Floor Statements

Mr. President, I come to the floor today to add my voice to many around the world who remember our dear friend and our colleague John McCain.

John McCain was a man of the highest character, courage, and credibility, known for his stubborn courage and his heroic patriotism. He leaves a legacy of unquestioned devotion and love for his country and his family.

When I first came to the Senate, John was very welcoming. He knew I had been an orthopedic surgeon, and he told me I really ought to take a look at his x rays. Of course, the x rays showed the many fractures which were the result of being shot down over Hanoi and the injuries that resulted from the crash and the subsequent beatings as a prisoner of war. It was out of pure generosity on his part that we became friends and traveling companions.

John took great pride in this institution and in knowing that none of us in this body of 100--left or right, Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal--none of us agreed with him 100 percent of the time. But every one of us respected him and the strength of his convictions. I always have.

Probably no one knows the first person to give him the nickname ``Maverick,'' but he certainly lived up to it. For John, it wasn't about playing a character on television. For him, there was no switching between a public and a private persona; he was the same when the cameras were off as when they were on.

His voice would thunder on the Senate floor when he was stirred to outrage, with incredible force and conviction, and so he came to another affectionate name--``Hurricane McCain.''

His humor was legendary. He used his biting humor like a surface-to- air missile.

We all know his incredible biography--the courage he showed as a naval officer and as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. It was a story that inspired millions of people around the world. I could see it when we traveled the world together. We would visit American troops overseas, and it was incredible to see the respect he commanded no matter where he went.

Mr. President, you served time in the military. You have been deployed. You know what it is like to be there and when someone from home comes to thank you and support you and make sure you have everything you need. Our men and women in uniform looked at him in awe, and they hung on his every word. Foreign leaders did the same. John really was a reassuring figure around the world.

My first trip with John was Thanksgiving 2007. It was before he was the nominee for President. He was actually trailing significantly in the polls. We went to Iraq during the surge. We spent the day in Baghdad and in other locations, and then in the dark of night, we flew out into the Anbar Province, where his son, a marine grunt, was serving.

We had Thanksgiving dinner with a number of the soldiers. When John got to see his son, he went to hug him, to lift his arms, but because of the orthopedic injuries he had sustained, until the end of his life, he was unable to really lift his arms due to the fractures. He was up on his toes trying to hug his son in the Anbar Province of Iraq. I had a chance to have dinner with six Wyoming soldiers that evening. They had only one request of me: Could I introduce them to Senator McCain?

Our final trip was over Memorial Day this past year, 2017. It was to Vietnam. We went to the lake where he had been shot down. It was a bipartisan group. Senator Coons from Delaware was along. We went to the Hanoi prison where he spent 5\1/2\ years. We saw the cell. We also went to the Presidential Palace. No matter where we went, he was met with a hero's welcome. I don't know how many people could have sustained and survived 5\1/2\ years in that prison with the beatings. It took a man of incredible courage and character, and he gained credibility, as well as a certainty for his own life.

We also went to Cam Ranh Bay during that trip to Vietnam. Many Vietnam war veterans have been through that area. They brought in the USS John McCain, the ship named after his father and his grandfather. While there, we had a luncheon on the deck of the ship, and it was called McCain Field. He was greeted warmly by everyone, and he greeted them just as warmly.

Every Senator who ever traveled with Senator McCain shared a common experience; it was being approached by someone on the street or in a restaurant and being asked: Are you with Senator McCain? Of course we would say yes. Then they would hand us a cell phone and say: Could you please take a picture of me with Senator McCain. Of course we always said yes. You could see the reverence and respect each of these individuals had for Senator McCain.

People also respected his incredible legacy of service, his strength as one of the fiercest legislators in our history. It is fitting that just a few weeks ago, Congress paid tribute to him by passing the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 because we all know that caring for the military was an abiding concern in his career. He wanted to make sure that the men and women in uniform were treated fairly by the government, that they were respected, and that they were honored for their service.

We get used to using the language of combat around here in all sorts of other areas where it doesn't really belong. We talk about fierce political battles. We talk about hard-fought election campaigns. But as someone who knew what real battles looked like, John had a realistic perspective on the political kind of battle. He took them seriously, and he never engaged in a fight where he didn't believe that he was on the side of right.

