Floor Statements

Mr. President, today I wish to mark the distinguished 40-year public service career of Daryl Delabbio of Kent County, MI. Mr. Delabbio is widely regarded as one of the Nation's preeminent municipal managers, helping lead his region to growth and prosperity with an unwavering devotion to financial stability and customer service. Mr. Delabbio is retiring as the administrator of Kent County, a position he has held for the past 19 years. Prior to that role, he served as assistant Kent County administrator for 3 years and as manager of the city of Rockford, MI, for 11 years. Mr. Delabbio began his municipal career in 1977 as administrative coordinator for the city of Rockwood, before joining Garden City, MI, as director of administrative services.

Mr. Delabbio has presided over a county that emerged from Michigan's historic economic downturn as the fastest growing county in the State. His success has stemmed from building important partnerships, while prioritizing excellent citizen services and encouraging diversity and inclusion throughout the county. He has distinguished himself by spearheading many of the successful public and private partnerships that have become the hallmark of Kent County's prosperity. Mr. Delabbio was one of the founders of the Kent County/Grand Rapids Convention and Arena Authority, an organization whose work has greatly advanced the economic development of Kent County. The authority's development of a downtown convention center and sports and entertainment arena have become catalysts for the economic vitality of Grand Rapids, Michigan's second-largest city.

Mr. Delabbio has shown a dedication to lifelong learning by creating various educational programs for county staff and a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. In 2001, he helped

create the Cultural Insight Council. This self-directed, interdepartmental workgroup is comprised of employees from diverse backgrounds, representing all levels of the organization.

Under his stewardship as county administrator and controller, Kent County has attained the highest possible bond ratings for 19 consecutive years. These triple-A ratings have allowed the county to finance important community projects at the lowest cost possible. Kent County has achieved many milestones under Mr. Delabbio's tenure, from the construction of Millennium Park and the Kent County courthouse, to the expansion of the Kent County jail and the transition of the county Department of Aeronautics to a regional airport authority. Mr. Delabbio has worked with over 60 elected Kent County commissioners and is held in the highest regard by his peers around the country and globe. He has served as a regional vice president of the International City County Management Association, an organization with over 9,000 members worldwide, as well as a board member on many other organizations, including the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, Experience Grand Rapids, and The Right Place, Inc.

Mr. Delabbio holds a bachelor of science degree in political science and master of management from Aquinas College, as well as a master of public administration from Wayne State University and a Ph.D. from Western Michigan University. He has been an adjunct professor at Davenport University and plans to continue teaching and sharing his expertise with others in his retirement.

Mr. Delabbio's colleagues in Kent County have praised him for work that has embodied what it means to be a public servant: resourceful, thoughtful, creative, and dedicated. Mr. Delabbio's decades of work have set the standard for excellence and integrity for municipal managers throughout the State of Michigan, while mentoring many others who share his passion for public service. Those that know him will also attest that Mr. Delabbio is a humble man of impeccable character.

I am honored to ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Daryl Delabbio for his decades of public service to the citizens of Kent County, MI. His selfless, quiet leadership has left behind a legacy of growth and achievement that will benefit them for decades to come.

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

Mr. President, I rise today to reiterate my support for the resolution of disapproval related to the sale of certain defense articles to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While the resolution, unfortunately, did not pass the Senate in a recent vote, I believe its goals remain important.

The Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen is fueling a humanitarian disaster. Over 10,000 people have died, and over 3 million people have been displaced as the conflict has exacerbated poverty, famine, and disease. According to UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, a cholera outbreak in Yemen could quadruple to infect 300,000 people in the coming weeks. Half of the current cholera cases affect children, and the ongoing conflict leaves few hospitals to turn to and almost no medical supplies.

In addition to deaths related to famine and the outbreak of other diseases, we are seeing civilian casualties as a direct result of Saudi military action. Earlier this year at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, I asked General Votel, the commander of U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for the Middle East, to assess the cause of the large number of civilian casualties in Yemen. General Votel responded: ``I attribute those type situations more to the competence of the forces that are operating there, and their ability to properly target.''

