Floor Statements

Thank you, Mr. President, and I thank my friend from West Virginia.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the cloture motion on the Elwood nomination be withdrawn, and that following leader remarks on Tuesday, June 6, the Senate resume consideration of the nomination, with the time equally divided until 2:15 p.m. I further ask that at 2:15 p.m., on June 6, the Senate vote on confirmation of the Elwood nomination, and that, if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I have 9 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders.

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

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 10 a.m., in 328A Russell Senate Office Building, in order to conduct a hearing entitled ``Examining the Farm Economy: Perspectives on Rural America.''

Committee on Armed Services

The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 9:30 a.m., in open session, to receive testimony on the posture of the Department of the Army in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2018 and the Future Years Defense Program.

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate in order to hold a hearing on Thursday, May 25, 2017, at 9:45 a.m. in Room 366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC, to consider the nominations of Mr. Dan R. Brouillette to be Deputy Secretary of Energy and Mr. Neil Chatterjee and Mr. Robert F. Powelson to be Members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Committee on Finance

The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, May 25, 2017, at 10 a.m., in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Proposals for the Department of Treasury and Tax Reform.''

Committee on Foreign Relations

The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on May 25, 2017 at 9:30 a.m., to hold a business meeting.

Committee on the Judiciary

The Senate Select Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on May 25, 2017, following the first floor vote in the Capitol, to conduct an executive business meeting. Agenda is attached.

Committee on Intelligence

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the 115th Congress of the U.S. Senate on Thursday, May 25, 2017 from 2 p.m. in room SH-219 of the Senate Hart Office Building to hold a closed Member briefing.

Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral

Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental

Policy

The Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 2 p.m., to hold a hearing entitled ``Assessing the United Nations Human Rights Council.''

Subcommittee on Investigation

The Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, May 25, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. in order to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Stopping the Shipment of Synthetic Opioids: Oversight of U.S. Strategy to Combat Illicit Drugs.''

Thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. President, I, too, stand in honor of National Police Week. I want to thank my two previous colleagues from Utah and North Dakota for their heartfelt tributes to the men and women in blue and the hard work they do in protecting us every day.

National Police Week was established in Congress in 1962. National Police Week is an opportunity to pay tribute to law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It is also an opportunity to recognize and thank the members of our law enforcement community in Nevada and throughout the country.

Each day our law enforcement officers put themselves at risk to protect our families and to protect our communities. Their courage, selflessness, and commitment to serve is a reflection of what makes this country so great; that is, their willingness to answer the call-- without being asked--to put the welfare of others over themselves.

This commitment doesn't come without tremendous sacrifice. I was reminded of that earlier this month at the 30th annual James D. Hoff Peace Officer Memorial in Reno.

The James Hoff Peace Officer Memorial is a tribute to Nevada law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

The memorial also recognizes officers who were placed in danger and survived. Named after Reno Police Officer James Hoff, who was killed in 1979 by the suspects he was investigating, the memorial hosts an annual ceremony attended by State and local officials and members of the law enforcement community. It is always a privilege to attend this annual event honoring the heroism of fellow Nevadans whose names and legacies are enshrined in this memorial.

At this year's ceremony, we honored and celebrated the life of Detective Chad Parque, who served with the North Las Vegas Police Department for 10 years. At just 32 years old, Detective Parque tragically lost his life after his department vehicle was struck head- on by another vehicle earlier this year. Detective Parque is survived by his wife, children, and siblings, and mourned by all of those who had the privilege to know him.

In describing Detective Parque, a fellow law enforcement officer said:

He was a ten-year officer and you could see the fire in his

eyes as if he had just signed on. He loved his community.

He served with passion and dignity. He will never be forgotten for the many contributions to North Las Vegas and to our great State.

His plaque is now alongside other members of Nevada's law enforcement community who were enshrined on this memorial from past years and whose stories continue to inspire all of us.

In 2016, at least 144 law enforcement officers across this country lost their lives in the line of duty, a sharp increase from the previous year.

