Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. 2 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 3777, introduced earlier today.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4227 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the Cassidy amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 7213, which was received from the House.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time.

I know of no further debate on the bill.

I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

I ask unanimous consent that the Banking Committee be discharged and the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time.

I know of no further debate on the bill.

I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m., Wednesday, December 19; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; finally, that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Maguire nomination.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

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

Mr. President, I rise today to applaud my colleagues for coming together in a bipartisan fashion to pass the farm bill conference report.

There is much to be excited about in the final version of this 5-year reauthorization. First and foremost, the farm bill will bring much needed certainty and predictability to farmers and ranchers over the next 5 years. This is especially important given the intense pressure our agriculture producers are facing.

If you look at the numbers across the Nation, net farm income is approximately half of what it was when we passed the last farm bill. Farm bankruptcies are up by 39 percent since 2014; financing has become more expensive; commodity prices have plummeted; input costs are rising; and the trade outlook is volatile and uncertain, to say the least.

Farmers across the country--regardless of where they call home or which crops they grow--are hurting. The farm bill that Congress approved last week, delivers meaningful and real relief for our farmers and ranchers in these very difficult times. It is the big bill for my home State of Arkansas as well as across the country.

Agriculture is a driving force of the Natural State's economy, adding around $16 billion to our economy every year and accounting for approximately one in every six jobs. That is why agriculture advocacy groups in Arkansas were very excited when we passed the final version.

The Arkansas Farm Bureau said it was ``pleased that Congress has recognized how important the new farm bill is to the hard-working farmers and ranchers of this country'' and expressed gratitude that we came together ``to pass this critical legislation before the new year.''

The Agricultural Council of Arkansas said it ``cannot stress enough the importance of the farm bill and the need for it among Arkansas farmers.'' The council went on to add ``a farm bill with meaningful support is critical in preventing significant harm to Arkansas farms.''

The Arkansas Rice Federation said the farm bill will provide ``certainty in such a variable agricultural climate.''

Along with strengthening key risk management tools for our farmers, the farm bill also helps our rural communities by authorizing key economic development and job creation programs. It helps rural Arkansans with everything from combating the opioid crisis, to home financing, to high-speed internet access.

Sending this bill to the President is about as important as it gets for my State. It would not have been as beneficial to Arkansas farmers and ranchers without the diligent efforts of the conference committee leadership who worked to ensure that the harmful, arbitrary policy changes were excluded from the final conference report. As a result of these efforts, family farms are protected from additional regulations and unnecessary paperwork.

I commend Chairmen Roberts and Conway, as well as Ranking Members Stabenow and Peterson, for their commitment to make this bill fair and equitable to the diverse needs of producers across all regions of the country.

Again, as always, special thanks to the staffs who do so much hard work around here to get these things done. It was a heavy lift. They worked hard to ensure that we would get this done before adjourning this Congress.

I would also like to thank them for their willingness to include provisions that I advocated for in the conference report. The elimination of all State performance bonuses in SNAP is something I pushed for in the last farm bill. I am pleased that this time we got it included. The Federal Government partners with States to administer SNAP, but in order to best serve program recipients, the States must be good partners. Unfortunately, States have exaggerated their performance to receive these bonuses. This policy change saves $48 million per year. Is a smart reform that we have made in this bill.

I was particularly proud that another provision, championed by my friend Senator Heitkamp and by me, was included. It would allow trade promotion funding for agricultural products to be used in Cuba. This is a big win for our farmers and ranchers who have consistently been working to open up more access to the Cuban market.

Cuba imports approximately 80 percent of its food, and our farmers and ranchers produce the highest quality, lowest cost, and safest food in the world.

Additionally, I welcomed the inclusion of my provision that clarifies the definition of livestock to include live fish for purposes of the Department of Transportation's hours of service regulations, as well as reauthorization of the ATTRA Program, which does so much to help our veterans who want to get started in agriculture, and reauthorization of the Delta Regional Authority.

The farm bill conference report includes a true investment in conservation to help the waterfowl in Arkansas, and I was excited to see the Century Farms Act that Senator Murphy and I authored was also a part of the package.

