Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that morning business, for debate only, be extended until 11:30 a.m.

Mr. President, I rise today as a proud Michigander, American, and the son of an immigrant. My mother Madeleine grew up in France and met my father Herb when he was serving overseas during World War II. They fell in love, were married, and she had the opportunity to immigrate to the United States where she started a new life with my dad and was proud to become a new citizen of the United States of America.

She worked hard as a nurse's aide and a union steward, and she provided inspiration and opportunity for me and my sisters. And, because the Detroit Tigers don't have a game on TV at this moment, I hope that she is home in Rochester watching me speak right now.

My mother's American experience informs my views on the nearly 7,000 Michiganders who have benefited from the protection of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, known as DACA.

Let's look at the facts. The young men and women known as Dreamers and who are helped by DACA are students, serve in the military, launch new businesses, create jobs, and boost economic growth. These Dreamers did not choose to come to this country; they were brought here by their parents. They have no meaningful connections to the foreign countries they left as children and often don't even speak the language. They know no home other than the United States of America, and they were raised as Americans.

They have passed extensive background checks, paid fines, and continue to pay taxes, which reduces our budget deficit. They pay into Social Security, which increases its solvency for all Americans.

According to the CATO Institute, deporting the more than 700,000 DACA participants would cost--yes, cost--the Federal Government over $60 billion and reduce economic growth in this country by $280 billion over the next decade.

Rescinding DACA is not just cruel and unfair, it is a terrible economic policy and a bad deal for the American taxpayer.

Numbers can only say so much, so I often tell the story of a fellow Michigander, Ola Kaso. Ola is pictured right here. Ola's family came to the United States legally but unsuccessfully seeking asylum in 1998. Ola was only 5 years old when she came to America. After 13 years in the country--13 years--the government attempted to deport her and her mother back to Albania, just weeks before she was set to graduate from high school. Backed by the support of fellow Michiganders, Ola's family was granted a stay of the deportation.

I am proud to report that Ola ultimately graduated as the valedictorian of her high school class. She recently graduated from the University of Michigan and plans to attend medical school. She is a beneficiary of the DACA Program.

Our Nation is facing a doctor shortage--especially in rural areas-- and this young woman wants to dedicate her

life to caring for others. Deporting Ola makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. As a country that seeks the best and brightest, we should not spend taxpayer dollars to deport contributing members of our society, especially when they were brought here through no fault of their own and when they voluntarily came out of the shadows through

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

Mr. President, as we head into the month of August, many Americans are planning to spend time along our beautiful coasts. Our country is fortunate to have such a wide variety of natural resources along the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, and the east and west coasts. However, I am partial to America's best coast: The 4,500 miles of U.S. coastline along the Great Lakes.

Our coastal resources make it possible to move cargo and goods around the world. They provide opportunities for outdoor recreation like fishing and boating and trips to the beach. Our coasts are not only beautiful, providing some of the most scenic vistas and picturesque landscapes our country has to offer; these ecosystems also provide many tangible benefits. They serve as flooding buffers, critical habitats for fish and wildlife, and locations for ports and other marine infrastructure.

In the Great Lakes, our freshwater coastline contains one-fifth of the entire world's fresh water and provides drinking water for over 40 million people. We must be stewards of these areas

so that future generations can also benefit from them. In order to do so, we must properly document and keep track of this precious resource.

That is why I partnered with Senator Young to introduce the bipartisan Great Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Index Act of 2017 to require NOAA to update environmental sensitivity index maps and map products. The bill passed unanimously out of the Commerce Committee this morning by a voice vote and now heads to the full Senate floor for consideration.

Environmental sensitive index--or ESI--maps provide an inventory of our valuable natural and human-use resources along our coasts. These maps chronicle sensitive ecosystems and the presence of various species as they migrate through regions and habitats for threatened and endangered species. They also document where we can access coastal resources from beaches and parks to docks, ferries, and boat ramps.

We must maintain an up-to-date inventory of these precious coastal resources so that we know exactly where we need to focus our response efforts in a worst-case scenario of a harmful oil or chemical spill. Accurate documentation of these resources and their vulnerabilities is critical to both deploying the right response effort when a spill or accident occurs and assessing the damage and restoration efforts needed after the fact.

In places like the Straits of Mackinac, where a 64-year-old oil pipeline sits at the bottom of the lake bed, it should be our top priority to have a current inventory of what shoreline resources could be impacted by a pipeline leak. Models have shown that a pipeline spill in the Straits of Mackinac could likely result in oil reaching the shores of Mackinac Island within hours, which would be an absolute catastrophe for Michigan's top tourist attraction.

ESI maps don't just help with oilspill response; they can also be used for coastal development activities, and they even have significant research applications. They provide a clear reference point prior to natural disasters or major storms that may damage, destroy, or significantly alter resources along our coasts. Decision makers at the local and State level may use them for restoration efforts or to make informed decisions about how to balance all of the various uses in that coastal zone.