Let's not forget that behind the names--the many names--of those who have fallen are the people, spouses, children, and parents who may not have had a chance to say good-bye. Most of us will never know their pain, but we are deeply appreciative of their unwavering support for their community. While there is nothing we can do to bring back those who died in the line of duty, I am committed to doing everything I can at the Federal level to try to prevent it from happening to one more officer and one more family.

I am proud to support the Back the Blue Act, legislation that increases penalties for killing law enforcement officials. The bill ensures that anyone who purposely targets law enforcement should, and would, face justice for that crime.

The Nevada law enforcement community has my full support this Police Week--and every week and every day, each year they are on the job.

To all our law enforcement officials, we are all indebted to you and your families for all your sacrifices, and I am personally and sincerely grateful for your dedication to the people of Nevada.

To our protectors, our peacekeepers, and those who are first to answer the call for help and who run toward, not away, from danger, we thank you, and we honor you.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I rise to speak on an issue that is vitally important to the well-being, safety, and security of Nevadans; namely, Yucca Mountain. I have said it before--and I will say it again--that Yucca Mountain is dead. Let me repeat myself. Yucca Mountain is dead, and I will continue to come to the floor until we, as a country, move past this ill-conceived project.

Last week, I had the opportunity to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Environment Subcommittee regarding draft legislation to effectively restart the licensing process for Yucca Mountain. While I appreciate having had the opportunity to testify in order to ensure that Nevadans' voices on this issue are heard, I am concerned that we are using valuable time and taxpayer resources to hold a hearing on a closed issue.

Let me say this one more time. Yucca Mountain is dead.

Instead of focusing our efforts on reviving failed proposals of the past, I will continue to encourage my colleagues and the administration to focus on policies of the future. The failure to do so will have real economic, environmental, and national security implications for all Nevadans. This afternoon, I will focus on the economic impact that resuming licensing activities, with regard to Yucca Mountain as a nuclear waste repository, will have on my home State.

As many of you know, Yucca Mountain is located just 90 miles from the world's premier tourist, convention, and entertainment destination--Las Vegas, NV. Last year, Las Vegas welcomed nearly 43 million visitors. Over the past decade, the Greater Las Vegas area has been one of the fastest growing in the United States, with a population that now exceeds 2.1 million people, according to an estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau. Any issues with the transportation of nuclear waste to the site or issues with storage there would bring devastating consequences to the local, State, and national economies.

It begs the question, Would you want to go to Las Vegas knowing that high-level nuclear waste was being transported, very likely, through the heart of the strip?

Let me outline the vitally important role tourism plays in the Greater Las Vegas area.

This industry accounts for close to 44 percent of the local workforce and provides close to $17 billion in local wages. Moreover, tourism has an estimated $60 billion in local impact. Without tourism, every household in Southern Nevada would pay close to $3,000 more in taxes. That is a significant amount of money to individuals and families who are working to make ends meet. People visit not only as tourists but as business professionals who attend conferences, meetings, and trade shows, which generate another $12 billion in local economic impact. Las Vegas has 3 of the 10 largest convention centers in North America, and it has been the No. 1 trade show destination for 23 consecutive years.

This economic driver within the State is a critical component of another related industry that is vitally important to the State of Nevada; namely, the gaming industry. In Nevada, this industry alone supports more than 430,000 jobs, pays more than $18 billion in wages, and generates close to $8 billion in Federal, State, and local tax revenues. The reason I draw the Presiding Officer's attention and our colleagues' attention to these numbers is due to the fact that Yucca Mountain will have very real negative economic consequences for Nevadans.

I am proud to come to the floor to stand with the many concerned citizens, many small business operators, and casino operators in opposition to any attempt to restart the repository licensing process. I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that radioactive waste is never stored anywhere near the world's entertainment capital, also known as Las Vegas. Rather, I encourage my colleagues to partner with me on identifying viable alternatives for the long-term storage of nuclear waste in areas that are willing to house it.

I come to the table with a solution to our Nation's nuclear waste program and am proud to have introduced bipartisan legislation on this issue. My legislation would allow for the construction of a nuclear waste repository only if the Secretary of Energy has secured written consent from the Governor of the host State, affected units of the local government, and affected Indian Tribes.

