Floor Statements

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I rise today to speak about North Korea, the most urgent national security challenge for the United States and our allies in East Asia.

Secretary Mattis has said North Korea is ``the most urgent and dangerous threat to peace and security.'' Admiral Gortney, the previous commander of U.S. Northern Command, stated that the Korean Peninsula is at its most unstable point since 1953, when the armistice was signed.

Last year alone, North Korea conducted two nuclear tests and a staggering 24 ballistic missile launches. This year, Pyongyang already launched 18 missiles, including the two recent tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles that are reportedly capable of reaching the U.S. homeland.

President Trump has said that the United States will not allow this to happen, and I am encouraged by the President's resolve. Patience is not an option with the U.S. homeland in the nuclear shadow of Kim Jong Un. Our North Korea policy of decades of bipartisan failure must turn to one of immediate bipartisan success, with pressure and global cooperation resulting in the peaceful denuclearization of the regime.

As Vice President Pence stated during his recent visit to South Korea:

Since 1992, the United States and our allies have stood

together for a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. We hope to

achieve this objective through peaceable means. But all

options are on the table.

But time is not on our side. I believe U.S. policy toward North Korea should be straightforward. The United States should deploy every economic, diplomatic, and, if necessary, military tool at our disposal to deter Pyongyang and to protect our allies.

However, the road to peacefully stopping Pyongyang undoubtedly lies through Beijing. China is the only country that holds the diplomatic and economic leverage necessary to put the real squeeze on the North Korean regime.

According to the South Korean state trade agency, China accounts for 90 percent of North Korea's trade, including virtually all of North Korea's exports. From 2000 to 2015, trade volume between China and North Korea has climbed more than tenfold, rising from $488 million in 2000 to $5.4 billion in 2015. Beijing is the reason the regime acts so boldly and with relatively few consequences.

China must now move beyond a mere articulation of concern and lay out a transparent path of focused pressure to denuclearize North Korea. A global power that borders this regime cannot simply throw up its hands and absolve itself of responsibility.

The administration is right to pursue a policy of ``maximum pressure'' toward North Korea, and we have a robust toolbox already available to ramp up the sanctions track--a track that has hardly been utilized to its fullest extent and a track made even more complete last week with additional sanctions on North Korea.

Last Congress, I led the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act, which passed the Senate by a vote of 96 to 0. This legislation was the first stand-alone legislation in Congress regarding North Korea to impose mandatory sanctions on the regime's proliferation activities, human rights violations, and malicious cyber behavior.

A recent analysis from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies says:

North Korea sanctions have more than doubled since the

North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act came into

effect on February 18, 2016. Prior to that date, North Korea

ranked eighth, behind Ukraine/Russia, Iran, Iraq, the

Balkans, Syria, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.

Even with the 130-percent sanctions increase after the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act, North Korea is today still only the fifth most sanctioned country by the United States. North Korea is far from being sanctioned out.

So while Congress has clearly moved from the Obama administration inaction to some action, the Trump administration has the opportunity to use these authorities to build maximum leverage with not only Pyongyang but also with Beijing. I am encouraged by the actions the administration took last month to finally designate a Chinese financial institution, but this should be just the beginning. The administration, with congressional support, should now make clear to any entity doing business with North Korea that they will not be able to do business with the United States or have access to the U.S. financial system.

A report released last month by an independent organization known as C4ADS identified over 5,000 Chinese companies that are doing business with North Korea. These Chinese companies are responsible for $7 billion in trade with North Korea. Moreover, the C4ADS report found that only 10 of the 5,000-plus companies control 30 percent of Chinese exports to North Korea. So of 30 percent of Chinese exports, 10 companies are responsible for that number in 2016 alone. One of those ten companies alone controlled nearly 10 percent of all imports from North Korea. Some of these companies were even found to have satellite offices in the United States.

According to recent disclosures, from 2009 to 2017, North Korea used Chinese banks to process at least $2.2 billion in transactions through the U.S. financial

system. This must stop now. The United States should not be afraid of a diplomatic confrontation with Beijing for simply enforcing existing U.S. and international law. In fact, it should be more afraid of Congress if it does not. As for any prospect of engagement, we should continue to let Beijing know in no uncertain terms that the United States will not negotiate with Pyongyang at the expense of U.S. national security and that of our allies.

