Floor Statements

Mr. President, along with my colleagues Senator Jim Risch, Representative Mike Simpson and Representative Russ Fulcher, we once again honor Idaho's community colleges in recognition of April as Community College Month. We thank them for their important work to equip Idahoans for success.

Community colleges across the Gem State are incubators for ideas and catalysts to Idahoans achieving their goals. These academic institutions provide vital hands-on training and high-quality education best suited to support Idaho's workforce, small businesses, and economy. These community hubs are preparing Idahoans for a successful future, whether that be advancing their education or entering the workforce.

With more than 26,000 students enrolled in Idaho community colleges in the fall of 2023, these educational institutions offer significant opportunity for students of all ages and walks of life.

This year's theme for Community College Month is ``Cultivating Skills for the Future.'' Idaho's community colleges truly embody this theme in their efforts to cultivate important on-the-job skills and developing our communities next leaders.

Thank you to Idaho's community colleges for your dedication to continued education. We are blessed to have you in our communities backing Idaho innovation with skills, knowledge, and experience.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Madam President, I rise today to urge the Senate to do more for Americans who have suffered from the aftereffects of the development of our nuclear arsenal. It is profoundly disappointing to see that the necessary updates to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, spearheaded by Senators Lujan, Hawley, Schmitt, and myself, were not included in the conference report of the National Defense Authorization Act.

When America developed the atom bomb through the Manhattan Project and tested those weapons through the Trinity tests, our country unknowingly poisoned those who mined, transported, and milled uranium, those who participated in nuclear testing, and those who lived downwind of the tests.

Don Harrison was one of those who lived downwind. Born in Emmett, ID, Don was born in 1931 and graduated from Emmett High School in 1949. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1953, came back to Emmett to marry the love of his life Donna, and worked as a farmer, dairy deliveryman, mechanic, and truckdriver to provide for his nine children.

His family describes him as a loving father who taught the values of hard work and integrity and to see the worth and light in others. But because Emmett received the third most radiation from being downwind of the Trinity tests, Don Harrison lived on poisoned ground. He ended up contracting basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer and eventually passed away in 2018.

His daughter Vonnie shared his story with the Idaho Downwinders, with my staff, and me in the hopes of finally

righting the wrongs of leaving downwinders behind. Don Harrison was one of the thousands in Gem County, ID, alone and beyond who were unfortunately living in an area downwind of the Trinity tests.

This is not a matter just affecting conservative or liberal States. The bipartisan nature of the RECA updates is because it affects people regardless of political affiliation.

To be clear, the government's test of nuclear weapons caused this. It is our solemn duty to compensate those who have suffered because of these tests. The RECA amendments ensure that those who live downwind of the tests receive compensation from the government and provide support to uranium miners who worked during the Cold War.

I have worked with my colleagues for the past 13 years to attempt to right these wrongs, and July's vote to include RECA amendments in the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act shows the widespread bipartisan support to help those who have suffered. But it is frustrating and discouraging that bipartisan support from both Chambers of Congress still cannot get this legislation enacted into law.

While this speech is unlikely to bring the necessary updates back into consideration with this conference report, I am committed to working with my colleagues to update RECA to better reflect the realities of nuclear testing.

I thank Senators Lujan and Hawley and Representatives Moylan and Leger Fernandez for their tireless work, as well as the countless advocates who have shared their stories to achieve this necessary goal.

This fight is not over, and I look forward to the day when we can celebrate the necessary updates and commemorate those who did not live to see it.

I yield the floor.

I would. I would agree.

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, Americans deserve a transparent, affordable, and accessible prescription drug market. I agree with the concerns that each of my colleagues have raised here tonight. The current system fails to meet these needs, and I appreciate the intentions of my colleagues in attempting to shed light on the opaque pricing system that we now face. The problem is that the solution proposed in Senate bill 1250 is the wrong solution.

If you listened carefully to the debate of my colleagues, their main objection was that the prescription drug companies are advertising and promoting and creating markets for their products. Their solution is to have them tell you what the price is, and what they are asking in their legislation is that the prescription drug manufacturers be required to state their list price.

