Floor Statements

Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 488, S. 2648.

Mr. President, following my remarks and those of the Republican leader, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 2648, the emergency supplemental appropriations bill, postcloture. The time until 10 a.m. will be equally divided between the two leaders or their designees. The ranking member of the Budget Committee, Senator Sessions, will control the time from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the majority will control the time from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.

We will notify all Senators when votes are scheduled.

Measure Placed on the Calendar--S. 2709

Mr. President, I understand that S. 2709 is at the desk and due for a second reading.

Mr. President, I would object to any further proceedings with respect to this bill.

Mr. President, I respect, admire, and applaud Senators Cantwell and Manchin for the work they have done on this most important bill. We need to find a way forward on it.

There are some in the House of Representatives and a few over here who have made this very difficult to do, and it is so important to the economic stability of our country.

I met yesterday with the head of Boeing aircraft, and they have 800,000 jobs directly and indirectly connected to this--I shouldn't say ``to this.'' But it is a significant part of what they do and need to do to get their finances in order. It would be a shame if we weren't able to renew this. It expires at the end of September.

September Work Schedule

Before we finish our business and Senators return for the work period at home, I want everyone to know about what is going to happen when we come back.

Following the August recess, when we convene on September 8, we will be here for 1 week, 2 weeks, and 2 days. That is it. September 23 is our target date to adjourn until after the election. I hope we can do that. This leaves us little more than 2 weeks and 2 days. That is not a lot of time for the workload we have to do.

We need to pass appropriations measures to keep the government from shutting down. We need to pass a temporary extension to the Internet Tax Freedom Act. We need to do something about the items I just mentioned about the Ex-Im Bank. We have to do the Defense authorization bill, which is extremely important for the fighting men and women of this country. We are going to address the Udall constitutional amendment on capping finance reform. And we are going to reconsider a number of issues: college affordability, minimum wage, Hobby Lobby, student debt.

We have a lot of work to do. So everyone needs to know that when we come back on September 8, there will be no weekends off. There are only 2 weeks until we go home, and everyone should not plan things on these weekends. So no one can say: You need to give us notice.

You have been given notice.

I had a chairmen's lunch yesterday. Every chairman there said we should work those two weekends. So everybody, this isn't me trying to dictate a schedule. At lunch yesterday, the chairmen of this institution said we should work those two weekends.

I just mentioned a few things we have to do. So again, Saturday, September 13; Sunday, September 14; Saturday, September 20; Sunday, September 21, we need to be here, including the Fridays that precede those dates that I gave. Every day between September 8 and September 30 is fair game. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, we need to be here.

I repeat for the third time here this morning: There is so much to do and so little time to do it. We have not had a productive Congress. We can't push everything back to the so-called lameduck. Much of what we are able to accomplish in September depends on the Republicans in the House. Will they get their business done and pass legislation that is important for our country and including the economy?

Here we have lamented the fact that they refuse to take up and pass our comprehensive immigration reform. What a good piece of legislation, a bipartisan bill passed out of this body by an overwhelming margin, and Republicans refuse to take it up. Among other things, it will reduce the debt by $1 trillion.

We have no extension of long-term unemployment benefits. I have talked about minimum wage and I have talked about student debt. I have talked about Hobby Lobby. I have talked about equal pay for women, getting paid equally for the work they do that is the same as men. But they have no interest in these issues. They certainly have no interest in getting corporate bosses out of health care for women.

No, they are busy turning the House floor into a theater. And it is a double feature like we used to go to when they had double features--at least I don't think they do anymore. It is a double feature.

House Republicans are, first of all, going to sue the President. And, above all, the Republicans in the House and the Senate--the most anti- trial-lawyer group of legislators in the history of the country--who are they going to? Trial lawyers. Who is going to pay those trial lawyers? The American taxpayers. And if that isn't enough, once their lawsuit gets going, they are going to try to impeach the President.

