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

Vol. 165 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019 No. 87 Senate (Legislative day of Wednesday, May 22, 2019)

The Senate met at 9:30 a.m., on the appoint the Honorable THOM TILLIS, a Sen- in combat in Afghanistan and Syria, expiration of the recess, and was called ator from the State of North Carolina, to all those stationed in the Middle East to order by the Honorable THOM TILLIS, perform the duties of the Chair. who are threatened by Iran, and those a Senator from the State of North CHUCK GRASSLEY, holding the line in Asia against the President pro tempore. Carolina. threats from North Korea. f Mr. TILLIS thereupon assumed the We are tremendously grateful for our Chair as Acting President pro tempore. PRAYER military’s efforts these last 18 years to f keep America safe from terrorism and The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME their ongoing work to combat al-Qaida, fered the following prayer: fight ISIS, and to help stabilize Af- Let us pray. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Eternal God, who rules the raging of ghanistan. pore. Under the previous order, the Of course, I am particularly mindful the sea, we come to You with our im- leadership time is reserved. perfections, depending on Your prom- of the members of the Kentucky Na- f ises to keep us from stumbling or slip- tional Guard and the many soldiers of ping. Speak to us as we seek to be Your RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY Kentucky-based Active-Duty units who LEADER are deployed in harm’s way. instruments during these challenging In light of the recent intelligence, we times. Let Your infinite wisdom pro- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- are also keenly aware of the critical vide for the deepest needs of our Sen- pore. The majority leader is recog- role our military is playing at this ators. Give them strength from Your nized. very moment to deter Iranian aggres- celestial bounty to manage the min- f sion. utes and hours of this day in a way MEMORIAL DAY The administration engaged Mem- that pleases You. Lord, let the pres- bers of Congress earlier this week to ence of Your peace sustain them as Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, brief us on the growing threat and de- they face the myriad difficulties of the Monday, of course, is Memorial Day. tail the steps the administration is work You have called for them to do. Americans will take time out of our or- taking to address it. Call forth from them their best as they dinary routine and busy lives to re- I am grateful our U.S. military has seek a closer walk with You. member the men and women who paid already taken proven steps to improve We pray in Your Holy Name. Amen. the ultimate price for the security of the posture of our forces so they are f our Nation and the liberty we cherish. ready to defend our servicemembers, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE We mourn every young American military vessels, and diplomatic facili- The Presiding Officer led the Pledge whose sacrifice has furthered the cause ties and deter attacks by Iran or its of Allegiance, as follows: of our founding ideals, and we acknowl- proxies all across the region. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the edge in a special way the Gold Star Nobody wants a conflict with Iran. United States of America, and to the Repub- families they leave behind—parents, We have heard clearly from the Presi- lic for which it stands, one nation under God, spouses, and children whose grief is dent and his senior advisers that the indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. only matched by the facts of a grateful administration’s objective is to deter f Nation. Iran from engaging in threatening acts APPOINTMENT OF ACTING As President Reagan said one Memo- that increase the risk of such a con- PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE rial Day, across the river at Arlington: flict. ‘‘Today is the day we put aside to re- We all know that, particularly when The PRESIDING OFFICER. The member fallen he