S2372 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 24, 2018 Scott Thune Wicker EXECUTIVE SESSION should, and that is that when American Shelby Tillis Young Sullivan Toomey businesses benefit, American workers benefit. My friends on the other side of NAYS—47 EXECUTIVE CALENDAR the aisle like to obfuscate that point. Baldwin Hassan Peters Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Presumably they think they can gain Bennet Heinrich Reed political points by pitting businesses Blumenthal Heitkamp Sanders move to proceed to executive session to Booker Hirono Schatz consider Calendar No. 619, Richard and workers against each other, as if Brown Jones Schumer Grenell. benefits for businesses and benefits for Cantwell Kaine Shaheen The PRESIDING OFFICER. The workers were somehow diametrically Cardin King Smith opposed and as if, somehow, workers Carper Klobuchar Stabenow question is on agreeing to the motion. Casey Leahy could thrive while businesses struggle. Tester The motion was agreed to. Coons Markey Udall As the piece I was reading pointed Cortez Masto McCaskill The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Van Hollen out, ‘‘In a modern competitive econ- Donnelly Menendez clerk will report the nomination. Durbin Merkley Warner The bill clerk read the nomination of omy, workers do well when their em- Warren Feinstein Murphy Richard Grenell, of California, to be ployers do.’’ If you think about it, it Gillibrand Murray Whitehouse really is just common sense. The vast Harris Nelson Wyden Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- potentiary of the United States of majority of working Americans work NOT VOTING—3 America to the Federal Republic of for businesses, whether they are self- Duckworth McCain Paul Germany. employed, an employee of a small busi- ness, or an employee of a large corpora- The nomination was confirmed. CLOTURE MOTION tion. For those employees to thrive, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- Mr. MCCONNELL. I send a cloture jority leader. the businesses they are working for motion to the desk. have to thrive as well. f The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo- Struggling businesses do not invest ture motion having been presented LEGISLATIVE SESSION in workers; they can’t. They don’t hire under rule XXII, the Chair directs the new employees. They don’t raise wages. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I clerk to read the motion. They don’t improve benefits. move to proceed to legislative session. The bill clerk read as follows: On the other hand, thriving busi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The CLOTURE MOTION nesses do invest in their workers, they question is on agreeing to the motion. We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- do hire new employees, they do raise The motion was agreed to. ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the wages, and they do improve benefits. f Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby Leaving aside the fact that most busi- move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- EXECUTIVE SESSION ness owners want to invest in their nation of Richard Grenell, of California, to workers, successful business owners be Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- potentiary of the United States of America have to invest in their workers if they EXECUTIVE CALENDAR to the Federal Republic of Germany. want their businesses to keep thriving. Mitch McConnell, Cory Gardner, Orrin G. For starters, successful businesses Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Hatch, Tom Cotton, James Lankford, tend to need new workers, and the way move to proceed to executive session to Steve Daines, Roy Blunt, Mike Crapo, to attract new workers is with good consider Calendar No. 788, Mike Johnny Isakson, John Thune, Thom wages, good opportunities, and good Pompeo. Tillis, James M. Inhofe, Pat Roberts, benefits. Once a successful business has The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Lindsey Graham, James E. Risch, John good employees, it tends to want to question is on agreeing to the motion. Hoeven, John Boozman. keep them so that the business can The motion was agreed to. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I keep prospering and thriving. How do The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ask unanimous consent that the man- businesses keep employees? The same clerk will report the nomination. datory quorum calls for the cloture way they attract them in the first The bill clerk read the nomination of motions be waived. place—with good wages, good opportu- Mike Pompeo, of Kansas, to be Sec- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without nities, and good benefits. retary of State. objection, it is so ordered. As Mr. Hassett notes in the Wall CLOTURE MOTION Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Street Journal: Mr. MCCONNELL. I send a cloture ask unanimous consent that with re- Research by economists Alan Krueger and motion to the desk. spect to the Dunkin nomination, the Lawrence Summers, both of whom served in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo- motion to reconsider be considered the Obama administration, shows that more- ture motion having been presented made and laid upon the table and the profitable employers pay higher wages. Any under rule XXII, the Chair directs the President be immediately notified of company that attempts to pay a worker less clerk to read the motion. the Senate’s action. than he is worth will quickly lose that work- er to a competitor. Thus, firms that want to The bill clerk read as follows: The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without thrive must invest in their plants and their CLOTURE MOTION objection, it is so ordered. workers. We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- Mr. MCCONNELL. I suggest the ab- Ask any business owner in the coun- ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the sence of a quorum. try, and he or she will tell you that it Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby The PRESIDING OFFICER. The is a competitive labor market. Unem- move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- clerk will call the roll. ployment is at a 17-year low. In a tight, nation of Mike Pompeo, of Kansas, to be Sec- The bill clerk proceeded to call the retary of State. competitive labor market, employers roll. have to work to keep their employees. Mitch McConnell, Orrin G. Hatch, Todd Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask Young, John Cornyn, Bill Cassidy, Our focus with last fall’s tax reform John Boozman, Deb Fischer, David unanimous consent that the order for was on making life better for ordinary Perdue, James Lankford, Roger F. the quorum call be rescinded. Americans, so we set out to put more Wicker, John Thune, Tom Cotton, The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. money in their pockets right away by Mike Rounds, Roy Blunt, James M. JOHNSON). Without objection, it is so cutting tax rates across the board, Inhofe, Thom Tillis, Bob Corker. ordered. nearly doubling the standard deduction f TAX REFORM and doubling the child tax credit. As a Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I was result, for 2018, a family of four making LEGISLATIVE SESSION reading a piece in the Wall Street Jour- $73,000 will see a tax cut of more than Mr. MCCONNELL. I move to proceed nal last week by Kevin Hassett, who $2,000. to legislative session. was the Chairman of the White House We knew the tax cuts, as helpful as The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Council of Economic Advisers. His they are, weren’t enough. Americans question is on agreeing to the motion. piece made an important point that also needed access to profitable ca- The motion was agreed to. doesn’t often come out as clearly as it reers, good jobs, good wages, and good

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:16 Apr 25, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A24AP6.003 S24APPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE April 24, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2373 opportunities. We knew the only way policies. But Members of both parties tensibly concerned about is the Vessel to guarantee access to good jobs, good recognized that these nominees were Incidental Discharge Act, or VIDA. It wages, and good opportunities was to qualified, and they believed that par- has been introduced in the last five make sure businesses were prosperous tisanship shouldn’t play a role when it Congresses, and more than one of those enough to create and maintain them. came to making sure the President had times it was introduced by Democrats. So when it came time for tax reform, a national security team to support The current version of the bill is the we set out to improve the playing field him. product of not just months but years of for American workers by improving the Fast forward to today. Gone is the bi- hearings, meetings, and negotiations. playing field for businesses, as well, partisanship of the past. Today, Demo- Despite the fact that this year’s origi- and it is working. crats are obstructing an entirely and nal version of VIDA had bipartisan sup- Companies are putting tax reform to eminently qualified candidate for Sec- port, we made a number of further con- work. They are investing in new equip- retary of State for the sole reason that cessions to address concerns that have ment, expanding their facilities, and they don’t like this President. They been raised by Democratic Senators, growing their lines of business, all of didn’t get their way in the last elec- but they just keep moving the goal which mean more jobs and opportuni- tion, and, in response, they have spent posts. It has become pretty clear that ties for Americans. the last year or more obstructing one Democrats’ real objection is not to the Most importantly, companies are qualified nominee after another. bill itself but to working with Repub- passing along the benefits of tax re- I get that the Democrats don’t like licans or to seeing the President ac- form. Company after company has an- President Trump, but when you are a complish anything. nounced pay raises, bonuses, 401(k) Member of the U.S. Senate, you have I hardly need to say the Coast Guard match increases, and other benefits for to think beyond your own preferences reauthorization bill is an important their workers. Others are passing tax and accept the fact that