ESI maps need regular updates in order for them to be truly effective. These updates are happening now for other areas of the country. Stretches of the west coast, along the Gulf of Mexico, and along the east coast have all received updates over the last 5 years.

One region is continually absent from these updates: my home region of the Great Lakes. In fact, the most recent updates for some of the Great Lakes were completed over 20 years ago, but Lake Erie and parts of Lake Michigan haven't been updated for over 30 years. This bill gives the proper direction and resources to make sure these long overdue updates move forward.

Supporters of the bill so far include the Great Lakes Charter Boat Association, the Coastal States Organization, the Great Lakes Commission, the Alliance for the Great Lakes, the National Wildlife Federation, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and the group For Love of Water. With nearly 3,300 miles of coastline in Michigan, the second- most coastline of any State in the Nation, we need to update Great Lakes environmental sensitivity index products as soon as we can.

Modernizing these maps will provide a better picture of what resources could be at risk in the event of a disaster and will be an important tool to help us keep our Great Lakes safe and clean for future generations.

I look forward to working with Senator Young and the rest of my colleagues in the Senate to move this bill forward and make sure that we have the tools we need to make the best decisions for the Great Lakes, no matter the challenges and opportunities facing us.

Thank you.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, life is at its core a series of votes. We forget the mundane choices: what we wore to work or what we had for lunch last week. We remember the momentous choices, however: taking a new job or starting a family.

My colleagues in this Chamber on both sides of the aisle are here because they chose to answer the call of public service, and folks in our States chose us to represent them. Week in and week out, we choose how we will vote in committees, on the floor, on nominees, as well as on legislation. We choose to cooperate when we find consensus, and we choose to resist when we don't. We cast hundreds of votes every Congress, year in and year out. Some are memorable, and some are not.

One of the most memorable choices of my career in public service was voting for the Affordable Care Act--a bill that, while imperfect, I knew would literally save thousands of lives and help millions of Americans afford the health insurance they need. In the months and years since, I have heard countless stories from Michiganders whose lives were changed for the better as a result of this law.

A few weeks ago, I shared the story of a fellow Michigander named Stefanie. Stefanie is from Livonia and worked her entire adult life in the retail and restaurant industry. Stefanie had never been offered health coverage by her previous employers but was able to purchase a plan because of the Affordable Care Act.

In December 2015, Stefanie's third-floor apartment caught fire, and an unthinkable choice was forced on her: Stay and die in the fire, or leap from a third-floor window in order to save her

life. Stefanie chose to jump. She sustained serious injuries, including a broken back and a shattered foot. Her total treatment costs came close to $700,000--an amount which would surely bankrupt nearly all Americans if they did not have health insurance. Because of the Affordable Care Act, Stefanie was able to receive treatment for her injuries and have a second shot at life.

Last week, Stefanie traveled to Washington, DC, and I had the honor of meeting with her in my office. Her family, friends, and others in the community had actually pulled together funds to send her here to Washington, DC, so she could share her story with me and with others in Congress firsthand. I can't imagine how painful it is for Stefanie to relive this trauma, but she chooses to share because she wants others to have access to the same care she had.

Any mother, father, sister, son, or daughter could someday face an unexpected emergency, just like Stefanie. Nobody chooses to get sick, and nobody should be denied health insurance when they need it.

Having health coverage afforded Stefanie a new lease on life. Instead of filing for bankruptcy due to her medical bills, Stefanie now plans to go back to school and become a paralegal. Stefanie and others just like her--like you and me--deserve to know that when we get sick or when we get hurt, we still have a shot at life.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle face a very difficult choice of their own. They can choose to do what is politically expedient by passing legislation tonight to repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act. This would cause millions more Americans to go without insurance, create chaos in our insurance markets, and risk skyrocketing premiums. But my Republican colleagues can still do the right thing: Vote no on whatever flawed bill they finally put forward tonight, start over, work across the aisle in a bipartisan manner, keep what works, and let's fix what doesn't work.

I urge my Republican colleagues to think about people like Stefanie who will be hurt by repealing the Affordable Care Act. I urge them to choose to work with us on a bipartisan healthcare plan that helps people by lowering premiums while expanding access to care. I urge my colleagues to stop this partisan process that is sure to hurt people and choose a path that improves healthcare for all Americans.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I wish to withhold my suggestion of an absence of a quorum.

Madam President, today, I wish to honor the 38-year public service career of Comstock, MI, fire chief Edward Switalski. Known for his bravery and devotion to his family and community, Chief Switalski was killed in the line of duty on June 14, 2017, having been struck and killed by a motorist on Interstate 94 in Kalamazoo County, as he was responding to a previous car crash at that site. He is survived by his wife, Holly, and two daughters, Alison and Emily.

Chief Switalski's dream of becoming a firefighter arrived early. As a child, he volunteered to clean equipment and perform other tasks for his local fire department. His career began as a part-time paramedic at Pleasantview Fire District in Illinois in 1982; while there, he rose to become battalion chief before retiring after 32 years of service and moving to Michigan to be closer to his daughters.

