Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today in support of confirming Michelle Bowman to fill the community bank specialist seat on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

Miki is the perfect choice to be the first occupant of this seat on the Fed's Board. She comes from a long line of community bankers.

In 1882, Miki's great-great-grandfather helped start her family-owned bank, Farmers and Drovers, in Council Grove, KS.

She worked at Farmers and Drovers Bank from 2010 until January 2017, when she assumed her current position as the State Bank Commissioner of Kansas.

Prior to moving back to Kansas in 2010, Miki worked in Washington, DC, for Kansas' native son, Senator Bob Dole.

Miki also has experience working in the executive branch.

She was appointed by President Bush to positions at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and at the Department of Homeland Security.

This diversity of experience will serve her well in her upcoming role with the Federal Reserve.

While we have made progress in providing regulatory relief to our Nation's community banks, it is critical that we keep it up and build on that work.

Community banks did not cause the financial crisis and should not be regulated as if they did.

Miki understands where the pain points are for community banks and will be a strong advocate for commonsense, risk-based regulation.

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of her nomination when she comes to the floor for a final vote this afternoon.

Thank you.

Mr. President, I come to the floor today to recognize and congratulate Mr. Barry Carpenter, a longtime advocate for American agriculture, on his retirement from a career that spanned five decades. Last month, Barry retired his position as president and CEO of the North American Meat Institute, the Nation's largest and oldest trade association representing U.S. meat packers and processors. Barry's retirement concludes a career in both public service and private industry. His knowledge of the industry and his collaborative, affable disposition have allowed him to connect with everyone from CEOs to those just beginning their careers.

Barry's appreciation for U.S. agriculture, his drive to serve, and his work ethic were developed at an early age, working on his family's diversified farm in central Florida that produced cattle, hogs, corn, peanuts, and melons. After graduating from the University of Florida, Barry began his career as a meat grader with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He also enlisted in the U.S. Army, earning the rank specialist fifth class. Barry carried with him the sense of duty and discipline learned in these formative years in each role he held.

Over the course of his 37-year career at USDA, Barry provided reasoned and steady guidance to Secretaries of both parties in multiple administrations. In his senior role at the Agricultural Marketing Service, Barry led programs critical to reestablishing U.S. beef export access following the first U.S. case of BSE in 2003. Barry further oversaw USDA's adoption of video technology used to assign beef quality grades, an important tool in identifying those high-quality prime steaks consumers around the world enjoy.

Upon retiring from USDA, Barry continued to serve American agriculture when he was named CEO of the National Meat Association in 2007. Barry has since provided steadfast leadership to the meat and poultry industry as CEO of the North American Meat Association and as president and CEO of the North American Meat Institute, following the completion of the merger, which he successfully guided, between the American Meat Institute and the North American Meat Association in January 2015.

Barry has earned numerous governmental awards, including Presidential Rank Awards, honors bestowed to less than 1 percent of senior career employees throughout the Federal Government, from Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. He has also received

recognition from the livestock and meat industries.

Throughout his career, Barry remained grounded and inspired by his wife Janet, four children, Mary Catherine, Jane, Michael, and Robert, and 11 grandchildren.

I feel fortunate to have known many distinguished public servants and industry leaders like Barry, who have dedicated their careers to advocating for U.S. agriculture. I thank Barry for his many contributions to American agriculture, and I congratulate him on a well-deserved retirement.

Mr. President, this Sunday, October 14, 2018, we celebrate the 128th birthday of General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The last President born, in the 19th century, Ike came of age in both a changing nation and an ever-shrinking world. As Kansas' favorite son, Ike left an indelible mark on the Nation and on the world, from being appointed Supreme Allied Commander during the Second World War, to being duly elected as our President. Ike's character- driven experiences guided him in all of his workings.

Many remember important dates and events surrounding the life of General and President Eisenhower, but October 14, 1890, was probably like any other day in this changing Nation, and the world could not know that one of its staunchest supporters of peace and prosperity would be birthed on that day. President Eisenhower once said, ``When you finally find something that must be done, impossibilities disappear and become merely major obstacles.'' This determination and dedicated belief in America brought Ike from our Nation's heartland in Abilene, KS, to the U.S. Military Academy, to an extraordinary career in the Army, and to the Nation's Capital as a newly elected President.