This is consistent with the consent-based siting initiative to site waste storage and disposal facilities that was initiated by the Department of Energy in late 2015. This open process ensures that a State has a meaningful voice in the process and that no State will be forced to accept nuclear waste against its own will.

Identifying communities that will be willing hosts for long-term repositories rather than forcing it upon the States that have outright opposed such a site for decades is the only viable solution to our Nation's nuclear waste problem. The failure to do so will just result in decades of more litigation and in the wasting of more taxpayer dollars without solving the problem at hand.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, as we approach yet another deadline to continue funding for the government, I rise to speak today regarding my frustration and disappointment that Congress is once again kicking the can down the road. I am frustrated that I keep having to have this same conversation with my colleagues. I am disappointed in the lack of responsibility of everyone here in Washington, DC, to

do their job. Washington, DC, is the only place I can think of where people believe it is OK not to do their job, miss their deadlines, make up a new deadline, and then repeat that same process year after year after year.

I am upset that continually I have to remind everyone in Congress that the most basic responsibility that we have is to pass a budget and all of the appropriations bills and we should do it on time. It seems like Members of Congress now depend on the countdown clock at the bottom of every news channel to remind them to do their job.

Here we are, 4 months into 2017, and we still have not completed the appropriations process that was supposed to have been done half a year ago. If that is not bad enough, we only have 15 legislative weeks left to finish funding for the next fiscal year. My colleagues, I believe we are setting ourselves up for failure.

Washington is a consequence-free zone. That is why I will continue to advocate for my No Budget, No Pay Act. I have personally never seen Congress pass all 12 appropriations bills on time, on their own, without an omnibus or a CRomnibus. Regardless of who is in the majority, regardless of who is in the minority, my No Budget, No Pay legislation says that if Members of Congress do not pass an annual concurrent bipartisan budget resolution and all 12 spending bills on time, each year, then, they should not get paid.

Let me repeat that last part. If Congress fails to pass all 12 spending bills on time each year, then, they should not get paid. The American public is just as frustrated as I am. Since I have introduced No Budget, No Pay, I have been getting some much positive support for this idea. A woman by the name of Patricia from Fernley, NV, wrote to say No Budget, No Pay is long overdue.

Dorothy from Henderson, NV, wrote me to say No Budget, No Pay is a wonderful solution. Just last week, speaking in Reno, NV, I was asked when Congress is going to finally pass the No Budget, No Pay Act. Until the No Budget, No Pay Act is passed into law, I don't see any other way to motivate Members of Congress to do their job and avoid these continuing resolutions in the future.

I cannot support a CR that just boots our problems to another day without enacting the principles that are outlined in my No Budget, No Pay Act. There are important issues that need to be addressed through the appropriations process. For my home State of Nevada, we are looking at proposals from this new administration to cut funding to vitally important programs, such as the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act, better known as SNPLMA, or payments in lieu of taxes, better known as the PILT program.

While these programs may not mean much to some of my colleagues, for Nevada they are vitally important to ensuring economic viability and competitiveness for our State. Moreover, Nevada has been a good steward of these dollars by utilizing them for job-creating projects within my State.

By taking up individual appropriations bills and engaging in debate on programs important to particular agencies, Members have the opportunity to fight for priorities that are important to their State. Right now, I am fighting to fund these programs. Sometimes this fight needs to ensure certain programs are not funded because they are a waste of taxpayer dollars, like Yucca Mountain. I cannot say it enough times for my colleagues: Congress should not provide any funding to this failed project that has already wasted so many taxpayer dollars.

Nevada will not be a federally subsidized national nuclear waste dump, plain and simple. If I can repeat that. Nevada will not be a federally subsidized national nuclear waste dump, plain and simple. Without exercising the power of the purse, which my No Budget, No Pay legislation ensures, we will all be right back here in a week, a month, or several months, making the same speeches, taking the same votes over and over.

