Floor Statements

Madam President, I thank our colleague from Vermont for the accommodation of this extra time.

USMCA is incredibly important to the State of Colorado. Colorado is a pro-trade State. We have about 750,000 trade-related jobs in Colorado. Of those 750,000 jobs, almost 250,000 are related to trade with Mexico and Canada. Nearly a quarter million of Colorado's workers are there because of trade with Canada and Mexico. It is a nearly $5 billion share of our economy--that is, the total number of goods, services, and exports to Canada and Mexico. That was a couple of years ago, so that number has obviously increased.

Of the potatoes Mexico imports from the United States, nearly half come from Colorado. If you look at beverages, 97 percent of the beverages Mexico imports come from Colorado. If you look at crowns, closures, seals, 96 percent of those items exported or imported by Mexico come from Colorado. If you look at miscellaneous leather products, the hides and other products that Mexico imports, 87 percent of them come from Colorado.

We know NAFTA has created thousands of jobs in Colorado. We know it has added thousands of dollars to people's incomes. We know USMCA is a better, stronger opportunity for us to gain even more jobs, more income, and more opportunity for the people of Colorado. So I thank Senator Hoeven for bringing people together on the floor to talk about the importance of free trade and particularly the passage of USMCA.

I hope our colleagues in the House will hear this call to a brighter economic future, more trade opportunities, and greater U.S. leadership by moving the USMCA, adopting it, and putting it forward so the Senate can act on it and getting this agreement into law so we can actually once again start rebuilding opportunities with trade.

I am strongly supportive of this effort. It is good for Colorado, and it is good for this country.

I thank my colleague from North Dakota and my colleague from Vermont.

Mr. President, Congress has no greater responsibility than providing for a strong national defense and keeping American citizens safe.

The National Defense Authorization Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation to be considered by the U.S. Senate. It authorizes the weapons systems, programs, and resources that support the men and women who serve our country in the Armed Forces. For decades, it has been approved with strong, bipartisan support.

In my home State of Colorado, our military installations, including Fort Carson, the Air Force Academy, and Buckley, Peterson, and Schriever Air Force Bases, are on the cutting edge of readiness in protecting our national security. This legislation is foundational to their mission, their work, and our show of support for the military.

I thank Chairman Inhofe and Ranking Member Reed for their bipartisan leadership on the Senate Armed Services Committee and on the floor. The tremendous responsibility of providing for national defense cannot be overstated, and they have handled the process with respect and the seriousness that it deserves. The security of the United States should always be more important than any partisan politics, and I appreciate their commitment that they have placed on national defense above all else.

I also thank my colleagues for their bipartisan work on the National Defense Authorization Act. In working with them, I was able to achieve a number of great victories in amendments for Colorado and the Nation as well.

Senator Schatz and I have a bipartisan amendment that will improve the public alert system and allow military communities access to clean and safe drinking water, which was another

amendment that we were able to work on.

I was able to work with Senator Toomey and Senator Van Hollen-- Senators from both sides of the aisle--to impose sanctions on the murderous North Korean regime.

We will also vote today to support a bipartisan effort that I authored that will encourage the U.S. Congress to stand with the people of Hong Kong and their democratic values while we urge Hong Kong's authorities to permanently withdraw their flawed extradition bill and support human rights in Hong Kong.

When one family member serves our country in uniform, the entire family serves. This legislation supports military families in Colorado and all over the world. It provides the largest pay increase in a decade for troops, and it continues to support military spouses. The NDAA addresses the challenges that servicemembers and their families face when they live in privatized housing, and it expands resources to address the PFAS water contamination in many of our military communities. This is an issue of life and health, and it matters greatly to the people of Colorado. I was pleased to work with my colleagues to continue addressing PFAS contamination.

Of course, in Colorado, we are proud to play a very key role in defending the United States. These installations that I talked about are critical to national security and supporting our operations in space. I am thrilled that this year's NDAA authorizes the U.S. Space Force so that the United States can remain a global leader in space and not fall behind China or any other foreign competitor.

Almost everything in today's age relies on space technology-- telecommunications, GPS, transportation logistics, precision agriculture, and, of course, the U.S. military. Establishing the U.S. Space Force will better organize the military to handle space operations and will put all military members who work in the space domain under the same organizational umbrella. Colorado is home to the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the U.S. Northern Command, and it is the legacy home of the Air Force Space Command. As we establish the U.S. Space Force, Colorado is uniquely positioned to continue its support of our Nation's military operations in space and the mission set that space involves.