He never tired of ridiculing what he saw as wasteful government spending.

Every soldier, every sailor, every airman knows that none of us are indispensable. We serve our mission, and if we fall, another will step up to take our place. John understood that truth also about public service.

I think John would also understand the sincerity of the grief that the Members of this Senate are feeling today.

I remember vividly the last time I saw John McCain. I went to visit him and his wife Cindy at the ranch in Sedona. I will tell you, John and Cindy have been so kind to my wife Bobbi when we have visited the ranch in the past. I remember John taking my wife Bobbi on a tour of the many historic trees on the ranch. John has also been so very kind to my daughter Emma on her visits in Washington and some of her travels with me.

Let me assure you about Cindy McCain. Cindy is also an American of great strength and great courage. When I was there, we sat together and we talked about the Senate, about his beloved Arizona, about the past and actually about the future as well, and about the places around the world we had visited together.

Senator McCain was a great lover and student of history. We talked of Teddy Roosevelt's ``Man in the Arena'' speech. It was one that he knew quite well, he knew by heart.

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out

how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could

have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is

actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat

and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes up

short again and again . . . who knows great enthusiasms, the

great devotions; who spends his life in a worthy cause; who

at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement

. . . and who . . . if he fails, at least fails while daring

greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and

timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

John McCain knew both. He knew victory, and he knew defeat. John McCain was the man in the arena.

Mostly, John and I sat and enjoyed the view of the river, the trees, and the red rocks. I know that view was one of his great joys, the peace and serenity of a hard landscape shaped by years of wear and weather. Think about that--the serenity of a hard landscape shaped by years of wear and weather. People will see all sorts of symbolism in that hard landscape shaped by years of wear and weather, but if John had heard me say that, he would have said: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot--get to the point. So I will.

John McCain was the conscience of the Senate. He served the American people and the Senate on his own terms. He left us on his own terms as well. We grieve him today because, for us, it just was not enough time. That is the thing about our heroes--we start to believe they will live on forever, but of course they do not.

Ronald Reagan's final letter to the American people said this:

When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will

leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and

eternal optimism for its future.

John McCain has left this world, I can assure you, with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for the future.

Rest in peace, my friend John McCain. Rest in peace.

Mr. President, we have been seeing a lot in the news lately about the American economy, and it is very good news.

Last Friday, the Wall Street Journal had an article with the headline ``Youth Unemployment Hits 52-Year Low''--a 52-year low. For people between the ages of 16 and 24, this is the best job market we have had since 1966. The article went on to say that ``more opportunities are available to some groups that historically have struggled to find jobs.'' People are getting opportunities because the American economy is booming. Since President Trump was elected, we have gotten more than 4 million additional Americans working. The economy grew at a rate of more than 4 percent last quarter. The Atlanta branch of the Federal Reserve is predicting that we are going to have another 4-percent growth this quarter. People are seeing the effect of the booming economy in their paychecks and in their lives. Average wages were up more than 3 percent last year.

You look at all of the good news, and it is no wonder that confidence is going through the roof. Small businesses are now much more optimistic than they have been since 1983. They are hiring, they are expanding, they are raising wages, and they are much more confident about the future.

It is all happening because of the Republican policies and the Republican priorities we have been putting in place. It is what happens when you have a President who puts the needs of the people first instead of the desires of unelected, unaccountable, heavyhanded Washington bureaucrats.

When President Trump took office, one of the first things he did was to put Washington on a regulation diet. He said that America was again open for business. What does all that mean? What happened? In the Trump administration's first year, they issued 3 new regulations and they cut 67 regulations. Three regulatory actions and 67 deregulatory actions-- that is a ratio of 22 to 1. It is in favor of cutting redtape, eliminating regulations, and cutting the amount of paperwork people have

to fill out. Nobody has ever seen anything like this. Working with this Senate and this House, this administration has been streamlining, simplifying, and striking out regulations from the very beginning, and we are not slowing down. When you add it all up, it amounts to about $14 billion in savings since the start of the Trump administration.