So that is what it is all about. We have a lot to do. A lot depends on the political theater in the House. If the House Republicans are serious and focus their time on legislation to help American families, then it could be a very productive month in September. If they keep up the sue-and-impeach show, we will stay right here working until they finally get serious about giving the American people a fair shot.

Reservation of Leadership Time

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

I have an amendment at the desk.

I ask for the yeas and nays on that amendment.

I have a second-degree amendment at the desk.

I have a motion to commit S. 2648, with instructions, which is at the desk.

On that motion I ask for the yeas and nays.

I have an amendment to the instructions at the desk.

I ask for the yeas and nays on that amendment.

I have a second amendment now at the desk.

I have a cloture motion at the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum required under rule XXII be waived.

I now move to proceed to Calendar No. 471, S.J. Res. 19.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume consideration of S. 2648.

I ask unanimous consent that the time until 6:45 be equally divided between the two leaders or their designees, and that at 6:45 this evening, it be in order for Senator McConnell or his designee to be recognized for the purpose of moving to table amendment No. 3751; that if the motion to table is not agreed to, Senator Sessions or his designee be recognized for the purpose of raising a budget point of order against the bill; that if a point of order is raised, then Senator Mikulski or her designee be recognized for a motion to waive; that if the motion to waive is made, the Senate immediately proceed to vote on the motion to waive; that if that motion to waive is agreed to, then, notwithstanding rule XXII, the Senate immediately proceed to the

vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the bill; that if cloture is not invoked, the bill be returned to the calendar; if cloture is invoked, all postcloture time be yielded back and the pending amendments be withdrawn and the Senate proceed to vote on passage of S. 2648.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by me, after consultation with Senator McConnell, the Senate proceed to the consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 3230, the Veterans Access to Care Act; that Senator Coburn or his designee be recognized for the purpose of raising a budget point of order against the conference report; that if the point of order is raised, then Senator Sanders or his designee be recognized for a motion to waive; that if the motion to waive is made, there be up to 10 minutes equally divided between Senators Coburn and Sanders or their designees; that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate proceed to vote on the motion to waive; that if the motion to waive is agreed to, the Senate immediately proceed to vote on adoption of the conference report; that the vote on adoption be subject to a 60- affirmative-vote threshold; that if the conference report is adopted, the Senate then proceed to the consideration of H. Con. Res. 111; that the concurrent resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I now ask unanimous consent that upon disposition of the conference report to accompany H.R. 3230, the Chair lay before the Senate a message from the House with respect to H.R. 5021; that following the reporting of the message, I be recognized to make a motion to recede from the Senate amendment; that following the leader's motion, Senator Sessions or his designee be recognized for the purpose of raising a point of order against the bill; that if the point of order is raised, Senator Wyden or his designee be recognized to move to waive the point of order; that no other motions be in order to the bill; that if the motion to waive is made, there be up to 20 minutes equally divided between the two leaders or their designees and the Senate immediately proceed to vote on the motion to waive; that if the motion to waive is agreed to, the Senate proceed to vote on the motion to recede from its amendment to H.R. 5021.

Mr. President, we expect the votes to begin about 6:45 tonight, but they could come earlier, so everyone should be aware of that.

Seeing no one here to speak, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

I ask unanimous consent that all remaining votes be 10 minutes in duration.

Mr. President, it is regretful that the Republicans have blocked the Senate from addressing urgent needs.

Senator Mikulski has worked very hard on this urgent supplemental. It is very regrettable that we are not able to move forward on it. I would like to address at least two of what I believe are urgent needs. I understand that Republican Senators are unwilling to fund a proposed response to the crisis we have at the border. But certainly could we not agree that we have situation in the western part of the United States that is very difficult.

We responded when we had problems in the South with the hurricanes, in the East with the hurricanes. We have a problem in the West. We have fires that are raging all over the West. We have a fire in Washington that has been burning for weeks. Hundreds of homes have been burned. In Oregon, we have 400,000 acres that are burning. California has a couple of big fires. Nevada has a fire. A fire started, I understand, in Idaho a day or two ago. Thousands and thousands of firefighters are there. With temperatures rising, we have a drought all over the western part of the United States. Fires have gotten more and more difficult to fight and more expensive. They have been easier and easier to start.