With approval of the conference report last week, we are just one step away from the farm bill becoming law. President Trump has indicated his support of a farm bill that will ensure certainty and predictability for producers. We are sending one his way, and I look forward to it becoming law.

With that, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and highlight the significant contributions of Megan Parrott, my 2018 Air Force fellow. SMSgt Megan Parrott began her fellowship in my office in January and immediately became an invaluable member of my staff. Her work as a part of my national security team has been beneficial in the efforts of my office to advocate and improve life for servicemembers, veterans, and Arkansans.

Megan was born in Longbranch, NJ, and enlisted in the Air Force in 1999.

In her 19-year military career, both on Active Duty and in the Reserves, Megan has excelled in her work. A career maintainer, Megan has served as a lead technician, flying crew chief, section chief, and flight line production superintendent. As a testament to her capabilities, in February 2012, Megan was selected for a position on the joint staff, working for the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In that position she was the program manager and confidential adviser on matters including joining forces, the Women in Service Review, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and personnel readiness.

She has used her extensive experience in the Air Force and the joint staff to help me serve Arkansans. Throughout her tenure on my staff, Megan demonstrated the Air Force core values of ``Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do.'' I relied upon Megan's input on all matters of defense and veterans' policy. Megan drafted legislation, recommended policy positions, staffed me at Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearings, represented me in meetings, and helped support my priorities during the appropriations process. She also assisted me in my role as a cochair of the Senate Air Force Caucus. Megan supported multiple congressional delegation trips to Air Force bases and coordinated meetings between Senators, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

Megan was well versed in the subject matter and fully steeped in research, and she always supplemented her knowledge with insights from her personal experience as a senior enlisted leader in the military. In true senior NCO fashion, Megan made time during her year as a fellow to mentor junior members of my staff, providing career advice, offering information about executive branch functions, and talking about professional development opportunities.

As the son of an Air Force master sergeant, I am especially proud to have hosted an enlisted fellow this year. I am only surprised that Megan is not yet a chief master sergeant, and I look forward to attending her promotion to chief in the very near future.

Megan, thank you for all you have done for Arkansas while working on my staff. To her husband Chris--also an Air Force senior enlisted leader--and their two daughters, Natalie and Emily, I say thank you for sharing your amazing wife and mother with my team this year.

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

Mr. President, the Global War on Terror that started 17 years ago continues. Today we formally call the missions undertaken in the War on Terror Operation Freedom's Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve. Brave American troops continue selflessly serving these missions in defense of our country. It is often an overlooked or neglected news story. It doesn't make the headlines frequently, but families throughout the country who have loved ones in the Middle East are closely monitoring the latest developments there. Their loves ones are still in harm's way in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.

This war is being prosecuted at considerable costs. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice, including Army SFC Eric Emond, a member of 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, who called Springdale, AK, home when he enlisted in the Marine Corps 21 years ago. He dedicated his career to the military, serving in the Marines and later joining the Army.

In 2009, while serving in Afghanistan, he was severely wounded. During his recovery, he cofounded the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes--an organization launched to honor the fallen and to support Gold Star Families. He was on his seventh tour of duty when he was killed in action last month.

I pray that the Emond family can find comfort in the support of others who have experienced the pain of losing a loved one and who have been aided by the organization Sergeant Emond passionately advocated for.

Many brave Americans are still fighting and selflessly serving, putting their lives on the line every day to defend this country against terrorists and nations that wish to assert malign influence in the world.

We have a duty to honor their commitment to our country and to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. In the coming days, Congress will have an opportunity to name the Department of Veterans Affairs facility in North Ogden, UT, the Major Brent Taylor Vet Center Outstation in honor of the city's mayor, a member of the Utah Army National Guard who, during his fourth military deployment, gave his life in support of the mission in Afghanistan last month. Let us never forget the sacrifices of our troops and let their legacies be an inspiration for all Americans.