Republicans in Congress have been doing our part as well. We know that the reason America's economy had been struggling for so long was because it was being strangled by all of the redtape that comes out of Washington. So we used the authority of Congress to roll back major regulations that were harming our economy, burdensome to industries in our communities and in our States, punishing to people who are just trying to do their jobs. We cut 16 unnecessary, burdensome rules and saved Americans $36 billion in the process.

If you combine what the President has done and what we have done in Congress by passing the Congressional Review Act, Republicans have saved Americans $50 billion and over 16 million hours of filling out needless paperwork.

Of course, Republicans also passed the biggest tax cut in 36 years. That is the other big thing Republicans have done to get the American economy booming. Every Democrat in the Senate voted against the tax cut that Republicans passed. This tax relief bill, and now the law, gave people an immediate boost in their take-home pay. Millions of Americans also got bonuses and raises because of the law.

Because Republicans have cut regulations and cut taxes, America has a strong, healthy, and growing economy today.

The Congressional Budget Office recently came out with a new report. They looked at the numbers for the first 10 months of the fiscal year we are now in. They looked at the rising wages, the rising employment, and the falling unemployment--all of those things--and they said that those are big reasons why revenue for the Federal Government coming in from the workers of the country is actually $26 billion higher than it was at this point last year.

More money is coming in. Well, how do you do that? By cutting taxes. How do you get more money to come in? Well, because more people are working and more people are getting higher wages. All of those things are leading to increased revenue coming into the government because of the fact that we cut taxes. When you cut taxes, you turn the economy loose. You turn it loose to create jobs. Good things happen. The economy grows. More people find work. More people get raises. More people get more money in their pockets--they can decide if they want to save it or spend it or invest it and how they want to do it--and revenue goes up as well.

Republicans want to keep going with more of these policies that have worked so well to spur the economy. We want to do more to help the economy create jobs and help people keep more of what they earn. I think that is what the American people want as well. That is what I hear about in Wyoming every weekend.

What do Democrats in Washington want? Well, they seem to want the exact opposite. That is the way they vote, and that is what they have been saying.

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts actually introduced legislation last week that would create an entirely new government bureaucracy. Republicans are trying to rein in the bureaucrats; Democrats are trying to give bureaucrats more power. This new Democratic plan would give Washington more power to control how American businesses operate. It would take away the freedom of the owners and the executives of these companies to create jobs, to serve their customers, and to grow the economy. According to this legislation, the government ought to make that decision. Democrats are clearly hoping that this will become the new and latest liberal litmus test. It would be an absolute disaster, just like all of the other plans that we heard from the Democrats that they are trying to put in place.

It is like the Democrats' plan--they claim they want to raise taxes. I mean, that is actually what Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House, said Democrats would do if they took back Congress. She said: We would raise taxes.

One very prominent Democratic leader and Governor of one of the major cities said on television: We are not going to make America great again. He actually went on to say that America ``was never that great.'' That is what the Democratic mayor of New York said last week.

There are some very big differences between Democrats and Republicans. Republicans want policies that put more money in the pockets of hard-working people. That is what we want--more money in the pockets of hard-working American families. Republicans want policies that take more control out of Washington and let the decisions be made back at home in the hands of the States and the towns and families. Democrats seem to want to raise taxes and raise barriers to the economy.

We are coming up on Labor Day, and I hope Democrats in Washington and around the country will embrace the policies that will actually help create jobs. I hope Democrats will embrace the policies that are helping young people find work at the highest rate in 52 years. I hope Democrats will embrace the policies that are actually raising wages for American families. I hope Democrats will recognize that America is a great country, and it is getting better every day.

Thank you.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I would like to spend time this afternoon talking about something I continue to hear about in Wyoming. I heard about it a lot over the past week. I heard about it last night in Sundance, WY. It is the Endangered Species Act.

The Endangered Species Act became law in 1973. That was 45 years ago. It was a bipartisan vote. The law has resulted in a lot of great work to save species from extinction. We have seen species such as the bald eagle come back from the brink of being almost completely wiped out. That is a great example of what this law was intended to do--to identify species in danger and to help them recover.

The problem is that there aren't enough examples like the bald eagle to point to because the goal of the law was to help species get to the point where they no longer needed the protection of the Endangered Species Act. We would put them on the list, they would recover, and then they would come off the list. That was the goal of the bipartisan legislation. That is how it was supposed to work.

