granule_id,date,congress,session,volume,issue,title,chamber,granule_class,sub_granule_class,page_start,page_end,speakers,bills,citation,full_text CREC-2018-12-31-pt1-PgS-FrontMatter-2,2018-12-31,115,2,164,,Senate,SENATE,SENATE,FRONTMATTER,S8049,S8049,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8049,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 206 (Monday, December 31, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 206 (Monday, December 31, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8049] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] S E N A T E Vol. 164 WASHINGTON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2018 No. 206" CREC-2018-12-31-pt1-PgS8049-2,2018-12-31,115,2,164,,APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8049,S8049,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8049,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 206 (Monday, December 31, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 206 (Monday, December 31, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8049] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will please read a communication to the Senate from the President pro tempore (Mr. Hatch). The senior assistant legislative clerk read the following letter: U.S. Senate, President pro tempore, Washington, DC, December 31, 2018. To the Senate: Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby appoint the Honorable Cory Gardner, a Senator from the State of Colorado, to perform the duties of the Chair. Orrin G. Hatch, President pro tempore. Mr. GARDNER thereupon assumed the Chair as Acting President pro tempore. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-31-pt1-PgS8049-3,2018-12-31,115,2,164,,"ADJOURNMENT UNTIL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2019, AT 4 P.M.",SENATE,SENATE,ADJOURNMENT,S8049,S8049,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8049,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 206 (Monday, December 31, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 206 (Monday, December 31, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8049] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ADJOURNMENT UNTIL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2019, AT 4 P.M. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the Senate stands adjourned until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 2, 2019. Thereupon, the Senate, at 10 and 25 seconds a.m., adjourned until Wednesday, January 2, 2019, at 4 p.m." CREC-2018-12-31-pt1-PgS8049,2018-12-31,115,2,164,,Senate,SENATE,SENATE,CALLTOORDER,S8049,S8049,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8049,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 206 (Monday, December 31, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 206 (Monday, December 31, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8049] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [[Page S8049]] Senate The Senate met at 10 and 1 seconds a.m. and was called to order by the Honorable Cory Gardner, a Senator from the State of Colorado. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-27-pt1-PgS-FrontMatter-4,2018-12-27,115,2,164,,Senate,SENATE,SENATE,FRONTMATTER,S8047,S8047,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8047,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8047] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] S E N A T E Vol. 164 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018 No. 205" CREC-2018-12-27-pt1-PgS8047-2,2018-12-27,115,2,164,,PRAYER,SENATE,SENATE,PRAYER,S8047,S8047,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8047,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8047] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PRAYER The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer: Let us pray. O God of wisdom and order, who filled the universe with the mysteries of Your power, bring wisdom and order to our Nation and our world. Stay close to our lawmakers. Remind them to trust always in the multitude of Your mercy. Deliver them from the mire of division and despair, as You lead them to Your desired destination. Refusing to lean solely on their own wisdom, may our Senators trust You, O God, to choreograph our destinies. Make haste, O God, to deliver. We pray in Your strong Name. Amen. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-27-pt1-PgS8047-3,2018-12-27,115,2,164,,PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE,SENATE,SENATE,PLEDGE,S8047,S8047,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8047,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8047] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Presiding Officer led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-27-pt1-PgS8047-4,2018-12-27,115,2,164,,APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8047,S8047,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8047,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8047] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will please read a communication to the Senate from the President pro tempore (Mr. Hatch). The senior assistant legislative clerk read the following letter: U.S. Senate, President pro tempore, Washington, DC, December 27, 2018. To the Senate: Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby appoint the Honorable Pat Roberts, a Senator from the State of Kansas, to perform the duties of the Chair. Orrin G. Hatch, President pro tempore. Mr. ROBERTS thereupon assumed the Chair as Acting President pro tempore. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-27-pt1-PgS8047-5,2018-12-27,115,2,164,,RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8047,S8047,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8047,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8047] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-27-pt1-PgS8047-6,2018-12-27,115,2,164,,CONCLUSION OF MORNING BUSINESS,SENATE,SENATE,SCONBUSINESS,S8047,S8047,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8047,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8047] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CONCLUSION OF MORNING BUSINESS The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Morning business is closed. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-27-pt1-PgS8047-7,2018-12-27,115,2,164,,CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8047,S8047,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""695""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""695""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8047,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8047] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017 The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the Senate will resume consideration of the House message to accompany H.R. 695, which the clerk will report. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: House message to accompany H.R. 695, a bill to amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to establish a national criminal history background check system and criminal history review program for certain individuals who, related to their employment, have access to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes. Pending: McConnell motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-27-pt1-PgS8047-8,2018-12-27,115,2,164,,MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE RECEIVED DURING ADJOURNMENT,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8047,S8048,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""7""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""1660""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2200""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""2200""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2276""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2652""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2679""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2765""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2896""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2961""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3031""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3191""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3367""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3444""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""3460""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3777""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""6287""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8047,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8047-S8048] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE RECEIVED DURING ADJOURNMENT Enrolled Bills Signed Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 3, 2017, the Secretary of the Senate, on December 24, 2018, during the adjournment of the Senate, received a message from the House of Representatives announcing that the Speaker had signed the following enrolled bills: S. 7. An act to amend title 51, United States Code, to extend the authority of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to enter into leases of non-excess property of the Administration. S. 2200. An act to reauthorize the National Integrated Drought Information System, and for other purposes. S. 2276. An act to require agencies to submit reports on outstanding recommendations in the annual budget justification submitted to Congress. S. 2652. An act to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Stephen Michael Gleason. S. 2679. An act to provide access to and manage the distribution of excess or surplus property to veteran-owned small businesses. S. 2765. An act to amend the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to exempt investment advisers who solely advise certain rural business investment companies, and for other purposes. S. 2896. An act to require disclosure by lobbyists of convictions for bribery, extortion, embezzlement, illegal kickbacks, tax evasion, fraud, conflicts of interest, making false statements, perjury, or money laundering. S. 2961. An act to reauthorize subtitle A of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990. S. 3031. An act to amend chapter 5 of title 40, United States Code, to improve the management of Federal personal property. S. 3191. An act to provide for the expeditious disclosure of records related to civil rights cold cases, and for other purposes. S. 3367. An act to amend certain transportation-related reporting requirements to improve congressional oversight, reduce reporting burdens, and promote transparency, and for other purposes. S. 3444. An act to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Lake Charles, Louisiana, as the ``Douglas Fournet Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic''. S. 3777. An act to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a tiger team dedicated to addressing the difficulties encountered by the Department of Veterans Affairs in carrying out section 3313 of title 38, United States Code, after the enactment of sections 107 and 501 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017. H.R. 1660. An act to direct the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to submit to Congress a report on the development and use of global health innovations in the programs, projects, and activities of the Agency. [[Page S8048]] H.R. 2200. An act to reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, and for other purposes. H.R. 3460. An act to designate the United States courthouse located at 323 East Chapel Hill Street in Durham, North Carolina, as the ``John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse''. H.R. 6287. An act to provide competitive grants for the operation, security, and maintenance, of certain memorials to victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 3, 2017, the enrolled bills were signed on December 24, 2018, during the adjournment of the Senate, by the Acting President pro tempore (Mr. Roberts). ____________________" CREC-2018-12-27-pt1-PgS8047,2018-12-27,115,2,164,,Senate,SENATE,SENATE,CALLTOORDER,S8047,S8047,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8047,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8047] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [[Page S8047]] Senate The Senate met at 4 p.m. and was called to order by the Honorable Pat Roberts, a Senator from the State of Kansas. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-27-pt1-PgS8048-2,2018-12-27,115,2,164,,ENROLLED BILLS PRESENTED,SENATE,SENATE,ENROLLEDPRESENTED,S8048,S8048,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""7""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""943""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1520""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2076""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2200""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2248""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2276""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2278""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2679""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2736""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2765""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2896""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2961""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3031""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3191""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3367""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3444""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3530""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3777""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8048,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8048] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ENROLLED BILLS PRESENTED The Secretary of the Senate reported that on today, December 27, 2018, she had presented to the President of the United States the following enrolled bills: S. 7. An act to amend title 51, United States Code, to extend the authority of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to enter into leases of non-excess property of the Administration. S. 943. An act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an accurate comprehensive student count for the purposes of calculating formula allocations for programs under the Johnson-O'Malley Act, and for other purposes. S. 1520. An act to expand recreational fishing opportunities through enhanced marine fishery conservation and management, and for other purposes. S. 2076. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the expansion of activities related to Alzheimer's disease, cognitive decline, and brain health under the Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Aging Program, and for other purposes. S. 2200. An act to reauthorize the National Integrated Drought Information System, and for other purposes. S. 2248. An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide certain burial benefits for spouses and children of veterans who are buried in tribal cemeteries, and for other purposes. S. 2276. An act to require agencies to submit reports on outstanding recommendations in the annual budget justification submitted to Congress. S. 2278. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide grants to improve health care in rural areas. S, 2652. An act to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Stephen Michael Gleason. S. 2679. An act to provide access to and manage the distribution of excess or surplus property to veteran-owned small businesses. S. 2736. An act to develop a long-term strategic vision and a comprehensive, multifaceted, and principled United States policy for the Indo-Pacific region, and for other purposes. S. 2765. An act to amend the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to exempt investment advisers who solely advise certain rural business investment companies, and for other purposes. S. 2896. An act to require disclosure by lobbyists of convictions for bribery, extortion, embezzlement, illegal kickbacks, tax evasion, fraud, conflicts of interest, making false statements, perjury, or money laundering. S. 2961. An act to reauthorize subtitle A of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990. S. 3031. An act to amend chapter 5 of title 40, United States Code, to improve the management of Federal personal property. S. 3191. An act to provide for the expeditious disclosure of records related to civil rights cold cases, and for other purposes. S. 3367. An act to amend certain transportation-related reporting requirements to improve congressional oversight, reduce reporting burdens, and promote transparency, and for other purposes. S. 3444. An act to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Lake Charles, Louisiana, as the ``Douglas Fournet Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic''. S. 3530. An act to reauthorize the Museum and Library Services Act. S. 3777. An act to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a tiger team dedicated to addressing the difficulties encountered by the Department of Veterans Affairs in carrying out section 3313 of title 38, United States Code, after the enactment of sections 107 and 501 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-27-pt1-PgS8048-3,2018-12-27,115,2,164,,"ORDERS FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2018, THROUGH WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2019",SENATE,SENATE,SORDERFOR,S8048,S8048,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""695""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""695""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8048,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8048] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ORDERS FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2018, THROUGH WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2019 The PRESIDING OFFICER. In my capacity as the Senator from Kansas, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn to then convene for a pro forma session on Monday, December 31, at 10 a.m. I further ask that when the Senate adjourns on Monday December 31, it next convene at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 2; and 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, that following leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of the House message to accompany H.R. 695. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-27-pt1-PgS8048-4,2018-12-27,115,2,164,,"ADJOURNMENT UNTIL MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2018, AT 4 P.M.",SENATE,SENATE,ADJOURNMENT,S8048,S8048,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8048,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8048] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ADJOURNMENT UNTIL MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2018, AT 4 P.M. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. In my capacity as the Senator from Kansas, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order. Thereupon, the Senate at 4:04 p.m., adjourned until Monday, December 31, 2018, at 10 a.m." CREC-2018-12-27-pt1-PgS8048,2018-12-27,115,2,164,,MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE,SENATE,SENATE,SMSGHOUSE,S8048,S8048,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8048,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 205 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8048] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE At 4:01 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, announced that pursuant to section 431(a)(3) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-31), and the order of the House of January 3, 2017, the Speaker appoints the following individual on the part of the House of Representatives to the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission to fill the existing vacancy thereon: Ms. Penny Young Nance of Fairfax, Virginia. The message also announced that pursuant to section 103(c) of the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act of 2008 (34 U.S.C. 50313), and the order of the House of January 3, 2017, the Speaker and Minority Leader jointly appoint the following individual on the part of the House of Representatives to the Federal Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Board: Mrs. Val Butler Demings of Orlando, Florida. The message further announced that pursuant to section 203(c) of the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act of 2008 (34 U.S.C. 50323), and the order of the House of January 3, 2017, the Speaker and Minority Leader jointly appoint the following individual on the part of the House of Representatives to the State and Local Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Board: Mr. David Moore of Janesville, Wisconsin. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-24-pt1-PgS-FrontMatter,2018-12-24,115,2,164,,Senate,SENATE,SENATE,FRONTMATTER,S8045,S8045,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8045,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 204 (Monday, December 24, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 204 (Monday, December 24, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8045] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] S E N A T E Vol. 164 WASHINGTON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018 No. 204" CREC-2018-12-24-pt1-PgS8045-2,2018-12-24,115,2,164,,APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8045,S8045,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8045,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 204 (Monday, December 24, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 204 (Monday, December 24, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8045] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will please read a communication to the Senate from the President pro tempore (Mr. Hatch). The bill clerk read the following letter: U.S. Senate, President pro tempore, Washington, DC, December 24, 2018. To the Senate: Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby appoint the Honorable Pat Roberts, a Senator from the State of Kansas, to perform the duties of the Chair. Orrin G. Hatch, President pro tempore. Mr. ROBERTS thereupon assumed the Chair as Acting President pro tempore. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-24-pt1-PgS8045-3,2018-12-24,115,2,164,,"ADJOURNMENT UNTIL THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018, AT 4 P.M.",SENATE,SENATE,ADJOURNMENT,S8045,S8045,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8045,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 204 (Monday, December 24, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 204 (Monday, December 24, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8045] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ADJOURNMENT UNTIL THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018, AT 4 P.M. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the Senate stands adjourned until 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 27, 2018. Thereupon, the Senate, at 11 and 52 seconds a.m., adjourned until Thursday, December 27, 2018, at 4 p.m." CREC-2018-12-24-pt1-PgS8045,2018-12-24,115,2,164,,Senate,SENATE,SENATE,CALLTOORDER,S8045,S8045,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8045,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 204 (Monday, December 24, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 204 (Monday, December 24, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8045] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [[Page S8045]] Senate The Senate met at 11 and 19 seconds a.m. and was called to order by the Honorable Pat Roberts, a Senator from the State of Kansas. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS-FrontMatter-8,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,Senate,SENATE,SENATE,FRONTMATTER,S8021,S8021,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8021,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8021] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] S E N A T E Vol. 164 WASHINGTON, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2018 No. 203" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8021-2,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,PRAYER,SENATE,SENATE,PRAYER,S8021,S8021,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8021,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8021] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PRAYER The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer: Let us pray. O God of our salvation, in spite of the challenges of today and tomorrow, we continue to look to You, our help in ages past and our hope for the seasons to come. Deliver us from the pitfalls of political brinksmanship. May our lawmakers continually remember how You have led this Nation in the past, finding inspiration and faith that You will also guide this land in the days to come. Give our Senators strength, power, and wisdom for these grand and exacting times. Use them to defend our liberties and to unify our Nation for the good of humanity. We pray in Your mighty name. Amen. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8021-3,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE,SENATE,SENATE,PLEDGE,S8021,S8021,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8021,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8021] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Presiding Officer led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8021-4,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8021,S8021,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8021,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8021] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will please read a communication to the Senate from the President pro tempore (Mr. Hatch). The senior assistant legislative clerk read the following letter: U.S. Senate, President pro tempore, Washington, DC, December 22, 2018. To the Senate: Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby appoint the Honorable John Boozman, a Senator from the State of Arkansas, to perform the duties of the Chair. Orrin G. Hatch, President pro tempore. Mr. BOOZMAN thereupon assumed the Chair as Acting President pro tempore. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8021-5,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8021,S8021,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8021,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8021] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The majority leader is recognized. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8021-6,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,GOVERNMENT FUNDING,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8021,S8022,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8021,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8021-S8022] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] GOVERNMENT FUNDING Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I have on a red sweater this morning in the hopes that Christmas is not too far away for all of us, including the Members of Congress. With that in mind, let me give everyone an update on where we are. Yesterday, the Democratic leader and I reached a procedural agreement to create space for ongoing negotiations over government funding. To provide flexibility as the White House and Senate Democrats continue their discussions, the Senate already officially proceeded to the House-passed funding legislation--so that is pending--but we did so with an understanding that no further votes will occur until the President and Senate Democrats have reached an agreement to resolve this. Let me say that again. We pushed the pause button until the President, from whom we will need a signature, and Senate Democrats, from whom we will need votes, reach an agreement--no procedural votes, no test votes, just a meaningful vote on a bipartisan agreement whenever that is reached, and it is my hope that it is reached sooner rather than later. It is no mystery why securing our Nation's borders is such a major priority for Republicans here in the Senate and Republicans over in the House and for President Trump. Any look at the plain facts leads to one simple conclusion: The crisis of security at our southern border is real. Over the past year, Customs and Border Protection's records of apprehensions and interdictions at our southern border are literally staggering--800 known gang members, a 50-percent increase over last year, nearly 7,000 individuals with criminal histories, including weapons trafficking and violent offenses, more than double the levels of fentanyl, along with other illicit substances. So the report card is quite clear. America's borders are in crisis. These facts I have stated are not partisan facts. They aren't ideological. They are just facts--just facts. They don't describe the Republican Party's version of events or the President's version of events. They describe reality. So one would think that securing our homeland, controlling our borders, and protecting the American people would be bipartisan priorities--uncontroversial, commonsense, bipartisan priorities--a core duty of any nation's government. And here is the interesting thing. Until very, very recently, that seemed to be the case. Back in 2006, Democrats were perfectly happy to support hundreds--hundreds--of miles of physical barriers along the border. Twenty-six Democrats voted for the bill, including then-Senator Obama and then-Senator Clinton and my good friend the current Democratic leader from New York, but what about more recently? Earlier this very year--this year, Mr. President--the Democratic leader offered $25 billion for physical barriers in his negotiations with the President, which is five times as much as the White House is reasonably requesting right now. That was just earlier this year. Republicans in the House and in the Senate believe the House's provision for $5 billion in border funding plus additional disaster funding were completely reasonable. I was glad to vote [[Page S8022]] to advance that legislation yesterday. My colleagues and I are proud to stand with the American people on this subject for the safety of American families and the health and security of our communities, but this time--this time--Democrats have rejected that reasonable request. They have refused to meet President Trump half way and provide even one-fifth of the resources for the border they were willing to provide just a few months ago. There is no bright line of principle that separates hundreds of miles of physical barriers in 2006 from new physical barriers in 2018. There is no major philosophical shift that made $25 billion for border security worthwhile just a few months ago but makes a far more modest investment of $5 billion immoral and unacceptable today. No, Democrats haven't rejected the President's request and invited this partial government shutdown because of some principled objections they just discovered in the last few weeks. It is not some principled discovery they just made in the last few weeks. They brought this about because they are under a lot of pressure--we all know this--from their far left and feel compelled to disagree with the President on almost anything and certainly this. So that is where we are, but we don't need to be here for long. In order to get us out of this mess, a negotiated solution will need to check these boxes. It is really very simple. It will need the support of 60 Senators, which will obviously include a number of Democrats. It will need to pass the House. And it will need a Presidential signature. That is how we make a law in this situation. Sixty 60 votes in the Senate, a majority of the House, and President Trump's signature are what is needed. That is what will end this regrettable episode, reopen the lapsed portions of the Federal Government, and produce the investment in border security that our Nation really needs. So I am glad that productive discussions are continuing at this hour between my friend the Democratic leader, the Democratic leader in the House, and the White House. When those negotiations produce a solution that is acceptable to all of those parties, it will receive a vote here on the Senate floor. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8021,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,Senate,SENATE,SENATE,CALLTOORDER,S8021,S8021,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8021,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8021] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [[Page S8021]] Senate The Senate met at 12 noon and was called to order by the Honorable John Boozman, a Senator from the State of Arkansas. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8022-2,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017--Continued,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8022,S8022,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Charles E. Schumer"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""695""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""695""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8022,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8022] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017--Continued The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the Senate will resume consideration of the House message to accompany H.R. 695, which the clerk will report. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: House Message to accompany H.R. 695, a bill to amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to establish a voluntary national criminal history background check system and criminal history review program for certain individuals who, related to their employment, have access to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes. Pending: McConnell motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill. Mr. McCONNELL. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Recognition of the Minority Leader The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The minority leader is recognized. Mr. SCHUMER. Merry Christmas, happy holidays to you, sir, and to the legislative staff. I ask unanimous consent that the quorum call be dispensed with. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8022-3,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8022,S8025,"[{""name"": ""Charles E. Schumer"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Patrick J. Leahy"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""John Boozman"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8022,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8022-S8025] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, at midnight last night, roughly 25 percent of the government shut down because of one person and one person alone: President Trump. We arrived at this moment because President Trump has been on a destructive 2-week temper tantrum, demanding the American taxpayer pony up for an expensive and ineffective border wall that the President promised Mexico would pay for. Make no mistake. The Trump shutdown is not about border security. All of the proposals we have made contain over $1 billion in new border security money, the same amount allocated last year by both parties and even the President agreed to. The Trump administration has barely even spent any of the border security money from last year. So the Trump shutdown isn't over border security; it is because President Trump is demanding billions of dollars for an expensive, ineffective wall the majority of Americans don't support. Let me remind you, the President called for a shutdown no less than 25 times. He has wanted one for months. In our meeting in the Oval Office, President Trump said he would be ``proud'' to shut the government down. Imagine saying he would be proud to shut the government down. Even Rush Limbaugh, one of the biggest supporters of the President, said it was a Trump shutdown; that he caused it. He said--this is Limbaugh speaking: ``The President wants you to know it's money [for the wall] or nothing, and if it's nothing, he shuts it down.'' Just 2 days ago, the Senate unanimously agreed to a proposal by Leader McConnell to keep the government open through February. It wasn't exactly what Democrats wanted--we thought it should be longer-- but we agreed because we wanted to keep the government open, and all indications were that the President would sign the bill, but President Trump--beholden to the far, far right, unwilling to shoulder even the slightest critique from Rush Limbaugh or Laura Ingraham--changed his mind on the bipartisan Senate bill, passed unanimously by all Republicans and all Democrats in this Chamber, and he sent his House allies off to tilt at windmills. Everyone knew yesterday, long before the House vote, that the President's wall lacked 60 votes in the Senate. It has proven to lack even 50 votes. It will never pass the Senate--not today, not next week, not next year. So President Trump, if you want to open the government, you must abandon the wall, plain and simple. The Senate is not interested in swindling American taxpayers for an unnecessary, ineffective, and wasteful policy. What we do support, Democrats and Republicans, is real, effective border security--but not a wall. The wall is President Trump's bone to the hard-right people. It is no way to spend $5 billion, for a political bone. I have heard the President and his allies in the media say Democrats don't support border security. Nothing could be further from the truth. Democrats have always been for smart and effective ways to secure our border. We are pushing for technology, like drones and sensors and inspection equipment. Every single proposal we made to the President included $1.3 billion for border security. The Trump shutdown provides zero dollars for border security, but I have never supported a border wall, and I challenge anyone on the hard right to find a time that I-- or any expert--has supported a wall like what the President has proposed. So where do we go from here? Well, three proposals are on the table, two by Democrats--Leader Pelosi and I--one by Leader McConnell, each of which would reopen the government and provide $1.3 billion in border security. We are also open to discussing any proposals with the President as long as they don't include funding for the wall, but in order for an agreement to be reached, all four congressional leaders must sign off and the President must endorse it and say he will sign it. Leader McConnell must agree. Speaker Ryan must agree. They cannot duck responsibility. Leader McConnell still controls this Chamber. Speaker Ryan controls what reaches the floor of the House. They are essential to this process. Leader McConnell can't duck out of it. He knows that. Of course, Leader Pelosi and I must agree. Most importantly, the President must publicly support and say he will sign an agreement before it gets a vote in either Chamber. We don't want to go through what we went through a few days ago. Both Leader McConnell and I have agreed on that qualification for a specific reason. Repeatedly, the President [[Page S8023]] has privately agreed to a deal with congressional leaders, only to reverse himself when criticized by the far right. We can't have another situation when the President signals support at first but then reverses himself, which is precisely what caused this shutdown in the first place. If Leader McConnell, Speaker Ryan, Leader Pelosi, and I agree on a solution, and the President says he will sign it, we can end the Trump shutdown immediately. Discussions continue among the members of our staffs. The Republican Leader and I will update the Senate on the status of those talks once progress has been made. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Perdue). Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. LEAHY. Today, 9 of our 15 Federal Departments and several dozen Agencies have shuttered their doors. By doing that, they denied vital services to millions of American citizens. Since midnight last night, just a few days before Christmas, more than 800,000 dedicated public servants and their families have been told not to expect their next paycheck for the foreseeable future. There is one reason and one reason only that our Federal Government has shut down today and countless Americans are living with uncertainty. That reason is President Donald J. Trump. The President is holding the Federal Government hostage for $5 billion of from the American taxpayer for his unnecessary, ineffective, and expensive wall on the southern border--a wall he repeatedly promised--gave his word to the American taxpayers--that Mexico would pay for. Now he wants American taxpayers to dig in their pockets and pay for it. The President's irresponsible behavior is astounding. His job, like ours, is to keep the Federal Government operating for the hundreds of millions of Americans who depend on government services every day, from our national parks, to housing services for the elderly, the disabled, our veterans, and for assistance for our Nation's farmers. In fact, 2 days ago, the President signed the farm bill into law and praised his efforts. Today, he precipitated a shutdown that shuttered the doors to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's field offices--the same offices farmers rely on to understand this new law. But the worst part of all is that this was completely avoidable. We provided the President with several options to avoid this result. It is a case where he cannot take yes for an answer. We offered to pass six full-year appropriations bills and a continuing resolution for Homeland or a continuing resolution for all the remaining bills. Either of these options would have kept the government open. They would have provided more than $1 billion for border security--the very thing the President says he needs and cares most about. Plus, signing them instead of having a needless shutdown would save taxpayers millions of dollars. After both of these offers were rejected, the Senate passed by voice vote a 7-week continuing resolution. This would have given us more time to negotiate and avert this catastrophe. Democrats and Republicans came together to pass it. The President had agreed to sign it. We finally had a path forward. Then FOX News and the rightwing media started criticizing it. The President's ego won out over his duties to the country. His ego was so bruised, he reversed course and went back on what he had agreed to. Here we are exactly where the President wanted us to be--in the middle of a Trump shutdown. For anyone doubting where responsibility lies, let's recall that the President has publicly called for a government shutdown no fewer than 25 times over the past year. Just last week, he declared he would be proud to shut down the government unless we capitulated to his demand. Proud? I have been here with every President, Republican and Democratic, since President Gerald Ford. It is one of the most reckless statements I have ever heard uttered by a President of the United States. And now he has made good on his threat. His pride has won out, and the Trump shutdown has begun. How long is it going to last? Who knows? Yesterday, the President promised it would last a long time, and then he promised us it would be a short shutdown. Even in this, his behavior is erratic. How did we get here? Is there a legitimate crisis precipitating this shutdown? Is the President playing games with the lives and livelihoods of American citizens to solve some immediate problem that threatens our Nation? No. Of course not. In caving to the most extreme sliver of his base, President Trump is throwing what many of us have described as a childish tantrum because he wants money to fulfill a cynical promise he made repeatedly on the campaign trail--more of a symbolic prize than any sensible policy solution. This wasteful wall--a wall he promised Mexico would pay for, not the American taxpayers--this wasteful wall that he now wants to bill to the American taxpayers would do more to preserve the President's ego than it would to protect the American people. But I believe it is the natural result of the President's years-long demonization and vilification of immigrants, years during which the President rallied his base with falsehoods and fantasies where vulnerable women and children are portrayed as hordes of gang members and terrorists invading our country. The sad reality, as Republicans and Democrats know, is that many of these people coming to our country are fleeing desperate situations in their home countries, and they are looking for sanctuary. They are not coming here to perpetuate violence; they are running from it. Let me be clear. There is no crisis that requires us to build a 30- foot wall between us and our neighbors to the south. The President's hateful rhetoric about a crisis on our southern border does not reflect reality. At the end of 2017, arrests of people attempting to enter the United States illegally dropped to historic lows. Between 2000 and 2018, border apprehensions fell sharply from 1.6 million in fiscal year 2000 to approximately 400,000 in fiscal year 2018. That is a 75-percent drop. Not only do the facts on the ground not warrant spending billions of American taxpayer dollars on a ``big beautiful wall,'' as the President likes to call it, that is not who we are as a nation. We are a country founded by immigrants, just as my maternal grandparents came to Vermont from Italy, my paternal great-great-grandparents came to Vermont from Ireland, and my wife's parents came to Vermont from the Province of Quebec in Canada. We need to look at the immigrant founding of our country. Then, if we want to wall ourselves off from our neighbors, it will not only be an expensive waste of Americans' taxpayer dollars, but it will be immoral, ineffective, and an affront to everything this country is supposed to stand for. To build a wall, the President wants to seize land from ranchers and farmers in Texas and in other border States--seize lands that have been in their families for generations. He would need to construct walls through wildlife refuges and nature preserves, basically destroying them. Ironically, we would end up walling ourselves off from the Rio Grande in the process, essentially ceding the river to Mexico. After all of that and after billions of wasted taxpayer dollars, what would it accomplish? Would it stop people from fleeing violence in their home countries and seeking sanctuary? No. Would it stop drug smugglers and human traffickers from engaging in illegal activity? Definitely no. As so many have said, show me a 30-foot wall, and I will show you a 31-foot ladder or a tunnel. To address these complex issues, we need real solutions, not bumper sticker slogans, not angry tweets. Everyone agrees we need to keep our borders safe and secure, but it has to be with smart border security, with border security that works, with new technologies that have proven to have worked on the border and at our ports of entry, technologies with new air and marine assets and additional personnel who are needed. A 30-foot wall is symbolic and unneeded. Even if we needed to build it, what is the rush? Over the past 2 years, Congress has provided nearly $1.7 billion to build or to replace fencing on [[Page S8024]] the southern border. Yet the administration has hardly spent any of that money, and the projects it has undertaken have been handled in such a way that they have ballooned in cost. We have given the administration $1.7 billion, and it is now demanding more. How much of the $1.7 billion did it spend? It spent 6 percent. Six percent of these funds have been spent. We have recently learned that one project in the Rio Grande Valley that was supposed to cost $445 million will now cost American taxpayers nearly $787 million. That is a 77-percent cost overrun with a pricetag of $31.5 million for each and every mile. We have seen that you cannot trust the administration to be responsible with the money we have already provided, let alone trust it to spend responsibly the additional money the President is demanding. Once and for all, let's put an end to this nonsense, and we have an easy way to do it. We could finish six of the seven appropriations bills right now while we continue to debate these other issues. These bills are the product of bipartisan compromise as the Republicans and Democrats have come together. They provide billions of dollars in new resources to address critical needs for the American people. They protect U.S. national security. These six bills that we have already agreed on--Republicans and Democrats--would provide much needed funding to help combat our Nation's opioid epidemic and critical investments in infrastructure. They would help us to rebuild our Nation's crumbling roads, bridges, and highways. They would provide resources to protect the environment and help ensure that the water we drink and the air we breathe is safe and clean for this generation, for our children, and for the following generation. They would also support key allies and national security programs to enable the United States to be a global leader--a role that is being increasingly challenged by China and Russia. So I have to ask; is the President really going to hold the American people hostage over a wall that he, time and again, has promised Mexico will pay for? Is he really going to force hundreds of thousands of Federal employees, including the very Agency he depends upon to carry out his immigration enforcement policy, to work without pay over the Christmas holiday? Is he really going to tell millions of Americans, including his most ardent supporters, that he could care less whether they are cut off from critical government services purely in the service of his own vanity? The President has, apparently, decided that fighting a symbolic fight for a shiny object is more important than keeping our government running for the American people. It is the height of irresponsibility. As negotiations with Chairman Shelby and Leader McConnell continue in good faith, I am here this weekend to continue to talk with Members of both parties, but we are all coming to the same conclusion. We can agree easily, Republicans and Democrats, but we can only succeed if the President decides to do what we have done, which is to put the country first. The President of the United States owes that to the American people. He owes reality, not rhetoric. I don't see another Member seeking recognition. I ask unanimous consent that the editorial in yesterday's New York Times about Secretary Mattis be placed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: [From the New York Times, Dec. 20, 2018] Jim Mattis Was Right--Who Will Protect America Now? (By the Editorial Board) The editorial board represents the opinions of the board, its editor and the publisher. It is separate from the newsroom and the Op-Ed section. Jim Mattis is stepping down as defense secretary, a day after President Trump overruled him and other top national security advisers by ordering the rapid withdrawal of all 2,000 American ground troops from Syria. Mr. Mattis, a retired four-star general, said in his letter of resignation that his views on a number of foreign policy and defense matters were fundamentally at odds with those of the president. Mr. Mattis did not specifically mention the president's seemingly impulsive decision on Syria, but he and other top aides were clearly caught by surprise. With Mr. Mattis's departure, the last of the original group of grounded professionals who have, with at least partial success, restrained Mr. Trump on foreign and defense policy are now gone. It was less than three months ago that John Bolton, the national security adviser, spelled out a broader mission for the American troops in Syria. At the time, it sounded like an authoritative statement of official policy. Only, as is so often the case with Donald Trump's chaotic presidency, it apparently wasn't. On Wednesday, Mr. Trump summarily overruled Mr. Bolton and the rest of his national security team with his abrupt and dangerous troop withdrawal decision. The move, detached from any broader strategic context or any public rationale, sowed new uncertainty about America's commitment to the Middle East, its willingness to be a global leader and Mr. Trump's role as commander in chief. It appears to have been the final straw for Mr. Mattis, who has walked a tightrope for the past two years between his training and his conscience, and the whims of his president. He kept his concerns mainly to himself, while slow-walking a number of Mr. Trump's demands, like banning transgender troops and seeking a full-dress military parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a tweet that Mr. Mattis's departure was ``scary.'' He called him ``an island of stability amidst the chaos of the Trump administration.'' Soldiers have a duty to follow their leader and carry out lawful orders. But success depends on trusting that the leader knows what he's doing and where he's going. Sending conflicting orders to soldiers on the battlefield, as Mr. Trump and his administration are doing, not only hampers morale and undermines allied forces like the Syrian Kurds, it could also risk getting American soldiers killed or wounded for objectives their commanders had already abandoned. Even some of Mr. Trump's most ardent supporters were alarmed. ``It is a major blunder,'' a Republican senator, Marco Rubio of Florida, wrote on Twitter. ``If it isn't reversed it will haunt this administration & America for years to come.'' Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, who generally supports Mr. Trump, said he and others in the national security establishment were ``blindsided'' by the announcement. He called for congressional hearings on the decision. This isn't the first time the president and his administration have sent mixed messages. During the 2016 campaign, Mr. Trump promised to withdraw troops from Syria and has been looking for a way do it ever since. In April, he gave the Pentagon more time to complete the mission, which since the Obama era has been strictly focused on finishing off the Islamic State. Then Mr. Bolton arrived on the job and declared that ``we're not going to leave as long as Iranian troops are outside Iranian borders, and that includes Iranian proxies and militias.'' As late as Monday, James Jeffrey, the State Department's Syria envoy, told the Atlantic Council that the United States would stay in Syria until ISIS was defeated, Iranian influence was curbed and there was a political solution to the Syrian civil war. But on Wednesday, Mr. Trump undercut his advisers, and American interests, by reversing course and declaring in a tweet, ``We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency.'' There was no attempt to use the leverage of an American withdrawal to achieve any specific political or military goal. Mr. Trump's assertion that the Islamic State is defeated is absurd. ``We have won against ISIS,'' he boasted in a video. The ability of the terrorists to strike has been significantly degraded and much of the territory they claimed for their so-called caliphate has been liberated. But the group still retains a pocket of land on the Syria-Iraq border and has roughly 20,000 to 30,000 fighters, according to military researchers. As Mr. Jeffrey said Monday, ``The job is not yet done.'' No one wants American troops deployed in a war zone longer than necessary. But there is no indication that Mr. Trump has thought through the consequences of a precipitous withdrawal, including allowing ISIS forces to regroup and create another crisis that would draw the United States back into the region. An American withdrawal would also be a gift to Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader, who has been working hard to supplant American influence in the region and who, on Thursday, enthusiastically welcomed the decision, saying, ``Donald's right.'' Another beneficiary is Iran, which has also expanded its regional footprint. It would certainly make it harder for the Trump administration to implement its policy of ratcheting up what it calls ``maximum pressure'' on Iran. Among the biggest losers are likely to be the Kurdish troops that the United States has equipped and relied on to fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, considers many of the Kurds to be terrorists bent on destroying his country. In recent days he has vowed to launch a new offensive against them in the Syrian border region. Mr. Trump discussed his withdrawal decision in a telephone call with Mr. Erdogan on Friday. [[Page S8025]] The American withdrawal worries Israel, anxious about Iran's robust military presence in Syria, and Jordan, which bears a considerable burden from Syrian refugees who fled the fighting across the border. While Israel withheld criticism of Mr. Trump's decision, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government would escalate the fight against Iranian- aligned forces in Syria once the Americans leave. Decisions of such consequence normally are thoroughly vetted by a president's national security advisers. But congressional lawmakers said there were no signs that any process was followed, and a senior White House official, refusing to discuss internal deliberations, said Wednesday, ``The issue here is the president made a decision.'' Judging from the timing and tone of Mr. Mattis' letter of resignation, the president made that decision alone. Tribute to James Mattis Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, like so many Republicans and Democrats, I was stunned to hear that Secretary Mattis was going to be leaving. I understand his reasons. He has said he always felt a duty to uphold the interests and security of the United States and to uphold our agreements with other countries for the security of democracy. The President has disagreed with him on that. He feels otherwise. So Secretary Mattis feels the President should be entitled to have somebody who takes differing views. Unfortunately, General Mattis's views are those that are the result of decades of service to this country as a marine in combat, as a marine commander, as a four-star general, and as one who has the strong respect of Republicans and Democrats alike. Certainly, he has the strong respect of those who have served in the military and who know what it means to actually stand up for this country, not just in rhetoric but by putting their lives on the line on the battlefield. I will always admire General Mattis. I applaud his service to the United States of America, and I know he is a man who can leave with his head held high. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8022,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8022,S8022,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8022,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8022] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8025-2,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,REAUTHORIZING THE NEW JERSEY COASTAL HERITAGE TRAIL ROUTE,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8025,S8026,"[{""name"": ""John Boozman"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""David Perdue"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""6602""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""6602""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8025,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8025-S8026] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] REAUTHORIZING THE NEW JERSEY COASTAL HERITAGE TRAIL ROUTE Mr. BOOZMAN. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 6602. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 6602) to reauthorize the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route, and for other purposes. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Mr. BOOZMAN. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill was ordered to a third reading and was read the third time. Mr. BOOZMAN. I know of no further debate on the bill. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The bill having been read the third time, the question is, Shall the bill pass? The bill (H.R. 6602) was passed. Mr. BOOZMAN. I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. BOOZMAN. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll. Mr. PERDUE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Government Shutdown Mr. PERDUE. Mr. President, here we are at approximately 2:30 on a Saturday afternoon trying to do the people's business in a situation that nobody wanted. Yet because, I believe, of political self-interest, we are in a situation right now where we are in what I would call a crisis mode of operation. We need to get a deal done. But I want to address a couple of topics today that are at issue here as we debate the funding issue, which is at the crux of why we are here today and this weekend. Our country was built on immigration; there is just no question that we are all direct derivatives, in one way or the other. But I would like to be very clear that most of the people who have come to this country over the last two centuries came in legally. Today, we bring in 1.1 million people a year--legally. We bring in about 70,000 people who have a job-related way to get into our system. There are about 70,000 direct family members; that is, a spouse and immediate children. There are another 300,000 refugees and asylum seekers. There is a rational reason we should do that, and we have been doing that. Today, every day, asylum seekers and refugees are permitted into our country, but there are another 800,000 who come in legally every year, and the only reason they come in is that they have an indirect family link, through generations, to the 70,000 that come in. Given that environment, we also have a temporary work permit system here that, again, has over 1 million people in it--every year. Our country is the most welcoming, philanthropic country in the history of the world. To think that just protecting our borders as a national security issue is somehow hard-hearted and radical--no country in the history of the world has ever demonstrated that it was a radical thought to maintain and protect the sovereignty of their own country and their own borders. Indeed, there are only 6 reasons why 13 colonies came together in the first place in the late 18th century and formed the United States of America. The No. 1 reason articulated is to provide for the common defense of our country. President Trump is leading right now in his first responsibility, and that is to protect every citizen of the United States of America. He is fighting for the American people. Actually, that is how he got elected. He got elected because he complained about the dysfunction in Washington, about politicians, bureaucrats, and the media. So did I, in 2014--2 years before President Trump did. I believe people are fed up with this dysfunction in Washington. I want to reemphasize that what is at issue here is the protection of our sovereignty as a country--not to change the immigration laws; that is not what is at debate today. I want to remind everybody that just in this body this year, 43 of my colleagues across the aisle, in an immigration bill proposed by Susan Collins on this side, 43 Democrats voted for a $25 billion border security package--43. I think President Trump has demonstrated tremendous negotiating willingness over and over, over this past year, on this issue. [[Page S8026]] Let's be clear what is going on. The flow of drugs and human trafficking on our border are completely unacceptable. Everybody in this body agrees with that, demonstrated by the fact that 43 Democrats actually voted for a $25 billion border security package earlier this year. There is no way you can avoid admitting that. This has to stop. The undampened flow of illegal drugs has created a crisis in our country. The fact that we sit here and are more concerned about the political realities in Washington than we are about stopping human trafficking across our southern border is totally unacceptable. An open border goes against the very ideas of why our country was founded. It totally undercuts American sovereignty. The American people know that. They are fed up with the status quo, and I can tell you, firsthand, so is President Donald Trump. The Dems are very clear. My colleagues have demonstrated that they prefer open borders, illegal drug transfers, and human trafficking to a commonsense protection of our southern border. We know fences work. I have been to countries around the world where they are protecting their borders with simple fences where they need them. We have multiple approaches to defending our southern border. We have many miles right now that already have similar fences up that deter illegal crossings. At the same time, this President has shown over and over again that he will work with our colleagues across the aisle to find some common solution here that we can all live with. He is ready to make a deal today. In fact, as we speak, the Vice President, the President, and the Chief of Staff are in the White House right now; the leader of the Democratic Party in the Senate is, right now, negotiating. This needs to get done. I have done dozens of these in my career, and looking at what is important to both parties, there is no reason this can't get done. I believe the President is ready to make a deal to fully fund the Federal Government--the last 25 percent. Let's remember how we got there. This body, the Senate and the House, did something they haven't done in 22 years, and that is fund at least 75 percent of our Federal Government on time. That was by September 30. We are here, at the end of our first quarter of the next fiscal year, still trying to fund the last 25 percent because of this controversy over the border wall. The first number was $25 billion, as I said, which was agreed to by the other side. Then, there was another $5 billion offered. Lastly, the President, I thought, had a deal earlier this week with our colleagues across the aisle for $1.6 billion. That deal was taken away. We are right now, I think, experiencing the second Schumer shutdown of this year. The first was over the DACA controversy. President Trump took the Democratic request for 600,000 work permits for an indefinite period of time and changed that and made an offer of a pathway to citizenship for 1.8 million DACA recipients. He took a chance with the ultraright in our party, the conservative part of the party. He took a chance and stood up and said: This is the right thing to do, if it is paired with the right deal on the other side. I believe there is no reason we can't get this package done right now. I think the President agrees with that. I think the Democratic leader agrees with that. But prior to yesterday, for a few days, there was no one talking. I give Mick Mulvaney and the Vice President a lot of credit. I know that the Vice President was in this building until about 9:30 last night negotiating this. I just believe it is time to get this done. Nancy Pelosi, in the House, repeatedly said that President Trump couldn't get the votes from the House to pass a funding package that included these border security priorities. We now know she was wrong. The votes were there. The House has sent a bill back over here that not only has border security but a relief package--a serious relief package for hurricane victims, disaster relief victims, and the wildfire victims in California. The U.S. Senate should have included President Trump's priorities from the very beginning. Now this body has a chance to do the right thing. It is time to get this done. We are here. Let's get a deal, bring it back in here, pass it, get it back to the House, and let's stop this nonsense. Let's not yield to political self-interest on either side. I implore all of us who have influence with the people who are negotiating this: Let's get beyond this. This is so close. There is no reason we are sitting here, letting America be nervous about whether we are going to get this done. This should have been done back in September, as I said earlier. Now let's focus on our national interests, the things we are all called to do in our oath of office: Protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Let's fully fund this government--the last 25 percent--move past this, secure our border, and provide disaster relief for the people who have a timely need, right now, for us to do that. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Perdue). Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8025,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,FLATSIDE WILDERNESS ENHANCEMENT ACT,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8025,S8025,"[{""name"": ""John Boozman"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""5636""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""5636""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8025,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8025] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] FLATSIDE WILDERNESS ENHANCEMENT ACT Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Agriculture Committee be discharged and the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 5636. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 5636) to designate additions to the Flatside Wilderness on the Ouachita National Forest, and for other purposes. There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Mr. BOOZMAN. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill was ordered to a third reading and was read the third time. Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I know of no further debate on the bill. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The bill having been read the third time, the question is, Shall the bill pass? The bill (H.R. 5636) was passed. Mr. BOOZMAN. I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8026,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,EXECUTIVE CALENDAR (Executive Session),SENATE,SENATE,SEXECCAL,S8026,S8027,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8026,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8026-S8027] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session for the consideration of Calendar Nos. 1204, 1206 through 1215, and 1228 through 1232; that the nominations be confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The nominations considered and confirmed are as follows: in the air force The following named officers for appointment in the United States Air Force to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624: To be brigadier general Col. David W. Abba Col. Christopher R. Amrhein Col. Charles D. Bolton Col. Larry R. Broadwell, Jr. Col. Terry L. Bullard Col. Scott A. Cain Col. Jimmy R. Canlas Col. Julian C. Cheater Col. Roy W. Collins Col. Colin J. Connor Col. Donald J. Cothern Col. David S. Eaglin Col. Steven G. Edwards Col. Troy L. Endicott Col. Gregory J. Gagnon Col. Richard W. Gibbs Col. Jennifer L. Grant Col. Stewart A. Hammons Col. Robert S. Jobe Col. John M. Klein, Jr. Col. Gregory Kreuder Col. Benjamin R. Maitre Col. Matteo G. Martemucci Col. Caroline M. Miller Col. David A. Mineau Col. Paul J. Murray Col. Ty W. Neuman Col. John P. Newberry Col. Jefferson J. O'Donnell Col. Thomas B. Palenske Col. Evan L. Pettus Col. Christopher S. Povak Col. Bradley L. Pyburn Col. Chad D. Raduege Col. Michael T. Rawls Col. Ryan R. Samuelson Col. David J. Sanford Col. David G. Shoemaker Col. Rebecca J. Sonkiss Col. Claude K. Tudor, Jr. Col. Daniel H. Tulley Col. Jeffery D. Valenzia Col. John C. Walker Col. Steven P. Whitney in the marine corps The following named officer for appointment in the United States Marine Corps Reserve to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 12203: To be major general Brig. Gen. Bradley S. James in the air force The following named officer for appointment in the United States Air Force to the [[Page S8027]] grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601: To be lieutenant general Maj. Gen. Duke Z. Richardson in the army The following named officers for appointment to the grade indicated in the United States Army under title 10, U.S.C., section 624: To be brigadier general Col. Kevin D. Admiral Col. Timothy D. Brown Col. Joshua M. Rudd Col. Paul T. Stanton The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601: To be lieutenant general Maj. Gen. Terry R. Ferrell The following named officer for appointment in the Reserve of the Army to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 12203: To be brigadier general Col. Timothy D. Connelly The following named officer for appointment in the Reserve of the Army to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 12203: To be brigadier general Col. Gerald R. Krimbill The following named officer for appointment in the Reserve of the Army to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 12203: To be brigadier general Col. Stacy M. Babcock The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601: To be lieutenant general Lt. Gen. Eric J. Wesley The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601: To be lieutenant general Maj. Gen. Andrew P. Poppas in the navy The following named officer for appointment in the United States Navy to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601: To be vice admiral Rear Adm. Robert D. Sharp in the army The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601: To be general Lt. Gen. Richard D. Clarke IN THE MARINE CORPS The following named officer for appointment in the United States Marine Corps to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601: To be general Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. in the air force The following Air National Guard of the United States officers for appointment in the Reserve of the Air Force to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., sections 12203 and 12212: To be brigadier general Col. Scott C. Bridgers Col. Thomas D. Crimmins Col. Thomas B. Hatley Col. Scott A. Howard Col. Patrick M. Kennedy Col. Robert G. Kilgore Col. William A. Kinnison, Jr. Col. Terrence L. Koudelka, Jr. Col. Kerry R. Lovely Col. Brian T. McHenry Col. Barbara C. Morrow Col. Duke M. Ota, Jr. Col. Louis J. Perino Col. Erik A. Peterson Col. Troy E. Pou Col. Michael L. Reid Col. John P. Russo Col. Torrence W. Saxe Col. David A. Smith Col. Thomas M. Suelzer Col. Taison K. Tanaka Col. Justin R. Walrath The following named Air National Guard of the United States officers for appointment in the Reserve of the Air Force to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., sections 12203 and 12212: To be major general Brig. Gen. John D. Caine Brig. Gen. Larry K. Clark Brig. Gen. Sean T. Collins Brig. Gen. John P. Hronek, II Brig. Gen. Wendy K. Johnson Brig. Gen. Gregory F. Jones Brig. Gen. Timothy J. LaBarge Brig. Gen. Ronald S. Lambe Brig. Gen. Timothy T. Lunderman Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Owens, II Brig. Gen. Greg A. Semmel Brig. Gen. Brian M. Simpler The following named Air National Guard of the United States officers for appointment in the Reserve of the Air Force to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., sections 12203 and 12212: To be brigadier general Col. Steven D. Michaud Col. Raymond H. Siegfried, II ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8027,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,EXECUTIVE CALENDAR,SENATE,SENATE,SEXECCAL,S8027,S8028,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8027,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8027-S8028] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Commerce Committee be discharged from further consideration and that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of PN Nos. 2507, 2626, 2638, 2639, 2670, 2671; that the nominations be confirmed; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The nominations considered and confirmed are as follows: The following named officer for appointment in the United States Coast Guard to the grade indicated under title 14, U.S.C., section 271(e): To be commander Douglas M. Salik The following named officer for appointment to serve as the Director of the Coast Guard Reserve in the grade indicated under title 14, U.S.C., section 53(b): To be rear admiral (lower half) Rear Adm. Matthew W. Sibley The following named officers of the Coast Guard permanent commissioned teaching staff for appointment in the United States Coast Guard to the grades indicated under title 14, U.S.C, sections 189 and 276: To be captain ANNA W. HICKEY To be commander VICTORIA C. FUTCH The following named officer of the United States Coast Guard to the position of Coast Guard Band Director to the grade indicated under title 14, U.S.C., section 336(b): To be commander Adam R. Williamson The following named officers for appointment in the United States Coast Guard Reserve to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 12203(A): To be captain MARC C. DEVEREAUX LAILA M. GRASSLEY GRETCHEN A. JONES PAUL G. MORRIS MICHAEL E. RUWE JOHN R. SETTLE III MICHAEL N. ST. JEANOS KIRSTEN R. TREGO MICHAEL R. VAUGHN CRAIG L. WENNET The following named officers for appointment in the United States Coast Guard to the grade indicated under title 14, U.S.C., section 271(E): To be captain GRETCHEN M. BAILEY ALAIN V. BALMACEDA MICHELLE C. BAS IAN A. BASTEK MICHAEL W. BATCHELDER KENNETH J. BODA ROY R. BRUBAKER JOANN F. BURDIAN ANDREW T. CAMPEN CHRISTOPHER R. CEDERHOLM BRADLEY CLARE ROBERT C. COMPHER CHAD W. COOPER NATHAN E. COULTER CHARLES C. CULOTTA FRANCIS J. DELROSSO, JR. JOHN T. DEWEY JEROME E. DUBAY TIMOTHY W. EASON JANET D. ESPINOYOUNG SARAH K. FELGER KEVIN D. FLOYD JAMES G. FORGY TED R. FOWLES PAUL E. FRANTZ MICHAEL E. FRAWLEY MICHAEL R. GESELE HANS C. GOVERTSEN CHARLES M. GUERRERO TOBY L. HOLDRIDGE BRIAN P. HOPKINS CHRISTOPHER M. HUBERTY AUSTIN R. IVES DANIEL C. JONES SEAN R. KATZ JARED E. KING CASSIE A. KITCHEN PERRY J. KREMER TIMOTHY R. LAVIER JACQUELINE M. LEVERICH LEXIA M. LITTLEJOHN CHAD A. LONG HARRY D. MAUTTE [[Page S8028]] ALAN B. MCCABE RANDY F. MEADOR MICHAEL L. MEDICA ALAN H. MOORE ULYSSES S. MULLINS RAYMOND NEGRON DAVID J. OBERMEIER LUIS C. PARRALES JUSTIN D. PETERS HARPER L. PHILLIPS TRACY O. PHILLIPS SCOTT S. PHY STEVEN E. RAMASSINI RODRIGO G. ROJAS KEITH M. ROPELLA JERREL W. RUSSELL CLINT B. SCHLEGEL ANITA M. SCOTT JENNIFER L. SINCLAIR DEREK L. SMITH ERIC A. SMITH BOWEN C. SPIEVACK JAMES W. SPITLER DOUGLAS K. STARK MATTHEW A. THOMPSON GREGORY M. TOZZI BRYAN J. ULLMER EVA J. VANCAMP ANDREW J. WRIGHT ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8028-2,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE RECEIVED DURING ADJOURNMENT,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8028,S8028,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3628""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8028,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8028] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE RECEIVED DURING ADJOURNMENT Enrolled Bill Signed Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 3, 2017, the Secretary of the Senate, on December 21, 2018, during the adjournment of the Senate, received a message from the House of Representatives announcing that the Speaker had signed the following enrolled bill: S. 3628. An act to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program. Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 3, 2017, the enrolled bill was signed on December 21, 2018, during the adjournment of the Senate, by the Acting President pro tempore (Mr. Daines). ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8028-3,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,ENROLLED BILL PRESENTED,SENATE,SENATE,ENROLLEDPRESENTED,S8028,S8028,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3628""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8028,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8028] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ENROLLED BILL PRESENTED The Secretary of the Senate reported that on December 21, 2018, she had presented to the President of the United States the following enrolled bill: S. 3628. An act to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8028-4,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND SENATE RESOLUTIONS,SENATE,SENATE,SSUBMISSION,S8028,S8028,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""741""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""742""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""743""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8028,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8028] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND SENATE RESOLUTIONS The following concurrent resolutions and Senate resolutions were read, and referred (or acted upon), as indicated: By Mr. WARNER (for himself, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Coons, Mr. Reed, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Carper, and Mr. Van Hollen): S. Res. 741. A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the letter of resignation of Secretary of Defense James Mattis and on the decision of President Trump to rapidly withdraw United States forces from Syria; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. By Mr. JONES (for himself and Mr. Perdue): S. Res. 742. A resolution designating the first week of December 2018, and supporting the designation of each first week of December thereafter, as ``Cancer Screen Week'', identifying the burden of cancer in the United States, and encouraging people to talk with their healthcare providers about appropriate screenings for the prevention and early detection of cancer; considered and agreed to. By Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Van Hollen): S. Res. 743. A resolution congratulating the International Association of Fire Fighters on the 100th anniversary of its founding; considered and agreed to. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8028-5,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,SENATE RESOLUTION 741--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE ON THE LETTER OF RESIGNATION OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE JAMES MATTIS AND ON THE DECISION OF PRESIDENT TRUMP TO RAPIDLY WITHDRAW UNITED STATES...,SENATE,SENATE,SRESOLUTION,S8028,S8029,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""741""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""741""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""741""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8028,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8028-S8029] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS ______ SENATE RESOLUTION 741--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE ON THE LETTER OF RESIGNATION OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE JAMES MATTIS AND ON THE DECISION OF PRESIDENT TRUMP TO RAPIDLY WITHDRAW UNITED STATES FORCES FROM SYRIA Mr. WARNER (for himself, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Coons, Mr. Reed, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Carper, and Mr. Van Hollen) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations: S. Res. 741 Whereas James Mattis served the United States with distinction over the course of a long career in the United States Marine Corp and as Secretary of Defense; Whereas the Senate concurs with the following sentiments expressed in letter of resignation submitted by Secretary Mattis to President Trump: (1) The strength of the United States is inextricably linked to the strength of our system of alliances and partnerships. (2) The United States cannot protect our interests or serve as the indispensable nation in the free world without those alliances and partnerships. (3) Maintaining that system of alliances and partnerships requires that the United States demonstrate respect for our allies. (4) While the Armed Forces of the United States cannot serve as the world's policeman, the United States must use all tools of American power to provide for the common defense, including providing effective leadership to our alliances. (5) Those alliances and partnerships have assisted the United States in increasing our national security, for example when all North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) nations fought alongside the United States following the attacks of September 11, 2001, and when 74 nations joined the effort to defeat the threat from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). (6) The United States must demonstrate resolve and be unambiguous in our approach to countries whose strategic interests run counter to our own. (7) The Russian Federation and China wish to shape a world order consistent with their authoritarian model, allowing them to veto other nations' economic, diplomatic, and security decisions, and to promote their own interests at the expense of other nations, the United States, and our allies. (8) The United States must do everything possible to advance a rules-based international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity, and values, and our efforts in that regard are strengthened by the solidarity of our alliances. (9) United States military pressure has demonstrated considerable, but incomplete progress against global terrorist groups, particularly al Qaeda, the group responsible for the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, who threaten the stability of the Middle East and the safety of the American people and the citizens of many of our closest allies; Whereas there are a small number of troops on the ground in Syria to train, equip, advise, and assist United States partners in the Syrian Democratic Forces fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria; Whereas the governments of the Russian Federation and Iran are fighting alongside the Assad regime against United States allies and interests; Whereas the abrupt decision of the President to remove all United States forces in Syria without consultation enables Iran and the Russian Federation to expand their influence and presence in Syria and beyond and threatens United States partners in Syria and Israel and other allies in the region; and Whereas the decision of the President to precipitously withdraw United States troops will leave the people of Syria even more vulnerable to violence from terrorist groups and provide time and space for al Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria to reconstitute and launch attacks against the United States and our allies: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) expresses its gratitude to Secretary of Defense James Mattis for his decades of honorable service to the United States in the United States Marine Corps and at the Department of Defense; (2) expresses strong support for United States alliances and partnerships with allies around the world; (3) expresses concern with President Trump's decision to rapidly withdraw United States forces from Syria, a decision taken without consultation with Congress or our allies and partners and without apparent concern for our national and collective interests; and (4) believes that these decisions could further undermine United States leadership in the world, weaken our alliance and partnership structure, and make it harder to achieve a world more conducive to United States interests, including support for democracy. [[Page S8029]] ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8028,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,LEGISLATIVE SESSION,SENATE,SENATE,SLEGISLATIVE,S8028,S8028,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8028,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8028] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] LEGISLATIVE SESSION ______ MORNING BUSINESS Mr. McCONNELL. 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. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8029-2,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,SENATE RESOLUTION 743--CONGRATULATING THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDING,SENATE,SENATE,CONGRATULATIONS,S8029,S8030,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""743""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""743""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""743""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8029,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8029-S8030] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SENATE RESOLUTION 743--CONGRATULATING THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDING Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Van Hollen) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 743 Whereas, on February 28, 1918, delegates representing 24 firefighter unions united to form the International Association of Fire Fighters (referred to in this preamble as the ``IAFF'') to ``organize all fire fighters . . . foster a higher degree of skill and efficiency . . . improve and protect members' health and welfare . . . establish safety standards . . . cultivate friendship and fellowship . . . provide proper compensation for work performed . . . and improve social and economic conditions''; Whereas, in 1918, at the first IAFF Convention, the IAFF adopted 20 resolutions to benefit firefighters and the fire service, including resolutions relating to-- (1) a two-platoon system; (2) pension laws; (3) automatic sprinkler systems; (4) building inspections; and (5) the removal of hazards for fire prevention; Whereas, throughout the history of the IAFF, the IAFF has successfully improved the knowledge, skills and abilities of the domestic defenders of the people of the United States by designing, developing, and deploying high quality standardized training in a multitude of disciplines, including-- (1) hazardous materials response; (2) responding to incidents involving weapons of mass destruction; (3) confined space operations; (4) responding to incidents involving illicit drug labs; and (5) planning and responding to high-consequence incidents; Whereas the IAFF has been the national leader in every significant firefighter health and safety initiative for nearly a century, including-- (1) the recognition of and fight against occupational diseases and illnesses, such as cancer and cardiovascular ailments; (2) the promotion of physical fitness screening and training; and (3) the promotion of mental health and wellness, including awareness and treatment of post-traumatic stress; Whereas, on March 5, 2017, the IAFF opened the first-of- its-kind Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery to provide science-based treatment to firefighters struggling with post-traumatic stress and co- occurring health issues, such as substance abuse, depression, and anxiety; Whereas the mission of the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery reinforces the commitment of the IAFF to prioritizing the safety and well- being of all IAFF members and provides a safe space for firefighters to seek treatment and heal; Whereas the IAFF actively works to secure the enactment of legislation at all levels of government that directly impacts the jobs, economic security, and safety of firefighters and emergency medical personnel, including-- (1) the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.); (2) the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-347; 124 Stat. 3623); and (3) legislation establishing-- (A) the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program (part L of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10281 et seq.)); (B) the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (section 33 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2229)); (C) the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program (section 34 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2229a)); and (D) presumptive illness compensation in a majority of States; Whereas the IAFF has served as a leader in the widespread integration of fire and emergency medical services, ensuring that nearly all professional firefighters in the United States play a critical role in the delivery of emergency medical services as cross-trained, dual-role firefighters who are trained in both fire suppression and Emergency Medical Services response; Whereas the IAFF has partnered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (referred to in this preamble as the ``MDA'') to raise funds to support the search for the cause of and cure for muscle diseases, including-- (1) by declaring the MDA the charity of choice of the IAFF in 1954; and (2) by participating in Fill the Boot campaigns to raise more than $630,000,000 for the MDA; Whereas, in furtherance of the mission of the IAFF to aid IAFF members and their families in times of need, the IAFF established the IAFF Foundation to provide-- (1) aid to professional firefighters and emergency medical personnel following natural disasters; (2) assistance to IAFF members and their families for the treatment and care of burn injuries; (3) scholarships to the children of fallen IAFF members; and (4) maintenance of the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial to honor IAFF members who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty; Whereas the IAFF memorializes the thousands of firefighters and emergency medical personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of others, including-- (1) the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001; (2) the scores of firefighters and emergency medical personnel who have died in the years since September 11, 2001, of injuries and illnesses relating to the events of September 11, 2001; and (3) the firefighters and emergency medical personnel who have died of occupational disease; Whereas each of the firefighters and emergency medical personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of others is fondly remembered and respected by IAFF members; Whereas, as of December 2018, the IAFF has headquarters in both Washington, DC, and Ottawa, Ontario, and represents more than 313,000 full-time professional firefighters and paramedics in more than 3,200 affiliates; Whereas, as of December 2018, greater than 85 percent of the population in communities throughout the United States and Canada is [[Page S8030]] protected by firefighters and paramedics who are members of the IAFF; Whereas the sustained and ongoing commitment of the members of the IAFF to the people of the United States and Canada serves the public interest; and Whereas countless firefighters from across the United States are honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial created by Congress and located on the campus of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) congratulates the International Association of Fire Fighters on the 100th anniversary of its founding; (2) recognizes the expertise and devotion to service demonstrated by the International Association of Fire Fighters as the International Association of Fire Fighters continues to be the voice for and represent the professional interests of firefighters and emergency medical responders across the United States and Canada; and (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8029,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,"SENATE RESOLUTION 742--DESIGNATING THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER 2018, AND SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF EACH FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER THEREAFTER, AS ""CANCER SCREEN WEEK"", IDENTIFYING THE BURDEN OF...",SENATE,SENATE,DESIGNATING,S8029,S8029,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""742""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""742""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""742""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8029,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8029] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SENATE RESOLUTION 742--DESIGNATING THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER 2018, AND SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF EACH FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER THEREAFTER, AS ``CANCER SCREEN WEEK'', IDENTIFYING THE BURDEN OF CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES, AND ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO TALK WITH THEIR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ABOUT APPROPRIATE SCREENINGS FOR THE PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION OF CANCER Mr. JONES (for himself and Mr. Perdue) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to.: S. Res. 742 Whereas the American Cancer Society estimates that, in 2018, more than 600,000 people in the United States will lose their lives to cancer; Whereas the National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 18,000 to 210,000 deaths in United States from cancer could be avoided through prevention and early detection; Whereas the death rate from cancer dropped 25 percent between 1991 and 2014 because of reductions in smoking and advances in early detection and treatment; Whereas, according to the American Cancer Society, the 5- year relative survival rate for cancer detected at the local stage is approximately 55 percent for lung cancer, 90 percent for colon and rectum cancers, 91 percent for cervical cancer, 99 percent for breast cancer, and 98 percent for melanoma of the skin; Whereas many of those cancers are often preventable and early detection and treatment are critical, as cancer does not always cause symptoms and many cancers occur in people with no family history of cancer; Whereas specific types of cancer disproportionately affect different populations, for example-- (1) breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among Black women; (2) the rate of prostate cancer among Black men is double the rate for other men; (3) the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer for Alaska Natives is double that of other people in the United States; (4) cervical cancer is more prevalent among Hispanic and Black women; (5) 2 out of 3 people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 years of age or older; and (6) melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is one of the most common types of cancer among young adults; Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rates of screening for many types of cancer among populations for which screenings are recommended remain substantially below the targets set forth in the Healthy People 2020 report; Whereas it is critical to reinforce the need for people to discuss their individual risk factors for cancer with their healthcare providers and understand the recommendations for, and benefits of, cancer screening; and Whereas it is critical that healthcare providers present individuals who are diagnosed with cancer through screening clear and complete options for further diagnostic or molecular testing and treatment: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) encourages all people in the United States to talk with their healthcare providers about their risk factors for all types of cancer, including breast, cervical, colon, lung, prostate, and skin cancer, and recommended screening options; (2) designates the first week of December 2018 as ``Cancer Screen Week''; and (3) supports the designation of the first week of December as ``Cancer Screen Week''. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8030-2,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,TEXT OF AMENDMENTS,SENATE,SENATE,SAMENDMENTTEXT,S8030,S8034,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""573""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4203""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4203""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4969""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8030,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8030-S8034] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TEXT OF AMENDMENTS SA 4179. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Toomey (for himself and Mr. Nelson)) proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 4203, to amend title 18, United States Code, with regard to stalking; as follows: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Combat Online Predators Act''. SEC. 2. ENHANCED PENALTY FOR STALKERS OF CHILDREN. (a) In General.--Chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2261A the following: ``Sec. 2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), if the victim of an offense under section 2261A is under the age of 18 years, the maximum imprisonment for the offense is 5 years greater than the maximum term of imprisonment otherwise provided for that offense in section 2261. ``(b) Limitation.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to a person who violates section 2261A if-- ``(1) the person is subject to a sentence under section 2261(b)(5); and ``(2)(A) the person is under the age of 18 at the time the offense occurred; or ``(B) the victim of the offense is not less than 15 nor more than 17 years of age and not more than 3 years younger than the person who committed the offense at the time the offense occurred.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2261A the following new item: ``2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children.''. (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 2261A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``section 2261(b) of this title'' and inserting ``section 2261(b) or section 2262B, as the case may be''. SEC. 3. REPORT ON BEST PRACTICES REGARDING ENFORCEMENT OF ANTI-STALKING LAWS. Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit a report to Congress, which shall-- (1) include an evaluation of Federal, tribal, State, and local efforts to enforce laws relating to stalking; and (2) identify and describe those elements of such efforts that constitute the best practices for the enforcement of such laws. ______ SA 4180. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Peters) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 573, to establish the National Criminal Justice Commission; as follows: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2018''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds that-- (1) it is in the interest of the Nation to establish a commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system; (2) there has not been a comprehensive study since the President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice was established in 1965; (3) that commission, in a span of 18 months, produced a comprehensive report entitled ``The Challenge of Crime in a Free Society,'' which contained 200 specific recommendations on all aspects of the criminal justice system involving Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, civic organizations, religious institutions, business groups, and individual citizens; and (4) developments over the intervening 50 years require once again that Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, law enforcement agencies, including rank and file officers, civil rights organizations, community-based organization leaders, civic organizations, religious institutions, business groups, and individual citizens come together to review evidence and consider how to improve the criminal justice system. SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. There is established a commission to be known as the ``National Criminal Justice Commission'' (referred to in this Act as the ``Commission''). SEC. 4. PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION. The Commission shall-- (1) undertake a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system; (2) make recommendations for Federal criminal justice reform to the President and Congress; and (3) disseminate findings and supplemental guidance to the Federal Government, as well as to State, local, and Tribal governments. SEC. 5. REVIEW, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND REPORT. (a) General Review.--The Commission shall undertake a comprehensive review of all areas of the criminal justice system, including Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments' criminal justice costs, practices, and policies. (b) Recommendations.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall submit to the President and Congress recommendations for changes in Federal oversight, policies, practices, and laws designed to prevent, deter, and reduce crime and violence, reduce recidivism, improve cost-effectiveness, and ensure the interests of justice at every step of the criminal justice system. (2) Unanimous consent required.--A recommendation of the Commission may be adopted and submitted under paragraph (1) if the recommendation is approved by a unanimous vote of the Commissioners at a meeting where a quorum is present pursuant to section 6(d). (3) Requirement.--The recommendations submitted under this subsection shall be made available to the public. (c) Report.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall also disseminate to the Federal Government, as well as to State, local, and Tribal governments, a report that details the findings and supplemental guidance of the Commission regarding the criminal justice system at all levels of government. (2) Majority vote required.--Commission findings and supplemental guidance may be adopted and included in the report required under paragraph (1) if the findings or guidance is approved by a majority vote of the Commissioners at a meeting where a quorum is present pursuant to section 6(d), except that any Commissioners dissenting from particular finding or supplemental guidance shall have the right to state the reason for their dissent in writing and such dissent shall be included in the report of the Commission. (3) Requirement.--The report submitted under this subsection shall be made available to the public. (d) Prior Commissions.--The Commission shall take into consideration the work of prior relevant commissions in conducting its review. (e) State and Local Government.--In issuing its recommendations and report under this section, the Commission shall not infringe on the legitimate rights of the States to determine their own criminal laws or the enforcement of such laws. (f) Public Hearings.--The Commission shall conduct public hearings in various locations around the United States. (g) Consultation With Government and Nongovernment Representatives.-- (1) In general.--The Commission shall-- (A) closely consult with Federal, State, local, and Tribal government and nongovernmental leaders, including State, local, and Tribal law enforcement officials, including rank and file officers, legislators, public health officials, judges, court administrators, prosecutors, defense counsel, victims' rights organizations, probation and parole officials, criminal justice planners, criminologists, civil rights and liberties organizations, community-based organization leaders, formerly incarcerated individuals, professional organizations, and corrections officials; and (B) include in the final report required under subsection (c) summaries of the input and recommendations of these leaders. (2) United states sentencing commission.--To the extent the review and recommendations required by this section relate to sentencing policies and practices for [[Page S8031]] the Federal criminal justice system, the Commission shall conduct such review in consultation with the United States Sentencing Commission. (h) Sense of Congress, Goal of Unanimity.--It is the sense of the Congress that, given the national importance of the matters before the Commission, the Commission should work toward unanimously supported findings and supplemental guidance, and that unanimously supported findings and supplemental guidance should take precedence over those findings and supplemental guidance that are not unanimously supported. SEC. 6. MEMBERSHIP. (a) In General.--The Commission shall be composed of 14 members, as follows: (1) The President shall appoint the Attorney General to serve as chairman and a member of the Commission. (2) Six members shall be appointed by the Attorney General in consultation with-- (A) the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives of the same political party as the President; and (B) the leadership of the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate of the same political party as the President. (3) Seven members shall be appointed by the senior members of the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the opposite party of the President in consultation with the leadership of the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate of the opposite political party of the President. (b) Membership.-- (1) In general.--Members will be selected based upon knowledge or experience in such relevant areas as-- (A) law enforcement; (B) criminal justice; (C) national security; (D) prison and jail administration; (E) prisoner reentry; (F) public health, including physical and sexual victimization, drug addiction and mental health; (G) victims' rights; (H) civil rights; (I) civil liberties; (J) court administration; (K) social services; and (L) State, local, and Tribal government. (2) Law enforcement representation.-- (A) Members appointed by attorney general.--Of the 6 members appointed by the Attorney General under subsection (a)(2)-- (i) not fewer than 2 shall be representatives from Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies; and (ii) not fewer than 1 shall be a representative from Tribal law enforcement agencies. (B) Other members.--Of the 7 members appointed under subsection (a)(3)-- (i) not fewer than 2 shall be representatives of Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies; and (ii) not fewer than 1 shall be a representative from Tribal law enforcement agencies. (3) Disqualification.--An individual shall not be appointed as a member of the Commission if such individual possesses any personal financial interest in the discharge of any of the duties of the Commission. (4) Terms.--Members shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. (c) Appointment; First Meeting.-- (1) Appointment.--Members of the Commission shall be appointed not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) First meeting.--The Commission shall hold its first meeting on the date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, or not later than 30 days after the date on which funds are made available for the Commission, whichever is later. (3) Ethics.--At the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall draft appropriate ethics guidelines for commissioners and staff, including guidelines relating to conflict of interest and financial disclosure. The Commission shall consult with the Senate and House Committees on the Judiciary as a part of drafting the guidelines and furnish the Committees with a copy of the completed guidelines. (d) Meetings; Quorum; Vacancies.-- (1) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the chairman or his or her designee. (2) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for purposes of conducting business, except that 2 members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for purposes of receiving testimony. (3) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made. If vacancies in the Commission occur on any day after 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, a quorum shall consist of a majority of the members of the Commission as of such day, so long as not less than 1 Commission member chosen by a member of each party, Republican and Democratic, is present. (e) Actions of Commission.-- (1) In general.--The Commission-- (A) shall, subject to the requirements of section 5, act by resolution agreed to by a majority of the members of the Commission voting and present; and (B) may establish panels composed of less than the full membership of the Commission for purposes of carrying out the duties of the Commission under this title-- (i) which shall be subject to the review and control of the Commission; and (ii) any findings and determinations made by such a panel shall not be considered the findings and determinations of the Commission unless approved by the Commission. (2) Delegation.--Any member, agent, or staff of the Commission may, if authorized by the chairman of the Commission, take any action which the Commission is authorized to take pursuant to this Act. SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATION. (a) Staff.-- (1) Executive director.--The Commission shall have a staff headed by an Executive Director. The Executive Director shall be paid at a rate established for the Certified Plan pay level for the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5, United States Code. (2) Appointment and compensation.--The chairman of the Commission shall designate and fix the compensation of the Executive Director and, in accordance with rules agreed upon by the Commission, may appoint and fix the compensation of such other personnel as may be necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its functions, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that no rate of pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the equivalent of that payable for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. (3) Personnel as federal employees.-- (A) In general.--The executive director and any personnel of the Commission who are employees shall be employees under section 2105 of title 5, United States Code, for purposes of chapters 63, 81, 83, 84, 85, 87, 89, and 90 of that title. (B) Members of commission.--Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to apply to members of the Commission. (4) The compensation of commissioners.--Each member of the Commission may be compensated at not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day during which that member is engaged in the actual performance of the duties of the Commission. All members of the Commission who are officers or employees of the United States, State, or local government shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for their services as officers or employees. (5) Travel expenses.--While away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission, members of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed intermittently in the Government service are allowed expenses under section 5703(b) of title 5, United States Code. (b) Experts and Consultants.--With the approval of the Commission, the Executive Director may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. (c) Detail of Government Employees.--Upon the request of the Commission, the head of any Federal agency may detail, without reimbursement, any of the personnel of such agency to the Commission to assist in carrying out the duties of the Commission. Any such detail shall not interrupt or otherwise affect the civil service status or privileges of the Federal employee. (d) Other Resources.--The Commission shall have reasonable access to materials, resources, statistical data, and other information such Commission determines to be necessary to carry out its duties from the Library of Congress, the Department of Justice, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Department of State, and other agencies of the executive and legislative branches of the Federal Government. The chairman of the Commission shall make requests for such access in writing when necessary. (e) Volunteer Services.--Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Commission is authorized to accept and utilize the services of volunteers serving without compensation. The Commission may reimburse such volunteers for local travel and office supplies, and for other travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code. A person providing volunteer services to the Commission shall be considered an employee of the Federal Government in performance of those services for the purposes of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, relating to compensation for work-related injuries, chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, relating to tort claims, and chapter 11 of title 18, United States Code, relating to conflicts of interest. (f) Obtaining Official Data.--The Commission may secure directly from any agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon the request of the chairman of the Commission, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that information to the Commission. The Commission shall not have access to sensitive information regarding ongoing investigations. [[Page S8032]] (g) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States. (h) Administrative Reporting.--The Commission shall issue biannual status reports to Congress regarding the use of resources, salaries, and all expenditures of appropriated funds. (i) Contracts.--The Commission is authorized to enter into contracts with Federal and State agencies, private firms, institutions, and individuals for the conduct of activities necessary to the discharge of its duties and responsibilities. A contract, lease or other legal agreement entered into by the Commission may not extend beyond the date of the termination of the Commission. (j) Gifts.--Subject to existing law, the Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property. (k) Administrative Assistance.--The Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this Act. These administrative services may include human resource management, budget, leasing, accounting, and payroll services. (l) Nonapplicability of Faca and Public Access to Meetings and Minutes.-- (1) In general.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Commission. (2) Meetings and minutes.-- (A) Meetings.-- (i) Administration.--All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public, except that a meeting or any portion of it may be closed to the public if it concerns matters or information described in section 552b(c) of title 5, United States Code. Interested persons shall be permitted to appear at open meetings and present oral or written statements on the subject matter of the meeting. The Commission may administer oaths or affirmations to any person appearing before it. (ii) Notice.--All open meetings of the Commission shall be preceded by timely public notice in the Federal Register of the time, place, and subject of the meeting. (B) Minutes and public availability.--Minutes of each open meeting shall be kept and shall contain a record of the people present, a description of the discussion that occurred, and copies of all statements filed. The minutes and records of all open meetings and other documents that were made available to or prepared for the Commission shall be available for public inspection and copying at a single location in the offices of the Commission. (m) Archiving.--Not later than the date of termination of the Commission, all records and papers of the Commission shall be delivered to the Archivist of the United States for deposit in the National Archives. SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF FUNDS. For each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020, the Attorney General may use, from any unobligated balances made available under the heading ``General Administration'' to the Department of Justice in an appropriations Act, such amounts as are necessary, not to exceed $7,000,000 per fiscal year and not to exceed $14,000,000 total for both fiscal years, to carry out this Act, except that none of the funds authorized to be used to carry out this Act may be used for international travel. SEC. 9. SUNSET. The Commission shall terminate 60 days after the Commission submits the report required under section 5(c) to Congress. ______ SA 4181. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Corker) proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 4969, to improve the design and construction of diplomatic posts, and for other purposes; as follows: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Embassy Design and Security Act of 2018''. SEC. 2. STANDARDIZATION IN CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION. (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the Department of State's Bureau of Overseas Building Operations (OBO) or successor office should prioritize the standardization of embassy design and keep customization to a minimum. (b) Consultation.