Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bipartisan Senate resolution recognizing the thousands of Arizonans and millions more across America who go to work every day to serve their fellow citizens, protect our communities, and make our country a stronger place.

America's public servants work across our uniformed services, as well as in Federal, State, and local governments, to advance our country's health and safety. If we ever needed a reminder of the importance of our public servants, the past year has provided one. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic downturn, public servants kept us safe, provided care for our heroes, coordinated urgent medical supplies for our communities, and helped keep our small businesses open.

Along our borders with Mexico and Canada, Border Patrol agents tackled challenging conditions to provide security, limit the spread of COVID-19, and protect our communities from criminal activity. At ports of entry, Customs officers worked to maintain cross-border trade and commerce to keep fueling American jobs.

VA employees cared for our veterans and are playing a critical role in delivering vaccines to veterans, veterans' spouses, and caregivers and dependents.

Postal employees continued to deliver the mail, keeping everyday families connected and helping employers remain open.

To all of our firefighters, police officers, public health officials, and teachers, you deserve our thanks every day, but moments of crisis often help to remind us how much we rely on all of you.

When Kingman, AZ, recently experienced a cyber attack, it was local officials, alongside members of the National Guard, who mobilized to contain the damage and get the city back online.

Through these moments of sacrifice and service, these men and women show that public service is not about winning partisan political battles or getting your fame out on cable news. It is about serving a cause greater than ourselves.

In Arizona we are no strangers to dedicated public servants who left their marks on our State and country--from Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to lead the Arizona State Senate and to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, to my personal hero, Senator John McCain, who dedicated his life to public service, both in uniform and here in the U.S. Senate.

Beginning this Sunday, America will mark Public Service Recognition Week, and I am honored to again introduce this year's bipartisan Public Service Recognition Week resolution with my friend Senator Lankford of Oklahoma.

On the Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management, Senator Lankford and I work closely together to strengthen Americans' confidence in our government by making the government work better for everyday Americans. That is a goal we share with all of America's public servants, and I am proud that last year the Senate came together across party lines to approve our resolution and honor public service.

Our bipartisan resolution recognizes the crucial work of Federal, State, and local employees and public servants across the country, and it particularly recognizes the work of the millions of public servants who have overcome the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

As Senator Lankford has often said to our country's public servants, ``America could not succeed without you.''

Public service is a noble calling, and millions answer that call every day, often underpaid and underappreciated. I am honored to thank these employees for keeping our communities and our Nation safe and secure, and for serving as examples to the next generation of public servants who will continue their legacy.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I call up amendment No. 261 on behalf of Senator Wicker and myself and ask that it be reported by number.

Mr. President, I yield back all time on both sides.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I rise today to share the facts about Arizona's recent election and to urge my colleagues to step away from divisive political rhetoric and step towards renewing Americans' faith in our democracy.

The 2020 Arizona election was a success, not for any one party or individual but as a demonstration of the will of the voters. A record 80 percent of registered voters participated, thanks to local Arizona election officials who ensured our system worked and our laws were upheld. Arizona has offered early voting for more than 100 years, and our vote-by-mail system includes strict safeguards. All ballots include tracking mechanisms and tamper-resistant envelopes. Election staff are trained to authentic signatures. And Arizona imposes severe criminal punishments for ballot tampering.

The Arizona election produced bipartisan results in which members of both parties won races, and these results have been confirmed by stakeholders across the political spectrum.

The Republican chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors said:

No matter how you voted, this election was administered

with integrity, transparency, and . . . in accordance with

Arizona State laws.

The Republican speaker of the Arizona State House rejected calls for the legislature to overturn the election, saying:

As a conservative Republican, I don't like the results of

the presidential election . . . but I cannot and will not

entertain a suggestion that we violate current law to change

the outcome.

Eight challenges contesting the Arizona election were brought to Federal and State courts. All eight were withdrawn or dismissed, including a unanimous ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court. The chief justice wrote:

[The] challenge fails to present any evidence of

``misconduct,'' [or] ``illegal votes'' . . . let alone

establish any degree of fraud or a sufficient error rate that

would undermine the certainty of the election results.

During a recent committee hearing, I asked a simple question of the former Director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security: Did he find any evidence disputing the integrity or fairness of Arizona's election? His answer was simple: ``No.''

Arizona and our 15 counties should be congratulated for running a secure election. Perhaps the most heartening demonstration of Arizona's election success is Jocelyn from Phoenix. Jocelyn is 18 years old and was a first-time voter in 2020. So was Rachel from Tucson and thousand more Arizonans who for the first time exercised their constitutional right to decide their own leaders. Today's challenge to Arizona's election fails any factual analysis. More disturbingly, it seeks to rob Jocelyn and Rachel and more than 3 million Arizonans of a free, fair election.

