Floor Statements

Mr. President, I would like to recognize Iowa Safe Schools as they get set to begin their annual Pride Camp on July 15 in Des Moines. This summer program is designed to serve as an opportunity for LGBTQ students from around the state of Iowa to learn, to network, and to have lots of fun.

Thank you to Iowa Safe Schools for pursuing your mission of providing a safe environment and community for Iowa's LGBTQ youth to learn and grow. I am sending my best wishes to all of this year's attendees! Please, have a wonderful and productive time.

Mr. President, I recently received a letter from a gentleman living in Cedar Falls, IA, who suffers from Parkinson's disease. As I speak, he is going without his $1,450-per-month LYRICA prescription in order to keep a roof over his head. That is right, folks. He must choose between making a mortgage payment and getting his prescription.

Here is another story a woman from Davenport, IA, shared with me. Last October, she was able to get a 3-month supply of blood pressure medication for $17, but when she went to the pharmacy for her refill in late December, she was told the price had nearly tripled to $55. She wrote to me and said:

Thinking this was a mistake, I refused the refill and

checked online about the change in price and found I couldn't

get it cheaper anywhere else. So I went back in ten days and

thought I would just have to pay the new cost [which was

$55]. In that time . . . the prescription had gone up to

$130!

Whether I am talking to folks back home in my townhalls and other events on my 99 County Tour or in meetings right here in Washington, DC, the cost of prescription drugs is the No. 1 issue I hear about from Iowans. Every day, I hear stories just like these about the outrageous costs associated with their prescription medications.

For too long, hard-working Iowans have borne the brunt of skyrocketing prescription drug prices. Stories like the man from Cedar Falls and the woman from Davenport have become the norm. We have to change that, and that is exactly what we are doing here in the Senate.

We have been hard at work in advancing bills to drive down drug prices, increase competition, and close costly loopholes that are being exploited by those bad actors. I am proud to lead on three such bills that were recently approved in committee.

First, I have teamed up with Senator Cotton on a bill that aims to eliminate an egregious loophole in the patenting process. This loophole allows drug companies to take advantage of the well-intentioned concept of sovereign immunity for Native American Tribes in order to dismiss patent challenges and unfairly stifle competition.

Our legislation would put an end to this manipulative practice and actually provide Iowans with access to cheaper options for their prescription drugs. That is not all we are doing in the Senate to make more low-cost generic drugs available to folks in Iowa. We have also been working across the aisle on a bipartisan bill that would put a powerful check on drug companies seeking to keep generics off the market.

The bill would empower the makers of generic drugs to file lawsuits against brand-name manufacturers if they fail to provide required resources, such as drug samples, needed for generics to clear the regulatory process. In turn, we would see cheaper alternatives available for my folks in Iowa.

I am also working with my fellow Iowan, Senator Grassley, on a bill that focuses on the middlemen behind some of the prescription drug price hikes we have seen recently. The bill would direct the Federal Trade Commission to examine anti-competitive behavior in the prescription drug market. As mergers push drug prices higher and higher, this bill will be instrumental in helping Congress develop policies to increase competition and lower those costs for both patients and our taxpayers.

Make no mistake. The rising cost of prescription drugs is an issue that significantly impacts hard-working Iowans. We in Congress have a responsibility to take action, to give folks a voice, and to make sure no family is ever forced to choose between making a mortgage payment and purchasing their medications.

That is what we are doing. We have some great bills in the Senate-- bills from both Republicans and Democrats--that can help lower those drug prices, increase competition, and close loopholes. Let's build on this effort and continue working together in a bipartisan way to get these bills and others across the finish line and signed into law. Iowans are counting on us.

I yield the floor.

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

Mr. President, one of the most sacred promises our Nation makes is our pledge to care for our men and women in uniform when they return home.

When it became clear that the VA was falling short of that standard, I am proud to say that we here in the Senate put politics aside, rolled up our sleeves, and actually got to work.

The result was the VA MISSION Act, a bipartisan bill that aims to ensure our veterans are receiving the quality care they have earned and deserve. I was honored to have been on hand in the Rose Garden representing Iowa, its veterans, and its military families, as President Trump signed this bill into law.