I am concerned that even with the precision munitions the United States

has sold to Saudi Arabia in the past, air strikes continue to hit civilian targets. The number of civilian injuries and deaths shows that there is simply not enough progress to reduce civilian casualties.

I could not in good conscience vote to support providing advanced precision munitions--bombs capable of hitting targets guided by laser targeting or GPS--to a campaign conducted by forces unable or unwilling to limit strikes to targets of military necessity.

Civilian casualties are a tragedy, and they threaten to make us less safe by radicalizing populations that otherwise would not be sympathetic to violent extremist groups like al-Qaida. It is critical that the U.S. military is certainly able to hunt down terrorists wherever they operate or wherever they seek haven.

The deployment of remotely piloted aircraft has allowed for persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, which is used to minimize the risk of civilian casualties. When the U.S. military carries out air strikes, we know our men and women in uniform are the best trained in the world and are informed by the best available intelligence.

Precision-guided munitions alone do not avoid preventable tragedies. It takes capable and fully trained personnel. This is what we must expect from our partners for the sake of innocent civilians caught in conflict zones and for our own national security. Failing to do so sets back the potential for a political solution.

We simply should not send precision munitions or any weapons system to any partner with personnel who are not capable or trained to use them. That is why I supported the resolution of disapproval, which specifically objects to the sale of three specific types of precision- guided munitions and related technology. While this measure failed, I will continue to work as a member of the Armed Services Committee to provide oversight and hold the Saudi Government and military accountable.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Dr. James Jacobs on the occasion of his retirement as president of Macomb Community College. Dr. Jacobs has worked at Macomb Community College for nearly 50 years and was named president in 2008. He previously taught social science, political science, economics, and served as director for the Center for Workforce Development and Policy at the college. Under his leadership, Macomb Community College has grown to be one of the Nation's leading community colleges, providing an education to nearly 48,000 students a year. I appreciate the opportunity to recognize Dr. Jacobs' success as an education leader, as well as the contributions he has made to his community.

Dr. Jacobs has long been at the heart of Macomb Community College, an educational institution founded in 1954. The college has been growing ever since. With three campuses, the Lorenzo Cultural Center, and the Michigan Technical Education Center, Macomb Community College has grown into one of the leading community colleges in the Nation. It ranks in the top 2 percent for number of associate degrees awarded by community colleges and is the largest grantor of associate degrees in Michigan.

Under Dr. Jacobs, the education platform and course offerings have flourished. Today Macomb Community College offers precollegiate and graduate degrees, workforce training, and professional education. One such program that has prospered is the Macomb University Center. The University Center partners with other colleges and universities throughout the State of Michigan to offer students the opportunity to earn bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in over 80 fields. Thanks to Dr. Jacobs, the university center has become a national model for educational partnerships.

Dr. Jacobs has grown Macomb Community College around a vision and mission that put the student at the forefront. With a focus on student success, efficiency and effectiveness, and community engagement, Macomb Community College has dedicated itself to provide learning opportunities and support services that enable students to achieve their educational goals.

Dr. Jacobs is also leader in Macomb and the region, both on and off campus. He is widely known for delivering the Macomb County Economic Forecast annually for the last 29 years. He also serves on numerous boards, including the Center for Automotive Research, Metropolitan Affairs Council, and the Detroit Institute of Arts.

I would like to congratulate Dr. Jacobs on his retirement as president of Macomb Community College and thank him for his decades of service to his community. It is certainly my hope that in retirement he will continue this type of work because we need his expertise and knowledge.

Mr. President, I rise to speak about legislation I am introducing with my colleague from Michigan Senator Stabenow to authorize funding for a new Soo Lock.

Since 1855, locks at the St. Mary's River have allowed ships to pass between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. In modern times, this waterway has allowed large freighters to move coal, iron ore, and agricultural products throughout the Great Lakes. The Soo Locks are the most important link in a critical supply chain that connects iron ore mines in Minnesota and Michigan's Upper Peninsula with steel mills and manufacturing facilities all across the country.