We are in dire need of additional funds. That is why this is part of the emergency supplemental. This is an emergency. The West is burning. The funds we seek would ensure that we protect life and property in the West without draining funds from other programs that help us stop this destructive wildfire cycle.

Another urgent need. We have all watched as the tiny state of Israel, our friend who is with us on everything, they have had in the last 3 weeks 3,000 rockets fired into their country--3,000. Iron Dome, as I have spoken here on the floor, has done a good job, but it does not cover Israel. They are mobile units. They move them around as well as they can. They depend on Iron Dome. The system works 90 percent of the time, not all of the time.

Last week Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel asked for $225 million in emergency funding so that Israel's arsenal as it relates to the Iron Dome could be replenished. It is clear this is an emergency. We should be able to agree on that. That is why I make the following unanimous consent request.

First of all, so everyone understands, I am going to make a request that we have emergency funding for the wildfires in the West and the money I have talked about for Israel and Iron Dome.

Unanimous Consent Requests--H.J. Res. 76

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to Calendar No. 220, H.J. Res. 76; that a Mikulski substitute amendment at the desk providing emergency appropriations for the Iron Dome defense system in Israel and combating wildfires in the Western States be agreed to; that the joint resolution, as amended, be read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid on the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I am frankly not surprised that this objection has been made. It is too bad. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 220, H.J. Res. 76; that a Mikulski substitute amendment at the desk providing emergency appropriations for combating wildfires in the Western States be agreed to; that the joint resolution, as amended, be read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid on the table with no intervening action or debate.

This relates just to the wildfires.

Mr. President, this is an emergency. There are no budget caps involved with an emergency. Everyone knows that. I am shocked that anyone in this Chamber would stop us from getting these critical funds to fight these fires that I have outlined on a very preliminary basis, and, of course, to help defend Israel.

By requesting this amendment, I am disappointed that it has been rejected. I have one more and then we can go on to something else.

I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to Calendar No. 220, that a Reid-McConnell-Mikulski substitute amendment at the desk providing emergency funding for the Iron Dome defense system in Israel be agreed to; that the joint resolution, as amended, be read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid on the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, this is an emergency. Our No. 1 ally, at least in my mind, is under attack. If this is not an emergency, I do not know anything that is. So I refuse to modify my request.

Mr. President, the Senator's amendment would cut the United States assessed contribution to NATO and the World Health Organization. Now as we speak, they are fighting to control an Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. Peace Corps volunteers have been called home from three different countries.

The amendment of the Senator, my friend from Oklahoma, would cut the International Civil Aviation Organization, which is now investigating what took place in Ukraine, killing 298 people. So even if you do not like the U.N., the Senator's amendment would cut UNICEF funds to help the world's poorest children. The Senator's amendment would cut the U.N. Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.

Now, that says it all. I have no more to say.

Mr. President, under the previous order, I call for the Senate to proceed to the veterans conference report.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, following disposition of the House message related to H.R. 5021, the highway bill, the Senate vote on cloture on Calendar No. 848, the Pryor nomination; further, that if cloture is invoked, all postcloture time be expired at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 8, 2014, the Senate resume executive session and the Senate proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination; further, that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to the nomination; that any statements related to the nomination be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. President, we will have two more votes.

We will be in session tomorrow. There will be no votes tomorrow, but there will be some activity here that we have to complete. So the next vote will be Monday, September 8.

Mr. President, I ask that the Chair lay before the Senate the House message to H.R. 5021.

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

Resolved, That the House disagree to the amendment of the

Senate to the bill (H.R. 5021) entitled ``An Act to provide

an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor

carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the

highway trust fund and for other purposes.''

I move to recede in the Senate amendment to H.R. 5021.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, we request 2 minutes of debate on this side, 1 minute for the chairman of the Finance Committee and 1 minute for the chairman of the public works committee.

