Floor Statements

Mr. President, small businesses are the backbone of America. They generate more than half of the country's private GDP and support millions of families. In Montana, small businesses are innovating, offering new products and services, and creating jobs.

The business community relies on the Internet to access the global marketplace. In rural states like Montana where it is costly to provide internet access, consumers and businesses depend on small businesses to provide connectivity. Without small broadband providers, many Montanans would not have the internet access that most of us take for granted.

Burdensome regulations like the FCC's net neutrality rules are strangling our small businesses and preventing growth and investment. The enhanced transparency requirements in particular require small businesses to disclose an excess amount of information including network packet loss, network performance by geographic area, network performance during peak usage, network practices concerning a particular group of users, triggers that activate network practices, and the list goes on. Small companies operate with a small team of employees and do not have a team of attorneys dedicated to regulatory compliance. Small businesses simply do not have the bandwidth to take on additional regulatory burdens.

That is why I am proud to introduce the Small Business Broadband Deployment Act of 2017 with my colleague Senator Manchin. The bill provides a temporary small business exception to the net neutrality enhanced transparency requirements. There is broad support in the record for this exception, including support from the American Cable Association, Rural Wireless Association, Competitive Carriers Association, Wireless Internet Service Providers Association, CTIA--The Wireless Association, Rural Broadband Provider Coalition, WTA-- Advocates for Rural Broadband.

Providing relief from burdensome disclosure rules will allow small businesses to focus on deploying infrastructure and serving their customers rather than spending time on regulatory compliance. I ask my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this much needed legislation.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, this week, I have the distinct honor of recognizing Mack Cole of Treasure County, a third generation Montanan and dedicated public servant. Next month, Mr. Cole will celebrate 55 years of marriage with his wife, Judy. Mack and Judy Cole were married in February 10, 1962, in the town of Hysham, one of the many beautiful small communities in the quiet and peaceful high plains of eastern Montana.

After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Cole spent 2 years in South America, providing much needed services while working for the Food for Peace Program in Brazil. Mr. Cole's experience in South America would serve as a trailhead for a lifelong journey of civic minded virtue and dedication on behalf of his fellow citizens.

In the late 1970s, Mr. and Mrs. Cole moved down the road, west on I- 90 to Billings, MT, and they continued to build upon their honorable records of public service. During this chapter of his life, Mr. Cole worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in multiple western States and was involved in a wide variety of programs, including the development of irrigation projects. His work with the Bureau of Indian Affairs took him to Wyoming, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. After retiring from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1993, the Coles moved back to the family ranch outside of Hysham.

Mr. Cole continued his distinguished record of public service by representing the people of Treasure County in the Montana Legislature, retiring from the State senate in 2003. During his time in legislature and even after retirement from public life, Mr. Cole has always been a steadfast supporter of responsible energy development, a critical component for the livelihood of many of his friends and neighbors.

His humble efforts to help provide food to the hungry, keep water flowing to farms and ranches ensuring energy was always ready at the flip of a switch make him a great Montanan. It is hard to find a better example of a fellow Montanan that is always ready to offer a helping hand.

I want to express my deep gratitude to Mr. Cole for his dedication and service to Montana and our country.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, in 2005, the Federal Government enacted the REAL ID Act, imposing Federal standards established by the Department of Homeland Security to the process and production of the issuance of States' driver's licenses and identification cards.

This law was an underfunded, top down, Federal mandate, infringing on personal privacy, increasing the personal information susceptible to cyber-attacks, and undermining State sovereignty. Furthermore, a REAL ID compliant State ID will be required for all ``official federal purposes,'' including boarding commercial aircraft, impeding the movement of American citizens.

Montana led opposition to this Federal mandate. In 2007, Montana enacted a law, after both chambers of the State legislature unanimously passing legislation, refusing to comply.

That is why I am reintroducing the Repeal ID Act--to allow Montana and other States to implement their laws, protecting their sovereignty and citizens' information. Consistent with the Montana State legislature, this legislation will repeal the REAL ID Act of 2005.

Montanans are fully aware of the power that big data holds and the consequences when that data is abused. Montana has shown how States are best equipped to make licenses secure, without sacrificing the privacy and rights of their citizens. The Repeal ID Act will allow us to strike a balance that protects our national security, while also safeguarding Montanans' civil liberties and personal privacy.

I want to thank Senators Paul and Tester for being original cosponsors of this bill and I ask my other Senate colleagues to join us in support of this legislation.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, in 2005, the Federal Government enacted the REAL ID Act, imposing Federal standards established by the Department of Homeland Security to the process and production of the issuance of States' driver's licenses and identification cards.

This law was an underfunded, top down, Federal mandate, infringing on personal privacy, increasing the personal information susceptible to cyber-attacks, and undermining State sovereignty. Furthermore, a REAL ID compliant State ID will be required for all ``official federal purposes,'' including boarding commercial aircraft, impeding the movement of American citizens.

Montana led opposition to this Federal mandate. In 2007, Montana enacted a law, after both chambers of the State legislature unanimously passing legislation, refusing to comply.