This month, the more than 200,000 veterans across Iowa will begin to see the benefits of those reforms as the VA begins to implement the VA MISSION Act. That is because one major focus of the bill was to make sure it would help the VA do a better job of taking care of our veterans in rural and underserved areas.

Toward that end, one significant reform that is going into effect this month aims to allow rural or disabled veterans to receive care from the comfort of their own home by increasing telehealth and telemedicine services provided by the VA. This was a provision I pushed for, starting with my VETS Act, and I am so glad it made it into the final package.

You see, we in Iowa know that rural and disabled vets face an even harder uphill battle when it comes to getting quality healthcare. This is because doctors aren't right down the street or a short drive away. These folks have to drive many miles just to see a caregiver and sometimes many more for followup treatments or procedures.

The law includes a lot of other great reforms. It expands VA caregiver benefits to pre-9/11 veterans. It takes steps to modernize VA facilities, increases resources to hire more providers, and helps ensure prompt payment to community providers. It is just another example of how, despite what folks may see on television, the Senate is passing legislation that is making a positive impact on Americans' lives.

Our veterans have selflessly sacrificed in defense of our freedom and our great way of life. They deserve nothing less than the benefits they were promised and better access to quality care.

With the VA MISSION Act, the Senate has given the VA the tools it needs to work toward keeping that promise. I am so thankful for the other Members who will be joining me here today on the floor to talk through the successes of the implementation of the VA MISSION Act.

Of course, a strong leader who brought this bill over the finish line is the chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

I yield to the wonderful Senator from the great State of Georgia, Johnny Isakson.

(Mr. PERDUE assumed the Chair.)

Mr. President, I thank Senator Collins and Senator Feinstein for arranging this afternoon's visit on the floor of the U.S. Senate. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to come to the floor today to recognize the courageous and determined women behind the women's suffrage movement.

These trailblazing women, and countless more like them, paved the way for women in my home State of Iowa and across the Nation to have the right to vote. They forged a path for women like me and all of my absolutely remarkable female colleagues joining me on the Senate floor today.

On this 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, it is easy to think of these courageous women as institutions and visions of strength and perseverance, and that is absolutely what those women are.

They were also once young girls and young women seeking to understand the answer to simple questions like: Why can't my mother vote in an election? Why can't I pursue my dreams?

All too often, the response back then to these questions was simply to tell women that politics and government were too complicated or important for our gender to have a role in it. ``Best leave it to the men to figure out these tough matters.'' That is what they would say.

I think the 127 women in Congress this year would have something very different to say about that. To be honest, I don't know if the suffragettes completely understood the tremendous impact their efforts would have now a century later.

They secured more than just the right to vote. The passage of the 19th Amendment has led to immeasurable progress in the right for women's equality on all fronts. I see their spirit in the girls and women, young and old, I meet each and every day in my job as a U.S. Senator.

I was recently at a women's networking event where Gen. Jennifer Walter, the first female Iowa Air Guard general in the Iowa National Guard, talked about her career options when she graduated high school over four decades ago. They were very limited, to say the least. She could be a typist or work in a clerking job in the Air Force or she could be a nurse. Those were the options that were open to her, but General Walter is not one to be boxed in.

She decided to forge her own path forward. That led her to the Air National Guard, first in Kansas and then in my home State of Iowa. There were still plenty of obstacles, but she was unwavering. Walter was going to prove she belonged and could reach her full potential.

Even in my own life, I have benefited from the hard work and the commitment of these women trailblazers. That is especially clear when I look back on my 23 years of service in the Army Reserve and the Iowa Army National Guard.

When I joined the service after college, there were no opportunities for women in combat. By 2003, I was a company commander leading supply convoys in combat zones in Iraq. Like me, hundreds of women were serving the cause of freedom, and some were even paying the ultimate price for our Nation. Yet women could not even formally serve in combat fields or occupations until 2013.

Now I look at my daughter, Libby, as she prepares to enter her second year at West Point, and she also considers entering combat arms. She has so many opportunities ahead of her because of the strong women that came before her.

It is truly an honor to be in the company of so many remarkable women on the Senate floor today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, and it is all the more fitting that we do so during a time when there are more women serving in the U.S. Senate than any other time in history.