--The Secretary of State shall carry out any new embassy compound project or new consulate compound project that utilizes a non-standard design, including those projects that are in the design phase or pre-design phase as of the date of the enactment of this Act, only in consultation with the appropriate congressional committees. The Secretary shall provide such committees, for each such project, the following documentation: (1) A comparison of the estimated full lifecycle costs of the project at issue to the estimated full lifecycle costs of such project if such project were to use a standard design. (2) A comparison of the estimated completion date of such project to the estimated completion date of such project if such project were to use a standard design. (3) A comparison of the security of such completed project to the security of such completed project if such completed project were to use a standard design. (4) A justification for the Secretary's selection of a non- standard design over a standard design for such project. (5) A written explanation if any of the documentation necessary to support the comparisons and justification, as the case may be, described in paragraphs (1) through (4) cannot be provided. (c) Sunset.--The consultation requirement under subsection (b) shall expire on September 30, 2022. SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY. It is the policy of the United States that the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations of the Department of State or its successor office shall continue to balance functionality and security with accessibility as defined by guidelines established by the United States Access Board in constructing embassies and consulates and shall ensure compliance with the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) to the fullest extent possible. SEC. 4. CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION TRANSPARENCY. (a) In General.--Section 118 of the Department of State Authorities Act, Fiscal Year 2017 (22 U.S.C. 304) is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by striking ``annual report on embassy construction costs'' and inserting ``quarterly report on overseas capital construction projects''; and (2) by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows: ``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, and every 90 days thereafter until September 30, 2022, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a comprehensive report regarding all ongoing overseas capital construction projects and major embassy security upgrade projects. ``(b) Contents.--Each report required under subsection (a) shall include the following with respect to each ongoing overseas capital construction project and major embassy security upgrade project: ``(1) The initial cost estimate as specified in the proposed allocation of capital construction and maintenance funds required by the Committees on Appropriations for Acts making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs. ``(2) The current cost estimate. ``(3) The value of each request for equitable adjustment received by the Department of State to date. ``(4) The value of each certified claim received by the Department of State to date. ``(5) The value of any usage of the project's contingency fund to date and the value of the remainder of the project's contingency fund. ``(6) An enumerated list of each request for adjustment and certified claim that remains outstanding or unresolved. ``(7) An enumerated list of each request for equitable adjustment and certified claim that has been fully adjudicated or that the Department has settled, and the final dollar amount of each adjudication or settlement. ``(8) The date of estimated completion specified in the proposed allocation of capital construction and maintenance funds required by the Committees on Appropriations not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of an Act making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs. ``(9) The current date of estimated completion.''. (b) Initial Report.--The first report required under subsection (a) of section 118 of the Department of State Authorities Act, Fiscal Year 2017 (as amended by this section) shall include an annex regarding all overseas capital construction projects and major embassy security upgrade projects completed during the 10-year period ending on December 31, 2018, including, for each such project, the elements specified in subsection (b) of such section 118 (as amended by this section). SEC. 5. CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION. (a) Deadline for Completion.--The Secretary of State shall complete by October 1, 2020, all contractor performance evaluations required by subpart 42.15 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Prioritization System.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall develop a prioritization system for clearing the current backlog of required evaluations referred to in subsection (a). (2) Elements.--The system required under paragraph (1) should prioritize such evaluations as follows: (A) Project completion evaluations should be prioritized over annual evaluations. (B) Evaluations for relatively large contracts should have priority. (C) Evaluations that would be particularly informative for the awarding of government contracts should have priority. (c) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on the Department of State's plan for completing all evaluations by October 1, 2020, and the prioritization system developed pursuant to this section. (d) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) contractors deciding whether to bid on Department of State contracts would benefit from greater understanding of the Department as a client; and [[Page S8033]] (2) the Department should develop a forum through which contractors can rate the Department's project management performance. SEC. 6. GROWTH PROJECTIONS FOR NEW EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES. (a) In General.--For each new embassy compound project (NEC) and new consulate compound project (NCC) in or not yet in the design phase as of the date of the enactment of this Act, the Office of Management Policy, Rightsizing, and Innovation of the Department of State shall project growth over the estimated life of the facility at issue using all available and relevant data, including the following: (1) Relevant historical trends for Department personnel and personnel from other agencies represented at the NEC or NCC that is to be constructed. (2) An analysis of the tradeoffs between risk and the needs of United States Government policy conducted as part of the most recent Vital Presence Validation Process, if applicable. (3) Reasonable assumptions about the strategic importance of the NEC or NCC, as the case may be, over the life of the building at issue. (4) Any other data that would be helpful in projecting the future growth of NEC or NCC. (b) Other Agencies.--Each Federal agency represented at an embassy or consulate shall provide to the Department of State, upon request, growth projections for the personnel of such agency over the estimated life of such embassy or consulate, as the case may be. (c) Basis for Estimates.--The Department of State shall base growth assumption for all NECs and NCCs on the estimates required under subsections (a) and (b). (d) Congressional Notification.--Any congressional notification of site selection for a NEC or NCC submitted after the date of the enactment of this Act shall include the growth assumption used pursuant to subsection (c). SEC. 7. LONG-RANGE PLANNING PROCESS. (a) Plans Required.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for five years, the Secretary of State shall develop-- (A) a comprehensive six-year Long-Range Overseas Buildings Plan (LROBP) documenting the Department of State's overseas building program for the replacement of overseas diplomatic facilities taking into account security factors under the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 (22 U.S.C. 4865 note) and other relevant statutes and regulations, as well as occupational safety and health factors pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) and other relevant statutes and regulations, including environmental factors such as indoor air quality that impact employee health and safety; and (B) a comprehensive six-year plan detailing the Department's long-term planning for the maintenance and sustainment of completed facilities, known as a Long-Range Overseas Maintenance Plan (LROMP), which takes into account security factors under the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 and other relevant statutes and regulations, as well as occupational safety and health factors pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and other relevant statutes and regulations, including environmental factors such as indoor air quality that impact employee health and safety. (2) Initial report.--The first plan developed pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) shall also include a one-time status report on existing small diplomatic posts and a strategy for establishing a physical diplomatic presence in countries in which there is no current physical diplomatic presence. The report, which may include a classified annex, shall include the following: (A) A description of the extent to which each small diplomatic post furthers the national interest of the United States. (B) A description of how each small diplomatic post provides American Citizen Services, including data on specific services provided and the number of Americans receiving services over the previous year. (C) A description of whether each small diplomatic post meets current security requirements. (D) A description of the full financial cost of maintaining each small diplomatic post. (E) Input from the relevant chiefs of mission on any unique operational or policy value the small diplomatic post provides. (3) Updated information.--The annual updates of the plans developed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall highlight any changes from the previous year's plan to the ordering of construction and maintenance projects. (b) Reporting Requirements.-- (1) Submission of plans to congress.--Not later than 60 days after the completion of the LROBP and the LROMP, the Secretary of State shall submit such plans to the appropriate congressional committees. (2) Reference in budget justification materials.--In the budget justification materials submitted to the appropriate congressional committees in support of the Department of State's budget for any fiscal year (as submitted with the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code), the plans specified in the LROBP and LROMP shall be referenced to justify funding requested for building and maintenance projects overseas. (3) Form of report.--The plans required to be submitted under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include classified annexes (c) Small Diplomatic Post Defined.--In this section, the term ``small diplomatic post'' means any consulate that has employed five or fewer United States Government employees on average over the 36 months before the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 8. VALUE ENGINEERING AND RISK ASSESSMENT. (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings: (1) Federal departments and agencies are required to use value engineering (VE) as a management tool, where appropriate, to reduce program and acquisition costs pursuant to OMB Circular A-131, Value Engineering, dated December 31, 2013. (2) OBO has a Policy Directive and Standard Operation Procedure, dated May 24, 2017, on conducting risk management studies on all international construction projects. (b) Notification Requirements.-- (1) Submission to authorizing committees.--The proposed allocation of capital construction and maintenance funds that is required by the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of an Act making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs shall also be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees. (2) Requirement to confirm completion of value engineering and risk assessment studies.--The notifications required under paragraph (1) shall include confirmation that the Department of State has completed the requisite VE and risk management studies described in subsection (a). (c) Reporting and Briefing Requirements.--The Secretary of State shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees upon request-- (1) a description of each recommendation from each study described in subsection (a) and a table detailing which recommendations were accepted and which were rejected; and (2) a report or briefing detailing the rationale for not implementing recommendations made by VE studies that may yield significant cost savings to the Department of State, if implemented. SEC. 9. BUSINESS VOLUME. Subparagraph (E) of section 402(c)(2) of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4852(c)(2)) is amended by striking ``in 3 years'' and inserting ``cumulatively over 3 years''. SEC. 10. EMBASSY SECURITY REQUESTS AND DEFICIENCIES. The Secretary of State shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees, upon request, information on security deficiencies at United States diplomatic posts, including-- (1) requests made over the previous year by United States diplomatic posts for security upgrades; and (2) significant security deficiencies at United States diplomatic posts that are not operating out of a new embassy compound or new consulate compound. SEC. 11. OVERSEAS SECURITY BRIEFINGS. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall revise the Foreign Affairs Manual to stipulate that information on the current threat environment shall be provided to all United States Government employees under Chief of Mission authority traveling to a foreign country on official business. To the extent practicable, such material shall be provided to employees prior to their arrival at a post or as soon as possible thereafter. SEC. 12. CONTRACTING METHODS IN CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION. (a) Delivery.--Unless the Secretary of State notifies the appropriate congressional committees that the use of the design-build project delivery method would not be appropriate, the Secretary shall make use of such method at diplomatic posts that have not yet received design or capital construction contracts as of the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Notification.--Before executing a contract for a delivery method other than design-build in accordance with subsection (a), the Secretary of State shall notify the appropriate congressional committees in writing of the decision, including the reasons therefor. The notification required by this subsection may be included in any other report regarding a new diplomatic facility that is required to be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees (c) Performance Evaluation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding performance evaluation measures in line with GAO's ``Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government'' that will be applicable to design and construction, lifecycle cost, and building maintenance programs of the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations of the Department of State. SEC. 13. COMPETITION IN EMBASSY CONSTRUCTION. Not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committee a report detailing [[Page S8034]] steps the Department of State is taking to expand the embassy construction contractor base in order to increase competition and maximize value. SEC. 14. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means-- (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (2) Design-build.--The term ``design-build'' means a method of project delivery in which one entity works under a single contract with the Department of State to provide design and construction services. (3) Non-standard design.--The term ``non-standard design'' means-- A design for a new embassy compound project or new consulate compound project that does not utilize a standardized design for the structural, spatial, or security requirements of such embassy compound or consulate compound, as the case may be. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8030-3,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,Text of Senate Amendment 4179,SENATE,SENATE,SAMENDMENTTEXTIND,S8030,S8030,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8030,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8030] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SA 4179. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Toomey (for himself and Mr. Nelson)) proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 4203, to amend title 18, United States Code, with regard to stalking; as follows: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Combat Online Predators Act''. SEC. 2. ENHANCED PENALTY FOR STALKERS OF CHILDREN. (a) In General.--Chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2261A the following: ``Sec. 2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), if the victim of an offense under section 2261A is under the age of 18 years, the maximum imprisonment for the offense is 5 years greater than the maximum term of imprisonment otherwise provided for that offense in section 2261. ``(b) Limitation.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to a person who violates section 2261A if-- ``(1) the person is subject to a sentence under section 2261(b)(5); and ``(2)(A) the person is under the age of 18 at the time the offense occurred; or ``(B) the victim of the offense is not less than 15 nor more than 17 years of age and not more than 3 years younger than the person who committed the offense at the time the offense occurred.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2261A the following new item: ``2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children.''. (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 2261A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``section 2261(b) of this title'' and inserting ``section 2261(b) or section 2262B, as the case may be''. SEC. 3. REPORT ON BEST PRACTICES REGARDING ENFORCEMENT OF ANTI-STALKING LAWS. Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit a report to Congress, which shall-- (1) include an evaluation of Federal, tribal, State, and local efforts to enforce laws relating to stalking; and (2) identify and describe those elements of such efforts that constitute the best practices for the enforcement of such laws. ______" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8030-4,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,Text of Senate Amendment 4180,SENATE,SENATE,SAMENDMENTTEXTIND,S8030,S8032,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8030,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8030-S8032] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SA 4180. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Peters) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 573, to establish the National Criminal Justice Commission; as follows: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2018''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds that-- (1) it is in the interest of the Nation to establish a commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system; (2) there has not been a comprehensive study since the President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice was established in 1965; (3) that commission, in a span of 18 months, produced a comprehensive report entitled ``The Challenge of Crime in a Free Society,'' which contained 200 specific recommendations on all aspects of the criminal justice system involving Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, civic organizations, religious institutions, business groups, and individual citizens; and (4) developments over the intervening 50 years require once again that Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, law enforcement agencies, including rank and file officers, civil rights organizations, community-based organization leaders, civic organizations, religious institutions, business groups, and individual citizens come together to review evidence and consider how to improve the criminal justice system. SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. There is established a commission to be known as the ``National Criminal Justice Commission'' (referred to in this Act as the ``Commission''). SEC. 4. PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION. The Commission shall-- (1) undertake a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system; (2) make recommendations for Federal criminal justice reform to the President and Congress; and (3) disseminate findings and supplemental guidance to the Federal Government, as well as to State, local, and Tribal governments. SEC. 5. REVIEW, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND REPORT. (a) General Review.--The Commission shall undertake a comprehensive review of all areas of the criminal justice system, including Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments' criminal justice costs, practices, and policies. (b) Recommendations.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall submit to the President and Congress recommendations for changes in Federal oversight, policies, practices, and laws designed to prevent, deter, and reduce crime and violence, reduce recidivism, improve cost-effectiveness, and ensure the interests of justice at every step of the criminal justice system. (2) Unanimous consent required.--A recommendation of the Commission may be adopted and submitted under paragraph (1) if the recommendation is approved by a unanimous vote of the Commissioners at a meeting where a quorum is present pursuant to section 6(d). (3) Requirement.--The recommendations submitted under this subsection shall be made available to the public. (c) Report.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall also disseminate to the Federal Government, as well as to State, local, and Tribal governments, a report that details the findings and supplemental guidance of the Commission regarding the criminal justice system at all levels of government. (2) Majority vote required.--Commission findings and supplemental guidance may be adopted and included in the report required under paragraph (1) if the findings or guidance is approved by a majority vote of the Commissioners at a meeting where a quorum is present pursuant to section 6(d), except that any Commissioners dissenting from particular finding or supplemental guidance shall have the right to state the reason for their dissent in writing and such dissent shall be included in the report of the Commission. (3) Requirement.--The report submitted under this subsection shall be made available to the public. (d) Prior Commissions.--The Commission shall take into consideration the work of prior relevant commissions in conducting its review. (e) State and Local Government.--In issuing its recommendations and report under this section, the Commission shall not infringe on the legitimate rights of the States to determine their own criminal laws or the enforcement of such laws. (f) Public Hearings.--The Commission shall conduct public hearings in various locations around the United States. (g) Consultation With Government and Nongovernment Representatives.-- (1) In general.--The Commission shall-- (A) closely consult with Federal, State, local, and Tribal government and nongovernmental leaders, including State, local, and Tribal law enforcement officials, including rank and file officers, legislators, public health officials, judges, court administrators, prosecutors, defense counsel, victims' rights organizations, probation and parole officials, criminal justice planners, criminologists, civil rights and liberties organizations, community-based organization leaders, formerly incarcerated individuals, professional organizations, and corrections officials; and (B) include in the final report required under subsection (c) summaries of the input and recommendations of these leaders. (2) United states sentencing commission.--To the extent the review and recommendations required by this section relate to sentencing policies and practices for [[Page S8031]] the Federal criminal justice system, the Commission shall conduct such review in consultation with the United States Sentencing Commission. (h) Sense of Congress, Goal of Unanimity.--It is the sense of the Congress that, given the national importance of the matters before the Commission, the Commission should work toward unanimously supported findings and supplemental guidance, and that unanimously supported findings and supplemental guidance should take precedence over those findings and supplemental guidance that are not unanimously supported. SEC. 6. MEMBERSHIP. (a) In General.--The Commission shall be composed of 14 members, as follows: (1) The President shall appoint the Attorney General to serve as chairman and a member of the Commission. (2) Six members shall be appointed by the Attorney General in consultation with-- (A) the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives of the same political party as the President; and (B) the leadership of the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate of the same political party as the President. (3) Seven members shall be appointed by the senior members of the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the opposite party of the President in consultation with the leadership of the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate of the opposite political party of the President. (b) Membership.-- (1) In general.--Members will be selected based upon knowledge or experience in such relevant areas as-- (A) law enforcement; (B) criminal justice; (C) national security; (D) prison and jail administration; (E) prisoner reentry; (F) public health, including physical and sexual victimization, drug addiction and mental health; (G) victims' rights; (H) civil rights; (I) civil liberties; (J) court administration; (K) social services; and (L) State, local, and Tribal government. (2) Law enforcement representation.-- (A) Members appointed by attorney general.--Of the 6 members appointed by the Attorney General under subsection (a)(2)-- (i) not fewer than 2 shall be representatives from Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies; and (ii) not fewer than 1 shall be a representative from Tribal law enforcement agencies. (B) Other members.--Of the 7 members appointed under subsection (a)(3)-- (i) not fewer than 2 shall be representatives of Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies; and (ii) not fewer than 1 shall be a representative from Tribal law enforcement agencies. (3) Disqualification.--An individual shall not be appointed as a member of the Commission if such individual possesses any personal financial interest in the discharge of any of the duties of the Commission. (4) Terms.--Members shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. (c) Appointment; First Meeting.-- (1) Appointment.--Members of the Commission shall be appointed not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) First meeting.--The Commission shall hold its first meeting on the date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, or not later than 30 days after the date on which funds are made available for the Commission, whichever is later. (3) Ethics.--At the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall draft appropriate ethics guidelines for commissioners and staff, including guidelines relating to conflict of interest and financial disclosure. The Commission shall consult with the Senate and House Committees on the Judiciary as a part of drafting the guidelines and furnish the Committees with a copy of the completed guidelines. (d) Meetings; Quorum; Vacancies.-- (1) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the chairman or his or her designee. (2) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for purposes of conducting business, except that 2 members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for purposes of receiving testimony. (3) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made. If vacancies in the Commission occur on any day after 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, a quorum shall consist of a majority of the members of the Commission as of such day, so long as not less than 1 Commission member chosen by a member of each party, Republican and Democratic, is present. (e) Actions of Commission.-- (1) In general.--The Commission-- (A) shall, subject to the requirements of section 5, act by resolution agreed to by a majority of the members of the Commission voting and present; and (B) may establish panels composed of less than the full membership of the Commission for purposes of carrying out the duties of the Commission under this title-- (i) which shall be subject to the review and control of the Commission; and (ii) any findings and determinations made by such a panel shall not be considered the findings and determinations of the Commission unless approved by the Commission. (2) Delegation.--Any member, agent, or staff of the Commission may, if authorized by the chairman of the Commission, take any action which the Commission is authorized to take pursuant to this Act. SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATION. (a) Staff.-- (1) Executive director.--The Commission shall have a staff headed by an Executive Director. The Executive Director shall be paid at a rate established for the Certified Plan pay level for the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5, United States Code. (2) Appointment and compensation.--The chairman of the Commission shall designate and fix the compensation of the Executive Director and, in accordance with rules agreed upon by the Commission, may appoint and fix the compensation of such other personnel as may be necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its functions, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that no rate of pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the equivalent of that payable for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. (3) Personnel as federal employees.-- (A) In general.