Let's look at what has actually happened. Since the law was put on the books, Washington has put 2,424 different species of plants and animals on the list. Only 54 have ever come off the list because they actually recovered. That is just 54 species in 45 years. That is less than 3 percent. I am a doctor. As a doctor, if I were to admit 100 patients to the hospital and only 3 out of every 100 I admitted recovered enough to be discharged, maybe those patients ought to look for a different doctor. We are now in the same situation the Endangered Species Act.

When it comes to the Endangered Species Act, the status quo is not good enough. We need to do more than just put species on the list and leave them in the intensive care unit without a plan for recovery; we need to see them actually recover. That is the whole point.

The Endangered Species Act has not been substantially amended or updated in 30 years. That is a long time for a law to stay on the books without actually trying to improve it--and improvement is necessary. Americans across the country are telling us it is time. The Endangered Species Act needs to be modernized. As a former Governor of Wyoming, Dave Freudenthal, who came back to testify in front of the Environment and Public Works Committee, said, ``It just has too much sand in the gears.''

Well, maybe the problem with the Endangered Species Act doesn't seem so clear to bureaucrats in Washington, DC, but when you go out West to places like my home State of Wyoming, the problems are obvious. We see how the law is failing to help species. We see it every day in Wyoming, and it comes up continually in my discussions with folks at home. We see how it is failing the communities--communities that suffer under the law's ineffective and burdensome redtape. That is why States in the West are tackling this issue when Washington, DC, has done so very little over the last decades.

Three years ago, the Western Governors' Association--a bipartisan group--began looking at ways to modernize the law to help the Western States. The chairman of the group was Matt Mead, our Governor in Wyoming. He set up a special bipartisan initiative that has been working on this issue all of that time. They talked with people across the political spectrum--liberals, conservatives, Republicans, Democrats--people from all different backgrounds, and they came up with some practical and sensible policy recommendations.

Last month, I released a discussion draft of legislation based on the principles from the Western Governors' Association and the policies that they are promoting and recommending to help all of the States in the West. It is an effort to recreate what the Western Governors' Association's bipartisan process has done and recreate it right here in the Senate. I received a supportive letter from the group that was signed by its Republican chairman and its Democratic vice chairman, Governor Daugaard of South Dakota and Governor Ige of Hawaii--both supporting our initiative. I think it shows we are on the right path.

We also based this discussion draft on input from two hearings that I chaired in the Committee on Environment and Public Works. We heard from a diverse and bipartisan group of witnesses. We heard from Dave Freudenthal, the Democratic former Governor of Wyoming, and from Fish and Wildlife directors from across the country. Most said that the principles set forth by the Western Governors' Association were a good starting point for modernizing the Endangered Species Act.

One important step that we take in this draft legislation is to elevate the role that States actually play in implementing the law. We make them full partners with Washington, DC. It is necessary and the time is right because when the law was written, States didn't have the conservation capacity they have today. Over the last 45 years, States have dramatically expanded their expertise and their ability to manage species. They have done a remarkable job over the past 45 years. State and local experts are the ones on the ground. They understand the situation, and they work with the species on a daily basis. They know the needs of these species and the unique challenges they face, the habitats, and the threats to the species.

My draft bill gives States the opportunity to lead wildlife conservation efforts because they are the most prepared and the most able to do it. States

need to be playing a significant role in recovering and in managing these species.

There are about 11,000 people working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service combined--11,000 individuals. Conservation efforts at the State level have more than 50,000 people--more than 4 to 1--working on these critical issues. There are more than 11,000 wildlife biologists and 10,000 wildlife law enforcement officers at the State level. States are now spending close to $6 billion a year collectively on conservation efforts. It is clear that America's conservation power is in the States, not in Washington, DC. That is where the action is, where the money is, where the intelligence is, where the training is, and where the knowledge is. That is where people want to be working. These State agencies are in the field every day working to protect wildlife.

Another thing this draft legislation does is to establish recovery teams for the species that are listed on the endangered species list. The goal is to develop and implement specific recovery plans for each species. The idea is to make the law more transparent so specific recovery goals are clear to everyone. It provides more of the regulatory certainty that communities across this country need. We also have to make sure that the species that are most in need get the resources first.