During World War II, Congress authorized funding for a new lock because it was clear the country's ability to move iron ore to steel plants in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania was absolutely critical for the war effort. It took less than 2 years to complete that project after Congress authorized the funding in 1942.

President Roosevelt signed an Executive order establishing the military district of Sault Saint Marie, and the Army stationed 10,000 troops there to defend the Soo Locks by land, air, and sea--so great was the fear that a German attack would instantly cripple Allied efforts to produce steel and weapons.

Today, there is only one Soo Lock--the Poe Lock--that is large enough to accommodate modern freighters, especially the 1,000-foot-long vessels that move millions of tons of iron ore each and every year. Over 80 percent of the commodities that flow through the Soo Locks must pass through the Poe Lock, and each one of those 1,000-foot freighters carries the equivalent of 3,000 truckloads of commodities. It is not possible to move that amount of iron ore in these 1,000-foot freighters by rail or by road, and on top of that, the steel mills are only equipped to handle the iron ore supply by water.

A study conducted by the Department of Homeland Security in 2015 confirmed that it is the Achilles' heel of our economy. Key findings from the Department say: ``A disruption of the Poe Lock likely will cause an almost complete shutdown of Great Lake steel production.''

The report goes on to say: ``A shutdown of Great Lakes steel production likely will cause almost all North American appliances, automobiles, construction equipment, farm equipment, mining equipment, and railcar production to cease within weeks.''

Within weeks. The Homeland Security report estimates that 11 million Americans would lose their jobs if this were to happen.

Consider the fact that the jobs of millions of American workers depend on the ability of large ships to pass, as depicted, from here to here on the St. Mary's Falls Canal. Currently, there is only one lock that can accommodate this task. If this lock shuts down, steel plants in Ohio and Indiana and Kentucky shut down. Auto plants in Texas, Tennessee, California, and Michigan shut down. The American economy shuts down. The losses would be felt throughout the United States, wherever steel is used in the manufacturing process.

We are taking an unacceptable risk if we do not act swiftly to ensure that there is a backup in the case of a lock failure. That is why I am joining Senator Stabenow and members of the Michigan congressional delegation from both parties to introduce a bill that would authorize the funding for constructing another larger Poe-sized lock. The current authorization for the project is far below projected cost estimates. Our bill, which was introduced today, if enacted, will allow the Army Corps to move directly into the design and construction phase. We do not have a moment to lose.

Just last week, I traveled to the Soo Locks for a tour with members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and we saw firsthand how the dedicated men and women of the Army Corps are working to keep the locks functioning. They go to work each and every day with a full understanding of how the safety and security of the Nation rests with their ability to maintain this critical infrastructure. It is a credit to the skill of the Army Corps of Engineers that freighters have been able to pass through the St. Mary's on their journeys around the Great Lakes almost without interruption. But they are working with equipment that has been maintained well beyond its life cycle and in some cases beyond two life cycles. When I was there last week, I saw 100-year-old water pumps still in use.

We cannot continue to rely on the infrastructure investments made by our grandparents and great-grandparents. It is time to invest in our country and the well-being of our economy for future generations and pass the Soo Locks Modernization Act.

Mr. President, I rise to speak about legislation I am introducing with my colleague from Michigan Senator Stabenow to authorize funding for a new Soo Lock.

Since 1855, locks at the St. Mary's River have allowed ships to pass between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. In modern times, this waterway has allowed large freighters to move coal, iron ore, and agricultural products throughout the Great Lakes. The Soo Locks are the most important link in a critical supply chain that connects iron ore mines in Minnesota and Michigan's Upper Peninsula with steel mills and manufacturing facilities all across the country.

During World War II, Congress authorized funding for a new lock because it was clear the country's ability to move iron ore to steel plants in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania was absolutely critical for the war effort. It took less than 2 years to complete that project after Congress authorized the funding in 1942.

President Roosevelt signed an Executive order establishing the military district of Sault Saint Marie, and the Army stationed 10,000 troops there to defend the Soo Locks by land, air, and sea--so great was the fear that a German attack would instantly cripple Allied efforts to produce steel and weapons.