We cannot risk falling behind our foreign competitors in the second space age. In order to guarantee the safety and security of American citizens, we must maintain our leadership in space operations and defense. I urge my colleagues to support the National Defense Authorization Act, which supports defense operations across the globe and the brave women and men who serve in the U.S. military. I will always fight to protect and grow the presence of the U.S. military in Colorado and work to ensure that these bases, which are essential to both national security and Colorado communities, remain strong.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor an officer of the Colorado State Patrol whose watch tragically came to an end earlier this month when he was killed in the line of duty.

On June 14, 2019, Trooper William Moden was responding to an accident that occurred on I-70 in Deer Trial, CO. He was doing what he did every day--responding to an incident and giving a helping hand to Coloradans in need. He was assisting the passengers of a vehicle who were involved in a crash--one of whom was an 18-month-old child--when he was struck by a passing vehicle.

Like too many of our Nation's law enforcement officers, Trooper Moden gave his life while protecting and serving others.

William Moden was 37 years old and had served in the Colorado State Patrol for 12 years. His fellow troopers remember him as someone whose uniform was always perfect and whose boots were always polished. There is no doubt for any of them that he was meant to serve and that he did so with the utmost honor and dignity.

While Trooper Moden carried out his duties with seriousness, his friends and loved ones remember him as someone with a tremendous sense of humor. At a memorial service held last week, he was described as having an infectious laugh--a laugh that was usually the loudest in the room. Many at the service remembered the time he put on a dog's shock collar just to see how it felt and to make others laugh. These are the kinds of memories his loved ones will remember forever.

Just as he answered when his Coloradans called, his friends and family say he was someone who could always be counted on. He was reliable, dependable, and they often described him as their ``knight in shining armor''--someone who is always there to provide care and comfort. The chief of the Colorado State Patrol, Colonel Matt Packard, described William Moden as ``the true personification of what it means to be a Colorado State Trooper.''

At the memorial service last week, Trooper Moden was awarded the title of ``Master Trooper''--a rank given only to those who show great leadership and character. To those who knew him, William completely exemplified these characteristics and is certainly deserving of this high honor.

We know we can never pay the debt of gratitude owed to people like William Moden, who risk their lives every day to ensure their communities are safe. The best we can offer is to never forget and to continue to celebrate the lives of those who sacrifice everything.

I know my Senate colleagues will join me in mourning the loss of Trooper Moden and all those who have given their lives in defending the thin blue line.

So for the second time this year, I come to the floor of the U.S. Senate and remember the words of LTC Dave Grossman, who said, ``American law enforcement is the loyal and brave sheep dog always standing watch for the wolf that lurks in the dark.''

I hope the outpouring of love and support that Trooper Moden's family and friends have received in the past few weeks bring them a small bit of comfort.

To Trooper Moden's family and loved ones, our State thanks you for your service, sacrifice, and willingness to share William with the people of Colorado.

Thank you.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Madam President, I rise for the swift passage of bipartisan legislation I am leading with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand known as the Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act.

I will never forget the images of the brave men and women running into danger to save lives during the September 11 terrorist attacks. I never had the privilege or honor of going to New York City prior to September 11, 2001, but I will never forget my first visit after September 11, 2001, going to Ground Zero, watching the firetrucks, with their flag, heading to Ground Zero to continue to work, and now that has become absolutely emblazoned in the minds of the people of this country.

The work they did wasn't just for those in Manhattan who suffered incredible loss but the work they carried forth for our country--they became symbols of our security, symbols of our freedoms, symbols of our country's willingness, effort, and tenacity to fight back.

This legislation would ensure that all 9/11 first responders and survivors who have been injured by the toxins at Ground Zero would receive their full compensation through the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund now and into the future as more and more become ill with 9/11-related cancers.

When I visited Ground Zero, I will never forget that smell--a burning, acrid odor. These men and women didn't just visit it once but time and again to carry out the cleanup of Ground Zero. Unfortunately, thousands of first responders and survivors, including many who reside in my home State of Colorado, now suffer from illnesses and diseases from the toxins they inhaled day after day during the recovery efforts at Ground Zero.