Again, this isn't some idea that someone came up with behind closed doors in Washington, DC--not at all. This whole effort is based on feedback from the 19 States and 3 U.S. territories that are part of the Western Governors' Association. Wyoming Governor Matt Mead testified at a recent hearing that my bill is in line with what the States are looking for. He said that it ``represents a reasonable way'' to start a national dialogue on the subject, just like the Western Governors did. That is why 130 organizations have already written to express their support for this effort.

There are some groups out there who don't want any change to the law. They want to keep adding to the list and letting the list grow. They don't seem to care whether the species ever recover enough to come off the list, which was the goal of the original legislation. I think that approach for all of us is not good enough.

I want to find a bipartisan path to modernize the Endangered Species Act. Let's follow the lead of these western Governors. Let's have that same bipartisan discussion in the Senate. The Endangered Species Act is an important law. Yes, it can be improved. We need more examples like we have with the bald eagle. Recovering these species must be the goal, not just putting them on life support and leaving them. Let's work together to make the Endangered Species Act work better for species and for people.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Dave True, who will soon be honored for his contributions to his local community and the agriculture industry across Wyoming. Each year, Senator Enzi and I have the opportunity to introduce outstanding individuals as they are inducted into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame. As one of the 2018 inductees, Dave is an outstanding addition to their ranks.

Seventy years ago, Dave's father moved to Casper, WY, as part owner of a drilling company and established what would eventually become the True Companies. In the years that followed, Dave worked with his father and brothers to expand the company's focus. Today the True Companies is a

diversified portfolio of farms, ranches, and feedlots, as well as businesses in the oil and gas and transportation sectors.

Together with his wife, Melanie, Dave works to make sure the family business endures for the next generation: their children, Shane and his wife JoAnn; Christy and her husband Quintin; Bryce and his wife Kelsey; Ashley, who interned in my office, and her husband Gene; and the many grandchildren.

Today, Dave manages the agricultural holdings and actively seeks out opportunities to serve the larger agricultural community. Dave has given his time to the Wyoming 4-H Foundation, the Casper Rotary Club, the Farm Bureau, and many other organizations who share his passions. As a member of the University of Wyoming's College of Agriculture advisory council and as the current president of the University of Wyoming board of trustees, Dave plays an active role in guiding students who make Wyoming's future so bright.

The scope of Dave's leadership is not limited to the borders of Wyoming. For many years, Dave served as treasurer of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and has mentored countless members of the national agriculture sector. Never too busy to attend educational workshops, I remember when Dave shared his biggest successes and his biggest failure during a beef symposium. His willingness to share obstacles in his own enterprise and offer advice has made Dave an outstanding resource for the next generation of producers.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of Wyoming's status as a U.S. Territory and the 106th annual Wyoming State Fair. Although the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame began only in 1992, Wyoming has a longstanding tradition of recognizing those who are integral to the success of our State's agricultural industry. Selection as a member of this outstanding group is one of many honors Dave has received, and it is one that is undoubtedly well-deserved. The members of this elite club grow crops and raise livestock while building a strong foundation for the next generation of successful producers. Together, they will make the next 150 years of Wyoming's history as rich as the last.

It is with great honor that I recognize my friend as an outstanding member of our Wyoming community. My wife, Bobbi, joins me in congratulating Dave True as one of the 2018 inductees into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame.

Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of John Jorgensen, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming's 2018 honoree.

Since 1978, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming has been working to make a positive difference in the lives of children. Their mission is to inspire all youth to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Their activities provide the children in our community with a sense of competence, usefulness, and belonging.

On August 29, 2018, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming will host the 20th Annual Awards and Recognition Breakfast. Every year at this event, the Boys and Girls Club honors a member of the community who has made outstanding contributions to their organization, Wyoming youth, and the city of Casper. It is an inspiring celebration. This year's honoree is John Jorgensen. He is an ideal choice to receive this honor because of his dedication to advancing childhood literacy and improving the lives of Wyoming's children. With this award, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming shows their gratitude for John's work, which mirrors the club's important mission.

