Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be discharged from further consideration of S. 2553 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I further ask unanimous consent that the Stabenow amendment, which is at the desk, be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; that the amendment to the title, which is at the desk, 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 when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 12 noon, Wednesday, September 5; 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 for the consideration of the Roisman nomination and that notwithstanding rule XXII, the Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination.

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

Madam President, it was quite something to listen yesterday to Members' heartfelt tributes to the memory of our friend Senator McCain. He meant so much to so many of us, both inside this Chamber and out.

As I noted yesterday, the Senate is eager to work on concrete ways to continue this momentum and provide a lasting tribute to this American hero long after this week's observances are complete. Following Senator Kennedy's death in 2009, for example, we named the Kennedy Caucus Room to honor his and his brothers' public service. Some have suggested we take a similar step so that the Armed Services Committee, on which our friend played such a critical role, would meet in a committee room named for Senator McCain.

Back in 2000, the Senate approved recommendations to add two additional portraits to the Capitol Senate Reception Room right off the Senate floor. Only seven Senators in the entire history of this institution are honored with portraits there.

I actually had the opportunity to serve in the bipartisan group that successfully recommended that Senators Arthur Vandenberg and Robert Wagner should appear there alongside Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, John Calhoun, Robert La Follette, Sr., and Robert Taft, who were selected by a special committee back in 1957. That committee, interestingly enough, was appointed by Lyndon Johnson and chaired by John F. Kennedy. I have also heard in recent days that perhaps Senator McCain's portrait should join that distinguished group. So it is a further tribute to our colleague that there is no shortage of good ideas.

In order to make sure we realize these intentions, I would like to put together an official group who can collaborate and bring together ideas from current Members, former colleagues, and friends. It will be bipartisan, as only befits John's legacy. Come to think of it, we should probably call it not a committee but a gang. So I am glad we are able to form this gang to ensure that a suitable, lasting tribute becomes a reality. I will have more details regarding this group to share in the coming days after our friend is laid to rest.

Madam President, August is usually a time for Senators to spend more time in our home States, meeting with our constituents and reporting on the progress we have made here in Washington, but this August had to be different. There was too much business left unfinished. So I made the decision to keep the Senate in session this month to continue working on behalf of the American people. I am proud to report that is just what we have done.

The Senate has now passed regular appropriations measures that account for 87 percent of next fiscal year's discretionary spending, we finalized our work on the National Defense Authorization Act named for Senator McCain, and in August alone, we have confirmed eight more of the President's well-qualified nominees for the Federal courts. But, as I have stated, the continuing, historic obstruction from Democrats on the President's nominees continues to make our progress on that front insufficient, so we will stay at it.

Currently before us are nominees to be Assistant Secretary to the Department of Health and Human Services, a Vice Chairman for the Federal Reserve, important posts at the Departments of Justice and Treasury, and a slate of impressive nominees for the Federal judiciary. I hope we can continue to make progress. It remains my intention to confirm all 17 of the nominees currently before us before the Senate concludes our business this week.

Madam President, now on one final matter, lately there has been no shortage of outstanding economic headlines:

``Small business confidence hits another record high.''

``U.S. workers get biggest pay increase in nearly a decade.''

``Open jobs outnumber U.S. unemployed for third straight month.''

But it is also important to look beyond the headlines and ask whether all Americans are benefiting from this new prosperity.

For years, under the last administration, much of the so-called recovery only touched some communities and some industries. Many vulnerable Americans fell further and further behind. Today, things are different. A growing and vibrant economy has room for everyone. The unemployment rate for young Americans age 16 to 24 is now the lowest it has been since July 1966. Labor force participation among this same group is at its highest level in nearly a decade. The unemployment rate for workers with less than a high school diploma is now at its lowest level in recorded history.

As work opportunities have opened back up, the number of Americans seeking Social Security disability benefits has plummeted. As one scholar told the New York Times, ``When the economy gets better, employers are more willing to look to other labor pools and be more accommodating. . . . People with disabilities also have a sense there may be something out there that fits their needs.''

Remember, for much of the Obama economy, opportunity creation was so insufficient that many vulnerable Americans were effectively put right on the sidelines. The job market was too crowded. Openings were too few. But this thriving economy, helped along by Republican policies, is a different story. There are more and more opportunities for everyone.

This reminds us that it is capitalism and free enterprise, not new government programs, that best equip Americans to provide for their families and pursue happiness. Free enterprise is what has led an aviation tech maker in Colorado to lean on a high school-age technician, whose skills are ``highly integral'' to the company. Free enterprise is what has led a semitrailer manufacturer in Wisconsin to hire inmates, as they reenter the community after paying their debt, and help them rebuild upright lives. There is an old line often attributed to Ronald Reagan: ``The best social program is a job.''

While our Democratic friends keep railing against tax reform and regulatory reform, keep insisting we should compile more money and power here in Washington, Republicans know better. We know that a real recovery is when Americans of all ages, all abilities, and in all parts of the country have more opportunities to earn their own success, and we are proud that our policies are helping make that happen.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the provisions of rule XXII, the pending cloture motions on Executive Calendar Nos. 911, 783, and 720 be withdrawn, and that at 3:45 p.m. today, the Senate vote on the following nominations in the order listed with no intervening action or debate: Executive Calendar Nos. 910, 911, 783, and 720; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

I further ask unanimous consent that the pending cloture motions on Executive Calendar Nos. 633, 635, 636, 674, 676, 692, 693, 731, 779, 782, 838, and 893 be withdrawn; and that following disposition of the Patelunas nomination, the Senate vote on the following nominations in the order listed with no intervening action or debate: Executive Calendar Nos. 633, 635, 636, 674, 676, 692, and 837; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

I further ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the majority leader, in consultation with the Democratic leader, during the week of September 4, the Senate vote on the following nominations in the order listed: Executive Calendar Nos. 693, 731, 778, 779, 782, 838, 839, and 893; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 1061.

Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum call for the cloture motion be waived.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from the following treaty transmitted to the Senate on August 28, 2018, by the President of the United States: amendments to the Treaty on Fisheries between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America, Treaty Document No. 115-3. I further ask that the treaty be considered as having been read the first time; that it be referred, with accompanying papers, to the Committee on Foreign Relations and ordered to be printed; and that the President's message be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the following nomination: Executive Calendar No. 1060.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nomination with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nomination be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations: Executive Calendar Nos. 916, 917, 918, 919, 948, 949, 950, 1004, and 1005.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations: Executive Calendar Nos. 1066, 1067, and 1068.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations: Executive Calendar Nos. 995 and 996.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the following nomination: Executive Calendar No. 1015.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nomination with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nomination be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations: Executive Calendar Nos. 832 and 834.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record.