That is why I am reintroducing the Repeal ID Act--to allow Montana and other States to implement their laws, protecting their sovereignty and citizens' information. Consistent with the Montana State legislature, this legislation will repeal the REAL ID Act of 2005.

Montanans are fully aware of the power that big data holds and the consequences when that data is abused. Montana has shown how States are best equipped to make licenses secure, without sacrificing the privacy and rights of their citizens. The Repeal ID Act will allow us to strike a balance that protects our national security, while also safeguarding Montanans' civil liberties and personal privacy.

I want to thank Senators Paul and Tester for being original cosponsors of this bill and I ask my other Senate colleagues to join us in support of this legislation.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

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

Mr. President, today is the day when we will begin to repeal and replace ObamaCare. Repealing and replacing this disastrous law is one of the top jobs that citizens elected us to get done. In many ways, it is why Donald J. Trump will be sworn in next week as the 45th President of the United States.

I think what is most helpful is to recap why repealing ObamaCare is so important to so many American families. Montanans were promised that with this bill you could keep the health plans that you liked. That was wrong and millions of Americans lost their plans.

Montanans were assured that coverage under ObamaCare would be affordable. For millions of Americans, for thousands of Montanans, nothing could be further from the truth. Montanans were guaranteed that ObamaCare would lower health care

costs. We witnessed premiums skyrocket since ObamaCare's implementation.

Finally, Montanans were assured that ObamaCare would create more competition in the marketplace, but now Americans in one-third--one- third--of the counties across our entire country have but one plan to choose from. Let's not forget, supporters of ObamaCare paid for these failed programs by raiding Medicare of over $700 billion. Seniors and people with disabilities in Montana and across our country deserve much better.

Over the past several years, I have heard from countless Montanans about how ObamaCare has failed them. Take, for example, Terry from Choteau, MT, who wrote:

We just got a letter from Pacific Source that our premium

is going up $260 per month and our deductible is going up to

$1000. This is $1025 per month and a $7500 deductible for 2

healthy adults [with] (no preexisting conditions). For a

ranch family this is a huge hit, especially in these times

with low commodity prices. Something needs to change.

Jeff from Kalispell, MT, said this:

I am married with 5 children. I live in Kalispell. I bought

Blue Cross Blue Shield of MT PPO Gold insurance plan #104 for

the 2016 year. My premium was $1,477.28 per month. In early

November 2016 [2 months ago] I received notice that my same

plan would increase to $2,820.00 per month. That is a 91%

increase. . . . If keeping the same rate hikes, my insurance

will be $5,500 in 2018, then $10,000 per month in 2019.

That was from Jeff in Kalispell, MT.

I have Anthony from Bozeman. That is my hometown. I went to college in Bozeman. A fellow Bozemanite writes this to me. He says:

I have never been able to afford Obamacare insurance. With

quotes of over $400 a month for a single healthy male I found

it easier to pay the penalty. So now not only can I not

afford to have medical insurance but I am getting fined for

not making enough money to pay all of my bills and give a 20%

tithe to the medical insurance industry.

Here is another Bozemanite, Kenneth. He writes this:

For 2014 we had med insurance from Pacific Source for my

wife which was adequate and filled our needs. For 2015

Pacific Source canceled that policy, citing Obamacare rules,

and best alternative was 150 percent more expensive.

We did it for 6 months and then canceled; it just took too

much from our budget. The IRS fined us $584 for missing

insurance for 6 months. We are doing without coverage for

2016 again because of the outrageous costs for this high-

deductible policy. Our IRS fine will probably be about $1500.

The list and the heartfelt stories go on. They all share one common theme: ObamaCare is not working. This ObamaCare hardship did not just impact Terry, Jeff, Anthony or Kenneth. Montanans, on average, face premium increases between 27 and 58 percent just this last year. This is year-over-year numbers.

Last evening, I had a telephone tele-townhall meeting where thousands of Montanans joined me, thousands across the entire State. Every corner of our State was on the call last night. I asked a simple question. I asked: How many of you would want to repeal ObamaCare? An overwhelming 82 percent said they support the repeal of ObamaCare.

The reason why is quite simple. They did not get what was promised to them on this very floor of this Chamber back in 2010. ObamaCare is failing because it is a massive intrusion by the Federal Government. It is centered on raising taxes, huge spending increases, and heavy regulations from Washington, DC. It is straight from the Big Government, Washington-knows-best playbook, and that is what happens when Congress doesn't listen to the American people.

You know, Montanans have very good horse sense. They know when somebody from Washington, DC, shows up and says: We have this 2,700- page bill from Washington, DC, led by Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and President Obama--Montanans know better. They know they should run for cover.

And that is exactly what ObamaCare is and what is happening now to the American people.

ObamaCare can't be tweaked. It has to be repealed. It needs to be replaced with better reforms. And we need to make sure that we do as much as we can as soon as we can so folks aren't having to deal with ObamaCare for much longer. People are hurting. It is time to replace it.

I urge my Democratic colleagues to work with us. Don't use scare tactics.

Unlike 2009, we are focused on a path forward that conveys practical benefits, not hopeless ideology. I ask them to accept the reality that ObamaCare is irreversibly flawed, it must be repealed, and it must be replaced with effective policies.