But we all know that the list price is not actually the correct price, and it will actually create confusion even further by forcing these pricing numbers to be put out into the marketplace through commercial advertising in a way that will then, I believe, undercut the major reforms that we are now undertaking in the Finance Committee to get the opaque system eliminated, to shed transparency onto the system, and help all consumers--including the United States Government--to understand what the real price is.

Senator Grassley referenced three or four of his bills that we are working on in legislation right now in the Finance Committee that make major reforms to achieve this very price transparency that I am talking about. We had a markup on that legislation just recently, and it passed 26 to 0 in the Finance Committee. It is ready to come to the floor. It will deal with many of these things that have already been discussed here, but it will not create a mandate that the wrong price be advertised on TV.

Far too often, heavily concentrated health plans and PBMs force consumers to pay on that list price for prescription drugs, exposing seniors and working families to catastrophic costs. This bill, if enacted, would mandate the inclusion of these inflated figures in virtually all medication ads, reinforcing the notion of the list price as the best pricing opportunity for consumers.

Respectfully, I see these requirements as moving our current system in the wrong direction by affirming deceptive price points that should never be the basis for a patient's cost or decisions.

A drug's list price includes none of the discounts, none of the rebates or other price concessions found in the net price--the real price that is paid between the insurers and the PBMs and often then dealt with in pharmacies that are integrated with the insurance companies and the PBMs.

A recent study showed that this gap between the list and the net price continues to inflate every year. In 2022, for instance, sticker prices for branded drugs, like those you have seen on charts here, grew by 3.7 percent; whereas, the net prices--the real price--which was not able to be figured out by the consumer accounting for rebates and discounts, remained unchanged.

For medicines like insulin, the gap between the list and the net price can exceed 80 percent.

Rather than broadcast and validate list prices, Congress should ensure that patients can share in the savings that are reflected in net price points, enabling both increased transparency and reduced out-of- pocket costs at the pharmacy counter. The better act--the one I just referred to that is coming out of the Finance Committee with a 26 to 0 vote--would take numerous steps toward achieving this goal with sizable cost-sharing reductions for seniors and no premium hikes. This proposal before us today, by contrast, would risk rubberstamping the centrality of sticker prices that no consumer should need to pay under a rational healthcare system.

I share the concerns of scores of patient advocates and clinicians who agree with the need for more transparent pricing but disagree with the approach taken by this bill. As many of these groups have pointed out, list price disclosures can trigger confusion for consumers and deter healthy, proactive doctor-patient discussions.

In fact, I would think that the drug manufacturers would love to have their list price--the one they want to start out asking for--be the one that is marketed.

For Americans with solid prescription drug coverage, list prices provide no direct insight into what a patient will actually pay for a given drug. For the population more broadly and for policymakers, the mandates in this legislation do nothing to unearth critical information on the price concessions routinely withheld from consumers.

Additionally, the bill's free speech concerns warrant further discussion and scrutiny, and its transformation of CMS into an advertising regulator raises legal questions of mission creep and Agency scope. I stand ready to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reduce patient costs and to move toward more transparency in the marketplace. That said, for numerous reasons, I cannot support this legislation and must object to its passage.

Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, alongside my esteemed colleagues Senator Jim Risch and Representative Mike Simpson, I rise today to honor the formal turnover of the Naval Reactors A1W Prototype from Naval Reactors Idaho Branch Office and Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC, to the U.S. Department of Energy Idaho Cleanup Project and Idaho Environmental Coalition. This momentous occasion marks the early completion of the turnover of the A1W Prototype, a defueled naval nuclear propulsion plant, which holds significant historical and strategic importance in the ongoing decommissioning efforts of this facility.

The goal in this endeavor is clear: to remove the three prototypes, S1W, A1W and S5G, from the Naval Reactors Facility by 2030. This effort aligns perfectly with the program's unwavering commitment to managing radioactive and hazardous materials from cradle to grave, ensuring no adverse effects on the environment or public health. Decommissioning older, nonmission-critical facilities not only reduces workforce needs but also allows us to allocate resources more efficiently towards our core mission, while creating space for the workplace of the future.