So I would like to say to any of my colleagues who are tired of these continuing resolutions, regardless of what specific issues they are fighting for, to support the No Budget, No Pay Act. I believe the Congress can work again, but it will take some of that accountability-- like the No Budget, No Pay Act--to get us there.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Robert Hoo, the founder of Nevadans for the Common Good, an organization dedicated to community and making the great State of Nevada a better place through public service. Robert was born and raised in China and moved to New York with his family after the Communist revolution. For the last 5 years, Robert has lived in Las Vegas and committed himself to the goals of his impressive organization.

Nevadans for the Common Good trains everyday citizens for public service, such as running for political office or becoming active on an issue. The organization is run by 40 generous institutions and is a collection of religious congregations, civic associations, professional organizations, schools, fraternities, sororities, and other community- based groups.

Robert understands the importance of a good and honest government that truly works for the people. Having experienced the impact of communism on his family in China, he only further appreciated American ideals, and these values fuel the work he does to this day.

Robert Hoo has taken public and community service very seriously. Before he moved to Nevada, Robert worked for a nonprofit organization in Connecticut and also for an organization that targeted neighborhood blight in East Brooklyn. The people of Nevada are very fortunate that Robert's journey took him to our State.

Lastly, Robert's dedication to finding common ground is truly admirable. In today's political environment, too often we focus on what divides us. Robert, on the other hand, chooses to focus on what unites us at the grassroots level and is committed to helping people solve real problems for others and themselves. The world needs more public servants that have Robert's dedication to helping others and making a difference.

I am both humbled and honored to acknowledge Robert Hoo for his outstanding work. His organization is making a difference for so many people who want to better our great State through public service. As the senior Senator from the great State of Nevada, I am proud to call Robert a Nevadan and applaud the work he has done and will continue to do for years to come.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Bobi Pike-Oates of Las Vegas for her service to our country and to the great State of Nevada. Bobi Pike-Oates served in the U.S. Air Force for 23 years, retiring with the rank of senior master sergeant. Now, even in retirement, she remains active in various groups and dedicated to helping veterans and the community.

Bobi Pike-Oates traveled the world during her time in the Air Force, serving in Hungary for Operation Joint Endeavor and in Turkey for Operation Provide Comfort. Being so far from home was, of course, very difficult, and we cannot adequately repay Bobi for the sacrifices she made in order to serve our country.

Throughout her time in the Air Force, Bobi earned awards and received recognition for going above and beyond in her service. During her time at Nevada's own Nellis Air Force Base, Bobi received the Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, as well as the Resource Advisor of the Year Air Warfare Center.

Even though she is now retired from the Air Force, Bobi Pike-Oates's commitment to serving her country remains just as strong. Currently, Bobi serves on various boards, commissions, and associations that help our veterans. Bobi is a board member for the Women Veterans of Nevada, a life member of the Air Forces Association, a charter member of the Women in Military Service for America, Air Force Sergeants Association, American Legion, life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. She also serves on the State of Nevada Women Veterans Advisory Committee. Through these various organizations, Bobi continues to make Nevada proud.

I am both humbled and honored to acknowledge Bobi Pike-Oates for her service to our country. Her sacrifices and continued commitment to helping those who served makes me proud, and it is an honor to call her a fellow Nevadan. As Nevada's senior Senator, I look forward to seeing her continue to inspire others and work to help fellow veterans who, like her, make it possible for us to live in the freest nation on Earth.

Mr. President, I appreciate the comments my colleague from Colorado has made on energy. I have an energy speech here, also. We have the same goals, maybe coming from different perspectives, but both the Senator from Colorado and I are trying to achieve the same thing.

I appreciate his hard work. He and I have worked well together over the years on the Finance Committee, as he mentioned, with the investment tax credits to make alternative energy viable products and industries in both of our States and across this country, so I appreciate his hard work.

Mr. President, I come to the floor of the U.S. Senate today to discuss an issue that is extremely important to the State of Nevada, and that is Yucca Mountain.

For over 30 years, those two words, ``Yucca Mountain,'' have incited frustration and anger for Nevadans across my State. It is not just a mountain 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas; it represents a decade-long fight by some in Washington to ``wrong Nevada.''

