diers of the 3d Infantry Division who have did not participate in registered apprentice- adopted 100 percent clean and renewable en- made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the ship programs; ergy goals; United States; and (2) the estimated social benefits of each Whereas more than 2,500,000 people in the (B) the 55 members of the 3d Infantry Divi- registered apprenticeship program (including United States work in clean energy in all 50 sion who have received the Medal of Honor, additional productivity of apprentices and States, including in industries relating to— a greater number than from any other divi- the reduction in governmental expenditures (1) wind energy; sion of the Army; as a result of reduced use of unemployment (2) solar energy; (5) expresses, on behalf of the people of the compensation and public assistance) exceed- (3) energy efficiency; and United States, gratitude, support, and com- ed the costs of each registered apprentice- (4) advanced hybrid electric vehicles; mitment to all 3d Infantry Division soldiers, ship program by more than $49,000; and Whereas by 2020 there will be 500,000 people (3) the tax return on every dollar the Fed- veterans, and families, both past and in the United States working in the solar eral Government invested in registered ap- present; and and wind industries, including roofers, elec- prenticeship programs was $27; and (6) recognizes the esteemed place of the 3d tricians, and steel workers; Whereas celebration of National Appren- Infantry Division in the annals of the his- Whereas the majority of clean energy jobs ticeship Week— in the United States are blue collar jobs that tory of the United States. (1) honors industries that use the reg- pay well; f istered apprenticeship model; Whereas the ‘‘2017 U.S. Energy and Em- (2) encourages expansion of the registered SENATE RESOLUTION 341—DESIG- apprenticeship model to prepare highly ployment Report’’ issued by the Department NATING THE WEEK BEGINNING skilled workers of the United States; of Energy found that there are 5 times as NOVEMBER 13, 2017, AS ‘‘NA- (3) recognizes the role the national reg- many people in the United States working in TIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK’’ istered apprenticeship system has played in the renewable energy sector than there are preparing workers of the United States for people in the United States working in fossil Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Ms. COL- jobs; and fuel industries; LINS, Ms. BALDWIN, and Mr. HOEVEN) (4) promotes conversation about ways the Whereas the establishment of vehicle fuel submitted the following resolution; national registered apprenticeship system economy emissions standards— which was referred to the Committee can continue to respond to workforce chal- (1) is the single most significant action on the Judiciary : lenges in the 21st century: Now, therefore, be that has been taken to reduce global warm- it ing pollution; S. RES. 341 Resolved, That the Senate designates the (2) has helped create 700,000 domestic jobs Whereas a highly skilled workforce is nec- week beginning November 13, 2017, as ‘‘Na- in the automobile industry of the United essary to compete in the global economy and tional Apprenticeship Week’’. States since 2009; to support economic growth; f (3) will save consumers in the United Whereas the national registered appren- States a total of $100,000,000,000 at the gas ticeship system established by the Act of Au- SENATE RESOLUTION 342—EX- pump; and gust 16, 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) (commonly PRESSING THE SENSE OF THE (4) will reduce the reliance of the United known as the ‘‘National Apprenticeship SENATE THAT STATES, CITIES, States on foreign oil by 2,500,000 barrels per Act’’) (referred to in this preamble as the TRIBAL NATIONS, BUSINESSES, day by 2030; ‘‘national registered apprenticeship sys- AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER Whereas the States, cities, Tribal nations, tem’’), which has existed for over 75 years— businesses, and institutions of higher edu- (1) is an important pathway for workers of EDUCATION IN THE UNITED cation of the United States that support the the United States; STATES SHOULD WORK TO- objectives of the Paris Agreement represent (2) offers a combination of— WARDS ACHIEVING THE GOALS more than half of the economy of the United (A) academic and technical instruction; OF THE PARIS AGREEMENT States; and and Mr. MARKEY (for himself, Mr. Whereas millions of dollars for clean en- (B) paid, on-the-job, training; ergy and climate change adaptation resil- WHITEHOUSE, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. DUR- (3) provides workers of the United States iency in developing countries have been pro- credentials that are nationally-recognized BIN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. WYDEN, Ms. vided by the United States through contribu- and industry-recognized; HIRONO, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Ms. BALDWIN, tions that are— (4) leads to higher earnings for apprentices; Mr. MENENDEZ, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, and Mr. (1) private, public, and Federal; and and REED) submitted the following resolu- (2) made directly, bilaterally, and through (5) develops a highly skilled workforce for tion; which was referred to the Com- multilateral institutions: Now, therefore, be the United States; mittee on Foreign Relations: it Whereas registered apprenticeships— Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate S. RES. 342 (1) are becoming increasingly innovative that the United States— and diverse in— Whereas 197 countries have signed the (1) should remain a signatory to the Paris (A) design; Paris Agreement, and 170 countries have Agreement; and (B) partnerships; joined the Paris Agreement; (2) should support policies at the Federal, (C) timeframes; and Whereas the United States is the only State, and local level that promote the re- (D) use of emerging educational and train- country with the intention to withdraw from duction of global warming pollution and aim ing concepts; and the Paris Agreement; to meet the objectives of the Paris Agree- (2) will continue to— Whereas the economy of the United States ment. (A) evolve to meet emerging skill essen- grew by 15 percent between 2005 and 2015 f tials and employer requirements; and while net greenhouse gas emissions de- (B) maintain high standards for appren- creased by 11.5 percent during that period; SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLU- tices; Whereas 30 States have adopted renewable TION 30—EXPRESSING THE Whereas the national registered appren- electricity standard requirements to demand SENSE OF CONGRESS WITH RE- ticeship system provides education and clean energy production; SPECT TO UNITED STATES POL- training for apprentices in— Whereas 20 States have adopted greenhouse (1) high-growth sectors, including— gas emissions targets; ICY TOWARD TIBET AND THAT (A) information technology; Whereas 20 States have adopted energy ef- THE TREATMENT OF THE TI- (B) financial services; ficiency resource standards; BETAN