The significance of this turnover lies in the remarkable collaboration among various Agencies involved. Originally scheduled for 2027, achieving this turnover 4 years ahead of schedule is a monumental achievement. It is a testament to the unwavering dedication of hundreds of professionals from all four organizations involved. We express our deepest gratitude to the entire team whose exceptional teamwork has made this moment possible. Their remarkable efforts throughout this endeavor have been truly extraordinary.

The A1W Prototype, born in 1956 and operational from October 1958 to January 1994, stands as a technological marvel. It represents a pivotal chapter in our Nation's scientific and engineering history. Over nearly four decades, this remarkable prototype played a critical role in training over 14,500 enlisted personnel, officers, and civilian operators. As the second prototype built, the A1W's contributions to science, technology, Cold War military applications, and the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program have earned it the esteemed recognition as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Moreover, the A1W Prototype paved the way for the construction and commissioning of the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise, CVN-65, which utilized the A1W design. Enterprise's 51- year journey serves as a testament to the dedication and strength of our naval forces, as it stood as a guardian of freedom, protector of our national interests and a symbol of American power worldwide.

While there is still more work ahead, it is important that we take a moment to celebrate this milestone. It serves as a testament to the incredible results that can be achieved when people and organizations come together with a shared purpose. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each person involved for their unwavering dedication and hard work. This turnover signifies a significant step toward ensuring that the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program continues to power maritime dominance for the Navy and our Nation well into the future. It also reaffirms our steadfast commitment to safeguarding our national defense, paying homage to our history, and preserving our national treasures.

Mr. President, with my fellow Members of Idaho's congressional delegation Senator Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, we pay tribute to an outstanding Idahoan, Richard ``Rich'' Hayes Cesler, Sr., who served our country and its veterans with great distinction. He passed away on July 16, 2023.

Rich not only assisted living veterans and their families, but also made sure thousands were recognized and honored after their passing. Rich partnered with Fred Salanti in cofounding the nonprofit Missing in America, MIA, Project. Rich served as the MIA Project's national cemeteries/laws coordinator. Since 2006, the duo led MIA Project volunteers nationwide who have interred the unclaimed cremated remains of nearly 5,800 veterans.

As a Vietnam veteran, Rich connected with the many veterans and their families he helped. He grew up in Portsmouth, VA, and joined the U.S. Air Force directly after high school. He obtained the rank of sergeant during his service from 1966 to 1972. He was trained as a jet aircraft mechanic and aircraft maintenance technician and served as a crew chief in Saigon, Vietnam, working on F-111 aircraft.

His loved ones characterize Rich as ``a true renaissance man'' who dabbled in many different hobbies and occupations. His obituary includes a list of his vocations after his military service noting that in no particular order he ``was a life insurance agent, a police officer, Veteran Service Officer, small business owner, general contractor, cargo/baggage handler, senior customer service agent, international head judge for car stereo contests, promoter, Director of two State Veteran cemeteries, beta tester, trainer, VFW state commander, he drafted legislation, delivered seminars, was a competitor at car stereo contests, a published writer, and a die-hard veteran supporter and advocate.'' In fact, he was recognized with a 2011 Spirit of Freedom: Idaho Veterans Service Award for his unselfish dedication to his fellow veterans and their families. His work as director of two State veterans cemeteries to ensure veterans and their spouses received the burials they were promised and his founding of the MIA Project were among the many examples of his dedicated service to others cited in his award recognition.

Honoring Rich Cesler in Congress in September during National POW/MIA Recognition Month, a time set aside to highlight ongoing efforts to seek answers for families of America's prisoners of war--POWs--and missing in action--MIA--is deeply fitting as Rich made sure lost soldiers were honored here at home. He saw firsthand that America's veterans did not only go missing overseas. He recognized that the shelves of funeral homes, coroner's offices, and State hospitals and even far less ceremonial locations should not be the final resting places for veterans who do not have remaining family or have lost touch with their families. MIA Project volunteers' commendable efforts to honor veterans lost right here at home were rightly recognized. This includes our understanding that he was being considered for a Presidential award for his Missing in America Project. Rich said, ``The MIA Project has become the voice for those who have none and continues to be dedicated to remembering our forgotten heroes.''