In 1982, the Congress approved the Nuclear Waste Policy Act and charged the Department of Energy with finding a long-term storage site for the disposal of spent nuclear material. At the time, Yucca Mountain was one of the many proposed geological sites to investigate.

Unfortunately, in 1987, the act was amended to concentrate only on one place, Yucca Mountain. Nevada, a State without any nuclear powerplants, was legally compelled to bear the sole burden of long-term storage of all of the Nation's nuclear waste. This decision was made on bad politics; it was not made on sound science. Ever since, the debate on solutions to this problem has been one-sided, and the study of alternative solutions has been curtailed.

Instead of honoring Nevada's persistent scientific and procedural objections to the repository, the Federal Government has spent decades of time and wasted billions of dollars to design and permit Yucca Mountain, all without any notion that Nevada would consent to the project.

I have spent the past decade in Congress successfully fighting off efforts to force this project on Nevada, and I will continue this fight for as long as I serve my State.

I want to be clear: Nuclear power is an important part of our Nation's energy portfolio. I am one of the most outspoken Republicans in Congress advocating to make our Nation's energy cleaner and more affordable. Nuclear energy, which represents about 20 percent of our Nation's power production, plays an important role in providing carbon emission-free baseload energy in many States, but Nevada--again, a State without a nuclear powerplant--should not have to shoulder the Nation's entire waste burden.

We have pursued other strategies to meet Nevada's energy needs. I can share a couple of those examples with you. More than two-thirds of Nevada's energy is produced by natural gas-fired powerplants. Just 2 weeks ago, I was at a groundbreaking at the Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project, the first-ever utility scale powerplant to be built on Tribal land. This project will produce 250 megawatts of clean energy capable of generating enough clean energy to power an estimated 111,000 homes.

Last March, I joined with the Italian Prime Minister in celebrating the world's first combined solar-geothermal plant near Fallon, NV. This facility provides 26 megawatts of solar photovoltaic, 2 megawatts of solar thermal, and 33 megawatts of geothermal energy to Nevada customers.

Nearly half of the geothermal plants producing baseload clean energy in this country are located in Nevada alone. So overall, more than 2,000 megawatts of utility-scale renewable energy in Nevada, enough to power nearly 1 million homes, has been built to meet Nevada's needs. That includes 19 geothermal energy plants, 12 solar projects, 6 hydro facilities, 4 biomass or methane projects, 1 large wind farm, and 1 energy recovery station. These are just some of the examples we are doing in Nevada. Yet they continue to try to ram Yucca Mountain down our throats as if we are not doing enough.

As we examine viable solutions to the waste problem, it is important to note that there are some promising technological developments that could fundamentally change the Nation's waste storage needs. There are new reactor technologies that could repurpose previously generated spent fuel and produce carbon-free electricity with little or no waste. International research and development on innovative storage solutions and recycling processes could also be part of that solution.

Given the Yucca-centric strategy's previous failures, it would be logical for the government to try something new--some of these strategies that show promise--but, no, not here in Washington. Washington is at it again. Apparently, nearly 30 years of wasted time and billions of squandered taxpayer dollars is, simply, not enough.

The Department of Energy recently submitted what they call a skinny budget, including $120 million, in part, to restart licensing activities for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. That $120 million is a lot of money in itself, but let's be clear that it is just a fraction of the true costs.

Nevada has made it clear that it will contest each and every one of the 200-plus elements of any license application. State and Federal officials have estimated that the licensing process for Yucca Mountain will take 4 to 5 years and cost in excess of $1.6 billion.

In these difficult times, I ask my colleagues: Is it financially prudent to invest over $1.6 billion in any program that has not yielded results in over 30 years?

In case there is any confusion, I want to make sure everybody understands that Nevada's position has not changed and that it is not going to change on this issue. Our Governor, Brian Sandoval, continues to strongly oppose the project. In fact, he shares my same sentiment, and he shared it with me a few weeks ago when he stated:

I will vigorously fight the storage of high-level nuclear

waste in Nevada. Any attempt to resurrect this ill-conceived

project will be met with relentless opposition and maximum

resources.

