Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be discharged from further consideration of S. 2385 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that the Schatz amendment, which is at the desk, be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the passage of H.R. 5895 and the adoption of amendment No. 2910 to H.R. 5895, previously agreed to amendments Nos. 2920 and 2999 be considered as having been agreed to following the adoption of amendment No. 3066 and that the instruction line for amendment No. 2920 be modified with the changes at the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 27; 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 resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 2, with all postcloture time being expired.

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.

Madam President, I would like to thank my colleagues for their work on the Legislative Branch portion of the appropriations package because, for the first time in nearly a decade--a decade--the Legislative Branch bill received floor consideration outside of the year-end omnibus.

Because it is our job to ensure the timely funding of our government, returning to regular order on the Legislative Branch bill and all our other appropriations bills is a much needed change.

The Legislative Branch appropriations bill is good news for transparency, for accountability, for taxpayers, and for security of the Capitol.

This bill will increase public access to campaign filings. It will strengthen accountability in how government property is used. It will also make investments that will help meet security needs on the Capitol campus.

I thank Senator Murphy, my ranking member, for working with me, in a bipartisan manner, on amendments to the Legislative Branch division. The resulting bill makes sound investments in numerous priorities and will help ensure the operations of the legislative process.

I also very much appreciate the leadership and efforts of Chairman Shelby and Vice Chairman Leahy on returning to regular order. I thank Senators Alexander, Feinstein, Boozman, and Schatz for their work on the other two bills in this package.

I urge my colleagues to support the adoption of this package of appropriations bills.

Thank you.

Mr. President, this week I have the honor of recognizing Tiffany and Waide Satre of Sweet Grass County for the years of hard work they put in to grow Thirsty Turtle Burgers & BBQ and serve their local community.

Tiffany and Waide opened the Thirsty Turtle Burgers & BBQ in February of 2011. What started as a bar quickly grew with a kitchen and now operates as a full-service restaurant. The restaurant has continued to grow, turning it into a community staple.

Tiffany and Waide built both their marriage and their restaurant around each other, and that partnership has fostered growth within the business. Together, they employ around 20 people, including their son Shadow, who is a cook in the restaurant. While their leadership provides the vision behind the restaurant, Tiffany and Waide believe the restaurant would not be where it is without the hard work and dedication of their employees.

While Tiffany and Waide appreciate the business from visitors in the summer months, they rely on their Big Timber regulars to carry them through the off-season. It is this sense of community that has cemented the success of the Thirsty Turtle Burgers & BBQ.

I congratulate Tiffany and Waide on the success of their business and their impact on the greater Sweet Grass County. I look forward to my next visit to the Thirsty Turtle Burgers & BBQ.

Mr. President, the Legislative Branch bill, as advanced from the Committee on Appropriations, provides $4.79 billion for Congress and its support agencies. That is $90 million above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level of $4.7 billion.

This bill provides just over $1 billion for Senate-only items, which is an increase of $5 million from last year; $1.4 billion is included for House only items, and $2.3 billion is provided for joint Senate and House items, which in total meets the $4.79 billion legislative branch allocation for fiscal year 2019.

We have made thoughtful decisions about how to prioritize investments for this fiscal year. Resources are allocated in a responsible way to maintain existing services and allow for critical investments in numerous needed areas.

For example, this bill will strengthen security on the Capitol campus and ensure that the men and women who protect our visitors, our staff, and Members have the support and resources they need to do their jobs. And $453 million is included for the Capitol Police, which is a $26.5 million increase from last year.

In fact, just 1 year ago last Thursday, we witnessed tragedy strike on a baseball field in Alexandria, where the lives of our colleagues and their family and friends were put in imminent danger. Last week's Congressional Baseball Game was a reminder of the bravery demonstrated by my friend, Representative Steve Scalise, our Capitol Police officers, and all those tragically affected that day. The unfortunate reality remains that the Capitol Complex and its occupants face an evolving and growing threat environment, and this bill will help address these needs.

This bill also addresses cyber security threats by providing funding for the Sergeant at Arms Senate network cyber security initiatives. Further, this bill demands a rigorous review before any telecommunications equipment from companies linked to Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea can be acquired by legislative branch agencies.

This bill also promotes transparency for the American people by including a provision called e-file, which streamlines the process for Senate campaign filings, requiring Senate candidates to follow the same standard of transparency required by all other Federal candidates. This provision enhances government transparency, reduces unnecessary bureaucratic redtape, and would save hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars by having candidates--Senate candidates--file directly with the Federal Election Commission, instead of the current paper-based practice.