On behalf of a grateful nation, I humbly offer my sincerest gratitude for the patriotism and selfless service of the men and women who serve in our Nation's uniform, the families who support their noble endeavor, and to those who gave their all.

We must remember the many brave Americans, past and present, who stand in defense of our country. Certainly, we need to remember those on a daily basis. These men and women deserve our attention and admiration for answering the call to serve and risking comfort, life, and limb to protect our freedom.

With that, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and congratulate Sarah Hartley, a member of my staff who has served the people of Arkansas over the last 20 years and who will retire later this month.

Sarah first began her congressional career in 1998 working for then- Congressman Asa Hutchinson. When I was elected to fill Representative Hutchinson's seat representing Arkansas's Third Congressional District in 2001, I was fortunate to have Sarah join my staff lending her expertise in constituent services.

As a caseworker based in north-central Arkansas, she has been the primary point of contact for my office when constituents were facing difficulties related to their Social Security. She personally assisted thousands of Arkansans who were often facing the most difficult moments of their lives. Her kindness and patience have been a source of comfort and hope, and her persistence has solved countless problems that changed lives.

Excellent constituent service has been a commitment of mine since I entered public office, and I am indebted and very grateful to Sarah for her many years helping to deliver just that for so many throughout the course of her career.

While I regret that her time as a member of my staff is coming to an end, I truly respect and appreciate her commitment to helping her fellow Arkansans these last two decades. It has been a pleasure to work alongside her to help get answers for constituents who had nowhere else to turn. Sarah's knowledge and relationships were the reason that many casework requests were brought to a positive conclusion.

My staff and I will miss her many contributions to the important work of assisting Arkansans and being their advocate on matters involving the Federal Government. Even so, I wish her all the best in this next chapter. She will now have more time to do the things she loves, including spending time outdoors exploring everything the Natural State has to offer.

Again, I want to congratulate Sarah on her 20 years of service and extend my sincere, heartfelt thanks for the dedication and skill she brought to the job each day as a member of my staff. The difference she has made in the lives of so many Arkansans is a testament to how blessed my staff and I were to serve with her.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor Mr. A.G. Russell III, a dear friend and respected entrepreneur and innovator who called Arkansas home and built a renowned knife and cutlery business that continues to thrive today. He passed away last month at the age of 85, leaving behind his devoted wife Goldie and many who admired and respected him from near and afar.

A.G. Russell was born in Eudora, a small town in southeast Arkansas. Like my own father, A.G.'s dad served in World War II, and the family moved around several times throughout his childhood. From an early age, he became interested in knives, so much so that he even recalled sketching designs in the margins of his schoolbooks.

At 9 years old, A.G. made his first knife with the help of his grandfather. He continued practicing the craft as a hobby into adulthood and eventually turned his passion into a business that grew exponentially, vaulting him to celebrity status among knife producers and collectors. By the mid-1960s, Russell had set up shop in Springdale, AR, and began a journey that would define his life's work and calling.

What first began as an operation selling Arkansas whetstones used for sharpening knives grew to include production of pocket knives and cutlery, first through a mail-order operation and then expanding to internet sales. A.G. worked tirelessly to launch the enterprise and perfect his craft as a knifemaker, enjoying tremendous success and always emphasizing quality over quantity. Excellent customer service has been a hallmark of A.G. Russell Knives from day one.

A.G. was a pioneer in the industry, earning the respect and admiration of his peers while receiving numerous awards and recognition, including his induction into the Knife Digest Cutlery Hall of Fame in 1974. He also helped found the Knifemakers' Guild and was named its honorary president in 1970.

While he accomplished so much in his career, A.G. Russell also had a big heart and enjoyed giving back. He loved Goldie. He marveled at how quickly she learned the ins and outs of the retail knife business and was overjoyed as she helped the company reach new heights of success.

Drawing from his own military experience and that of his dad's, A.G. was a patriot who recognized how vital it is to support our troops. In 2004, he organized the ``War on Troop Boredom,'' an effort to provide care packages that included books, DVDs, pocket-sized Constitutions, and other items to servicemembers stationed in the Middle East.