Those of us who are trusted with elected office are first and foremost public servants. We serve our constituents. We do not seek to substitute our personal ambitions for the will of the American people. Our system allows for a continuous contest of ideas. And those voters who support the losing side of a free, fair election have not been disenfranchised; rather, they maintain just as important a voice in America's future. Leaders have a duty to serve all of our constituents, including those who voted for other candidates.

Great leaders in our history faced the choice of whether to take an action strengthening our democracy even if a different action would better serve their political ambitions. Many are revered today because they chose our Republic over their self-interests, including my personal hero, Senator John McCain. Following his Presidential loss, Senator McCain said:

The American people have spoken . . . Senator Obama and I

have . . . argued our differences, and he has prevailed. . .

. Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans.

He spoke to the nearly 60 million Americans who voted for him, saying:

It is natural tonight to feel some disappointment, but

tomorrow we must move beyond it and work together to get our

country moving again.

Senator McCain was right.

Today we have serious, significant work to do beating this pandemic and reviving our economy. I urge my colleagues to follow the example of Senator John McCain and so many others, reject this meritless challenge, and uphold the will of Arizona's voters.

Thank you.

Mr. President, I rise today regarding the U.S. Senate's passage of S. 1749, the Protecting Affordable Mortgages for Veterans Act, by unanimous consent. The Protecting Affordable Mortgages for Veterans Act aims to preserve access to affordable VA mortgages for the millions of veterans and brave men and women in uniform in Arizona and around the country.

Last year, Congress passed S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, a bipartisan regulatory relief package for community financial institutions. Among other issues, this package sought to crack down on ``mortgage churning,'' a predatory practice wherein lenders push veterans over and over to repeatedly refinance their home, even when there is no clear benefit to doing so. With each refinance, the lenders take a fee. Veterans, on the other hand, enter into a cycle of debt where fees and interest rates cost more than the initial mortgage payments.

To stop these predatory lenders and the practice of churning, S. 2155 put into place new requirements that must be met in order for a refinanced loan to obtain VA guaranty and securitization from Ginnie Mae, the U.S. Government corporation that helps lenders make more affordable mortgages to veterans, first-time home buyers, and low- income borrowers.

Unfortunately, these new requirements were inconsistent with Ginnie Mae loan seasoning requirements. With implementation of reform, the new rules left approximately 2,500 VA-guaranteed loans ineligible for Ginnie Mae pooling, a move which seriously constrained lending.

The unintended consequence of this measure put VA home loans out of reach and threatened to drive up future borrowing costs. The Protecting Affordable Mortgages for Veterans Act would correct this issue and maintain liquidity in the veteran home loan market so that veterans and their families can secure the safe, affordable housing they deserve.

When they return home, veterans who defend our freedom with dignity and honor should receive the thanks of a grateful nation and opportunities to succeed as they transition to civilian life. That means delivering quality care at the VA, improving job and education opportunities, and ensuring affordable housing is within reach for Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Acclimating to civilian life is challenging enough without the threat of being scammed by predatory lenders.

I want to thank my colleague from North Carolina, Senator Tillis, for working with me over the last several weeks to craft this bill. I also want to thank Chairman Crapo, Ranking Member Brown, Chairman Isakson, and Ranking Member Tester for their steadfast support in moving this fix expeditiously. Even in an era of divided government and historic gridlock, we are getting things done for Arizona.

Now that this legislation has passed the U.S. Senate, I urge my colleagues in the House to quickly pass S. 1749 so it can be signed into law. Let's keep working together, Democrats and Republicans, to stand up for our veterans.

Thank you.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life and legacy of the Honorable Stan Furman, a former Arizona State senator and community leader who passed away in Phoenix, AZ, on April 1, 2019, at the age of 87. Having spent his formative years in the Vista Del Mar Orphanage in Los Angeles, Stan developed a strong sense of family. While in the orphanage, Stan worked any job he could, and caddying at the Hillcrest Country Club gave him some great stories about George Burns, Milton Berle, Jack Benny and others.

Stan served his country honorably in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 until l956 and was stationed in Japan during the Korean war. After his service, he moved to Mexico City, where he earned a degree in business and foreign trade from Mexico City College. There, he met his soulmate and wife of 58 years, Gloria. They married in Mexico City in 1960. The couple moved to California, where Stan worked for a fabric wholesaler, and they raised three children: Diane, Philip, and Susan.

The family moved to Phoenix in 1969, where Stan opened and managed a new branch of the business. After their children left the nest, Stan and Gloria started a successful translation business, allowing them to travel to Mexico, China, Italy, Spain, and many other international destinations. Stan loved Arizona and wanted to serve his community, so he ran for the State senate in 1990. He served in the Arizona State Senate from l991 to 1995. After he retired from elected office, he continued to serve on many boards and commissions and worked for the Arizona Corporation Commission.

