Floor Statements

I ask for the yeas and nays, please.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, during the last week I was home in Wyoming, traveling the State, visiting with people, talking to constituents, listening to what they had to say. I had the chance to attend a couple of health fairs in Rawlins, WY, and Mountain View, WY. The health fair is a gathering of the community. It is based on prevention and early detection of problems as ways to help lower the cost of care. For many years, I was the medical director of the Wyoming Health Fairs bringing low-cost health screening to people of Wyoming. At the fair, people come out. There are booths from the heart association, diabetes association, the American Cancer Society. People learn information about diseases, how they work, and how they affect their bodies. It can aid in early detection of problems. People can get their blood drawn and visit with healthcare providers from the community to go over blood results. All of this is aimed at prevention, early detection, and early treatment.

It is interesting that during the same time Democrats running for President have been traveling the country talking about healthcare as well, and specifically Senator Bernie Sanders has talked about ``BernieCare''--Medicare for All.

To me, Medicare for All is going to drive up costs for Americans in terms of taxes, and it is also going to take away the kind of choice people look for when I talk with them at Wyoming health fairs.

I come to you today to talk on the floor about the real problems I see with this so-called Medicare for All, and I come to it as a doctor who has practiced medicine in Wyoming for 25 years, taking care of patients for decades. When I go to health fairs, more people refer to me as Dr. Barrasso rather than Senator Barrasso.

I also want to talk as the husband of a breast cancer survivor. My wife, Bobbi, has had three operations, chemotherapy twice, and is now disease-free for 15 years, but I know how critically important it is as a doctor as well as a husband to make sure that people with preexisting conditions are protected.

I also speak as the son of a 96-year-old mother, and she is a motivating force in our lives. She is a constant reminder to me that we must do everything we can to care for our seniors. So as I have been listening to the Presidential candidates talk about this Medicare for All proposal, whether it is Senators Harris, Warren, Gillibrand, or Booker, all of them back what Senator Sanders has been proposing. I am just not sure most Americans understand what Medicare for All means and what it would mean for them personally. Maybe some of the Presidential candidates don't even want people to know what it means.

Senator Sanders has claimed that Medicare for All is, as he said, ``a struggle for the soul of who we are as a nation.'' Let's be clear. Americans are facing a critical choice. It is a choice between a big, government-run healthcare system and a system that gives Americans access to quality, affordable care that they can choose that is right for them and their families. That, to me, is the choice we are facing.

Medicare for All essentially means a complete government takeover of all healthcare in this country. Central planners in Washington, DC, would then be in control of the healthcare for all of us.

Medicare for All would enroll every American in a government-run healthcare system. It will take away America's healthcare choices. Senator Harris talks about, perhaps, a supplemental plan, but the legislation I have read that has been introduced is crystal clear-- Medicare for All outlaws private health insurance plans. The only exception, Senator Sanders says, is some limited insurance for cosmetic surgery--he says procedures like nose jobs.

With about 180 million Americans getting insurance through work, currently covered through their employers, people who get insurance through work like the insurance they have. All of them will lose their coverage under what is proposed under the Medicare for All legislation. All of them will be forced onto this new government program--every one of them. Never mind that 71 percent of Americans covered through their employer actually say they like their current plan. A single-payer Medicare for All proposal says, basically, if you like your current healthcare plan, you cannot keep it. The government will take it away and make it illegal.

Seniors are going to suffer, too, and, actually, I think seniors may end up suffering the most. I am talking about people who are already on Medicare because this legislation threatens the 60 million Americans who currently get their healthcare as part of Medicare. They get their healthcare today through Medicare. Medicare is already expected to run out of money by 2026. It was confirmed by last month's trustee report, but the Democrats' proposal will even outlaw Medicare Advantage, a program that 22 million Americans currently use for their healthcare. It is called Medicare Advantage because there are advantages to being on this program in terms of preventive care and coordinated care. There is a reason people sign up for Medicare Advantage. All 22 million would lose that as well under the Democrats' Medicare for All plan.

Healthcare programs benefiting military families and children will also be eliminated. Democrats plan to abolish servicemembers' TRICARE and the Children's Health Insurance Plan. All of that goes away under what the Democrats' radical proposal is talking about.

Perhaps the greatest deception of Medicare for All is the suggestion that government-run care would be free. Let me say to the American people: Do not

be deceived. Do not be deceived. Americans will pay a very high price. Medicare for All has been estimated at a 10-year pricetag of $32 trillion. There is only one way to even try to pay for this massive plan and that is to dramatically raise everyone's income taxes to the point where they may need to pay double. That is what is being proposed.