While in Illinois, Chief Switalski won numerous awards and citations, including one for running into the basement of a burning building in an attempt to rescue one of his colleagues. The chief was also a compassionate volunteer who traveled to New Orleans to help rebuild the community in the wake of the devastating Hurricane Katrina.

After his relocation to Michigan, Switalski became the chief of the Comstock, MI, fire department in 2013. Chief Switalski quickly became known as a visionary leader who would often pick up open firefighting shifts in his small department. Active in the community, the chief was involved in numerous organizations and was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Kalamazoo.

Colleagues have paid numerous tributes to Chief Switalski. A former chief of his remarked he ``did not know anyone who enjoyed being a firefighter more than he did.'' The public safety chaplain of a neighboring fire department said that, on June 14, ``we lost a great man on Earth that day, but we gained one in heaven.'' The leader of a local ambulance service called Chief Switalski ``an extraordinary man who had a deep compassion for his family and the communities that he served. He was a man of integrity, who believed in doing the right thing.''

It was entirely appropriate that United States and State of Michigan flags flew at half-staff on all State buildings on the day of the chief's funeral.

Chief Switalski was a brave and selfless public servant who was taken from our world much too soon. The tremendous outpouring of support demonstrated at his funeral service is a reminder of the risks undertaken every day by our first responders and the gratitude the public has for their vital work.

Mr. President, I intend to move to commit the bill H.R. 1628 to the Committee on Finance with instructions to report the same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on which the Senate is not in session, with changes that,

No. 1, are within the jurisdiction of such committee; and, No. 2, would ensure that the bill does not increase costs, reduce benefits, or eliminate health coverage for any veteran or dependent of a veteran enrolled in traditional Medicaid, expanded Medicaid, or a qualified health plan offered through an exchange.

I am offering this motion because the legislation as written could harm millions of veterans and their dependents currently enrolled in traditional Medicaid, expanded Medicaid, and ACA exchange plans. The following Senators support my motion to commit: Duckworth, Stabenow, Carper, Whitehouse, Shaheen, Blumenthal, Hirono, Reed, Durbin and Baldwin. I ask unanimous consent that the full text of my motion to commit be printed in the Record.

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

Mr. President, each Michigander I talk to has their own unique hopes and dreams, but some aspects of the American dream are truly universal--financial security, the opportunity for your children to grow and prosper, and a dignified retirement. We know there are almost limitless paths to achieve these shared goals. For my parents' generation, this often meant a fair day's pay for a day of hard work, a good wage that grew steadily over time, and perhaps a pension that could support a comfortable retirement, and even the money to help for college tuition for your children. For small business owners, the path could mean bootstrapping a business from scratch, scraping by at first, building a business that made a good product, and doing the right thing by your employees and growing into a profitable business.

But in today's economy, for so many people, the connection between today's hard work and tomorrow's economic security isn't always so clear. New entrants to our workforce are increasingly unlikely to have a pension they can rely on for retirement. We are also seeing an entire generation of business owners rapidly approaching retirement after spending a lifetime building their businesses. We have a younger generation of employees who are increasingly disconnected from their employers and an older generation of entrepreneurs who are trying to figure out how to retire without disrupting their successful businesses.

Actually, I see this as a unique opportunity to solve two problems at once. The employee ownership model, including employee stock ownership plans--better known as ESOPs--allows employees of a company to become partial owners. ESOP plans, which often are created as heads of family- run small businesses look to retire, create employee-owners who have a real stake in the company to which they have dedicated their careers. For both management and employees, ESOPs mean that their goals are aligned--a growing, sustainable company that gives a shot at prosperity for everyone, from the highest ranking employee, to midlevel managers, to the front office staff.

For both business owners and employees, the proven benefits of the ESOP model are clear: Employee-owners have higher wages, more job stability, higher net worth, and larger retirement accounts than non- employee owners in similar companies. For entrepreneurs who want to see the company they built continue to thrive after they are gone, research has shown that businesses see their sales grow faster in the years following their conversion to employee ownership.

The data is clear on what employee ownership means for a company's bottom line and for workers' performance, but when I have the chance to visit employee-owned businesses, the benefits are as clear as day.

Last summer, on the first day of my motorcycle tour across Michigan, I visited Sport Truck USA, an aftermarket suspension and offroad distributor in Coldwater that makes world-class parts. Sport Truck USA wasn't just proud of their offered products, they were also proud of their achievement as an employee-owned business. I met a longtime front office employee who had a retirement account worth upwards of $1 million. I met a warehouse worker who does as well. And they were both very happy to show up for work every day. When Sport Truck was sold in 2014, the ESOP model ensured that their employee-owners had a say in whether to approve the sale and fully compensated them when it went through.

Sport Truck USA is a great success story, but for many businesses, the idea of an employee-owned transition is simply not on their radar. Despite having been enshrined in the law by Congress in 1974, for many business owners and employees, the ESOP model is not well known or understood. Before an ESOP transition can take place, there can be months or sometimes even years of preparation and planning that have to take place. But it is clear--the more people who are aware of their options for employee ownership, the more businesses that will decide this is the path they want to take.