--The executive director and any personnel of the Commission who are employees shall be employees under section 2105 of title 5, United States Code, for purposes of chapters 63, 81, 83, 84, 85, 87, 89, and 90 of that title. (B) Members of commission.--Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to apply to members of the Commission. (4) The compensation of commissioners.--Each member of the Commission may be compensated at not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day during which that member is engaged in the actual performance of the duties of the Commission. All members of the Commission who are officers or employees of the United States, State, or local government shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for their services as officers or employees. (5) Travel expenses.--While away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission, members of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed intermittently in the Government service are allowed expenses under section 5703(b) of title 5, United States Code. (b) Experts and Consultants.--With the approval of the Commission, the Executive Director may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. (c) Detail of Government Employees.--Upon the request of the Commission, the head of any Federal agency may detail, without reimbursement, any of the personnel of such agency to the Commission to assist in carrying out the duties of the Commission. Any such detail shall not interrupt or otherwise affect the civil service status or privileges of the Federal employee. (d) Other Resources.--The Commission shall have reasonable access to materials, resources, statistical data, and other information such Commission determines to be necessary to carry out its duties from the Library of Congress, the Department of Justice, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Department of State, and other agencies of the executive and legislative branches of the Federal Government. The chairman of the Commission shall make requests for such access in writing when necessary. (e) Volunteer Services.--Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Commission is authorized to accept and utilize the services of volunteers serving without compensation. The Commission may reimburse such volunteers for local travel and office supplies, and for other travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code. A person providing volunteer services to the Commission shall be considered an employee of the Federal Government in performance of those services for the purposes of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, relating to compensation for work-related injuries, chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, relating to tort claims, and chapter 11 of title 18, United States Code, relating to conflicts of interest. (f) Obtaining Official Data.--The Commission may secure directly from any agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon the request of the chairman of the Commission, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that information to the Commission. The Commission shall not have access to sensitive information regarding ongoing investigations. [[Page S8032]] (g) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States. (h) Administrative Reporting.--The Commission shall issue biannual status reports to Congress regarding the use of resources, salaries, and all expenditures of appropriated funds. (i) Contracts.--The Commission is authorized to enter into contracts with Federal and State agencies, private firms, institutions, and individuals for the conduct of activities necessary to the discharge of its duties and responsibilities. A contract, lease or other legal agreement entered into by the Commission may not extend beyond the date of the termination of the Commission. (j) Gifts.--Subject to existing law, the Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property. (k) Administrative Assistance.--The Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this Act. These administrative services may include human resource management, budget, leasing, accounting, and payroll services. (l) Nonapplicability of Faca and Public Access to Meetings and Minutes.-- (1) In general.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Commission. (2) Meetings and minutes.-- (A) Meetings.-- (i) Administration.--All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public, except that a meeting or any portion of it may be closed to the public if it concerns matters or information described in section 552b(c) of title 5, United States Code. Interested persons shall be permitted to appear at open meetings and present oral or written statements on the subject matter of the meeting. The Commission may administer oaths or affirmations to any person appearing before it. (ii) Notice.--All open meetings of the Commission shall be preceded by timely public notice in the Federal Register of the time, place, and subject of the meeting. (B) Minutes and public availability.--Minutes of each open meeting shall be kept and shall contain a record of the people present, a description of the discussion that occurred, and copies of all statements filed. The minutes and records of all open meetings and other documents that were made available to or prepared for the Commission shall be available for public inspection and copying at a single location in the offices of the Commission. (m) Archiving.--Not later than the date of termination of the Commission, all records and papers of the Commission shall be delivered to the Archivist of the United States for deposit in the National Archives. SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF FUNDS. For each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020, the Attorney General may use, from any unobligated balances made available under the heading ``General Administration'' to the Department of Justice in an appropriations Act, such amounts as are necessary, not to exceed $7,000,000 per fiscal year and not to exceed $14,000,000 total for both fiscal years, to carry out this Act, except that none of the funds authorized to be used to carry out this Act may be used for international travel. SEC. 9. SUNSET. The Commission shall terminate 60 days after the Commission submits the report required under section 5(c) to Congress. ______" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8030,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND PROPOSED,SENATE,SENATE,SAMENDMENTSSUB,S8030,S8030,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""573""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""573""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4203""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4203""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4969""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4969""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8030,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8030] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND PROPOSED SA 4179. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Toomey (for himself and Mr. Nelson)) proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 4203, to amend title 18, United States Code, with regard to stalking. SA 4180. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Peters) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 573, to establish the National Criminal Justice Commission. SA 4181. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Corker) proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 4969, to improve the design and construction of diplomatic posts, and for other purposes. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8032,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,Text of Senate Amendment 4181,SENATE,SENATE,SAMENDMENTTEXTIND,S8032,S8034,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8032,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8032-S8034] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SA 4181. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Corker) proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 4969, to improve the design and construction of diplomatic posts, and for other purposes; as follows: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Embassy Design and Security Act of 2018''. SEC. 2. STANDARDIZATION IN CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION. (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the Department of State's Bureau of Overseas Building Operations (OBO) or successor office should prioritize the standardization of embassy design and keep customization to a minimum. (b) Consultation.--The Secretary of State shall carry out any new embassy compound project or new consulate compound project that utilizes a non-standard design, including those projects that are in the design phase or pre-design phase as of the date of the enactment of this Act, only in consultation with the appropriate congressional committees. The Secretary shall provide such committees, for each such project, the following documentation: (1) A comparison of the estimated full lifecycle costs of the project at issue to the estimated full lifecycle costs of such project if such project were to use a standard design. (2) A comparison of the estimated completion date of such project to the estimated completion date of such project if such project were to use a standard design. (3) A comparison of the security of such completed project to the security of such completed project if such completed project were to use a standard design. (4) A justification for the Secretary's selection of a non- standard design over a standard design for such project. (5) A written explanation if any of the documentation necessary to support the comparisons and justification, as the case may be, described in paragraphs (1) through (4) cannot be provided. (c) Sunset.--The consultation requirement under subsection (b) shall expire on September 30, 2022. SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY. It is the policy of the United States that the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations of the Department of State or its successor office shall continue to balance functionality and security with accessibility as defined by guidelines established by the United States Access Board in constructing embassies and consulates and shall ensure compliance with the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) to the fullest extent possible. SEC. 4. CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION TRANSPARENCY. (a) In General.--Section 118 of the Department of State Authorities Act, Fiscal Year 2017 (22 U.S.C. 304) is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by striking ``annual report on embassy construction costs'' and inserting ``quarterly report on overseas capital construction projects''; and (2) by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows: ``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, and every 90 days thereafter until September 30, 2022, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a comprehensive report regarding all ongoing overseas capital construction projects and major embassy security upgrade projects. ``(b) Contents.--Each report required under subsection (a) shall include the following with respect to each ongoing overseas capital construction project and major embassy security upgrade project: ``(1) The initial cost estimate as specified in the proposed allocation of capital construction and maintenance funds required by the Committees on Appropriations for Acts making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs. ``(2) The current cost estimate. ``(3) The value of each request for equitable adjustment received by the Department of State to date. ``(4) The value of each certified claim received by the Department of State to date. ``(5) The value of any usage of the project's contingency fund to date and the value of the remainder of the project's contingency fund. ``(6) An enumerated list of each request for adjustment and certified claim that remains outstanding or unresolved. ``(7) An enumerated list of each request for equitable adjustment and certified claim that has been fully adjudicated or that the Department has settled, and the final dollar amount of each adjudication or settlement. ``(8) The date of estimated completion specified in the proposed allocation of capital construction and maintenance funds required by the Committees on Appropriations not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of an Act making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs. ``(9) The current date of estimated completion.''. (b) Initial Report.--The first report required under subsection (a) of section 118 of the Department of State Authorities Act, Fiscal Year 2017 (as amended by this section) shall include an annex regarding all overseas capital construction projects and major embassy security upgrade projects completed during the 10-year period ending on December 31, 2018, including, for each such project, the elements specified in subsection (b) of such section 118 (as amended by this section). SEC. 5. CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION. (a) Deadline for Completion.--The Secretary of State shall complete by October 1, 2020, all contractor performance evaluations required by subpart 42.15 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Prioritization System.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall develop a prioritization system for clearing the current backlog of required evaluations referred to in subsection (a). (2) Elements.--The system required under paragraph (1) should prioritize such evaluations as follows: (A) Project completion evaluations should be prioritized over annual evaluations. (B) Evaluations for relatively large contracts should have priority. (C) Evaluations that would be particularly informative for the awarding of government contracts should have priority. (c) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on the Department of State's plan for completing all evaluations by October 1, 2020, and the prioritization system developed pursuant to this section. (d) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) contractors deciding whether to bid on Department of State contracts would benefit from greater understanding of the Department as a client; and [[Page S8033]] (2) the Department should develop a forum through which contractors can rate the Department's project management performance. SEC. 6. GROWTH PROJECTIONS FOR NEW EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES. (a) In General.--For each new embassy compound project (NEC) and new consulate compound project (NCC) in or not yet in the design phase as of the date of the enactment of this Act, the Office of Management Policy, Rightsizing, and Innovation of the Department of State shall project growth over the estimated life of the facility at issue using all available and relevant data, including the following: (1) Relevant historical trends for Department personnel and personnel from other agencies represented at the NEC or NCC that is to be constructed. (2) An analysis of the tradeoffs between risk and the needs of United States Government policy conducted as part of the most recent Vital Presence Validation Process, if applicable. (3) Reasonable assumptions about the strategic importance of the NEC or NCC, as the case may be, over the life of the building at issue. (4) Any other data that would be helpful in projecting the future growth of NEC or NCC. (b) Other Agencies.--Each Federal agency represented at an embassy or consulate shall provide to the Department of State, upon request, growth projections for the personnel of such agency over the estimated life of such embassy or consulate, as the case may be. (c) Basis for Estimates.--The Department of State shall base growth assumption for all NECs and NCCs on the estimates required under subsections (a) and (b). (d) Congressional Notification.--Any congressional notification of site selection for a NEC or NCC submitted after the date of the enactment of this Act shall include the growth assumption used pursuant to subsection (c). SEC. 7. LONG-RANGE PLANNING PROCESS. (a) Plans Required.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for five years, the Secretary of State shall develop-- (A) a comprehensive six-year Long-Range Overseas Buildings Plan (LROBP) documenting the Department of State's overseas building program for the replacement of overseas diplomatic facilities taking into account security factors under the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 (22 U.S.C. 4865 note) and other relevant statutes and regulations, as well as occupational safety and health factors pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) and other relevant statutes and regulations, including environmental factors such as indoor air quality that impact employee health and safety; and (B) a comprehensive six-year plan detailing the Department's long-term planning for the maintenance and sustainment of completed facilities, known as a Long-Range Overseas Maintenance Plan (LROMP), which takes into account security factors under the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 and other relevant statutes and regulations, as well as occupational safety and health factors pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and other relevant statutes and regulations, including environmental factors such as indoor air quality that impact employee health and safety. (2) Initial report.--The first plan developed pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) shall also include a one-time status report on existing small diplomatic posts and a strategy for establishing a physical diplomatic presence in countries in which there is no current physical diplomatic presence. The report, which may include a classified annex, shall include the following: (A) A description of the extent to which each small diplomatic post furthers the national interest of the United States. (B) A description of how each small diplomatic post provides American Citizen Services, including data on specific services provided and the number of Americans receiving services over the previous year. (C) A description of whether each small diplomatic post meets current security requirements. (D) A description of the full financial cost of maintaining each small diplomatic post. (E) Input from the relevant chiefs of mission on any unique operational or policy value the small diplomatic post provides. (3) Updated information.--The annual updates of the plans developed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall highlight any changes from the previous year's plan to the ordering of construction and maintenance projects. (b) Reporting Requirements.-- (1) Submission of plans to congress.--Not later than 60 days after the completion of the LROBP and the LROMP, the Secretary of State shall submit such plans to the appropriate congressional committees. (2) Reference in budget justification materials.--In the budget justification materials submitted to the appropriate congressional committees in support of the Department of State's budget for any fiscal year (as submitted with the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code), the plans specified in the LROBP and LROMP shall be referenced to justify funding requested for building and maintenance projects overseas. (3) Form of report.--The plans required to be submitted under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include classified annexes (c) Small Diplomatic Post Defined.--In this section, the term ``small diplomatic post'' means any consulate that has employed five or fewer United States Government employees on average over the 36 months before the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 8. VALUE ENGINEERING AND RISK ASSESSMENT. (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings: (1) Federal departments and agencies are required to use value engineering (VE) as a management tool, where appropriate, to reduce program and acquisition costs pursuant to OMB Circular A-131, Value Engineering, dated December 31, 2013. (2) OBO has a Policy Directive and Standard Operation Procedure, dated May 24, 2017, on conducting risk management studies on all international construction projects. (b) Notification Requirements.-- (1) Submission to authorizing committees.--The proposed allocation of capital construction and maintenance funds that is required by the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of an Act making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs shall also be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees. (2) Requirement to confirm completion of value engineering and risk assessment studies.--The notifications required under paragraph (1) shall include confirmation that the Department of State has completed the requisite VE and risk management studies described in subsection (a). (c) Reporting and Briefing Requirements.--The Secretary of State shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees upon request-- (1) a description of each recommendation from each study described in subsection (a) and a table detailing which recommendations were accepted and which were rejected; and (2) a report or briefing detailing the rationale for not implementing recommendations made by VE studies that may yield significant cost savings to the Department of State, if implemented. SEC. 9. BUSINESS VOLUME. Subparagraph (E) of section 402(c)(2) of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4852(c)(2)) is amended by striking ``in 3 years'' and inserting ``cumulatively over 3 years''. SEC. 10. EMBASSY SECURITY REQUESTS AND DEFICIENCIES. The Secretary of State shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees, upon request, information on security deficiencies at United States diplomatic posts, including-- (1) requests made over the previous year by United States diplomatic posts for security upgrades; and (2) significant security deficiencies at United States diplomatic posts that are not operating out of a new embassy compound or new consulate compound. SEC. 11. OVERSEAS SECURITY BRIEFINGS. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall revise the Foreign Affairs Manual to stipulate that information on the current threat environment shall be provided to all United States Government employees under Chief of Mission authority traveling to a foreign country on official business. To the extent practicable, such material shall be provided to employees prior to their arrival at a post or as soon as possible thereafter. SEC. 12. CONTRACTING METHODS IN CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION. (a) Delivery.--Unless the Secretary of State notifies the appropriate congressional committees that the use of the design-build project delivery method would not be appropriate, the Secretary shall make use of such method at diplomatic posts that have not yet received design or capital construction contracts as of the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Notification.--Before executing a contract for a delivery method other than design-build in accordance with subsection (a), the Secretary of State shall notify the appropriate congressional committees in writing of the decision, including the reasons therefor. The notification required by this subsection may be included in any other report regarding a new diplomatic facility that is required to be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees (c) Performance Evaluation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding performance evaluation measures in line with GAO's ``Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government'' that will be applicable to design and construction, lifecycle cost, and building maintenance programs of the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations of the Department of State. SEC. 13. COMPETITION IN EMBASSY CONSTRUCTION. Not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committee a report detailing [[Page S8034]] steps the Department of State is taking to expand the embassy construction contractor base in order to increase competition and maximize value. SEC. 14. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means-- (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (2) Design-build.--The term ``design-build'' means a method of project delivery in which one entity works under a single contract with the Department of State to provide design and construction services. (3) Non-standard design.--The term ``non-standard design'' means-- A design for a new embassy compound project or new consulate compound project that does not utilize a standardized design for the structural, spatial, or security requirements of such embassy compound or consulate compound, as the case may be. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8034-2,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,AMENDING THE FEDERAL ASSETS SALE AND TRANSFER ACT OF 2016 TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE LEASEBACK OF CERTAIN FEDERAL REAL PROPERTY,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8034,S8034,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""7319""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""7319""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8034,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8034] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] AMENDING THE FEDERAL ASSETS SALE AND TRANSFER ACT OF 2016 TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE LEASEBACK OF CERTAIN FEDERAL REAL PROPERTY Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 7319, which was received from the House. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 7319) to amend the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 to provide flexibility with respect to the leaseback of certain Federal real property, and for other purposes. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (H.R. 7319) was ordered to a third reading, was read the third time, and passed. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8034-3,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,AMENDING THE FEDERAL ASSETS SALE AND TRANSFER ACT OF 2016 TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS REFORM BOARD HAS ADEQUATE TIME TO CARRY OUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8034,S8034,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""7318""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""7318""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8034,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8034] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] AMENDING THE FEDERAL ASSETS SALE AND TRANSFER ACT OF 2016 TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS REFORM BOARD HAS ADEQUATE TIME TO CARRY OUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 7318, which was received from the House. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 7318) to amend the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 to ensure that the Public Buildings Reform Board has adequate time to carry out the responsibilities of the Board. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (H.R. 7318) was ordered to a third reading, was read the third time, and passed. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8034-4,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,AUTHORIZING EARLY REPAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS TO THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION WITHIN THE NORTHPORT IRRIGATION DISTRICT IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA.,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8034,S8034,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4689""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4689""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8034,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8034] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] AUTHORIZING EARLY REPAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS TO THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION WITHIN THE NORTHPORT IRRIGATION DISTRICT IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4689 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 4689) to authorize early repayment of obligations to the Bureau of Reclamation within the Northport Irrigation District in the State of Nebraska. There being no objection, the committee was discharged and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Mr. McCONNELL. I further ask unanimous consent that the bill 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. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (H.R. 4689) was ordered to a third reading, was read the third time, and passed. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8034-5,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,BUREAU OF RECLAMATION PUMPED STORAGE HYDROPOWER DEVELOPMENT ACT,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8034,S8036,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""1967""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""1967""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8034,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8034-S8036] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] BUREAU OF RECLAMATION PUMPED STORAGE HYDROPOWER DEVELOPMENT ACT Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 663, H.R. 1967. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 1967) to amend the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 to authorize pumped storage hydropower development utilizing multiple Bureau of Reclamation reservoirs. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, which had been reported from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu thereof the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Bureau of Reclamation Pumped Storage Hydropower Development Act''. SEC. 2. AUTHORITY FOR PUMPED STORAGE HYDROPOWER DEVELOPMENT USING MULTIPLE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION RESERVOIRS. Section 9(c) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 (43 U.S.C. 485h(c)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), in the fourth sentence, by striking ``, including small conduit hydropower development'' and inserting ``and reserve to the Secretary the exclusive authority to develop small conduit hydropower using Bureau of Reclamation facilities and pumped storage hydropower exclusively using Bureau of Reclamation reservoirs''; and (2) in paragraph (8), by striking ``has been filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as of August 9, 2013'' and inserting ``was filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission before August 9, 2013, and is still pending''. SEC. 3. LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF CERTAIN LEASES OF POWER PRIVILEGE. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. (3) Office of hearings and appeals.--The term ``Office of Hearings and Appeals'' means the Office of Hearings and Appeals of the Department of the Interior. (4) Party.--The term ``party'', with respect to a study plan agreement, means each of the following parties to the study plan agreement: (A) The proposed lessee. (B) The Tribes. (5) Project.--The term ``project'' means a proposed pumped storage facility that-- (A) would use multiple Bureau of Reclamation reservoirs; and (B) as of June 1, 2017, was subject to a preliminary permit issued by the Commission pursuant to section 4(f) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 797(f)). (6) Proposed lessee.--The term ``proposed lessee'' means the proposed lessee of a project. (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior. (8) Study plan.--The term ``study plan'' means the plan described in subsection (d)(1). (9) Study plan agreement.--The term ``study plan agreement'' means an agreement entered into under subsection (b)(1) and described in subsection (c). (10) Tribes.--The term ``Tribes'' means-- (A) the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation; and [[Page S8035]] (B) the Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation. (b) Requirement for Issuance of Leases of Power Privilege.--The Secretary shall not issue a lease of power privilege pursuant to section 9(c)(1) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 (43 U.S.C. 485h(c)(1)) (as amended by section 2) for a project unless-- (1) the proposed lessee and the Tribes have entered into a study plan agreement; or (2) the Secretary or the Director, as applicable, makes a final determination for-- (A) a study plan agreement under subsection (c)(2); or (B) a study plan under subsection (d). (c) Study Plan Agreement Requirements.-- (1) In general.--A study plan agreement shall-- (A) establish the deadlines for the proposed lessee to formally respond in writing to comments and study requests about the project previously submitted to the Commission; (B) allow for the parties to submit additional comments and study requests if any aspect of the project, as proposed, differs from an aspect of the project, as described in a preapplication document provided to the Commission; (C) except as expressly agreed to by the parties or as provided in paragraph (2) or subsection (d), require that the proposed lessee conduct each study described in-- (i) a study request about the project previously submitted to the Commission; or (ii) any additional study request submitted in accordance with the study plan agreement; (D) require that the proposed lessee study any potential adverse economic effects of the project on the Tribes, including effects on-- (i) annual payments to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation under section 5(b) of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Grand Coulee Dam Settlement Act (Public Law 103-436; 108 Stat. 4579); and (ii) annual payments to the Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation authorized after the date of enactment of this Act, the amount of which derives from the annual payments described in clause (i); (E) establish a protocol for communication and consultation between the parties; (F) provide mechanisms for resolving disputes between the parties regarding implementation and enforcement of the study plan agreement; and (G) contain other provisions determined to be appropriate by the parties. (2) Disputes.-- (A) In general.--If the parties cannot agree to the terms of a study plan agreement or implementation of those terms, the parties shall submit to the Director, for final determination on the terms or implementation of the study plan agreement, notice of the dispute, consistent with paragraph (1)(F), to the extent the parties have agreed to a study plan agreement. (B) Inclusion.--A dispute covered by subparagraph (A) may include the view of a proposed lessee that an additional study request submitted in accordance with paragraph (1)(B) is not reasonably calculated to assist the Secretary in evaluating the potential impacts of the project. (C) Timing.--The Director shall issue a determination regarding a dispute under subparagraph (A) not later than 120 days after the date on which the Director receives notice of the dispute under that subparagraph. (d) Study Plan.-- (1) In general.--The proposed lessee shall submit to the Secretary for approval a study plan that details the proposed methodology for performing each of the studies-- (A) identified in the study plan agreement of the proposed lessee; or (B) determined by the Director in a final determination regarding a dispute under subsection (c)(2). (2) Initial determination.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary receives the study plan under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make an initial determination that-- (A) approves the study plan; (B) rejects the study plan on the grounds that the study plan-- (i) lacks sufficient detail on a proposed methodology for a study identified in the study plan agreement; or (ii) is inconsistent with the study plan agreement; or (C) imposes additional study plan requirements that the Secretary determines are necessary to adequately define the potential effects of the project on-- (i) the exercise of the paramount hunting, fishing, and boating rights of the Tribes reserved pursuant the Act of June 29, 1940 (54 Stat. 703, chapter 460; 16 U.S.C. 835d et seq.); (ii) the annual payments described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection (c)(1)(D); (iii) the Columbia Basin project (as defined in section 1 of the Act of May 27, 1937 (50 Stat. 208, chapter 269; 57 Stat. 14, chapter 14; 16 U.S.C. 835)); (iv) historic properties and cultural or spiritually significant resources; and (v) the environment. (3) Objections.-- (A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary makes an initial determination under paragraph (2), the Tribes or the proposed lessee may submit to the Director an objection to the initial determination. (B) Final determination.--Not later than 120 days after the date on which the Director receives an objection under subparagraph (A), the Director shall-- (i) hold a hearing on the record regarding the objection; and (ii) make a final determination that establishes the study plan, including a description of studies the proposed lessee is required to perform. (4) No objections.--If no objections are submitted by the deadline described in paragraph (3)(A), the initial determination of the Secretary under paragraph (2) shall be final. (e) Conditions of Lease.-- (1) Consistency with rights of tribes; protection, mitigation, and enhancement of fish and wildlife.-- (A) In general.--Any lease of power privilege issued by the Secretary for a project under subsection (b) shall contain conditions-- (i) to ensure that the project is consistent with, and will not interfere with, the exercise of the paramount hunting, fishing, and boating rights of the Tribes reserved pursuant to the Act of June 29, 1940 (54 Stat. 703, chapter 460; 16 U.S.C. 835d et seq.); and (ii) to adequately and equitably protect, mitigate damages to, and enhance fish and wildlife, including related spawning grounds and habitat, affected by the development, operation, and management of the project. (B) Recommendations of the tribes.--The conditions required under subparagraph (A) shall be based on joint recommendations of the Tribes. (C) Resolving inconsistencies.-- (i) In general.--If the Secretary determines that any recommendation of the Tribes under subparagraph (B) is not reasonably calculated to ensure the project is consistent with subparagraph (A) or is inconsistent with the requirements of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 (43 U.S.C. 485 et seq.), the Secretary shall attempt to resolve any such inconsistency with the Tribes, giving due weight to the recommendations and expertise of the Tribes. (ii) Publication of findings.--If, after an attempt to resolve an inconsistency under clause (i), the Secretary does not adopt in whole or in part a recommendation of the Tribes under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall issue each of the following findings, including a statement of the basis for each of the findings: (I) A finding that adoption of the recommendation is inconsistent with the requirements of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 (43 U.S.C. 485 et seq.). (II) A finding that the conditions selected by the Secretary to be contained in the lease of power privilege under subparagraph (A) comply with the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of that subparagraph. (2) Annual charges payable by licensee.-- (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), any lease of power privilege issued by the Secretary for a project under subsection (b) shall contain conditions that require the lessee of the project to make direct payments to the Tribes through reasonable annual charges in an amount that recompenses the Tribes for any adverse economic effect of the project identified in a study performed pursuant to the study plan agreement for the project. (B) Agreement.-- (i) In general.--The amount of the annual charges described in subparagraph (A) shall be established through agreement between the proposed lessee and the Tribes. (ii) Condition.--The agreement under clause (i), including any modification of the agreement, shall be deemed to be a condition to the lease of power privilege issued by the Secretary for a project under subsection (b). (C) Dispute resolution.-- (i) In general.--If the proposed lessee and the Tribes cannot agree to the terms of an agreement under subparagraph (B)(i), the proposed lessee and the Tribes shall submit notice of the dispute to the Director. (ii) Resolution.--The Director shall resolve the dispute described in clause (i) not later than 180 days after the date on which the Director receives notice of the dispute under that clause. (3) Additional conditions.--The Secretary may include in any lease of power privilege issued by the Secretary for a project under subsection (b) other conditions determined appropriate by the Secretary, on the condition that the conditions shall be consistent with the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 (43 U.S.C. 485 et seq.). (4) Consultation.--In establishing conditions under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with the Tribes. (f) Deadlines.--The Secretary or any officer of the Office of Hearing and Appeals before whom a proceeding is pending under this section may extend any deadline or enlarge any timeframe described in this section-- (1) at the discretion of the Secretary or the officer; or (2) on a showing of good cause by any party. (g) Judicial Review.--Any final action of the Secretary or the Director made pursuant to this section shall be subject to judicial review in accordance with chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code. (h) Effect on Other Projects.--Nothing in this section establishes any precedent or is binding on any Bureau of Reclamation lease of power privilege, other than for a project. Mr. McCONNELL. I further ask unanimous consent that the committee- reported amendment be 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. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The committee-reported amendment in the nature of a substitute was ordered to be engrossed and the bill to be read the third time. The bill was read the third time. The bill (H.R. 1967), as amended, was passed. [[Page S8036]] ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8034,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,75TH ANNIVERSARY OF WORLD WAR II COMMEMORATION ACT,SENATE,SENATE,COMMEMORATING,S8034,S8034,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3661""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3661""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8034,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8034] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF WORLD WAR II COMMEMORATION ACT Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask that the Chair lay before the Senate the message to accompany S. 3661. The Presiding Officer laid before the Senate the following message from the House of Representatives: Resolved, That the bill from the Senate (S. 3661) entitled ``An Act to provide for a program of the Department of Defense to commemorate the 75th anniversary of World War II.'', do pass with an amendment. Mr. McCONNELL. I move to concur in the House amendment, and I ask unanimous consent that the motion be agreed to and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8036-2,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT ACT,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8036,S8036,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""7279""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""7279""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8036,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8036] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT ACT Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 7279, which was received from the House. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 7279) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide for an integrated planning process, to promote green infrastructure, and for other purposes. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill was ordered to a third reading and was read the third time. Mr. McCONNELL. I know of no further debate on the bill. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The bill having been read the third time, the question is Shall the bill pass? The bill (H.R. 7279) was passed. Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8036-3,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,CANCER SCREEN WEEK,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8036,S8036,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""742""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""742""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8036,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8036] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CANCER SCREEN WEEK Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 742, submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 742) designating the first week of December 2018, and supporting the designation of each first week of December thereafter, as ``Cancer Screen Week'', identifying the burden of cancer in the United States, and encouraging people to talk with their healthcare providers about appropriate screenings for the prevention and early detection of cancer. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The resolution (S. Res. 742) was agreed to. The preamble was agreed to. (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record under ``Submitted Resolutions.'') ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8036-4,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,CONGRATULATING THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS,SENATE,SENATE,CONGRATULATIONS,S8036,S8036,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""743""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""743""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8036,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8036] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CONGRATULATING THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 743, submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 743) congratulating the International Association of Fire Fighters on the 100th anniversary of its founding. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The resolution (S. Res. 743) was agreed to. The preamble was agreed to. (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record under ``Submitted Resolutions.'') ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8036-5,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,HONORING THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF DR. SAMUEL DUBOIS COOK,SENATE,SENATE,HONORING,S8036,S8037,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""285""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""285""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8036,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8036-S8037] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF DR. SAMUEL DUBOIS COOK Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. Res 285 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 285) honoring the life and achievements of Dr. Samuel DuBois Cook. There being no objection, the committee was discharged and the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The resolution (S. Res. 285) was agreed to. The preamble was agreed to. (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in the Record of October 5, 2017, under ``Submitted Resolutions.'') [[Page S8037]] ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8036,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,COMBAT ONLINE PREDATORS ACT,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8036,S8036,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4203""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4203""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8036,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8036] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] COMBAT ONLINE PREDATORS ACT Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4203, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 4203) to amend title 18, United States Code, with regard to stalking. There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the Toomey substitute amendment 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. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment (No. 4179), in the nature of a substitute, was agreed to as follows: (Purpose: In the nature of a substitute) Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Combat Online Predators Act''. SEC. 2. ENHANCED PENALTY FOR STALKERS OF CHILDREN. (a) In General.--Chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2261A the following: ``Sec. 2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), if the victim of an offense under section 2261A is under the age of 18 years, the maximum imprisonment for the offense is 5 years greater than the maximum term of imprisonment otherwise provided for that offense in section 2261. ``(b) Limitation.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to a person who violates section 2261A if-- ``(1) the person is subject to a sentence under section 2261(b)(5); and ``(2)(A) the person is under the age of 18 at the time the offense occurred; or ``(B) the victim of the offense is not less than 15 nor more than 17 years of age and not more than 3 years younger than the person who committed the offense at the time the offense occurred.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2261A the following new item: ``2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children.''. (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 2261A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``section 2261(b) of this title'' and inserting ``section 2261(b) or section 2262B, as the case may be''. SEC. 3. REPORT ON BEST PRACTICES REGARDING ENFORCEMENT OF ANTI-STALKING LAWS. Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit a report to Congress, which shall-- (1) include an evaluation of Federal, tribal, State, and local efforts to enforce laws relating to stalking; and (2) identify and describe those elements of such efforts that constitute the best practices for the enforcement of such laws. The amendment was ordered to be engrossed and the bill to be read a third time. The bill (H.R. 4203), as amended, was passed. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8037-2,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMISSION ACT OF 2017,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8037,S8039,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""573""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""573""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8037,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8037-S8039] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMISSION ACT OF 2017 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. 573 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 573) to establish the National Criminal Justice Commission. There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Mr. McCONNELL. I further ask unanimous consent that the amendment at the desk be 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. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment (No. 4180) in the nature of a substitute was agreed to, as follows: (Purpose: In the nature of a substitute) SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2018''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds that-- (1) it is in the interest of the Nation to establish a commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system; (2) there has not been a comprehensive study since the President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice was established in 1965; (3) that commission, in a span of 18 months, produced a comprehensive report entitled ``The Challenge of Crime in a Free Society,'' which contained 200 specific recommendations on all aspects of the criminal justice system involving Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, civic organizations, religious institutions, business groups, and individual citizens; and (4) developments over the intervening 50 years require once again that Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, law enforcement agencies, including rank and file officers, civil rights organizations, community-based organization leaders, civic organizations, religious institutions, business groups, and individual citizens come together to review evidence and consider how to improve the criminal justice system. SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. There is established a commission to be known as the ``National Criminal Justice Commission'' (referred to in this Act as the ``Commission''). SEC. 4. PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION. The Commission shall-- (1) undertake a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system; (2) make recommendations for Federal criminal justice reform to the President and Congress; and (3) disseminate findings and supplemental guidance to the Federal Government, as well as to State, local, and Tribal governments. SEC. 5. REVIEW, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND REPORT. (a) General Review.--The Commission shall undertake a comprehensive review of all areas of the criminal justice system, including Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments' criminal justice costs, practices, and policies. (b) Recommendations.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall submit to the President and Congress recommendations for changes in Federal oversight, policies, practices, and laws designed to prevent, deter, and reduce crime and violence, reduce recidivism, improve cost-effectiveness, and ensure the interests of justice at every step of the criminal justice system. (2) Unanimous consent required.--A recommendation of the Commission may be adopted and submitted under paragraph (1) if the recommendation is approved by a unanimous vote of the Commissioners at a meeting where a quorum is present pursuant to section 6(d). (3) Requirement.--The recommendations submitted under this subsection shall be made available to the public. (c) Report.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall also disseminate to the Federal Government, as well as to State, local, and Tribal governments, a report that details the findings and supplemental guidance of the Commission regarding the criminal justice system at all levels of government. (2) Majority vote required.--Commission findings and supplemental guidance may be adopted and included in the report required under paragraph (1) if the findings or guidance is approved by a majority vote of the Commissioners at a meeting where a quorum is present pursuant to section 6(d), except that any Commissioners dissenting from particular finding or supplemental guidance shall have the right to state the reason for their dissent in writing and such dissent shall be included in the report of the Commission. (3) Requirement.--The report submitted under this subsection shall be made available to the public. (d) Prior Commissions.--The Commission shall take into consideration the work of prior relevant commissions in conducting its review. (e) State and Local Government.--In issuing its recommendations and report under this section, the Commission shall not infringe on the legitimate rights of the States to determine their own criminal laws or the enforcement of such laws. (f) Public Hearings.--The Commission shall conduct public hearings in various locations around the United States. (g) Consultation With Government and Nongovernment Representatives.-- (1) In general.--The Commission shall-- (A) closely consult with Federal, State, local, and Tribal government and nongovernmental leaders, including State, local, and Tribal law enforcement officials, including rank and file officers, legislators, public health officials, judges, court administrators, prosecutors, defense counsel, victims' rights organizations, probation and parole officials, criminal justice planners, criminologists, civil rights and liberties organizations, community-based organization leaders, formerly incarcerated individuals, professional organizations, and corrections officials; and (B) include in the final report required under subsection (c) summaries of the input and recommendations of these leaders. (2) United states sentencing commission.--To the extent the review and recommendations required by this section relate to sentencing policies and practices for the Federal criminal justice system, the Commission shall conduct such review in consultation with the United States Sentencing Commission. (h) Sense of Congress, Goal of Unanimity.--It is the sense of the Congress that, given the national importance of the matters before the Commission, the Commission should work toward unanimously supported findings and supplemental guidance, and that unanimously supported findings and supplemental guidance should take precedence over those findings and supplemental guidance that are not unanimously supported. SEC. 6. MEMBERSHIP. (a) In General.--The Commission shall be composed of 14 members, as follows: (1) The President shall appoint the Attorney General to serve as chairman and a member of the Commission. (2) Six members shall be appointed by the Attorney General in consultation with-- (A) the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives of the same political party as the President; and (B) the leadership of the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate of the same political party as the President. (3) Seven members shall be appointed by the senior members of the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the opposite party of the President in consultation with the leadership of the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate of the opposite political party of the President. (b) Membership.-- (1) In general.--Members will be selected based upon knowledge or experience in such relevant areas as-- (A) law enforcement; (B) criminal justice; (C) national security; (D) prison and jail administration; (E) prisoner reentry; (F) public health, including physical and sexual victimization, drug addiction and mental health; [[Page S8038]] (G) victims' rights; (H) civil rights; (I) civil liberties; (J) court administration; (K) social services; and (L) State, local, and Tribal government. (2) Law enforcement representation.-- (A) Members appointed by attorney general.--Of the 6 members appointed by the Attorney General under subsection (a)(2)-- (i) not fewer than 2 shall be representatives from Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies; and (ii) not fewer than 1 shall be a representative from Tribal law enforcement agencies. (B) Other members.--Of the 7 members appointed under subsection (a)(3)-- (i) not fewer than 2 shall be representatives of Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies; and (ii) not fewer than 1 shall be a representative from Tribal law enforcement agencies. (3) Disqualification.--An individual shall not be appointed as a member of the Commission if such individual possesses any personal financial interest in the discharge of any of the duties of the Commission. (4) Terms.--Members shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. (c) Appointment; First Meeting.-- (1) Appointment.--Members of the Commission shall be appointed not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) First meeting.--The Commission shall hold its first meeting on the date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, or not later than 30 days after the date on which funds are made available for the Commission, whichever is later. (3) Ethics.