No one can accuse A.G. Russell of not having lived a full life. He built a remarkable career out of his passion, helping to reshape an industry and become one of its icons. Through it all, he stayed humble, genuine, and fulfilled. He perfected the craft he loved so much while continually meeting and exceeding his customers' expectations.

We will miss A.G. terribly. His warmth and humility are sometimes hard to come by these days. Simply put, there was no one quite like A.G. Russell III, and we mourn this tremendous loss. His family, his community, and the industry he stood atop of now know a void that cannot be easily filled, if ever, but his legacy will endure for many years to come.

I extend my sincere condolences to them and join with so many in celebrating A.G.'s life and career. I will fondly remember his impact, his story, and most importantly, his character and generosity as a lasting tribute to my friend and a man I respected so much.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and congratulate Dr. Ray E. Stowers, the recipient of the prestigious American Osteopathic Foundation, AOF, Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor is awarded to outstanding osteopathic doctors who have made substantial contributions to the profession and exemplified a lifetime of commitment to the practice. Receiving the award at the AOF honors gala, Dr. Stowers humbly said, ``Professionally, there's always a sense of appreciation for being recognized by your profession and for that I'm very grateful.''

I am grateful for Dr. Stowers' passion for improving community health and his achievements on this front.

Following the completion of his doctor of osteopathic medicine degree, Dr. Stowers served rural Kansas and Oklahoma for 25 years, establishing five rural health clinics and acting as the only physician for a 300-mile radius. With his passion for rural medicine, he went on to establish the Oklahoma Rural Health Policy and Research Center to promote clinical training and telemedicine. This kind of dedication and innovative thinking demonstrates Dr. Stowers' expertise and desire to help those in underserved areas.

Dr. Stowers, the proud father of four children and nine grandchildren, has been named Family Physician of the Year by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, Physician of the Year by the Tennessee Osteopathic Medical Association, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Certificate by the American Osteopathic Association.

His educational outreach is inspiring. Dr. Stowers founded the Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, and its auditorium has been named in his honor. Additionally, he acted as the associate dean for rural health at Oklahoma State University and now serves as the dean of osteopathic medicine and vice president at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, the first and only private institution devoted exclusively to healthcare and wellness.

When speaking of his incredible leadership accomplishments as, president of the American Osteopathic Association and Oklahoma Osteopathic Association, Dr. Stowers said, ``I was just getting into a position to make a difference with the way things are. The thing that's driven me the most is looking where I could make the biggest difference.'' The world needs more men of the caliber and character of Dr. Stowers. He is a transformative, influential leader in the field of osteopathic

medicine. His continued efforts ``serving the underserved and promoting a healthier Arkansas'' will help improve countless lives and communities.

I extend my sincere congratulations to Dr. Stowers on this honor and thank him for dedicating his career to providing outstanding care and service to all patients. We can be tremendously proud of his accomplishments and look forward to his further contributions and leadership.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Class of 2019 inductees and celebrate their contributions to our State, country, and literally the world.

Founded in 1992 by Charles Stewart and Patricia Goodwin to recognize the gifts of African Americans with Arkansas roots, the first induction ceremony in 1993 honored six individuals, including acclaimed poet, author, and activist Maya Angelou and civil rights advocate and Little Rock Nine mentor Daisy Bates.

We are probably all familiar with Arkansas' role in the movement for public integration. The African-American students who were threatened and intimidated by fellow classmates and community members as they tried to enter Little Rock Central High School quickly became icons of the civil rights movement because of their courage in the face of overwhelming adversity.

These nine students, known as the Little Rock Nine, were inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame in 2007. They, along with other individuals who are members of the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame, represent diverse areas of advocacy, interest, and expertise. More than 150 people are part of this select group because of their contributions to American culture and Arkansas history.

This year, six individuals will join this distinguished group when they are inducted on Saturday, October 27, 2018. I want to take a moment to recognize the inductees and their accomplishments.

Kevin Cole is a renowned mixed-media visual artist from Pine Bluff, AR. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a degree in art education and continued his education, earning advanced degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Northern Illinois University.