PEOPLE SHOULD BE AN (C) advanced manufacturing; and Whereas 10 States have adopted zero-emis- IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE (D) health care; and sion vehicle targets; CONDUCT OF UNITED STATES (2) traditional industries; Whereas 9 States have implemented the RELATIONS WITH THE PEOPLE’S Whereas, according to the Department of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to con- REPUBLIC OF CHINA Labor, the national registered apprentice- struct a market-based system that sets a cap ship system leverages approximately on emissions from the electric sector that Mr. CRUZ (for himself, Mr. MENEN- $1,000,000,000 in private investment, which re- declines by— DEZ, Mr. RUBIO, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.038 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7307 GARDNER, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. LEAHY, religion, establishing religious colleges, (1) lifting martial law in Lhasa and other and Mrs. FEINSTEIN) submitted the fol- going abroad to take part in religious train- parts of Tibet; lowing concurrent resolution; which ing or gatherings, or otherwise engage in ac- (2) opening Tibet to foreigners, including the press and international human rights or- was referred to the Committee on For- tivities that ‘‘endanger national security’’; Whereas the Department of State stated in ganizations; eign Relations: the 2016 Report on Tibet Negotiations that (3) releasing Tibetan political prisoners; S. CON. RES. 30 ‘‘[t]he Dalai Lama’s representatives and Chi- and Whereas, on October 17, 2007, His Holiness nese officials from the United Front Work (4) conducting negotiations between rep- the 14th Dalai Lama (in this resolution re- Department have not met directly since the resentatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Government of the People’s Republic ferred to as the ‘‘Dalai Lama’’) was awarded ninth round of dialogue in January 2010’’; of China; the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition Whereas the 2016 International Religious Whereas the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 of his many enduring and outstanding con- Freedom Report for China published by the (subtitle B of title VI of Public Law 107–228; tributions to peace, nonviolence, human Department of State stated, ‘‘In the [Tibet 22 U.S.C. 6901 note), signed into law on Sep- rights, and religious understanding; Autonomous Region] and other Tibetan tember 30, 2002— Whereas, during his Congressional Gold areas, authorities engaged in widespread in- (1) established United States principles Medal acceptance speech, Dalai Lama stated, terference in religious practices, especially with respect to human rights, religious free- ‘‘The time has come for our dialogue with in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and nun- dom, political prisoners, and economic devel- the Chinese leadership to progress towards neries.’’; opment projects in Tibet; the successful implementation of a meaning- Whereas the 2016 Country Reports on (2) established in statute the position of ful autonomy for Tibet, as guaranteed in the Human Rights Practices for China published the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues in Chinese constitution and detailed in the Chi- by the Department of State stated, ‘‘Under the Department of State; nese State Council ‘White Paper on Regional the professed objectives of controlling border (3) established annual reporting require- Ethnic Autonomy of Tibet’.’’; areas, maintaining social stability, com- ments on Sino-Tibetan negotiations and Whereas the Dalai Lama continues to ad- bating separatism, and extracting natural safeguarding Tibet’s distinct cultural iden- vance the goal of greater understanding, tol- resources, the government engaged in the se- tity, both by the Secretary of State and by erance, harmony, and respect among the dif- vere repression of Tibet’s unique religious, the congressionally established Congres- ferent religious faiths of the world through cultural, and linguistic heritage by, among sional-Executive Commission on China; interfaith dialogue and outreach to other re- other means, strictly curtailing the civil (4) mandated the provision of Tibetan lan- ligious leaders; rights of the Tibetan population, including guage training to interested foreign service Whereas the Dalai Lama continues to use the freedoms of speech, religion, association, officers; his moral authority to promote the concept assembly, and movement.’’; (5) required Federal officials to raise issues of universal responsibility as a guiding tenet Whereas, since 2009, 150 Tibetans have self- of religious freedom and political prisoners; for how human beings should treat one an- immolated to protest against China’s rule in and (6) urged the Secretary of State to seek es- other and the planet we share; Tibet and most Tibetans publicly call for the tablishment of an office in Lhasa; and Whereas, in the ten years since the Dalai return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet; Whereas it is in line with United States na- Lama accepted the Congressional Gold Whereas the Government of the People’s tional security interests and values to op- Medal, China has implemented increasingly Republic of China has refused to allow an pose China’s increasingly repressive policies repressive policies in Tibet, including— independent investigation into the causes of toward Tibet and work towards a negotiated (1) travel restrictions against Tibetans and the self-immolations and has instead solution: Now, therefore, be it United States citizens; criminalized them, by imprisoning the sur- (2) restrictive regulations on religious af- Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- vivors and collectively punishing the rel- resentatives concurring), That it is the sense fairs; atives, friends, and villagers of the self-im- (3) censorship of Buddhist literature and of Congress that it should be the policy of molators, as documented by the Inter- the United States to— information; national Campaign for Tibet; (4) demolition of Tibetan Buddhist sites; (1) make the treatment of the Tibetan peo- (5) imprisonment of Tibetan prisoners of Whereas Congress has a long history of ple an important factor in the conduct of conscience; and support for Tibet, including— United States relations with the People’s Re- (6) declarations that ‘‘Decision-making (1) declaring that the United States should public of China; power over the reincarnation of the Dalai make the Tibet issue a higher policy pri- (2) consistent with the Tibetan Policy Act Lama and over the end of survival of his lin- ority; of 2002 (subtitle B of title VI of Public Law eage resides with the central government of (2) declaring that the United States should 107–228; 22 U.S.C. 6901 note)— China’’; urge China to establish a constructive dia- (A) encourage the Government of the Peo- Whereas, on April 15, 2015, the Chinese logue with the Dalai Lama; ple’s Republic of China to enter into a dia- (3) requiring Voice of America and Radio State Council released a white paper entitled logue with the Dalai Lama or his