Today, there is only one Soo Lock--the Poe Lock--that is large enough to accommodate modern freighters, especially the 1,000-foot-long vessels that move millions of tons of iron ore each and every year. Over 80 percent of the commodities that flow through the Soo Locks must pass through the Poe Lock, and each one of those 1,000-foot freighters carries the equivalent of 3,000 truckloads of commodities. It is not possible to move that amount of iron ore in these 1,000-foot freighters by rail or by road, and on top of that, the steel mills are only equipped to handle the iron ore supply by water.

A study conducted by the Department of Homeland Security in 2015 confirmed that it is the Achilles' heel of our economy. Key findings from the Department say: ``A disruption of the Poe Lock likely will cause an almost complete shutdown of Great Lake steel production.''

The report goes on to say: ``A shutdown of Great Lakes steel production likely will cause almost all North American appliances, automobiles, construction equipment, farm equipment, mining equipment, and railcar production to cease within weeks.''

Within weeks. The Homeland Security report estimates that 11 million Americans would lose their jobs if this were to happen.

Consider the fact that the jobs of millions of American workers depend on the ability of large ships to pass, as depicted, from here to here on the St. Mary's Falls Canal. Currently, there is only one lock that can accommodate this task. If this lock shuts down, steel plants in Ohio and Indiana and Kentucky shut down. Auto plants in Texas, Tennessee, California, and Michigan shut down. The American economy shuts down. The losses would be felt throughout the United States, wherever steel is used in the manufacturing process.

We are taking an unacceptable risk if we do not act swiftly to ensure that there is a backup in the case of a lock failure. That is why I am joining Senator Stabenow and members of the Michigan congressional delegation from both parties to introduce a bill that would authorize the funding for constructing another larger Poe-sized lock. The current authorization for the project is far below projected cost estimates. Our bill, which was introduced today, if enacted, will allow the Army Corps to move directly into the design and construction phase. We do not have a moment to lose.

Just last week, I traveled to the Soo Locks for a tour with members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and we saw firsthand how the dedicated men and women of the Army Corps are working to keep the locks functioning. They go to work each and every day with a full understanding of how the safety and security of the Nation rests with their ability to maintain this critical infrastructure. It is a credit to the skill of the Army Corps of Engineers that freighters have been able to pass through the St. Mary's on their journeys around the Great Lakes almost without interruption. But they are working with equipment that has been maintained well beyond its life cycle and in some cases beyond two life cycles. When I was there last week, I saw 100-year-old water pumps still in use.

We cannot continue to rely on the infrastructure investments made by our grandparents and great-grandparents. It is time to invest in our country and the well-being of our economy for future generations and pass the Soo Locks Modernization Act.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor our brave men and women in law enforcement. During National Police Week, we commemorate the conviction and compassion they bring to their jobs every day, as well as the difficult choices and the sacrifices they make. From members of local police departments, to rapid transit officers, to court bailiffs, public safety officers risk their lives to keep our families and communities safe. That is a fact that we can never forget and a reality that confronts public safety officers and their families every day. This is a time to reflect on what law enforcement officers do for our communities, to thank those who serve us, and to pay special recognition to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

It is in that spirit, and with a heavy heart, that I rise to honor seven Michigan law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2016. These men gave everything to their communities, their families, the State of Michigan, and their country. Across Michigan, our hearts have been shattered by their deaths, and our grief and gratitude go out to their families. Let us take one moment to honor their lifetimes of service: Myron Jarrett, Police Officer, Detroit Police Department; Ronald Kienzle, Court Officer, Berrien County Trial Court; Kevin Miller, Sergeant, Detroit Police Department; Collin Rose, Wayne State University Police Department; Kenneth Steil, Sergeant, Detroit Police Department; Michael Winter, Posse Deputy, Branch County Sheriff's Office; and Joseph Zangaro, Security Supervisor, Berrien County Trial Court.