Rich accomplished one of the greatest things we can achieve in our lifetime: He used his talents and experiences to meaningfully help others. His actions demonstrated his deep understanding that great personal rewards came from giving to others instead of seeking personal gains. And, despite his solemn work, he found and shared joy. Rich was known for his amazing sense of humor. As noted in his obituary, ``This was one of his greatest joys, to laugh and make others laugh.'' May the joy, levity, and dedication he gave to so many during his time on earth comfort his many friends and loved ones, including his wife of 47 years Joyce; six children and their spouses; 17 grandchildren; 20 great- grandchildren; and many others. We join in mourning this great Idahoan and American and pay tribute to his extraordinary legacy.

Mr. President, in honor of America's prisoners of war, POWs, and missing in action, MIA, I join in acknowledging National POW/ MIA Recognition Day this September 15, 2023.

Each year before POW/MIA Recognition Day, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, DPAA, the Agency primarily responsible for recovering America's servicemembers, creates a poster commemorating the lives of U.S. servicemembers still unaccounted for from past conflicts. This year's poster features the words: ``Though not here, their sacrifice is not forgotten.''

The sacrifice of America's unaccounted-for servicemembers is not forgotten thanks in large part to the POW/MIA families and veterans who have remained committed to keeping the pursuit of facts at the forefront of our national conscience. The sacrifice is not forgotten due to the hard work of those who work for and assist the DPAA and related efforts to get needed answers and bring all American servicemembers home. And the sacrifice is not forgotten due to the commitment of the members of the POW*MIA Awareness Rally Corp. of Pocatello, ID, and others across our country who keep a spotlight on the need to keep pressing forward until every American servicemember is brought home.

As I thank all involved in this effort, I urge the enactment of the Bring Our Heroes Home Act, which I joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen, in re-introducing this Congress, to help eliminate obstacles preventing families and caseworkers from accessing the records needed for recovering America's POWs and MIA. America's heroes and their families deserve this reduction in bureaucratic redtape as we make a strong effort to identify and recover those who have not yet made it back home.

On National POW/MIA Day, we honor those Americans who have thankfully returned home, the families and loved ones who stood by awaiting their return, and we remain committed to finding answers for the families who continue to await the return of their missing and unaccounted-for loved ones. Thank you to America's servicemembers, veterans and their families for their extraordinary commitment to our country and to all those who work to ensure their return home.

Mr. President, when America conducted nuclear tests in Nevada, New Mexico, and the Pacific, we had little understanding of how radiation spread.

Throughout my time in Congress, I have advocated for expanding the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to cover the forgotten victims of these tests, including the residents of all the affected States that have been identified here today.

Downwinders, those affected by these tests, deserve to be compensated for the effects of these weapons. I am grateful for working with Senator Lujan and Senator Hawley and our other colleagues to ensure that we do not leave our downwinders behind.

Madam President, with my fellow Members of Idaho's congressional delegation Senator Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, we pay tribute to veteran and tireless veterans' advocate, Robert ``Bob'' Jones. Bob passed away on July 8, 2023, after a long battle with cancer and heart disease. Bob's service in the U.S. Air Force, as a leader of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW, and as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has left an indelible mark.

Bob dedicated his life to God, country, and community. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel; his service included commanding logistics squadrons supporting combat units in the Vietnam war, serving as chief of supply for the Presidential Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, and serving at the Pentagon as a senior staff officer with the U.S. Air Force. Bob earned 24 medals for his distinguished service that include the Vietnam Service Medal with three oakleaf clusters, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, the Korean Defense Service Medal, and the Bronze Star.

After his military service, Bob's civilian career included working as vice president of a defense firm in Saudi Arabia, where he met the love of his life, his wife of 40 years, Carmelita. They made their home in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for 13 years before moving to Rexburg in 1995. Bob and Carmelita owned the Arctic Circle Franchise in Rexburg and an independent family restaurant called Timber's Edge in Island Park for several years.