Among many attributes, Eisenhower embodied the undying American ideal that calls us to achieve more than the previous generation and to strive for a safer and more prosperous world for generations to come. Ike believed this to be his prime duty, and his determination and ability enabled him to achieve that goal. Eisenhower's historical achievements earned him the respect of most citizens in this Nation and from many around the globe.

As Americans, we owe a great deal to the man who led the U.S. and Allied Forces in the liberation of Europe and expelled from the world the evil of Hitler's Nazism. Moreover, Ike's legacy as President included the creation of the Interstate Highway System, NASA, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, now known as HHS and the Department of Education, and the FAA. He also brought Alaska and Hawaii into the Union.

As the chairman of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission, I am pleased to report that the national memorialization of President and General Eisenhower is well underway and that the construction of the memorial honoring Ike is near the halfway point of completion. We have a dedication scheduled for May 8, 2020, marking the 75th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe during the Second World War.

Today I ask my fellow citizens and Senators to celebrate and memorialize this outstanding president, Kansan, and American by wishing Ike a happy 128th birthday.

Mr. President, today I wish to commemorate the life of Rocco Siciliano, of Beverly Hills, CA. This combat-decorated veteran of World War II served his Nation as an infantry platoon leader in the 10th Mountain Infantry Division in Italy, earned the Bronze Star for Valor, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Army Special Commendation Medal. He and thousands of his fellow countrymen served as soldiers in the liberation of Europe under Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower, a fellow Kansan and personal hero of mine. Rocco later served in President Eisenhower's administration, first as an assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Labor from 1953 to 1957, then as Special Assistant to the President for Personnel Management policies from 1957 to 1959. This leads me to the reason I rise today.

Rocco Siciliano, after decades of service to our Nation in many significant roles and having secured many accomplishments over his illustrious career in both the public and private sectors, was elected chairman of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission in 2001. Joined on the commission by fellow decorated World War II combat veterans, Senators Daniel Inouye and Ted Stevens, Rocco led the commission whose congressionally mandated mission is to create a national memorial to our 34th president, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Rocco successfully led the Commission for 14 years before stepping down as chair in 2015. As Rocco's successor as chair of the Commission, I feel I must recognize him for his significant accomplishments. During his tenure, Rocco guided the commission through the processes of memorial site selection and the design competition. His remarkable and steadfast work has helped the commission get us to this memorable juncture. The memorial to Ike is under construction in our Nation's Capital, between 4th and 6th Streets on Independence Avenue, Southwest. Rocco continues to serve as chair emeritus on the commission as one of the four Presidentially appointed commissioners. The commission seeks to dedicate the completed memorial to Ike on May 8, 2020, the 75th anniversary of V-E Day.

Speaking on behalf of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, I wish to recognize Rocco's patriotism, leadership, perseverance, and tenacity that have been of great benefit to our Nation. He has been a valued colleague in this monumental endeavor, and I stand to honor him today.

Madam President, I again rise, especially today, as the Senate continues to consider legislation on an issue that is critically important to our Nation. It is the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, or what we call the farm bill.

I want to emphasize again--and I don't know how I can emphasize this more strongly--that I hope my colleagues will understand that the responsibility, the absolute requirement is to provide farmers, ranchers, growers, and everyone within America's food chain certainty and predictability during these very difficult times that we are experiencing in agriculture.

As I speak, right now in Kansas, farmers are on combines, and trucks are taking grain to the elevator or to storage, more likely, with the wheat harvest. I can see in several counties, probably up in Northwest Kansas. We have finished that in the southern part of our State. These are the same folks who have had combines on the move from Texas to Oklahoma and now in Kansas. I can see a farmer who had planned on harvesting this week, but, perhaps, due to a hail storm, he is in a bad situation. Luckily for him, he has crop insurance, and luckily for him, we have been able to preserve crop insurance after going through several iterations of attempts to cut it--or, as some people say, reform it. I can see him saying: When is the Congress going to pass the farm bill? When can I go to my banker, my lender, and tell him I have assurance that I can keep going on the farm next year, especially if his crop has been destroyed, which happens.

That is the person I am thinking about, especially today, when I think we ought to wrap this up. It is time, especially with regard to what we have accomplished so far. The bill passed the Ag Committee. This bill had a strong bipartisan vote of 20 to 1.