We come from every imaginable background and from every corner of our great and beautiful country. I will continue to challenge every one of our

young women today who are contemplating serving our country in government or in the armed services to say yes and to jump into that arena. We are a better nation because of the contributions of women in all walks of life and in all fields of service and in both Chambers of Congress.

Again, I offer my great thanks to Senator Susan Collins and Senator Dianne Feinstein of California for the opportunity to speak today.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, during Military Appreciation Month, we honor the men and women who wear our Nation's uniform, those who have worn it in the past, and those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

As a Senator and a combat veteran with over 23 years of service between the Army Reserves and the Iowa Army National Guard, I am grateful to have the opportunity to get to know so many patriotic and selfless Americans, and Iowans are well represented in those ranks. Nearly 9 percent of our State's adult population are veterans. The national average is just above 6\1/2\ percent. From World War II to the global war on terrorism, Iowans have served with honor and distinction.

Military Appreciation Month is also a time to recognize our military families who sacrifice so much and faithfully support our men and women in uniform. They keep things running during long deployments and help during the transition back to civilian life--they help that family member--and, of course, long, long after. So to

all of our military families in Iowa and, of course, across the Nation, thank you for choosing to serve.

This month is also a good opportunity for those of us in the Senate to highlight some of the work we are doing to support our servicemembers, our military families, and, of course, our veterans. Next week, the Senate Armed Services Committee will be starting our yearly national defense authorization bill process. In anticipation of that process, I will be joining my Democratic colleague from Arizona, Senator Sinema, to introduce two new bills to address military sexual assault--one to improve prevention and the other to streamline prosecution.

I will also be introducing a bill with Senator Warren that will explore ways to better track traumatic brain injuries sustained by our warfighters. Helping our servicemembers with injuries sustained in battle is a top priority of mine. We owe it to our wounded warriors to seek out game-changing treatments and to help them heal and recover.

As the chairman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, I will also use the NDAA process to ensure that the bill fosters technological advancements to better equip our warfighters for success.

Military Appreciation Month is an important reminder of the daily sacrifice made by our servicemembers, our military families, and our veterans. It is also a solemn time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep America free, safe, and prosperous. We have many of our own Members who have served in the military, and I want to thank them all very much. So for those of us who have worn boots, we take a look at this legislation and find ways that we can better support those who serve.

In the Senate, members of our military, families, and veterans have our support and our gratitude, not only today but every day.

I know the folks back home in Iowa feel the same.

So from all of us to all of you who have worn the uniform and those who have supported those who have worn the uniform, thank you for your service, and God bless you.

God bless our great State of Iowa, God bless the great United States of America and those men and women who make it possible to be free.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, as a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my privilege to recognize a woman-owned small business that is dedicated to its customers, employees, and community. In honor of the U.S. Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week, it is my pleasure to name Brunow Contracting of Council Bluffs, IA, the Senate Small Business of the Day.

Brunow Contracting represents the story of a construction company with an unlikely founder. Tamara Brunow was a pre-law student at the College of Saint Mary who found herself working in construction. She began her career with an internship at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, in military contracting. It was in this role that she saw a future in construction and government contracts.

After her time at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, she proceeded to work for two other construction organizations, Oakview Construction and Lueder Construction. During her tenure with these firms, she realized that while she loved her jobs, she knew she wanted to be her own boss. This prompted her to launch Brunow Contracting in 2008. Shortly after her launch, Brunow Contracting acquired its first contract of $1.3 million dollars to build a Presbyterian church.

Brunow Contracting specializes in government contracting and is certified by the Small Business Administration as an 8(a) and HUBZone business. Brunow Contracting has completed numerous contracts, ranging in value from $800 to nearly $5 million, and a client list which includes the City of Omaha, the U.S. Forest Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Southwest Iowa Planning Council, and the U.S. Coast Guard. These projects have included everything from churches, to water treatment plants, to data facilities for Facebook.

With dedication and determination, Ms. Brunow, successfully started a construction company as a single mother of three children in the middle of a recession. Now, she is the owner of one of the only woman-owned construction businesses in America, a recipient of the Midland Business Journal's 40 under 40, and a leader within her community. Today, Ms. Brunow has expanded her business reach to include serving as the head of H2W Apparel, a women's active wear company. Additionally, Ms. Brunow remains an active mentor for women entrepreneurs and advocate for female entrepreneurship.