The deaths of these officers were only some of the devastating tragedies that have shaken communities in Michigan and across this country. In these difficult times, we must always acknowledge each other's sacrifices, walk in one another's shoes, and feel the compassion in each other's hearts. This is what our law enforcement officers strive to do for us, and what we can do for them. During National Police Week and every day, we must continue to support our law enforcement officers, and we must work to ensure that they and their communities have the resources they need to live safely and serve the highest ideals of this Nation.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. President, I rise to speak in opposition to the nomination of Rachel Brand to be the Associate Attorney General.

The Associate Attorney General is the third-most senior position at the Department of Justice. During these troubling times, I cannot in good conscience support Ms. Brand's nomination.

The American public must have faith in its institutions, and unfortunately that trust is eroding more and more each and every day. For the first time in recent history, we are facing questions about a significant interference from a foreign government in an American Presidential election. Even more troubling, there have been serious questions about a Presidential campaign's potential collusion with Russia, a foreign adversary.

We have an idea of the potential problem here, and the Justice Department is supposed to be a part of the solution. Unfortunately, the recent conduct of the President's appointees to the Department of Justice have only added fuel to the fire.

First, Attorney General Jeff Sessions failed to reveal his communication with the Russians during his confirmation hearings. This omission led him to publicly pledge to recuse himself from Russia- related investigations.

Then, in an inexplicable turn of events, the Deputy Attorney General and the Attorney General advised the President to fire former FBI Director Jim Comey, who we know was in the midst of investigating the Trump campaign's relationship with Russia. Let me be clear: That was a firing that the President himself admitted was related to ``the Russia thing.''

Then the day after firing Director Comey, the President revealed highly classified information to Russian officials during a meeting in the Oval Office--a meeting that, I may add, was closed to the American press but oddly included only the Russian press.

You simply can't make this stuff up. The level of turmoil and the questionable behavior on the part of this administration are deeply disturbing, not just for Americans but for our allies all across the globe.

We are currently lurching from crisis to crisis, and we must pause for a moment and consider what is at stake; namely, the security and the future of our democracy.

My Democratic colleagues and I have repeatedly called for a special prosecutor to take over all of the Russia-related investigations, and recent events show that the need for a special prosecutor is greater now more than ever. It is time to put country over politics, and it is time for a transparent and thorough investigation into these concerns. If there is no wrongdoing, then the President should not be concerned about getting the American people the truth they deserve. Our constituents need to have their faith restored in our institutions and that will require transparency, integrity, and professionalism from officials at the Department of Justice.

I joined the vast majority of my colleagues in supporting the confirmation of Rod Rosenstein to serve as Deputy Attorney General with the belief that he would bring a voice of reason to the Department of Justice. The results have been, needless to say, disappointing. With the current state of this Justice Department, I have no reason to believe Ms. Brand will fare much better.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to consider the very real challenges we face. This is not an issue of partisan politics or the outcome of a past election; this is about protecting the sanctity of our democracy from outside threats.

I believe we absolutely must work together to restore the credibility and the independence of the Justice Department. Until we have an independent special prosecutor and until we are confident that the Attorney General is truly honoring his recusal on the Russia investigation, I cannot support another senior political nomination to this Justice Department.

I urge my colleagues to vote no.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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

Mr. President, I rise today to discuss President Trump's decision to fire FBI Director James Comey. During his campaign, then- Candidate Trump regularly talked about how he would be the law and order President. ``Law and order'' means different things to different people, but all of us should be able to agree that we cannot have law and order without the rule of law.

The rule of law is not a new or even uniquely American idea. It dates back to the Magna Carta of 1215. This document--a pact between King John of

England and his barons--established that the Nation's people have certain rights and that even the monarch is subject to the laws of the land. Centuries later, as we cast off the British monarchy, declared our independence, and established our own form of government, our Nation's founders enshrined the rule of law in our Constitution.

Our system of checks and balances was designed to hold all levels of the Federal Government accountable but especially the President. Without the rule of law, law and order becomes merely order imposed by an unaccountable government. We know what order without the rule of law looks like. Last century it looked like the regimes of the Axis Powers. Now it looks like North Korea, Egypt, the Philippines, and, yes, Russia. These are all nations led by strongmen whom our President has praised in some manner, strongmen who hold democratic institutions in contempt and exercise disproportionate control over their nations' military, government institutions, and the media.