Bob translated his immense experience to support and advocate for his fellow veterans. He served in many VFW leadership positions that included his service as a VFW All-American past state commander and national legislative committee member for Idaho. He and Carmelita have been so dedicated to helping improve the lives of servicemembers, veterans, and their families that they traveled to Capitol Hill twice per year to advocate on their behalf, and Bob stayed involved despite his battle with cancer. We have always valued the time spent with Bob and Carmelita as they thoughtfully explained the need for Federal policy changes to better support military families. The Major Richard Star Act, to provide combat-injured veterans with less than 20 years of military service their full benefits, is just one example of the legislation they worked to advance as they helped make clear the personal costs of war. Bob said, ``It is our duty and obligation to see that they are cared for and not forgotten.''

Bob was also a precinct committeeman and a member of the Madison County Republican Central Committee and military liaison board member of the Rexburg Area Chamber of Commerce among his many efforts to serve the community. He understandably received numerous honors for this local and statewide service. Governor Brad Little presented Bob with the 2019 Idaho's Brightest Star Award for exemplary volunteer service to the State of Idaho and fostering an ethic of service in others. He was also a recipient of the 2020 Spirit of Freedom award for his extensive, extraordinary career of service to our country and his fellow veterans. He was recognized with the 2022-2023 VFW National Legislative Service Award at the VFW Legislative Conference on March 14, 2023, for his tireless efforts on behalf of our Nation's veterans, and he was honored with the 2022 Presidential Award by the Chamber of Commerce at the 84th Annual Farmer Merchant Banquet on April 17, 2023, for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the success of Rexburg, to name just a few of his many honors.

Bob's obituary aptly describes his service-focused mindset: ``He wanted to leave this world a better place than he had found it and pay forward for all the many blessings and opportunities with which he was blessed with.'' We offer our sincerest condolences to Carmelita and his many friends and loved ones, including their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. Bob is deeply missed and leaves a lasting legacy of admirable service to our country, State, community, fellow veterans, and so many others. We are fortunate to have known him and benefited from his vision, dedication and advocacy.

Mr. President, I thank Ranking Member Risch for his leadership in completing the resolution approving the ratification of this tax convention with Chile. And specifically, I am grateful for the opportunity to work together to include the following declaration in this resolution: ``In light of substantial changes made to the international provisions of Internal Revenue Code in 2017, the Senate declares that future tax treaties need to reflect such changes appropriately, including in Article 23. Therefore, based on discussions with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, additional work is required to evaluate the policy of Article 23 in addressing relief of double taxation and to agree on whether further changes to the terms of the Article are necessary for future income tax treaties.''

In light of the reservation amending article 23, I yield to the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to elaborate on the importance of this declaration.

Thank you, Ranking Member Risch. Without that clarification, article 23 does not describe the primary mechanism that mitigates double taxation for U.S. companies doing business abroad.

Before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, TCJA, U.S. companies' foreign earnings were generally not subject to tax in the U.S. until the foreign earnings were distributed as dividends to the U.S., a concept generally referred to as ``deferral.''

For example, pre-TCJA, if a U.S. company operated in Chile through a subsidiary, the earnings of the Chilean subsidiary were generally not subject to U.S. tax until the subsidiary paid a

dividend to the U.S. parent company. In order to prevent double taxation of the foreign earnings, under section 902 of the Tax Code, the U.S. provided a foreign tax credit for tax paid on those earnings. In this scenario, with respect to tax paid by the foreign subsidiary in Chile, the U.S. company would receive a dollar-for-dollar credit against its U.S. tax liability once the income was distributed, and subject to tax, in the U.S. in order to prevent double taxation of the dividend income.

TCJA made significant changes to these rules. For one, it ended the concept of ``deferral.'' As a result of TCJA, U.S. companies are now generally subject to current U.S. tax on their foreign earnings, even if they are not immediately distributed to the U.S. parent, under the global intangible low-taxed income, GILTI, which consequently eliminated the need to impose U.S. tax on dividends when ultimately distributed from the foreign subsidiary to the U.S. parent company.

