Floor Statements

Mr. President, setting out to start a small business in America is not for the faint of heart. In many cases, it takes a great deal of self-sufficiency and perseverance, and, for most, success does not come easily. Success is often built through years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication.

Today, I would like to recognize a small business from my home State of Idaho that exemplifies these very traits. As chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I am proud to recognize a Grangeville, ID, small business, Advanced Welding and Steel, as the Small Business of the Month for February 2018. This small business demonstrates a dedication to producing quality goods while providing a unique service. Their story reminds us that, with hard work and dedication, Americans can accomplish almost anything to which they set their minds. With over 20 years in business, Advanced Welding and Steel has served as a great example of the determined entrepreneurial spirit found all across Idaho.

Advanced Welding and Steel's story is the quintessential story of American entrepreneurship. Ryan Uhlenkott grew up in a hard-working entrepreneurial family. He learned valuable traits such as a strong work ethic, timeliness, and honesty while working on the family farm, splitting wood for the winter, and helping out at the family water well drilling business. While a college student, he worked part time sweeping floors in a welding shop, which led to a full-time welding job.

Before he set out on his own, Ryan gained experience in a variety of positions across the fabrication industry, including as a crane operator, planner, mapper, welder, erecter, and fabricator. After receiving certifications in boiler and pipe welding, he decided to introduce his own approach to fabrication. He drew upon his knowledge, experience, and his innate entrepreneurial mindset in 1998, when he founded Advanced Welding and Steel. Ryan started out with one welder mounted on the back of a pickup truck. The company quickly grew in both employees and capacity, going from a 6,000-square-foot shop in 2003 to the current state-of-the-art 60,000-square-foot shop with paint booths, shot blasters, and a railings shop. A major motivating factor in starting his own business was Ryan's desire to spend more time with his family. To this day, he considers his family and his employees' families to be the center of his business model.

Today, Advanced Welding and Steel delivers its products across the western United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. The company's attention to detail in its processes of estimating, detailing, and project management has turned the small business into one of the most respected fabricators in the region. A team of 15 highly qualified professionals work at the company, and over the years, they estimate that they have delivered over 15 million pounds of steel to their customers. Their hard work resulted in Advanced Welding and Steel being recognized in the July 2017 edition of Modern Steel Construction for their outstanding work as the prime fabricator for the new student center at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. The company is committed to excellence in their craft and also to the sustainable use of their products, as over 90 percent of the steel they work with has been recycled, adding to the overwhelmingly positive impact they bring to local Idaho communities.

The hard-working team members of Advanced Welding and Steel have decades of experience in multiple fields within the steel industry. Through their commitment to their customers, Ryan's team provides an excellent product with exceptional service, and they make a sizable impact in the local and national fabricating industry. They ensure that their projects are well planned and seamlessly executed. The State of Idaho is proud to be a home for small businesses like them who go above and beyond in pursuit of the American dream.

I extend my sincerest congratulations to Ryan Uhlenkott, his family, and the entire team at Advanced Welding and Steel. I look forward to watching your continued growth and success.

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

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, over the past 20 years the aerospace industry in my home State of Idaho has grown by an astonishing 40 percent, with a number of small business firms leading the way. As you may know, the aerospace industry is a complex field that requires a passion for innovation and great attention to detail. I am pleased to say that, in my home State of Idaho, these qualities are found in successful small businesses all across the State. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my privilege to honor Tamarack Aerospace Group as the Small Business of the Month for January 2018. Tamarack Aerospace is a pioneer in a variety of aerospace engineering products that are used in airplanes across the Nation and the world. This small business contributes significantly to Idaho's reputation as a destination for trailblazers in the aerospace industry and is a remarkable example of entrepreneurial innovation.

In 2010, Mr. Nicholas Guida founded Tamarack Aerospace Group in Sandpoint, ID. Mr. Guida has over 25 years of experience in the aerospace industry, including time spent as an aerospace engineer, a safety consultant, and as a test pilot. Since Tamarack's founding, Mr. Guida assembled an impressive team of six diverse professionals with years of experience across various sectors of the aerospace industry. From veteran Navy pilots to skilled mechanical engineers, the team at Tamarack combines experience with a passion for innovation.

Tamarack Aerospace specializes in something called active winglet innovation with their product, ATLAS, which actively reduces the load placed on each wing of an aircraft. Tamarack's winglets allow for optimal efficiency without compromising an aircraft's structural integrity. As a result, aircraft equipped with this technology have lower operating costs, as well as increased fuel efficiency and life of the aircraft's wings. This technology makes air travel cheaper and more efficient, without compromising the safety of pilots or passengers. Tamarack will soon be representing Idaho internationally at the Singapore Airshow next month, showcasing their new technological innovations in collaboration with the Idaho Department of Commerce's exhibit at the airshow. It is very exciting to see these accomplished entrepreneurs represent Idaho and the United States on the international stage.

The Tamarack Aerospace Group is making an outsized impact in a highly technical field and recently received much deserved recognition for these contributions by being named a winner of the 61st Annual Laureate Award by Aviation Week & Space Technology. The award recognizes those who inspire innovation and show leadership in the world of aviation. It is this kind of innovation that continues to set our great Nation apart and propel us forward. Mr. Guida and the team at Tamarack have also shown tremendous resourcefulness, resilience, and perseverance in navigating the certification and regulatory processes to bring their winglets to market, which is no easy feat.

I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Mr. Guida and all of the employees at Tamarack Aerospace Group for being selected as the January 2018 Small Business of the Month. You make Idaho proud, and I look forward to watching your continued growth and success.

Madam President, my great State of Idaho is known for excelling in many areas. We are a proud incubator of the American entrepreneurial spirit, with Idaho consistently being ranked as one of the friendliest States in the Nation for small businesses. Idaho is also renowned for our State vegetable, the potato. Millions of people around the world know that Idaho potatoes are in a class of their own. It is only natural that the innovation that Idaho is known for would lead a small business on a mission to assist potato farmers. As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my pleasure to recognize Double L as the Senate Small Business of the Month for December 2017. Double L maintains a global presence while staying true to the core values of its farming roots in order to enable potato farmers to increase production, expand their harvest, and to achieve their American Dream.

Double L was originally founded in 1976 by potato growers Leland Klinger and Lynn Johnson, who initially started the company by building equipment

that would meet their own specific needs after being disappointed with the machines currently on the market. It was this entrepreneurial spirit that drove the two to expand into other handling equipment, and the rest is history. In the years since then, Double L has never lost the original manufacturing mindset with which the company was founded, while the company and its employees have certainly expanded their horizons.

In 2004, Chris Hunsaker became CEO of Double L and immediately sought an expansion of both manufacturing and clientele, leading the company to move from its original home in American Falls to Heyburn, ID. With the upbringing of a farmer and the training of a salesman, Chris has ensured that Double L has remained steadfast in its commitment to personalized service for each customer. For example, Double L does not maintain a standing inventory. Each order is built per the customer's specific wants and needs. Additionally, Double L has a commitment to excellence from providing a safe working environment for their employees, to catering to the unique needs of farmers and the equipment that they need. This company has proven consistently over time that, when the market sees a demand for a particular product or service, it is American entrepreneurs like those at Double L who will provide the solution.

With considerable success and trust earned from Double L's loyal clients, the company is still moving forward. Double L has shipped its equipment built in the United States to countries such as China, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, Egypt, and Israel. This equipment has enabled farmers all across the globe who just a few years ago were harvesting their potatoes by hand to now efficiently complete their harvest using the equipment designed for their unique farms and crop yields, helping them to become sustainable farmers. That simple commitment to providing solutions for growers to be more effective with their harvesting and storage of crops is what allows Double L to be the successful business that it is today.

