Floor Statements

Mr. President, as we cut taxes, there is one goal that is the most important: We need more good-paying jobs, and we need bigger paychecks for hard-working Montanans.

It was just announced that the Senate's draft tax bill will repeal a tax that fundamentally targets those of low to middle income in my State and across the Nation. In fact, in Montana alone, 75 percent of the people who pay this tax make less than $50,000 a year. In fact, in Montana, 32.5 percent make less than $25,000 a year. This is not just anecdotal. In 2015, if you looked across the Nation, 79 percent of those who paid this tax made less than $50,000 a year. In fact, a little over 37 percent made less than $25,000 a year.

The IRS pickpocketed over $3 billion from approximately 6.5 million Americans in 2015 alone, a majority of whom made less than $50,000 per year. This is a tax that is targeted at those who are in poverty.

What is this tax, you might ask? Where in the world did it come from? I will tell you where it came from. It came from ObamaCare. It is the ObamaCare poverty tax.

Otherwise known as the individual mandate, which forces people to purchase health insurance or pay a fine, the poverty tax systematically taxes those who make less than $50,000 a year. If it were not enough that ObamaCare plans were already too expensive for some of these folks, the IRS adds insult to injury by fining them, taxing them, for not being able to afford it. Some say that ObamaCare steals from the rich to give to the poor, but, honestly, ObamaCare's individual mandate is really Robin Hood in reverse. ObamaCare's poverty tax is like Robin Hood stealing from the poor to pay King John.

It is unthinkable that we would leave such a provision in the law when we have the opportunity to repeal it. By repealing it, we would save $338 billion over 10 years. That is over $300 billion that we could put toward additional tax relief for small businesses and families.

Alternatively, if we do nothing, the CBO projects that we will increase taxes by $43 billion because of this poverty tax and that those taxes will be paid primarily by America's low- and middle-income families--$43 billion in taxes on those who can afford it the least.

ObamaCare's poverty tax must go, and there is no better time to get rid of it than right now. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in fighting on behalf of the low and middle classes of our Nation.

Benjamin Franklin is credited with this phrase: Just two things in life are certain--death and taxes.

That may be so, but we do not need to make them both quite so painful. That is why I am glad to see that a repeal of the ObamaCare poverty tax has been included in the current Senate draft tax legislation. I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to do the same.

Thank you.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the following nomination: Executive Calendar No. 362.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nomination with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, 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 proceed to legislative session for a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, with Veterans Day approaching this weekend, I would like to recognize and express my gratitude for the patriotism, selfless service, and community spirit of a small community in southern Montana. The town of Roberts, in Carbon County, is honoring military veterans by lining Highway 212 with crosses and dogtags to represent servicemembers who have lived in Roberts. The crosses signify veterans who have passed away, while the dogtags symbolize living veterans.

The breadth of service in this scenic town north of Yellowstone Park is evident in the 133 dogtags on display this year. The depth of service to our great county is rooted in the 308 crosses, some of which date back to service in the Civil War. A total of 441 individuals, with service spanning over a century and a half, is an impressive display of patriotism for any small community. The record of service among the people of Roberts is even more awe-inspiring when you consider that, during the last census, the town had just 361 residents.

As we gather to celebrate Veterans Day, let us be encouraged by the example of the folks in Roberts and take time to remember the accumulated sacrifices and ongoing commitment that allow so many to live in freedom. To the people of Roberts, thank you for punching above your weight class for our Nation.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 220, S. 1088.

Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendments be agreed to, the McCaskill amendment at the desk 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 with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 256, S. 1015.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be 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 when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 8; 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; further, that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Robb nomination postcloture; finally, that all time during recess, adjournment, morning business, and leader remarks count postcloture on the Robb nomination.

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 ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Madam President, today the U.S. House of Representatives begins marking up H.R. 1, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, and as the U.S. Senate continues to debate tax cuts, I am reminded of a speech that former Democratic President John F. Kennedy delivered in New York City in 1962. In fact, it was in December of 1962, when he said:

In short, it is a paradoxical truth that tax rates are too

high today and tax revenues are too low and the soundest way

to raise the revenues in the long run is to cut the rates

now. The experience of a number of European countries and

Japan have borne this out. This country's own experience with

tax reduction in 1954 has borne this out. And the reason is

that only full employment can balance the budget, and tax

reduction can pave the way to that employment. The purpose of

cutting taxes now is not to incur a budget deficit, but to

achieve the more prosperous, expanding economy which can

bring a budget surplus.

President Kennedy went on to say:

I repeat: our practical choice is not between a tax-cut

deficit and a budgetary surplus. It is between two kinds of

deficits: a chronic deficit of inertia, as the unwanted

result of inadequate revenues and a restricted economy; or a

temporary deficit of transition, resulting from a tax cut

designed to boost the economy, increase tax revenues, and

achieve--and I believe this can be done--a budget surplus.

The first type of deficit is a sign of waste and weakness;

the second reflects an investment in the future.

If someone had just tuned in, they might think I was quoting, perhaps, President Reagan or perhaps some other Republican leader. This was President John F. Kennedy in 1962.

We need to cut taxes once again and put money back into the pockets of the American people. I can state that Montanans need more jobs, but, importantly, we need better paying jobs. Most importantly, they need bigger paychecks. The best way to give Montanans a pay raise--how about cutting their taxes? We need tax cuts.

Mr. President, during National Adoption Awareness Month, I have the distinct honor of recognizing Diana Tolstedt of Billings. For nearly three decades, she has been helping people navigate all aspects of the adoption process. She has made a positive and lasting impact in the lives of many Montanans.

Through her work with Lutheran Social Services of Montana, Diana has gently guided and counseled adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive families. For a dozen years, she has been a recruiter with Wendy's Wonderful Kids, leading a program dedicated to finding adoptive families for the longest waiting children in foster care from eastern Montana.

Throughout the United States, there are over 100,000 children in foster care who are waiting for adoption, each needing a loving home and stable environment to allow them to thrive and reach their potential. In the midst of this adoption challenge, folks like Diana are a guiding light to help others traverse adoption obstacles. I would like to thank Diana for having a heart as big as Yellowstone County and a commitment to brightening the hopes of children one life at a time.

Madam President, I have the distinct honor of recognizing Steve Fournier of Butte, a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable Montanans. Steve is known by his peers for his dedication, compassion, and integrity working to help the homeless.

For nearly 16 years, Steve has helped Montanans find housing stability through his work as a case manager and service advocate for locally administered housing programs. When the rescue mission served as the emergency housing alternative for the Butte area after it closed earlier this year, Steve helped 22 households find a safe and warm place to stay. His efforts have helped many of his neighbors in southwest Montana overcome crisis situations and transition to a more hopeful path.

Steve's demonstrated commitment to assisting others is a genuine reflection of uncommon moral stamina. The Treasure State is humbled and blessed to have people like Mr. Fournier call Montana home. Thank you, Steve, for repeatedly finding a refuge in times of trouble.

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

Madam 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.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 231, S. 1766.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be 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.