Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to 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 have 7 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 agriculture, nutrition, and forestry

The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 9:30 a.m., in 216 Hart Senate Office Building, in order to conduct a hearing entitled ``Nutrition Programs: Perspectives for the 2018 Farm Bill.''

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 Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Examining the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.''

committee on finance

The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, September 14, 2017, at 10 a.m., in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Individual Tax Reform.''

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, in order to conduct a hearing entitled ``Stabilizing Premiums and Helping Individuals in the Individual Insurance Market for 2018: Health Care Stakeholders'' on Thursday, September 14, 2017, at 10 a.m., in room 430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

committee on the judiciary

The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on September 14, 2017, at 10 a.m., in SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct an executive business meeting.

committee on homeland security and governmental affairs

The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, September 14, 2017, at 10 a.m. in order to conduct a hearing titled ``FCC's Lifeline Program: A Case Study of Government Waste and Mismanagement.''

committee on intelligence

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the 115th Congress of the U.S. Senate on Thursday, September 14, 2017 from 9:30 a.m., in an offsite secure location to hold a closed Member briefing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 26, S. 129.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Wicker substitute amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to, and the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time.

Mr. President, I know of no further debate on the bill.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 202, S. 1393.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 203, S. 1532.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 204, S. 1536.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be considered and agreed to, the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following Senate resolutions, which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 256, S. Res. 257, S. Res. 258, and S. Res. 259.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 3 p.m., Monday, September 18; 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, that following leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of H.R. 2810, as 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.

Mr. President, the National Defense Authorization Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation to come before the Senate each and every year. It is, after all, the measure that authorizes the resources, the capabilities, and the pay and benefits that our men and women in uniform need to perform their mission. It is always worth remembering that our country fields an all-volunteer force. We owe a special obligation to all those who volunteer to fight on behalf of each and every one of us.

This year the bill, thanks to the good work of the Armed Services Committee under the leadership of Chairman McCain and Ranking Member Reed, passed out of committee with unanimous bipartisan support. It recommends a national defense level of authorization that will allow the Department of Defense to begin to rebuild our military and deliver a well-deserved pay raise to our men and women in uniform. That is especially important today. Our Nation faces a myriad of challenges around the world from both state actors and terror organizations that threaten American national security. These growing pressures require that our forces have the training and resources they need to combat those challenges and win.

Yet, due to a combination of the last administration's actions and the harmful consequences of sequestration, our military does not have the resources it needs to address the many global challenges before us in either a comprehensive or responsible way. We have to keep faith with the force. So we have to correct this situation, and doing so means equipping our servicemembers with the weapons and the training they need to sufficiently defeat these threats.

As I said yesterday, this spring's government funding bill made an important down payment toward rebuilding our forces, and the NDAA bill before us can build upon that progress further. As we consider the NDAA, I remain firmly committed to the men and women in the Armed Forces, including to those stationed in my home State.

I am proud to represent three Army installations and the Kentucky Air and Army National Guard. One of these installations, Fort Campbell in Christian County, is home to the 101st Airborne Division, the 5th Special Forces Group, and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

Since World War II, the 101st Airborne Division has responded to threats around the globe, including, most recently, during multiple deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. This highly decorated unit, known as the Screaming Eagles, is contributing to keeping our Nation and national interests secure.

The NDAA will authorize the resources and capabilities to ensure that the troops at Fort Campbell, as part of the joint force, are prepared to continue responding to threats against our Nation.

Another Kentucky military installation is Fort Knox. With a distinguished history during both World Wars, Fort Knox has remained an essential Army facility with numerous responsibilities. Home to the Army's Cadet Command, Fort Knox hosts about 10,000 ROTC cadets every summer for Cadet Summer

Training. Fort Knox is also home to the Army's Recruiting Command--a critical mission for increasing readiness--and in 2009, the Army Human Resources Command center relocated to Fort Knox, bringing with it an entirely new mission. Responsible for career management and development, the Human Resources Command represents a fundamental part of the Army.

The NDAA will reform the Pentagon to streamline administration, and it will also take action to improve troop morale and restructure the benefits that servicemembers and their families, like the many stationed in Kentucky, rely upon.

Kentucky is also home to the Blue Grass Army Depot, located in Madison County. As a munitions storage and disposal site, the Blue Grass Army Depot is responsible for the maintenance, storage, and demilitarization of both conventional and legacy chemical weapons. For decades I have fought to ensure that Congress allocated necessary funds to this installation to support the continuation of safe demilitarization efforts.