in a free coun- bill. It authorizes the Coast Guard’s savings on to their customers in the try with free elections, sometimes you funding, as well as pay and benefits for form of things like utility rate cuts. don’t get your way. Coast Guard personnel, who play a The tax reform law has been in place Obstructing nominees has con- vital role in maintaining national se- only for 4 months. As businesses con- sequences. At the very least, delaying a curity and law and order in the waters tinue to see the benefits of tax reform, President’s ability to staff his adminis- around the United States. we can expect to see the playing field tration diminishes his ability to serve It would be nice if Democrats would for workers continue to improve. the American people effectively, but consider dropping their partisan objec- Ultimately, by helping American that is not all. Obstructing certain tions and working with Republicans to businesses thrive, tax reform will help nominees, such as a nominee for Sec- pass this essential piece of legislation give more Americans access to the retary of State, can have consequences and working with us to help get con- kinds of jobs, wages, and opportunities for our national security and diplo- firmed particularly critical national that not only will benefit them right macy. An incomplete national security security nominees at a time when we now but also will give them access to team is a detriment to the safety and face an array of threats across the en- security and prosperity for the long security of our country. tire planet. term. Right now, the United States and our Nominees like the Secretary of NOMINATION OF MIKE POMPEO allies are currently facing a number of State, particularly well-qualified ones, Mr. President, before I close, I would serious challenges from North Korea are not to be trifled with. It is not a like to take a couple of minutes to dis- and an increasingly emboldened Iran to time to play politics when you are cuss the nomination of Mike Pompeo chemical attacks in Syria and the ever- dealing with America’s vital national to be Secretary of State. present threat of terrorists. It is vital security interests. I don’t need to tell anyone how in- that the President have a fully I hope that this Chamber, this body, credibly qualified he is for this job: equipped national security team to will return to the tradition we have first in his class at West Point; 5 years monitor and address these dangers. It had in past administrations in which of Active-Duty service in the Army, is beyond irresponsible that Senate we have approved Secretaries of State, achieving the rank of captain; editor of Democrats are compromising the as I said earlier, by votes of 94 to 3, 94 the Harvard Law Review; elected to President’s ability to respond to to 2, 85 to 13, and unanimously. Those Congress four times by Kansas’s threats simply because they prefer not were the last four Secretaries of State. Fourth Congressional District, serving to confirm anyone he has nominated. This has turned into a partisan game, on the House Intelligence Committee; Democrats should immediately drop if you will, at a time when our country and, finally, Director of the Central In- their obstruction of Mike Pompeo and really can’t afford for us to play par- telligence Agency. Clearly, he has confirm him as Secretary of State, and tisan games. proved his dedication as a public serv- they should stop obstructing other I hope when this vote comes up later ant and is an outstanding candidate for qualified national security nominees, this week, we will have a big bipartisan Secretary of State. such as Andrea Thompson, a native of vote, consistent with our history and His nomination should be sailing my home State of South Dakota, who consistent with the fact that when you through the Senate, and normally it has been nominated as Under Secretary have a qualified nominee for an impor- would be. Prior to this Presidency, we of State for Arms Control and Inter- tant position like this, this Senate were on a pretty bipartisan track for national Security Affairs. comes together, takes very seriously Secretary of State confirmations. You would think Democrats would be its constitutional role in the confirma- Members of both parties believed it was content with their unprecedented ob- tion process, and has that vote—hope- important that a President have a na- struction of the President’s nominees, fully, a big bipartisan vote in support tional security team to support him, but, unfortunately, there is another of Mike Pompeo. and they voted accordingly. John thing the Democrats are obstructing I yield the floor. Kerry was confirmed as Secretary of right now, and that is the Coast Guard The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- State by a vote of 94 to 3. Hillary Clin- reauthorization bill. ator from Arizona. ton was confirmed as Secretary of Once again, it is clear that Demo- NORTH KOREA State by a vote of 94 to 2. Condoleezza crats are obstructing not because they Mr. FLAKE. Mr. President, I have Rice was confirmed as Secretary of have serious objections to the bill but been pleased to hear about the progress State by a vote of 85 to 13, and Colin because obstruction has become their in the planned negotiations with North Powell was confirmed as Secretary of default response to legislation in the Korea over their nuclear program. I State unanimously. Republican-led Congress. was glad to hear of Director Pompeo’s This doesn’t mean that Republicans Democrats claim that the Coast successful visit to North Korea, and I, agreed with all of John Kerry’s or Hil- Guard reauthorization bill has not re- as much as anyone in this body, wishes lary Clinton’s policies or that the ceived sufficient input or debate, and the administration success in these Democrats agreed with all of that could not be further from the talks and negotiations. Given the his- Condoleezza Rice’s or Colin Powell’s truth. A portion of the bill they are os- tory of broken promises, I have my

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To say that Kim Jong Un has These thing are all given away at To protect their bottom line, the been ‘‘very open’’ or ‘‘very honorable,’’ events hosted by the LIBRE Initia- Kochs funnel money through a network as the President did, surpasses under- tive—a self-described grassroots orga- of nonprofit organizations, founda- standing. If this description of one of nization dedicated to a ‘‘free and open tions, and shell companies. These com- the world’s strongman dictators were a society.’’ The events were held in panies lobby the government, produce singular event, a one-off statement, it Latino communities throughout the fake research reports, and run ad cam- could perhaps be excused as an aberra- country, including Las Vegas, Miami, paigns to manipulate and deceive the tion, but, unfortunately, it is not. It is and Orlando. American people. part of a larger pattern of excusing dic- People attending these events were Buying a democracy does not come tatorial behavior that we should not asked to fill out a questionnaire. Ques- cheap, but the Koch brothers are not countenance. tions included: stingy. In 2010, the year Citizens We need not sacrifice the truth and ‘‘Are you more likely to vote for a United opened the floodgates for big reject objective reality in pursuit of Republican or a Democrat in the 2016 money in politics, the Kochs spent $125 our goals. We cannot pretend that the election?’’ million to support Republican can- Kim Jong Un of today is somehow dif- ‘‘Do you feel the government should didates who pledged to roll back envi- ferent from the authoritarian dictator increase or decrease Federal spending ronmental and consumer protections. who has ruled over one of the most vio- in order to improve the economy?’’ Since the 2010 elections, their influ- lent and repressive regimes on Earth. ‘‘What is your name, email address, ence has grown. They have spent hun- I am happy to hear that the North and telephone number?’’ dreds of millions of dollars supporting Korean Government is apparently en- People actually had to hand over candidates who spread lies that climate gaging as an honest broker in the proc- their personal data in exchange for the change is a conspiracy, that immi- ess of arranging these talks, but I be- free stuff. So the stuff wasn’t really grants cause crime, and that more lieve that how the President of the free after all—but close enough, right? money in the Koch brothers’ pocket United States describes world leaders Well, in a career spent as a pros- means more money in yours. matters. For the President to describe ecutor, I have learned one thing: Al- Now, the Koch brothers have big a leader who stands credibly accused of ways follow the money. If you follow plans for the upcoming 2018 election. starving his own people, violently exe- the money just one step back, you They have announced they will spend cuting his political opponents, and learn that LIBRE is a shell organiza- $400 million in the upcoming election murdering members of his own family tion funded by Charles and David Koch, cycle—their largest midterm election as ‘‘very open’’ and ‘‘very honorable’’ is two of the most powerful men in Amer- investment yet. Much of that money beyond comprehension. Furthermore, ican politics. Charles and David Koch will be spent directly targeting Latinos it undermines the moral authority we are the owners of Koch Industries, a through advertisements, events, and have long possessed on the world stage. massive energy company that manu- workshops. The President himself has previously factures, distributes, and refines petro- The Koch brothers think they can declared Kim Jong Un as ‘‘obviously a leum. Koch Industries is one of the buy the Latino vote, just like they madman who doesn’t mind starving or largest privately held companies in the bought the votes of the House Freedom killing his own people.’’ The President Nation, with estimated annual reve- Caucus and so many other Republican has also repeatedly and correctly re- nues of over $100 billion. politicians, but despite what their ads ferred to the North Korean regime’s What does all this mean? It means say, the Koch brothers are not advo- violent torture of Otto Warmbier as the Koch brothers are two very rich cates for the Latino community. They ‘‘horrible.’’ The pursuit of these nego- men, and there is nothing wrong with are advocates for more money in their tiations does not require that we sur- that. What is wrong is the way the own pockets, nothing more. render the values we stand for as a na- Koch brothers use their money to hi- The Koch brothers have supported tion. jack our democracy for their own ben- some of the most anti-immigrant poli- We cannot pretend the atrocities of efit. ticians in America, including LOUIE the Northern Korean regime are a The Koch brothers are self-described GOHMERT, Mike Pompeo, STEVE KING, thing of the past. We need to enter radicals who believe the government Russell Pearce, and Kris Kobach. These these negotiations with our eyes wide should play no role in Americans’ lives. are the men responsible for policies open. We must understand and recog- The Koch brothers believe in a world like Trump’s Muslim ban and Arizona’s nize who it is we are sitting across the with no Medicare, no Social Security, anti-immigrant law, SB 1070. table from. Only then do I believe we no Federal minimum wage, no public The Koch brothers support politi- will actually succeed in these negotia- programs that support families when cians who want to end government tions and emerge from this planned they fall on hard times, and no rules funding for Planned Parenthood. If summit with the result we all seek—a preventing Koch Industries from pol- they get their way, Latinas would be safer world. luting our air, drinking water, or our hurt the most. More than 23 percent of I yield the floor. public lands. Planned Parenthood patients are I suggest the absence of a quorum. The Koch brothers hate environ- Latinas. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The mental regulations because Koch In- Latinas are more likely to be diag- clerk will call the roll. dustries is one of the top 10 worst pol- nosed with cervical cancer than women The legislative clerk proceeded to luters in the United States. Fewer en- in any other racial or ethnic group. call the roll. vironmental regulations mean the Planned Parenthood gives them access Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, Koch brothers can obtain bigger finan- to annual screenings so they can stay I ask unanimous consent that the order cial gains. healthy and cancer-free. for the quorum call be rescinded. To keep their empire afloat, the Koch The Koch brothers support school The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without brothers are not just polluting our en- choice, which they say gives Latino objection, it is so ordered. vironment, they are polluting our po- families more freedom in how they DARK MONEY litical system, and they are polluting educate their kids, but school choice Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, our airways with false advertising. vouchers take money out of the public there is an old saying that ‘‘there is no The Kochs want Americans to believe school system, causing many Latino such thing as a free lunch,’’ but what climate change is a conspiracy, despite kids whose parents can’t afford private about other things? What about free the global scientific consensus that cli- schools to fall behind.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:16 Apr 25, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G24AP6.029 S24APPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE April 24, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2375 The Koch brothers are close allies of rule of oligarchs and elites. They came him. He is a teacher in Oklahoma. Betsy DeVos, our current Education here because they wanted to have the Every week, Mr. Moy juggles six jobs Secretary. Her claim to fame is her freedom to pursue their dreams. in addition to teaching. Mr. Moy role in dragging Michigan’s public edu- Charles and David Koch want to buy coaches two sports teams, drives for cation system to the bottom of na- Latino votes, buy our voices, and buy Uber and Lyft, drives a schoolbus, and tional rankings and leaving thousands our democracy, which folks like my umpires a Little League team so that of students without access to a quality dad Manny Cortez worked all of their he can provide for his two daughters. education. lives to protect. Sadly, Mr. Moy’s story is becoming To make matters worse, the Kochs But I believe in the wisdom of the all too common. According to one esti- are working to undermine access to American people. I believe in the wis- mate, teachers are five times more health insurance for working people. dom of our voters who will fight the likely than other workers to have a Latinos are less likely to have health lies, just as they did in Nevada 2 years second job. No wonder teachers are insurance than any other racial or eth- ago. I have seen the Kochs’ power and taking to the streets in West Virginia, nic group. Without health insurance, a influence firsthand. They spent $10 mil- Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Arizona. trip to the ER can result in a bill so ex- lion trying to defeat me in 2016. They They have had enough. pensive that a family can’t pay their threw millions into LIBRE to buy off I am standing shoulder to shoulder rent for months. Latino voters in Nevada. But they with teachers across the country be- Organizations like LIBRE will tell failed because Democrats in Congress cause they deserve better, because our you their agenda is designed to pro- continued to beat the drum and make children deserve better, and because in- mote freedom and self-sufficiency. voters aware of the lies, and I will keep vestment in teachers is an investment They put out propaganda implying fighting to do the same in the Senate. in our kids and ultimately an invest- that Democrats don’t believe in free- Mr. President, I suggest the absence ment in our future. Like many of my dom because we believe government of a quorum. colleagues in this Chamber and fellow has a role in protecting access to af- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democrats across the country, I am in fordable healthcare, clean water, air, clerk will call the roll. this fight for the long haul, but if we and quality schools. The Koch brothers The legislative clerk proceeded to are to be successful, if we ever hope we love freedom, but their freedom is to call the roll. can prevail, we should be clear-eyed pollute our rivers, streams, and our air. Ms. WARREN. Mr. President, I ask about what it is that we are up against. Democrats believe in a different kind unanimous consent that the order for The perilous state of affairs for edu- of freedom—the freedom to breathe the quorum call be rescinded. cation funding in our States is not the clean air and drink clean water, the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without simple result of a bunch of legislatures freedom to walk away from a trip to objection, it is so ordered. who, after listening to their constitu- the ER without a medical bill that Ms. WARREN. Mr. President, I wish ents, decided against supporting public costs more than what you make in a to take a moment to thank Senator education. No, the movement of teach- year, and the freedom to walk into WHITEHOUSE for his bold leadership and er protests sweeping the country has Planned Parenthood and walk out with continuing the fight to rid our political revealed corruption—corruption that information you need to make your system of dark money. Republican-controlled States have own reproductive choices. All across our country, teachers are been sweeping under the rug for dec- We don’t believe in the kind of free- taking to the streets to demand what ades. dom that allows Charles and David no teacher should ever have to ask for: The steep cuts to education are the Koch to pull the strings of our democ- fair pay and decent benefits. In State product of an all-out assault on our racy. How can anyone call that free- after State, education has been cut to teachers and our schools that has been dom at all? the bone. They have even cut the bone. launched by a handful of billionaires. What the Koch brothers and their Kids are crammed into overcrowded One of the principal tools rich and pow- web of dark money organizations like classrooms. They are handed tattered erful people use is dark money. They LIBRE are really doing is deceiving textbooks. Their teachers are paid so have created an invasive enemy that Latinos and supporting the very same little that some qualify for food slithers out of sight, with only a politicians who are working against stamps. In fact, salaries are so low in glimpse here or there, but make no Latino families. some States that teachers are working mistake—this dark money has helped So, this year, as the Koch brothers two, three, and sometimes four jobs shape the anti-teacher, anti-worker are pulling out their checkbooks to just to make ends meet. agenda that undermines our democ- fund their disinformation campaign, Many people don’t know this, but racy. follow the money. Follow the money to teachers have always had a very spe- For decades, billionaires have been find out who is paying for that glossy cial place in my heart. As a little girl pouring unlimited, secret money into ad you see on TV. Follow the money growing up in Oklahoma, there was one the hands of carefully picked can- that flows through LIBRE and other person I admired more than anyone didates who will do their bidding. We Koch-backed organizations to politi- else in the world—my second grade often talk about the influence dark cians who vote against immigrants, teacher, Mrs. Lee. I will never forget money has right here in Washington, Dreamers, and refugees. the day that Mrs. Lee took me aside but the truth is, the real battle is being The Koch brothers have spent mil- and explained that if I worked hard, I fought at the State and local level. lions of dollars funding Tea Party can- could become a teacher too. Those Consider the State Policy Network, didates in Congress—the main obsta- words changed my life. Today, I am the SPN. It is an umbrella alliance of over cles to immigration reform. What good daughter of a maintenance man, who 60 member organizations covering are school supplies and driver’s edu- became a teacher, a professor, and a nearly every State in the United cation classes and free health checkups U.S. Senator because America invested States. Their member organizations if parents of American citizens are get- in teachers like Mrs. Lee, and that hide behind deceptively apolitical ting deported, if schools in our commu- meant investing in the thousands of names, such as the Platte Institute for nities are being gutted, and if commu- students she reached through the Economic Research or the Thomas Jef- nity health clinics are closing their years. I am grateful to that America. I ferson Institute for Public Policy. doors? believe in that America. But I will be These organizations are anything but The Latino community in Nevada, honest—I am scared to death that our apolitical; these groups are the propa- and in communities of color across children and grandchildren may never ganda arm of rightwing billionaires. America, are strong, resilient, and di- know that America. The State Policy Network, for exam- verse. We will not be fooled by false ad- Right now, in one of the richest na- ple, is bankrolled by the Koch brothers vertising. tions on the planet, American teachers through organizations like So many of our family members are getting crushed. I want to tell you DonorsTrust, one of the Kochs’ favorite came to this country because they about one of those teachers—Jonathan investment arms. In 2016 alone, knew what it was like to live under the Moy, or Mr. Moy, as his students call DonorsTrust made $20.3 million in