As a result, in order to mitigate double taxation, TCJA modified and expanded section 960 to provide indirect tax credits for taxes paid on GILTI. TCJA also repealed section 902 foreign tax credits because, generally, dividends received by U.S. companies from a foreign subsidiary are no longer subject to U.S. tax. Instead, U.S. companies receiving foreign-source dividends are generally allowed a deduction under section 245A of the Tax Code for those dividends received. Because U.S. companies' foreign earnings are now largely subject to tax under GILTI, the primary mechanism for relieving double taxation under current law is through an indirect tax credit under section 960. Indeed, recent IRS data confirms that an overwhelming majority of TCJA's new category of U.S. companies' foreign earnings subject to current U.S. tax requires a foreign tax credit to mitigate double tax relief.

As Ranking Member Risch referenced, because Treasury did not agree to include in the reservation a reference to the primary method for alleviating double taxation on a U.S. company's foreign earnings, it calls into question whether article 23 provides sufficient double tax relief post-TCJA. While I understand this lack of clarification should not result in increased taxation on earnings of a U.S company's Chilean subsidiary based on current law, U.S. taxpayers may not have adequate protection from double taxation with respect to future treaties.

In short, this outstanding issue is fundamental to one of the core motives for entering into income tax treaties, to mitigate double taxation to reduce barriers to cross-border investment. Thus, I intend to hold Treasury to its commitment to include language in future income tax treaties to more comprehensively address the post-TCJA foreign tax credit system. And if it fails to do so, I will not support approving ratification of any future U.S. income tax treaty.

Mr. President, with my colleagues Senator Jim Risch and Representative Mike Simpson, we honor an outstanding Idahoan and great American, Robert S. Jackson, Jr., for his service to our country, fellow veterans, and community.

Robert ``Bob'' Jackson is an Idaho native who spent many years in the U.S. Navy, serving throughout the world on various aircraft carriers that traveled to Vietnam, Libya, Lebanon, and locations for Desert Shield/Storm. His numerous awards throughout his career include Sailor of the Year three times, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Silver Wreath with six stars, and Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Following his retirement in 1992, he found ways to assist local veterans, particularly with his administrative and organizational skills. He is well-respected in the State veterans community and has helped a number of projects advance smoothly with his input and expertise. His list of efforts is long and includes leadership positions with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW, State Convention posts, and MC responsibilities. He is also a proud father of four daughters and one

son and husband to Jennifer, who also volunteers with the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. In 2009, Bob's military service, commitment, and sacrifice were honored with the 2009 Spirit of Freedom Award.

Bob, like so many of his fellow veterans, did not stop serving others long after his military service ended. He has demonstrated again and again his devotion to our country and others through his admirable actions. Despite overwhelming health challenges, he continues to show us all how to face difficulty with courage and honor. It seems deeply fitting that folks are gathering just after the Fourth of July to honor this remarkable American, as he served nobly for so many years to protect the freedoms we celebrate on Independence Day. Bob, our hearts are with you as we thank you for your admirable service to our country and our great State.

Mr. President, with my fellow Members of Idaho's congressional delegation Senator Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, we recognize June as Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. According to the Alzheimer's Association, 27,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's in Idaho, while 65,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease. In honor of these Idaho families and the millions of other Americans and their loved ones impacted by Alzheimer's, we continue the fight to stop harmful policies delaying access to treatment for Alzheimer's patients.

The Food and Drug Administration's, FDA, accelerated approval pathway has provided a lifeline for countless Americans suffering from Alzheimer's disease by advancing access to safe and effective medicines years before these treatments could otherwise come to market. Numerous studies show that drugs that have gone through the accelerated approval pathway reach patients an average of more than 3 years before they would otherwise.

Unfortunately, the current administration has taken unprecedented steps to erode this pathway, deterring lifesaving innovation and delaying access to care by restricting Medicare coverage for an entire class of potential Alzheimer's therapies. This harmful coverage decision carries grave implications for Alzheimer's patients. Every day without access to FDA-approved drugs, more than 2,000 people transition to a more advanced stage of Alzheimer's where they are no longer eligible for treatment, reports the Alzheimer's Association. The administration must reverse course and provide access to these lifesaving pathways as quickly as possible.