Instead of working with the United States and the international community to disarm the madman in Pyongyang, Beijing has called on the United States and South Korea to halt our military exercises in exchange for vague promises of North Korea suspending its missile and nuclear activities. That is a bad deal, and the Trump administration was right to reject it.

Moreover, before any talks in any format, the United States and our partners must demand that Pyongyang first meet the denuclearization commitments it had already agreed to in the past and subsequently chose to brazenly violate.

President Trump should continue to impress to President Xi that a denuclearized Korean Peninsula is in both nations' fundamental long- term interests. As Admiral Harry Harris rightfully noted, ``we want to bring Kim Jung Un to his senses, not to his knees.'' But to achieve this goal, Beijing must be made to choose whether it wants to work with the United States as a responsible global leader to stop Pyongyang or bear the consequences of keeping him in power.

Two weeks ago I introduced legislation with a bipartisan group of cosponsors called the North Korean Enablers Accountability Act. This legislation takes the first steps toward imposing a total economic embargo on North Korea, including a ban on any entity that does business with North Korea or its enablers from using the U.S. financial system and imposing U.S. sanctions on all those participating in North Korean labor trafficking abuses.

My legislation specifically singles out those 10 largest Chinese importers of North Korean goods and sends a very clear message: You can either do business with this outlaw regime or do business with the world's largest economy. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and our continued efforts to stop Pyongyang's further development of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles to bring peace to the peninsula and to denuclearize peacefully the North Korean regime.

In order to put real pressure, this administration must act, and it must act on the regime and its enablers wherever they are based.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I thank Senator Menendez. I appreciate the opportunity to talk about what this Senate and Congress has done. Last Congress, we passed unanimously the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act.

This legislation that we are about to vote on builds on the success we started with last year. We have more work to do to stop the crazed Kim regime.

I thank the chairman and the leader for committing to further conversations on North Korea, further action that needs to be taken because we know that, in China, there are over 5,000 businesses still doing business with North Korea. China is responsible for 90 percent of the North Korean economy. Now, 10 of those 5,000 businesses are responsible for 30 percent of the economic activity, the imports from North Korea into China. More work has to be done to stop this madman in Pyongyang.

I thank this Senate for moving forward on legislation today to build on the success we had last year. I urge its passage. We have more work to do to put an end to this regime.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor Dr. Temple Grandin's induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame. Dr. Grandin is an internationally recognized leader for her work in animal sciences and autism awareness. I would also like to wish Dr. Grandin a happy 70th birthday.

Dr. Grandin has contributed immensely to the study of animal sciences and the agriculture industry. She has been an esteemed college professor at Colorado State University for more than 20 years, and much of her research and inventions have become standard industry procedure, like humane cattle slaughter. She began her career in the early 1970s and was one of only a handful of women working in animal sciences. She paved the way for other women to thrive in this industry.

In addition to her professorship, Dr. Grandin has become a well-known advocate and spokeswoman for autism awareness. She has published countless books about living with autism and has been recognized on the Time Magazine's Top 100 Most Influential People under the ``Heroes'' category. She has received honorary doctorate degrees from 13 universities across the country and around the world. Dr. Grandin has also received numerous industry awards for her significant contributions to agriculture, as well as her advocacy for autism awareness.

Dr. Grandin has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the animal sciences and autism advocacy. I congratulate her induction into the prestigious National Women's Hall of Fame and again wish Dr. Grandin a very happy birthday.

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

Madam President, it is my honor to come to the Senate floor today to talk in support of a fellow Coloradan's nomination to be the Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior--David Bernhardt. I am very excited about his nomination, strongly support his nomination, and believe that my fellow Coloradan will do an absolutely incredible job for Colorado and for the rest of this country at the Department of the Interior.

I had the great honor just a month or more ago of welcoming David to the committee and welcoming his beautiful family there with him that day. I reminded his oldest son Will about the connection that my family and our oldest child will always have with Will, because when my wife Jaime was working at the Department of the Interior, our oldest daughter Alyson spent some time at daycare with David Bernhardt's son Will, as well. It was the same daycare and the same work Jaime and David did at the Department of the Interior, working together

all those years. But there is more than that. There are more connections I will share, between David Bernhardt and me, and one of the many reasons why I support him.