While the press here in the United States remains independent, we have a President who has chosen to regularly do battle with what he derides as the ``fake news media.'' He has even called our cherished, constitutionally protected free press ``the enemy of the American people.''

It is often said that the news is the ``first rough draft of history.'' While the President can attempt to wage war with the news media, none of us can truly fight history. But here in the Senate, we can help shape it. History has its eyes on our Chamber now.

Some of my colleagues across the aisle have said they are ``troubled'' or ``disappointed'' by the President's decision to fire Director Comey, but it appears that many are taking a wait-and-see approach. They are taking a wait-and-see approach to Director Comey's firing. They are taking a wait-and-see approach to how the administration replaces him. They are taking a wait-and-see approach to the ongoing investigation into the Trump campaign's potential collusion with Russia. The problem here is that this administration won't let us see anything. The Trump administration is actively working to cover up everything that we, as the independent legislative branch, need to see to get to the bottom of the Trump campaign's potential collusion with Russia.

Director Comey was investigating this potential collusion at the time that he was fired, and it has been reported that Director Comey recently asked Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein for an increase in money and personnel for this very investigation. Within a matter of days, the Deputy Attorney General wrote a memo recommending that President Trump fire Director Comey for actions he took last year. So was Director Comey fired on May 9, 2017, for his actions back in 2016? Are we to believe the President and the Attorney General were carefully weighing the merits of Director Comey's service since the inauguration, or was he fired because he was ramping up his investigation into Russian collusion? Let's not forget that this is the same collusion investigation from which Attorney General Sessions recused himself before recommending to the President that he fire Director Comey.

This is clearly a President who is more than happy to fire people, and he does so in a hasty fashion. Director Comey is not the first public servant to be fired while investigating this administration. In fact, he is in pretty good company. Acting Attorney General Sally Yates was fired while overseeing the collection of intelligence related to meetings between the Russian Ambassador and members of the Trump team. The U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York was fired while investigating HHS Secretary Price's financial investments, in addition to leading a separate investigation into corrupt Russian businessmen and officials. One firing is an incident, two is a coincidence, but three is a pattern.

The past 4 months suggests that our President thinks he can simply tweet and fire his way out of this problem, while continuing to cozy up to the Russians. Earlier today, less than 24 hours after firing Director Comey, President Trump hosted the Russian Ambassador and the Foreign Minister in the Oval Office.

I am deeply concerned that the President is unable or unwilling to grasp what the underlying problem here actually is. When the President hears Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle discuss the Russian attack on our election and the very foundations of our democracy, he hears sour grapes stemming from people who would have liked the Republican primary or the general election to have ended differently. But let me be very clear: This is not about scoring political points. This is not about winning the news cycle or the back- and-forth on Twitter. This is not the newest iteration of partisan politics.

Now is the time for all of us to put country above party. Throughout our Nation's history, Senators have come together to tackle some of the Nation's most difficult problems. Our Union has survived other challenges, and I am confident we can navigate this together, but we need to know exactly what we are up against. This is about properly diagnosing and curing a possible Russian infection in the White House and inoculating our government and elections for the future. Firing your doctor won't take your illness away, and taking a wait-and-see approach won't do that either.

We need an independent special prosecutor to diagnose potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. We cannot wait for the President to handpick a new FBI Director who will owe his or her nomination for this unexpected job opening to the very people he or she will be charged with investigating.

Our democracy is resilient and our democracy is strong, but if we have a festering foreign infection that is left untreated, our democratic system will certainly weaken. We need a special prosecutor to either identify and address any malfeasance or issue this White House a clean bill of health.