His artwork often reflects the history of racial violence and social issues. When he was 18 years old, after Cole expressed his reluctance to vote, his grandfather told him the story of African Americans who were lynched by their neckties on their way to vote. That knowledge has inspired his artwork. He is well known for his abstract ``necktie'' pieces that reflect on the painful past while also, very importantly, looking toward a hopeful future.

Cole is an award-winning artist whose work has been displayed in galleries literally all over the world, including the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Brent Jennings is a native of Little Rock. He is an accomplished actor and educator. In the sixth grade, he was encouraged by a teacher who was directing his school's annual vaudeville-style review to become an actor.

He took acting classes at the Arkansas Art Center, where he was the first African-American actor to land the lead role in a children's theater production. He pursued an acting career that took him to New York and Boston before moving to Los Angeles.

While a student at Emerson College, he was recognized for his acting and directing, earning the Carol Burnett Award and the New England Theater Award.

He has acted alongside Academy Award-winning actors and those who have claimed the spotlight of Hollywood. You may have seen him most recently in AMC's ``Lodge 49.'' In addition, he shared his passion for acting as an adjunct faculty member at the American Academy of Dramatics.

LTG Aundre Piggee is a native of Stamps, AR. He graduated from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. As a student, he served in ROTC and chose to pursue a career in the military. He says he mentors his soldiers as his UAPB instructors mentored him.

He has proudly served in uniform for 37 years. His military career has taken him literally all over the world, where he has commanded thousands of soldiers, as well as worked to equip missions in Syria and Afghanistan.

Today he serves at the Pentagon as the Deputy Chief of Staff in the U.S. Army, overseeing logistics. He is an individual I have really enjoyed getting to know and working with, and he is certainly somebody we can be very, very proud of.

Darrell Walker's name is synonymous with Arkansas basketball. He played at the University of Arkansas--Fort Smith before transferring to play for the Razorbacks for three seasons. He helped the team reach the Sweet 16 in 1981 and 1983. He ranks 18th all-time on the Razorback's scoring list.

Following a successful collegiate career, he was drafted 12th overall by the New York Knicks and was named to the 1984 NBA All-Rookie Team. He played in the NBA for 10 years, including winning a championship with the Chicago Bulls in 1993.

Walker has continued his involvement in basketball as a coach for college teams and in the NBA. Earlier this year, he became head coach of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock men's basketball team.

Mary Louise Williams is an education advocate and political activist. She spent 42 years as an educator, 30 of those years as an administrator and music teacher in the Little Rock School District. She has spent her life actively involved in the community as a volunteer on numerous boards and commissions and as an elected official, sometimes as the only woman or only African American.

She was the first African-American chairperson of the Pulaski County Election Commission, the first African-American chairperson of the Pulaski County Democratic Committee, and the first African-American woman from Arkansas to serve on the National Association of County Officials Board.

She has mentored numerous Arkansans through her civic involvement and earned many awards for her commitment to the community. She was recently recognized by the Women's Foundation of Arkansas as the recipient of the 2018 Brownie Ledbetter Civic Engagement Award for her service and her activism. At 90 years of age, she continues to be active in the community.

Florence Price will be posthumously inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame. She grew up in Little Rock, where she learned to love music at a young age. Her mother taught her piano, and she became an accomplished musician as a youth. By the time she graduated high school, Price was a published composer. She pursued her passion for music as a student at the New England Conservatory of Music.

In 1932, she won the Wanamaker Prize for her ``Symphony in E minor.'' The next year, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performed that piece, making Price the first African-American woman to have a composition played by a major orchestra.

In 1940, Price was inducted into the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. She had composed more than 300 works by the time of her death in 1953.

We can be very, very proud of these men and women. Their lives and legacies are important to the history of our country and the fight for equality. The honor being bestowed upon them later this month is just one more tribute to their significant contributions to Arkansas and America.

I congratulate each and every one of them on being inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame and extend my sincere thanks for the impact they have had on the State that we all love and want to make better.

With that, I suggest the absence of a quorum.