representa- Free Asia to begin broadcasts in the Tibetan ‘‘Tibet’s Path of Development Is Driven by tives leading to a negotiated agreement with language; an Irresistible Historical Tide’’, which stated respect to Tibet; (4) mandating that Tibet be listed sepa- that ‘‘there is no prospect of [a high degree (B) publicly call for the immediate and un- rately in the annual Country Reports on of autonomy for Tibet] ever coming to pass’’ conditional release of all those held prisoner Human Rights published by the Department and furthermore stated that Tibet had been for expressing their political or religious of State; part of China ‘‘since ancient times’’; (5) requiring a report from the Department views in the Tibet Autonomous Region and Whereas in recent years, Tibetan nomads, of State on the state of negotiations between other Tibetan areas; and who have lived as nomadic herders on the Ti- the representatives of the Tibetan people and (C) establish an office in Lhasa, Tibet, to betan Plateau for centuries, have been the Government of the People’s Republic of assist visiting United States citizens and to banned from grazing in certain areas of the China; monitor political, economic, and cultural de- Tibetan Plateau, and hundreds of Tibetan (6) establishing educational and cultural velopments in Tibet; herders have been forcibly relocated by Chi- exchange programs with Tibet; (3) appoint the Special Coordinator for Ti- nese government officials into ‘‘socialist vil- (7) providing humanitarian, food, medical, betan Issues at the rank of Under Secretary lages’’; vocational training, primary and secondary of State; Whereas, in September 2017, the Govern- education, and other assistance to Tibetan (4) revoke appropriate privileges of any ment of the People’s Republic of China refugees; Chinese official found to be responsible for adopted additional restrictive regulations on (8) funding programs to promote and pre- impeding access of United States citizens, governmental control over the practice of re- serve Tibetan culture and the resilience of including Tibetan-Americans, to Tibet and ligion and expressed an intention that the Tibetan communities in India and Nepal; ensure that reciprocal visa processing meas- government should ‘‘actively guide religion (9) funding a scholarship program for Ti- ures are occurring in accordance with the to fit within socialist society’’; betan refugees to study in the United States; rules and regulations of the Department of Whereas these 2017 regulations state that (10) providing assistance to non-govern- State; ‘‘religious groups, religious schools, religious mental organizations working to preserve (5) continue to designate China as a coun- activity sites and religious citizens shall the Tibetan environment and cultural tradi- try of particular concern pursuant to section abide by the Constitution, laws, regulations tions; and 402 of the International Religious Freedom and rules; practice the core socialist values; (11) appropriating funds for National En- Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6442(b)); and [and] preserve the unification of the country, dowment for Democracy programs related to (6) engage with appropriate officials of the ethnic unity and religious harmony and so- Tibet; Government of the People’s Republic of cial stability’’; Whereas section 901(b)(6) of the Foreign China to— Whereas these 2017 regulations, scheduled Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years (A) stop the demolition of Tibetan Bud- for implementation by the Government of 1990 and 1991 (Public Law 101–246; 104 Stat. 80) dhist religious institutions; the People’s Republic of China beginning stated that United States policy toward (B) revise religious and travel regulations February 2018, would explicitly ban unregis- China should be explicitly linked with the to conform with international human rights tered religious groups from teaching about situation in Tibet, specifically including — standards; and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.040 S16NOPT1 S7308 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 (C) ensure that Tibetan nomads are al- 16, 2017, at 10 a.m., in SD–226 to conduct S. RES. 279 lowed to continue their way of life on the Ti- a hearing on S. 2070 and the following Whereas Prime Minister Hun Sen has been in betan Plateau, which they have helped to nominations: Leonard Steven Grasz, of power in Cambodia since 1985 and is the longest- preserve for centuries, and are not forcibly Nebraska, to be United States Circuit serving leader in Southeast Asia; relocated into ‘‘socialist villages’’. Judge for the Eighth Circuit, Terry A. Whereas the Paris Peace Accords in 1991 pro- f Doughty, to be United States District vided a vital framework, supported by the inter- national community, intended to help Cambodia AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND Judge for the Western District of Lou- undertake a transition to democracy, including PROPOSED isiana, Terry Fitzgerald Moorer, to be through elections and multiparty government; United States District Judge for the SA 1586. Mr. MCCONNELL (for Mr. MCCAIN) Whereas the United States Government, for proposed an amendment to the resolution S. Southern District of Alabama, Mark more than 25 years, has provided hundreds of Res. 279, reaffirming the commitment of the Saalfield Norris, Sr., to be United millions of dollars in development aid and other United States to promote democracy, human States District Judge for the Western types of assistance to the people of Cambodia rights, and the rule of law in Cambodia. District of Tennessee, and Scott W. and funded work in areas including civil soci- Brady, to be United States Attorney ety, capacity building for nongovernmental or- f ganizations (NGOs), global health, and the for the Western District of Pennsyl- TEXT OF AMENDMENTS Khmer Rouge Tribunal; vania, and Andrew E. Lelling, to be Whereas, despite decades of international at- SA 1586. Mr. MCCONNELL (for Mr. United States Attorney for the District tention and assistance to promote a pluralistic, MCCAIN) proposed an amendment to of Massachusetts for the term of four multi-party democratic system in Cambodia, the the resolution S. Res. 279, reaffirming years, both of the Department of Jus- Government of Cambodia continues to be the commitment of the United States tice. undemocratically dominated by the ruling Cam- bodia People’s Party (CPP), which controls to promote democracy, human rights, SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE every agency and security apparatus of the and the rule of law in Cambodia; as fol- The Select Committee on Intel- lows: state; ligence is authorized to meet during Whereas the leadership of Cambodia’s security In the preamble, strike the tenth whereas the session of the Senate on Thursday, forces, including all of its top military and po- clause and insert the following: November 16, 2017, at 2 p.m., in SH–219 lice commanders, sit on the Central Committee Whereas the National Democratic Institute to conduct a closed hearing. of the Politburo of the CPP; (NDI), the International