Democracies are built on trust in civic institutions--a trust that has eroded in recent years, and I am deeply concerned that this erosion is accelerating. As Americans and as elected officials, we must come together and restore our constituents' trust in the Federal Government. We cannot just wait and see any longer. Now is the time for an independent special prosecutor.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the heroic actions of

Dr. Cynthia ``Cyndi'' Ray and Mr. Sean English. On Sunday, April 2, 2017, Dr. Ray and Mr. English stopped to assist six passengers trapped in an overturned SUV on Interstate 96 near Fullerton, MI, when a second vehicle lost control and struck them. Dr. Ray was on her way to work at Henry Ford Hospital, while Mr. English and his parents were headed to St. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in downtown Detroit, where he was expected to sing in the choir. The accident left Dr. Ray, Mr. English, and the driver of the second vehicle in critical condition, and, on April 5, 2017, Dr. Ray succumbed to her injuries, tragically passing away. Mr. English suffered a broken pelvis and lost part of his foot.

Dr. Cynthia Ray was born on August 28, 1970, in Kansas City, KS, to parents Floey--Collier--and the late Dr. Fred Ray. Growing up in the State of Oklahoma, Dr. Ray followed her father into the field of medicine. After graduating from Ross University School of Medicine in 1999 and completing her residency at St. Joseph Mercy Health System, Dr. Ray went on to practice interventional pulmonology at Henry Ford Hospital's department of pathology and radiology, in Detroit, MI. Highly regarded as a compassionate colleague and physician, Dr. Ray was part of the Henry Ford family since 2005.

Dr. Ray's talents extended far beyond medicine. As a former Henry Ford Hospital ``Campus Idol'' contestant, Dr. Ray was a gifted singer, as well as a former ballerina and admirable cook. She also cared deeply about rescuing dogs. Dr. Ray will be greatly missed in the city of Detroit, as well as across the State of Michigan.

Mr. Sean English, a junior at University of Detroit Jesuit High School, is admired by his peers and his teachers. An active member of his school community, Mr. English is a star student-athlete on University of Detroit Jesuit's cross country and track team and is the reigning Catholic League champion in the 1-mile run. He is also involved in student government and serves on the student senate selection committee. In stopping to assist others in a time of need, Mr. English exemplified the mission of University of Detroit Jesuit, ``Men for Others.'' In a telling testament to his character and the impact he has made, both on his fellow students and the broader University of Detroit Jesuit community, there has been an incredible outpouring of support to both him and his family. I know the administration, faculty, parents, and students of University of Detroit Jesuit have offered their praise of Mr. English, for serving as an example of faith and perseverance, as well as his great sense of humor.

I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the incredible selflessness of these two good Samaritans: Dr. Cynthia Ray and Mr. Sean English. Our communities are made stronger by the actions of everyday heroes, like Dr. Ray and Mr. English. I know that Dr. Ray's passion, dedication, and compassion will be deeply missed. I also commend Mr. English for his dedication to helping others, as well as his bravery in the face of adversity, and I wish him a full and speedy recovery. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted by this incident, and I know the actions and sacrifices of both Dr. Ray and Mr. English will continue to inspire others to serve their community and make a difference in the lives of others.

Mr. President, Congress has spent the first 4 months of this year using an arcane, expedited procedure to roll back policies from the previous administration, while disregarding the impact these changes will have on American workers and families.

When you hold a belief that anything done by a Federal agency is bad, cutting programs seems like progress, but, unfortunately, it is not that simple.

I am all for streamlining government and making the process of doing business easier, but some rules--rules that keep workers safe, for example, or to protect consumers or to keep our air and water clean-- are protections that make sense.

In their ideological zeal, the majority has time and again made the decision to roll back important policies regardless of the impact on American people.

So far this year, just to name a few, the majority has rolled back environmental protections for clean water and allowed internet service providers to sell your personal browsing history to the highest bidder. The majority has also reversed rules that make workplaces safer and has even made it easier for corporations to bribe the governments of developing countries.

Now today, as the window closes on the majority's ability to rush through legislation under the Congressional Review Act, we are again facing a vote that could harm American families and make it harder for people to save for retirement.

As I have said on this topic before, for the people of Michigan, the American dream can take on many forms. But no matter who you are, there are a few fundamentals that I truly believe cut across the entire American society. One small piece of the American dream is the ability to retire with dignity and save enough to be able to pass along something to the next generation.