I have known him personally and professionally for nearly two decades. We both grew up in rural Colorado. I am from the Eastern Plains of Colorado, and Mr. Bernhardt is from the Western Slope. I am from the flatlands, and he is from the mountains. We share a lot of common interests in rural development and saving small towns.

We both began our public service 1 year apart, interning in the Colorado State Legislature for a member of the Colorado State Legislature named Russell George, who would go on, eventually, to become the Colorado speaker of the house.

I will never forget when I began. It was in the second term of then- State Representative Russell George. I worked for him on Tuesdays and Thursdays in an internship through Colorado State University. He said: You should reach out and meet last year's intern because I think he could help you figure out the ropes around here and what you should know about the internship. He gave me the phone number for David Bernhardt. So I followed in the footsteps of David Bernhardt at the capitol, and I am excited to see the work that he continues to do.

As I mentioned, Mr. Bernhardt worked with my wife Jaime at the Department of the Interior, and, at one point, their offices were just around the corner from one another. His personal background and public and private sector professional experiences prove that he is a strong voice for the West and extremely well-qualified for the nomination to be Deputy Secretary. He has extensive insight on western water policy, natural resource policy, and Indian affairs, just to name a few. Those who have worked with Mr. Bernhardt commend him for his integrity and wealth of knowledge on the issues under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior.

In 2008, after the Department reached the largest Indian water rights settlement in the Nation's history, Secretary Kempthorne personally acknowledged Mr. Bernhardt's work as then-Solicitor and stated: ``His effective coordination--both within Interior as well as with the local, tribal, state and congressional leaders--was essential to the success we celebrate today.''

The country will indeed benefit from having Mr. Bernhardt serve as Deputy Secretary, a position that is the second ranking official within the Department and has statutory responsibilities as the chief operating officer.

Along with Mr. Bernhardt's professional career, I believe it is important to fully understand his background and the foundation of his interest in public lands, which further qualifies him for this very important role.

Mr. Bernhardt is originally from the outskirts of the small town of Rifle, CO, located on Colorado's Western Slope. If you have driven through the Eisenhower Tunnel, the Veterans Memorial Tunnels, or if you go to Grand Junction, CO, you will have been right by and through Rifle, CO.

Few places more fully embody the spirit and mission of the agency he has been nominated to lead as Deputy Secretary. Growing up in rural Colorado instilled in David strong western values and interests, and, to this day, Mr. Bernhardt enjoys hunting, recreation, the outdoors, and fishing.

Rifle is located in Garfield County, an area where about 60 percent of the lands are Federal public lands. Think about the work he is about to take on upon confirmation: 60 percent of his home county is public lands.

Rifle was founded as a ranching community along the Colorado River, and it retains that heritage today, along with tremendous opportunities for world-class outdoor recreation, including fishing, hiking, skiing, rafting, and rock climbing. It also sits at the very edge of the Piceance Basin, an area in Colorado which has vast amounts of natural gas.

David grew up in the oil shale boom and bust and has said that the boom-and-bust cycle in Western Colorado has made him more sensitive to the potential benefits and the potential impacts--both environmental and social--of resources development.

In the 1980s, his hometown of Rifle was hit hard by the State's oil shale crash, and he personally experienced some of the hard times the Nation's rural communities often face. Much like the Department of the Interior itself, Rifle is a community that is a product of its public lands and the western heritage around it. It is centrally located, just a few miles away from the iconic Grand Mesa, the world's largest flat top mountain. The flat top's wilderness and the Roan Plateau represent a home base among these public lands, with virtually unmatched access to world-class outdoor experiences, which is why Mr. Bernhardt has such a passion for these issues.

His background and outlook on public lands and water issues assisted him in his prior service at the Department of the Interior, including in the Solicitor's role. Mr. Bernhardt's confirmation as Solicitor was confirmed by voice vote by the U.S. Senate in 2006. By voice vote, he was approved the last time he served at the Department of the Interior.