As a company with a global presence rooted in the growing and handling practices of the Gem State potato farmers, Double L is a prime example of the American entrepreneurial spirit that works to find innovative solutions to empower consumers. By providing quality customer service, cultivating strong working relationships, and maintaining longevity of over 10 years with many of their employees, Double L has shown that not only can they manufacture powerful machines and solutions, but that they are in fact one of the many small businesses that are driving the American economy forward. I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Chris and all of the employees at Double L for being selected as the December 2017 Small Business of the Month. Not only do you make our great State proud, but you also allow for millions more to enjoy Idaho potatoes as well. I look forward to watching the continued success of this strong Idaho business.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Blackrock Land Exchange Act of 2017.

The legislation supports a mutually beneficial effort between the Bureau of Land Management and the J.R. Simplot Company in Idaho that began over 20 years ago. Simplot proposed an exchange of their privately owned land with superior natural resources and recreational opportunities for a similar sized parcel of BLM land adjacent to a Simplot phosphate processing facility. This facility adds significant value to the Pocatello, Idaho area as a large employer that sustains over 350 jobs with an over $55 million annual economic impact.

In 2007, BLM issued a Final Decision Record on the Environmental Assessment concluding the exchange would have no significant environmental impact, which was reaffirmed in 2009 by the Department of Interior Board of Land Appeals. However, the exchange has been held up since 2011 due to the District Court for Idaho ruling that BLM needed to prepare a full Environmental Impact Statement including detailed future use to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

This raises the possibility of a dangerous precedent for future land conveyances, as the exchange itself does not authorize further activities. Future use of the proposed adjacent land by the phosphate facility would still be subject to NEPA with opportunity for public comment. Halting the Blackrock Land Exchange for this reason could largely increase the scope, length, and cost of the NEPA process.

This bill will allow for this exchange in Idaho that has support from--State and local government as well as various land users. It will also protect future exchanges from cycles of unnecessary review and litigation. The Blackrock Land Exchange Act of 2017 is in the best interest of Idaho land users, local economies, and future utilization of government land.

Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Blackrock Land Exchange Act of 2017.

The legislation supports a mutually beneficial effort between the Bureau of Land Management and the J.R. Simplot Company in Idaho that began over 20 years ago. Simplot proposed an exchange of their privately owned land with superior natural resources and recreational opportunities for a similar sized parcel of BLM land adjacent to a Simplot phosphate processing facility. This facility adds significant value to the Pocatello, Idaho area as a large employer that sustains over 350 jobs with an over $55 million annual economic impact.

In 2007, BLM issued a Final Decision Record on the Environmental Assessment concluding the exchange would have no significant environmental impact, which was reaffirmed in 2009 by the Department of Interior Board of Land Appeals. However, the exchange has been held up since 2011 due to the District Court for Idaho ruling that BLM needed to prepare a full Environmental Impact Statement including detailed future use to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

This raises the possibility of a dangerous precedent for future land conveyances, as the exchange itself does not authorize further activities. Future use of the proposed adjacent land by the phosphate facility would still be subject to NEPA with opportunity for public comment. Halting the Blackrock Land Exchange for this reason could largely increase the scope, length, and cost of the NEPA process.

This bill will allow for this exchange in Idaho that has support from--State and local government as well as various land users. It will also protect future exchanges from cycles of unnecessary review and litigation. The Blackrock Land Exchange Act of 2017 is in the best interest of Idaho land users, local economies, and future utilization of government land.

Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

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

Mr. President, thank you. I rise to speak about the tax reform issue and the tax reform effort that is front and center for this Congress and for all Americans. Particularly, I want to point out the fact that Congress has not undertaken this difficult task for over 30 years, and for anyone who has been involved in this, they now realize how difficult it really is.

In the years since the last major overhaul, Congress has, by patchwork, added numerous carve-outs and special interests, passed short-term tax extenders, which have made planning for families and businesses very difficult, and has generally contributed to a tax code that today is extremely complex, burdensome, and unpredictable.