This bill provides $933 million for the Senate, which is $13 million above last year. I want to specifically note that $5 million is designated for the sole purpose of voluntary compensation of Senate interns by Senate offices. This additional funding will help ensure that the broadest possible pool of intern candidates have the opportunity to serve. Washington, DC, is a very expensive place, and it is good to see this provision in the bill.

There is also $1 million provided to support ongoing Congressional Accountability Act reform efforts to increase compliance and support training of legislative branch offices and agencies on harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

These are just a few of the many highlights of the bill. I want to thank my ranking member, Senator Murphy, for working with me to craft this bipartisan legislation. I also appreciate the support of the Committee on Appropriations in favorably reporting the Legislative Branch appropriations bill unanimously for consideration by the full U.S. Senate.

I respect Chairman Shelby and Vice Chairman Leahy for their efforts to work in a bipartisan manner to bring bills to the Senate floor and end this path of yet another year-end omnibus and more CRS. It was good to see a couple of amendment votes just before I started speaking. That is a healthy sign of stronger bipartisanship and getting the Senate back to regular order--executing, blocking, and tackling, as we should, for the American people.

It has been almost a decade--listen to this--it has been almost a decade since a Legislative Branch appropriations bill has received consideration on the floor outside of a large year-end spending bill. It is important for us as a body to return to regular order on appropriations bills and fund the government in a timely and more transparent manner.

I urge my colleagues to support the adoption of the package of appropriations bills before the U.S. Senate. I look forward to working with Senators on any amendments they may have to the legislative branch division.

Mr. President, Last year, just a few miles down the road in Virginia, a disabled World War II veteran, Richard Cohen, woke up to his burned American flag on his doorstep. Let me say that again. Richard Cohen, who was wounded by German machinegun fire while defending our freedom in World War II, woke up to his American flag desecrated on his doorstep.

Unfortunately, this is just one of many astonishing stories of our American flag being ruined. In fact, since 2014, there have been 50 known offensive acts of American flag burning. That is 50 times that our symbol of freedom--that thousands of Americans have paid the ultimate sacrifice for--was destroyed.

That is why I am here today, Flag Day, to speak about my constitutional amendment that would prohibit the burning of the American flag. The colors of the flag--red, white, and blue--symbolize valor, purity, and perseverance. The American flag represents our Nation's history and the character of our Nation's Founding Fathers.

Beginning with those Founding Fathers, the American flag represents the patriotism and dedication of men and women who fought to defend our Nation's freedom when our country was founded more than 200 years ago today. Thousands of brave and selfless men and women have given their lives in sacrifice and service to our country and in defense of our flag.

That is why I have introduced this constitutional amendment to provide Congress with the authority to prohibit burning of the American flag. Our flag should be protected in honor of the countless American servicemembers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend it.

It is no wonder, by overwhelming majorities, our veterans and organizations like the American Legion support this because they have been on the frontlines defending our freedom.

Our veterans are the best example of why America is still the greatest country on Earth and why our freedoms and our liberties are worth defending.

In the words of that World War II veteran Richard Cohen, ``I served under that flag and I bled for it, really, and it was a personal affront.''

The American flag has been a symbol of hope, a symbol of freedom for centuries, and it ought to be respected. On this day, Flag Day, may God continue to bless our troops, our veterans, and this great United States of America.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, this week I have the honor of recognizing Gary Dent of Pondera County for his over 42 years of service in law enforcement.

Gary Dent was born and raised in Miles City. After high school and college, Gary discussed entering the police force with a family friend, and from there, he began his career in law enforcement. After 11 years of serving around Montana, he landed in the Conrad City Police Department where he spent over 30 years as their police chief. He and his wife have one son named GR.

Gary's passion for his job is clear; yet it is his passion for the community that sets him apart. While serving as police chief, he filled his spare time by serving Conrad in any way he could, including by spending time coaching middle school and high school sports teams.

Gary's legacy in the Conrad City Police Department will survive long after his retirement. His favorite part of serving in law enforcement was the interaction with folks in the community, and that did not go unnoticed. He impacted many around Conrad and the greater Pondera County community. I congratulate Gary on a career well spent, and I wish him the best of luck in retirement.