Following that, I ask that 18 minutes be dispensed with.

Madam President, I renew the request I made earlier this evening.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to Calendar No. 220; that a Reid-McConnell-Mikulski substitute amendment at the desk providing emergency appropriations for the Iron Dome defense system in Israel be agreed to; that the joint resolution, as amended, be read a third time and passed; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid on the table with no intervening action or debate.

Madam President, I rise today in recognition of the 40th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus in July 1974, which resulted in the division of Cyprus.

In 1974, a Turkish military invasion divided Cyprus into two de facto regions, forcing tens of thousands of Cypriots to flee their homes. Today, Turkish troops continue to occupy northern Cyprus and, after four decades, the country remains divided.

This month, the United States remembers those who were forced to flee their homes and lost their property, and we acknowledge the economic, political, and humanitarian impacts of this division. I stand to reaffirm our commitment and support for a comprehensive agreement to achieve reunification.

I am proud of the strong relationship between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus, and of our mutual commitment to democracy, counterterrorism, and economic development. I look forward to the day when this important partnership is made even stronger by a unified Cyprus.

I am encouraged by the February 2014 announcement that Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu would resume long-stalled reunification talks. I am hopeful that these meetings will lay the groundwork for peaceful negotiations that will result in a fair and lasting solution.

Mr. President, I rise in recognition of the George Washington University Native American Political Leadership Program and the INSPIRE Pre-College Program.

The Native American Political Leadership Program, NAPLP, provides Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian college students the opportunity to spend a semester living, working, and studying in Washington, DC. The promising young leaders who participate in this invaluable program gain rich academic, professional, and life experiences in part through congressional internships on Capitol Hill, including the Senate. Through one-of-a-kind programs, such as NAPLP, Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students learn about American Government and the public policy process with an emphasis on Federal Indian policy, which is important to protecting tribal sovereignty.

This year, the George Washington University NAPLP hosted their first INSPIRE Pre-College summer session, which offered a similar educational opportunity to Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian junior and senior high school students. Exemplary high school students traveled to Washington, DC, to participate in the program's intensive 3-week curriculum that motivates Native teens to become more active in the political process and teaches Native youth about the Federal trust relationship between Indian tribes and the Federal Government. I am pleased that NAPLP organizers were able to offer the first-ever INSPIRE Pre-College program for Native high school students this summer.

Hailee Brown of the Navajo Nation; Robert Charles of the Native Village of Koyuk; Lisa Chavez of the Ak-Chin Indian Community; Delilah Coleman of the Navajo Nation; Lacayah Engebretson, Tlingit and Athabaskan; Ethan Dan, Yupik; Jessica Petty of the Smith River Rancheria of the Tolowa Indian Tribe; Devin Jensen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians; Warren Mountain of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians; Kara Roanhorse of the Navajo Nation; Christie Wildcat of the Northern Arapaho Tribe were among the first high school students to participate in the INSPIRE Pre-College Summer Program.

During my time in Congress, I have worked hard to ensure that the Senate staff and workforce better reflect the diversity of our great Nation. I am proud that the Senate Democratic Diversity Initiative maintains a strong partnership with the NAPLP, and I hope that the experiences gained while participating in these important programs will continue to provide these outstanding students with profound knowledge, academic success, and a pathway to careers in government both on and off of Capitol Hill. I commend the hard work and dedication of the NAPLP and the INSPIRE Program organizers as well as the many young scholars. I look forward to welcoming more Native leaders to the INSPIRE Pre-College program and the NAPLP program in the future.

Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 488, S. 2648, the emergency appropriations supplemental act.

Following my remarks and those of the Republican leader, there will be 1 hour for debate equally divided prior to a cloture vote on S. 2569, the Bring Jobs Home Act. If cloture is not invoked, there will be an immediate cloture vote on the motion to proceed on S. 2648, the emergency supplemental appropriations act.

Following those votes, there will be voice votes on confirmation of the Akuetteh, Moritsugu, and Kennedy nominations.