Ms. Brunow embodies what it means to be an entrepreneur and small business owner. Despite those telling her that it is not the right industry or not the right time, Brunow Contracting quickly became a multimillion-dollar business with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Ms. Brunow showed that, while it certainly is not easy, it is possible to simultaneously build a business, be a great mother, volunteer as a mentor, and remain committed to your community. It is my distinct pleasure to honor Ms. Brunow and the entire team at Brunow Contracting as the Senate Small Business of the Day. You make Iowa proud, and I look forward to watching your continued growth and success.

Mr. President, our Nation's economy is booming. Last Friday's jobs report far exceeded anyone's expectations. It showed that we added 263,000 jobs last month and that unemployment was sitting at the lowest since 1969. At the backbone of it all are our small businesses.

Just look at my home State of Iowa, where 99 percent of our businesses are small businesses. With our State's

economy continuing to grow and our unemployment amongst the lowest in the Nation, it is clear that our small businesses' success is Iowa's success. These job creators in our State are leading the way by finding innovative solutions and creating new opportunities for our workforce. Too often, small businesses struggle to comply with some of the most costly and burdensome regulations that come out of Washington, DC.

As a way to rein in these regulations and to foster a more thoughtful rulemaking process, this week, I reintroduced my PROVE IT Act. This bipartisan legislation gives the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy an opportunity to ask Agencies to prove their regulatory analyses when proposing a rule that may be economically harmful to small businesses. It gives Iowa's small businesses a voice in the rulemaking process.

One increasingly important component of our country's labor market is women-owned small businesses. Iowa ranks in the top 10 for growth in employment and revenues in women-owned businesses. However, these businesses still face many challenges. That is why I recently introduced the Expanding Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses Act, which addresses the discrepancy in sole-source manufacturing contracts that puts women-owned small businesses at a disadvantage. This bipartisan bill is a sensible and simple fix to help ensure all of Iowa's small business owners get a fair shot at competing and succeeding.

Commonsense deregulation, coupled with tax reform, has helped to fuel economic growth and has contributed to high levels of consumer and business confidence. Yet, folks, there is still a lot of work to be done. While many of Iowa's small businesses would absolutely love to provide their employees with the option of having paid parental leave, it is just far too costly. That is one reason I am working with Senator Mike Lee on a proposal that would allow new moms and dads who work at one of these small businesses the opportunity to receive paid parental leave.

As a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, I am excited to celebrate National Small Business Week and to continue fighting for pro-growth policies and a regulatory system that encourages innovation and job growth--one in which Iowa's small businesses are heard loud and clear. As I have said before, when Iowa's small businesses are successful, Iowa also succeeds.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, today I wish to recognize Col. Caroline M. Miller, upon her departure as chief, Air Force legislative liaison to the U.S. Senate.

In this role, Colonel Miller managed Air Force senior leader strategic engagement with Senators and their staffs in support of Air Force programs and congressional oversight travel. She served as the Air Force's senior escort for staff and congressional delegation travel to more than 20 countries supporting leadership, Member, and committee offices. Prior to her current position, she served as the 633rd Air Base Wing commander at Joint Base Langley-Eustis,VA, providing installation support to 18,000 Air Force and Army personnel, including Headquarters Air Combat Command, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, four operational wings, eight brigades, and more than 20 major associate units.

Colonel Miller received her commission in 1994 from Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL. During her illustrious career, she has served as a protocol officer, special actions officer, and executive officer for several senior Air Force leadership offices, as well as the Director of Manpower and Personnel for United States Strategic Command. Colonel Miller has commanded at the squadron, group, and wing levels, spending 1 year as the commander, 379th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. She was also hand- selected to participate in the elite Air Force Internship program, as well as competed to attend the Naval Command and Staff College and Air Force's Air War College.

Colonel Miller is married to Colonel (Retired) Rich Miller who, along with their son Ryan, have given her unwavering support throughout her career in the Air Force during multiple moves and combat deployments.

On behalf of the U.S. Congress and a grateful Nation, I extend our deepest appreciation to Col. Caroline M. Miller for her dedicated service to the Senate and to our Nation. We wish her the best on her promotion to brigadier general and her next role as chief of Air Force manpower at the Pentagon. There is no question that the Air Force, Department of Defense, and the United States will continue to benefit greatly from Colonel Miller's leadership.