John is a successful manager, generous philanthropist, and devoted family man. He is a native of Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska, earning a bachelor's degree in Political Science. He served 3 years in the U.S. Army before pursuing his career in banking. His path lead him to California and the Midwest before finally calling Casper, WY, home for the past 31 years. He started in Casper as the president of the First Wyoming Bank and retired in 2015 as the president of Hilltop National Bank.

John's involvement in his community is immeasurable, and his positive impact is felt across Casper and Wyoming. He has been a Casper College Foundation Board Member since 1987 and has served as its President since 1990. John's leadership grew the foundation to one of the top five community college foundations nationwide, with assets of over $90 million. John was recently awarded the 2018 Casper College Alumni Association's Commitment to Excellence Award for his exemplary service. He was also awarded the prestigious Benefactor Award in 2014 from the Council for Resource Development. In addition, John has served on the Natrona County Public Library Foundation, the Nicolaysen Art Museum Board, the Wyoming Community Foundation, and the Sue Jorgensen Library Foundation. He was instrumental in the completion of the David Street Station project and is a member of the Casper Rotary Club.

Any mention of John would be incomplete without the acknowledgment of the Wyoming Reads program. Inspired by his wife Sue's love of reading, he founded the program in her memory after her passing in 1996. Sue was the director of the elementary education and graduate education programs for the University of Wyoming/Casper College Center in Casper and was the first coordinator of the UW elementary education teacher preparation program. Each year, the Governor of Wyoming proclaims the date of the Wyoming Reads program as Wyoming Literacy Day. The event started as ``Casper Cares, Casper Reads'' 20 years ago. Since then, the program has grown to include thousands of children across Wyoming and delivered more than 180,000 personalized books. John's work has inspired similar programs in other States, with communities in California, Oregon, and Minnesota following his lead. John even takes the time to travel to many of these locations to provide leadership and encouragement.

John devotes his time to instilling the value of reading in Wyoming youth. He wrote a fairy tale that he acts out as a play for the first graders, feeding their excitement to learn as well as honoring Sue. He quotes her saying that, ``Until someone can read, they can't really do anything else.'' This is his vision for helping children succeed and grow. His devotion to childhood literacy ensures the youth of Wyoming are educated and inspired.

John Jorgensen and his family truly represent the Wyoming values of courage, generosity, and selflessness. John with his late wife, Sue, have five children, Matt Jorgensen, Chris Jorgensen, Marty Jorgensen, Sarah Olsen, and Lindsay Lawton, as well as loving grandchildren. Children in Casper, WY, and across the country have a bright future thanks to the efforts of this incredible family.

It is with great honor that I recognize this exceptional member of our Wyoming community. My wife, Bobbi, joins me in extending our congratulations to John Jorgensen for receiving this special acknowledgement from the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming.

Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of Del McOmie, mayor of Lander, WY, and one of our State's true leaders.

Born and raised in Lander, Del has worked continually to make the community and Wyoming better for future generations.

Del married his sweetheart, Patty, in 1975. They welcomed five children, Delbert, Jr., Alan, Kathleen, Pamela, and Craig. The McOmie family has since grown to include 14 grandchildren and 20 great- grandchildren. In his everyday words and deeds, Del has passed on his tradition of excellence and love of Wyoming. Governor Matt Mead appointed Delbert as the director of the state construction department. Alan gives back to their community, serving as an officer in the Lander Police Department. Working for the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Craig embodies his father's passion for the beauty of our State.

Del has committed his life to serving those around him. When he finishes his current term as mayor of Lander, he will have served as an elected official

for 30 years, along with providing leadership and expertise to the Wyoming Department of Transportation for over 39 years. Alongside this public service, Del has been a small business owner and a champion for local economic development.

As the cofounder of LEADER Corp., a private economic development group committed to expanding the economic base of Lander, Del helps transform his vision of a prosperous community into reality. Known for his dedication and determination, Del brings all the players to the table and works to make things happen. Del is a problem-solver, and Lander and the State of Wyoming are better for it.

Del's neighbors and friends know they can rely on him to get the job done. They have elected him as mayor four times and sent him to represent their interests in the State legislature seven times. He has rewarded their faith in him by finding the funds necessary to build the new Lander Valley High School.