So the result will be less freedom, lower quality of care, and longer lines as people have to wait to get to a doctor, because Washington will be controlling the doctor-patient medical decisions--and, mark my words, Washington will ration care. Rationing means delays and delay means denial of care. Government-run healthcare is notorious for producing long lines, long waiting periods, delay in care--even urgently needed care.

The government-run system has failed where they tried to put it in place in Vermont, in Senator Sanders' home State. They started it and ended up having to eliminate it. They couldn't afford it. It wasn't working. It was too complicated. That is in one State.

We also have the situation of what is going on both in England and Canada right now in terms of costs and limits of care, the denial of treatment, the delay in treatment.

I think people watching may have seen the stories as a result of what is happening in England, where elderly patients are going blind in Britain right now. Why would they be going blind? Because the government is rationing cataract surgery. People can Google ``going blind in Britain.'' It is the British healthcare system that is causing it because of the rationing of care. So Democrats are promoting this Medicare for All. Basically they are saying that ObamaCare needs to be repealed and replaced because it has failed the American people. The solution they are offering is not one that I think would make things better, but it is one that I think would make things worse.

Republicans, at the same time, are working for meaningful, workable solutions that lower the costs of prescription drugs, solutions that increase healthcare choice and transparency, and solutions that expand all Americans' access to affordable care. We want to make sure patients can get the care they need from the doctor they choose at a lower cost.

So instead of proposing higher taxes, which is what the Democrats are proposing, instead of proposing healthcare rationing, which will come with Medicare for All, Democrats need to begin working with Republicans to improve healthcare for all Americans, and they should start by rejecting BernieCare.

Thank you.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Trey for his hard work as an intern in my Cheyenne office. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Trey is a native of Casper. He is a student at the University of Wyoming, where he is studying economics and political science. He has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made him an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of his work is reflected in his great efforts over the last several months.

I want to thank Trey for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have him as part of our team. I know he will have continued success with all of his future endeavors. I wish him all my best on his journey.

Mr. President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Jefferson for his hard work as an intern in my Washington, DC, office. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Jefferson is a native of California. He is a graduate of UCLA, where he studied history. He has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made him an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of his work is reflected in his great efforts over the last several months.

I want to thank Jefferson for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have him as part of our team. I know he will have continued success with all of his future endeavors. I wish him all my best on his journey.

Mr. President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Ian for his hard work as an intern in the Environment and Public Works Committee. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Ian is a native of Nevada. He is a student at George Washington University, where he is studying business economics and public policy. He has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made him an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of his work is reflected in his great efforts over the last several months.

I want to thank Ian for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have him as part of our team. I know he will have continued success with all of his future endeavors. I wish him all my best on his journey.

Mr. President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to David for his hard work as an intern in the Environment and Public Works Committee. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

David is a native of Massachusetts. He is a student at American University, where he is studying interdisciplinary studies. He has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made him an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of his work is reflected in his great efforts over the last several months.

I want to thank David for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have him as part of our team. I know he will have continued success with all of his future endeavors. I wish him all my best on his journey.

Mr. President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Tyler for his hard work as an intern in the Environment and Public Works Committee. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Tyler is a native of West Virginia. He is a graduate student at American University, where he is studying political communication. He has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made him an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of his work is reflected in his great efforts over the last several months.

I want to thank Tyler for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have him as part of our team. I know he will have continued success with all of his future endeavors. I wish him all my best on his journey.

Mr. President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Brendyn for his hard work as an intern in my Washington, DC, office. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Brendyn is a native of New York. He is a student at American University, where he is studying international relations and French. He has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made him an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of his work is reflected in his great efforts over the last several months.

I want to thank Brendyn for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have him as part of our team. I know he will have continued success with all of his future endeavors. I wish him all my best on his journey.

Mr. President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Annie for her hard work as an intern in the Senate Republican Conference. I recognize

her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Annie is a native of Ohio. She is a student at Marymount University, where she is studying politics. She has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made her an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of her work is reflected in her great efforts over the last several months.

I want to thank Annie for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have her as part of our team. I know she will have continued success with all of her future endeavors. I wish her all my best on her journey.

Mr. President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Jordan for his hard work as an intern in the Environment and Public Works Committee. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Jordan is a native of Georgia. He is a graduate of Kenyon College, where he studied political science and French. He has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made him an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of his work is reflected in his great efforts over the last several months.

I want to thank Jordan for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have him as part of our team. I know he will have continued success with all of his future endeavors. I wish him all my best on his journey.