There is now bipartisan agreement that Congress can take steps to help businesses find the awareness and support they need to make this a reality. That is why I recently introduced bipartisan legislation with the chairman of the Small Business Committee, Senator Risch. Our Small Business Employee Ownership Promotion Enhancement Act will increase awareness and provide technical assistance for the creation of ESOPs and other employee-ownership models. We do this by empowering the business experts at SCORE--the nonprofit small business counseling organization--to provide information about employee ownership. Many of these counselors themselves participated in ESOPs and can speak to their benefits and what it takes to transition to this structure.

As a partner of the Small Business Administration, SCORE and their volunteers are on the ground in communities across the country, and I believe they will help create the next generation of employee-owners. Increasing awareness of ESOPs is a vital first step, and I am committed to finding new ways to provide resources to businesses and employees as they transition to employee ownership. But, for Michiganders who are looking to secure their futures, building awareness of the ESOP model can help make this critical transition.

The Small Business Employee Ownership Promotion Enhancement Act will help successful small business owners retire with the peace of mind that their legacies will be carried on by the employees they will have hired, mentored, and developed over the years. It will help businesses invest in their employees and employees invest in their businesses.

When too many Americans feel as though they are being left behind, employee ownership lifts up employees and gives them a real stake in their companies and the opportunity to prosper and achieve their versions of the American dream.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 200th anniversary of Monroe County, MI. Situated in southeast Michigan on the west shore of Lake Erie, Monroe County is endowed with rich historical and natural treasures, built on a strong agricultural base, home to innovative industries, and populated with dedicated citizens and entrepreneurs.

Founded by Potawatomi Tribes and, later, French missionaries, the history of Monroe County dates back to 1634. French missionaries built the first settlement, named Frenchtown, on the territory and established both a trading post and fort in 1788. The River Raisin provided an agricultural center for the residents of Frenchtown, with an abundance of natural resources to contribute to economic growth. However, in 1813, the Battle of the River Raisin occurred near Frenchtown, resulting in mass human and economic loss. Recognized as the deadliest battle recorded during the War of 1812, the U.S. Congress included the River Raisin National Battlefield Park as part of the National Park Service in 2009, the only national park that commemorates the human contributions and historic legacy of the War of 1812.

As one of the first steps in organizing the Michigan Territory after the War of 1812, Governor Lewis Cass established Monroe County in 1817 as the second county in the State of Michigan. At the time, Monroe County included all of Lenawee and portions of Wayne and Washtenaw Counties. The old settlement of Frenchtown adopted the name ``Monroe'' in honor of President James Monroe and became the county seat. The flourishing county experienced economic growth and prosperity from the agricultural and paper manufacturing industries, from the first paper mill, Raisinville Mill, in 1834, to River Raisin Paper Company in 1910, to IKO Monroe, Incorporated, in 2000.

In the early 20th century, Monroe County hit another industrial milestone with the establishment of Monroe Auto Equipment World Headquarters, formerly referred to as Brisk Blast, in 1916, and the Newton Steel plant in 1959. Monroe County gained the reputation as the transportation hub in the State of Michigan, home to international ports on Lake Erie and one of the largest highway gateways into Michigan. The development of transportation infrastructure played a crucial role in connecting the residents of Monroe County to goods and services. Monroe County also attracted entrepreneurs and inventors from across the United States, including Edward Knabush and Edwin Shoemaker who revolutionized furniture design and comfort when they invented the first upholstered reeling chair in 1929.

Today Monroe County is a vibrant community of nearly 150,000 residents who enjoy historic downtowns, beautiful parks, and safe neighborhoods. Residing along the shoreline of the River Raisin and Lake Erie, Monroe County offers a multitude of recreational activities--boating, swimming, camping, hiking, and fishing--at the Eagle Island Marsh unit of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and Sterling State Park. Monroe County is also active in the preservation and promotion of its history by recognizing significant landmarks and sites, including the Dundee Old Mill Museum and Navarre Anderson Trading Post. With its rich historical and natural resources, Monroe County is recognized as one of the top visitor destinations in the State of Michigan.

Monroe County has been an integral part of the State of Michigan and our great Nation for 200 years. As Monroe County celebrates this milestone, I am honored to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating its residents, elected officials, and businesses as they recognize their history. I wish the county continued growth and prosperity in the years ahead.

Madam President, as public servants, I have always thought it is our duty to serve with dignity, integrity, and fairness to the best of our abilities. No matter where you are from or how we got here, the citizens of our States have sent us to Washington with the hope that we will do what is best for them. We hold the public's trust, and that is something that should guide us in everything we do.

Last week, I was home in Michigan for the Fourth of July. My family and other Michiganders celebrated and honored those who had fought for our independence and those who continue to defend our sacred freedom. Our American democracy is rooted in the promise of freedom and equal opportunity for every American. Our resilient Nation has persevered because of shared commitment to do what is right, even if we don't always agree on how to get there.