Mr. President, today we have an economy that is booming. Unemployment is at its lowest in Iowa since 2000, and wages are up.

In the first quarter of this year, we saw 3.2 percent GDP growth, which far exceeded expectations, but we know economic statistics alone don't completely tell the story of the health or wealth of a community.

More than 52 million Americans, including approximately 90,000 Iowans, live in economically distressed communities. Some have dubbed these communities as ``left behind'' due to low incomes, their high housing vacancies, people out of work, and not a lot of hope for the future. For too long, so many of these communities were limited not because of lack of ingenuity but simply by a lack of access to opportunity. Folks across Iowa have felt the door to a better job or a higher wage was closed to them.

The Governor of Iowa, Kim Reynolds, has been doing a tremendous job working to help these areas through both economic development and workforce development efforts. Programs like Future Ready Iowa help folks learn the skills they need to prepare for rewarding careers and the jobs of tomorrow.

Places like Dubuque, through its Development Corporation and Chamber of Commerce, are working day in and day out to improve the local economy, spur on investment, and get workers trained and back on their feet. They also recognize the challenges unique to the city and its people, like childcare access and housing.

At the Federal level, we also took concrete steps in late 2017 to recognize the specific needs of these communities. Senator Tim Scott's wonderful initiative, Investing in Opportunity Act, was included in the tax reform package and created what we now know as the Opportunity Zones Program. I thank Senator Tim Scott for working so hard on this opportunity for millions of Americans. They are seeing the benefits. Thank you, Senator, very much.

The Opportunity Zones Program is tremendous. This program incentivizes long-term investment in these low-income and distressed communities by allowing private capital to be used to support small businesses, encourage our entrepreneurs, and to develop dilapidated properties in ZIP Codes most in need of resurgence.

From the heart of Des Moines to rural areas around my State of Iowa, opportunity zones are beginning to unleash the economic potential of Iowa's communities.

Nearly a year ago, the Treasury Department approved 62 opportunity zones in Iowa, which include the communities of more than 200,000 Iowans.

Last summer, as part of his opportunity zone tour, Senator Scott joined me in visiting two of these Iowa organizations located in one of the opportunity zones. He had talked about these briefly. One was the Des Moines Dream Center, and the other was the Phenix School Apartments in West Des Moines. Since becoming eligible for private investment, the Des Moines Dream Center has been able to carry out their mission of working to restore hope and helping Iowans to pursue their dreams.

Today I am proud to say that with the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, we are working for Iowa families and communities to help them turn a page and to change the rhetoric from ``left behind'' to ``moving ahead.''

One of the best parts of the Opportunity Zones Programs is that it is powered by the people on the ground, not by bureaucrats right here in Washington, DC. That is a very good thing. The 62 designated opportunity zones were nominated by their mayors and Governors because folks back home in Iowa know where help is needed the most.

As a result of the Opportunity Zones Program, we are seeing greater investment in Iowa's small businesses and entrepreneurs, more educational programs for our children, and affordable housing for our families.

Opportunity zones can help power a renaissance in communities across Iowa and reopen doors families once thought were closed. The potential is truly amazing, and I firmly believe this is only the beginning.

I thank my colleagues for coming to the floor today. I thank Senator Scott for his wonderful innovation. We look forward to seeing many more wonderful years of opportunity presented to the Americans who need it the most.

With that, I yield the floor.

Madam President, today I wish to honor Mr. William ``Bill'' Armstrong of Mount Ayr, IA. Bill is a lifelong Iowan and outgoing president of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association.

Bill Armstrong has served as one of the most effective advocates for both Iowa morticians and morticians across the country for almost 40 years. He graduated from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1984 and soon after moved to his current hometown of Mount Ayr, where he accepted a position as a funeral director at Wilson-Watson Funeral Home. His journey was only just beginning.

In remarkably short order, he achieved partnership at the funeral home and ultimately acquired the business from Jay and Donna Watson in 2009, officially making the funeral home, Armstrong Funeral Homes.

This prompted Bill to become an outspoken leader for current and future funeral professionals. He proudly represented morticians on both the local and national level by pioneering annual trips to both Des Moines and to Washington, DC, in order to raise awareness about the profession.

