Floor Statements

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

Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute to a true legend in South Louisville, KY: Pleasure

Ridge Park High School Baseball coach Bill Miller. The winningest coach in the history of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, KHSAA, Bill unfortunately passed away after a yearslong struggle with cancer at 68.

Pleasure Ridge Park High School, or PRP as we all call it, was Bill's home away from home. He spent 50 years of his life there as a student, an assistant coach, and, ultimately, for nearly four decades, as head baseball coach. Working with the students, Bill influenced countless lives and helped prepare young people for adulthood. The school's athletic director Nick Waddell said, ``He was like a father to so many people.''

Bill attended the University of Alabama after graduating from PRP, playing baseball and one season of football. Leaving Tuscaloosa, Bill returned to his hometown and to his high school as an assistant coach. Then, in 1980, Bill was named PRP's second head baseball coach.

For the next 38 seasons, Bill's team dominated baseball in Kentucky winning a record 1,144 games, including six State championships. Baseball was Bill's passion, but it was more than just a game. On the diamond, Bill saw it as his responsibility to help make boys into men. He taught them the values of hard work, of competition, and how to leave it all on the field.

Two and half years ago, when Bill was diagnosed, he refused to let his disease stop him. He kept coaching and mentoring, even winning his sixth State championship last year. When he couldn't coach, Bill would be there on the sidelines, supporting his team.

Last month, Bill was inducted into the KHSAA Hall of Fame. Although he wasn't able to attend the ceremony, he recorded a message to his players, his fans, and his friends. Dozens of current and former players, many of whom consider Bill to be a role model throughout their lives, attended the ceremony to honor their coach.

When he passed away on April 23, Bill was surrounded by his loving family and friends. In addition to all of his players, Bill is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Vickie, and their children, Matt and Megan. Following in Bill's footsteps, Megan is in her 15th season as the head softball coach at PRP. Coach Bill Miller's legacy will continue to be felt by this community, and I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in remembering this remarkable Louisvillian.

(At the request of Mr. Schumer, the following statement was ordered to be printed in the Record.)

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 the provisions of rule XIV, I object to further proceedings.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 517, submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, 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 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, May 22; 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. I further ask that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Baiocco nomination under the previous order. Finally, I ask that

the Senate recess following the cloture vote with respect to the House message to accompany S. 2372 until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly conference meetings.

Mr. 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, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 847, Gina Haspel.

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 move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. President, yesterday, the Intelligence Committee took an important step toward confirming Gina Haspel to become the next Director of the CIA. A bipartisan majority voted to report her nomination favorably to the Senate. I look forward to promptly moving to a confirmation vote.

The committee's confidence is indicative of the strength of Ms. Haspel's testimony and her 30-plus-year record of CIA service. Throughout the process, she demonstrated candor, integrity, and a forthright approach to the committee's questions. She displayed the talent and expertise that make her uniquely qualified to face America's biggest national security challenges, whether in the area of counterterrorism or renewed international competition among great powers.

Out of the spotlight, whether at Langley or deployed abroad, Ms. Haspel has quietly earned the respect and admiration of those who matter most--the men and women of the CIA and distinguished current and former intelligence community leaders.

The safety and security of the American people depend on capable intelligence leadership. Gina Haspel is the

right woman at the right time. Senators on both sides of the aisle agree. So I urge each of my colleagues to rise to the occasion and swiftly confirm our next CIA Director.

Mr. President, on another matter, with Republican policies shaking the regulatory rust off of the U.S. economy, American job creators, entrepreneurs, and working families have been thinking big again.

For 8 years, Democrats pushed a one-size-fits-all agenda that heaped outsized benefits on the largest cities and left the rest of the country struggling to catch up. Now Main Street businesses across America feel the wind is at their backs. So they are expanding their operations, buying more equipment, and hiring new workers.

For too long, taxpayers grappled with an outdated Federal Tax Code that seemed to keep more of their hard-earned income every year. Now, thanks to Republican tax reform, working families are seeing paychecks grow, special bonuses hit their bank accounts, and will send thousands of dollars less to the IRS next year.

Now that Congress and the President have put a stop to the last administration's rampant, top-down Federal rulemaking, U.S. manufacturing is churning back to life as well. The new economic climate that is taking hold across the country has producers feeling more confident about planting deeper roots right here in the United States--new capital investment, new factories, new American jobs.

Novelis, a leading producer of rolled and recycled aluminum, broke ground just this week on a new factory in Guthrie, KY. The company is choosing the Commonwealth in which to build the 400,000-square-foot facility and create at least 125 new jobs, and they are not keeping any secrets about what is helping them make this investment. Here is a quote: ``A favorable economic environment,'' including ``the significant positive impact of tax reform in the U.S., reinforces Novelis' decision to expand at this time.''

This is not just a Kentucky phenomenon. According to new survey data from the National Association of Manufacturers, more than 93 percent of U.S. manufacturing firms have a positive outlook. Already, 77 percent of manufacturers are reporting hiring new workers, and 86 percent say they are investing in plants and equipment.

Many American communities revolve around these manufacturing facilities. Sadly, during the Obama years, they were among the most likely to be left behind by the so-called ``recovery,'' but now that is changing. Today, manufacturing wages are growing at their fastest pace in 17 years. These are just a few signs of our Nation's economic comeback under Republicans' pro-growth, pro-opportunity agenda.

Remember, not one of our Democratic colleagues voted with us to set this train in motion--not one. They voted against cutting redtape for American manufacturers. They voted against the tax reforms that are growing paychecks and helping to create new jobs. They voted against the newly lowered utility rates that benefit both families and employers.

My Democratic colleagues like to talk about supporting the middle class. These days, it is looking more and more like that is all it is-- just talk. Yet, while they occupy themselves with partisan politics, Republicans will keep on clearing the tracks and letting the American economy roll on ahead.

Mr. President, now, speaking of tax reform, I have to bid farewell to an outstanding member of my staff.

Brendan Dunn has been a key member of my leadership office team for the last 6 years. He has made an outsized impact as a trusted counselor and friend.

I, actually, stole Brendan from the Finance Committee in 2012. I am not sure if Chairman Hatch ever quite forgave me for it. If you have ever had the pleasure of witnessing Brendan in action, you will understand why he is a sought-after commodity, whether you need deep expertise on tax policy or the perfect movie quote for any occasion.

Brendan has been my trusted adviser on issues including tax policy, banking, trade, and pensions. So I am just glad that his last few months in the office could be a calm and laid-back period. All he had to do was play a leading role in crafting generational tax reform and help steer it across the finish line. Oh, then came Dodd-Frank reform, for good measure.

This Maryland native holds degrees from Holy Cross, Fordham, Georgetown, and Notre Dame, but you would not know that this unassuming leader and reliable source of comic relief holds a J.D. and a Ph.D. in political philosophy unless you needed to. That is the kind of guy Brendan is.

His many contributions to my team have benefited this body, the people of Kentucky, and the Nation. I know everyone who has gotten to work closely with him is sad to see him depart the Senate. I certainly am. Yet I have a hunch that his lovely wife, Lee, and his children-- Patrick, Audrey, and Mary--will not mind seeing a little bit more of him.

So I offer Brendan my sincere thanks for a job very well done and wish him Godspeed for what lies ahead.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 608.

I send a cloture motion to the desk.