In 1998, Stan was named Mediator of the Year by the Phoenix Community Mediation Program. Long active in the Arizona Civil Liberties Union, Stan served as Arizona ACLU president from 2002 to 2006 and was honored to be named Arizona Civil Libertarian of the Year in 1995. He also served for several years on the National ACLU board of directors. Stan was an avid tennis player and golfer, quick-witted, and a natural joke teller. He loved crossword puzzles, Boggle, and all word games. He immensely enjoyed playing board games and online games with his children and grandchildren. He loved going to the beach while enjoying time at the family's vacation home in Rocky Point, Mexico.

Stan is survived by his loving wife, Gloria, daughters Diane (Randy) and Susan, son Phil (Deb), grandsons Spencer, Dylan, Nate, Harrison, Alex (Jessi), Hugo and Oscar, and great-granddaughter Cheyanne. He will be dearly missed by other family members, friends, and the hundreds of people whose lives she touched. Please join me in honoring his memory.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life and legacy of Geraldine ``Jerry'' Emmett, a community leader who passed away in Prescott, AZ, on April 30, 2019, at the age of 104. Jerry was a lifelong Democrat and campaigned for Arizona's first Governor, George W.P. Hunt, before she was old enough to vote. She will be fondly remembered as the oldest delegate at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, where she did several national media interviews.

While waiting tables in her family's restaurant, she met and impressed an Arizona State Teachers College--now Northern Arizona University--recruiter from Flagstaff, and received a tuition scholarship of $14.00 per semester, allowing her to attend and graduate from ASTC in 1937 with a degree in elementary education. She began her 40-year teaching career at Kayenta on the Navajo Reservation. She also taught in Seligman, Tombstone, and Scottsdale, before finally settling in Phoenix at the Creighton School District. She taught in Phoenix for the next 30 years until her retirement, primarily at Lafayette Elementary School, Larry C. Kennedy. Evidently, her teaching career made an impression on her students, as over 60 former students attended her 100th birthday party to pay homage.

Jerry cofounded the Prescott Area Democratic Women's Club and was a regular sight at Democratic Party events with her friends Carolyn and Dawn. Her smile and stories of growing up in Depression-era Arizona will be missed.

Jerry is survived by her youngest son, Jim Emmett, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by other family members, friends, and the hundreds of people whose lives she touched. Please join me in honoring her memory.

Mr. President, I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted yes on rollcall vote 99, the confirmation of Joseph F. Bianco, of New York, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit.

Mr. President, I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted yes on rollcall vote 100, the confirmation of Kimberly A. Reed, of West Virginia, to be President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2021.

Mr. President, I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted yes on rollcall vote 101, the confirmation of Spencer Bachus III, of Alabama, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2023.

Mr. President, I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted yes on rollcall vote 102, the confirmation of Judith DelZoppo Pryor, of Ohio, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2021.

Mr. President, I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted no on rollcall vote 103, the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Janet Dhillon, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2022.

Mr. President, I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted no on rollcall vote 104, the confirmation of Janet Dhillon, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2022.

Mr. President, I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted no on rollcall vote 105, the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Michael H. Park, of New York, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit.

Mr. President, I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted no on rollcall vote 106, the confirmation of Michael H. Park, of New York, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life and legacy of Eugenia ``Genie'' Zavaleta, a community leader who passed away in Tempe, AZ, on April 6, 2019, at the age of 92. Genie Zavaleta was a fighter for immigration reform, advocate for the DREAM Act, and a dedicated voice for DACA recipients. Our State will miss her dearly.

Genie Zavaleta described her life's concerns as ``her family, education, health care, family planning, the environment, poverty and injustice, the Presbyterian Church and the Democratic Party.'' Throughout her life, she served these issues through educator and advocacy roles within the Presbyterian Church, the Migrant Ministry of the National Council of Churches, Planned Parenthood of Arizona, and the Maricopa County Health Department.

Her immense advocacy work within the migrant community began in 1958, when she and her husband Hector took on roles to serve migrant farm laborers known as braceros. In 1965, Genie Zavaleta and her family moved to Arizona, where she focused on helping migrant workers acquire new skills to adjust to Arizona's rapid industrialization. Eventually, Genie Zavaleta became a fierce advocate for DACA recipients and the DREAM Act.

Genie Zavaleta is survived by her husband Hector, her sons Dan and David, and their wives Nori and Linda. She will be dearly missed by other family members, friends, and the hundreds of people whose lives she touched. Please join me in honoring her memory.

I agree with my colleagues' statements and am proud to continue the legacy of water policy leadership in Arizona. Water plays a pivotal role for the environment, economic development, and cultural heritage of Arizona, and I am proud to have worked closely with the State of Arizona and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to keep this process moving forward. Arizona takes a huge step towards securing its water future under the Drought Contingency Plan. The plan provides all Arizona communities, from Native American tribes to rural and agricultural regions to metropolitan cities, with greater certainty for reliable and secure water supplies. It shows what can be accomplished when stakeholders work together. I thank my colleagues for the discussion here today and urge passage of this legislation to ensure all Colorado River Basin States are able to implement the DCP as soon as possible.