Bill was always forward looking, with a singular objective of training the next generation of funeral home leaders. He worked with the University of Northern Iowa to establish a 4-year degree program for mortuary studies.

These are all amazing accomplishments, and I want to thank Bill again for his service and for helping Iowans through their most difficult life moments. I wish him success in his new endeavors.

Mr. President, as we approach tax day, America's roaring economy keeps on speeding ahead as we continue to see the positive impact that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is having throughout Iowa and the rest of our country.

Last week, yet another outstanding jobs report was released, showing that the economy added 196,000 jobs in March--well above expectations.

Just think, since tax reform was passed, 3.2 million jobs have been created. And year-over-year wage growth remains strong at 3.2 percent in March.

After years of stagnant wage growth, we have now had 8 consecutive months in which it exceeded 3 percent.

Under the leadership of Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa's unemployment rate is the lowest in the country and is tied for the lowest rate ever recorded in our State. I have seen the effects of tax reform firsthand in my home State, and they are paying off big time.

Thanks to Senate Republican pro-growth tax reform, a business owner in Pella, IA, has saved tens of thousands in taxes, allowing her to increase the wages of her employees, purchase new semi-trailers, and upgrade her facilities.

A small brewery in central Iowa has been able to hire a new full-time employee and purchase an additional fermenter, increasing their production by 17 percent.

In a survey of Iowa businesses last month, 87 percent of folks said they plan to make capital expenditures this quarter, and the vast majority expects sales to grow over the next year.

By lowering tax rates and doubling the standard deduction and child tax credit, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has also helped families throughout Iowa keep more of their hard-earned dollars.

In 2018 alone, Iowans saved an estimated $1.8 billion in Federal taxes. A single mother earning $30,000 a year is saving over $1,000 in taxes. Iowans earning between $40,000 and $80,000 are receiving an average tax cut of $1,128 dollars.

These savings are certainly not pennies, as some of our Democratic colleagues have suggested. These tax cuts are allowing families to get ahead and save for their future.

Iowans are feeling the strong effects of the pro-growth tax cuts that Republicans passed. Folks are keeping more of their own money, and at the same time, the rising tide of our economy is lifting wages.

A couple of years ago, we were in the midst of the most sluggish economic recovery in our history. Folks, it wasn't much of a recovery. Today, thanks to tax reform, Americans are able to keep more of their own hard-earned money, our economy is booming, wages are finally rising, and unemployment is at a near 50-year low.

Tax reform has created a more competitive tax system while providing much needed relief for hard-working Iowans and job creators of all sizes. And folks, this really is only the beginning.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to complete my remarks before the lunch recess.

Madam President, I rise today to focus on a serious issue that has plagued our society and impacted the lives of so many people across our great Nation: sexual assault.

During my time at Iowa State University, I served as a volunteer counselor at a crisis center that provided shelter and support to survivors of abuse and sexual assault. I heard so many gut-wrenching stories of women and of men fleeing domestic abusers, suffering not just physically but emotionally and spiritually. Taking calls on our hotline from people who had been raped and sexually abused was absolutely heartbreaking.

Abuse is not something you can just simply forget; it stays with you forever. And I know this personally. As a survivor and as a Senator, I feel it is important to be a voice for the thousands of victims across Iowa and so many more across our Nation who have fallen prey to sexual assault, to rape, to harassment, and other forms of abuse. Our country is facing a mental health crisis, and one cannot help but feel that these issues are all too often interwoven into the stories of so many Americans.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. As lawmakers, it is a stark reminder that we must take a long, hard look at how we combat this problem and take real steps to confront sexual assault in our society.

Just last week, with my colleagues Senator Grassley, Senator Gillibrand, and others, we reintroduced a bipartisan bill to combat sexual assault on our college and university campuses. Our bipartisan measure will make campuses in Iowa safer and ensure victims are fairly heard by changing the way our universities handle sexual assault cases.

But it is not just these young men and women at these institutions who have been victimized. Like so many of you, I was horrified-- absolutely horrified--to hear of the crimes committed by Larry Nassar, the USA Gymnastics doctor who abused hundreds of young athletes. The actions of Nassar and the individuals and institutions that facilitated and then protected his behavior are inexcusable.