It is unacceptable for this Congress to fail these heroes and their families. It is unacceptable to fail the families and heroes of September 11. There is no time to waste as Congress debates this issue. More and more people are becoming ill, more and more people are suffering. Today people such as Lou Alvarez came to Washington, DC, postponing a chemotherapy treatment to advocate for his fellow heroes.

The fund expires at the end of this year if we do not act. These men and women have already been forced to reduce their compensation. We have seen a reduction of their compensation for 9/11 first responders due to the impending insolvency.

Jon Stewart, a longtime advocate for the 9/11 responders, testified today before the House Judiciary Committee, expressing the urgency of making sure these first responders receive the care they deserve. He testified before members of the committee in the House about the need to act now because time is of the essence. He said that these men and women ``responded in 5 seconds. They did their jobs, with courage, grace, tenacity, humility . . . 18 years later'' it is time for Congress to do its job.

That is what I hope my colleagues will do--our job. Pass this important bipartisan legislation, recognizing the service and the sacrifice of these great heroes of 9/11.

Tomorrow the House companion legislation will be marked up in the Judiciary Committee. Congress must do the right thing. The Senate must do our job, and it must act on this legislation. I urge my colleagues to join this legislation to cosponsor the bill, to support this effort, and to support the effort in the House and Senate to swiftly pass this legislation to ensure these heroes receive the care they need and deserve.

We didn't know what was going to happen on September 11, but for the thousands of people involved at Ground Zero, we know what will happen if Congress fails to act. It is unacceptable.

That is why I urge my colleagues to pass this important legislation, to do the right thing and stand up for their fellow heroes who served our country so well.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Madam President, 75 years ago tomorrow, June 5, 1944, General Dwight D. Eisenhower gave a speech to U.S. soldiers the day before the invasion of Normandy.

In that speech, he said this:

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary

Force!

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward

which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the

world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving

people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave

Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring

about the destruction of the German war machine, the

elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of

Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

He ended his comments by saying:

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty

and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full

Victory!

Good luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty

God upon this great and noble undertaking.

It was an undertaking not just remarkable for its logistical effort and massive supply planning but for what it meant to humanity: a mobilization in the name of freedom to stand against evil and a massive undertaking uncertain of outcome to fight oppression for a free world.

I hope every American will take some time this week to reflect on that massive undertaking 75 years ago that ultimately led to the liberation of Europe, the destruction of Adolf Hitler, and the end of World War II and to reflect on the sacrifice and courage, the selfless acts of bravery, and the stories of families who never saw a loved one return.

The decision to move forward with the invasion was reached in late 1943. By May of 1944, nearly 3 million Allied troops were amassed in southern England. Gathered along with the millions of soldiers was the largest armada in world history, with over 4,000 ships from Canada, the United States, and Great Britain. There were 11,000 airplanes that participated in the invasion, pounding the shores and Nazi positions, and delivering supplies and thousands of troops up and down the coast of France.

The assault began shortly after midnight on June 6, 1944, with Allied bombers attacking targets along the coast and inland. More than 24,000 American, British, and Canadian airborne assault troops and 1,200 aircraft followed the air bombardment. At 1:30 a.m., the 101st Airborne Division began landing behind Utah Beach, and the 82nd Airborne Division began landing at 2:30 a.m. The second phase on the coast began at 5:30 a.m. when six Allied divisions and numerous small units began landing on five beaches. In total, the Allies landed more than 160,000 troops at Normandy--73,000 American, along with 83,115 British and Canadian forces--on Gold, Juno, and Sword Beaches.

By the end of the first day, Allied casualties were estimated at 10,000 killed, wounded, and missing in action: 6,603 Americans, 2,700 British, and 946 Canadians. From D-Day through August 21, the Allies landed more than 2 million men in northern France and

suffered more than 226,000 casualties, with nearly 73,000 killed or missing. They paid the ultimate price to save the world from tyranny, and their average age was 26 years old.