Del and I served in the Wyoming State Legislature together for 5 years. His opinions and advice carried great weight in both chambers and across the aisle. Del was known for his integrity and devotion to Wyoming. He served on the education committee when we passed the Hathaway Scholarship that ensures every Wyoming High School graduate has access to higher education. Together, we cosponsored legislation to fund critical emergency telephone services in our rural State. Del's legacy will always be working to meet the needs of our State and her people.

In Wyoming, we have adopted the Code of the West as our guiding ethical principles. No one embodies these commitments more than Del McOmie. Throughout his impressive career of service, Del has always ``done what has to be done'' and embraced that ``when you make a promise, [you must] keep it.'' Even before Wyoming had an official code of ethics, Del has always been one to ``ride for the brand''.

It is with great honor that I recognize this exceptional member of our Wyoming community. My wife, Bobbi, joins me in extending our appreciations to Del McOmie for his service.

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

Mr. President, when President Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the Supreme Court, I believe he made an excellent choice. Judge Kavanaugh has served on the DC Circuit Court for 12 years. He has distinguished himself as a careful, independent, and very intelligent judge.

This was a headline in the Wall Street Journal on July 10, 2018. They took a look at his record, and this is what they predicted: ``Trump's Nominee Will Be an Intellectual Leader On the Bench.'' I had a chance to meet with him today, and that is exactly what I think. I think they got it completely right. The newspaper pointed out that he has written opinions that span nearly every significant constitutional issue.

Judge Kavanaugh has such a strong reputation that courts around the country actually have relied on his opinions. When you look at his whole record, he has written about 200 majority opinions for the DC Circuit Court, on which he serves. He has only been reversed one time by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has actually been much more likely to agree with Judge Kavanaugh. In at least 13 different cases over the dozen years he has served on the DC Circuit Court, they have adopted his legal reasoning in their own Supreme Court rulings. To me, that makes him a mainstream judge.

In one case involving the separation of powers, Judge Kavanaugh disagreed with the opinion of two other circuit judges. He looked at the text of the Constitution and at the original meaning of those words, which is, to me, what a judge ought to be doing. He wrote that the ``Framers of our Constitution took great care to ensure that power in our system was separated into three branches.'' That is one of the things he and I talked about today--the three branches of government the Founding Fathers created to separate the powers within our system. In that writing, Judge Kavanaugh went on to stress the importance of the Constitution's checks and balances--the fundamental principles on which our democracy was founded. The Supreme Court agreed with Judge Kavanaugh's reasoning, and the Court cited his work several times in reaching their own Supreme Court decision.

There was another case that dealt with a regulation that was written by the Environmental Protection Agency. Judge Kavanaugh found that the Agency exceeded its authority under the law when it wrote its regulation. He wrote: ``It is not our job to make the policy choices and set the statutory boundaries, but it is emphatically our job to carefully but firmly enforce the statutory boundaries.'' What are the boundaries? It is our job to enforce them, not to set them.

Again, the Supreme Court took a look at this, looked at his writings from the DC Circuit Court, and they agreed with Judge Kavanaugh's reasoning.

One constitutional scholar pointed out that ``Judge Kavanaugh commands wide and deep respect among scholars, lawyers, judges, and justices.'' Another legal scholar said that Judge

Kavanaugh is ``one of the most learned judges in America on a variety of issues, ranging from theories of statutory interpretation to separation of powers.'' A third law professor agreed. This professor called Judge Kavanaugh ``a true intellectual--a leading thinker and writer on the subjects of statutory interpretation and federal courts.''

Here is what we know about Judge Kavanaugh. It is clear that he is a person of strong character. We hear this from people who have known him in the community and people who have worked with him for years in the court. It is clear that Judge Kavanaugh has exactly the right approach, in my opinion, to being a judge. He said it very plainly in a speech last year. He said that a judge's job is to interpret the law, not to make the law or make policy. That is what judges are supposed to do. I think that is the standard Americans should be applying to anyone who is nominated to this high position.

Then you look at the endorsements from legal scholars, and you look at the number of times the Supreme Court has followed his opinions, followed his reasoning, followed his thought pattern. It is clear that Judge Kavanaugh has the incredibly strong intellect that we want in a Supreme Court Justice. When we see someone who commands this kind of respect from the experts, I think Senators need to take that into consideration.