The measure under consideration today, which would repeal the Department of Labor's safe harbor for States developing retirement plans, would be a step backward, and it would make it harder for people to save for a secure retirement.

It is no secret that the American economy has changed in the last generation. One of the most profound changes for working families has been the dramatic shift from defined benefit pension plans to defined contribution plans. Our current system of IRAs and 401(k)s work well for many people, but it is unfortunately leaving millions of Americans behind.

If you work for a large, stable employer--like those of us privileged to work for the U.S. Senate--you will more than likely have access to a retirement plan. Americans, when they have access to these types of plans, make smart, prudent financial decisions.

Over 90 percent of Americans with access to a workplace plan report saving for their retirement. But not everyone works for a large employer, and for those who do not, the system has very large, gaping holes.

Nearly 60 million working Americans do not have access to a workplace retirement plan. These are workers who are trying to put something away for a comfortable retirement and build a stable financial future for their families. They simply demand some solutions, and they certainly deserve them. Families don't care if it is a Democratic solution or a Republican solution, nor do they care if it is a Federal Government idea or their local State's idea. They simply want and need access to a plan that allows them to build a better future.

So this leads to a very important question. If the States are working to do their part to find solutions to this problem, why would we in the U.S. Senate work to block them?

These safe harbors provided by the Department of Labor are the perfect example of allowing the States to do what they do best, which is taking an active role as laboratories of democracy.

As I have said, we need big ideas, we need small ideas, and, frankly, we need all of the ideas that we can get. But I am saying here today that I am willing to work with any of my colleagues on a plan--big or small--to help Americans move toward a secure retirement.

A secure retirement cannot become a relic of the past, but this piece of the American dream will only be true for this generation of workers if we start working on these solutions now. We certainly should not stand in the way of States working on innovative ways to help the citizens of their respective States.

I urge my colleagues to vote no on the resolution.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. President, I rise today to ask for Senate approval of legislation that I sponsored, along with my friend and colleague from across the aisle, Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado.

Earlier this year, we introduced the Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act with Senators Booker, Wicker, and Klobuchar, and it went on to pass unanimously by the full Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in January.

Space weather, which includes solar flares and coronal mass ejections caused by the constantly changing conditions in the Sun's magnetic fields, regularly hurls ionized gas toward the Earth. This can potentially devastate our infrastructure and significantly disrupt our economy. The chances of Earth being hit by a severe space weather event are roughly the same as a magnitude 8 earthquake striking the United States, but the impact to our way of life would be absolutely catastrophic.

According to NASA, Earth was narrowly missed by a large space weather event in 2012, which could have resulted in a worst-case scenario impact to Earth. A report by Lloyd's of London estimates that a worst- case scenario space weather event could cost up to $2.6 trillion and impact as many as 40 million people by causing outages at electric utilities, disrupting GPS communication networks, and forcing airlines to reroute air traffic.

The potential disruption to these critical sectors of our economy makes space weather a threat we must understand better. Scientists across the globe, including in my home State of Michigan, are working to improve our understanding of space weather and how outputs from the Sun interact with the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. For years, NASA, NOAA, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense have funded this critical research.

The work of scientists and engineers at these agencies and universities across the country will help us better predict solar events and improve our ability to protect the infrastructure of the United States. But as we increasingly realize the magnitude of this threat, we need national leadership to focus our resources, coordinate planning, and prepare for space weather events.

This bipartisan legislation sets national priorities to increase and improve space weather observations, science, and forecasting abilities. This research will improve our efforts to predict and to mitigate the effects of space weather events on Earth and in space.

Space weather is not science fiction. If we don't prepare ourselves, the impact could be catastrophic. But by learning to make better predictions, issue more effective warnings, and take precautions for when that inevitable day comes to pass, we can prevent space weather from wreaking costly havoc or disrupting our daily lives.

It is imperative that we invest in science and technologies to better understand space weather. It is imperative that we act on that knowledge and understanding to protect our critical infrastructure. It is, therefore, imperative that we move quickly to sign into law the Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act.

As in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 29, S. 141.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.