This month, this bill exactly provides the certainty and the predictability that I have just mentioned. The Ag Committee product also includes portions of 67 stand-alone bills, and an additional 74 amendments were adopted in the committee, and we have included 18 amendments thus far during consideration in the full Senate. We have worked to include as many priorities for Members as possible, and we want to work on a possible managers' package to include a handful of additional amendments. So it is not like a situation where Members have not had an opportunity to vote. Senator Stabenow and I have extended our outreached hands to Members to say that we stand ready to consider your amendments.

We are endeavoring to craft a farm bill that meets the need of producers across all regions and all crops. In Michigan, where oftentimes I go with Senator Stabenow and have agriculture roundtables, or even individual visits, I look at that great State's production with regard, more specially, to special crops. They are struggling. Kansas farmers are struggling. California growers are struggling. All of agriculture is struggling--not just one or two commodities. We must have a bill that works across all of our great Nation.

More than 500 organizations representing thousands in agriculture, food, nutrition, hunger, forestry, conservation, rural business, faith- based organizations, research, and academic issues have issued statements supporting this bill. This is what happens when the Senate works in a bipartisan fashion. We are doing just that. This is a good bill that accomplishes what we set out to do--again, to provide certainty and predictability for farmers, families, and rural America.

It is especially timely when we have a trade policy that has a question mark at the end of it. I dearly hope that the President is successful with trade negotiations--with NAFTA. I think we should take another look at TPP or China and the problem with tariffs. I know the administration is trying to send a very strong message and address the trade deficit that we have had, but the moment that happens, there is retaliation, and 90 percent of the time, the retaliation comes at agriculture and small manufacturers all across the country, and for that matter, everybody up and down the food chain and in many other areas of the economy as well.

So, again, that farmer is out there on that combine in Kansas trying to finish up his crop. Hopefully, the weather has not destroyed it, but, again, if that has happened, he at least has crop insurance. He wants assurance, and I know what he is saying because I visit with them all the time.

In my entire public career, this is my eighth farm bill. This is not our first rodeo, Senator Stabenow, as you well know.

I know what he is thinking. He is thinking: Roberts said he would get us a bill. Senator Moran says he is going to get us a bill. The entire Kansas delegation says: We are working on a farm bill. And we do that every time.

We need to wrap this up today. I look forward to working with my colleagues on continuing to move this process forward. I would simply say that we need to get this done. Again, the paramount issue is to get it done and to provide farmers certainty and predictability.

If I sound like I am repeating that 10 times, I intend to. All other issues, which I know Senators feel are terribly important, come into second place. I have strong issues. I mean, this is not the best possible bill. It is the best bill possible, and we worked very hard to produce that.

I yield to my distinguished colleague from Michigan.

I thank my colleague and my friend.

How many times have we heard from the folks back home: Why on Earth do you folks back there keep fussing at one another? Why don't you work together to get something done? Well, amen to that. That is the bill we have produced.

I remember the gold medal ceremony of Senator Bob Dole. He was presented a gold medal for his tremendous leadership in the Senate. He was known for working across the aisle and getting things done. When we awarded that gold medal several months ago in Statuary Hall, Bob, at 94 years old, stood up when they played the national anthem, from his wheelchair, on his own.

For a time on a Tuesday, we were partisan in the House and to some degree in the Senate. I could go into all the cloture votes I have felt were not necessary--104, 105; I don't know how many we have had--and 4 months of delay, but I am not going to do that. So on Tuesday, we were partisan; Wednesday, we were bipartisan, paying tribute to Bob. Everybody said: Well, why can't you emulate his example and work together? Then, after Wednesday, on Thursday, we were back to some partisan differences or philosophical differences or ideological differences. Compromise, again, was a dirty word.

Well, this is our opportunity. We have proved that we can work together on the Ag Committee. We are the least partisan committee in the Congress. For goodness' sake, when agriculture is almost in a crisis and we desperately need to provide the farmers with the knowledge that we are fashioning a bill to their benefit and that it is a good bill, why on Earth can't we get this done?

I thank my colleague for her comments.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

The clerk will call the roll.

The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

Mr. President, I think I owe an apology to many of my Republican colleagues, if I could call for regular order, please.