Etched in the pavement of the U.S. Armed Forces Memorial Garden in Normandy, France, are the words: ``From the heart of our land flows the blood of our youth, given to you in the name of freedom.'' Let us never forget the sacrifice of the greatest treasure this Nation has and what these men and women did for a free world and free people.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, Kendrick Castillo was an 18-year-old senior set to graduate high school at the end of the week when his life was tragically cut short. On Tuesday, May 7, Kendrick Castillo sat in his British literature class, just like any other day in school, when two schoolmates burst into a classroom at the STEM school in Highlands Ranch and opened fire.

When faced with the unthinkable, Kendrick acted out of pure heroism as he put his classmates' lives before his own and charged the shooters. A classmate of Kendrick's described his heroism by telling NBC News about his actions, ``giving all of us enough time to get underneath our desks, to get ourselves safe, and to run across the room to escape.''

Brendan Bialy, a classmate who charged the assailants with Kendrick, told ABC News:

Kendrick Castillo died a legend. He died a trooper. I know

he will be with me for the rest of my life.

John Castillo reflected on his son's actions by saying:

He did what he had to do, and I knew that was my son's

nature. That was who he was.

Kendrick Castillo displayed courage well beyond his years. He was a member of the robotics club and wanted to study electrical engineering in college and loved spending his free time fishing and camping.

Today, Colorado mourns the loss of a hero as we say good-bye to Kendrick Castillo. As his friends, family, and community all gather at Highlands Ranch for a final farewell, we must pledge to never forget this young man. Kendrick Castillo lost his life saving his fellow classmates. The students of the STEM school in Highlands Ranch experienced an absolute tragedy and showed fearlessness well beyond their years as they took charge in the face of danger.

Now is the time to come together in tragedy to rise above it and remind every single student at that school that we love them, we are with them, and we will never forget them.

I also want to take a moment to honor the first responders who, once again, displayed true bravery in their response to this tragedy. The deputies of the Douglas County Police Department, South Metro Fire Rescue, and all of the neighboring first responders on the scene acted quickly to help stabilize the situation and lead the students and faculty to safety.

This week is National Police Week, a fitting time to reflect on those who protect our sons and daughters every day.

National Police Week

Mr. President, in Washington, DC, this week, we are celebrating National Police Week, a time we take each year to thank law enforcement for protecting our communities and to remember the cost of providing this comfort.

Today, thousands of officers and their families will gather on the west front lawn of the Capitol to participate in the 38th Annual Peace Officers' Memorial Service, an event to honor all of those we have lost in the line of duty.

I hope the camaraderie and support they have experienced during the ceremony and throughout the week will bring a bit of comfort to law enforcement and our law enforcement community. I also hope it demonstrates the tremendous gratitude that we all have for these sacrifices.

Police Week also serves to show the law enforcement community that the

lawmakers in Washington have their back. We will continue to help departments all over the country afford lifesaving equipment, like bulletproof vests to help as many officers as possible return home safely every day. In fact, just this week, the Senate is working on legislation to make sure we are providing lifesaving equipment through the Bulletproof Vest Grant Program. We are also working on legislation this week that will help address mental health needs, not just for law enforcement officers themselves but for their families, as well, because we know the pressure and strain that this duty can create and put upon the family.

I know my colleagues in the Senate will join me in thanking the many officers who have joined us in Washington this week. Their bravery and courage allow all of us to enjoy the safety and security we so often take for granted. It should not take a tragedy for any of us to reach out to a police officer, EMS, or a firefighter, to thank them for their work, and to let them know their bravery does not go unnoticed.

Yesterday I had the honor of joining the Colorado memorial ceremony at the fallen officers' memorial. There have been 320 Coloradans over the years who have been added to the fallen officers' memorial. That is 320 too many. Four were added this week: Adams County deputy Heath Gumm, El Paso County deputy Micah Flick, Las Animas County sergeant Matthew Moreno, and Littleton police officer Kevin Denner.

One of the most poignant moments at the ceremony yesterday was the comment made by a police officer who spoke to a widow of a fallen officer, who said: Support for the law enforcement community is needed long after the bagpipes have played. I think that is what we have to do as colleagues together. While the pomp and ceremony memorials end, it is after the bagpipes have finished that we must continue to stand with the men and women on that blue line of service to our communities.

Thank you.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to legislative session and shall be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I have a request for one committee to meet during today's session of the Senate. It has the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders.

Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committee is authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Committee on Armed Services

The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at 6 p.m., to conduct a hearing on pending military nominations.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m., Thursday, May 16; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Vitter nomination.

