Floor Statements

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, today I recognize Skyler Mansell, an intern in my Washington, DC, office, for all the hard work he has done on behalf of myself, my staff, and the State of South Dakota.

Skyler is a graduate of the University of North Alabama in Florence, AL. Currently, he is pursuing his master of business administration with a concentration in finance at the University of North Alabama. Skyler is a dedicated and diligent worker who has been devoted to getting the most out of his internship and who has been a true asset to the office.

I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Skyler for all of the fine work he has done and wish him continued success in the years to come.

Mr. President, today I recognize Matthew Reeves, an intern in my Washington, DC, office, for all the hard work he has done on behalf of myself, my staff, and the State of South Dakota.

Matthew is a graduate of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR. Later this year, he will complete his master of science degree in defense and strategic studies at Missouri State University. Matthew is a dedicated and diligent worker who has been devoted to getting the most out of his internship experience and who has been a true asset to the office.

I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Matthew for all of the fine work he has done and wish him continued success in the years to come.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Red Arndt of Luverne, MN, for his many years of leadership to the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System and his commitment to providing safe water to rural America.

He became the public utilities director of Luverne, MN, in 1989 and soon heard about a proposal to bring water from the Missouri River in South Dakota to the surrounding States. At that time, many people believed it would be too expensive and could not be done.

However, Red believed it was possible and needed more research and more support. He recommended that Luverne become one of the first members of the organization that would become the Lewis and Clark Regional Water system. The city council and mayor approved, and the dream of delivering safe and reliable water to rural towns and farms took its first step forward.

It became Red's mission to make that dream come true.

He became one of the only two original directors from 1990 who are still on the project's board and proudly shoveled the first dirt when construction began in 2003.

Over the years, he made hundreds of trips to county, city, and community meetings and to legislatures in several States. He also took over 60 trips to Washington, DC. He would not let the dream die.

He has worked vigorously for the project. He was vice-chairman of the board beginning in 1994 until becoming the board chairman in 2006. He is still the chairman.

Because Red refused to let the Lewis & Clark project die, 14 member communities and rural water projects are receiving water through over 200 miles of pipeline for over 300,000 people across South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. He has helped secure over $470 million in funding for Lewis & Clark.

Red's incredible dedication was seen when he participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the water treatment plant in August, 2012. It was only 2 weeks after Red had open-heart surgery. At the ceremony, he was honored with the Lewis & Clark Trailblazer Award, which is the organization's highest honor.

In May 2016, Luverne was connected to Lewis & Clark, and Red was given the honor of taking the first drink of water from the new system that he had worked so hard to create. The meter building in Luverne was also named in his honor.

When Red is thanked for all of his hard work, he always says it was not him, but a true team effort, but everyone involved will tell you that Red's determination and leadership was the bedrock that led to success.

I am one of those 300,000 people who are grateful for his dedication, and I am proud to call him my friend.

I commend Red Arndt for his many great contributions and wish him the best as he continues to make the most out of the life God has given.

Madam President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I have 8 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders.

Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Committee on Armed Services

The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing on China and Russia.

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``Exploring the cryptocurrency and blockchain ecosystem.''

Committee on Environment and Public Works

The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

Committee on Foreign Relations

The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at 10:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: John Mark Pommersheim, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Tajikistan, William H. Moser, of North Carolina, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Donald Armin Blome, of Illinois, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia, all of the Department of State.

Committee on the Judiciary

The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at 10 a.m., to conduct a business meeting and hearing on the following nominations: Jonathan A. Kobes, of South Dakota, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit, Kenneth D. Bell, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina, Stephanie A. Gallagher, to be United States District Judge for the District of Maryland, Mary S. McElroy, to be United States District Judge for the District of Rhode Island, Carl J. Nichols, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia, John M. O'Connor, to be United States District Judge for the Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Oklahoma, and Martha Maria Pacold, Mary M. Rowland, and Steven C. Seeger, each to be a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 11, 2018, during the first vote, to conduct a hearing.

Select Committee on Intelligence

The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at 2 p.m., to conduct a closed hearing.

Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard

The Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that all postcloture time on Executive Calendar No. 938 be considered expired at 2:15 p.m., Tuesday, September 25; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to legislative session for a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 508, H.R. 2259.

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

I know of no further debate on the bill.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 643, submitted earlier today.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the take with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 644, submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 645, submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m., Tuesday, September 25; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; further, that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Feldman nomination under the previous order; finally, that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.