My colleague from Idaho Senator Crapo has stated that we couldn't have done worse if we had set out intentionally to do worse. Many of my colleagues and I have heard story after story from our constituents who have said the same thing. The Tax Code makes it hard for families and businesses, especially small businesses, to comply and plan ahead, let alone grow and prosper. This conversation hasn't gone away, so clearly the system, as it stands, is not serving the American people as it should.

It is imperative for the continued growth of the American economy that

we simplify the system, reduce complexity, and create certainty. Tax reform will bring relief to American families. Under the plan released by the Senate Finance Committee, middle-class Americans will see a benefit in the form of a lower tax bill, which means more money for households to bring home. In addition to keeping more money in the pockets of hard-working Americans, the Senate plan nearly doubles the standard deduction, increases the child tax credit to help families with the very real costs associated with raising a family, and preserves an existing tax credit to help care for elderly family members. This tax plan would also make it easier for individuals and families to avoid a time-consuming and expensive tax-filing nightmare by simplifying the Tax Code and eliminating deductions.

The aim of this entire exercise is to make the Tax Code simpler, fairer, and easier to comply with, reducing the burden on taxpayers and creating an environment that enables families and businesses to thrive.

Tax reform will help grow small businesses. As chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee, I have focused on highlighting small business issues in this tax reform process. The ranking member, Senator Shaheen, and I held a bipartisan hearing in June to talk about tax policies that would most benefit small businesses across the country. As a result, we sent a bipartisan letter to the Senate Finance Committee, which was drawing this bill, to outline the policies we determined were most important. The topline issue was the need to address the individual Tax Code along with the corporate Tax Code. Most of the Nation's small businesses are organized in a way that they pay taxes through the individual code. It is amazing they managed to create the majority of new jobs in America, despite facing this higher tax rate, with the added burden of spending time and money away from businesses to comply with this complex Tax Code. Thankfully, Ranking Member Shaheen and I are not the only ones who heard this message, and lower rates for small businesses is part of this conversation.

Small businesses have identified tax policies that work for them, along with changes that could be made to help more of them across the country. Two of the examples are the cash method of accounting and section 179 expensing. Cash method accounting is a simpler way for small businesses to keep their books, and section 179 expensing allows small businesses to immediately deduct the cost of investing in their business up to a certain amount. Both of these commonsense policies will reach more business owners in tax reform.

I am encouraged by the plan the Senate Finance Committee released last week and the process they are undertaking this week to move this bill forward. With tax reform, we have a real opportunity to make changes that will have a tangible, positive impact on the American people and create an environment for our Nation's job creators to prosper. I am excited to see the kind of job creation that will result from the changes we are considering, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to make this a reality.

Thank you.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, today I wish to take the opportunity to highlight the innovation and the creative spirit that small businesses in my home State of Idaho are known for. The small business that I am honoring today goes above and beyond when it comes to embodying that spirit. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my pleasure to recognize Krehbiel's Sales & Service as the Senate Small Business of the Month for November 2017. Known for their passion, friendliness, and dedication to providing unparalleled service, Krehbiel's is the definition of what it means to be a family-owned small business in America.

Clint Krehbiel and his son Terry Krehbiel opened the doors to their vehicle dealership in Aberdeen, ID, in 1972 while Terry was still in high school. They have been proudly serving southeast Idaho for the past 45 years. The Krehbiel family specializes in off-road recreational and utility vehicles, along with various brands of lawn care equipment. In addition to these products, they have expanded into several other businesses, ranging from swimming pools to satellite sales and installation.

Terry and his wife, Valerie, bought Clint's share of the business when he retired in 1996 and have made it their life's work to carry out the principles of honest and ethical business that Clint passed down over the years. For the past four-and-a-half decades, the family's commitment to their mission has been unwavering, and their loyalty to their customers is second to none. Perhaps the most incredible display of their dedication can be seen in the expansion of their business to serve customers hundreds of miles away while still maintaining a high level of customer service and a close-knit team of employees. At any time, you can walk in and see Karalee Krehbiel-Bonzon, Terry and Valerie's daughter, providing the exceptional customer service that she has been known for ever since she started working at her family's business in 2007. You will also see Valerie doing the bookkeeping by hand, as she has done every day since 1980. Another long-time employee is mechanic Charlie Wiebe. Charlie was hired in 1987 and is still with the business to this day. He has been an integral part of building and maintaining good relationships with customers and in training other mechanics like the team's newest member, Tyler Jones.