Order of Procedure

I ask unanimous consent that the time from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. be under the control of the Republicans and the time from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. be controlled by the majority.

Mr. President, S. 2685 is due for a second reading.

I would object to any further proceedings with respect to the bill.

Mr. President, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wisely noted: ``It takes less time to do a thing right than it does to explain why you did it wrong.''

In about 1 hour, Senators will be on the floor and have an opportunity to follow what Longfellow said; that is, to do the right thing. We have a bill that protects American jobs. The Bring Jobs Home Act tackles the growing problem of American jobs being shipped overseas. It is called outsourcing, shipping jobs overseas.

We Democrats are lined up against outsourcing. The Bring Jobs Home Act would protect about 21 million jobs in our country.

Today in the United States, anytime an American company closes a factory or a plant in America and moves operations to another country, American taxpayers pick up part of that moving bill. It is hard to believe, but it is true. A company moves from America, and American taxpayers help them with the move. If they want to move, American taxpayers shouldn't help them at all.

The Bring Jobs Home Act ends senseless tax breaks for these outsourcers. It ends the ridiculous practice of American funding outsourcing of their own jobs.

The Bring Jobs Home Act doesn't just fight to keep jobs here in America, it also brings jobs back.

This bill provides a 20-percent tax credit to help American companies with the costs of moving operations back to the United States. The Bring Jobs Home Act will protect 150,000 jobs in Nevada. It could potentially save as many as 325,000 at-risk jobs in Kentucky and jobs all over the country.

Economically speaking, what else could be more important than ensuring our working Americans' jobs are protected. Regardless of what Republican leaders said and what the Republican

leader has opined, helping our constituents stay employed is our duty as a Senator.

Frankly, a vote against this bill is a vote against American jobs. There is absolutely no excuse, no justification, for any Member of this body to vote against this legislation. But as of late, Senate Republicans have repeatedly blocked legislation, such as the Bring Jobs Home Act, which is good for the American people.

Remember, the Longfellow quote that I mentioned at the beginning of my remarks: ``It takes less time to do a thing right than it does to explain why you did it wrong.''

The wisdom of Longfellow's quote is there, and each time another good bill is blocked by the Senate Republicans we must think of Longfellow and what he said: ``It takes less time to do a thing right than it does to explain why you did it wrong.''

Each time after Republicans have voted against legislation that is good for working families, an odd scene has developed on the Senate floor. A procession of Republicans makes it way to the floor and individually Senators begin to explain why they voted against a good bill, trying to explain why Americans don't deserve a fair shot. For example, after voting against an increase in the minimum wage, after voting against equal pay for women, after voting against cost-cutting energy efficiency, and after voting against student loan refinancing, after all of these votes, the same spectacle unfolds immediately after. The Republicans come through that door and try to make their case.

All the American public wants is a fair shot at a good life. Instead of voting for a good piece of legislation that would benefit folks back home, they spend time explaining why they did the opposite.

Maybe our vote today will be different. Maybe Senate Republicans will finally focus on the many families depending on the jobs we are trying to protect. If they do, they will vote to bring jobs home. This legislation is important and necessary. If they do, they will vote to keep American jobs from going overseas.

Those of us who do the right thing and vote for this will not need to explain because we have done the right thing; and that is because our constituents know we work to give them a fair shot at good, secure jobs.

Recognition of the Minority Leader

Mr. President, I applaud and commend my friend the Senator from Arkansas. This is very visionary legislation. I support what he is doing, and we are going to do everything we can to move forward on this legislation. We would do it more quickly except we have a few problems with people over here. So we are going to do our best.

There is a cloture motion at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum under rule XXII be waived.

I now move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that following my remarks, Senators Coons, Sessions, Stabenow, and Walsh be permitted to speak for up to 5 minutes each prior to the cloture vote on S. 2569, with Senator Coons being the first to be recognized.

Mr. President, I now move to proceed to Calendar No. 488, S. 2648, the emergency supplemental appropriations act dealing with the border crisis.