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grants to State Policy Network mem- Billionaires and special interests are The CO2 Coalition started where the bers. conspiring to buy our political system. George C. Marshall Institute, another In addition to affiliates, the State We cannot allow this to happen. That Koch-backed front group, left off—dis- Policy Network has over 80 associate is why I am proud to join my col- seminating disinformation, particu- members. It is a who’s who of right- leagues in support of bills like the DIS- larly around global warming. wing Koch-funded groups, such as the CLOSE Act to shine a light on the dark Total funding from the Koch-related Americans for Prosperity Foundation, web of billionaires who have their foundations for the CO2 Coalition is the Americans for Tax Reform Founda- hands tightly gripped around the neck more than $650,000 since 2004. In addi- tion, the Cato Institute, and the Herit- of our democracy. Our government tion to the Kochs, the billionaire con- age Foundation. Their funders also in- should belong to the people, not to servative Mercer family also gave the clude an array of the biggest and most wealthy special interests. CO2 Coalition $150,000 in 2016. And that powerful corporations, including to- Mr. President, I yield the floor. is just what we know of. bacco giant Philip Morris, food giant I suggest the absence of a quorum. For those not familiar, the board of Kraft, and pharma giant The PRESIDING OFFICER. The the CO2 Coalition includes the con- GlaxoSmithKline. clerk will call the roll. troversial physicist William Happer, The goal of the State Policy Network The bill clerk proceeded to call the who has testified in front of Congress and its myriad affiliates is to trick the roll. multiple times to push climate public into thinking they are genuine, Mr. MARKEY. Mr. President, I ask denialism and the self-serving interest unbiased think tanks researching pub- unanimous consent that the order for of the fossil fuel industry and the Koch lic policy issues—think that, instead of the quorum call be rescinded. brothers. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without rightwing, billionaire-funded groups When I was chairman of the House objection, it is so ordered. dedicated to hijacking every legisla- Select Committee for Energy Independ- ture in America and passing laws that Mr. MARKEY. Mr. President, bor- rowing from a phrase from Senator ence and Global Warming, Dr. Happer work for their corporations while they advocated in testimony for the govern- WHITEHOUSE of Rhode Island, ‘‘It is leave everyone else behind. ment to support an ‘‘alternative hy- With friends like the aggressively time to wake up to the threat of cli- pothesis,’’ which amounted to denial of anti-union Koch brothers, it should mate change.’’ We must open our eyes climate change. This ‘‘alternative hy- come as no surprise that one of the to the insidious web of deceit that the pothesis’’ was the grandfather of an- State Policy Network’s top priorities is Koch brothers, in alliance with the other familiar term, the Trump Admin- dismantling public sector unions. In a Trump Administration, are weaving to istration’s so-called alternative facts— 2016 fundraising letter, the State Pol- promote an anti-science, anti-con- ‘‘alternative hypothesis.’’ icy Network stated that its goal was to sumer, and anti-renewable energy During those years that I was the ‘‘defund and defang’’ government agenda. This web of deceit is something chairman of the Select Committee for unions, and it bragged about the work that the Koch brothers are proud of. Energy Independence and Global of its affiliates to supply ‘‘intellectual Just last week, they bragged to do- Warming and the Subcommittee on En- ammunition’’ to weaken unions in nors in a report that they were respon- ergy and the Environment of the En- States across the country. It touted its sible for President Trump’s policies: re- ergy and Commerce Committee, I con- work in West Virginia, Indiana, Michi- pealing the Clean Power Plan, check; ducted nearly 100 hearings. They went gan, and Wisconsin, in shepherding pas- attacking public lands, check; at- on for hours and hours. We are talking sage of laws that make it harder for tempting to gut bedrock environ- unions to collect union dues that cover mental laws for infrastructure of 200, 300 hours of hearings where we the costs of collective bargaining. projects, check; leaving the Paris cli- were able to hear these crackpot theo- Although it focuses on State policy, mate accord, check; tax giveaways to ries that were enunciated and de- the State Policy Network’s agenda can Big Oil and other fossil fuel corpora- bunked at that time. Despite his views have nationwide effects. Just look at tions, check-plus. on climate science being routinely de- the Supreme Court case Janus v. The first year of the Trump Adminis- bunked, including what happened in AFSCME, which will determine wheth- tration has been a Koch brothers wish my hearing back then, Dr. Happer con- er public sector unions that represent list, and they are popping their cham- tinues to be called as an ‘‘expert wit- teachers, nurses, firefighters, and po- pagne bottles all the way to the bank. ness’’ by Republicans in Congress. lice officers in States and cities around In fact, the various front groups and From this platform, he spreads doubt this country will actually be able to trade organizations that pushed Presi- and misinformation about climate collect fees from workplaces they rep- dent Trump to exit the Paris climate change. He has called carbon dioxide ‘‘a resent—fees that allow them to nego- accord accepted almost $7 million from benefit to the Earth,’’ an absurd asser- tiate for better pay, better wages, and the Koch brothers directly. Those tion that is in complete contrast to the better working conditions. The Illinois groups took millions more from other findings of the EPA and the vast ma- Policy Institute, a State Policy Net- anti-climate groups, which were also jority of climate scientists. That is be- work affiliate, works closely with the funded by the Koch brothers. It is a cause in its materials, the CO2 Coali- groups pushing the Court to cut off tangled web they weave with their tion states that it has the express pur- unions’ funding and force them to rep- money. That is what the Koch brothers pose of ‘‘educating thought leaders, resent workers who do not pay dues. have bought—a network of individuals, policy makers, and the public about The State Policy Network’s attack shady front groups, and partisan orga- the important contribution made by on the workers is just one prong of a nizations whose sole purpose is to un- carbon dioxide to our lives and the much larger campaign to hand govern- dermine the policies that protect economy.’’ ment over to the rich and powerful. As Americans and the planet from climate In reality, the CO2 Coalition writes one of the many tentacles of the Koch change. articles, produces videos, and uses this network, the State Policy Network Like a real spider web, it is hard to content to spread lies about climate also works to gut environmental pro- see this web of deceit unless the light change through social media. They tections that prevent big corporations catches it in just the right way. I am seek not to inform but to deform con- from poisoning our water, our food, and going to shine a light on a few threads sensus scientific views at the bidding of our air. It works to dismantle Medicaid of this web tonight, the threads that their fossil fuel funders, the Koch and other healthcare protections that make up the effort to undermine the brothers. provide vulnerable, low-income individ- scientific consensus on climate change: Here is some information about car- uals with basic healthcare. It works to the Koch brothers and their CO2 Coali- bon dioxide that the CO2 Coalition fails slash income and other State taxes tion. One of these threads is the CO2 to mention in its love letter to fossil that provide critical funds for basic Coalition. This group, founded in 2015 fuels. Every ton of carbon we emit government services. It works to weak- with the remains of the defunct George costs us $36—that is the social cost of en public pensions that provide govern- C. Marshall Institute, pushed a single carbon—the cost to all of us of emit- ment workers with financial security mantra: ‘‘Carbon dioxide, a nutrient ting an extra ton of carbon dioxide into and retirement. vital for life.’’ the atmosphere.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:16 Apr 25, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G24AP6.051 S24APPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE April 24, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2377 That carbon pollution is endangering point, we had former Exxon CEO Rex and our economy, and it is happening human health, and it costs us money as Tillerson as Secretary of State. We all across this country and around the a society to treat the damage it does to still have former Governor of oil-rich globe. Renewable energy is the greatest the health of our planet and the people Texas Rick Perry at the Department of force for blue-collar job creation in the who live on the planet. Carbon pollu- Energy. Oklahoma’s oil oligarch Scott history of the United States. tion is not a vital nutrient for life, as Pruitt is heading the Environmental Right now, wind and solar are gener- the CO2 Coalition asserts. It is a dan- Protection Agency. All of these oil al- ating 7 to 8 percent of the electricity gerous pollutant for our society when lies have voiced doubts about the exist- we consume every day in the United it is inside of our atmosphere at dan- ence of climate change and the role of States. Right now, we have more than gerous levels—at dangerous levels. The humans in causing it, but no one is 90,000 megawatts of wind. We have CO2 Coalition is certainly not the only doing more to help anchor the various more than 50,000 megawatts of solar in- fossil fuel supported group that is strands of the web of deceit on climate stalled in the United States. By 2020, weaving this web of deceit. Especially science in the Trump administration we are projected to have 120,000 when it comes to talking about the im- than the EPA’s Scott Pruitt. megawatts of wind. We will have more portance of the ‘‘free market,’’ fossil Mr. Pruitt announced today a new than 90,000 megawatts of solar. Solar is fuel-funded climate deniers often have proposed rule purporting to ‘‘strength- projected to add an additional 35,000 selective memory loss. en transparency and validity in regu- combined megawatts in 2021 and 2022. The Lexington Institute, which has latory science.’’ What exactly does this That means, by the end of 2022, we received funding from fossil fuel com- new secret science rule really mean? could have over 250,000 megawatts of panies like ExxonMobil, insists that re- The proposal would actually do the op- wind and solar installed in the United newables can’t compete in the free posite of what its name suggests. This States. market with fossil fuels without Fed- proposal would actually restrict the You can see what is happening now eral subsidies. That assumes that the use of scientific research that EPA of- with wind and solar after it had been, fossil fuel industry has succeeded in ficials can use in crafting new regula- essentially, stopped by the fossil fuel the free market all on its own. It has tions under the guise of so-called trans- industry for 100 years. This could have not. Adam Smith is spinning in his parency. The Trump administration happened 50 years ago. This could have grave, wondering how the fossil fuel in- would allow the EPA to consider re- happened 100 years ago. Yet now, fi- dustry gets such subsidies. As a matter search studies for which the underlying nally, because of Democratic policies, of fact, he is spinning so fast that he data are publicly available. What this we have been able to finally unleash would qualify for a subsidy under the proposed change would really do is ef- this revolution. What is accompanying that wind and tax policies, which Republicans put in fectively block the Agency from rely- solar revolution? It is jobs, blue-collar place. ing on longstanding, important studies jobs. We now have 350,000 Americans Federal subsidies for the fossil fuel like those that link lead exposure to who are working in wind and solar. By industry are more than 100 years old devastating neurological damage. 2020, we are going to have 500,000 work- and account for nearly $15 billion each Scott Pruitt, at the behest of Big Oil ers in wind and solar. The majority of year. Subsidizing an oil company to and interests like the Koch brothers, our solar jobs—137,000—is of elec- drill oil or a coal company to mine is wants to deny EPA scientists access to tricians. There are roofers doing the in- like paying a fish to swim or a bird to critical information in order to shield stallation. There are 38,000 jobs in man- fly. You don’t have to do it. The tax polluters, such as coal and chemical ufacturing. These are good blue-collar breaks for the oil and gas industries companies. Today, as Pruitt ceremo- jobs. There are 25,000 of our wind jobs are permanent pieces of the Tax Code. niously announced his new rule, he was in manufacturing while 35,000 are in These payouts automatically continue accompanied by—wait for it—William construction, development, and trans- year after year—forever, into infinity. Happer of the CO2 Coalition. The web of portation. These are good-paying, blue- They never decrease. They never go deceit is very real. No matter what collar jobs. away. That is certainly not the case for Scott Pruitt tries to undo at the EPA, Why is this renewable revolution renewable energy industries, like solar no matter what science President unstoppable? Why is this job creation and wind. These industries have had to Trump tries to deny through the Fed- that is good for all of creation endure the uncertainty of not knowing eral Government, no matter what unstoppable? It is because the cost of if their tax breaks will expire. Now tax groups the Koch brothers try to fund, renewables is plummeting. The cost of breaks for wind are scheduled to end the truth is all too clear. Climate solar has fallen 50 to 60 percent over completely next year. That will never change is happening now. the last 5 to 6 years. The cost of wind happen to a fossil fuel break. The tax Last year, we experienced a record has fallen 66 percent since 2009. In fact, breaks for solar will end in 2021, but for $16 billion in storms—extreme weather wind and solar are generally cheaper the fossil fuel industry, those tax events—and climate-related disasters. than coal and nuclear energy are right breaks will never come off the books It was more than in any year in re- now. Coal is losing the war against because they fight against special tax corded history. Hurricanes ravaged wind and solar in the free market. It is breaks for wind and solar. Oh, my Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico. The recov- not a conspiracy against coal. It is goodness. Who would want to help ery from Hurricane Harvey alone is competition for coal that has finally them? In fact, in its taking $15 billion projected to cost $180 billion. That is emerged. That is what is happening. a year every year for 100 years and 100 the damage even as the Republicans Coal is losing in the marketplace. more years into infinity—completely fight to take the wind and solar tax This is not just happening in the distorting the free market with the breaks off the books. This year, in Mas- United States. It is happening around support of fossil fuel companies like sachusetts, we already experienced four the entire world. Mexico had a power ExxonMobil—the Lexington Institute Northeasters before the end of March. auction at the end of November at is spinning its strand of the web of de- Three of those storms cost more than which the average price for solar was ceit by trying to stop a renewables rev- $1 billion. That is the earliest in any 1.9 cents per kilowatt hour. In 2017, olution. year ever recorded that we have experi- solar in Saudi Arabia came in at 1.8 The Koch brothers and their fossil enced three storms with this mag- cents per kilowatt hour. In Dubai, it fuel allies aren’t doing this alone. They nitude of devastation. The cost of these was 2.4 cents per kilowatt hour. Half of have found their most ardent ally in storms speaks for itself. We simply all electricity installed around the their campaign to attack climate can’t afford to deny the impacts and world last year was renewable. Renew- science in President Donald Trump. reality of climate change anymore. able energy deployment around the Throughout the Trump administration, Our greatest weapon in fighting de- world has increased by 8 percent a year there has been a concerted effort to ceit and tearing down this web is sun- for 7 years in a row. deny, to delay, and to defund the light—the sunlight of truth and the This is a global clean energy race, science of climate change in an unprec- sunlight that is fueling the solar revo- and it is a global job creation race. The edented way. Just look at the Presi- lution. It is a clean energy revolution Koch brothers and their fossil fuel al- dent’s Big Oil all-star Cabinet. At one that is fueling blue-collar job creation lies want to take the United States of

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Its subsidiary, Flint Hills Re- and that fossil fuels—even coal—are perpetrated a fraud on the American sources, owns three oil refineries. The more economical. people about climate change. They Koch Pipeline Company owns and oper- In 2013, for example, their director of have worked to discredit science in ates 4,000 miles of pipeline that trans- regulatory and State affairs, Daniel order to sow doubt. They are funding a ports oil, refined petroleum, and nat- Simmons, claimed in a Michigan regu- web of deceit that spreads misinforma- ural gas throughout six States. Koch latory hearing that the electricity tion and undermines the urgency need- Industries is the largest foreign and rates of States with renewable require- ed to address the generational chal- American leaseholder in Canada’s oil ments are 27 percent higher than lenge of climate change. We must fight sands, possibly leasing up to 2 million States without a renewable standard. back with education, with urgency, acres. That same year, Lawrence Berkeley with facts, and, ultimately, with ac- As well, each year, Koch Industries National Laboratory found that the in- tion. markets, trades, and manages logistics cremental rate of renewable portfolio That is why, this week, I am intro- for tons of coal and petroleum coke. standards was 2 percent, and a report ducing, with my colleagues here in the Koch Industries makes billions from by the Michigan Public Service Com- Senate and in the House, the Climate oil, gas, and coal, and it is no secret it mission found that the cost of renew- Change Education Act. This legislation is willing to spend millions to keep it able sources is declining and is cheaper would promote climate literacy by that way. Two organizations formed than the new coal-fired generation. broadening students’ understanding of through the Koch brothers’ vast wealth Also in 2013, Mr. Simmons attacked a climate change, the consequences of are the Institute for Energy Research Federal clean energy standard bill in- climate change, and the potential solu- and its lobbying arm, the American troduced by my fellow New Mexican, tions. This bill would give students, Energy Alliance. Both Koch-funded Senator Jeff Bingaman, which I co- teachers, and families the tools they groups are anti-renewable, pro-fossil sponsored. Mr. Simmons had the au- need to protect our planet for future fuel, and climate change deniers. dacity to claim that carbon dioxide generations. We must take the climate The Institute is a 501(c)(3) organiza- emissions from powerplants should not deniers and their fossil fuel funders to tion that was formed in 1989 from a be counted as pollutants, arguing ‘‘that task for their opposition to the clean predecessor directed by Charles Koch carbon dioxide itself is not dirty.’’ Mr. energy opportunities that could win and Robert Bradley, Jr. Mr. Bradley Simmons’ cynical attack on climate the battle against climate change. led public policy for Enron before its science is frightening. We have a chance to unleash a clean scandal and bankruptcy. He founded In 2015, the Alliance called on Con- energy revolution that creates jobs as the Institute and remains its CEO. He gress to eliminate the Department of it cuts dangerous carbon pollution. We is also affiliated with the Koch-funded Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency & are on the floor today to cut down this Cato Institute and Competitive Enter- Renewable Energy. The office’s mission tangled web of deceit—to shine a light prise Institute. is to support transitioning to ‘‘a global on the lies that emanate from this The Alliance is the Institute’s polit- clean energy economy,’’ something Koch brothers-funded web of deceit ical arm, a 501(c)(4) organization, that we know is supported by many, that has tried its best to stop this founded in 2008. The 501(c)(4)s are polit- many people. That year, both Koch clean energy revolution. ical organizations. They don’t have to brothers’ organizations received $3 mil- As you can see, this revolution has disclose their donors. They can engage lion from the web of Koch donors. taken off in the United States as it has in all sorts of politicking and lobbying, Although the Institute and Alliance taken off around the rest of the planet, and they can spend unlimited amounts were fringe, the Trump administration and it will not be denied. The green of money. The Alliance shares office placed their staff in key energy posi- generation, the young generation in space and staff—including a president— tions, beginning with appointing their our country, will not be denied. They with the Institute. Their joint presi- president to lead the energy transition want to see a wind and solar and all- dent is Thomas Pyle, who had pre- team. Before that appointment, Mr. electric vehicle revolution take place viously lobbied for Koch Industries. Pyle had sent a fundraising letter tout- that will change the course of history. They receive funding directly and not ing the new administration’s positions. That is why we are out here today—to so directly from the Koch brothers. He predicted the Trump administration let the rest of the world know we are in Since 2008, one or the other has re- would withdraw from the Paris Agree- this fight, and we are going to win it. ceived funding from the Charles Koch ment, repeal the Clean Power Plan, I yield the floor. Institute, an anti-government group move forward with the Keystone XL The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. formed from the Charles G. Koch Char- Pipeline, increase oil and gas leasing RUBIO). The Senator from New Mexico. itable Foundation; Freedom Partners, on Federal lands, lift the moratorium Mr. UDALL. Mr. President, I will called the Koch brothers’ ‘‘secret’’ on coal leasing on Federal lands, and focus, as Senator MARKEY has and sev- bank—a 501(c)(6) organization that turn back protection of our rivers and eral of my colleagues before me, on gives tens of millions of dollars to ex- streams—among other initiatives. Mr. this web of deceit we have been talking treme causes; the Wellspring Com- Pyle’s policy predictions have sadly about here today—the Koch brothers’ mittee, Inc., funded with the Koch come to pass. web of dark money, lobbyists, and infil- brothers’ help; DonorsTrust, a pass- My home State of New Mexico is tration into the Trump administration through organization for the Koch right in the bull’s-eye of climate that truly threatens our democracy. brothers and other ultrawealthy donors change. Snowpack was at a low point The influence of their hundreds of mil- trying to hide contributions; and many this year. Parts of the Rio Grande are lions of dollars is pervasive, pernicious, other like-minded anti-renewable, pro- dry. We have a methane cloud in the and hidden. fossil fuel groups that the Koch broth- Four Corners area the size of Delaware. I applaud Senator WHITEHOUSE’s ers fund or are tied to. Pressing ‘‘stop’’ on tackling climate work that focuses the public’s atten- Between 2010 and 2014, the Institute change hurts New Mexicans. tion on this threat. Thank you to my and Alliance received more than $5 Meanwhile, Institute/Alliance staff colleagues for shining a spotlight on million in Koch-related funding. The landed three plum positions within the the murky tentacles of the Koch influ- Institute and Alliance are in the busi- Department of Energy. Last May, Mr. ence empire here in Washington, espe- ness of discrediting renewable energy, Simmons, whom we have already heard cially its influence on the swamp that promoting fossil fuels, and denying cli- about, was actually placed to lead the is the Trump administration. We must mate science under the guise of pro- DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency & keep fighting for comprehensive cam- viding independent analysis. Their Renewable Energy—the same office the

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He PACs, and nonprofit organizations to to be a U.S. delegate to a variety of has steadily beat the Koch brothers’ secretly influence government deci- United Nations conferences over the drum against wind and solar energy, sions at the highest levels. years, including the Financing for De- writing numerous articles about their I have been fighting to overturn Citi- velopment Conference, the World Food alleged unreliability and high costs. zens United and for Congress to enact Summit, the World Summit on Sus- How can he possibly contribute to the campaign finance reform for years now. tainable Development, the Iraq Donor office’s mission of transitioning to a My constitutional amendment would Conference, the Preparatory Com- clean energy economy? not only overturn Citizens United but mittee for the Nuclear Non-Prolifera- Predictably, the President proposed all the previous bad decisions going tion Treaty Review, the High-Level slashing the office’s budget for 2018 by back to Buckley v. Valeo. It would end Meeting on Ending HIV/AIDS, and the 69 percent. Congress did not do his bid- the misguided belief that spending Commission on Population and Devel- ding. He now seeks to cut over 70 per- money to elect politicians is the same opment, among many others. cent of its budget in 2019, including thing as free speech—a belief that gives He has moderated a lot of United Na- fully eliminating the Weatherization the Koch brothers a lot more speech tions panel discussions over the years Assistance Program and the State En- than the average American. on subjects ranging from Children and ergy Program. According to DOE, since Last fall, I reintroduced the We the Armed Conflict to post-war construc- 2010, New Mexico has received $10.4 mil- People Democracy Reform Act, which tion issues, clean energy solutions that lion from these two programs. These would enact comprehensive electoral my colleague was talking about a mo- investments resulted in weatherizing reform. The dark influence of the Koch ment ago. He is up to speed on the 1,300 homes, creating or retaining 340 brothers in this administration only world’s pressing issues, so he is very jobs, training 19,500 New Mexicans in underscores the pressing need for this well qualified to be an Ambassador rep- energy efficiency, and retrofitting legislation to right our democracy and resenting the United States. 240,000 square feet of building space. restore integrity, accountability, and He has also been an active speaker, These two programs aid my State in transparency to our political system. speaking on topics around the country the global battle against climate I yield the floor. that relate to crisis communications, change and should not be on the chop- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the United Nations, and international ping block. ator from Ohio. issues ranging from Sudan to North Another Institute/Alliance policy an- Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I Korea and Middle Eastern issues. He has been on a lot of TV programs. alyst, Travis Fisher, was tapped by come to the Senate this evening to This is one reason he has generated DOE to oversee an evaluation on talk about the nominees who will be up some controversy on the other side. whether renewables are hurting coal for a confirmation vote. Yes, he has spoken his mind on occa- and nuclear power and increasing grid The first of those is Ric Grenell. Ric sion, but he is also someone, again, if unreliability. Mr. Fisher had also au- is being nominated to serve as our Am- you look at his qualifications and expe- thored many pieces on the evils of re- bassador to Germany during an impor- rience and his abilities—as he did for newables—even calling clean energy tant time, not just with the danger and President George W. Bush—to be a policies ‘‘the single greatest emerging volatility around the world but with our relationship with Germany. Ric is team player and work with the team to threat’’ to the power grid. There was communicate clearly, he is an excel- wide concern the report would be po- well qualified, and I think it is urgent that we get him confirmed. lent candidate to be a U.S. Ambassador litically skewed. to just about anywhere but particu- However, a draft of the report, pre- Ric Grenell was actually nominated larly to a country as important as Ger- pared by an independent contractor last fall. He was reported out of the Foreign Relations Committee with a many. and DOE career staff, got out. That He received his master’s degree in positive vote on October 26, 2017. So for draft concluded renewable energy had public administration from Harvard 6 months, he has been in limbo, even not decreased grid reliability. The final University’s John F. Kennedy School after getting reported out of com- report then concluded the same. Mr. of Government. Fisher has since left DOE. mittee. He has been blocked by just a Finally, I would say the timing is The good news is that the American couple of Democrats—I think maybe really important. One reason it is key people