Customer service is not the only thing that Krehbiel's is known for. With over 60 years of combined experience, their factory-trained technicians have built a reputation for high-quality, dependable repairs for all manner of recreational and utility vehicles. The company's reputation in this area brings in customers from miles around who have never bought a vehicle from the Krehbiels but who have built a bond of trust with their well-qualified mechanics.

Aberdeen is considered to be ``off the beaten path'' by most people. Many say you need to have a reason to go there. Terry and Valerie, along with their employees, have given many people a reason to do just that. A continuous entrepreneurial spirit, quality customer service, and strong relationships with long-time employees are all principles possessed by the Krehbiels. I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Terry and Valerie Krehbiel and all of the employees of Krehbiel's Sales & Service for being selected as the November 2017 Small Business of the Month. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to watching your continued growth and success.

Mr. President, every month I celebrate the power of the American entrepreneurial spirit by

highlighting the successes of a small business in my home State of Idaho. This month's recipient of the Small Business of the Month is a veteran-owned business, which is fitting since this week is National Veterans Small Business Week. It is always great to see veterans succeed after they close out their years of service and continue their path as a civilian. The founders of October's Small Business of the Month demonstrate that, with determination and hard work, there is no limit to what can be accomplished. I am honored to recognize an enterprise that makes it their business to help other businesses experience growth and prosperity of their own. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I am pleased to recognize TelStar Associates, Inc., as the Senate Small Business of the Month for October 2017.

TelStar was founded in 1979 by Jose Telleria and Douglas Stark, who decided to join together and use their individual strengths and experience in the field of information technology to create their own business. The company name, TelStar, is a combination of the names of its founders and represents the partnership between Telleria--Tel--and Stark, Star. For their first contract, TelStar developed a software program that tracked the storage and shipping of onions for Murakami Produce. Within a short period of time, TelStar was providing their services to a diverse range of clients in both the private and public sectors, including the Idaho Governor's Office, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, the Idaho National Laboratory, and Boise State University. TelStar also developed a chemical management and waste disposal management application that is currently used by the U.S. Navy. In addition to being an invaluable asset to their community, TelStar exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit by continually adapting to the needs of their clients.

As leaders in the IT field, Jose and Douglas created a business known for flexibility and for consistently providing meaningful services. Responding to the changing needs of businesses, TelStar expanded their services from custom contract programming to network support, field services, cyber security, and IT staffing services. TelStar provides their clients with access to affordable services that allow them to improve their IT capabilities. In an increasingly technological world, small businesses have the opportunity to benefit from businesses like Jose and Douglas's. I know the technological challenges businesses can face, which is why I am proud to recognize TelStar, a successful business that is committed to helping other businesses achieve success of their own, by empowering them to be the best at what they do. Since their first contract for Murakami Produce, TelStar has exemplified the innovative nature of many American small businesses.

A belief central to TelStar's culture is that ``People make the difference.'' There is nothing more commendable than helping someone else achieve their goals, and I would like to congratulate Jose Telleria, Douglas Stark, and all of the employees of TelStar for the impact they have had on their community. TelStar's entrepreneurial spirit is an example for every American to follow, and I look forward to watching your continued growth and success.

