Floor Statements

Madam President, last week I spoke about the people's uprising in Hong Kong. Over the past several days, millions of residents have taken to the streets to defend their autonomy and the rule of law from continued encroachment of the communist government of mainland China.

After days of tension, this past weekend brought some good news. In a sign that the people's demonstrations had sent a clear message, Hong Kong officials now said that the government will suspend consideration of the proposed ``extradition'' bill indefinitely.

The fate of Hong Kong and its special status is a subject I have watched carefully for decades. Early on in my Senate tenure, I introduced the legislation that still governs our relationship with Hong Kong, the U.S.-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, which President Bush 41 signed into law. On the day I introduced that legislation, I said it was heartening to see that ``democracy is finally gaining a tenuous foot hold in Hong Kong.''

Well, the nearly 30 years since then have shown us all just what the people of Hong Kong can do when the terms of their independence and freedom are respected. We have seen Hong Kong thrive, in large measure due to the political and economic freedoms and stable rule of law that Hong Kong's special status has enabled, but we have also seen clearly in recent days that freedom's foothold in the shadow of mainland China is not a given. It remains tenuous even now.

I wanted to again express my admiration for the people of Hong Kong and their strong but peaceful response to this proposed encroachment. I am glad to see their leaders respect their willingness to stand their ground, and I hope the city's authorities will continue to respect the clear will of the people on these issues moving forward.

Madam President, on a related subject, all of these events I have discussed, from Iran's misbehavior to China's aggressiveness, underscore one thing very clearly: The United States needs to remain engaged, prepared, and powerful.

We need to leave zero doubt among our friends and allies, our most violent foes, and everybody in between that while the United States does not seek conflict, we must be prepared to decisively defeat our adversaries if conflict is forced upon us. That is called deterrence.

The growing global unrest should be a lesson to us as the Senate gets ready to turn to the National Defense Authorization Act later this week. I know my colleagues on both sides share my hope that this year's NDAA can build on the successes of the past 2 years.

Our first obligation to the American people is to ensure for their defense. It is essential that we continue rebuilding our military by authorizing sufficient support to modernize and sustain the advantages that America's all-voluntary Armed Forces have over our adversaries.

Working with the Trump administration in recent years, we have been able to end a chapter of harmful spending cuts that have left military leaders less able to address emerging challenges. As a result, last year's legislation--named for our dear colleague, the late John McCain--authorized the largest year-on-year increase in defense spending in 15 years.

The bill introduced last week is a step further toward implementing our important new national defense strategy, toward renewing the readiness and lethality of our forces, and toward making sure that we never ask brave American men and women to step into harm's way without all possible tools and training to help them succeed. This crucial legislation has a chance to be a major bipartisan success story of this Congress. It is already off to an encouraging start, having been voted out of the Armed Services Committee by an overwhelming bipartisan margin.

And it is easy to see why. As great-power competitors like Russia and China continue to challenge U.S. interests, this NDAA will help to maintain and expand our alliances and partnerships, along with our ability to stand firm.

The bill puts readiness front and center. In recent decades, our most formidable competitors have taken every opportunity to deploy new technological threats. Keeping American and allied servicemembers out of harm's way means keeping up with these developments and outpacing them.

The bill takes steps to expand oversight and increase efficiency at the Pentagon. It honors the tremendous sacrifices made by servicemembers and their families by securing the largest pay raise in a decade, along with several other important reforms.

Madam President, on one final matter. I want to celebrate another legislative accomplishment the Senate notched last week.

On Thursday, the Senate passed the Taxpayer First Act and sent it to President Trump's desk to become law. This legislation is the most thorough package of reforms to the Internal Revenue Service in 20 years.

Let me say that again. The Senate just passed the most significant reforms to the IRS in two decades. It will create a new, independent process for appeals to ensure taxpayers receive fair treatment. During dispute resolutions, taxpayers will now get access to the same information the IRS has.

There will be more accountability within the IRS when it comes to cyber security, careful management of technology, and overall efficiency. There will be a new streamlined system for addressing identity theft. There will be better procedures for advance notification in the event of an audit or an asset seizure, and there will be new steps to make it easier to file your taxes and supporting documents online.

So this is a significant accomplishment. These reforms will make one of the least appealing annual tasks for hard-working Americans a little bit less painful.

A year and a half ago, the Republican Members of this body joined with House Republicans and President Trump to deliver historic tax cuts and tax reform to the American people. Middle-class families, parents, small business owners, farmers, and job creators across the Nation are keeping more of what they earn and sending less to the IRS.

Now, thanks to this latest achievement, the IRS will be just a little bit easier to deal with as well.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

I ask unanimous consent the Senate stand in recess following the remarks of myself, Senator Collins, and Senator King.

Mr. President, I want to take a moment to recognize a remarkable event that this institution was fortunate enough to witness just a few minutes ago. During the vote we just concluded, our distinguished colleague, the senior Senator from Maine, cast her 7,000th rollcall vote. It is a great milestone for Senator Collins which bears witness to her dedication to this work and most especially to the people of Maine. It is actually even more impressive than that. This wasn't just Senator Collins' 7,000th vote; it was her 7,000th consecutive vote. From the moment she was sworn in, she has not missed a single vote. Difficulties with travel or bad weather? She plans around them. Personal challenges? She adapts and overcomes. Other priorities, like political events or speaking engagements? All that takes a back seat to her day job. No sick days. No getting caught in meetings. No losing track of time in committee. No excuses. Just days and months and years of peerless preparation and remarkable dedication to her Senate duties and to the Members she is so proud to represent. Senator Collins learned from her parents, Donald and Patricia, who each had a turn as mayor of Caribou, ME, among other achievements.

We know our friend Senator Collins deeply admires her predecessor, Senator Margaret Chase Smith--another legendary Maine Republican. Among her achievements, she stood boldly against McCarthyism and insisted on independent thought and fair treatment. But as remarkable as Senator Margaret Chase Smith was, Senator Collins has surpassed her distinguished predecessor in at least one way: Senator Smith's own impressive string of consecutive votes ended just shy of 3,000; Senator Collins has 7,000 and counting.

She is always prepared, always thoroughly well informed, and always present. That is what today's milestone tells us, and that is exactly who Senator Collins is every single day. She is a valued colleague. She is a friend. And frankly, she is an inspiration. Thank goodness she isn't stopping any time soon.

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

For the information of all Senators, at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the following nominations in the order listed, and if confirmed, the motions to reconsider shall be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action: Executive Calendar Nos. 22, 28, 50, and 118. Under the previous order, the cloture motion on the motion to proceed to S. 1790 will ripen following disposition of Executive Calendar No. 118.

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

Madam President, all of God's children are blessed with certain gifts, and we are each called to put them to work to glorify Him. Today, it is my sincere privilege to pay tribute to my friend who has answered this call and used his considerable gifts with compassion and grace. At the end of May, Dave Stone stepped down as the senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. I would like to take a moment to honor his years of pastoral leadership and to sincerely thank him for his care and dedication to our church family.

Elaine and I have been attending Southeast for nearly two decades, drawn by the moving preaching and the warm community. Dave has been an integral part of that spiritual life for 30 years, and there are so many of us in Louisville who have been made better by his friendship and leadership. Throughout his 13 years as senior pastor, Dave was our shepherd and used his many talents to point tens of thousands to the Lord.

When Dave first joined Southeast, his devotion to Christ and His church instantly became clear. Dave came not only with an inspirational vision, but also with a deep sense of humility. To anyone who walked into this church, he made a point to welcome them like a lifelong friend. In both the easy and the difficult times, Dave shared his sense of joy in everything he did for the church. His warmth and humor made a positive and tangible impact on me and many other members.

Dave assumed the responsibility of senior pastor after the retirement of Bob Russell, who had served the church community in leadership roles for 40 years. The next year, Southeast announced the establishment of a second location, a remarkable sign of growth and a testament to Dave's leadership. Southeast has continued adding more campuses to the church, and now it reaches believers on TV, on the radio, and at seven locations. Through this development, Southeast has become the largest church in Kentucky and the seventh largest in the entire country.

Southeast's impressive growth also brought more responsibilities for Dave, his team, and his family. Whatever challenge presented itself over the years, Dave's skilled ministry helped the community thrive. Thousands of people have watched Dave preach, relied on his mentorship, and enjoyed his friendship.

Dave admitted that he hates the word ``retirement,'' but he also knew it was time to pass the baton. When he announced his departure, Dave expressed his deep gratitude to the church leadership, staff, and all the faithful. He once again showed himself the humble pastor who fulfilled his mission from God.

Now that he has officially stepped down as Southeast's senior pastor, Dave is looking for his next calling. I am confident he will continue using his many gifts to draw the faithful to the Lord. He will also get to spend more time with his wife Beth, his children, and his grandchildren. Although Elaine and I will certainly miss his Christian spirit and good humor, we wish Dave and his family all the best on their next adventure.

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 Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at 10:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Thomas Peter Feddo, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Investment Security, Ian Paul Steff, of Indiana, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, Michelle Bowman, of Kansas, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Paul Shmotolokha, of Washington, to be First Vice President of the Export- Import Bank of the United States, and Allison Herren Lee, of Colorado, to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

Committee on Finance

The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at 10:15 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 Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, 1t 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

Select Committee on Intelligence

The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a closed hearing.

Subcommittee on Security

The Subcommittee on Security of the Committee on Commerce is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

Subcommittee on the Constitution

The Subcommittee on the Constitution of the Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at a time to be determined, to conduct a hearing.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.J. Res. 60, which was received from the House.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the joint resolution be considered read a third time and passed, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 235 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Madam President, I further ask that the resolution be agreed to; the Booker amendment to the preamble at the desk be agreed to; the preamble, as amended, be agreed to; and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 19; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Kacsmaryk nomination under the previous order.

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

Mr. President, this week the Senate has been remarkably productive in confirming more of the President's well- qualified nominees. We have confirmed nine newly minted judges to fill vacancies on the Federal bench.

Today we will turn to the executive branch and confirm David Stilwell to serve as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and Edward Crawford to serve as Ambassador to Ireland.

Remember, earlier this spring, we put in place a modest reform to Senate rules so we could consider these uncontroversial, lower level nominations at a more reasonable pace. That had been the Senate's normal tradition until very recently, and so we restored it.

At the time, I recall my friends across the aisle insisting that the majority would use these more efficient procedures to push through all kinds of polarizing and controversial people. That is what they argued--if we made this modest rule change, we would be pushing through all these polarizing and controversial people.

Well, here are a few of the rollcall votes the Senate has taken on nominations this week: 91 to 5, 62 to 34, 77 to 19, 85 to 11. Yesterday afternoon, on a procedural vote for Mr. Stilwell, it was 93 to 4. A pretty controversial bunch.

So virtually all of us can remember a time when nominations of this sort would have passed the Senate on a voice vote. These days, Democrats are making us file cloture and spend floor time on each, but at least our new Senate rules are helping us get these thoroughly bipartisan nominees through at a more efficient pace.