Republican Insti- SUBCOMMITTEE ON OCEANS, ATMOSPHERE, Whereas the CPP controls Cambodia’s par- tute (IRI), and other nongovernmental orga- FISHERIES, AND COAST GUARD liament and can pass legislation without any nizations that advance United States policy The Subcommittee on Oceans, At- opposition, and has often passed laws that ben- objectives abroad have a long history in efit its rule and weaken the capacity of the op- Cambodia and respect unique cultural, his- mosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard position to challenge it; torical, and religious differences when pro- of the Committee on Commerce, Whereas each of the five elections that have moting policies, engaging local partners, and Science, and Transportation is author- taken place in Cambodia since 1991 were not building capacity for civil society, democ- ized to meet during the session of the conducted in circumstances that were free and racy, and good governance; Senate on Thursday, November 16, 2017, fair, and each were marked by fraud, intimida- f at 10 a.m., in SR–253 to conduct closed tion, violence, and the government’s misuse of legal mechanisms to weaken opposition can- AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO hearing entitled ‘‘Coast Guard Readi- ness: How Far Can We Stretch Our Na- didates and parties; MEET Whereas, in 2015, the CPP-controlled par- tion’s Only Multi-Mission, Military.’’ Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I have 6 liament passed the ‘‘Law on Associations and requests for committees to meet during f Non-Governmental Organizations’’, known as PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR LANGO, which gave the government sweeping today’s session of the Senate. They powers to revoke the registration of NGOs found have the approval of the Majority and Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask to be operating with a political bias in a blatant Minority leaders. unanimous consent that Abby attempt to restrict the legitimate work of civil Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph Hollenstein and Laura Nowell, law society; 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Sen- clerks at the Judiciary Committee, be Whereas, since the passage of LANGO, the In- ate, the following committees are au- granted floor privileges for the remain- terior Ministry has announced that it was surveilling several civil society organizations thorized to meet during today’s session der of the day. of the Senate: and their employees for allegedly aiding Cam- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without bodia’s opposition party, the Cambodia National COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND objection, it is so ordered. Rescue Party (CNRP); FORESTRY f Whereas both the National Democratic Insti- The Committee on Agriculture, Nu- tute (NDI) and the International Republican In- trition, and Forestry is authorized to REAFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT stitute (IRI) have a long history in Cambodia, meet during the session of the Senate OF THE UNITED STATES TO PRO- engaging local partners and building capacity on Thursday, November 16, 2017, at 12 MOTE DEMOCRACY, HUMAN for civil society, democracy, and good govern- p.m., in SR–216 to conduct a hearing. RIGHTS, AND THE RULE OF LAW ance; IN CAMBODIA Whereas, on August 23, 2017, Cambodia’s Min- COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES istry of Foreign Affairs ordered the closure of The Committee on Armed Services is Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I NDI and the expulsion of its foreign staff on al- authorized to meet during the session ask unanimous consent that the Sen- legations that it had violated LANGO and was of the Senate on Thursday, November ate proceed to the consideration of Cal- conspiring against Prime Minister Hun Sen; 16, 2017, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing endar No. 257, S. Res. 279. Whereas, on September 15, 2017, Prime Min- on the following nominations: John C. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ister Hun Sen called for the withdrawal of all clerk will report the resolution by volunteers from the United States Peace Corps, Rood, of Arizona, to be Under Sec- which has operated in Cambodia since 2006 with retary for Policy, and Randall G. title. The senior assistant legislative clerk 500 United States volunteers providing English Schriver, of Virginia, to be an Assist- read as follows: language and healthcare training; ant Secretary, both of the Department Whereas the Government of Cambodia in 2016 of Defense. A resolution (S. Res. 279) reaffirming the arrested four senior staff members of the Cam- commitment of the United States to pro- bodian Human Rights and Development Asso- COMMITTEE ON FINANCE mote democracy, human rights, and the rule ciation (ADHOC), as well as a former ADHOC The Committee on Finance is author- of law in Cambodia. staff member and official on the National Elec- ized to meet during the session of the There being no objection, the Senate tion Committee (NEC), and held them in pre- Senate on Thursday, November 16, 2017, proceeded to consider the resolution, trial detention for 427 days until released on at 10 a.m., in SH–216 to conduct a hear- which had been reported from the Com- bail on June 29, 2017, in the wake of sustained ing on the bill entitled ‘‘Tax Cuts and mittee on Foreign Relations, with an international pressure; Jobs Act.’’ amendment to strike all after the re- Whereas the Government of Cambodia ar- rested activist and women’s rights defender Tep COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY solving clause and insert the part Vanny in August 2016 and has kept her in pris- The Committee on the Judiciary is printed in italic, and with an amend- on for over a year; authorized to meet during the session ment to strike the preamble and insert Whereas the prominent Cambodian political of the Senate on Thursday, November the part printed in italic, as follows: commentator Kem Ley was assassinated on July

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.040 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7309 10, 2016, five days after a senior Cambodian gen- foster an environment where democracy can tinues to be undemocratically dominated by eral publicly called on the Cambodian Armed thrive and flourish; the ruling Cambodia People’s Party (CPP), Forces to ‘‘eliminate and dispose of’’ anyone (4) urges the Department of the Treasury, in which controls every agency and security ap- ‘‘fomenting social turmoil’’ in Cambodia; consultation with the Department of State, to paratus of the state; Whereas Kem Ley had been a frequent critic consider placing all senior Cambodian govern- Whereas the leadership of Cambodia’s secu- of Prime Minister Hun Sen, fueling concerns ment officials implicated in the abuses noted rity forces, including all of its top military that his killing was politically motivated and or- above on the Specially Designated Nationals and police commanders, sit on the Central dered by higher authorities; (SDN) list; Committee of the Politburo of the