Mr. President, today I would like to recognize an outstanding small business located in my home State of Idaho. Dedication, hard work, and the entrepreneurial spirit are some of the guiding principles that define us as Americans. It is these traits that have enabled so many of our fellow citizens to achieve the American dream. As our workforce moves further into the 21st century, new opportunities are created every day by the American people themselves to ensure that they can achieve a better standard of life, without reliance on others. My State of Idaho knows this and is proud to serve as an incubator for many small businesses that seek to expand these values through their unique entrepreneurial spirit. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my pleasure to recognize LiveRez as the Senate Small Business of the Month for September 2017. LiveRez is one of a good number of software companies in Idaho, which provides services to American businesses nationwide and serves as a true example of hard work in pursuit of the American dream.

LiveRez is based out of Eagle, ID, and was founded by Tracy Lotz in 2008, after years of research and development within the vacation rental sector. Tracy started his journey with vacation rentals in 1994, when he launched First Choice Vacation Properties, one of the few early websites where managers were able to advertise their vacation rentals in cyberspace. It wouldn't be until 2002 that Tracy and his nephew Jeremy would start building websites for their clientele of professional vacation rental managers, and within a year, they were pioneering online bookings in real time. It would not be until 2005 that the Lotz's would shift from providing the service at an incremental level to designing software that would be 100 percent cloud-based. In January 2008, LiveRez was launched as the first all-in- the-cloud management system. From there, they have continued expanding and innovating with the establishment of the First Advisory Board, mobile websites, and other technical applications that enabled their software to be one of the most sought after management systems for managers not only in the United States but also around the world.

Perhaps what makes all of this success even more incredible is that Tracy was able to do all of this organically, utilizing the revenue from the company's early days to continue to grow. He did not seek out venture capital for the company, nor did he take on debt. Today Tracy and the team at LiveRez host their annual partner conference, which includes classes, tech reveals, networking, and more amenities for members of the industry.

I would like to congratulate Tracy Lotz and the employees of LiveRez on their innovation and hard work and the commitment that they have to their partners and clients. I wish the best for LiveRez, and I am confident that they will continue to provide innovative services and ideas to their growing customer base.

Mr. President, today I would like to recognize an outstanding small business located in my home State of Idaho. As many of my colleagues in the Western Caucus can tell you, catastrophic wildfires are a cause for major concern and costs for large swathes of the West, particularly in the summer months. This month's small business has found their specialty in helping to control these large wildfires in a safe and efficient manner. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I am pleased to honor Hillcrest Aircraft Company as the U.S. Senate Small Business of the Month for August 2017.

Hillcrest Aircraft Company is based out of Lewiston, ID, and is a utility helicopter company with a broad spectrum of work. Hillcrest Aircraft Company was founded by local pilots in 1946. Jerry Wilson partnered with the company in 1959, eventually becoming the sole owner in 1972. Jerry's son, Gale Wilson, is the current president of the company, and his son, Keith White, serves as vice president. The Wilson's legacy of promoting a strong work ethic coupled with strict safety requirements has built the company into a premier helicopter business. In 1968, Hillcrest became the first certified Bell customer service facility in Idaho, and 1 year later, in 1969, they became an approved FAA repair station. Their main focus, however, is aerial firefighting. Whether they are transporting firefighters to remote areas or dropping hundreds of gallons of water on a raging fire, Hillcrest prides itself on protecting communities from dangerous wildfires. In fact, they have fought fires in all of the lower 48 States during their 60-plus years of experience. On top of aerial firefighting, Hillcrest flies for power and timber companies, photographers, videographers, and even fish planters. Their comprehensive background in a variety of industries, dedication to operational safety, and commitment to strict ethical standards continue to keep this family-owned business busy around the clock.

Hillcrest has always put safety first, and in 2015 and 2016, they were rewarded for their efforts. Hillcrest achieved the necessary requirements for the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations, IS-BAO, Stage I registration by implementing a safety management system, SMS, in 2015 and Stage II registration in 2016. This safety standard acknowledges the company's efforts to improve their safety risk profile and operating efficiency. Hillcrest was one of the first rotary-wing-only operators to achieve the IS-BAO Stage II.