I met with Judge Kavanaugh, as I said, early this morning. I enjoyed a long discussion on various topics relating to the law--the Constitution, the separation of powers. I hope my Democratic colleagues will meet with him as well.

I look forward to having a full and thoughtful confirmation process. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this topic.

150th Anniversary of the Wyoming Territory

Mr. President, I come to the floor today to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Wyoming Territory. On July 25, 1868, Congress authorized the Territory that would become the State of Wyoming. Thousands of people were headed West along the new rail lines that were being built. In fact, the first territorial Governor noted that it was the first time America had carved out a new Territory as a result of the railroad coming through. People were eager to settle in the new Territory and build new lives, seek their fortunes, and raise their families.

What they found when they reached the Wyoming Territory was a place of incomparable beauty. An observer at the time talked about the fertile valley of rivers and streams. That continues today. This observer at the time praised the gorges of its majestic mountains.

It wasn't just the natural beauty of Wyoming that drew people there, however; it was the natural resources as well. When the Senate was debating the creation of the Territory, one of the things they talked about right here in this body, right here in this room, was the potential future for the area. These natural resources would help power America's expansion West. One Senator talked about the valuable springs of petroleum and about the abundant coal deposits. That was 150 years ago--valuable petroleum and abundant coal deposits.

These same natural resources still help power the American economy today, 150 years later. Wyoming is America's largest producer of coal, and we are one of the biggest in producing oil and natural gas. Over the past century and a half, the people of Wyoming have provided America with gold, diamonds, and uranium as well.

From the very beginning, from day one, scientists have flocked to Wyoming to explore our natural resources. Some of the first government- sponsored geological surveys took place in what is now Yellowstone National Park. Today students and scholars come from around the world to study at the University of Wyoming. Yellowstone is one of the world's most treasured places to visit. More than 4 million people visited there this past year.

Once Congress created the Wyoming Territory, we lost no time in organizing and setting ourselves up as a model for the rest of the country. One of the first acts of new territorial legislature was to actually grant equal rights to women for the first time in American history. That is why Wyoming today is still known as the Equality State. Women served on juries. We had the first female justice of the peace. We had the first woman elected Governor of any State.

We are a small State by population, but when you look at these things that we have contributed throughout our history, you can see why we are very proud to call Wyoming home. Wyoming has always been a place where people are driven by hope and by optimism about the future. This optimism is an essential part of who we are today.

The polling company Gallup found recently that Wyoming is the most confident State in the country when it comes to America's economy. People in Wyoming are cheerful, they are upbeat, and they are optimistic.

One hundred fifty years ago, the Wyoming Territory was the frontier. The people of Wyoming still have that same pioneering spirit today. We are patriotic Americans. We work hard to care for our families, for our neighbors, and for our communities. I congratulate all of the people in the State of Wyoming today on this historic milestone. One hundred fifty years ago today, Congress acted to create the Wyoming Territory. That spirit of Wyoming and the culture of Wyoming have sustained us this whole time, and they will continue for many years into the future.

I yield the floor.

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

Jenna is a native of Cheyenne. She is a student at the University of Wyoming, where she is studying business economics and management, and psychology. 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 Jenna for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It was 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 next journey.

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

Bethany is a native of Cheyenne. She is a student at the University of Wyoming, where she is studying elementary education. 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 Bethany for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It was 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 next journey.

Mr. President, I would like to take the opportunity to

express my appreciation to Gavin for his hard work as an intern in my Casper office. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Gavin is a native of Casper. He is a sophomore at Casper College, where he is studying anthropology. 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 Gavin 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 Dakotah for her hard work as an intern in my Sheridan office. I recognize her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Dakotah is a native of Casper. She is a junior at the University of Wyoming, where she is studying economics and journalism. 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 Dakotah for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It was 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 next journey.

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

JD is a native of Green River. He is a junior at the University of Wyoming, where he is studying political science and public law. 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 JD 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 Albert for his hard work as an intern in my Casper office. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Albert is a native of Casper. He is a student at Casper College, where he is studying paralegal 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 Albert 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 Ashley for her hard work as an intern in my Casper office. I recognize her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Ashley is a native of Casper. She is a graduate student at Idaho State University, where she is studying public administration and environmental policy. 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 Ashley for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It was 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 next journey.