continue to support renewable just one—and this body has not had a that we vote this week is that we need energy. A Pew Research Center poll chance to vote on him. an Ambassador to Germany. found 83 percent of Americans think That is why I was pleased to see Over the Easter break I was in Ger- expanding renewables is a ‘‘top’’ or today that the majority leader filed many. I was meeting with our troops ‘‘important’’ national priority. cloture, and that is why we will get a over there on a factfinding mission. We Wind and solar are expanding expo- vote this week on Mr. Grenell. I as- have a lot of American troops in Ger- nentially and their costs have de- sume that he will get supported by a many still. We were looking at some of creased dramatically. Twenty-nine majority of this body, but I hope it is the weapons systems that have been States, Washington, DC, and three ter- not just a bare majority because I developed in my home State of Ohio ritories have renewable portfolio think he is very qualified for the posi- and how they are working. The people standards, and eight States and one tion. I talked to—our U.S. military officers territory have renewable goals. He is someone who has a lot of expe- but also German officials and others— A clean energy economy is the fu- rience in diplomacy and international were saying that it is important to ture, but the Trump administration is issues. In 2001, he was appointed by have American leadership in Germany fighting against the tide. Before the President George W. Bush to serve as right now with all that is going on, Trump administration, the Institute Director of Communications and Pub- with what is happening in Ukraine— and Alliance were small fringe organi- lic Diplomacy for the U.S. Permanent Germany is a key player in keeping the zations promoted by the Koch brothers’ Representative to the United Nations. European Union together—what is hap- web of secret organizations and veiled In this role, he advised four of our Am- pening in the Middle East, where they allies. They now sit at the center of bassadors—John Negroponte, John play an important role, and what is our government. Danforth, John Bolton, and Ambas- happening in terms of our economy and At the bottom of the Koch labyrinth sador Khalilzad—on the formulation trade issues. I heard from everyone: of 501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(4)s, 501(c)(6)s, and and articulation of U.S. policy at the Why don’t you send an ambassador their wealth of accomplices is their United Nations. He was also appointed over here? So it is time we do it. ability to hide their contributions and by John Danforth to be the Alternative Finally, there is a particular urgency actions from public view. The Supreme Representative of the United States to this week, because Chancellor Merkel

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:16 Apr 25, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G24AP6.055 S24APPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S2380 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 24, 2018 is actually coming for a visit to Wash- School and ended up being an editor of States. I think Mike Pompeo is the ington later this week. I think she will the Harvard Law Review and graduated right guy to be there with regard to be here on Friday at the White House magna cum laude from Harvard Law that issue also. in meetings, and wouldn’t it be great if School. That is pretty impressive. It is I have taken the leadership role on we were to confirm this qualified Am- hard to do. this issue of pushing back against the bassador to represent our interests in He then went into business. He was disinformation, including the meddling Germany and to begin the process of successful there, including businesses in our own election here, which I be- improving our relationship with Ger- that had to do with national security lieve happened and I believe will hap- many and deepening that relationship. issues. pen again unless we are smarter about I hope we have the opportunity to He then ran for the House of Rep- pushing back. That is why I have have this vote in the next couple of resentatives and was elected. He was joined with my colleagues—Senator days, and I urge my colleagues on both on the Intelligence Committee in the MURPHY on the other side of the aisle sides of the aisle to take a look at Ric House, and so he has the ability to get and others—to promote this idea of a Grenell’s background. I don’t think well-versed on a lot of the classified in- center at the State Department that you will find one of the Ambassadors formation needed to be able to under- coordinates all the U.S. Government who is a noncareer Foreign Service per- stand the danger and volatility we face efforts here, which are needed, and par- son to be a better person on some of in this world today. He is well-regarded ticularly focuses on the online effort these tough foreign policy issues, and I in the House on both sides of the aisle. and the need for us to be more aggres- think he will do an excellent job for us He was then nominated by the Presi- sive and robust in our response. It is in Germany. dent to serve as CIA Director. By the called the Global Engagement Center. Again, I have had the opportunity to NOMINATION OF MIKE POMPEO way, he was confirmed by this same Mr. President, the second nominee I body as CIA Director by a vote of 66 speak with Mr. Pompeo privately but would like to talk about briefly is one Senators, so it was a nice bipartisan also in public testimony about this who has also faced some opposition majority. I hope that happens again. issue, and he has expressed his strong support for that Global Engagement from the other side of the aisle, to the Again, I think it is very important Center and for having a more effective point that he was reported out of com- that we get a Secretary of State in and robust response. mittee last night on a pure party-line place at this critical time but also that we get one in place who is shown to I think Mike Pompeo is the right per- vote—an 11-to-10 vote. I wish that son at the right time. I think he is weren’t the case. I want to thank Sen- have some of the momentum, trust, and confidence of this body. Certainly qualified for this job as well as anyone ator COONS for actually voting out there I can imagine. Again, in talk- ‘‘present’’ so that Senator ISAKSON’s the President has a lot of confidence in him, or he wouldn’t have nominated ing to my colleagues, some of them vote could count. have said that they disagree with I think Mike Pompeo, who is the cur- him for this additional responsibility. President Trump’s positions and that rent Director of the Central Intel- As CIA Director, he has become well- is why they are opposing Mr. Pompeo. ligence Agency, is extremely well versed on all the issues. One issue I will mention that you have heard about re- Their favorite person—who would prob- qualified. ably be in the other party and have dif- When you look at what has happened cently is that he recently went on a se- ferent views—is not going to be nomi- historically with regard to the job of cret mission to meet with the dictator nated by President Trump. President Secretary of State, this body has been of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, and he Trump is going to nominate somebody able to support people who they may did that at the behest of the President who supports him on most of his basic not agree with on every policy issue or to help prepare for a successful meet- approach to foreign policy and someone may not agree with the President who ing between the President and the he trusts. That is just how it works. appointed that person, but they realize North Koreans. We all hope that meet- Again, when we supported John that a President should be able to have ing is indeed constructive and ends up Kerry with 94 votes in the Senate—I his or her own person—particularly in making progress on the think it was 94, 95, or something like that job—be the Secretary of State, be denuclearization—which all of us hope that—it is not that we agreed with all the diplomat to the United States for—of the Korean Peninsula. You need the policies from President Obama; it around the world. As a result, with re- somebody like Mike Pompeo there to is that we believed President Obama gard to Senator Kerry, who was a col- help direct that. So I think it is the should have the right to have a Sec- league of ours here, when he was up for right time for him to move forward on retary of State who he thought was his confirmation vote, the vote was 94 a number of issues, and that certainly going to best represent him, and we Senators out of 100 supporting him. is one. thought that Senator Kerry was quali- With regard to Secretary Clinton, when Another issue I will say I am very in- fied. I think the same was true with re- she was nominated, she was confirmed terested in working with him on is gard to Hillary Clinton, who got 94 by a vote of 94 Senators—94 out of 100 what is happening in Eastern Europe votes. The same was true with voted for her. That has been more or and Central Europe—the destabilizing Condoleezza Rice. The same was true less typical. Colin Powell actually was effect that Russia is having with re- with GEN Colin Powell. And the same confirmed by a unanimous vote of this gard to what is called the hybrid war— should be true here because certainly body after he became the nominee for in other words, disinformation and Mike Pompeo is extremely well quali- Secretary of State. Condoleezza Rice propaganda—and also the military part fied. got an overwhelming majority; I think of this, which is happening on the east- The other thing I have heard from it was in the mideighties. ern border of Ukraine. my colleagues—and I have talked to a I would hope that my colleagues on Russia, as you recall, took Crimea number of them on the committee and both sides of the aisle would look at away from Ukraine. In my discussions off the committee about seeing if they Mr. Pompeo’s background and his with Mike Pompeo, he understands could possibly join us in supporting Mr. qualifications. I don’t think they can that issue and he gets that issue. He Pompeo so he can have a little more of dispute the fact that he is qualified for has supported providing weapons to a bipartisan momentum here as he goes this job. Ukrainians so they can defend them- into this job—the other thing I have This is a man who has been success- selves, lethal but defensive weapons. heard is that they are concerned, given ful in everything he has done. From That was a big change from the last ad- his background in the military and humble beginnings, he went to West ministration and, frankly, from the given some of the things he said as a Point. He graduated at the top of his first year of this administration. It Member of Congress, that maybe he class. Then, as an Army officer, he was happened recently. Those materials are will focus more on military power rath- in Germany before the wall came down. now being delivered, and the Ukrain- er than soft power—in other words, less He was an officer in Germany patrol- ians—having been there over the on diplomacy and more on kinetic or ling the Iron Curtain. He then went to Easter break—are feeling a renewed military activity. law school after having served in the sense of support from their Western al- I don’t think that is consistent with military. He went to Harvard Law lies, particularly from the United anything I have heard from him either