The future is bright for Hillcrest Aircraft Company as they continue to expand their business. Just a couple of months ago in June, Hillcrest opened their very own fixed base operation, FBO, at the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport. I would like to congratulate Gale Wilson and his family, along with all of the employees at Hillcrest, for the hard work they do in trying conditions while still keeping their commitment to safety. I wish the best for Hillcrest Aircraft Company, and I am confident that they will continue to keep Idahoans and Americans safe.

Mr. President, today I would like to highlight the innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit that is found all across my home State of Idaho. Every month, I recognize a small business owner from one of our Idaho communities who embodies the spirit of innovation and determination in delivering a product or service that makes a substantial difference in the lives of many Americans. The small business that I would like to highlight this month has done just that by having an outsized influence on the microelectronic and lighting industries. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I am pleased to honor Rohinni as the Small Business of the Month for July 2017.

The future is bright for this Coeur d'Alene based technology startup. Rohinni develops and manufactures LED lighting products. Described as ``the World's Thinnest LED lighting,'' they allow light to be printed in any shape, on any surface, and for any need. The company's products have already been applied in many different fields, including transportation and consumer electronics.

Cofounders Cody Peterson and Andy Huska first worked together creating advanced force-sensing capacitive membrane switches, touchpads, and touchscreens for the Pacinian Corporation, which Mr. Peterson founded. With their extensive experience and background in innovative technology products, they began with a new, clever concept: Using a thin slice of conductive material, they were able to disperse thousands of micro-LED diodes to create glowing surfaces. With this new direction, Rohinni was born in 2013. After further developing this innovative technique and obtaining 44 patents, including one for the world's thinnest keyboard, Cody and Andy mastered micro-LED placement. With the help of some crucial venture capital investments 2 years later, the cofounders turned their idea into a successful company and have even expanded with a branch office in Austin, TX. Their new technology has been successfully used in many products, including fabric, television displays, mobile devices, and automotive displays.

Rohinni's creative efforts have been recognized by several business and trade publications. As one of the founders of the Semiconductor Caucus, I recognize the importance that these emerging technologies have on the advancement of our Nation's scientific progress, as we continue to move towards manufacturing products that are simpler in design, more efficient, lighter in weight, and smaller in size. The innovation displayed by companies like Rohinni help to preserve our global competitive edge in the electronic, semiconductor, and memory industries.

It is my honor to recognize Cody Peterson and Andy Huska and the employees of Rohinni who have made lasting contributions to the electronics industry. You make our State proud, and I look forward to watching your continued growth and success.

Mr. President, I want to associate myself with the remarks from my distinguished colleague and close personal friend, Senator Crapo, and join him in urging our fellow Senators to quickly confirm Judge Nye.

As pointed out by Senator Crapo, this will be the first district judge to be confirmed by this Congress. So it should be an honor for Judge Nye, and I am sure he views it that way.

This has been, literally, years in the making. As Senator Crapo pointed out, we have only one active Federal judge right now, and he is handling what is essentially a three-judge load. Some time ago, when this vacancy occurred, Senator Crapo and I went to work on this. Most Americans don't understand how this works, but to become a U.S. district judge, it takes essentially the concurrence of three people-- that is, the President of the United States and the two Senators from that particular State, be they two Republicans, two Democrats, or one of each--because we have what is called a blue slip process, where if any one of the three can and do object to a person, then that person will not be permitted to go forward.

In this particular case, we negotiated with the Obama White House for literally months and months, and it turned into years. I believe we acted in good faith on both sides in trying to find a person who would be the right fit for Idaho. Again, we literally vetted well over 50 individuals for this position, and for one reason or another, we were unable to get any of those across the finish line.

Finally, we settled on Judge Nye. I shouldn't say ``settled'' on him. He had not really applied. After going through the 50 being vetted and not really getting where we wanted to be, we sought out Judge Nye and talked with him about it, and we went forward on that basis. The White House came along, and before President Obama left office, he nominated Judge Nye, pursuant to my and Senator Crapo's request. Unfortunately, that was just about the time that we ran out of time processing judges. The election came and went. President Trump was inaugurated, and we started all over again. I want to personally thank the White House for very quickly renominating Judge Nye for this position, again, at the request of myself and Senator Crapo.