I know there are comments out there about a plan and what is next. Well, for me, it is not that complicated. It is getting the costs down. You have heard the stories. The American people are asking for relief.

For the generation of Americans just now entering the workforce--and that would be my kids; they are just entering the workforce--health care costs have increased by 77 percent. This is outrageous. It is unacceptable. These are supposed to be the easiest people to insure, yet ObamaCare seems intent on placing health care out of their reach.

I believe there are policies that are fundamental to any health care system, and it will be working and fighting for provisions that provide access to affordable insurance, that protect people with preexisting conditions, that allow young adults to stay on their parents' coverage until age 26, that return decisionmaking authority back to the States, that will eliminate these harmful Washington regulations and mandates, that will empower the American people with greater access to health savings accounts.

That was part of the health care system that was actually working pre-ObamaCare, and ObamaCare moved in and slashed health care savings accounts.

We need to make it easier to purchase health insurance across State lines, encourage and incentivize work among able-bodied Americans, and uphold fiscal responsibility by preserving and protecting Medicare for our seniors.

I very much look forward to working with the nominee for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Tom Price. I served with Dr. Price in the House. There is not a better leader at this point in time in our Nation's history to assume the leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services. He is a doctor, has served in Congress, and will be able and ready to lead from day one.

We will work together to find the best solutions, Montana solutions, solutions that work for our respective States, for people like Terry, for Jeff, for Anthony, for Kenneth, and for the thousands of other Montanans who have been harmed by this law.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order to call up the Flake amendment No. 52, and that at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow, the Senate vote in relation to Flake amendment; further, that following the disposition of the Flake amendment, there be 2 minutes of debate, equally divided in the usual form, prior to the vote in relation to the Sanders amendment No. 19.

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 ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 12 noon, Tuesday, January 10; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; finally, that following leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of S. Con. Res. 3.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume consideration of S. Con. Res. 3.

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, following the remarks from my Democratic colleagues.

Mr. President, today I have the honor of recognizing John and Stephanie Hekkel of Anaconda in celebration of the rebuilding of Club Moderne.

The bar had been considered an area landmark since its founding in 1937 and was truly a sight to behold. With its rounded front facade and Carrara glass panels, it reflected the Art Deco style of the time of its founding. It was designed by Bozeman-based architect Fred Willson and built by local carpenters and craftspeople under the direction of the first owner, John ``Skinny'' Francisco.

Until recently, the Club Moderne had changed very little since its opening day, and in 1986, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1997, the Francisco family sold the bar to a close friend, longtime bartender, and Anaconda native John Hekkel who continued its legacy as a flagship watering hole, especially for area law enforcement and firefighters, while maintaining its retro atmosphere.

A recent Yelp review described taking a step inside ``like walking inside a time capsule!''

Last April, it also won the top award in The Big Tap: 2016 Historic Bars Tournament Championship, an online contest sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Unfortunately, Club Moderne was destroyed in a fire in October, a tragic loss to the Anaconda community.

The night the fire happened, I understand John Hekkel stayed at the bar until 4:00 in the morning and, after the fire was extinguished, grabbed a shovel and physically helped with the cleanup.

Just this week, I was thrilled to hear the Hekkels announce plans to rebuild the bar and restore this historic establishment.

This is a true Montana story. Montanans pull themselves up by their bootstraps, even in times of hardship or loss.

I invite fellow Montanans to stop by to try whatever's on tap or a Moscow Mule, which is an Anaconda specialty.

The Hekkels, through Club Moderne, have welcomed those just passing through our State and native Montanans alike for generations. As small business owners, they have brought their community together. I wish them all my best as they restore Club Moderne and renew it as a bright spot in the Anaconda community. I look forward to visiting with John and Stephanie there when they reopen.

Mr. President, I wish to recognize Arlene Mathews of Helena, MT, for her 63 years of volunteer service at St. Peter's Hospital.

In a basement in 1953, Arlene began the ``Sock Sew,'' which makes socks for newborn babies who are born in December at St. Peter's Hospital to take home.

This year, Arlene and volunteers sitting at 20 sewing machines cut, sewed, and glued 100 large stockings for the newborns and another 100 smaller stockings for patients at St. Peter's whose Christmas Eve is spent in the hospital. This is a wonderful gesture that made their Christmas in the hospital just a little bit better. Thank you, Arlene, for thinking of those in the hospital, especially during the Christmas season.

I am thrilled to honor our unsung hero, Arlene Mathews, for her 63- year service to her community.

Mr. President, I join Senator Cassidy of Louisiana, Senator Gardner of Colorado, and Senator Cotton of Arkansas in introducing the Balanced Budget Accountability Act. By establishing the principle No Balanced Budget, No Pay, this legislation will bring fiscal responsibility to Washington. The American people deserve a balanced budget. Unfortunately, Washington remains unwilling to take the steps needed to get our country back on solid fiscal ground. The Balanced Budget Accountability Act reflects core principles that work: common sense business practices that protect hardworking taxpayers and making elected officials accountable for delivering results to the people they serve. It is what Washington needs to finally balance the budget.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.