If there is no business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Madam President, today I come to the floor to celebrate the life and career of Bruce Davey Benson or, as so many people know, Bruce D. Benson or, to all of us, just Bruce.

I first met Bruce Benson in 1994. Now, he will not remember this at all, but I remember that I was a young college student at Colorado State University. We were in the parking lot before a game. I had the incredible honor of being one of the chosen ones to take the ram, our mascot, around the football team at the football game before sporting events throughout Colorado State University.

I remember, in 1994, when the campaign for Governor began, Bruce Benson threw his hat in the ring to run against Roy Romer. He was working the crowd at this Colorado State football game, and he came up to those of us who were the ram handlers that were with the mascot, shook our hands, and introduced himself. So from that moment, the first chance I got to meet Bruce Benson in 1994, I knew it was going to be an incredible opportunity and relationship that would lead into years of public service for myself because of how incredible his public service had been to the State of Colorado and the legacy he built.

This July, Bruce will be retiring as the president of the University of Colorado system, which currently oversees four campuses in Colorado: the University of Colorado Denver, CU Colorado Springs, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and the CU Boulder campus--the campus where I earned my law degree.

He has a long history of bettering the lives of Coloradoans. Prior to his appointment as president of the University of Colorado, Bruce established himself in business, philanthropy, politics, and education.

Bruce graduated from the University of Colorado in 1964 with a bachelor of arts in geology and founded the Benson Mineral Group. This is a great story of somebody pulling themselves up by their own bootstraps--taking the education he was able to earn himself and using it to build an incredible life of opportunity for his family and the people of Colorado. What started out as a $6,000 drilling rig on the back of his truck turned into a hugely successful operation, with a reach extending into banking, real estate, and even cable television.

Bruce prioritized his community and the education of others within it. Over the next 20 years, he would serve on the Colorado Commission of Higher Education, the board of trustees for the Metro State College of Denver, P-20 Education Coordinating Council, and the Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel for Higher Education for the 21st Century, all of which he chaired at one point.

He was involved in Colorado politics, serving as the chair for the Colorado Republican Party, helping to identify candidates and being an instrumental part in candidates' campaigns over many decades.

Bruce was appointed to the board of directors for the National Park Foundation and served on the National Endowment for the Humanities--a position that required his confirmation right here in front of the U.S. Senate.

I remember the work he did on education issues--lobbying other Senators, fighting for Colorado dollars, fighting for policies that would help better Children's Hospital in Colorado, and fighting for more funding for children's healthcare. After nearly 45 years in business in Colorado, Bruce was inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame in 2009.

There is a saying about President Franklin Roosevelt, FDR. One time when somebody was asked if they knew President Roosevelt, they said no, but they felt President Roosevelt knew them. I think that saying can be applied to Bruce Benson because even if you didn't know him or don't know him in Colorado, odds are, if you are a Coloradan, he has had a positive impact on your life. He welcomed diversity in the classroom, not only in background but also in thought. He never wanted the university to teach people what to think; he wanted the university to teach them how to think. Bruce learned long ago that he didn't know everything, but if you surround yourself with the best, the rest will follow.

A lot has changed over the last 10 years of his leadership, and so has the university and the State we both call home. We don't know where we would be today without Bruce's fierce work ethic and drive to educate those around him, but we know the future wouldn't be nearly as bright. For all this and so much more, we owe him a great many thanks.

To President Benson, thank you for your service to our great State of Colorado, and thank you for your friendship.

I yield the floor.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I appreciate the words my colleague from Ohio has started with and shared and the work done by this Chamber not only to cut taxes and grow our economy for businesses and entrepreneurs around the country but for individuals, small towns, and families.

I live in a town of about 3,000 people. It is a little, tiny town. Growing up, we had two stoplights, and thanks to some of the oil and gas development that took place around our town several years back, we now have a third stoplight. It is big time now. The reason it is, is because we allowed innovation to flourish. We allowed technology to develop new ways to develop our energy resources, but while the policies in the field and in commerce have advanced, sometimes the policies in this place have grown stale. That is why I was excited to support the tax cuts of last Congress that have energized our economy, that have created new opportunity for American workers and families, and that have led to billions of dollars being brought back into the United States from overseas.

Of course, one of the provisions many of my colleagues have talked about today is the Opportunity Zones Program that was established in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. When we were getting the Opportunity Zones Program up and running, as a cosponsor of that legislation, my office heard complaints that there might not be enough money for the investments that would be utilized within these opportunity zones. In fact, we heard from people who were saying that no one would be interested in starting a business in struggling American communities. Other critics complained it would be too tempting to pick only census tracts that were already well-positioned for growth. What I am hearing and seeing in Colorado have proven both of those criticisms wrong.

Clarity is the compass to navigating any new venture. Treasury has been actively working to make sure its regulations best position the Opportunity Zones Program for success.

Real estate investments have experienced early success with this program; however, we need more than just real estate investments to make all of America and all of Colorado prosperous. Operational businesses and other entities will support the long-term successes of these communities as well--not just real estate, the operational side.

With its second round of regulations recently released, operating businesses received much awaited, positive news from the Treasury. Industries like clean energy, new breweries, or other capital-heavy businesses received the clarification they need for opportunity zones to succeed. These critical tax provisions--those for accelerated depreciation--will encourage money to come off the sidelines and will translate into large investments in our communities.

While we are still in the infancy of the Opportunity Zones Program, Colorado already has roughly 40 projects in the works. The Office of Economic Development and International Trade, which is the office tasked with implementing opportunity zones in Colorado, has been working alongside local and State entities to maximize its programs for Coloradans. It is in an effort to ensure that the 126 opportunity zones--of which about 60 percent are in rural areas--are successful.

I am going to make sure we continue to fight to leave no part of Colorado behind, and the Investing in Opportunity Act will promote growth in all four corners of our great State.

That little tiny town that I talked about is going to benefit from the opportunity zones that take place. Whether it is a new manufacturing plant, a pizza shop, or a movie theater, investments like these will make a world of difference to small communities. It is the difference between people staying in the town they love versus being forced to leave and find a different job.

Let me give an example. There is a jewelry store in Wray, CO, Amos Jewelry. It is on the main street of this little town. My guess is that when this jewelry store leaves, if there is nobody to take over the business, maybe that will be just one more empty storefront in that town. Nobody will come in to take it over. There is no Zales or Kay Jewelers that is going to come in and replace this smalltown jewelry store. But through an opportunity zone and the chances we are giving people to invest in rural areas and underinvested areas, maybe there can be new life breathed into these small communities--that business, that jewelry store and others like it--to make sure that we don't lose businesses and to make sure that we grow active businesses and that we start new businesses as well.

It is the difference between having access to services on our local Main Street--like that jewelry store; like fixing a watch--and being forced to travel to the next town over and taking the dollars out of that town and bringing them to a different city. It is the difference between going out at all and staying home. A boarded-up storefront tells people to go somewhere else; it is not a ``Welcome Home'' sign. When those boards are taken down, the town comes back to life--new spirit, new opportunity. Opportunity zones have the potential to take those boards down and to revive our Main Streets.

Whether it is small towns, big cities, or midsized economies and communities, the zone shares one common trait: They are communities across

America that have been left behind. These opportunity zones can unlock investment, rebuild infrastructure, and rebuild hope for so many struggling families who no longer feel they have the ability to climb America's economic ladder--those opportunities that were in reach for America's previous generations.

Looking ahead, it will be important to ensure that these real estate and commercial developments are benefiting community members. We know that with new businesses comes new job opportunities, which in turn provide investments in struggling education systems and housing markets. It is a tide that lifts all ships. In the end, these investments are aimed to help all families who are working to pay rent, to become homeowners, and to pay down a mortgage.

We need to work together across the aisle to ensure that we develop a pipeline for the next generation of workers to enter these new job markets, because each and every person in Colorado and everyone across our great Nation should have access to the American dream.

I was pleased that not too long ago, at a White House conference hosted over at the White House, the mayor of Silt, CO, was able to join in the discussion at the Opportunity Zones Conference. Mayor Keith Richel and other officials from Colorado met in Washington, DC, to discuss opportunities, and I am very pleased they were able to do this.

I hope my colleagues, instead of fighting to repeal the tax law, which included opportunity zones, will instead embrace the opportunity to invest, to grow, and to create more prosperous communities.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.