Mr. President, on July 23, 1962, a B-47 Bomber carrying four

men on a routine training mission crashed into the southwestern slope of Emigrant Peak, killing all on board. Crash debris still remains on the unnamed ridge where these men lost their lives. After over half a century, it is time that these men are memorialized for their service so their families may have closure. Capt. Bill Faulconer, Lt. Lloyd Sawyers, Lt. David Sutton, and Lt. Fred Hixenbaugh lost their lives while serving our country. Naming the ridge in their memory will forever remind Montanans and visitors of their sacrifice.

Mr. President, on July 23, 1962, a B-47 Bomber carrying four

men on a routine training mission crashed into the southwestern slope of Emigrant Peak, killing all on board. Crash debris still remains on the unnamed ridge where these men lost their lives. After over half a century, it is time that these men are memorialized for their service so their families may have closure. Capt. Bill Faulconer, Lt. Lloyd Sawyers, Lt. David Sutton, and Lt. Fred Hixenbaugh lost their lives while serving our country. Naming the ridge in their memory will forever remind Montanans and visitors of their sacrifice.

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

Mr. President, I am proud that today President Trump will sign into law a piece of legislation that I fought for called the VA MISSION Act.

This important legislation will help fix many of the problems plaguing the VA Choice Program and will work to ensure that our Nation keeps the promises it has made to our veterans.

This bill is badly needed.

Take Hank, for example, a Montana veteran. Last year it took him more than 3 months to get an appointment and then another month to get the glasses he needed. It was clear to him that the Choice Program representatives were completely unaware of the distance issues that Montana veterans have to deal with.

And it is not just Hank. All across Montana, we have heard about how the VA Choice Program has consistently fallen short. It has missed the mark. Payment delays take up to 8 months. In fact, sometimes we have bill collectors coming after our veterans for something they should not be responsible for.

Veterans suffer hours-long waits to talk with representatives about claims, and veterans get the runaround on receiving the most basic services. This is unacceptable.

Our veterans deserve better. That is why the bipartisan MISSION Act is so vitally important. It helps fix many of the problems our veterans still face as they try to access the healthcare services they need.

Rural veterans will get greater, easier, and quicker access to healthcare. Telemedicine services will be strengthened. The oversight of opioid prescriptions will be increased. There will be greater accountability in how companies like Health Net manage this new program. Finally, it will help the VA's medical professional shortage through scholarship and loan repayment programs for medical and dental students who commit to serving in the VA.

The problems plaguing the VA aren't just occasional news stories; they are the daily reality for Montana veterans.

Enough is enough.

Our Nation has a lot of work to do to fulfill the promises we have made to our veterans. The MISSION Act is an important step forward. I am proud I have helped get this bill across the finish line and on to President Trump's desk.

I look forward to honoring our veterans' service by standing with President Trump today as he signs this important bill into law.

Thank you.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, this week I have the honor of recognizing Chris Kolstad of Liberty County for his years of dedication to Montana agriculture.

Chris is a fourth-generation farmer in Montana's Golden Triangle. For the past 100 years, wheat has paid the bills for his family and put food on people's plates, and that will continue moving forward with his son Cory as a partner on the family farm. Chris and his wife, Vicki, have four children, and Chris's father Allen Kolstad served as Montana's Lieutenant Governor from 1989-1991.

While Chris runs an impressive and successful operation on the farm, it is his involvement in the community that makes him stand out. He has been an active member of the Montana Grain Growers Association, as well as the Montana Farm Bureau. In February of 2016, Chris was elected secretary-treasurer of U.S. Wheat Associates. Most recently, Chris was elected chairman of the U.S. Wheat Associates.

Chris works hard to ensure that U.S. wheat is the best in the world. While pushing for that, he proudly represents Montana's farmers and ranchers. I congratulate and thank Chris for his years of hard work and dedication to Montana's farmers and ranchers.

Mr. President, I am glad to introduce a resolution to designate May 2018 ``National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.'' It is my hope that this resolution will show our support for the patients battling brain tumors, as well as their families, and friends who fight alongside them. It is estimated that 78,980 new cases of primary and non-malignant tumors in the brain and central nervous system will be diagnosed and 16,616 people in the United States will lose their battle with a primary brain tumor this year alone. This resolution will increase public awareness and honor those who have suffered, or are suffering from a brain tumor, while encouraging researchers to redouble their efforts in the search for a cure. I thank Senator Markey and our bipartisan colleagues for their support for this important cause.