The NDAA will help us prepare for a wide range of threats, and munitions depots like the one in my State play an integral role in supporting our Nation's efforts to rebuild our military.

I am also proud to represent the Kentucky Air and Army National Guard, including the 123rd Airlift Wing, which deployed to assist in the relief efforts of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.

Last week, I had the privilege of welcoming the National Guard Association of the United States to Louisville for their annual conference. These citizen soldiers and airmen have proved time and again that during a crisis at home or abroad, the National Guard is always ready.

The NDAA legislation will authorize funds for military construction for National Guard units across the country, including in Kentucky to help the Guard carry out its critical missions.

As we continue to debate this bill, I will be thinking of these men and women at these military installations in Kentucky and of the Kentucky National Guard. I will cast my vote for what will help them receive the equipment, training, and resources they need to address the threats facing our Nation.

I know many colleagues feel the same way about their own States. I know many colleagues are determined to continue the hard work of rebuilding our military and restoring our combat readiness. Passing the bill before us will take us closer to that goal.

Also, Mr. President, later today the Senate will vote to table an amendment that would rescind the authorization for the use of military force, or AUMF, which authorizes the operations of forces currently battling al-Qaida, ISIL, and associated forces. Sixteen years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, our enemies are not gone and our troops are still in harm's way.

Ayman al-Zawahiri remains hidden somewhere in the tribal areas of Pakistan, and he continues to lead al-Qaida as he plots to kill Americans and strike our homeland. Al-Qaida's affiliates have proved to be resilient and lethal. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula has not ceased attempting to kill Americans. Its online magazine, Inspire, created a manual for terrorists and set an early example for what ISIL perfected in the use of social media and propaganda.

ISIL, of course, emerged from al-Qaida in Iraq, which continues to threaten the United States, as does the al-Nusrah Front.

To rescind the AUMF that authorizes action against these forces--and to leave nothing but uncertainty for our deployed forces and our allies--is simply irresponsible, and it breaks faith with our volunteer force.

Al-Qaida and its affiliates have not been defeated. The myriad programs and operations that rely upon the AUMF for legal authority have contributed to keeping America safe.

Why would we vote to rescind the authority to defeat al-Qaida and leave our forces in the field questioning whether the elected officials here in Washington have any understanding as to what is occurring in the theaters of active hostilities? All that we do to defeat al-Qaida and ISIL rests on this AUMF.

We honored those killed on September 11 earlier this week. Let's honor those pursuing terrorists by defeating this amendment and ensuring they have the tools they need to keep us safe.

Once again, we have an all-volunteer force that protects all of us and fights for us. We cannot break faith with these brave men and women by removing the authority they rely upon to pursue the enemy and leaving them questioning whether elected officials in Washington understand what they are doing abroad.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that following leader remarks, there be 60 minutes of debate on the motion to proceed to H.R. 2810, equally divided between Senator McCain and Senator Reed.

Mr. President, it is with deep regret that I announce to the Senate the passing of our dear friend and colleague Senator Pete Domenici.

Pete had a long and notable career, one that took him from pitching on the baseball diamond to teaching mathematics at an Albuquerque junior high school, from city politics to the U.S. Senate.

In fact, when he ran for the Senate in 1972, Domenici became the first Republican elected from his home State in nearly four decades. By the time he retired, he did so as the longest serving Senator in New Mexico history. Like others in this Chamber, I served for a number of years with Senator Domenici. I came to know him as smart, hard-working, dedicated and as a very strong advocate for his home State of New Mexico.

We are all saddened by this news today. The Senate offers its condolences to Senator Domenici's family and especially his wife Nancy.

Mr. President, I call up the Paul amendment No. 871.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Madam President, I call up amendment No. 545.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

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

Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk for the McCain substitute amendment No. 1003, as modified.

Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk for the underlying bill, H.R. 2810.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum calls with respect to the cloture motions be waived.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the majority leader, in consultation with the Democratic leader, the Senate proceed to executive session for consideration of Calendar No. 109, the nomination of Pamela Patenaude to be Deputy Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. I further ask that there be 40 minutes of debate on the nomination, equally divided in the usual form; that following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate vote on the confirmation with no intervening action or debate; and 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 proceed to executive session for consideration of Calendar No. 293.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on confirmation with no intervening action or debate and that, if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate return to legislative session.