Following my remarks and those of the Republican leader, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 12 noon, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the Republicans controlling the first half and the majority controlling the final half.

At 12 noon, the Senate will proceed to executive session to consider Robert Alan McDonald to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. to allow for weekly caucus meetings.

At 2:45 p.m. there will be a rollcall vote for confirmation of the McDonald nomination, followed by several voice votes to confirm the Andre, Hoza, and Polaschik nominations.

Upon disposition of the Polaschik nomination, the Senate will consider the Highway and Transportation Funding Act. Senators should expect five rollcall votes this evening in relation to Wyden-Hatch, Carper-Corker-Boxer, Lee, and Toomey amendments and on passage of H.R. 5021, as amended, if amended. Senators will be notified when those votes are scheduled.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

There are two bills at the desk due for second readings.

I would object to any further proceedings of these two matters.

Almost 2 years ago, within a few days 2 years ago, we were in Las Vegas to dedicate this beautiful new veterans facility. Taxpayers' money spent on it was about $700 million. It is beautiful. It is the second one we have been able to do in southern Nevada. We built a nice little hospital with a joint venture between the Veterans Administration and the Air Force.

But with the wars in Iraq, and Afghanistan, we ran out of room to accommodate the influx of veterans.

It became very difficult for veterans. We have a huge veterans population in southern Nevada. We have all kinds of military bases there that they are stationed in. They come, and they decide they want to live in southern Nevada.

So the veterans in southern Nevada found themselves in a difficult situation. When this new hospital was dedicated--it took 7 years of work to get this done. I worked hard, as did others, to obtain this money. It was a state-of-the-art facility, 100 inpatient beds, a nursing home unit, and an ambulatory care center. It was a state-of- the-art facility. It was unquestionably, probably without exaggerating, the finest veterans hospital in the country. It was brandnew. But, more importantly, it was a precious resource to veterans throughout the State of Nevada.

We have a facility in northern Nevada. It has been there for many decades. To the credit of Senator Mikulski from Maryland, she came and visited it a number of years ago and said: This is wrong. In that facility we couldn't get the modern equipment down the halls and into the bedrooms. We had to renovate, so it is in good shape. So the veterans in northern Nevada had a facility long before southern Nevada.

But in spite of all this happy talk about what a wonderful facility this is, veterans depending on VA care have been stunned. Why? Because they are waiting 50 days. If you are a new patient, you call and they say: Well, we will see you in a couple of months. Come on in. About 2,000 patients have been waiting 90 days in order to even get an appointment. This is unacceptable.

It is not a problem only in Las Vegas, it is all over the country: a nationwide, systemic problem where these combat veterans and other veterans have been languishing on some nonexistent waiting list.

When I learned that Bernie Sanders from Vermont and Congressman Miller had worked out something, I was stunned. I was so happy. I got a call from Senator Sanders on Saturday telling me: I think we have got it done. That is wonderful. That is truly remarkable, what they have done.

I don't need to go through the bill, what it does, but it provides billions of dollars for emergency funding to hire new doctors and nurses. It will authorize 27 new medical facilities around the country, allowing the VA to grow as it needs to grow.

That is wonderful news. That is the way we should be legislating. We couldn't find two more politically different people than Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Chairman Miller. They are very different people; they have very different views. But they know we have sent hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people to Iraq and Afghanistan, when these veterans come home, they need help. We took care of the war efforts, and rightfully so. The military needed every penny they have to fight these wars, but we haven't been as generous in taking care of these people when they come home from these wars.

The main point I want to make is that Chairman Miller and Senator Sanders understand we owe America's veterans.

It is good we are talking about this, rather than an impeachment of the President or suing the President. Look in the papers today. The American people are totally opposed. We shouldn't be off on these tracks of impeachment, suing the President. We should be legislating. An exemplary standard of that is what I hope will be completed this week when the conference report comes to us from the House to complete this legislation. It is truly a good day for the American veterans and the American people.

Recognition of the Minority Leader