There have been other nominees--I think this has been a subject of debate on his nomination--considered by the Energy Committee and by this body who practiced private law from the time between their public service appointments at the Department of the Interior and the time they would come back to the administration. Mr. Bernhardt has taken the same steps these nominees did in order for his nomination to move forward today.

I think it is important to point out the Hayes-Schneider standard that was established for the Department of the Interior.

David Hayes, nominated for Deputy Secretary in the Obama administration, was confirmed by the Senate. He had previously served in the Clinton administration, and then he served in the Obama administration. In between that time, he had a private law practice.

Janice Schneider, nominated for Assistant Secretary under President Obama, served in the Clinton administration but in between served in a private law practice. What we see is another nominee who is a dedicated public servant, has gained experience in the private sector, and is willing to come back to public service to give back to our great country.

Mr. Bernhardt's integrity and ability are two of his strongest qualities for his nomination. Public service requires certain sacrifices. I certainly appreciate Mr. Bernhardt's and his family's acceptance of the nomination that will be considered by this body today.

I hope the Senate process has not become a broken process, which disincentivizes qualified people--like Mr. Bernhardt, who is held in high professional regard--from serving and from returning to public service. That is why I hope his nomination today receives strong bipartisan support.

As the Senate takes up the vote on this nomination, I urge my colleagues to hold this nominee to the same practice, the same process to which we hold all nominees who are under consideration before the U.S. Senate.

There are a number of individuals and organizations that support David Bernhardt. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe in Colorado has written a letter of support for his nomination; the Colorado Water Congress, a very important organization made up of environmentalists and water users and municipalities, supports David Bernhardt's nomination; the Colorado River District supports David Bernhardt's nomination.

Why are these important? Because these are people who have worked with him throughout his career, from the time he was an intern for Russell George in the State legislature to the time that he worked with Scott McInnis, to the time he worked at a law firm, to the time he worked at the Department of the Interior, all the way up until today.

The National Congress of American Indians supports David Bernhardt as Deputy Secretary of the Interior; Ducks Unlimited applauds the nomination of David Bernhardt as Deputy Secretary of the Interior; the Boone and Crockett Club supports David Bernhardt's nomination to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior. The list goes on and on.

Here is a letter from a wide variety of organizations: the International

Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, the Recreational Vehicle Industry, environmental organizations that have done great work in conservation, the National Shooting Sports Foundation. These are groups, organizations--not partisan efforts, but organizations that rely on Democrats and Republicans.

The Indian Nation supports David Bernhardt's nomination. These are Republicans, Democrats, and Independents across the country who believe David Bernhardt would do an incredible job at the Department of the Interior.

Here is a letter of support for David Bernhardt from the chief of the Penobscot Nation. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association supports the nomination of David Bernhardt. The list goes on and on.

To my colleagues today, from those who know him best, I ask support for David Bernhardt, Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior, and stress the importance of a strong bipartisan vote today to show support for our western States that have so much need at the Department of the Interior. The work needs to be done so that we can start once again getting to the work of the people.

I yield the floor.

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

Mr. President, I am very pleased that the Senator from

Alabama is presiding over this very important debate because one of the most important issues to both of our States, Colorado and Alabama, is the economy and the economic well-being of our great country. The amendment that I will be discussing today goes to the very heart of our opportunities in space, our opportunities in innovation, our opportunities to ensure that we have the most reliable information as it relates to weather and to weather events.

It is a great partnership that we have had with the Senator from Alabama, who has been absolutely critical and instrumental in ensuring a persistent, reliable space presence. I thank the Senator from Alabama, Mr. Strange, for his incredible leadership when it comes to making sure that we are able to reach space, that we are able to continue our space mission. Whether it is in the defense of this country or in understanding where the next tornado may strike, I thank the Senator from Alabama for the leadership that has been provided to ensure that constant presence and persistence.

Of course, I rise to speak in support of the bipartisan Gardner- Nelson-Warner et al. amendment, amendment No. 250. Yet, truly, to the Senate--to my colleagues here--I rise in support of America's role and leadership in space.