While home last week I had the opportunity to speak to many Michiganders and hear what was on their mind. They had a whole range of topics on their mind, but the No. 1 issue I heard was about the proposed Republican healthcare bill. Some were angry, some were confused, but most were simply scared. They are scared for their children, they are scared for their spouses, they are scared for their aging parents, and many are scared about what this bill could mean for their own health and well-being.

I wish to highlight a few of the stories shared with me in recent days. Susan from Clawson, MI, shared her unfortunate story about when she fell on hard times, unexpectedly lost her small business and with it her income.

Susan, despite all of her hard work in the past, no longer had the resources to obtain private health insurance. During this time--and it was an extremely stressful time--she also discovered she had an unidentified lump on her breast. Through some research and the help of friends, Susan was able to enroll in Medicaid and get the treatment for what she discovered was a very aggressive but treatable form of cancer.

Without Medicaid, Susan may not have gotten the treatment she needed and may have lost her life. Nobody

takes pleasure in sharing such deeply personal stories, but Susan wants to be sure anyone that who finds themselves in such a difficult position has the support she had.

I appreciate her bravery in beating cancer and her willingness to share this very personal experience.

Alayna from Southfield, MI, shared that she was diagnosed with a rare tumor almost a year ago. Alayna serves as a minister of music in her church in downtown Detroit and enjoys working with children through various local programs. Alayna works part time and her husband works full time, often 70 hours per week. Neither has healthcare benefits through their employers.

Alayna and her husband were able to obtain coverage through the ACA marketplace, a plan she would not have been able to purchase without the Affordable Care Act. Alayna is rightfully terrified by the Republican plan and said she would probably be dead without the affordable coverage she received under the Affordable Care Act, leaving her husband and her 5-year-old daughter behind.

Matt, from Waterford, was unable to get health insurance before the ACA due to two preexisting conditions. After obtaining healthcare through the Affordable Care Act, he discovered one of his preexisting conditions had led to cancer in his digestive tract. Matt is convinced the ACA literally saved his life and that he would not have been able to afford the care he needs otherwise.

Hearing the stories of Matt, Susan, Alayna, and countless other Michiganders like them, I feel the need to remind this body that these individuals are our neighbors. They are husbands and wives and fathers and mothers. Illnesses or emergencies can happen to anyone. Ministers get sick. Students get sick. Small business owners get sick.

Matt didn't choose to be born with a preexisting condition, Susan didn't ask for breast cancer, and Alayna's tumor could have been on any one of us.

Last week, we honored our country's fight for independence, our Nation's brave Founders, and all who have sacrificed to build our Nation by working toward a more perfect union to ensure America is the land of opportunity for all.

The healthcare bill Republicans have written goes against the very values we honor and cherish. It does not bring us closer to opportunity for all. When the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office concludes that the Republican bill will leave millions of people uninsured, that should send a strong signal to all of us that we need to go back to the drawing board.

About an hour ago, my Republican colleagues released additional last- minute changes to their healthcare bill, intended to win over a few more votes within their party--changes that were drafted behind closed doors and without input from the American public, the very people we represent. In their rush to get this bill done quickly, my colleagues have not fully considered how this proposal will impact their constituents.

Healthcare stakeholders and our Nation's insurers have told Republicans this latest change will still cause premiums for older Americans and those with preexisting conditions to skyrocket. It will still increase the number of Americans without health insurance by millions.

We should be working on bipartisan legislation that will truly improve our healthcare system by increasing insurance coverage while bringing down cost, not forcing a vote next week on legislation that is seriously flawed.

I ask my Republican colleagues to listen to their fellow Americans, Americans who are scared of what this bill will mean for them and for their families. I ask my Republican colleagues to listen to the people calling their office every single day and even traveling here to Washington, DC, to speak out against this bill. I ask my colleagues to listen to the independent experts and healthcare stakeholders who have said, in no uncertain terms, that this bill will cost millions of people their health insurance and could cost thousands of Americans their very lives.

I ask my colleagues to remember why they came to Washington in the first place. I ask my colleagues to step back and ask themselves some tough questions. Will this bill help people or will it hurt people? What will this bill mean for rural hospitals in their State, for lifesaving addiction treatments, for preventive care that saves lives and taxpayer dollars? Does this bill hold true to the important American values of fairness, freedom, and equal opportunity for all?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, we should scrap this bill, start over, and work together, in a bipartisan way, to bring down healthcare costs and improve the quality of care available to every American, no matter who they are or where they live.

I yield the floor.

Mr President, today I wish to recognize the 150th anniversary of the city of New Baltimore, MI. This celebration is a historic benchmark for New Baltimore, as well as the State of Michigan.

Located in Macomb County, along the northern coastline of Lake St. Clair, New Baltimore residents pride themselves on their traditional downtown, rich heritage, recreational activities, and a family- orientated spirit. Throughout 150 years of change and growth, the city remains anchored in that local spirit.