We are grateful to leaders from communities across Idaho and our country who are pivotal in advancing Alzheimer's and dementia research and other important efforts that are making progress in fighting this disease and supporting families dealing with this dreaded disease. The advocates' personal experiences with the disease's effects in their own families often fuel and inform their engagement. Their perspectives are deeply valuable as we continue to work to improve drug access and affordability. This includes working to ensure Federal policies enable, not discourage, innovators to quickly bring their life-saving discoveries to market.

Time and again, American ingenuity has proven it can meet the challenges we face, if the Federal Government gets out of the way. This Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month is a reminder of the pressing need to better empower patients and doctors to decide the treatments right for them. Throughout this month, as Americans wear purple and participate in other awareness and educational activities and in the years ahead, let's do all we can to alleviate the burden on families across our country by easing access to innovative treatment for Alzheimer's.

Mr. President, with my colleagues Senator Jim Risch and Representative Russ Fulcher, we congratulate Dworshak staff on the dam's 50-year anniversary.

Dedicated on June 15, 1973, the Dworshak Dam, located on the North Fork Clearwater River, has been an important flood control and power generator for 50 years. Following its congressional authorization in 1962 and construction that began in 1966, the dam's flood damage reduction became operational in June 1972, with power generation coming online in March 1973. In addition to the dam, the project also includes Dworshak Reservoir lands, powerhouse, recreation facilities, wildlife mitigation and Dworshak National Fish Hatchery, which is considered to be the world's largest steelhead hatchery.

The USACE Walla Walla District notes the dam is the highest straight- axis concrete dam in the Western Hemisphere, with only two other dams in the U.S. exceeding its height. USACE credits the project with preventing millions of dollars in flood damage since the project became operational, while generating 1.35 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in fiscal year 2017 alone, and providing substantial recreational and wildlife benefits.

Dworshak staff are recognizing the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the dam with a celebration and public tours. We join in commending the hard work of both current and past Dworshak staff in operating this remarkable part of our great State and country's infrastructure. Congratulations to all Dworshak staff and surrounding communities on this outstanding milestone.

Mr. President, along with my colleagues Senator Jim Risch and Representative Mike Simpson, I congratulate Frank A. La Marca, who is retiring from leading employee training for Idaho Environmental Coalition LLC, IEC, which supports the environmental cleanup mission at the Idaho National Laboratory, INL, Site.

Effective training of employees is a fundamental part of the success of any workforce. It is especially critical in the nuclear sector where employees cannot falter in meeting safety requirements to ensure not only their personal safety, but also the safety of the public and surrounding natural resources. As senior manager of site training for Fluor and IEC for the past 7 years and in this position for CH2M- Washington Group Idaho, CH2M-WG, the 7 years prior, Frank La Marca has been responsible for ensuring compliance with U.S. Department of Energy, DOE, Nuclear Facility Training requirements at all Idaho Cleanup Project INL Site projects. This is certainly an enormous and essential responsibility. Before serving in this position, he was responsible for hiring and providing human resource services for more than 700 employees in three organizations for CH2M-WG. His list of completed courses, certifications, and program proficiencies is extensive.

Frank's career objective has been to ``lead a team of professionals that will strive for new challenges in order to make a company successful in fulfilling their goals while providing opportunities for personal growth,'' and he can retire knowing he has more than met this respectable goal. Frank's years of instruction and mentorship has, no doubt, played a key part in helping employees at the INL Site safely meet strategic milestones, such as the completion of the transfer of all spent nuclear fuel from wet to dry storage more than 9 months ahead of the 1995 Idaho Settlement Agreement milestone.

The connections Frank has made with people and the objectives he has advanced while carrying out crucial work will leave a lasting legacy. We would like to thank Frank for his commitment to enabling so many Idahoans to do indispensable work that has accelerated the cleanup at the INL and, in the process, protected Idaho's citizens. Congratulations on your remarkable career. We wish you all the best in your well-earned retirement.