Mr. President, you have heard the quote: ``In this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.'' Of course, that was from Benjamin Franklin back in 1789.

Well, just as Franklin predicted, the tax man cometh on Monday. This year, tax day follows a very strong March jobs report. Our booming economy remains an incredible boon for U.S. workers. Employers added 196,000 jobs last month. It beat all expectations. U.S. unemployment is right now at historic lows. It has remained at or below 4 percent now for over a year. Weekly jobless claims have fallen to a 50-year low--50 years. It has never been lower, and the unemployment rate for women is now the lowest since 1953.

Wages have increased by more than 3 percent, the fastest growth in a decade, and it is worth noting that in recent months, the biggest pay increases have gone to lower income workers. Bigger paychecks mean a higher standard of living. Bigger paychecks mean the median household income continues to rise and is, today, at the highest level ever in the United States.

There are currently 7.6 million jobs open. We actually have more open jobs in America today than we have people to fill them. Small businesses recently set hiring records, and 60 percent of small businesses have additional plans to hire more people. You would have to go back 20 years--two decades--to find as many new manufacturing jobs as we have added last year.

So this solid jobs news reflects an American economic renaissance brought about by Republican tax reform. Republicans reduced tax rates across the board. We have done it for individuals and have done it for businesses starting in 2018. We lowered tax rates for small businesses, as well as for family farms and family ranches, which is certainly a big thing for me in Wyoming. We nearly doubled the standard deduction. We cut our excessively high corporate tax rate as well so U.S. companies are able to compete better globally. We made it easier for business owners to recoup the cost of their investments because we want them to invest and hire more people in the process.

As a result of Republican leadership, American workers have abundant opportunity. The Washington Post reports that due to the strong labor market, economists, they say, now foresee ``almost no risk of an imminent recession.'' According to the Post article, ``As long as hiring remains strong and wages are climbing, the economy is likely to continue growing, experts say, because people typically spend more when they are not worried about losing their job.''

Our economy is strong. Our economy is healthy. Our economy is growing. The U.S. GDP has risen 3 percent year over year. Lower tax rates have freed job creators, giving companies the confidence to invest, to grow, and to hire. Employers have created more than 3 million jobs since tax reform passed and 5.5 million new jobs since President Trump took office. With faster job growth and better profits, businesses can invest more in their workers.

Last year, a number of Wyoming employers boosted pay and benefits due to tax reform. Darden Restaurants, with locations nationwide, including in Cheyenne and in Casper, invested $20 million in its workforce. Kroger grocery stores and convenience stores, with more than 1,400 employees in Wyoming, well, they invested $500 million to boost worker pay. Kroger plans to add, actually, 11,000 more jobs.

Many companies in Wyoming have made similar investments. I hear about them every weekend. Our utility company in Wyoming, Rocky Mountain Power, has rewarded our customers as well. It decreased its electricity rates last year by 3 percent, and, they say, as of course other utilities have across the country, it is a direct result of tax reform.

Democrats, on the other hand, are threatening to reverse these gains and dramatically increase taxes with their extreme socialist agenda. Democrats want to take over all of healthcare in this country and eliminate insurance from 180 million Americans. That bill was introduced today by the Senator from Vermont and cosponsored by, I assume, just about every Democrat who is running for President who is a Member of the Senate.

Medicare for All, let's be clear, is government-run healthcare. It has an

estimated 10-year price tag of over $32 trillion, meaning massive tax hikes for American families.

Democrats also want to control our energy sector. It is called the Green New Deal. Its estimated 10-year price tag is $93 trillion. This unaffordable, unworkable plan would destroy our economy and dramatically increase taxes.

Far-left Democrats are touting tax-the-rich plans that would punish success. These include raising the top marginal tax rate to 70 percent, imposing a 2-percent annual ``wealth tax,'' and raising the top estate tax rate to 77 percent on farmers, ranchers, and business owners.

Republicans dramatically reduced the estate tax or the ``death tax'' as a result of tax reform. This tax is double-taxation. It taxes money that has previously been taxed already. It hurts family-owned businesses, and it hurts ranchers and farmers and should be fully repealed.

Clearly, Democrats have taken a sharp left turn. Their policies will send our strong, healthy, and growing economy careening over the liberal cliff.

Republicans' pro-growth tax relief has produced a booming economy with millions of new jobs and larger paychecks. We freed job creators to hire again. We put Americans back to work. We raised the standard of living. Thanks to Republican tax reform, America is back in business.