I rise on behalf of the hardworking men and women across this Nation who make our country's aerospace industry second to none, because, over the past 70 years, the United States has led the way in space exploration. From the Apollo missions to the space shuttle to the Orion program, we are the leaders in exploring the great frontier of space. That is who this country is. That is who we are--explorers, pioneers. We were the first to the Moon, and I hope we are the first to Mars, but we cannot give up that pioneering innovation that has led this country to greatness.

I will share with colleagues of the Senate a CNBC story from March that China is building a manned spacecraft that is capable of sending astronauts to the Moon as well as to near-Earth orbit flight.

Can you imagine the day when the stars and stripes on the lunar surface stands not alone but stands next to the stars of a flag of another nation--perhaps China's, perhaps somebody else's?

When it comes to our access to space, this debate is absolutely critical because without the passage of amendment No. 250, we lose a tremendous portion of our access to space. We lose it for commercial applications, and we lose it for civil applications.

In the past few months, this China activity has shown the importance of U.S. leadership. That is why this bipartisan amendment comes with a very simple point. It ensures that NASA and our commercial space industry will continue to be the country's leader in aerospace.

The ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Senator Mark Warner, of Virginia, is coleading my amendment. The Senator has done a phenomenal job in leadership on the Intelligence Committee in leading this amendment.

I see that my colleague from Florida, Senator Nelson, has joined this debate. He has done a phenomenal job in leading this effort. As the ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, with jurisdiction over NASA, Senator Bill Nelson is the leading cosponsor of this effort.

They understand how important it is to address this issue for NASA and other space missions.

I stand here in support of the greater goals of the underlying bill that we will be amending today. I believe sanctions against our adversaries are warranted and justified and, indeed, should move forward. This amendment is not designed to undermine the intent of the bill, but it seeks to ensure that space exploration may continue as it is currently planned.

Without this bipartisan amendment, multiple missions on the books today--that are already planned today--will be delayed or even canceled and will be subjecting the U.S. taxpayers to significant cost increases. Without this amendment, missions like the commercial resupply program, which delivers critical supplies to the International Space Station, will be jeopardized by the language of the bill as it is written. American astronauts at the International Space Station, as we speak, are dependent on those supplies, but we are cutting off the American lifeline without the adoption of this amendment. Future missions, like the commercial crew program--a partnership between NASA and private industry to bring astronauts to the International Space Station on a U.S.-manufactured spacecraft--will be put at risk without the adoption of this amendment.

Without this bipartisan amendment, we will continue to rely on Russian spacecraft to take U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station. Let me just make that more clear. Without the adoption of this amendment, NASA and our astronauts will be dependent on Russia for access to space for even longer. Rejection of this bipartisan amendment results in further Russian dependence.

I do not believe this was the intent of the language when the bill was first written. The Gardner-Nelson-Warner-Shelby et al. amendment creates the certainty that NASA needs and supports to ensure currently planned NASA and commercial launch missions can continue without interruption.

NASA contacted my office yesterday and said of amendment No. 250: ``We believe this provides us the flexibility to maintain our commitments to our national space program.''

It is not just the commercial crew and cargo missions that are going to be impacted. Several other missions will be subjected to delays-- missions like the Joint Polar Satellite System. This constellation of satellites will give us the ability to constantly monitor the globe for significant weather events, such as floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes. As I stand here today, the three Senators on the floor who are listening to this important debate--with more on C-SPAN--have been impacted dramatically by floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

In 2013, we had dramatic flooding in Colorado that damaged thousands and thousands of homes and cost lives. I know the Presiding Officer has faced the same challenge when it has come to tornadoes and incredibly tragic weather events. The Senator from Florida has faced hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes. That is the importance of this amendment--to understand our weather systems and predictions.

I am proud to say that JPSS is being developed in my home State of Colorado. The JPSS and other essential programs in which we have already invested hundreds of millions of dollars, if not billions of dollars already, are now put at risk of significant delays or cost increases to the taxpayer without the adoption of this amendment.

I am also on the floor to talk about a longer term mission that I truly believe in and hope to see our Nation achieve, one that goes to the very heart of our pioneering spirit of who we are as a people. It is our future manned mission to Mars.

As I have spoken on the floor before, as I child I wanted to be an astronaut. I was inspired as I watched NASA astronauts explore that next frontier. I believe that the next destination for human beings to explore is, indeed, Mars, but without this bipartisan amendment, the Mars 2020 rover, which will continue to prepare us for that future manned mission, will be put in doubt. It will be a significant setback and will make the future goal of getting to Mars seem that much further away.

This amendment, amendment No. 250, allows these missions to move forward with certainty and as scheduled. It is a bipartisan effort to affirm America's leadership in space.

Let's be clear. Last summer we had a debate on this very same issue-- that by 2022 we were going to have an ``America first'' opportunity. That is the spirit of this amendment--to make sure that we have access to these vital and critical space missions, access to space, and to continue to grow economic opportunities for the American people. That is what this debate is all about.

I yield the floor to my colleague Senator Nelson and then, of course, will continue with debate.

Mr. President, I thank my colleague from Arizona as well for allowing this vote to move forward, but in his statements, he said NASA needs to do the same. He repeated it several times.

I would just say that this amendment could actually be titled ``NASA Needs to Do the Same'' because what we had agreed to last year, when it comes to defense, is a way forward on the Atlas V rocket, the RD-180. We agreed to that. I believe it was a unanimous consent agreement. If there was an objection at that time, then it should have been expressed when we made this agreement.

Our colleagues across the aisle, for a unanimous consent, it takes all of us 100 people to agree to a unanimous consent agreement. That agreement was made on the National Defense Authorization Act. NASA needs to do the same.

Our colleague, the ranking member of the Intelligence Committee, Mark Warner, made the point of parity between civil, commercial, and defense. That is what this amendment does.

There are a lot of issues that we come to the floor and we talk about this issue not being rocket science: It is not that difficult. It is not rocket science. Well, we actually have an issue that is rocket science. The mission set before American astronauts is jeopardized if this amendment doesn't pass. The taxpayers of this country face billions of dollars in costs if this amendment doesn't pass. Reliance on Russian technology to get to the space station or resupplying American astronauts will increase if this amendment doesn't pass.

If we want to talk about protecting the people of this country, let's talk about the victims of floods in Colorado, let's talk about people who have died in tornadoes because we didn't have the most accurate ability to forecast where they were coming from, when they were going to strike, and who would be hit. This amendment will allow these weather satellites to go into space to protect the men and women of this country from natural disasters. Again, it brings parity to an agreement that was decided upon through unanimous consent last year.

I support the underlying legislation, and I support this amendment and urge my colleagues to support it as well. I thank the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and the ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee for their leadership on this committee.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent, notwithstanding rule XXII, to withdraw the cloture motions on the committee-reported substitute and S. 722; that the only further amendment in order be the Gardner amendment No. 250, as modified with the changes at the desk; further, that following leader remarks on Thursday, June 15, the time until 11 a.m. be equally divided between the two leaders or their designees, and that at 11 a.m. the Senate vote in relation to the Gardner amendment No. 250, then vote in relation to the amendment No. 240; finally, following disposition of that amendment, the committee- reported substitute amendment, as amended, be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time, and the Senate vote on passage of the bill, as amended.

Mr. President, I call up amendment No. 250, as modified.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

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

Mr. President, I ask that the Chair lay before the Senate the message to accompany S. 1083.

The Presiding Officer laid before the Senate the following message from the House of Representatives:

Resolved, That the bill from the Senate (S. 1083) entitled

``An Act to amend section 1214 of title 5, United States

Code, to provide for stays during a period that the Merit

Systems Protection Board lacks a quorum.'', do pass with an

amendment.

I move to concur in the House amendment, and I ask unanimous consent that the motion be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m., Thursday, June 15; 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, and morning business be closed; finally, that following leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of S. 722, as under the previous order.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order and that our prayers be with the Capitol Police and the Members of Congress who were hurt today.

Madam President, today I wish to recognize and commend MG H. Michael Edwards, who retired on March 31, 2017, after 43 years of exceptional leadership and service to our country, including 36 years in the Colorado Air National Guard. For almost a decade in the position of the Adjutant General for Colorado, General Edwards was responsible for the command administration of over 5,300 Army and Air National Guard members. He also served as the Executive Director of the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs and was a member of the Governor's cabinet. He had responsibility for the Colorado National Guard's primary missions of national defense and State emergency response. In addition, he was responsible for supporting the missions of the Civil Air Patrol's Colorado wing.