The cases were also symptomatic of broader problems our society faces on sexual assault, rape, harassment, and abuse, leaving women and men, young and old, vulnerable. These types of failures are the reasons I have worked with my colleagues in Congress on reforms to ensure sexual misconduct is reported, responded to, taken seriously, and ideally prevented. For instance, we introduced a bill to require the governing bodies of U.S. amateur athletic organizations to immediately report sex abuse allegations to local or Federal law enforcement or a child welfare agency.

But the work doesn't end with our educational and athletic institutions; we must challenge people to do better

to protect people from these horrendous actions. In the case of the military, the Department of Defense should take a stronger posture in terms of preventing sexual assault within its ranks. I say this as a former company commander and a retired lieutenant colonel. While there have been concrete steps taken to improve the safety of our servicemembers, there is more that we can and should do to protect our men and women in uniform and change the overall culture.

The message I hear all too often is that victims in our armed services have a fear of retaliation. Folks, this is absolutely unacceptable. Those who report sexual assault should not fear coming forward, and those who retaliate against individuals should be punished to the full extent of the law. I helped author a bill to make retaliation its own unique offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and fortunately for our servicemembers, this bill is now law.

It is my hope that Congress can continue to work on legislation that addresses these issues.

While my personal story certainly does play a role in my passion for change, so also do the stories and faces of men and women back home in Iowa, every single one of them, with that face, with that name, with that heart, and with that soul. It is their stories that push me to want to make real and lasting change. Whether it is working with Senator Dianne Feinstein, ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act or fighting to reduce the abuse of females in custody through legislation with Senators Booker and Blumenthal, combating sexual assault should be bipartisan and something we all can agree on.

I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues toward ending sexual assault once and for all. This issue will continue to plague us until we come together and take concrete steps to address it. We all can and must do better.

This month, as we raise awareness of sexual assault, I hope to see this body taking real and lasting action.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, we rise to celebrate Women's History Month.

This month is, of course, very personal to me as a woman, a daughter, and a mother. One of the sayings I love is: ``Well-behaved women seldom make history.'' This is so true. I want to reflect on a few of these fearless females--trailblazers--who have made history and who have shaped our future.

These are women like suffrage leader Carrie Chapman Catt. She founded the League of Women Voters in 1920, which was 2 years after she helped women gain the right to vote. Catt relocated to Iowa when she was 7 years old, and she graduated from what is now Iowa State University, my alma mater. She was so committed to the cause of women that she helped found the International Woman Suffrage Alliance to help spread rights for women all around our globe.

I fast-forward to today, when one can see the fruits of her labor. In Iowa, we just elected our first female Governor--my friend and a fearless female, Kim Reynolds. We also gained two new women lawmakers with the election of Abby Finkenauer and Cindy Axne and a record number of women in the Iowa State House, led by Speaker of the House Linda Upmeyer. In Congress, we have a record number of women who serve in the U.S. House and 25 who serve in the U.S. Senate. While we come from differing backgrounds and political stripes, I admire these women for jumping into the arena.

I also reflect on a woman named Deborah Sampson. Sampson is credited as the first woman to serve in the U.S. Army. This hero, who couldn't serve openly as a female, disguised herself as a male and joined the Continental Army in 1781. She led forces on a mission that helped to capture 15 enemy soldiers. She served as a scout, dug trenches, and endured battle wounds. She even extracted a pistol ball from her own leg so no one would know she was a female.

Fast-forward to today, when thousands of women are serving in the military and are taking on bigger and badder roles. They are all brave, fierce, and honorable. They are modern-day Deborah Sampsons.

I think of the wonderful women with whom I served in the Army and of all of those whom I commanded--my wonderful mechanics, my truckdrivers, my admin specialists. I think of my daughter, who is a cadet at West Point, as well as Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, and so many other women who serve in Active Duty, as reservists, and as National Guardsmen. They all serve our great Nation.

Finally, I reflect on Gertrude Dieken. Dieken was from Grundy County, IA. She was an editor and the first woman vice president of the Farm Journal--a renowned magazine that is dedicated to farming. Savvy in business, economics, and journalism, Dieken established a book publishing division and became the first female member of its board of directors.

Iowa women are today exercising their girl power, making it happen on the shop floor, in the boardroom, on the farm, and in every occupation in between. Iowa is now ranked eighth for growth in the number of women-owned businesses.

