Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the following nomination: Executive Calendar No. 828; that the nomination be confirmed; that 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 resume 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 when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m., Thursday, May 10; 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. Finally, I ask that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Brennan nomination under the previous order.

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.

Following the confirmation of Judge Engelhardt, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Michael Brennan of Wisconsin to serve as a U.S. circuit judge for the Seventh Circuit. Mr. Brennan's nomination comes as only the latest distinction in a career marked by truly impressive legal accomplishments. In both public service and private practice, this graduate of Notre Dame and Northwestern University School of Law has developed a reputation for a keen legal mind and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law.

According to current and former peers on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Mr. Brennan has ``the mind, heart and soul of a great jurist'' and a ``keen understanding of the legal issues in sophisticated and complex litigation.''

Like Judge Engelhardt, Mr. Brennan has my full support, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in voting to confirm another fine nominee this week.

Mr. President, an important tribute took place in the Capitol this morning--the fifth annual memorial service for the four U.S. Capitol police officers who have died in the line of duty. Sergeant Christopher Eney, Officer Jacob Chestnut, Detective John Gibson, and Sergeant Clinton Holtz were remembered with a wreath-laying in the Capitol Visitor Center.

This year's ceremony marked the 20th anniversary of the 1998 Capitol shooting, when both Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson were killed. Next week is National Police Week, and I will have more to say about the heroism of the professionals who put themselves in harm's way every day to keep others safe. Today the Senate honors the memories of these four fallen heroes.

Mr. President, on another matter, yesterday, the Senate advanced the nomination of the first of this week's judicial nominees, Judge Kurt Engelhardt. Those who join him on this latest slate for consideration are each well qualified. Each has received thorough examination from the Judiciary Committee, and each stands ready to serve on the Federal bench.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that PN1884, the nomination of John Lowry III, of Illinois, to be Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training, sent to the Senate by the President, be referred jointly to the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and Veterans' Affairs Committees.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the provisions of rule XXII, the postcloture time on the Engelhardt nomination expire at 12 noon tomorrow, May 9, and the Senate vote on confirmation of the Engelhardt nomination with no intervening action or debate; further, 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 resume legislative session for a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I understand there is a bill at the desk that is 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 when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9; 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. Finally, I ask that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Engelhardt nomination under the previous order.

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, following the remarks of Senator Brown.

Mr. President, I wish to pay respects to a member of the Senate family who tragically passed away last week. Michael Beaver was a talented attorney who served as the Senate's Assistant Parliamentarian. That followed service as deputy legislative counsel for the State of California.

Michael was just 39 years old. He leaves behind his wife, Gilda, his two beloved sons, Bradley and Connor, his parents, and an extended family that mourns his loss. They are joined by Michael's colleagues here on the Senate staff, in the Secretary's office, and with the floor staff on both sides of the aisle and throughout our whole institution. The Senate's prayers are with all of Michael's family and friends at this immensely difficult hour.

Mr. President, on a totally different matter, this week the Senate will consider another slate of extremely well-qualified nominees for seats on the Federal bench. A thoughtful, independent, and expert judiciary is a cornerstone of our constitutional order. It has been the case since the very beginning of our country.

Accordingly, the six circuit court nominees we will now consider have excellent reputations in the legal field and have demonstrated they understand the proper role of Federal judges in our government.

First up is Kurt Engelhardt, of Louisiana, the President's choice to serve on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Senate previously confirmed Judge Engelhardt by voice vote to the Federal trial bench in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Since then, he has only strengthened his reputation for fairness and thoughtfulness.

In the latest edition of the Almanac of the Federal Judiciary, his legal peers describe him as ``very conscientious'' and ``fair and independent minded.'' The American Bar Association agrees. It awarded Judge Engelhardt its highest possible rating of ``unanimously well qualified.'' I urge every one of our colleagues to join me in voting to advance Judge Engelhardt's nomination later this afternoon.

Mr. President, on one final matter, in storefront windows across America, new signs are going up--signs that many communities haven't seen literally in years. Here is what the signs say: ``Now Hiring.'' Just 16 months into the Trump administration and this Republican Congress, the percentage of American workers who are unemployed, underemployed, or have given up finding a job is already smaller than it ever was in any of the Obama years. In fact, it hasn't been this low since 2001. Let me say that again. Less unemployment, underemployment, and discouragement today than at any point in the last 17 years. Or we can look at how many Americans are receiving unemployment benefits. The answer is this: fewer today than at any time since--listen to this--1973.

We all know that these economic indicators can be noisy, but the big overall shift from the Obama era is impossible to deny. Republican policies have taken Washington's foot off the brake of the U.S. economy. We have rolled back a host of job-killing regulations. We have passed historic tax reform for middle-class families and job creators. These Republican policies have helped to unleash a dynamic, growing economy that is producing many more new jobs. It is putting the stagnation of the last decade literally to shame. That means sidelined workers get the chance to check back into the game. It means renewal is coming to so many small towns, small cities, and rural areas that had to sit and watch as Democratic policies funneled nearly all of the new wealth and new jobs into our Nation's biggest and bluest urban areas. It means higher wages, as local businesses are forced to compete again for the best workers.

I recently read about a man named Chandler Steffy. He owns a roofing company in Iowa. Three years ago, in the Obama economy, his laborers earned less than $15 an hour. Today is a different story. The unemployment rate in Iowa is under 3 percent, and Mr. Steffy pays $25 per hour to attract the best talent. American small businesses are doing well and outbidding each other for American workers. It feels good; doesn't it?

After 10 years of Democratic policies, this had practically become a foreign concept. Not anymore--it is a new day. There is more business for job creators, which means good jobs that need filling, which leads to higher pay for workers. This is happening all over our country.

Rich Obermark owns a small contracting business in Paducah, KY. They retrofit electrical systems, A/V equipment, and gas piping. He wrote me to explain: ``For our small company, the tax cuts will mean [we'll] be able to afford more trucks and tools.'' Tax reform, he said, ``will allow us to invest back into our company, which will in turn allow us to hire more people.''

There is more business, more investment, more job openings, and higher pay for workers as a consequence. After 8 years of Democratic policies, this sure is a sight for sore eyes, and this is only the beginning. These are only the early returns from Republicans' pro- opportunity, pro-worker agenda.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.