General Edwards received his commission in 1973, after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and earned his pilot wings in 1974 at Reese Air Force Base, TX.

He served as an F-4 pilot and AT-38 fighter lead-in instructor pilot at Osan Air Base, Korea, and Holloman Air Force Base, NM, respectively.

General Edwards joined the Colorado Air National Guard in August 1980. He has served in numerous assignments in flying and operations, as well as command positions at squadron, group, and wing levels-- culminating as the Adjutant General for Colorado. During his tenure as Adjutant General, more than 6,000 Colorado National Guard citizen- soldiers and citizen-airmen have mobilized in support of overseas contingency operations.

He also oversaw the Colorado National Guard's record-setting response to some of the worst natural disasters impacting Colorado, including the High Park Fire and the Waldo Canyon Fire during 2012, followed by the Black Forest Fire and historic flooding along the Colorado Front Range in 2013.

Furthermore, General Edwards was instrumental in bringing a new National Guard cyber protection team to Colorado, bolstering the state's cyber defenses. He also diversified the Colorado National Guard through the appointment of its first female general officer.

Over a period of 10 years, General Edwards significantly grew the Colorado National Guard's enduring relationships with the Republic of Slovenia and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan under the National Guard State Partnership Program. These military-to-military exchanges have supported combatant command security cooperation objectives, promoted regional stability, and increased partner capacity and interoperability.

General Edwards has also overseen the missions of the Civil Air Patrol's Colorado wing, consisting of more than 1,600 volunteers. Under his leadership, the Civil Air Patrol took on a bigger role in State response, flying fire watch and conducting flood damage surveys. Colorado's Civil Air Patrol was first to fly support of the U.S. Army's on-base unmanned aerial systems operations.

General Edwards has flown over 4,600 mishap-free flight hours in a variety of aircraft to include the AT-38, A-7, C-21, F-4, F-16, T-37, and T-38. Of note, he has achieved the distinction of the Wing's Top Gun award on five separate occasions in his decorated flying career. Major Edwards has received numerous military decorations, including two Legion of Merit awards and three Meritorious Service medal awards, along with many others from the State of Colorado.

General Edwards' operational experience, charismatic leadership, and unyielding patriotism have served him well in a lifetime of military service, both in the Colorado Air National Guard and abroad. Today we honor his distinguished service to our Nation as one of the most accomplished Adjutant

Generals in Colorado history. We offer our heartfelt appreciation to his family for their countless sacrifices and selfless support to our country spanning over four decades.

On behalf of the Senate and a grateful nation, I congratulate MG H. Michael Edwards on a job well done and wish him the very best as he begins a hard-earned retirement in the great State of Colorado.

Madam President, today I wish to honor the veterans of the Northern Colorado Honor Flight and the organization's 18th trip to Washington, DC. More than 120 veterans from various wars and generations participated in this flight.

The Northern Colorado Honor Flight recognizes and celebrates the bravery, fortitude, and selflessness of our Nation's veterans. Twice a year, veterans are able to travel to Washington, DC, and visit the war memorials that stand in their honor, free of charge. We are eternally indebted to those who have served in our Armed Forces and have protected the United States. These veterans have preserved our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Few words are sufficient to show the gratitude and respect we all have for the courageous men and women who have fought for our country. Of the 123 veterans who participated in the most recent honor flight, 11 served in WWII, 24 served in the Korean war, and 88 served in the Vietnam war.