The area was first inhabited by French fur trappers and hunters. Among those was an explorer named Pierre Yax, the son of the first German resident of Michigan. Yax secured a land grant from President John Quincy Adams in 1826, in what was then the Michigan Territory. As other French settlers followed, long farms were established, stretching from the rivers outward. In 1845, the area was first recognized as a settlement when Alfred Ashley platted 60 acres of land. Mr. Ashley was a local businessman and would name the area the Village of Ashley. This name would remain until 1867 when the village was officially incorporated as New Baltimore. New Baltimore would stay a village until it became a city in 1931.

In its early days, New Baltimore was linked to the regional economy through its position along waterways. It operated as a small port, bringing agriculture and manufactured goods to the surrounding communities. The area became known for the manufacturing of barrels, brooms, bricks, coffins, corsets, and creamery products.

As shipping methods changed and automobile transportation increased, so too did the role of New Baltimore. The city began transitioning to a resort and commercial area. New attractions were built, including an opera house, hotels, saloons, a brewery, and other leisure and resort attractions. With the construction of a locomotive line between port Huron and Detroit in the 1800s, New Baltimore became a hub of activity well into the 20th century.

Today New Baltimore is a vibrant community covering nearly 7 square miles. Residents take pride in their excellent schools, including a high school, two middle schools, seven elementary schools, two early childhood centers, and an alternative education program. The resort industry continues to flourish with events such as the annual Bay-Rama Fish Fly Festival, which attracts thousands of people each year. The city's public park and beaches also provide opportunity for numerous recreational activities.

The city of New Baltimore has a proud history, vibrant present, and bright future. As New Baltimore celebrates this milestone, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating its residents, elected officials, and businesses as they celebrate their history. I wish the city continued growth and prosperity in the years ahead.

Mr. President, I have always believed that elected officials should do more listening than talking.

The breadth of issues that we address here in the Senate is as vast and diverse as our Nation. We rely on input from experts, from stakeholders, and from constituents to craft responsible, meaningful policy. In the past month alone, I have had the opportunity to attend bipartisan hearings on cyber security, countering violent extremism, self-driving cars, rural broadband, nuclear defense policy, and the posture of our Armed Forces, just to name a few. These issues are vital to our economy and our national security, and they are worthy of the time and effort that went into convening these very important hearings.

But over the same timespan, the Senate did not hold a single hearing on healthcare, while a handful of Republican Members drafted a flawed healthcare bill behind closed doors.

Healthcare policy is unique. It is very complex, while also being deeply personal. Throughout our lives, doctors and nurses are with us for some of our most significant moments. Whether it is responding to trauma in an emergency, helping us live with chronic conditions, devising treatment plans for an ailing parent, or delivering a newborn child, our medical professionals are there for us when we are at our most vulnerable.

We are all vulnerable. Life does not discriminate. Anyone can get in a car accident and need months of physical therapy. Anyone can be diagnosed with cancer and require surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Anyone can have a son or daughter born with cystic fibrosis. But in this great country, I believe no one should ever go bankrupt because they get sick, and no one should ever die because they cannot afford quality health insurance.

I believe healthcare policy is very complex, and we have to work very hard at it, but I am also guided by a very simple moral concept: No matter who you are and no matter where you live in this country, no citizen should ever be forced into bankruptcy because they are sick and no one should ever die because they can't afford quality insurance.

I urge my colleagues to use the coming days to think about their goals for healthcare in our Nation and be guided by their own moral conscience. Passing a politically expedient proposal that can get 51 Republican votes after significant arm-twisting so that the Senate can move on to tax reform is not in the best interest of the American people, and I believe it is simply irresponsible.

I believe that we should provide the best care possible to as many Americans as possible while making sure that it is affordable. Now, I honestly can't say whether my Republican colleagues share these goals, but I can say

that the Senate healthcare bill that we saw this week does not hit the mark. I urge my colleagues to use the coming days to really think about what this bill will mean for the families in their State.

I feel fortunate that Michiganders have been willing to share their heartfelt stories with me in recent years. They are fearful that repealing the Affordable Care Act will not only put them in jeopardy but also their friends, family, and neighbors.

I have heard from Amy from Metro Detroit. She is 53 years old and has type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes. Amy is a self- employed small business owner. Before the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies viewed her diabetes diagnosis as a preexisting condition and were able to charge her more because of it. After the Affordable Care Act was implemented, Amy was able to shop around and find a much more affordable plan with the same level of benefits that she had before. While Amy does not qualify for subsidies to help purchase insurance, she was still able to cut her healthcare costs in half because of the Affordable Care Act. Amy fears--and rightfully so-- that if the Republican healthcare bill passes, her costs may skyrocket, jeopardizing her business and everything she has worked her entire life for.

I have heard from Tammy, who lives in Marne, MI. Tammy's daughter Erin is 10 years old. Erin was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 18 months. She takes 23 pills and does 2 hours of breathing treatments each and every day. She is a fighter, and her whole family has pulled together to support her, but they are also very worried about her future. Erin's family has private insurance, but they supplement the high cost of her care through Medicaid. Tammy is afraid that the $800 billion cut to Medicaid will jeopardize their ability to afford Erin's care and would cast an absolutely devastating blow to their family.