CPP; Whereas the Government of Cambodia has (5) urges the Government of Cambodia to free Whereas the CPP controls Cambodia’s par- taken several measures to restrict its media envi- Mr. Kem Sokha immediately and uncondition- liament and can pass legislation without any ronment, including imposing a tax bill amount- ally; opposition, and has often passed laws that (6) calls on the Government of Cambodia to re- ing to millions of dollars levied against inde- benefit its rule and weaken the capacity of pendent media outlets that resulted in the clo- spect freedom of the press and the rights of its the opposition to challenge it; sure of independent newspaper The Cambodian citizens to freely assemble, protest, and speak Whereas each of the five elections that Daily in early September 2017; out against the government; and have taken place in Cambodia since 1991 were Whereas the Government of Cambodia has or- (7) supports electoral reform efforts in Cam- not conducted in circumstances that were dered several radio stations to stop the broad- bodia and free and fair elections in 2018 mon- free and fair, and each were marked by fraud, casting of Radio Free Asia and Voice of Amer- itored by international observers. intimidation, violence, and the government’s ica; Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I misuse of legal mechanisms to weaken oppo- Whereas the next general election in Cam- ask unanimous consent that the com- bodia is scheduled for July 29, 2018, and the sition candidates and parties; mittee-reported amendment be agreed Whereas in 2015, the CPP-controlled par- CPP continues to use intimidation and misuse of to, the resolution, as amended, be legal mechanisms to weaken political opposition liament passed the ‘‘Law on Associations and media organizations in order to retain its agreed to, the committee-reported and Non-Governmental Organizations’’, power; amendment to the preamble be agreed known as LANGO, which gave the govern- Whereas the Cambodian parliament in 2017 to, the McCain amendment at the desk ment sweeping powers to revoke the reg- passed two repressive amendments to Cam- be agreed to, the preamble, as amend- istration of NGOs found to be operating with bodia’s Law on Political Parties that allow au- ed, be agreed to, and the motions to re- a political bias in a blatant attempt to re- thorities to dissolve political parties and ban consider be considered made and laid strict the legitimate work of civil society; party leaders from political activity, and which upon the table. Whereas since the passage of LANGO, the Interior Ministry has announced that it was contain numerous restrictions tailored to create The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without obstacles for opposition parties in an attempt to surveilling several civil society organiza- maintain the CPP’s hold on power; objection, it is so ordered. tions and their employees for allegedly aid- Whereas Kem Sokha, the President of CNRP, The committee-reported amendment ing Cambodia’s opposition party, the Cam- was arrested on September 3, 2017, and charged in the nature of a substitute was bodia National Rescue Party (CNRP); with treason and conspiring with the United agreed to. Whereas the National Democratic Institute States Government to overthrow the Government The resolution (S. Res. 279), as (NDI), the International Republican Insti- of Cambodia, and if convicted faces up to 30 amended, was agreed to. tute (IRI), and other nongovernmental orga- years in prison, which sets the stage for the The committee-reported amendment nizations that advance United States policy CNRP to be dissolved; to the preamble in the nature of a sub- objectives abroad have a long history in Whereas the United States Embassy in Cam- stitute was agreed to. Cambodia and respect unique cultural, his- bodia has publicly called for the immediate re- The amendment (No. 1586) was agreed torical, and religious differences when pro- lease of Mr. Sokha and the removal of restric- moting policies, engaging local partners, and tions on civil society; to, as follows: building capacity for civil society, democ- Whereas the CNRP’s previous leader, Sam (Purpose: To acknowledge the contributions racy, and good governance; Rainsy, remains in exile due to an outstanding of nongovernmental organizations in Cam- Whereas, on August 23, 2017, Cambodia’s warrant for his arrest in a politically motivated bodia) Ministry of Foreign Affairs ordered the clo- criminal case; In the preamble, strike the tenth whereas sure of NDI and the expulsion of its foreign Whereas Human Rights Watch reported that clause and insert the following: staff on allegations that it had violated local elections held in Cambodia on June 4, 2017, Whereas the National Democratic Institute LANGO and was conspiring against Prime took place in a ‘‘threatening environment hos- (NDI), the International Republican Insti- Minister Hun Sen; tile to free speech and genuine political partici- tute (IRI), and other nongovernmental orga- Whereas, on September 15, 2017, Prime pation, leading to elections that were neither nizations that advance United States policy Minister Hun Sen called for the withdrawal free nor fair’’; objectives abroad have a long history in of all volunteers from the United States Whereas international election monitoring Cambodia and respect unique cultural, his- Peace Corps, which has operated in Cam- groups reported fundamental flaws in the elec- torical, and religious differences when pro- bodia since 2006 with 500 United States vol- toral process and violations of Cambodia’s elec- moting policies, engaging local partners, and unteers providing English language and tion campaign rules during June’s local election; building capacity for civil society, democ- healthcare training; Whereas the Interior Ministry of Cambodia racy, and good governance; demanded that two election-monitoring organi- Whereas the Government of Cambodia in The preamble, as amended, was 2016 arrested four senior staff members of the zations cease their activities just months after agreed to. the local elections for allegedly violating the Cambodian Human Rights and Development LANGO law, which will allow the CPP to con- The resolution, as amended, with its Association (ADHOC), as well as a former tinue to increase restrictions on election moni- preamble, as amended, reads as follows: ADHOC staff member and official on the Na- toring as the 2018 national elections approach; S. RES. 279 tional Election Committee (NEC), and held them in pre-trial detention for 427 days until Whereas, despite irregularities in the electoral Whereas Prime Minister Hun Sen has been released on bail on June 29, 2017, in the wake process, the CNRP made significant gains in in power in Cambodia since 1985 and is the of sustained international pressure; local elections compared to previous cycles, longest-serving leader in Southeast Asia; Whereas the Government of Cambodia ar- making clear that national elections in 2018, if Whereas the Paris Peace Accords in 1991 they are conducted freely and fairly, will be provided a vital framework, supported by the rested