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:16 Apr 25, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G24AP6.056 S24APPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE April 24, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2381 in our private meetings or in his public The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Major Defense Equipment (MDE): testimony where he addressed this objection, it is so ordered. Up to twenty-seven (27) GBU–12 Inert issue head-on. He said that as a former f Paveway IIs. Army officer and someone who went to Non-MDE: Also included are PGU–27 Inert West Point and graduated at the top of LEGISLATIVE SESSION training rounds, Impulse Cartridges, MJU–7/ his class—did I say that earlier? Any- B Flares, RR–188 Chaff, BDU–33/B and BDU– 50/B training munitions, fuel and air refuel- way, he went to West Point, and he is MORNING BUSINESS someone who actually believes very ing support, airlift services, base operating Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I support, facilities, publications and tech- strongly in soft power and believes nical documentation, pilot training, per- that military actions ought to be the ask unanimous consent that the Sen- ate proceed to legislative session for a sonnel training and training equipment, last resort, not the first resort. I think weapon system and software support, U.S. that is true with almost anybody who period of morning business, with Sen- Government and contractor technical, engi- has been in the military—certainly ators permitted to speak therein for up neering, and logistics personnel services, and people who have been in combat. I to 10 minutes each. other related elements of logistics and pro- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without made the comparison to what Colin gram support. objection, it is so ordered. Powell said when he was nominated, (iv) Military Department: Air Force (NE– which was very similar to that. What f D–NZW). General Mattis says today is very simi- ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION (v) Prior Related Cases. if any: NE–D–NXZ– $149.3 million; 19 Sep 13. lar to that. Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, section I believe Mike Pompeo has the oppor- (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc.; Paid, Of- 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act tunity not only to help with regard to fered, or Agreed to be Paid: None. requires that Congress receive prior no- these crisis issues we are facing around (vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained tification of certain proposed arms the world—North Korea, Syria, what is in the Defense Article or Defense Services sales as defined by that statute. Upon happening in Iran, what is happening Proposed to be Sold: None. such notification, the Congress has 30 in Ukraine—I think he is someone who (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: calendar days during which the sale has the ability to improve the morale April 24, 2018. may be reviewed. The provision stipu- at the State Department at a critical * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms lates that, in the Senate, the notifica- time. In fact, I am convinced of it. Hav- Export Control Act. tion of proposed sales shall be sent to ing talked to some people at the State POLICY JUSTIFICATION the chairman of the Senate Foreign Department—as you know, many of the Relations Committee. The Netherlands—F–16 Formal Training Unit career civil service people have been In keeping with the committee’s in- at Tucson Air National Guard Base feeling as though they weren’t being tention to see that relevant informa- (ANGB), Arizona consulted. Mike Pompeo is a listener, tion is available to the full Senate, I The Government of the Netherlands has re- and he has talked about what he did at ask unanimous consent to have printed quested to buy defense articles and services the CIA. He talked about the fact that in the RECORD the notifications which in support of continuation of a Continental God gave us only one mouth but two have been received. If the cover letter United States (CONUS) based Royal Nether- lands Air Force F–16 Formal Training Unit, ears. In other words, we are supposed references a classified annex, then such to be listening and taking in the input to include up to twenty-seven (27) GBU–12 annex is available to all Senators in Inert Paveway IIs. Also included are PGU–27 and then helping to lead as a servant the office of the Foreign Relations leader listening to people. I think that Inert training rounds, Impulse Cartridges, Committee, room SD–423. MJU–7/B Flares, RR–188 Chaff, BDU–33/B and is the kind of leader Mike Pompeo is. There being no objection, the mate- BDU–50/B training munitions, fuel and air re- My hope is that he will be confirmed rial was ordered to be printed in the fueling support, airlift services, base oper- and that he will earn the trust some of RECORD, as follows: ating support, facilities, publications and us have shown in him by doing exactly technical documentation, pilot training, per- that at the State Department—getting DEFENSE SECURITY sonnel training and training equipment, COOPERATION AGENCY, the diplomats in the State Department weapon system and software support, U.S. Arlington, VA. Government and contractor technical, engi- engaged and empowered, making sure Hon. BOB CORKER, that we are taking every step possible neering, and logistics personnel services, and Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, other related elements of logistics and pro- with regard to diplomacy before turn- U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. gram support. The estimated program value ing to military action anywhere in the DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Pursuant to the re- is $110 million. porting requirements of Section 36(b)(1) of world, and working with our military This proposed sale will support the foreign the Arms Export Control Act, as amended, and with the White House and with the policy and national security objectives of we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. Congress to have a U.S. foreign policy the United States by improving the security 18–14, concerning the Air Force’s proposed that is effective in keeping the peace. of a NATO Ally which is an important force Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Gov- for political stability and economic progress Yes, we need a strong military be- ernment of the Netherlands for defense arti- in Europe. cause by having a strong military, by cles and services estimated to cost $110 mil- having a strong defense, we maximize lion. After this letter is delivered to your of- This potential sale will continue to im- the chance for peace, but we also have fice, we plan to issue a news release to notify prove the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s to have a strong diplomacy arm that is the public of this proposed sale. (RNLAF) ability to develop mission-ready out there ensuring that we take every Sincerely, and experienced pilots to support its F–16 measure we possibly can to use soft di- GREGORY M. KAUSNER, aircraft inventory. The well-established pilot (For Charles W. Hooper, Lieutenant proficiency training program at Tucson Air plomacy. I think diplomacy is some- National Guard Base will train pilots in F–16 thing that Mike Pompeo has shown General, USA Director). Enclosures. operations, tactics, techniques, and proce- that he is committed to. dures. This training will enhance the TRANSMITTAL NO. 18–14 So my hope is that we will have posi- RNLAF’s ability to continue contributions tive votes on Rick Grenell as Ambas- Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of to Overseas Contingency Operations and to sador to Germany and Mike Pompeo Offer Pursuant to Section 36(b)(1) of the NATO air policing operations, as well as, to Arms Export Control Act, as amended later this week, that we can have bi- possible future coalitions operations. The (i) Prospective Purchaser: The Government partisan support for these two, and Netherlands will have no difficulty absorbing of the Netherlands. this training. that they, in turn, will earn the trust (ii) Total Estimated Value: The proposed sale of this equipment and this body has shown in them. Major Defense Equipment * $0.5 million. Mr. President, I suggest the absence Other $109.5 million. support will not alter the basic military bal- ance in the region. of a quorum. Total $110.0 million. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The (iii) Description and Quantity or Quan- There is no prime contractor involved in tities of Articles or Services under Consider- this proposed sale. The Tucson Air National clerk will call the roll. ation for Purchase: The Government of the Guard will provide instruction, flight oper- The legislative clerk proceeded to Netherlands has requested to buy defense ar- ations, and maintenance support and facili- call the roll. ticles and services in support of continuation ties with defense articles anticipated to Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I of a Continental United States (CONUS) come from U.S. stocks, as needed. There are ask unanimous consent that the order based Royal Netherlands Air Force F–16 For- no known offset agreements proposed in con- for the quorum call be rescinded. mal Training Unit. nection with this potential sale.

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