Mr. President, I think I owe an apology to many of my Republican colleagues, and I hope I can get their attention.

We have talked a lot about the need for a farm bill. We have talked about

how we are in a rough patch in agriculture and how it affects every part of the country--all regions, all crops--and that we have crafted a farm bill in a bipartisan way with most of the titles.

I have not talked enough to stress what we have done with regard to the SNAP program, in terms of reform and efficiencies, and solving that bonus program that was full of errors, prompting the IG to fine several States.

Bear with me. I want to go over some of this progress that I think my colleagues will be interested in.

I thank my colleague for his amendment, which would modify the work requirements under SNAP, as has been indicated, and require a photo ID with the use of a SNAP EBT card. I understand the intent to work toward self-sufficiency among SNAP participants. By the way, the best thing we have done is we have seen the economy improve and have seen to it that people have jobs and can get jobs and actually get off of food stamps.

While I understand the intent is to promote work by broadening the application of the requirements, our bill would focus more on employment and training in the work requirements. The point I am trying to make is that in addition, many of the provisions in the amendment are duplicative of current law and regulations and would create significant administrative burdens for the Department of Agriculture and State agencies--something we don't want.

Our bill is focused on more accountability in the employment and training programs to get folks back on the path to employment. Ten States have pilot programs, taking a look at exactly how they can accomplish this goal. Eight more we deal with in this bill. That is 18 States where we have pilot programs where we can actually make progress and that is by States innovating, by adopting State pilot programs, as I have just mentioned.

We authorize new State innovation employment and training pilots. I just basically addressed that. We make sure State work programs consult with local employers when setting up and evaluating a training program. That means we are much more specific. We set up a process for groups of employers and nonprofit stakeholders to conduct their own training programs that count for SNAP participants with minimal regulatory burden.

So we are achieving regulatory reform while, at the same time, getting basically nonprofit stakeholders to come in and actually take part. That is a good thing.

These are all things that will provide the tools to States, to people, to employers, and to nonprofits that will get people working again.

I urge my colleagues to support my motion to table this amendment, and then we can find the appropriate balance in getting people working again. Obviously, we point out that this issue is going to come up again when we go to conference--if we can get a bill; if we can at least keep on the bipartisan track to get a farm bill done.

Again, I appreciate the effort to combat fraud in SNAP, but I am in opposition to this amendment, along with the independent grocers, the convenience stores, and retailers all across the country.

Current law allows States to have a photo on EBT cards, but most States have concluded that the cost of putting a photo on the card would outweigh any savings from fraud prevention. For the few States that have opted for a photo EBT card, it has created so much confusion at the register for many retailers, since EBT cards are shared with different people in a household. It is a problem.

While I share concerns about the SNAP program's integrity, the bill already includes several provisions that would improve the integrity of the program, such as the use of increased data matches across the program.

These are efficiencies I haven't talked about to my Republican colleagues. I know the ranking member certainly has made her caucus aware of them. Therefore, I respectfully urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Mr. President, I move to table the Kennedy amendment No. 3383 and ask for the yeas and nays.

Thank you, Mr. President.

We are getting very close to finalizing the farm bill on a bipartisan basis. We just have some UC requests we are going over. Stay tuned. I hope Members understand that when we do have a vote--this vote was over 60 minutes. There was some commentary on it. I understand that, but certainly we can do better than that on behalf of our ranchers, farmers, growers, and the great State of Texas. Thank you very much, and we will be back to you just as quickly as we can. I know people have very important schedules to meet.

I yield to the Senator from Michigan.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, the amendment offered by Senator Lee and Senator Booker would prohibit checkoffs from partnering with farm groups and others that engage with government. This prohibition would extend far beyond farm country, and it would have negative impacts on the general public. This is because checkoffs partner with a diverse number of entities, not just farm organizations, to conduct research and education campaigns on environmental, conservation, improved nutrition, and other critical areas that benefit our entire society.

Examples of entities who have contracted with checkoffs and would be barred from continuing checkoff work because they engage in lobbying include the American Heart Association, the American Association of Pediatrics, and the National Women, Infants and Children Association. These organizations and many others would be prohibited from partnering with checkoffs if this amendment were adopted.