Finally, take Stefanie from Livonia, MI. Stefanie worked her entire life in the customer service industry, primarily in retail and in restaurants. She was never offered health insurance by her previous employers, and, until the Affordable Care Act, she never had health insurance as an adult. Then, in December 2015, Stephanie's third floor apartment caught fire, and she was left to make a horrific decision about whether to jump from her third floor apartment or die inside the burning building. Well, Stefanie jumped from the window to save her life, and she sustained serious injuries, including a broken back and a shattered foot. Because of the Affordable Care Act, she was able to receive treatment for her injuries, which included a month's stay in the hospital, multiple surgeries, and absolutely excruciating physical therapy to finally heal in the end. Stephanie's treatment came in close to $700,000, an amount that would surely bankrupt nearly any American.

These stories and many more are what health insurance is truly about. For people like Stefanie, Amy, and Erin, we should do more listening than talking. We should listen to Stefanie, Amy, and Erin, and we should listen to the hundreds of healthcare experts who have expressed their strong opposition to this bill and the impact that it will have on the healthcare system in this country.

I would urge my colleagues to listen to the AARP, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Diabetes Association, the American Hospital Association, the American Heart Association, the American Medical Association, the Children's Hospital Association, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the National Breast Cancer Coalition, and the National Council on Aging, just to name a few.

I am not just hearing from these national groups. I am also hearing from local healthcare professionals all across my State. Hospitals and community clinics in Michigan--particularly, the ones in the rural areas--are telling me this bill could cause them to close their doors. This will jeopardize access to care in communities that are already medically underserved. Costs will go up for seniors and individuals with preexisting conditions, like Amy.

No one chooses to get sick. But when we are confronting a disease or injury, health insurance is a lifeline. It allows us to get better, to get back on our feet, and it simply allows us to keep living.

In American society, healthcare coverage is our promise that if you work hard and you play by the rules, you will have the healthcare you need when you need it the most. As I have already said, no one in this great country should be forced into bankruptcy because they are sick, and no one--no one--should ever die because they can't afford quality insurance.

The Republican healthcare bill is irresponsible. This bill will strip away health insurance from 22 million Americans. This bill would put more and more Americans at risk of financial ruin from unpaid medical bills, and it would put more Americans at risk of dying because they can't afford the care they so desperately need.

This bill cannot and should not be salvaged with minor tweaks and arm-twisting to win a few votes.

I urge my colleagues to go back to the drawing board and begin an open, bipartisan process where we all listen to our constituents, hold hearings with experts, and work together to keep what works and to fix what doesn't. Let's let common sense rule the day and not partisan ideology. We should do what is best for our folks back home and ensure that everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare. Michiganders and all Americans deserve nothing less.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 200th anniversary of the city of Utica, MI. The bicentennial celebration is a historical benchmark for Utica, as well as the State of Michigan.

Located in Macomb County and often referred to as a small town with city amenities, Utica residents have always prided themselves on their high level of community involvement, rich heritage, and family-oriented values. After 200

years of change and growth, the city remains embodied in that local spirit.

Founded by Canadian pioneer Thomas Squire in 1817 and formally incorporated in 1838, Utica has a rich history. In the early pioneer days, settlers and farmers from across the United States traveled to Utica due to its close proximity to the Clinton River. At the time, Utica was known by various names, including McDougalville, Hog Hollow, and Harlow. It was not until 1829 when Americans from New York State began moving to the area and changed the name to Utica, after their home city. Utica gained the status of village in 1838 and was among one of the first towns in Michigan to do so.

The flourishing village experienced great economic growth from the agricultural industry, as well as the construction of the Detroit United Railway, Wildcat Bank of Utica, and Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal. Tragically, in both 1904 and 1905, fires erupted across the village and destroyed many businesses, residences, and the renowned Exchange Hotel. However, Utica residents demonstrated their love and commitment to the city by building waterworks in 1926, gas mains in 1930, and sewers in 1937. It was the same year, 1937, that Utica officially became a recognized city. It is testament to the longevity and vibrancy of the community that the Utica United Methodist Church, which was built in 1839 by two of the first settlers, Nathaniel and Jemima Squires, still stands today.

Today Utica is a vibrant community covering 1,114 acres of land, with affordable, safe housing, successful family-owned shops, and nationally recognized community schools. The city offers its residents a wide range of comprehensive and efficient services from festivals and 5K races, to senior nutrition programs and pinochle tournaments. Utica's fire and police department work hard to protect the city and its residents, as well as enhance the quality of life. In short, Utica is a great place to live, work, and play.

The city of Utica has a rich history, dynamic present, and bright future. As Utica celebrates this milestone, I ask all my colleagues to join me in congratulating its residents, elected officials, and businesses as they celebrate their rich history. I wish the city continued growth and prosperity in the years ahead.

Mr. President, I rise with the understanding that the Senate will be voting on a Republican healthcare bill next week, a bill that has been written entirely behind closed doors.