So I say, we must come together. We must do it now. We must embrace commonsense policies that will continue our progress. Republicans have provided successful solutions. Democrats are now promoting the failure and the horrors of socialism.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session and be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, today I wish to celebrate the Centennial of the Rotary Club of Casper, Wyoming, a club which holds special importance for my wife, Bobbi and me.

On Saturday, May 4, 2019, the Rotary Club of Casper will recognize their 100th anniversary at a special celebration. Rotary organized in Casper, WY on March 12, 1919, just 14 years after the first Rotary club was formed in Chicago, and 28 years after Wyoming's admission to the Union.

At a luncheon on March 12, 1919, 15 businessmen, representing all walks of Casper life, met and elected their leadership--President James T. Gratiot, Directors Loui McMahon, Steve Starrett, George Nelson, Billy Johnson, Carl Shumaker, and Otis Walker. With a shared mission and sense of duty, these charter members laid the groundwork for a century to come.

The Casper Daily Tribune noted Rotary's founding in an article the following day, March 13, 1919, ``The purpose of the club is to encourage business and social relations and its by-laws define the policies of the club in a way that marks various departures from other clubs or societies.'' With this in mind, the club hit the ground running, impacting the Casper community in positive and distinct ways.

Within their first years of forming, Casper Rotary's commitment to the community was proven and acknowledged. As early as 1920-21, with memories of WWI fresh in their minds, they voted to support and donate funds to the construction of an air base near Casper. This air base, established in 1942, would come to fruition as the Casper Army Air Field. Governor Bryant B. Brooks, who would join the club and become president, noticed their initiative and addressed the club early on. This began a pattern with the club hosting a great number of Wyoming Governors, U.S. Senators and Congressmen, and local officials.

The Rotary Club of Casper always realized the importance of the youth of their community. From the beginning, the club sponsored the Boy and Girl Scouts. They established a student loan fund for students wishing to further their education and engaged with high school students to encourage their ambition. They were part of the effort to bring a junior college to Casper, lobbying the State legislature in Cheyenne. Their efforts were rewarded in 1945, when Casper College was established as Wyoming's first junior college.

Countless dollars and volunteer hours were donated and continue to be given to the creation of parks, camps, playgrounds, and swimming pools for the community. The most well-known is Rotary Park on Casper Mountain. Popular since the early 1940s, Rotary Park contains the picturesque Garden Creek Falls and Bridle Trail. Additionally, each August, Rotary helps host Casper's Riverfest and the Great Duck Derby. Rubber ducks fill the North Platte River with the proceeds going to the area's trail systems. The club's continuing engagement and investment in future projects ensure these areas are enjoyed for generations to come.

The history of Casper's Rotary Club is a microcosm of the history of Casper. Professionals encompassing the

entire Casper community worked together throughout the years to promote good will, service, and character. For the club's 40th anniversary celebration in 1959, Rotarian M. E. ``Monte'' Robertson wrote, ``We can all be justly proud of our Casper Rotary Club, of the pioneers who constituted its membership in the beginning, and the character and quality of those members who have carried on until the present day.'' These words hold true today with the leadership of President Dick Jay, President Elect John Griffith, President Elect Nominee Lisa Scroggins, and Centennial Committee Chair Barry Johnson.

It is a high honor for me to rise in recognition of this significant milestone for the Rotary Club of Casper. I have seen firsthand the important work the club does, as Bobbi and I have been fortunate to call ourselves Rotarians. Since my days as an orthopedic surgeon in Casper, I have been involved with Casper Rotary for 36 years. We made countless lifelong friendships along the way and continue to appreciate the dedication of our fellow members.

It is a great privilege to recognize this incredible service organization and their dedication to the betterment of their Wyoming community. Bobbi joins me in extending our congratulations and deep gratitude to the Rotary Club of Casper on their centennial celebration.

Mr. President, I have 14 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders.

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

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on child nutrition reauthorization.

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on broadband.

Committee on Environment and Public Works

The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

Committee on Finance

The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the

Senate on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 10:15 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

Committee on Foreign Relations

The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 9:15 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

Committee on Indian Affairs

The Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a closed hearing.

Committee on the Judiciary

The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Jeffrey A. Rosen, of Virginia, to be Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice; and Jeffrey Vincent Brown, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, Stephanie L. Haines, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and Brantley Starr, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas.

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing on SBA's international trade programs.

Committee on Veterans' Affairs

The Committee on Veterans' Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``VA Mission Act''.

Subcommittee on Cybersecurity

The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a closed hearing.

Subcommittee on Seapower

The Subcommittee on Seapower of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety

The Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

Subcommittee on the Constitution

The Subcommittee on the Constitution of the Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing.