Floor Statements

Madam President, yesterday the Senate took another step toward delivering an important package of legislation. We passed my amendment to Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act and voted to advance the bill, both by very wide bipartisan margins. S. 1 represents the broad consensus of this body about our Nation's responsibilities as an ally and a partner. It reaffirms our promise to uphold Israel's security, to help Jordan face complex security challenges, and to hold Bashar al-Assad's murderous henchmen accountable.

I look forward to the Senate voting on final passage soon and sending this bipartisan legislation over to the House.

After we complete that work, the Senate will return to the Natural Resources Management Act, a high-priority bill containing more than 100 proposals concerning economic development, public lands, water resources, and conservation.

Madam President, on another matter, tonight Congress will host President Trump for his second State of the Union Address. I am looking forward to attending and hearing the President reflect on the great strides our Nation has made over the past 2 years and his vision for the challenges that are still before us.

From historic tax reform and regulatory reform, to huge progress in the fight against ISIS, to landmark progress in the nationwide fight against opioid addiction, the story over the last 2 years has been one of immense policy progress for our country.

The American people are less interested in beltway melodrama and more interested in the classic question: Am I better off than I was 2 years ago? On this front, thanks to a few key Republican victories and a number of major bipartisan accomplishments, the state of the Union is strong and growing stronger.

It has now been more than 2 years since the American people hired President Trump and a Republican Congress to get Washington's foot off the brake of our economy. Since then, we got to work rebuilding the middle-class prosperity that had hollowed out communities across America under the Obama economy.

After 8 years of watching leftwing policies disproportionately benefit coastal cities and our Nation's largest metro areas while mostly leaving small cities, small towns, suburbs, and rural America behind, the American people wanted a change.

That is exactly what the last 2 years' policies have delivered. Historic tax reform delivered higher take-home pay and helped breathe life into the engine of American job creation and innovation. Landmark regulatory reform cut burdensome compliance costs for small businesses, reigned in Federal overreach on education policy, and defended Americans' rights of conscience.

So what are these policies doing for the American people? I think the answer is pretty clear. All those Americans who had been struggling to find work? Well, today a higher percentage of Americans are working than were ever working at any point under President Obama. For the first time in modern recorded history, we have reached and stayed at a level where there are more job openings nationwide than Americans looking for jobs.

Listen to these headlines: ``Employers' Hiring Push Brings Workers Off the Bench.'' ``Disability Applications Plunge as the Economy Strengthens.''

Listen to this, from one news article:

The tighter labor market is delivering opportunities to a

broad swath of workers who were disproportionately affected

by the last recession. Unemployment has fallen sharply for

blacks, Latinos, younger workers and those without a college

education . . . [and] the deeper jobs pool has been

particularly crucial for improving the economic outlook for

disabled Americans.

These and many more Americans have been able to find work, but what about Americans who already had jobs but felt like their families were treading water and needed to get ahead?

Last year, the amount of money employers spent compensating American workers--those already working--grew

at its fastest pace in more than 10 years. Thanks to tax reform, when many working families and small businesses file under the new Tax Code, they will see less of their money has been sent off to the IRS.

So there are more jobs to choose from, more wage growth, and higher take-home pay following tax cuts, but it is also worth looking at where this new prosperity is going.

The last administration's leftwing policies disproportionately benefited the Nation's largest metropolitan areas. It turns out, policies dreamt up in places like New York and San Francisco worked pretty well in places like New York and San Francisco, but the rest of the country decided we could do better.

Today businesses on Main Street and family farms are dusting off their ``Help Wanted'' signs. Smaller cities and States like Indiana, Nebraska, and Ohio have so many job openings that some of these communities are offering sizeable cash bonuses to move there. Smaller communities and rural America recently outpaced the rest of the country in relative job creation. So it is an all-American comeback, and the kinds of places liberal policies left behind are now at the front of the pack.

I have focused this morning on our robust economy. It is helping American families lift themselves higher, but it is just one part of the success story the President will be able to tell tonight.

The last 2 years have seen the White House and the Congress work together to identify pressing national challenges and to develop big bipartisan compromise solutions to attack them head-on. Working together, both parties collaborated on more than a dozen targeted measures to improve access to quality care for our Nation's veterans and passed landmark legislation to help local communities heal the wounds created by opioid addiction.

I am delighted to have one of these local champions as my guest tonight. Lisa Minton is leading on the frontlines of Kentucky's battle against opioid abuse. She runs the Chrysalis House, a treatment facility for pregnant and new mothers fighting addiction in Lexington.

In 2017, I worked with Lisa to secure a $2.6 million grant to expand their services for low-income women and their children. I am glad she will be in the House Chamber this evening, and I am proud to highlight her amazing work this morning.

Working together, a bipartisan majority ended the harmful spending caps that hampered military readiness and made major progress restoring regular order appropriations on behalf of the American taxpayer. A bipartisan majority delivered commonsense relief for local lenders on Main Street from the burden of regulations designed for Wall Street.

These are just a few examples, and it is a good thing we know we can tap into that bipartisan spirit because the American people did not hire us to spend the next 2 years in total gridlock. That is not what they did. When the American people elect divided government, they are saying: We know you disagree on a lot of things, but look to the things you agree on and do those.

If the past few weeks have shown anything, it is that we need to work together across the aisle in order to do our work, and make no mistake, there are significant challenges ahead, such as addressing the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis at our southern border, lowering the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs, and taking further steps to rebuild America's infrastructure.

Tonight I expect the President will offer a serious vision to deal with challenges like these. I look forward to hearing from him and then, throughout the coming year, I look forward to the Senate working closely with him and working closely with each other across the aisle to do just that.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session for the consideration of Calendar Nos. 1 through 4 and all nominations on the Secretary's desk; that the nominations be confirmed; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; and that the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in 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 Presiding Officer of the Senate be authorized to appoint a committee on the part of the Senate to join with a like committee on the part of the House of Representatives to escort the President of the United States into the House Chamber for the joint session to be held at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5, 2019.

Mr. President, I understand that there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

Mr. President, I now ask for a second reading, and in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 439 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

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

I know of no further debate on the bill.

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

I know of no further debate on the measure.

I ask unanimous consent that 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 recess until 8:25 p.m. tonight and upon reconvening, proceed as a body to the Hall of the House of Representatives for the joint session of Congress provided under the provisions of H. Con. Res. 9; that upon dissolution of the joint session, the Senate adjourn until 10 a.m., Wednesday, February 6; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; finally, that following leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 47, with all time during the recess, adjournment, morning business, and leader remarks counting postcloture on the motion to proceed to S. 47.

Mr. President, I understand there is a bill at the desk due for a second reading.

In order to place the bill on the calendar under provisions of rule XIV, I object to further proceeding.

Mr. President, for the past week now, the Senate has been considering a package of legislation to strengthen our Nation's diplomatic presence in the Middle East. The Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act would renew our commitment to Israel's security, expand cooperation with Jordan, and impose new consequences on the perpetrators of Assad's brutality in Syria.

When America's national security and vital interests are at stake, some circumstances require not only the use of important diplomatic tools but also direct involvement from the United States. That is why I introduced an amendment to S. 1, so the Senate can speak clearly and directly about the importance of our Nation's ongoing missions in Afghanistan and Syria.

I know a broad consensus about American leadership in the world exists in this body. It is time to reaffirm our commitment to this vision and to the men and women fighting on the ground to uphold it. I was glad to see a big bipartisan majority of this body vote to advance my amendment on Thursday. I hope a similar majority joins me in voting to approve this mainstream amendment today, and I look forward to passing this thoroughly bipartisan legislation later this week.

Mr. President, once we complete our work on S. 1, the Senate will turn to the Natural Resources Management Act, under the leadership of Chairman Murkowski and the Natural Resources Committee.

This legislation combines more than 100 individual lands bills. It will allow communities across America to responsibly develop their land and natural resources while maintaining a balance with locally supported conservation.

On a national scale, this legislation will achieve things such as permanently reauthorizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund and codifying sportsmen's recreational access to Bureau of Land Management and National Forest areas nationwide. On a local scale, communities across America are looking forward to specific provisions.

I am particularly proud that the legislation will include two bills I introduced to safeguard historic Kentucky landmarks and designate Camp Nelson and Mill Springs Battlefield as national monuments. I know virtually every one of our colleagues is enthusiastic about local achievements it will deliver in their States as well.

This bipartisan legislation is a major priority dating back to the last Congress, when nearly 90 Senators cosponsored its components, and I am glad we will be able to turn to it soon.

First, Mr. President, later today, the junior Senator from Nebraska will give the Senate an opportunity to address an issue of profound moral importance. I understand that he plans to ask consent to pass legislation that ought to be the very definition of something that receives unanimous consent in this body. It would help ensure that all baby girls and boys who are born alive--all of

them--have their right to life respected and receive the medical care they need.

It builds on the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002, which did indeed pass this body by unanimous consent, and creates enforcement mechanisms if abortion providers fail to give these newborn babies the medical attention and care they so obviously deserve.

Completely apart from the rest of our debate on the issue of life, how could this question be any clearer? What could be more unanimous than this: What medical professionals owe every single newborn American citizen, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, is attention and care--not neglect and certainly not violence. Frankly, it is harrowing that this legislation is even necessary.

What is even more disturbing when, last week, a Democratic Governor was unable to clearly and simply state that, of course--of course-- these newborn babies have human rights that must be respected.

I have been a proud cosponsor of Senator Sasse's legislation, and I hope none of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle invent any reasons to block this request later today. That would make quite a disturbing statement.

If they do inexplicably block Senator Sasse's effort, I can assure them this will not be the last time we try to afford newborns this fundamental legal protection.

Mr. President, one final matter--last week, our Nation received yet another wave of good news about our strong economy and all the opportunities it is creating for working Americans.

Republicans' pro-growth, pro-family economic policies have helped our Nation's job creators and small businesses hit the accelerator, and middle-class families across the country continue to reap the rewards.

The Labor Department tracks the total amount that U.S. employers spend each year on wages and benefits for workers. Last quarter, the year-on-year increase was the highest it has been in more than 10 years. Last month, the total percentage of Americans who are employed hit its highest mark since December 2008.

Let me say that again. Following Republican policies, we are now seeing the largest annual jump in a decade in the amount spent on workers' compensation and a higher percentage of Americans working than we saw at any point--at any point--under President Obama.

An expert described these data to the New York Times: ``Employers are still actively looking for jobs, and with wages ticking up, it looks like workers are getting some more bargaining power.''

Another expert put it this way: ``The virtuous cycle continues . . . a virtuous cycle of a continuously growing U.S. labor market.''

So I am confident we will hear more about this from the President in his address Tuesday evening. The state of our Nation's economy is thriving and working Americans are feeling the boost. This is what happens when Republican policies get Washington out of the way.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Madam President, earlier this week, Senate Democrats stopped filibustering the important legislation before us. They finally joined Republicans and voted to advance these measures to renew our commitment to Israel, deepen our cooperation with Jordan, and deliver justice for the victims of Assad's brutality in Syria.

But it appears some of my Democratic colleagues are not finished with their obstruction just yet.

On Tuesday, I offered a straightforward amendment to allow for a straightforward debate about the Senate's continued commitment to ongoing missions in Syria and Afghanistan. It is not a partisan amendment. It is not complicated. There is no poison pill--just an opportunity for Senators to go on the record about what our country should be doing in Syria and Afghanistan.

I have been clear about my own views on these subjects. I believe the threats remain. ISIS and al-Qaida have yet to be defeated, and American national security interests require continued commitment to our missions there.

But I guess some Senate Democrats don't want to vote on these important subjects. Perhaps it could have put some of my colleagues with aims beyond the Senate at odds with parts of the far left. Whatever the reason, our colleagues tried to avoid taking a position and tried to block my amendment from getting a vote.

Make no mistake. Today, the Senate will vote on this amendment. Members will go on the record for our allies and our partners in the Middle East.

When Senator Rubio introduced S. 1, which is just a collection of bipartisan bills, I hoped for an open amendment process so that the Senate could debate important matters of national security. I am disappointed that our friends on the other side of the aisle have chosen to make that impossible.

Another issue I had hoped we could address is America's ironclad commitment to the transatlantic alliance. NATO has a proud history of delivering greater security to America and our allies and greater peace to the world. We stood shoulder to shoulder with our NATO allies throughout the Cold War; they stood with us following 9/11. NATO's mission in Afghanistan today is an essential element of bringing peace and stability to that troubled country.

NATO will continue to be critical to transatlantic security, but it must adapt to new challenges. The United States has made significant new investments in our security posture in Europe, most notably through troop deployments all along the eastern flank and through the European Deterrence Initiative, which has bipartisan support here in Congress.

Former Secretary Mattis was also instrumental in pushing NATO to reform, especially in the areas of capabilities modernization, readiness, and military mobility. These reforms are essential to ensuring NATO readiness.

President Trump has also reaffirmed our Nation's commitment to NATO. As recently as just a few days ago, he said the United States will ``be with NATO 100 percent.''

The President is right to call upon our allies to contribute their fair share toward our collective defense. As NATO's Secretary General recently explained, President Trump has ``clearly stated that NATO allies need to invest more. . . . we agreed to do more . . . and now we see the results. . . . by the end of next year, NATO allies will add . . . 100 billion extra U.S. dollars [for] defense.''

Here is how the Secretary General summed it up: ``So we see some real money, and some real results, and we see that the clear message from President Trump is having an impact.''

We need to build on this momentum and continue strengthening NATO, dispelling all doubt--all doubt--about America's commitment to this alliance, which has reshaped history for the better.

NATO deserves the Senate's support. I believe it has the Senate's support, and at some point I hope this institution is able to debate that matter