Madam President, I was necessarily absent, but had I been present, I would have voted no on rollcall vote No. 34, the motion to invoke cloture on Allison Jones Rushing, of North Carolina, to be U.S. circuit judge for the Fourth Circuit.

I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted no on rollcall vote No. 35, the confirmation of Allison Jones Rushing, of North Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit.

I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted no on rollcall vote No. 36, the motion to invoke cloture on Chad A. Readler, of Ohio, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit.

Mr. President, I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote 31, the confirmation of Michael J. Desmond to be Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service and an Assistant General Counsel in the Department of the Treasury.

I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote 32, the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Andrew Wheeler, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote 33, the confirmation of Andrew Wheeler, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Mr. President, I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted no on rollcall vote 29, the confirmation of Eric D. Miller to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.

I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted yes on rollcall vote 30, the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Michael J. Desmond to be Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service and an Assistant General Counsel in the Department of the Treasury.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life and legacy of Officer Clayton Townsend, killed in the line of duty on January 8, 2019, at the age of 26. Officer Townsend was born in Glendale, AZ, on May 30, 1992. He was a dedicated, loyal, and highly skilled police officer at the Salt River Police Department. Our State will miss him dearly.

Officer Townsend served the Salt River Police Department for 5 years and was applauded by superiors on numerous occasions for excellent communication skills and performance on the job. He had always dreamed of becoming a police officer and truly embodied a genuine, caring, and compassionate commitment to protect and serve others.

Officer Townsend is survived by his wife Deanna, his 10-month-old son Brixton, and his mother Toni. He will be dearly missed by other family members, friends, and hundreds of bereaved members of the Salt River community. In the words of his older brother Cole, Clayton ``brought a warmth with him wherever he went. He had a smile that everyone felt.'' Please join me in honoring his memory.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life and legacy of Laura Eileen Orr, who passed away on January 16, 2019, at the age of 68. Mrs. Orr was born in Missouri on October 2, 1950. She served as a dedicated adviser to the students of Arizona State University for 50 years. Our State will miss her dearly.

Mrs. Orr began her career at ASU in 1968 and later went on to become the academic and student services manager at the College of Public Programs School of Social Work. She was a fierce advocate for students facing adversities and was renowned by her pupils and colleagues alike for her unwavering patience, encouragement, and magnanimity toward everyone she encountered. I was privileged to work with Laura for over 10 years, first as a student in the master of social work program and later as a part-time professor in the school of social work. She was a joy to work with over the years.

An avid sports fan, Mrs. Orr enjoyed supporting both the Sun Devils and the Cardinals at football games. She also enjoyed theaters and frequently attended performances and listened to Broadway play recordings.

Mrs. Orr is survived by her husband of 45 years, Karl Orr, her two sisters Barbra Voelker and Nancee VanderPluyn; her two sons, Christopher and Michael and their wives, Danielle and Amanda; as well as four grandchildren; Brayden, Benjamin, Isabella, and Joseph. Please join me in honoring her memory.

Mr. President, I want to thank my colleagues from Maryland and Alaska for bringing us together today but also for the work our group has been putting in for the last several weeks to find a solution to end this harmful and hurtful shutdown.

The voters of Arizona want a government that is lean, that allows them to pursue their individual interests, and that, above all, does not detract from their everyday life.

Unfortunately, when the Federal Government is shut down, as it is today, it detracts and takes away from the quality of life for folks in Arizona.

Recently, the President asked the Congress to consider appropriations for border security. I stand in support of working together across the aisle with my colleagues in the Senate to answer that request. Arizona needs enhanced funding for border security, and I feel confident that if given 3 weeks, the Republicans and Democrats together in this body could find a reasonable compromise that both continues to keep our government operating in a lean and efficient way, while also providing for efficient and effective border security.

In Arizona, we bear the brunt of a government that has failed its duty to secure our border and protect our communities; in Arizona, we bear the brunt of our country's failure to solve the immigration crisis we live in today; in Arizona, we have been waiting for over three decades for the Congress to solve this problem so that we in Arizona can live our lives free from unnecessary government interference and with the full freedom our country has promised us.

I believe that if we work together over the next 3 weeks, we can find a compromise, we can find a solution to this challenge, and we can work with our colleagues in the House and send a piece of legislation to the President that will meet the security needs of our country and ensure that we keep government operating efficiently and effectively for the people of my State and for this country. I look forward to working over the next several weeks to solve this challenge.

I request of the President, allow us those 3 weeks to find this bipartisan solution together.

I yield back.