Please join me in honoring Cecil Carlisle, Richard Crum, Edgar Darrow, Charles Davis, Eugene Doering, Muriel Elijah, Armand Hansen, Nathan Stiewig, William Thousand, Willard Williams, Richard Zisch, Richard Anema, John Baker, Edwin Boggle, Robert Brethauer, George Browning, Ralph Crockett, Gary Crouch, Marvin Elwood, John Fickes, Harold Hogness, LaVern Hueske, Harry Kembel, Neville Kempkes, Harold Krug, Louis Lambdin, Robert Lebsack, Arthur Meyer, LeRoy Odell, Loren Postlewait, Frank Shipman, Wayne Sodman, Irvin Troudt, Wayne Wallis, Lois Wolfsong, Jose Abeyta, Tony Abeyta, Timothy Ahern, Daniel Alires, Nelson Bachus, James Barnett, John Barslund, Stephen Bartels, Les Bates, Bernard Bay, David Beard, David Becker, Gary Becker, Mark Becker, Stephen Bernardo, Howard Bostrom, William Bradford, Darrell Brasier, Robert Brevig, Timothy Camps, Thomas Chagolla, Eric Christensen, Marvin Clark, Norris Clark, Richard Conley, David Cowan, Wesley Craig, Lorraine Davison, Gary Dorsey, Christopher Erickson, Stanley Fisher, Jerome Folse, Patricia Folse, Douglas Frost, Aurthur Gallegos, Theodore Gilbert, Leroy Gonzales, Raymond Gonzales, Albert Guse, Lowell Hill, Richard Istas, Timothy Jachowski, Joseph Kolicko, Jr., Robert Krasznai, James Kuehl, Gary LaCrosse, Patrick Lennon, Gary Littlefield, Robert Loos, Malcom Macaulay, Robert Maciel, Ronald Martinez, Jonathan Mason, Douglas Mayeda, Joseph McKeon, Lee McCain, Donald McKinley, Michael McPheron, Lawrence Montoya, Tobias Morales, Marjorie Morningstar, Warren Morrow, John Niehoff, Everett Noble, Jr., Jeffrey Nuce, Danny Oppie, Robert Ortega, William Pierson, William Post, Jr., Anthony Quintana, Jimmy Rahm, Rudolph Ramirez, Constantino Ramos, Ronald Ray, Abel Razo, James Rose, Stephen Ryan, William Sheahan, Jimmie Shipp, William Springsteel, John Swens, Rolland Trauernicht, Vernon Turner, Daniel Valdez, Dwight Van Beber, William Weaver, Warren Wienke, and Richard Wyatt.

Madam President, today I wish to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Weld County Courthouse in Greeley, CO. On July 4, 1917, the Weld County Courthouse opened for business after a mere 28 months of construction. Denver architect William N. Bowman designed the classical revival-style courthouse, and its original courtrooms remain intact. This anniversary recognizes the rich history in northern Colorado and is a reminder of Colorado's unique past.

Greeley, CO is named after Horace Greeley, one of the first journalists to document his experience in the Wild West. Horace came to Colorado during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of 1859 and encouraged his fellow Americans to ``Go West, young man, and grow up in this country.'' Horace's words helped put Greeley on the map and ultimately established the city as an important part of American history. Soon after Horace explored northern Colorado, the Colorado Legislature recognized Weld County as one of the first 17 counties in the Colorado territory.

The Weld County Courthouse was one of the first buildings constructed in Greeley. The first courthouse, built in 1861, served as a meeting place for court proceedings and business matters. During this period, the courthouse was only a one-room log cabin located near Platteville, CO. The courthouse moved locations four times before the final courthouse opened for business in 1917.

I would like to congratulate the citizens of Weld County on this milestone, and I look forward to the future accomplishments of the entire Weld County community.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and commend Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards, who retired on March 31, 2017, after 43 years of exceptional leadership and service to our country, including 36 years in the Colorado Air National Guard.

For almost a decade in the position of the adjutant general for Colorado, General Edwards was responsible for the command administration of over 5,300 Army and Air National Guard members.

He also served as the executive director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and was a member of the Governor's cabinet.

He had responsibility for the Colorado National Guard's primary missions of national defense and State emergency response. In addition, he was responsible for supporting the missions of the Civil Air Patrol's Colorado wing.

General Edwards received his commission in 1973, after graduating from the Air Force Academy, and earned his pilot wings in 1974 at Reese Air Force Base, TX.

He served as an F-4 pilot and AT-38 fighter lead-in instructor pilot at Osan Air Base, Korea, and Holloman Air Force Base, NM, respectively.

General Edwards joined the Colorado Air National Guard in August 1980. He has served in numerous assignments in flying and operations, as well as command positions at squadron, group, and wing levels-- culminating as the adjutant general for Colorado.