Every serious presumed candidate for Governor in 2018--both Republicans and Democrats--strongly opposes Yucca Mountain. Nevada's attorney general, Adam Laxalt, recently requested $7.2 million of State resources over the next 2 years to represent the State's interests in the licensing process over Yucca Mountain, which he called ``a poster child of federal overreach.'' Soon, our legislature will reaffirm the State's opposition to the project with the passage of Assembly Joint Resolution No. 10.

To sum it up, it will cost at least $1.6 billion just to get through the application process. Think about that. It will take $1.6 billion just to get through the process, to get the applications ready, let alone to get the storage facility actually operational.

Make no mistake about it. I will continue to lead the Nevada congressional delegation's effort to stymie any misguided effort to spend one more Federal dollar on the Yucca Mountain repository. It is fiscally irresponsible and, simply, will not solve this important public policy issue that faces our Nation.

I implore my colleagues to work with me in a pragmatic way to solve our Nation's spent nuclear fuel and defense high-level waste storage problem that we have.

There is an old adage, and we have all heard it: The definition of doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is called insanity. Efforts by the executive branch and some Members of Congress to direct billions more toward a repository that will never be built is just that--insanity.

Our Nation cannot fully move forward with viable solutions until Congress moves past Yucca Mountain. Last year, the Department of Energy began a consent-based siting initiative to find alternative storage and disposal facilities. Identifying communities that are willing to be hosts for long-term repositories, rather than forcing them upon States that have outright opposed such sites for decades, is the only sustainable path forward.

I wholeheartedly support these efforts. In fact, I introduced bipartisan legislation earlier this year, the Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act, to codify it into law. This strategy was wisely recommended by the Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future-- a 15-member, bipartisan group that is tasked by the Federal Government to develop feasible solutions to nuclear waste disposal. This type of open process ensures all Americans have a meaningful voice in the process if their communities are being considered for a future nuclear waste repository.

I am confident that the government can find safe sites through the careful consideration of all alternatives that are based on credible scientific information and not by politicians here in Washington, DC. Let's stop the insanity. The administration and congressional Yucca advocates should focus their efforts on practical solutions and not on more of the same.

First, let's advance innovative energy technologies that repurpose and reduce spent fuel.

Second, let's invest in the research and development of recycling and alternative storage methods.

Third and most importantly, let's identify safe and viable alternatives for the storage of nuclear waste that remains in areas that are willing to house it.

These are worthwhile initiatives that actually, to use a football analogy, ``move the ball down the field.'' For far too long, our Nation has been going ``three and out'' because Washington keeps trying to run the same, stale game plan.

I am working diligently on feasible solutions to this important problem, and I urge my colleagues here today, on the floor of the U.S. Senate, to join me in that fight. I stand here, ready to work for what is best for my State and what is best for our Nation.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I have 15 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders.

Pursuant to Rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 29, 2017 following the first roll call vote to vote on the nomination of George ``Sonny'' Perdue, of Georgia, to be Secretary of Agriculture.

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to hold a meeting during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at 10 a.m. in room SD-G50 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to hold a meeting during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. in room SD-G50 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to hold a hearing on the Nomination of the Jeffrey A. Rosen.

Committee on Environment and Public Works

The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at 10 a.m., in room 406 of the Dirksen Senate office building, to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Cleaning up our nation's Cold War legacy sites.''

Committee on Indian Affairs

The Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, in room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing on ``Native Youth: Promoting Diabetes Prevention Through Healthy Living.''

Committee on Indian Affairs

The Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, in room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a business meeting.

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 3 p.m. in 428A Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing entitled Examining How Small Businesses Confront and Shape Regulations.

Committee on Aging

The Special Committee on Aging is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 to conduct a hearing entitled ``The Arc of Alzheimer's'' in room 106 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building at 2:30 p.m.

Select Committee on Intelligence

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the 115th Congress of the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 from 12 p.m., in room SH-219 of the Senate Hart Office Building.

Subcommittee on Airland

The Subcommittee on Airland of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at 3:30 p.m.

Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities

The Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at 10 a.m. in open session.

Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support

The Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support of the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at 2:15 p.m., in open session.

Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management

The Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``The Effect of Borrowing on Federal Spending.''

Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity

The Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at 2:15 p.m., to hold a hearing entitled ``American Leadership in the Asia- Pacific, Part 1: Security Issues.''

Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere

The Committee on Foreign Relations subcommittee on Western Hemisphere is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at 10:15 a.m., to hold a hearing entitled ``The U.S.- Mexico Relationship: Advancing Security and Prosperity on Both Sides of the Border.''

Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate Wendy DiVecchio on becoming the chief executive officer of the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors, GLVAR. It gives me great pleasure to recognize DiVecchio's recent success and her dedication to the great State of Nevada.

Founded in 1947, GLVAR has always led our State in professionalism. GLVAR, the Nevada representative for the National Association of Realtors, is the largest professional organization within southern Nevada, providing 13,000 of its members educational resources, professional training, and political representation. GLVAR has truly made an impact on our State, specifically in Las Vegas.

As a longtime resident of Las Vegas, DiVecchio has served in several different departments within the GLVAR for over 17 years, holding many of the company's crucial positions. Over the years, DiVecchio served as educational director, national chairwoman for local and State Realtor associations, and interim CEO. Recognizing her exceptional efforts, DiVecchio also earned the Realtor Certified Executive designation from the National Association of Realtors. While working full-time at GLVAR, she also earned a bachelor's and master's degree in business management from the University of Phoenix.

In her new role, DiVecchio will oversee more than 30 employees and all other aspects of the GLVAR, including its move into a new headquarters located in southern Las Vegas. Although she will be faced with more responsibility, DiVecchio has proven she is up to the task and will succeed to her fullest potential.

As Nevada's senior Senator, I applaud DiVecchio's impressive feats and commend her for demonstrating such valuable commitment and loyalty to GLVAR. I am both humbled and honored by her hard work, and I am proud to call her a fellow Nevadan. Today I ask all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating Wendy DiVecchio on her recent promotion to GLVAR's CEO and wish her well in her future endeavors. I give my deepest appreciation for all that she has done for the Silver State.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Stacey Escalante of Las Vegas. Stacey is a Nevada mother who battled cancer and won. Ever since she defeated cancer, Stacey has taken herself to new heights and translated her strength into action. Her story makes us all proud to call Nevada home.

Stacey Escalante was diagnosed with stage 3 skin cancer over 10 years ago when she was still a news reporter for KVBC, now KSNV-TV. Up until this point, she was a model for health, but as we all know, cancer is a disease of its own. After several medical procedures, constant trips to the doctor, Stacey had to endure years of screenings and follow-up medical procedures before the cancer finally went into remission. During this time, she was forced to take a leave of absence from her job in order to recover. Even worse, she had to spend an extended period of time away from her family and friends.

During this recovery, Stacey wanted to come back home. She knew she would recover if she got to be at home surrounded by her family and coworkers who cared deeply about her. Fortunately, Stacey was able to return home and be with her family and friends; there she continued to fight cancer tooth and nail.

After she recovered, Stacey didn't just go back to work and pick up where she left off. Instead, Stacey became a cancer survivor, willing to stand up for cancer patients and those unware of the dangers that tanning beds can cause to the human body. Stacey also remains incredibly active, a hard-working single mom who is still dedicated to living a healthy lifestyle. Despite time away from her career, Stacey worked through the setbacks and is now a publicist at Orca Communications and continues to have an exciting career in public relations.

Stacey's battle with cancer and getting to where she is today is a testament to her determination. She has a passionate story to tell, and I believe that she will continue to inspire others to do the same. She epitomizes what it means to fight back and go even further by spreading the word about the dangers posed by tanning beds and advocate for other women's health issues. I am truly inspired by her story.

I am both humbled and honored to acknowledge Stacey Escalante for her perseverance and willingness to share her story and get involved to make the great State of Nevada an even stronger, healthier State. I wish her continued efforts the absolute best. I will continue to pray for her as well as her wonderful family and friends who stood by her side every step of the way.

Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate LTC Matt Jonkey on completing his master of arts degree in security studies at the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security, CHDS. It gives me great pleasure to recognize him for his recent success and his continued dedication to serving the great State of Nevada.

CHDS is our Nation's epicenter for homeland security education located at the Naval Postgraduate School, NPS. Among the many programs CHDS offers, its masters program is exceptionally prestigious and provides its graduates with a vast array of useful skills. Additionally, the program offers extensive analysis of the security operation within the United States. To complete this intense 18-month program, CHDS graduates must exercise unconventional critical thinking skills, advanced leadership tactics, and develop a comprehensive understanding of security policy and operations.

In addition to graduating from the University of Nevada at Reno with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, lieutenant colonel Jonkey also managed to build an impressive career within the Nevada National Guard. He has held several positions with many responsibilities, ranging from aviation management to weapons of mass destruction response. Currently, lieutenant colonel Jonkey serves as commander of the 92nd WMD-CST where he oversees the Nevada National Guard's response to weapons of mass destruction and other HAZMAT-related disasters in support of civil authorities. Furthermore, lieutenant colonel Jonkey is also an outstanding father to his two daughters and a loving husband to his wife, Ashley.

During his time in the CHDS program, lieutenant colonel Jonkey engaged in strategic and organizational debate with high-level, national security operatives across the country. Additionally, lietuenant colonel Jonkey

completed a thesis on government drones and the Department of Defense's abilities to respond to homeland disasters. After a rigorous 18-month online and in-residence program, lietuenant colonel Jonkey graduated from the CHDS program on December 16, 2016.

I commend lieutenant colonel Jonkey for his unwavering dedication to his career and his courageous contributions to Nevada. His character is truly admirable and stands as a shining example for future generations. As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I applaud lieutenant colonel Jonkey's steadfast allegiance to the Silver State and his determination to complete this highly esteemed milestone.

I ask my colleagues and all Nevadans to join me in congratulating lieutenant colonel Matt Jonkey for his recent achievement and his service to Nevada. I wish him the best of luck in all of his future endeavors.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 100th birthday of Robert K. Schratz, a WWII veteran and an incredible family man. I am proud to honor him for reaching such an impressive milestone in his life, and I want to acknowledge his unwavering courage and service to our Nation.

Mr. Schratz, an avid outdoorsman and Eagle Scout, was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on January 25, 1917. As a graduate from Carnegie Tech with a degree in civil engineering, Schratz went on to work for the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad as a design engineer. However, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted into the U.S. Army Air Corps.

In 1944, Schratz graduated from the Air Corps as a multiengine pilot and a second lieutenant. He flew over 168 missions, including the Berlin Airlift, and served a 4-year Pentagon assignment. Over several years, Schratz was stationed all over the world, including Texas, Mississippi, Washington, DC, Alabama, England, Germany, and Japan. Schratz was also stationed at Stead Air Force Base in Nevada, a place he truly admired and would eventually call home. After retiring from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, Schratz and his beloved wife, Barbara, permanently moved to Reno, NV, where Schratz worked for the City of Reno Engineer's office for over a decade.

As a World War II veteran, Schratz's commitment to his country and his dedication to his family and community will be preserved for generations to come. As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I recognize that Congress has a responsibility to honor these brave individuals, and I remain committed to upholding this promise for veterans and servicemembers in Nevada and throughout the Nation.

Additionally, I am pleased to recognize Schratz for passing on his legacy of serving our country through several generations. Lieutenant Colonel Schratz's son, Robert K. Schratz II, served as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps while his son, Mark Schratz, also served in the U.S. Air Force. His grandson, Wayne Cates, served in the U.S. Navy, and his great-granddaughter, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Emily Cates, currently serves in the U.S. Navy. I truly commend these members of the Schratz family and am grateful for their devotion to protecting our Nation's freedoms.

I applaud Robert K. Schratz for his courageous contributions to the United States of America and to freedom-loving nations around the world. His service to his country and his bravery and dedication to his family and community earn him a place among the outstanding men and women who have valiantly defended our Nation. Today I am honored to commend Mr. Schratz and celebrate an inspiring milestone achieved by such an upstanding Nevadan.