As part of my 99 County Tour, I have met many of these phenomenal women and have heard their stories and dreams for their futures. I am continually inspired by these fearless females and the thousands of other women like them who have paved the path forward and broken-- shattered--that glass ceiling. They are changing lives and are helping our economy and our communities grow.

We know it isn't always easy today to be a fearless female, just as it was not easy for the trailblazing women of the past. We must continue to take on the challenges that confront women from all walks of life--harassment, abuse, and discrimination. Keeping the economy strong, along with issues like childcare access, criminal justice reform, healthcare, and paid parental leave, are areas in which I am working to move that ball forward.

Melinda Gates often says, ``When women and girls are empowered to participate fully in society, everyone benefits.'' I believe that to be true.

The future is bright for women today--in particular, for young women--because of the sacrifices of those who have come before us. We have a common bond as females, sisters, mothers, grandmothers, and daughters. It is easy to look at these historical examples as a mere recitation of facts and figures, but I view them as a challenge--a challenge to all women to stand strong and reject the status quo, to achieve greatness, to be a friend and a mentor, and to prove all of those doubters wrong. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a woman in America's boardrooms or anywhere in between, you are making a difference.

As Peggy Whitson--famed astronaut and first female to command the International Space Station--once said: ``If a farmer's daughter from Iowa can be an astronaut, you can be just about anything you want to be.''

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I rise to speak about the flooding that has devastated wide swaths of the Midwest in recent weeks.

A harsh winter, combined with unseasonably warm weather and heavy rains, created conditions that overwhelmed much of our flood mitigation infrastructure up and down the Missouri River and its tributaries. In Iowa alone, the flooding has caused an estimated $1.6 billion in damages. Thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed, and nearly 250 miles of levees will need to be repaired or rebuilt. Thousands of acres of farmland have been impacted, with there being losses to the ag sector in excess of $200 million. Fremont County, which is our furthest southwest county in the State of Iowa, has lost $7 million worth of grain.

I spent much of last week on the ground in Iowa, visiting hard-hit areas of the State and meeting with local, State, and Federal officials. In my years as a member of the Iowa National Guard, I was on the frontlines of several of our major flood events, including the 2008 Cedar Rapids flood and the 2011 Missouri River flood. I can tell you that what I witnessed in this flood event was the worst flooding and destruction that I have ever witnessed. The devastation is simply incomprehensible, with the most severe damage being concentrated in Iowa's western most counties.

I have spent most of my life in southwest Iowa. So this hits particularly close to home for me. When I toured the affected communities last week and this past Sunday, the folks I met with were not just Iowans and not just constituents. Many of them were friends whom I have known for a very long time. In this part of the State, down there in southwest Iowa, I am just as likely to be called ``Joni'' as I am ``Senator Ernst.'' It was heartbreaking to see what these folks have gone through. Again, they are not just constituents. These people are family and friends to me.

It will take a lot of hard work and determination to get our communities back up on their feet. But do you know what, folks? Iowans are a resilient people, and I know they are up to the task. Since the first signs of trouble over a week ago, our State and local emergency response teams have been working together seamlessly, around the clock, to keep our Iowans safe.

I credit Governor Reynolds and her office for quickly gathering damage assessments from all around the State in order to make a strong case to the President that a Federal disaster declaration was warranted. I also thank President Trump for recognizing the gravity of the situation on the ground in Iowa and for swiftly approving our request. Nearly 60 of Iowa's counties will now have access to much needed Federal assistance.

In the near term, our focus is on recovery efforts, and I will do everything in my power to make sure Iowans have every bit of the help they need. We need to get our farms and small businesses back up and running as soon as possible so Iowans can do what they do best, and that is to work hard and take care of their families.

As we move forward, I intend to review the Army Corps of Engineers' policies and closely examine how they were applied throughout this flood event. It is important that we study and learn from events like this so that we can try to prevent these types of devastating events from happening again in our future.

Once again, I want to say what a heartbreaking and devastating event this has been for so many of our Iowa counties, our Iowa families, and our Iowa businesses. My thoughts and prayers are with each one of them as we move through this event.

God bless you all.

Of course, God bless our great State of Iowa and our great United States.

We are there for you. We are there with you.

I yield the floor.