Floor Statements

Mr. President, last year, Bill Clinton called ObamaCare ``the craziest thing in the world.'' Over the weekend, former Obama Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said President Clinton had a point.

Of course, ObamaCare is crazy. Premiums are spiking across the country by 25 percent nationwide and as much as 47 percent in Kentucky for individuals. Choices have fallen from coast to coast, with about one-third of the counties nationwide and nearly half in Kentucky having only a single insurer to choose from on the exchanges, and healthcare markets are teetering closer to the edge of collapse. The ObamaCare status quo is simply not an option.

We have an obligation to the American people to repeal and replace ObamaCare. We have a three-pronged process to get there. The first is the legislation. House committees are currently considering the specialized piece of legislation that allows us to repeal ObamaCare and implement some, but not all, of the important replacement reforms we want to make.

Another is an additional replacement reform that goes even further in making healthcare more affordable and accessible. The remaining prong is Executive action. There is much the administration can do to help bring calm out of chaos from Obama's broken promises. Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price has already taken steps to do just that, and the nominee before us, Seema Verma, who has been nominated to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, can take important steps as well.

Ms. Verma is extremely qualified, with a health policy background and a record of success. She is committed to protecting Medicare and modernizing Medicaid so the programs deliver the best results for those who need it. She also understands the challenges that ObamaCare has created for families.

Remember, ObamaCare raided funds from Medicare. Remember, ObamaCare dramatically enlarged Medicaid beyond its core focus without improving health outcomes in States like mine. Now is the time for creative thinking to increase access and to lower costs. Now is the time for a CMS Administrator with the right experience as we repeal and replace ObamaCare. I know this nominee will strengthen the vital programs she has been tasked to lead because she has a history of doing just that. I look forward to confirming Ms. Verma later today so that she can get to work immediately developing solutions to the crisis of ObamaCare.

Mr. President, the endorsements for Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch keep rolling in from across the political spectrum. As I noted last Thursday, more than 150 former Columbia University classmates joined that extensive list recently. Those classmates represented a variety of backgrounds, home States, faiths, and political views. But they all agreed on one thing--that Judge Gorsuch is extremely well-qualified to be our next Supreme Court Justice.

On Thursday, I also noted that we could expect more supporters with sterling reviews of the judge in the near future. Sure enough, that very evening the American Bar Association awarded Judge Gorsuch the highest possible rating: unanimously ``well qualified,'' meaning no one on the reviewing panel found him other than ``well qualified''-- unanimously ``well qualified.''

The Democratic leader and the former Democratic chairman of the Judiciary Committee have called the ABA ``the gold standard by which judicial candidates are judged.'' So on the gold standard, Neil Gorsuch got a unanimous ``well qualified.'' There is no higher score. And today, it is a group that believes Judge Gorsuch is ``well qualified'' to be a Supreme Court

Justice based on his integrity, professional competence, and judicial temperament. That is high acclaim from an organization that our colleagues on the left have long considered, as I said, the gold standard. It is the type of acclaim we keep hearing from Democrats and Republicans in the legal community.

Judge Gorsuch has an impressive resume and impressive credentials to match. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Columbia in just 3 years and got his law degree from Harvard, and he is an Oxford scholar to boot. The Senate confirmed him to his current position on the circuit court without a single vote in opposition. He is the right jurist for the job.

As we move forward with his nomination later this month, we should give him the fair consideration, debate, and up-or-down vote that he deserves, just like we did with the four Supreme Court nominees of Presidents Clinton and Obama after they were first elected.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.

Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote, and I move to table the motion to reconsider.

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

Mr. President, I move that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 23, Daniel Coats to be Director of National Intelligence.

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

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

Mr. President, I move that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 19, Herbert R. McMaster, Jr., to be Lieutenant General.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum calls be waived.

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

Mr. President, I move to proceed to H.J. Res. 42.

Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to a legend in broadcasting. For decades, radio listeners in Kentucky and across the eastern United States tuned in to hear Milton Metz. El Metzo, as he was affectionately known, passed away in January of this year at the age of 95.

Known for his show, ``Metz Here,'' Milton provided fair and well- informed news for thousands of listeners. In his time at WHAS radio in Louisville, KY, Milton almost became part of listeners' families. During his years on the air, he covered a wide variety of topics and helped his listeners sort out the issues of the day.

Like so many other Kentuckians, I grew up tuning into Milton's shows. When I first ran for Jefferson County judge/executive, I appeared on his show. We talked about the issues in my campaign, and although he asked tough questions, he was always fair. Milton welcomed differing opinions and treated his guests and callers with civility. He became a staple of political campaigns, and I appeared on his show multiple times in my campaigns for the U.S. Senate.

Milton represented a different age of diplomatic and gracious programming that listeners of all opinions and interests listened to and trusted. He also made a name for himself covering the Kentucky Derby. Frequently appearing in ``Millionaires Row,'' Milton interviewed celebrities and guests who came to Louisville for the ``Fastest Two Minutes in Sports.'' In 1989, he was inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame, an honor he surely deserved.

I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life and career of Milton Metz, a true radio pioneer. He earned great acclaim in Kentucky and across the Nation, and his legacy will not soon be forgotten.

The Courier-Journal published an article on Milton Metz's career. I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the article be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of a devoted public servant, A. Duane Schwartz, who passed away earlier this year.

Duane was widely admired for his strong fidelity to the law and his dedication to justice. For 20 years, he served the Western District of Kentucky as the head of the criminal division of the U.S. attorney's office and, during that time, successfully prosecuted the Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan in Louisville. He also helped end what was then the largest methamphetamine lab in the Midwest. Duane fought for justice and left his community better than he found it.

He also worked to keep government accountable to the people. As a leader in Operation Boptrot, Duane led the undercover investigation against and eventual conviction of many State legislators for taking bribes.

Duane earned the praise of multiple U.S. attorneys under whom he worked and was awarded the Justice Department's Special Achiever Award by Attorney General Janet Reno in 1999.

I was proud to know Duane as a classmate in law school. Even back then, he was known for his integrity, commitment, and warmth. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Ann, and I would ask all of my colleagues here to join me in honoring this distinguished servant of the law.

The Courier-Journal published an article on Duane's career. I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the article be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to Dr. David Stevens, a tireless advocate for public health in Kentucky who passed away at the age of 87. He dedicated his life to serving others, and he leaves behind a legacy of vision and leadership.

For 16 years, David served in the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. As a councilmember, he was a leading voice and advocate to make his community a healthier place to live.

Before his service in local government, David was an orthopedic surgeon. His career included two decades as the chief of staff of Shriner's Hospital for Children, an international nonprofit that provides healthcare to children, regardless of a family's ability to pay.

In 1968, he helped found the Central Kentucky Blood Center to help hospitals across Kentucky have reliable access to blood from donors. The center has grown over the years, and it has become a local partner in healthcare across the Commonwealth.

David served on numerous other boards and commissions, all of which support the health, culture, and prosperity of the region. He also passed his expertise on to the next generation by mentoring in medicine, public service, and philanthropy.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, David was known as a well-rounded gentleman with a dry wit. At the age of 83, he hiked a 60- mile journey through Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico with his son and 15-year-old grandson.

The University of Kentucky honored him with the Honorary Alumnus Award, and DePauw University awarded him the Old Gold Goblet for professional achievement and service.

I am proud to say that I knew David. Over the years, I developed a deep respect for his work on behalf of his community. A man who dedicated his time, skill, and passion to those around him, I know that countless Kentuckians will remember his good works. I know that I will.

I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his son, Dr. Scott Stevens, and all of David's family and friends. As one of the countless individuals impacted by David's life, I can say with great certainty that he will be deeply missed.