Too many States have a shortage of judges, and there is a movement afoot right now to attempt to boost the Federal judgeship load, which is in bad need. For instance, in the last seven surveys that the Judicial Conference has undertaken, they recommended that Idaho get a third judge. Senator Crapo and my predecessor before me and, I think, even Senator Crapo's predecessor before him have also been pushing for this judge. We continue to do that, and I am seeing some green sprouts that perhaps we will be moving somewhere in that direction.

In any event, yesterday we had the vote on moving forward on his nomination, and that vote was 97 to 0, which certainly is a testament to Judge Nye himself. I would urge our fellow Senators, when we get to this vote, which will either be later today or midday tomorrow, to proceed with the same kind of vote. It was a bipartisan vote on cloture, and we hope it will remain a bipartisan vote as we move forward on this confirmation.

With that, I want to thank Senator Grassley, who obviously is pressed by everyone who has a vacancy, and Senator McConnell, who has lots of things on his mind these days and is struggling with challenges that come at him from all directions, for choosing Judge Nye at our constant and gentle urging over the recent months and years and moving him to the front of the line. I want to personally thank Senator McConnell for doing that. Of course, I want to thank my distinguished colleague for his work on the Judiciary Committee and moving it through the Judiciary Committee.

I think Judge Nye will be a person who will make us all proud. Certainly, we are going to be very happy to have this judgeship filled in Idaho and, particularly, with someone of the quality of Judge Nye.

With that, I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, it is not every day that we take a moment to commemorate America's family-owned businesses that dedicate themselves to serving their local communities. I stand before you today to recognize a small business that emphasizes service, tradition, and family values. In my home State of Idaho, I have had the privilege of seeing firsthand Idahoans' dynamic use of natural resources. In our State, we continue to watch our agricultural small businesses advance and thrive. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my privilege to honor Ballard Family Dairy and Cheese of Gooding as the Senate Small Business of the Month for June 2017. Ballard Family Dairy and Cheese has been a pioneer in Idaho's artisan cheesemaking community and is a remarkable example of entrepreneurial innovation.

With just a few Jersey calves and a strong work ethic, the Ballard family started their dairy farm in 1995. Steve and Stacie Ballard, along with their children, Travis and Jessica, have worked hard to perfect cheeses that are distinctive and can only be cultivated in Idaho's unique climate. Their goal was to create a cheese that was specific to Idaho. Since then, the Ballard family has developed a successful in-house cheese facility that has produced numerous award- winning specialty cheeses. The Ballard family gained the skills to produce artisan cheeses over years of hard work and trial and error. Their determination has allowed them to produce a fresh and original- tasting commodity unique to Idaho.

The Ballard family produces numerous types of hand-crafted cheeses, including cheddar, gouda, and cheese curds. Their facility produces approximately 3,000 pounds of cheese daily. Ballard Family Dairy and Cheese cows are individually cared for, which ensures that the calves are healthy and allows for the finest cheese. This well-executed cheese production system combined with small batch sizes enables the Ballard family to achieve the right consistencies for high-quality cheeses.

Award-winning cheese is not the only noted accomplishments this family-run business has attained. In 2013, the Ballards' cheese facility was distinguished by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy as having ``Outstanding Achievement in Energy Efficiency.'' By adjusting their operational processes, their facility in Gooding has reduced their energy costs by about $23,000 annually.

Beyond the Ballard family's thriving retail throughout the State, the Ballards also provide educational resources with their cheese purchasing information to Idahoans who are interested in learning about cheesemaking methods. Ballard Family Dairy and Cheese is an exceptional example of the entrepreneurial spirit of Idaho agriculture and of innovative energy practices from a family-owned business. I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to the Ballard family and all of the employees of Ballard Family

Dairy and Cheese for being selected as the June 2017 Small Business of the Month. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to watching your continued growth and success.