The bill has been hidden from the American people, the press, and, as far as I can tell, almost every Senator. I have not been allowed to see it and neither have any of my Democratic colleagues.

I was elected to the Senate in 2014 during the same election that Republicans regained the majority, and I remember a pledge by their leadership that the Senate would return to regular order. Well, regular order means public hearings on legislation. Regular order means committees have a chance to gather input from expert witnesses, consider a policy's potential impact, and amend bills before they come to the floor.

Prior to enacting ObamaCare, the Senate Finance and HELP Committees held nearly 100 hearings, roundtables, and walkthroughs on healthcare reform. In the House, where I served at the time, there were over 79 bipartisan hearings and markups that included an opportunity for our Republican colleagues to offer input and amendments in the bill. Dozens of Republican amendments were adopted during the House committee markups of the Affordable Care Act. That is an open process.

What we are seeing now is a bill drafted entirely in secrecy and hidden behind closed doors. But why? Is it because Republicans know that this bill is not a good deal for the American people? You could call the recent process a lot of things, but you can't call it open, and you can't call it regular order.

Supposedly, the bill has been assembled by a working group of 13 of my Republican colleagues, but just yesterday--just yesterday--one of these Members complained that he had not yet seen a draft. In fact, he went on to say--this is a Republican colleague of mine in this working group:

It has become increasingly apparent in the last few days

that even though we thought we were going to be in charge of

writing a bill within this working group, it's not being

written by us. It's apparently being written by a small

handful of staffers for members of the Republican leadership

in the Senate.

This quote makes it clear that this working group is--well, it is not working.

When Senators in the majority party are unable to tell you who is writing the bill, let alone what is in the bill, we have a problem. While we clearly have a problem with the secretive, rushed process, this process is a symptom, not the disease. The underlying disease is that this bill, which we reportedly will see tomorrow, is almost certainly terrible for the American people.

There are two explanations for keeping a product under wraps: Either you want to build excitement for it or you are worried about the weaknesses that would be exposed by the daylight. I don't believe for a moment that Republicans are trying to build excitement by hiding this bill. This bill is not next year's model of the Ford Mustang or Chevy Camaro waiting to be unveiled at the Detroit auto show to great fanfare. This bill is like a disaster that will negatively impact millions of Americans. This bill is the iceberg that sunk the Titanic, and Republican leadership has turned off the ship's radio and are furiously shoveling coal into the engines.

While the Senate moves full steam ahead to vote next week on a bill we haven't even seen yet, I am worried that my colleagues across the aisle, along with too many political commentators and pundits, are simply asking the wrong questions. They are asking: Will moderate Republicans vote for it? Will the tea party wing support it? Will it take sweetheart deals to get to 51 votes?

Well, folks, this is not a game. This is not about if and how the majority can count to 51 votes and solve their political problems with the far-rightwing base of their party. This is about people's lives.

There are serious policy questions we need to ask, and the American people deserve to have answers. There are questions like these: What are your policy goals here? How do you think this will help people afford quality insurance coverage? What will the bill do for tens of millions of Americans who have gained healthcare coverage in recent years? What will the bill do for patients with preexisting conditions? What will the bill do for the hundreds of thousands of Michiganders covered under the successful Healthy Michigan Program? What will the bill do for small business owners and employees? What will the bill do for seniors who need affordable, long-term care options? What will the bill do for individuals battling opioid addiction? These are questions I am asking, along with all of my Democratic colleagues.

I serve on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and just a few weeks ago we held a hearing on opioid abuse and how the epidemic is simply ravaging our Nation.

I had the opportunity to speak with a police chief from our southern border State of Ohio. He was very clear that if Medicaid expansion were to go away--as we saw in the House bill and expect to see in the Senate bill--it will make it much more difficult for local police departments to tackle this crisis because of dramatically scaled-back

availability of addiction treatment. I spoke with a coroner, a medical doctor, and an addiction expert on the panel as well.

These are professionals dealing with a public health crisis each and every day--not people with political agendas. They all agreed that Medicaid expansion is critical to combating addiction, improving public health, and helping individuals suffering from addiction have an opportunity to be productive citizens and have a second chance at life.

The bottom line is that this bill--this secretive, rushed bill that we will supposedly see tomorrow--will move us backward and rip healthcare away from millions of Americans. When you take health coverage away from people, people will die.

As a Member of the House, I voted for the Affordable Care Act because I knew that, at the end of the day, it would save people's lives. As elected officials and public servants, there are only a handful of votes we cast that are literally about life and death. Next week, we will see one of those votes.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to read the bill, whenever we get it, and then talk to doctors, patients, families, clinics, and hospitals in their State. I also urge my colleagues to vote no next week and to start a truly bipartisan process that keeps what works, fixes what doesn't, but, most importantly, helps all Americans afford quality healthcare in their communities.

I stand here ready and willing to be a partner in a bipartisan process and to work with my Republican colleagues to improve our healthcare system. Show us and the American people you are serious about health reform. Let's have an open and honest process and pass a bill that is genuinely in the best interest of the American people.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.