I urge my colleagues to think carefully about the impact this amendment would have, and I urge a ``no'' vote on the Lee-Booker amendment.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following amendments be agreed to en bloc: the amendment by Senator Isakson, No. 3348; Senators Wyden and Murkowski, No. 3346; Senator Enzi, No. 3181; Senators King and Collins, No. 3221; Senators Gillibrand and Toomey, No. 3390; Senator Heinrich, No. 3287; Senator Rubio, No. 3364; Senator Sullivan, No. 3303, Senator Hirono, No. 3321; Senators Cortez Masto and Portman, No. 3388; Senator Durbin, No. 3389; Senators Brown and Portman, No. 3323; Senator Cantwell, No. 3365; Senator Moran, No. 3171; and Senator Thune, No. 3371. I further ask that it be in order for the following amendment to be called up and reported by number: the amendment by Senator Lee, No. 3074. I further ask that the cloture motions with respect to H.R. 2 be withdrawn and the Senate now vote on the

following amendments in the order listed: Senator Lee, No. 3074; Senator Thune, No. 3134; and Senator Roberts, the substitute No. 3224; further, that the Lee amendment be subject to a 60-vote affirmative threshold for adoption; and that following disposition of the Roberts amendment, the bill, as amended, if amended, be read a third time and the Senate vote on passage with no intervening action or debate and that passage be subject to a 60-vote affirmative threshold.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, which, I assure Members, I will not do.

Mr. President, with 171 amendments and a vote of 86 to 11, obviously, getting this farm bill done has been a tremendous team effort. You are only as good as your staff on both sides of the aisle, and they make us look good when we stand up here a little confused trying to get things a little sorted out.

I wish to thank my staff: James Glueck, DaNita Murray, Janae Brady, Fred Clark, Meghan Cline, Haley Donahue, Matt Erickson, Darin Guries, Chance Hunley, Chu Hwang, Chelsie Keys, Sarah Little, Curt Mann, Andy Rezendes, Bob Rosado, Anthony Seiler, Wayne Stoskopf--who, by the way, knows more about farm programs than anybody else on the staff, myself included--Andrew Vlasaty, and Katherine Thomas.

I also want to mention Jackie Cottrell, Amber Kirchhoefer, Will Stafford, Morgan Anderson, and Stacy Daniels in my personal office.

I want to especially thank the ranking member--vice chairman, really--Senator Stabenow, and her team, led by the indomitable Joe Shultz and Jacqlyn Schneider. The efforts of Jessie Williams, Amanda Kelly, Bobby Mehta, Katie Salay, and Micah Wortham have been valuable to the Ag Committee process.

Additionally, I thank the technical support from the Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, and the staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thank you so much for your help.

I also appreciate the work of the Congressional Budget Office staff, including: Tiffany Arthur, Megan Carroll, Kathleen FitzGerald, Jennifer Gray, Jim Langley, and Robert Reese.

I now yield to my distinguished ranking member, Senator Stabenow.

I say to the Senator, thank you for being such a great partner.

Mr. President, I call up the substitute amendment No. 3224.

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

Mr. President, I rise today as the Senate considers legislation on an issue that is critically important to our Nation--the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the farm bill.

The goal, the responsibility, the absolute requirement is to provide farmers, ranchers, and growers--everyone within America's valued food chain--certainty and predictability during these very, very difficult times. We are, indeed, in a rough patch with regard to agriculture.

Many of my colleagues have introduced legislation over the last year that addresses priorities and stakeholders in their States. The bill that passed the Agriculture Committee with a strong 20-to-1 vote earlier this month addresses many of those concerns. In fact, the Ag Committee-passed product includes portions of 65 stand-alone bills, and an additional 73 amendments were adopted in the committee. We have also included 18 amendments in today's substitute amendment.

Needless to say, we have worked to include as many priorities from Members both on and off the Ag Committee, and we want to continue to work with Members to address their concerns. That is why we are here.

We are endeavoring to craft a farm bill that meets the needs of producers across all regions and all crops. All of agriculture is struggling, not just one or two commodities. We must have a bill that works across all of our great Nation. That means, with bipartisan support, we must do our job. We must pass a bill that provides our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities the much needed certainty and predictability they deserve.

I appreciate the bipartisan support that we have had to date of those on the Ag Committee who voted to report a bill in such a strong manner--and other Members of the Senate--and I look forward to working with my colleagues on continuing to move this process forward. I will not say that it is an emergency, but we have to move this bill to provide farmers certainty and predictability during the very tough times they face.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I wish to list the amendments that are included in the substitute that my distinguished colleague Senator Stabenow and I and our diligent staff have been working on. They are as follows: Senator Jones, No. 3081; Senator Smith, No. 3082; Senator Kennedy, No. 3097; Senator Murkowski, No. 3110; Senator Hatch, No. 3125; Senator Merkley, No. 3147; Senator Tester, No. 3148; Senator Gillibrand, No. 3154; Senator Gardner, No. 3157; Senator Moran, No. 3159; Senator Collins, No. 3160; Senator Peters, No. 3164; Senator Shaheen, No. 3172; Senator Feinstein, No. 3177; Senator Cornyn, No. 3186; Senator Cantwell and Senator Crapo, No. 3209; and Senator Gardner, again, No. 3218; and Senator Grassley.

I wish to note that this represents 18 amendments put in the substitute--extremely bipartisan. I have read ``Republican,'' ``Democrat,'' ``Democrat,'' ``Republican'' all through these 18 amendments. We have proceeded that way in committee. We are proceeding this way on the floor. I urge Members to bring their amendments to the floor for consideration, and, hopefully, the amendments will be of a nature that we can consider them without controversy. I know people have strong concerns about whatever amendment they submit.

Again, the ultimate goal is to do this quickly and to provide farmers certainty and predictability during this difficult time they are going through. I hope Members will keep that in mind with regard to any amendment they may be considering.

I yield the floor.

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 it be in order to call up the following amendments to the substitute amendment No. 3224: the amendment by Senator Lee, No. 3074, and the amendment by Senator Durbin, No. 3103.

Mr. President, I would only add at this point--and I think Members who have paid attention to this debate at all or to this particular issue are probably a little tired of hearing this, but maybe there are some who haven't really grasped the issue. We have to get a farm bill.

We are the Agriculture Committee. Agriculture is in dire need of this farm bill--the farmers, the ranchers, the growers, their lenders, and everybody up the food chain. Our situation being what it is, I certainly hope that improves.

Many people, of course, are interested in opening up any bill to amendments, having regular order, and voting on their amendments. I understand that. I think there are about 146 amendments we have agreed to. We are reaching out to people and urging them to come forward and, on a bipartisan basis, agree on these amendments or modify them and then agree to them. So it isn't as if we have not done that.

At some point, we have to pass this bill. The issue is so paramount and the situation is so dire--on behalf of the folks who produce the food and fiber for this country in a troubled and hungry world to at least go on for another year--that it is paramount over any other issue, despite the fact that some people want to come in under a reform they believe would be very salutary, and I understand that. Again, we have to pass this bill.

With that observation, I hope people can understand and we can get some agreement with regard to some of these issues. None of my remarks are intended to impugn in any way the interest of the distinguished Senator from Florida.

I yield the floor.

Will the Senator yield?

Mr. President, I rise in support of my colleague's amendment.

As Senator Thune indicated, this amendment proposes to make changes to the Conservation Reserve Program. Goodness knows that we have been working on that for several years. As a matter of fact, I can even remember back in the House when I was the original sponsor of the Conservation Reserve Program and when Senator Thune was Congressman Thune and continued that effort.

We provide additional flexibilities for the management of routine haying and grazing, which the Senator has pointed out.

The amendment provides greater clarity for when and how often producers can conduct the active management of their CRP land. I strongly support that, as do all of the members of the committee.

These flexibilities not only provide a benefit to the producer but a more active management of CRP also has a mutual benefit to the wildlife that relies upon the habitat created by CRP.

What the distinguished Senator has pointed out is exactly right in that during the Ag Committee markup, both Senator Stabenow and I committed to working with him on this priority. I am pleased the amendment reflects that bipartisan agreement that has the support of the grower and wildlife organizations. I thank my colleague for working with Senator Stabenow and me on this amendment. I support it and urge my colleagues to do so as well.

Thanks, dude.

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

Madam President, I rise as the Senate considers legislation on an issue that is critically important to our Nation--the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018--the farm bill.

The goal, the responsibility, the absolute requirement is to provide our farmers, ranchers, and growers, and everyone within America's agriculture and food value chain certainty and predictability, especially during these very difficult times. This is paramount, absolutely paramount to any other issues and concerns.

It is not an exaggeration to say our Nation's food and fiber capability, with regard to production, hangs in the balance with what we do on this legislation. Simply put, let's get this done.

Many of my colleagues have introduced legislation over the last year that addresses priorities and stakeholders in their States. The bill that passed the Agriculture Committee, with the help and partnership of my distinguished ranking member Senator Stabenow, passed with a strong bipartisan vote of 20 to 1 earlier this month. That bill addresses many of these concerns. In fact, the Ag Committee's bill includes this bill we are considering today, portions of 65 stand-alone bills, and an additional 73 amendments were adopted in the committee. That is called working together. That is called regular order.

Needless to say, we have work to include as many priorities from Members both on and off the Ag Committee, and we want to continue working with Members to address their concerns. Prepare your amendments and come work with Senator Stabenow and me.

We are endeavoring to craft a farm bill that meets the needs of producers across all regions, all crops. All of agriculture today is struggling, not just one or two commodities. We are indeed going through a very difficult time; what we call in farm country, a rough patch.

We must have a bill that works all across our great Nation. We must ensure that our voluntary conservation programs are keeping farmland in operation while protecting our agriculture lands and forests and other

natural resources. Let us not forget that in a few short decades, the global population will top 9 billion people--some are saying even 10 billion. Agriculture production will need to double in the near future to meet that demand. Accomplishing this task requires efficiency, not just on the farm and ranch but also in our government.

We must focus on program integrity--we have done that--and commonsense investments to strengthen our nutrition programs to ensure the long-term health and success of those in need of assistance. We have done that in this bill with efficiencies, reform, and a priority with regard to program integrity.

With trade and market uncertainty, to say the least, we must provide certainty for our trade promotion and research programs. Today we are losing our markets. Kansas wheat is not going to Mexico. Mexico is buying its wheat from Argentina. It is the same for corn. Our corn is not going down to Mexico. Mexico is buying their corn from Brazil.

I think it could be said that when a tariff is imposed to try to improve trade deficits, you also run the risk--and we have already seen it happen--of retaliation, and retaliation comes back directly on our producers and agriculture.

That is why we have to have this bill passed. Feeding an increasing global population is not just an agricultural challenge, it is a national security challenge. Show me a country that cannot feed itself, and I will show you a nation in chaos. This means we need to grow more and raise more with fewer resources. That is going to take investments in research, new technology, lines of credit, and proper risk management. It takes the government providing tools and then getting out of the producers' way.

In this bill, we have made and must make tough choices and be judicious with the scarce resources we have. Through an open and deliberate hearing process over the last 18 months, Members of the Senate Agriculture Committee have asked tough questions, reexamined programs to determine their effectiveness, and tried to ensure programs accomplish their fundamental purposes. Agriculture, and specifically the farm bill, has consistently answered the call to do more with less. To those who say passing a farm bill in this environment is a daunting task--and, yes, it is--I say, together we can get this done.

I think about the folks back home right now. I would like to point out that the wheat harvest is still growing across Kansas, starting in Nebraska, and headed for South Dakota and North Dakota. These farmers in the midst of harvest are facing Mother Nature. The unknown of a thunderstorm or hailstorm can hit just as they try to harvest their grain. In Kansas, we have a drought, but we are still hopeful we can harvest a reasonable crop.

We must adopt the attitude of our producers--optimism and ingenuity. A farmer doesn't plant a seed in the ground without the faith and optimism of harvesting a good crop. That is what we should do. That means, with bipartisan support, we must do our job. We must pass a bill that provides those same men and women the much needed certainty and predictability they deserve. Again, that is the paramount issue.

I know many Members have concerns. Many Members have amendments that want to address a specific problem. They feel very strongly about it, and we are here to help. We are here to help them to address such issues in this bill, but we also have to understand the tough challenges we face. Farmers, ranchers, and growers are in a very difficult time. We must respond to that. We are the Agriculture Committee. We must accept that challenge. We must be champions for these people, and we need a bill. That is the No. 1 issue--certainty and predictability during a very difficult time for our farmers, our ranchers, and our growers.

Now, this is not the best possible bill, but it is the best bill possible under these circumstances. So I look forward to working with my colleagues on continuing to move this process forward.

To my partner in this process, Senator Stabenow, thank you so much for your help and cooperation and working together. I look forward to working with you toward that goal in the days ahead. Let's get this bill done.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, just a comment, and I state to the Presiding Officer that I thank the Senator from Texas for his general support for the farm bill.

The issues Senator Cornyn has mentioned are very important. In the nutrition title, we have addressed deficiencies that he has mentioned. We have 10 States now that have private projects for job training to figure out what really works best. The law currently allows States to have job training and a worker program. Kansas has that law. I am sure Texas probably has the law.

I think we have achieved about as much as we can to at least determine where we are going. The House bill, with all due respect, has $8 billion in cuts, and then there are questions as to how that is implemented and what agency does that. Agriculture, I don't think, is prepared to really launch into a full program of job training. The one issue the Senator from Texas specifically mentioned that caused me to come down here and interrupt his great speech is, we do have that private part to supplement the Federal situation in the Food Stamp Program. I don't know if we have hit all three areas of concern he has mentioned, but we are pretty darn close.

I appreciate the Senator's interest. We are just trying to get a program that has better integrity, that works better, and is more efficient.

By the way, we deal with that bonus program, where some States-- actually, only eight States--were not guilty of this, but a lot of States gamed the system, and we have taken care of that. We have taken a hard look at the nutrition program, but we don't declare the farm program to be a welfare program or try to put it into that kind of a description.

So, basically, I am just saying with the three things the Senator just mentioned, we tried to address all three. Now, perhaps, not to the degree that the distinguished Senator would like, but that is still up for consideration, and I appreciate his comments.

I thank the Senator for yielding.

We are looking at those provisions, and we are looking at making sure able-bodied people do achieve the goal of going from dependence to independence, more especially in this time of economic recovery, which is really the secret to all of this. The numbers in the Food Stamp Program have decreased dramatically as we have seen our economy improve, but we are taking a look at those waivers. The difference is, in the House bill, we have a situation where if somebody has children 6 and under, it used to be 10 and under, and then on the other side, people who were 50 to now 60 are included--that has raised some dust.

There are several other issues the Senator has mentioned. It is just a matter of degree. We want to provide integrity to that program. We want it to work and have it go to the people who truly need it, and we have tried very hard to accomplish that.

We will study hard the good recommendations the Senator has mentioned, and we will do our best.

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

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

For the information of our colleagues, the Senate will proceed to the bill tomorrow morning at 10 a.m., and the amendment process will begin.

After Senator Stabenow and I offer the bipartisan substitute, the first amendment offered on this side will be the Thune amendment on the Conservation Reserve Program.

There will be no further rollcall votes tonight.

I yield to my distinguished colleague, the ranking member of the committee, Senator Stabenow.

Mr. President, I have 11 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 Armed Services

The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing on the nomination of Lieutenant General Stephen R. Lyons, USA, to be general and Commander, United States Transportation Command, Department of Defense.

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 Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Legislative proposals to increase access to capital.''

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Teri L. Donaldson, of Texas, to be Inspector General, Christopher Fall, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Science, Karen S. Evans, of West Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary (Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response), and Daniel Simmons, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy), all of the Department of Energy.

Committee on Finance

The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``Prescription Drug Affordability and Innovation: Addressing Challenges in Today's Market.''

Committee on Foreign Relations

The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 11:15 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

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 on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. to conduct a hearing on pending legislation and the following nominations: of Scott Stump, of Colorado, to be Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Department of Education, John Lowry III, of Illinois, to be Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training, and other pending nominations.

Committee on the Judiciary

The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``Survivors' Bill of Rights: Implementation and Next Steps.''

Select Committee on Intelligence

The Select Committee on Intelligence of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 9 a.m., to conduct a closed hearing with His Majesty King Abdullah II.

Select Committee on Intelligence

The Select Committee on Intelligence of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a closed hearing.

Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation

The Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation of the Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 9:45 a.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``U.S. Policy in Europe.''

Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism

The Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism of the Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Protecting our Elections: Examining Shell Companies and Virtual Currencies as Avenues for Foreign Interference.''

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