activist and women’s rights defender tightly contested; and international community, intended to help Tep Vanny in August 2016 and has kept her Whereas national elections in 2018 will be Cambodia undertake a transition to democ- in prison for over a year; closely watched to ensure openness and fair- racy, including through elections and Whereas the prominent Cambodian polit- ness, and to monitor whether all political par- multiparty government; ical commentator Kem Ley was assassinated ties and civil society groups are allowed to free- Whereas the United States Government, on July 10, 2016, five days after a senior Cam- ly participate: Now, therefore, be it for more than 25 years, has provided hun- bodian general publicly called on the Cam- Resolved, dreds of millions of dollars in development bodian Armed Forces to ‘‘eliminate and dis- That the Senate— aid and other types of assistance to the peo- pose of’’ anyone ‘‘fomenting social turmoil’’ (1) reaffirms the commitment of the United ple of Cambodia and funded work in areas in- in Cambodia; States to promote democracy, human rights, and cluding civil society, capacity building for Whereas Kem Ley had been a frequent crit- the rule of law in Cambodia; nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), ic of Prime Minister Hun Sen, fueling con- (2) condemns all forms of political violence in global health, and the Khmer Rouge Tri- cerns that his killing was politically moti- Cambodia, and urges the cessation of ongoing bunal; vated and ordered by higher authorities; human rights violations; Whereas despite decades of international Whereas the Government of Cambodia has (3) urges Prime Minister Hun Sen and the attention and assistance to promote a plu- taken several measures to restrict its media Cambodian People’s Party to end all harassment ralistic, multi-party democratic system in environment, including imposing a tax bill and intimidation of Cambodia’s opposition and Cambodia, the Government of Cambodia con- amounting to millions of dollars levied

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.053 S16NOPT1 S7310 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 against independent media outlets that re- (5) urges the Government of Cambodia to fore the Senate, I ask unanimous con- sulted in the closure of independent news- free Mr. Kem Sokha immediately and uncon- sent that it stand adjourned under the paper The Cambodian Daily in early Sep- ditionally; previous order. tember 2017; (6) calls on the Government of Cambodia to There being no objection, the Senate, Whereas the Government of Cambodia has respect freedom of the press and the rights of ordered several radio stations to stop the its citizens to freely assemble, protest, and at 5:45 p.m., adjourned until Friday, broadcasting of Radio Free Asia and Voice of speak out against the government; and November 17, 2017, at 11 a.m. America; (7) supports electoral reform efforts in f Whereas the next general election in Cam- Cambodia and free and fair elections in 2018 bodia is scheduled for July 29, 2018, and the monitored by international observers. NOMINATIONS CPP continues to use intimidation and mis- f Executive nominations received by use of legal mechanisms to weaken political the Senate: opposition and media organizations in order RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED TODAY DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY to retain its power; Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Whereas the Cambodian parliament in 2017 ask unanimous consent that the Sen- MELISSA F. BURNISON, OF KENTUCKY, TO BE AN AS- passed two repressive amendments to Cam- SISTANT SECRETARY OF ENERGY (CONGRESSIONAL AND ate now proceed to the en bloc consid- INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS), VICE BRADLEY bodia’s Law on Political Parties that allow CROWELL. authorities to dissolve political parties and eration of the following Senate resolu- JOHN G. VONGLIS, OF NEW YORK, TO BE CHIEF FINAN- tions which were submitted earlier CIAL OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, VICE JOSEPH ban party leaders from political activity, and S. HEZIR. which contain numerous restrictions tai- today: S. Res. 337, S. Res. 338, S. Res. LINDA CAPUANO, OF TEXAS, TO BE ADMINISTRATOR OF lored to create obstacles for opposition par- 339, and S. Res. 340. THE ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION, VICE ties in an attempt to maintain the CPP’s There being no objection, the Senate ADAM E. SIEMINSKI. hold on power; proceeded to consider the resolutions DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Whereas Kem Sokha, the President of en bloc. JOHNNY COLLETT, OF KENTUCKY, TO BE ASSISTANT CNRP, was arrested on September 3, 2017, SECRETARY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITA- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I TIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, VICE MI- and charged with treason and conspiring ask unanimous consent that the reso- CHAEL K. YUDIN. with the United States Government to over- lutions be agreed to, the preambles be OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL throw the Government of Cambodia, and if INTELLIGENCE convicted faces up to 30 years in prison, agreed to, and the motions to recon- which sets the stage for the CNRP to be dis- sider be considered made and laid upon MICHAEL K. ATKINSON, OF MARYLAND, TO BE INSPEC- the table, all en bloc. TOR GENERAL OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY, OF- solved; FICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE , Whereas the United States Embassy in The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without VICE IRVIN CHARLES MCCULLOUGH III. Cambodia has publicly called for the imme- objection, it is so ordered. IN THE AIR FORCE diate release of Mr. Sokha and the removal The resolutions were agreed to. THE FOLLOWING NAMED AIR NATIONAL GUARD OF THE of restrictions on civil society; The preambles were agreed to. UNITED STATES OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE Whereas the CNRP’s previous leader, Sam (The resolutions, with their pre- GRADE INDICATED IN THE RESERVE OF THE AIR FORCE Rainsy, remains in exile due to an out- ambles, are printed in today’s RECORD UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 12203 AND 12212: standing warrant for his arrest in a politi- under ‘‘Submitted Resolutions.’’) To be colonel cally motivated criminal case; RICHARD G. ADAMS Whereas Human Rights Watch reported f CHRISTOPHER PAUL BACA that local elections held in Cambodia on GAVIN M. BATCHELDER ORDERS FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER GEOFFREY O. BILLINGSLEY June 4, 2017, took place in a ‘‘threatening en- 17, 2017, THROUGH MONDAY, NO- FREDRIC LEE BLACK vironment hostile to free speech and genuine VEMBER 27, 2017 MICHAEL M. BLAKE political participation, leading to elections BRIAN C. BOWMAN Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ROBERT KYLE BRADY that were neither free nor fair’’; STEVEN ANTHONY BREITFELDER Whereas international election monitoring ask unanimous consent that when the SEAN T. BRENNAN groups reported fundamental flaws in the Senate completes its business today, it MICHAEL S. BURK RICHARD D. CARTER, JR. electoral process and violations of Cam- adjourn to then convene for pro forma MATTHEW W. CAUDELL bodia’s election campaign rules during sessions only, with no business being PATRICK D. CHARD June’s local election; SCOTT MATTHEW CHARLTON conducted, on the following dates and KEITH AKIRA CHIKASAWA Whereas the Interior Ministry of Cambodia times, and that following each pro JEFFREY DAVID COATS demanded that two election-monitoring or- JEFFREY RUSSELL COLE ganizations cease their activities just forma session, the Senate adjourn until DAVID W. COMPTON the next pro forma session: Friday, No- KEVIN ROBERT CURLEY months after the local elections for allegedly VINCENT E. CYRAN violating the LANGO law, which will allow vember 17, at 11 a.m.; Tuesday, Novem- JAMES L. DALTON the CPP to continue to increase restrictions ber 21, at 11 a.m.; Friday, November 24, JAMES S. DINSMORE GARY L. DODGE on election monitoring as the 2018 national at 11 a.m; I further ask that when the FRANCISCO J. DOMINGUEZ elections approach; Senate adjourns on Friday, November GEORGE HENRY DOWNS Whereas despite irregularities in the elec- MICHAEL N. DUGAS 24, it next convene at 4 p.m., Monday, JASON ROBERT FALLIS toral process, the CNRP made significant November 27; that following the prayer ANDY FITORRE gains in local elections compared to previous LAWRENCE R. FLANNIGAN cycles, making clear that national elections and pledge, the morning hour be PATTI LYNN FRIES deemed expired, the Journal of pro- KEVIN B. GEORGE in 2018, if they are conducted freely and fair- SCOTT RICHARD GILLOON ly, will be tightly contested; and ceedings be approved to date, the time JOYCE M. GORDON Whereas national elections in 2018 will be for the two leaders be reserved for their ERIC ALAN GUTTORMSEN GLEN O. HARDEN closely watched to ensure openness and fair- use later in the day, and morning busi- MILES K. HARKEY ness, and to monitor whether all political ness be closed; further, that following STEPHEN J. HENSKE, JR. parties and civil society groups are allowed SCOTT C. HUMPHREY leader remarks, the Senate proceed to CHARLES HENRY HUTSON to freely participate: Now, therefore, be it executive session and resume consider- PAUL EDUARDO JARA Resolved, That the Senate— CATHERINE MARIE JUMPER ation of the Friedrich nomination, NATHAN WILLIAM KEARNS (1) reaffirms the commitment of the with the time until 5:30 p.m. equally di- JASON WILLIAM KNIGHT United States to promote democracy, human CHAD W. KORNBERG rights, and the rule of law in Cambodia; vided between the two leaders or their DANIEL J. KRAMER II designees; finally, that notwith- JEFFREY GYNN LAIBLE (2) condemns all forms of political violence LANSE ERIC LAVOY in Cambodia, and urges the cessation of on- standing the provisions of rule XXII, JOSEPH J. LIENERT going human rights violations; the cloture motion filed on the Katsas BRIAN LEROY MANDT KERRY JOHN MCCAULEY (3) urges Prime Minister Hun Sen and the nomination ripen following disposition WILLIAM D. MCCONNELL Cambodian People’s Party to end all harass- of the Friedrich nomination. ADAM STEWART MERCIER ment and intimidation of Cambodia’s opposi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without CHRISTOPHER A. MILLER tion and foster an environment where de- MIRCEA A. MITRAN objection, it is so ordered. TROY C. MORGAN mocracy can thrive and flourish; PAUL MICHAEL MORTON (4) urges the Department of the Treasury, f CHARLES WESLEY NICHOLS, JR. FRANCES RENEE OLEEN in consultation with the Department of ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 11 A.M. HUMBERTO PABON, JR. State, to consider placing all senior Cam- TOMORROW FAUSTO ALFREDO PADILLA bodian government officials implicated in DANIEL J. POTAS Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, if TIMOTHY A. PUZAN the abuses noted above on the Specially Des- ROBERT T. REDMAN ignated Nationals (SDN) list; there is no further business to come be- CHARLES D. RILEY

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 9801 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.054 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7311

SEAN DELACY RILEY ANTHONY R. JONES JESSICA L. JOHNSON LYNN K. ROBINSON, JR. ADAM L. KERR LACRESHA A. JOHNSON ANDY HAROLD ROWE CHRISTIAN A. LEE KEVIN T. KAROW MARK W. RUANE BRIAN J. LEFEBVRE ROBIN H. KAWAMOTO RICHARD A. RYMERSON STEPHEN MATADOBRA PAIGE A. KEENAN ESTHER CAMACHO SABLAN GREGORY A. MATYAS BENJAMIN R. KEFFER SARAH ANN SHIRLEY JOHN F. MCCARTHY LUANN J. KEHLENBACH CHRISTOPHER ALLEN SNIDER PETER N. MELNICK BRENT G. KENNY CHRISTOPHER JOHN SOUTHARD ANDREW D. MEVERDEN LYLE E. KESSLER EDWARD K. STAMPER, JR. DONALD P. MONTORO, JR. STEVEN A. KOCH SHAWN R. STRECK JOE L. MORGAN, JR. MATTHEW R. KOLODICA ANTHONY D. SULLINS Y JONATHAN E. MUSMAN JENNIFER M. KONON WILLIAM THOMAS TESCH PETER S. NILES II ADAM J. KOZIATEK TRACE NOLAN THOMAS BLAKE L. NOVAK CHRISTOPHER W. LAVIN STEVEN ELLIOTT TINDOLL CRAIG M. OBRIEN TIMOTHY J. LEE ELIZABETH TOPOL SEAN J. OBRIEN KAREN R. LEYDET RAYMOND JOSEPH TRAMPOSCH DAVID E. OCONNELL CHRISTOPHER D. LUCERO GINGER DELAINE TURCOTTE REBECCA E. ORE JEFFREY D. LYNCH KENNETH E. VORIS MICHAEL J. PARADISE AARON J. MADER JEFFREY HOLT WALDMAN ANDREW T. PECORA THOMAS D. MANSELL LARRY J. WERBISKI TINA J. PENA MATTHEW K. MATSUOKA ADAM GARTH WIGGINS PATRICK F. PESCHKA JOSEPH W. MATTHEWS JOSEPH F. ZINGARO SCOTT T. PETEREIN DOREEN MCCARTHY TRAVIS J. RASMUSSEN JAMES F. MCCORMACK IN THE ARMY KEVIN B. REED DAVID M. MCCOWN ANTHONY L. RUSSELL THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT COLLEEN S. MCCUSKER OLAV M. SABOE TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY JAMES C. MCFERRAN V JEREMY C. SMITH UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: CARRIE A. MCKINNEY VASILIOS TASIKAS TERESA S. MCMANUS To be colonel JONATHAN D. THEEL JOHN B. MCWHITE MICHAEL A. TURDO NATHAN S. MENEFEE MELVIN J. NICKELL HEATHER K. TURNER MATTHEW J. MESKUN THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT STEVEN P. WALSH ANTHONY R. MIGLIORINI TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE RESERVE OF THE TODD D. VANCE BORIS MONTATSKY ARMY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: WILBORNE E. WATSON COMMANDER K. MOORE ANTHONY W. WILLIAMS JAMES K. MORROW, JR. To be colonel JOHN A. WILLIAMS ERNESTO MUNIZTIRADO ERICA L. HERZOG TORRENCE B. WILSON RONALD T. NAKAMOTO BENJAMIN J. NORRIS THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT JEREMY R. OBENCHAIN TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY IN THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD TO THE GRADE IN- JEFFREY P. OWENS NURSE CORPS UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 624 AND DICATED UNDER TITLE 14, U.S.C., SECTION 271(E): ERIC G. PARA 3064: To be commander CHRISTOPHER R. PARRISH To be colonel LAWRENCE F. AHLIN MICHAEL C. PETTA JONATHAN A. ALEXANDER CATHERINE A. PHILLIPS ADAM W. VANEK CRAIG H. ALLEN, JR. BEAU G. POWERS THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT MIKAEL D. ANDERSON KEVIN J. RAPP TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY JENNIFER J. ANDREW EMILY P. REUTER UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: KARL M. ANFORTH MARIA L. RICHARDSON ROBERTO RIVERA To be major EDWARD S. APONTE NEAL E. ARMSTRONG JOSHUA D. ROSE JEFFREY H. RUBINI JASON PARK RICHARD P. ARMSTRONG MICHAEL P. ATTANASIO NATHAN L. RUMSEY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT MATTHEW S. BAKER JENNIFER M. RUNION TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY STEPHEN T. BAXTER RICHARD C. SANSONE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: TODD M. BEHNEY ANDREW G. SCHANNO To be major MALCOLM D. BELT BRENT R. SCHMADEKE JAMES R. BENDLE WILLIAM A. SCHRADE II JOHN T. HUCKABAY MICHAEL A. BENSON PAUL W. SCHURKE GINO S. SCIORTINO, JR. IN THE COAST GUARD TORREY H. BERTHEAU BRYAN R. BLACKMORE RAY A. SLAPKUNAS THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT CHRISTOPHER W. BLOMSHIELD ANDREA J. P. SMITH TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES JEFFREY S. BOGDANOVICH FRANCES M. SMITH COAST GUARD RESERVE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION JASON A. BOYER JAKE M. SMITH 12203(A): ERIN M. BOYLE PAUL D. SMITH JASON T. BOYLE JOHN A. SOUDERS V To be captain COREY A. BRADDOCK LANE G. STEFFENHAGEN MATTHEW J. BRECKEL STEVEN D. STOWERS GEORGE BAMFORD JONATHAN E. SULLIVAN ERIC S. BERNSTEIN DEVON S. BRENNAN MICHAEL D. BRIMBLECOM PATRICK M. SULLIVAN RACHAEL B. BRALLIAR NICHOLAS J. TABORI TIMOTHY W. DECKER COLLIN R. BRONSON CHRISTOPHER D. BRUNCLIK VINCE Z. TAYLOR GEOFFREY S. DEAS BRIAN J. TESSON BRIAN J. DUDLEY MARTIN J. BRYANT JONATHAN W. BURBY JOSEPH G. THOMAS RONZELLE L. GREEN ALLYSON M. THOMPSON SCOTT C. HALE JOSHUA D. BURCH MELANIE A. BURNHAM BRETT J. THOMPSON RICHARD A. ROBERTS JOHN K. TITCHEN TABITHA A. SCHIRO ANDRES CAMARGO JAMES J. CAMP KRISTOFER A. TSAIRIS THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT RONALD J. CAPUTO, JR. CHRISTOPHER B. TUCKEY IN THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD TO THE GRADE IN- TAYLOR J. CARLISLE MICHAEL O. VEGA DICATED UNDER TITLE 14, U.S.C., SECTION 271(E): LUIS O. CARMONA DAVID B. VICKS To be captain CHRISTY S. CASEY JOHN E. WALSH IV GEORGE B. CATHEY RICHARD B. WALSH STEPHEN J. ADLER EMILE F. COCHET III REBECCA A. WALTHOUR RICARDO M. ALONZO BRIAN T. CONLEY MATTHEW G. WEBER BRIAN R. ANDERSON JAMES T. CORBETT SHAY R. WILLIAMS EUGENIO S. ANZANO STACEY L. CRECY TIMOTHY J. WILLIAMS JONATHAN D. BAKER CHRISTOPHER A. CULPEPPER TODD M. WIMMER TIMOTHY J. BARELLI BIEN J. DECENA, JR. CARRIE A. S. WOLFE LAMONT S. BASEMORE AARON W. DELANO-JOHNSON MICHAEL D. WOLFE KAILIE J. BENSON JEREMY R. DENNING CHRISTOPHER WOLFER SCOTT D. BENSON LINNEA V. DORN BRETT R. WORKMAN JOHN D. BERRY SCOT R. DRUCKREY NICHOLAS S. WORST JED R. BOBA TRAVIS M. EMGY DAMIAN YEMMA SEAN T. BRADY JOSHUA M. EMPEN STEVEN M. YOUDE ANDREW S. BROWN KERRY A. FELTNER CHRISTOPHER J. YOUNG MATTHEW T. BROWN PATRICIA L. FERRELL KYLE S. YOUNG TIMOTHY T. BROWN KRYSTYON N. FINCH RUSSELL R. ZUCKERMAN SCOTT R. CALHOUN CHARLENE S. FORGUE WILLIE L. CARMICHAEL JASON S. FRANZ ADAM A. CHAMIE BRETT A. FREELS f TIMOTHY P. CRONIN HSINGYEN J. FU QUINCY L. DAVIS LISA L. GARCEZ PATRICK J. DOUGAN BRENDAN T. GAVIN CONFIRMATIONS MICHAEL A. EDWARDS GLENN H. GOETCHIUS ROY J. EIDEM BENJAMIN F. GOFF, JR. Executive nominations confirmed by MICHAEL A. FAZIO JASON W. HAAG the Senate November 16, 2017: MICHAEL S. FREDIE BRENDAN J. HARRIS RILEY O. GATEWOOD LEE J. HARTSHORN DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR CHRISTOFER L. GERMAN CHRISTIAN J. HERNAEZ MICHAEL P. GULDIN WHITNEY H. HOUCK BRENDA BURMAN, OF ARIZONA, TO BE COMMISSIONER TIMOTHY D. HAMMOND PETER J. IGOE OF RECLAMATION. KATHRYN N. HERTY MARCUS A. IVERY DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY WALTER L. HORNE WESTON R. JAMES ROBERT A. HUELLER VINCENT J. JANSEN JOSEPH OTTING, OF NEVADA, TO BE COMPTROLLER OF CHRISTOPHER J. HULSER JAMES A. JENKS THE CURRENCY FOR A TERM OF FIVE YEARS.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 9801 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.008 S16NOPT1 S7312 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017

THE JUDICIARY ERNEST W. DUBESTER, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE A MEMBER LISA A. JOHNSON, OF WASHINGTON, A CAREER MEM- OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY FOR A BER OF THE SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE, CLASS OF COUN- DONALD C. COGGINS, JR., OF SOUTH CAROLINA, TO BE TERM OF FIVE YEARS EXPIRING JULY 1, 2019. SELOR, TO BE AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE DISTRICT OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SOUTH CAROLINA. TO THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA. ROBERT BEHLER, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE DIRECTOR IRWIN STEVEN GOLDSTEIN, OF NEW YORK, TO BE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OF OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION, DEPARTMENT UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY. OF DEFENSE. SEAN P. LAWLER, OF MARYLAND, TO BE CHIEF OF PRO- JOSEPH KERNAN, OF FLORIDA, TO BE UNDER SEC- THOMAS B. MODLY, OF MARYLAND, TO BE UNDER SEC- TOCOL, AND TO HAVE THE RANK OF AMBASSADOR DUR- RETARY OF DEFENSE FOR INTELLIGENCE. RETARY OF THE NAVY. ING HIS TENURE OF SERVICE. GUY B. ROBERTS, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE AN ASSISTANT JAMES F. GEURTS, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE AN AS- SECRETARY OF DEFENSE. SISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. ROBERT L. WILKIE, OF NORTH CAROLINA, TO BE UNDER FOREIGN SERVICE ROBERT H. MCMAHON, OF GEORGIA, TO BE AN ASSIST- SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READI- ANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE. FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH NESS. SHON J. MANASCO, OF TEXAS, TO BE AN ASSISTANT LISA–FELICIA AFI AKORLI AND ENDING WITH STEPHANIE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE. P. WILSON, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY DEPARTMENT OF STATE THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL JAMES THOMAS ABBOTT, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE A MEM- RECORD ON NOVEMBER 1, 2017 . BER OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY REBECCA ELIZA GONZALES, OF TEXAS, A CAREER FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH FOR A TERM OF FIVE YEARS EXPIRING JULY 1, 2020. MEMBER OF THE SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE, CLASS OF JOHN R. BASS II AND ENDING WITH SUNG Y. KIM, WHICH COLLEEN KIKO, OF NORTH DAKOTA, TO BE A MEMBER MINISTER–COUNSELOR, TO BE AMBASSADOR EXTRAOR- NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND AP- OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY FOR A DINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES PEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON NOVEMBER TERM OF FIVE YEARS EXPIRING JULY 29, 2022. OF AMERICA TO THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO. 1, 2017.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 9801 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.017 S16NOPT1