--At the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall draft appropriate ethics guidelines for commissioners and staff, including guidelines relating to conflict of interest and financial disclosure. The Commission shall consult with the Senate and House Committees on the Judiciary as a part of drafting the guidelines and furnish the Committees with a copy of the completed guidelines. (d) Meetings; Quorum; Vacancies.-- (1) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the chairman or his or her designee. (2) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for purposes of conducting business, except that 2 members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for purposes of receiving testimony. (3) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made. If vacancies in the Commission occur on any day after 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, a quorum shall consist of a majority of the members of the Commission as of such day, so long as not less than 1 Commission member chosen by a member of each party, Republican and Democratic, is present. (e) Actions of Commission.-- (1) In general.--The Commission-- (A) shall, subject to the requirements of section 5, act by resolution agreed to by a majority of the members of the Commission voting and present; and (B) may establish panels composed of less than the full membership of the Commission for purposes of carrying out the duties of the Commission under this title-- (i) which shall be subject to the review and control of the Commission; and (ii) any findings and determinations made by such a panel shall not be considered the findings and determinations of the Commission unless approved by the Commission. (2) Delegation.--Any member, agent, or staff of the Commission may, if authorized by the chairman of the Commission, take any action which the Commission is authorized to take pursuant to this Act. SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATION. (a) Staff.-- (1) Executive director.--The Commission shall have a staff headed by an Executive Director. The Executive Director shall be paid at a rate established for the Certified Plan pay level for the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5, United States Code. (2) Appointment and compensation.--The chairman of the Commission shall designate and fix the compensation of the Executive Director and, in accordance with rules agreed upon by the Commission, may appoint and fix the compensation of such other personnel as may be necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its functions, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that no rate of pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the equivalent of that payable for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. (3) Personnel as federal employees.-- (A) In general.--The executive director and any personnel of the Commission who are employees shall be employees under section 2105 of title 5, United States Code, for purposes of chapters 63, 81, 83, 84, 85, 87, 89, and 90 of that title. (B) Members of commission.--Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to apply to members of the Commission. (4) The compensation of commissioners.--Each member of the Commission may be compensated at not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day during which that member is engaged in the actual performance of the duties of the Commission. All members of the Commission who are officers or employees of the United States, State, or local government shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for their services as officers or employees. (5) Travel expenses.--While away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission, members of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed intermittently in the Government service are allowed expenses under section 5703(b) of title 5, United States Code. (b) Experts and Consultants.--With the approval of the Commission, the Executive Director may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. (c) Detail of Government Employees.--Upon the request of the Commission, the head of any Federal agency may detail, without reimbursement, any of the personnel of such agency to the Commission to assist in carrying out the duties of the Commission. Any such detail shall not interrupt or otherwise affect the civil service status or privileges of the Federal employee. (d) Other Resources.--The Commission shall have reasonable access to materials, resources, statistical data, and other information such Commission determines to be necessary to carry out its duties from the Library of Congress, the Department of Justice, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Department of State, and other agencies of the executive and legislative branches of the Federal Government. The chairman of the Commission shall make requests for such access in writing when necessary. (e) Volunteer Services.--Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Commission is authorized to accept and utilize the services of volunteers serving without compensation. The Commission may reimburse such volunteers for local travel and office supplies, and for other travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code. A person providing volunteer services to the Commission shall be considered an employee of the Federal Government in performance of those services for the purposes of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, relating to compensation for work-related injuries, chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, relating to tort claims, and chapter 11 of title 18, United States Code, relating to conflicts of interest. (f) Obtaining Official Data.--The Commission may secure directly from any agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon the request of the chairman of the Commission, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that information to the Commission. The Commission shall not have access to sensitive information regarding ongoing investigations. (g) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States. (h) Administrative Reporting.--The Commission shall issue biannual status reports to Congress regarding the use of resources, salaries, and all expenditures of appropriated funds. (i) Contracts.--The Commission is authorized to enter into contracts with Federal and State agencies, private firms, institutions, and individuals for the conduct of activities necessary to the discharge of its duties and responsibilities. A contract, lease or other legal agreement entered into by the Commission may not extend beyond the date of the termination of the Commission. (j) Gifts.--Subject to existing law, the Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property. (k) Administrative Assistance.--The Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this Act. These administrative services may include human resource management, budget, leasing, accounting, and payroll services. (l) Nonapplicability of Faca and Public Access to Meetings and Minutes.-- (1) In general.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Commission. (2) Meetings and minutes.-- (A) Meetings.-- (i) Administration.--All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public, except that a meeting or any portion of it may be closed to the public if it concerns matters or information described in section 552b(c) of title 5, United States Code. Interested persons shall be permitted to appear at open meetings and present oral or written statements on the subject matter of the meeting. The Commission may administer oaths or affirmations to any person appearing before it. (ii) Notice.--All open meetings of the Commission shall be preceded by timely public notice in the Federal Register of the time, place, and subject of the meeting. [[Page S8039]] (B) Minutes and public availability.--Minutes of each open meeting shall be kept and shall contain a record of the people present, a description of the discussion that occurred, and copies of all statements filed. The minutes and records of all open meetings and other documents that were made available to or prepared for the Commission shall be available for public inspection and copying at a single location in the offices of the Commission. (m) Archiving.--Not later than the date of termination of the Commission, all records and papers of the Commission shall be delivered to the Archivist of the United States for deposit in the National Archives. SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF FUNDS. For each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020, the Attorney General may use, from any unobligated balances made available under the heading ``General Administration'' to the Department of Justice in an appropriations Act, such amounts as are necessary, not to exceed $7,000,000 per fiscal year and not to exceed $14,000,000 total for both fiscal years, to carry out this Act, except that none of the funds authorized to be used to carry out this Act may be used for international travel. SEC. 9. SUNSET. The Commission shall terminate 60 days after the Commission submits the report required under section 5(c) to Congress. The bill (S. 573), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8037,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,PROVIDING FOR A CORRECTION IN THE ENROLLMENT OF H.R. 4174,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8037,S8037,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HCONRES"", ""number"": ""149""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HCONRES"", ""number"": ""149""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4174""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4174""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8037,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8037] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PROVIDING FOR A CORRECTION IN THE ENROLLMENT OF H.R. 4174 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 149, which was received from the House and is at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent resolution by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 149) directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make certain corrections in the enrollment of H.R. 4174. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the concurrent resolution. Mr. McCONNELL. I further ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 149) was agreed to. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8039,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,"EMBASSY SECURITY AUTHORIZATION ACT, FISCAL YEAR 2019",SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8039,S8041,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4969""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4969""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8039,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8039-S8041] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] EMBASSY SECURITY AUTHORIZATION ACT, FISCAL YEAR 2019 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4969 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 4969) to improve the design and construction of diplomatic posts, and for other purposes. There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the Corker substitute amendment be 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. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment (No. 4181) in the nature of a substitute was agreed to, as follows: (Purpose: In the nature of a substitute) Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Embassy Design and Security Act of 2018''. SEC. 2. STANDARDIZATION IN CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION. (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the Department of State's Bureau of Overseas Building Operations (OBO) or successor office should prioritize the standardization of embassy design and keep customization to a minimum. (b) Consultation.--The Secretary of State shall carry out any new embassy compound project or new consulate compound project that utilizes a non-standard design, including those projects that are in the design phase or pre-design phase as of the date of the enactment of this Act, only in consultation with the appropriate congressional committees. The Secretary shall provide such committees, for each such project, the following documentation: (1) A comparison of the estimated full lifecycle costs of the project at issue to the estimated full lifecycle costs of such project if such project were to use a standard design. (2) A comparison of the estimated completion date of such project to the estimated completion date of such project if such project were to use a standard design. (3) A comparison of the security of such completed project to the security of such completed project if such completed project were to use a standard design. (4) A justification for the Secretary's selection of a non- standard design over a standard design for such project. (5) A written explanation if any of the documentation necessary to support the comparisons and justification, as the case may be, described in paragraphs (1) through (4) cannot be provided. (c) Sunset.--The consultation requirement under subsection (b) shall expire on September 30, 2022. SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY. It is the policy of the United States that the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations of the Department of State or its successor office shall continue to balance functionality and security with accessibility as defined by guidelines established by the United States Access Board in constructing embassies and consulates and shall ensure compliance with the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) to the fullest extent possible. SEC. 4. CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION TRANSPARENCY. (a) In General.--Section 118 of the Department of State Authorities Act, Fiscal Year 2017 (22 U.S.C. 304) is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by striking ``annual report on embassy construction costs'' and inserting ``quarterly report on overseas capital construction projects''; and (2) by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows: ``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, and every 90 days thereafter until September 30, 2022, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a comprehensive report regarding all ongoing overseas capital construction projects and major embassy security upgrade projects. ``(b) Contents.--Each report required under subsection (a) shall include the following with respect to each ongoing overseas capital construction project and major embassy security upgrade project: ``(1) The initial cost estimate as specified in the proposed allocation of capital construction and maintenance funds required by the Committees on Appropriations for Acts making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs. ``(2) The current cost estimate. ``(3) The value of each request for equitable adjustment received by the Department of State to date. ``(4) The value of each certified claim received by the Department of State to date. ``(5) The value of any usage of the project's contingency fund to date and the value of the remainder of the project's contingency fund. ``(6) An enumerated list of each request for adjustment and certified claim that remains outstanding or unresolved. ``(7) An enumerated list of each request for equitable adjustment and certified claim that has been fully adjudicated or that the Department has settled, and the final dollar amount of each adjudication or settlement. ``(8) The date of estimated completion specified in the proposed allocation of capital construction and maintenance funds required by the Committees on Appropriations not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of an Act making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs. ``(9) The current date of estimated completion.''. (b) Initial Report.--The first report required under subsection (a) of section 118 of the Department of State Authorities Act, Fiscal Year 2017 (as amended by this section) shall include an annex regarding all overseas capital construction projects and major embassy security upgrade projects completed during the 10-year period ending on December 31, 2018, including, for each such project, the elements specified in subsection (b) of such section 118 (as amended by this section). SEC. 5. CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION. (a) Deadline for Completion.--The Secretary of State shall complete by October 1, 2020, all contractor performance evaluations required by subpart 42.15 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Prioritization System.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall develop a prioritization system for clearing the current backlog of required evaluations referred to in subsection (a). (2) Elements.--The system required under paragraph (1) should prioritize such evaluations as follows: (A) Project completion evaluations should be prioritized over annual evaluations. (B) Evaluations for relatively large contracts should have priority. (C) Evaluations that would be particularly informative for the awarding of government contracts should have priority. (c) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on the Department of State's plan for completing all evaluations by October 1, 2020, and the prioritization system developed pursuant to this section. (d) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) contractors deciding whether to bid on Department of State contracts would benefit from greater understanding of the Department as a client; and (2) the Department should develop a forum through which contractors can rate the Department's project management performance. SEC. 6. GROWTH PROJECTIONS FOR NEW EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES. (a) In General.--For each new embassy compound project (NEC) and new consulate compound project (NCC) in or not yet in the design phase as of the date of the enactment of this Act, the Office of Management Policy, Rightsizing, and Innovation of the Department of State shall project growth over the estimated life of the facility at issue using all available and relevant data, including the following: (1) Relevant historical trends for Department personnel and personnel from other [[Page S8040]] agencies represented at the NEC or NCC that is to be constructed. (2) An analysis of the tradeoffs between risk and the needs of United States Government policy conducted as part of the most recent Vital Presence Validation Process, if applicable. (3) Reasonable assumptions about the strategic importance of the NEC or NCC, as the case may be, over the life of the building at issue. (4) Any other data that would be helpful in projecting the future growth of NEC or NCC. (b) Other Agencies.--Each Federal agency represented at an embassy or consulate shall provide to the Department of State, upon request, growth projections for the personnel of such agency over the estimated life of such embassy or consulate, as the case may be. (c) Basis for Estimates.--The Department of State shall base growth assumption for all NECs and NCCs on the estimates required under subsections (a) and (b). (d) Congressional Notification.--Any congressional notification of site selection for a NEC or NCC submitted after the date of the enactment of this Act shall include the growth assumption used pursuant to subsection (c). SEC. 7. LONG-RANGE PLANNING PROCESS. (a) Plans Required.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for five years, the Secretary of State shall develop-- (A) a comprehensive six-year Long-Range Overseas Buildings Plan (LROBP) documenting the Department of State's overseas building program for the replacement of overseas diplomatic facilities taking into account security factors under the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 (22 U.S.C. 4865 note) and other relevant statutes and regulations, as well as occupational safety and health factors pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) and other relevant statutes and regulations, including environmental factors such as indoor air quality that impact employee health and safety; and (B) a comprehensive six-year plan detailing the Department's long-term planning for the maintenance and sustainment of completed facilities, known as a Long-Range Overseas Maintenance Plan (LROMP), which takes into account security factors under the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 and other relevant statutes and regulations, as well as occupational safety and health factors pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and other relevant statutes and regulations, including environmental factors such as indoor air quality that impact employee health and safety. (2) Initial report.--The first plan developed pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) shall also include a one-time status report on existing small diplomatic posts and a strategy for establishing a physical diplomatic presence in countries in which there is no current physical diplomatic presence. The report, which may include a classified annex, shall include the following: (A) A description of the extent to which each small diplomatic post furthers the national interest of the United States. (B) A description of how each small diplomatic post provides American Citizen Services, including data on specific services provided and the number of Americans receiving services over the previous year. (C) A description of whether each small diplomatic post meets current security requirements. (D) A description of the full financial cost of maintaining each small diplomatic post. (E) Input from the relevant chiefs of mission on any unique operational or policy value the small diplomatic post provides. (3) Updated information.--The annual updates of the plans developed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall highlight any changes from the previous year's plan to the ordering of construction and maintenance projects. (b) Reporting Requirements.-- (1) Submission of plans to congress.--Not later than 60 days after the completion of the LROBP and the LROMP, the Secretary of State shall submit such plans to the appropriate congressional committees. (2) Reference in budget justification materials.--In the budget justification materials submitted to the appropriate congressional committees in support of the Department of State's budget for any fiscal year (as submitted with the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code), the plans specified in the LROBP and LROMP shall be referenced to justify funding requested for building and maintenance projects overseas. (3) Form of report.--The plans required to be submitted under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include classified annexes (c) Small Diplomatic Post Defined.--In this section, the term ``small diplomatic post'' means any consulate that has employed five or fewer United States Government employees on average over the 36 months before the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 8. VALUE ENGINEERING AND RISK ASSESSMENT. (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings: (1) Federal departments and agencies are required to use value engineering (VE) as a management tool, where appropriate, to reduce program and acquisition costs pursuant to OMB Circular A-131, Value Engineering, dated December 31, 2013. (2) OBO has a Policy Directive and Standard Operation Procedure, dated May 24, 2017, on conducting risk management studies on all international construction projects. (b) Notification Requirements.-- (1) Submission to authorizing committees.--The proposed allocation of capital construction and maintenance funds that is required by the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of an Act making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs shall also be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees. (2) Requirement to confirm completion of value engineering and risk assessment studies.--The notifications required under paragraph (1) shall include confirmation that the Department of State has completed the requisite VE and risk management studies described in subsection (a). (c) Reporting and Briefing Requirements.--The Secretary of State shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees upon request-- (1) a description of each recommendation from each study described in subsection (a) and a table detailing which recommendations were accepted and which were rejected; and (2) a report or briefing detailing the rationale for not implementing recommendations made by VE studies that may yield significant cost savings to the Department of State, if implemented. SEC. 9. BUSINESS VOLUME. Subparagraph (E) of section 402(c)(2) of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4852(c)(2)) is amended by striking ``in 3 years'' and inserting ``cumulatively over 3 years''. SEC. 10. EMBASSY SECURITY REQUESTS AND DEFICIENCIES. The Secretary of State shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees, upon request, information on security deficiencies at United States diplomatic posts, including-- (1) requests made over the previous year by United States diplomatic posts for security upgrades; and (2) significant security deficiencies at United States diplomatic posts that are not operating out of a new embassy compound or new consulate compound. SEC. 11. OVERSEAS SECURITY BRIEFINGS. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall revise the Foreign Affairs Manual to stipulate that information on the current threat environment shall be provided to all United States Government employees under Chief of Mission authority traveling to a foreign country on official business. To the extent practicable, such material shall be provided to employees prior to their arrival at a post or as soon as possible thereafter. SEC. 12. CONTRACTING METHODS IN CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION. (a) Delivery.--Unless the Secretary of State notifies the appropriate congressional committees that the use of the design-build project delivery method would not be appropriate, the Secretary shall make use of such method at diplomatic posts that have not yet received design or capital construction contracts as of the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Notification.--Before executing a contract for a delivery method other than design-build in accordance with subsection (a), the Secretary of State shall notify the appropriate congressional committees in writing of the decision, including the reasons therefor. The notification required by this subsection may be included in any other report regarding a new diplomatic facility that is required to be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees (c) Performance Evaluation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding performance evaluation measures in line with GAO's ``Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government'' that will be applicable to design and construction, lifecycle cost, and building maintenance programs of the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations of the Department of State. SEC. 13. COMPETITION IN EMBASSY CONSTRUCTION. Not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committee a report detailing steps the Department of State is taking to expand the embassy construction contractor base in order to increase competition and maximize value. SEC. 14. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means-- (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (2) Design-build.--The term ``design-build'' means a method of project delivery in which one entity works under a single contract with the Department of State to provide design and construction services. [[Page S8041]] (3) Non-standard design.--The term ``non-standard design'' means-- A design for a new embassy compound project or new consulate compound project that does not utilize a standardized design for the structural, spatial, or security requirements of such embassy compound or consulate compound, as the case may be. The amendment was ordered to be engrossed and the bill to be read a third time. The bill was read the third time. The bill (H.R. 4969), as amended, was passed. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8041-2,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,EXECUTIVE CALENDAR (Executive Session),SENATE,SENATE,SEXECCAL,S8041,S8043,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8041,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8041-S8043] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session and the Commerce Committee be discharged from further consideration and the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of PN Nos. 2705 and 2706; that the nominations be confirmed and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the nominations en bloc. The nominations were considered and confirmed en bloc as follows: The following named officers for appointment in the United States Coast Guard to the grade indicated under title 14, U.S.C., section 271(E): To be commander AUSTIN L. ADCOCK ANTONE S. ALONGI MATTHEW S. AUSTIN SAMUEL H. BABBITT MICHAEL W. BAIRD JON T. BARTEL PATRICIA M. BENNETT ROBERT A. BIXLER II KELLY C. BLACKBURN JULIE E. BLANCHFIELD RONALD D. BLEDSOE, JR. BRIAN T. BOLAND JEFFREY M. BOLLING MARY D. BROOKS KATHERINE L. BROWN STACI K. BROWN BRADLEY A. BRUNAUGH KENNETH J. BURGESS ERIC S. BURLEY JASON A. BUSTAMENTE WILLIAM R. CAHILL JAMES M. CARABIN JOEL B. CARSE AARON J. CASAVANT XOCHITL L. CASTANEDA ACE V. CASTLE ERIC W. CHANG DAVID K. CHAPMAN DARYL C. CLARY GREGORY A. CLAYTON DAVID M. COBURN MUHAMMADALI N. COCHRAN ROBERT A. COLE BRADLEY D. CONWAY JAMES R. COOLEY GEORGE H. COTTRELL JEREMY A. COURTADE MICHAEL T. COURTNEY TREVOR C. COWAN ALLISON B. COX JONATHAN W. COX BYRON A. CREECH CARLOS M. CRESPO DAVID B. CRUZ JEFFREY R. DAIGLE ALLISON M. DAMERON MICHAEL R. DARRAH JESSICA S. DAVILA KELVIN J. DAVIS ARTHUR M. DEHNZ PHILLIP A. DELISLE JOHN F. DEWEY IV JARROD M. DEWITZ JENNIFER R. DOHERTY PATRICK A. DRAYER LAUREN F. DUFRENE CHRISTOPHER P. DUFRESNE STANLEY P. FIELDS BRANDON C. FISHER MATTHEW P. FRAZEE MICHAEL FRIEND MATTHEW A. GANS KEVIN E. GARCIA CHRISTJAN C. GAUDIO SARAH J. GEOFFRION JAMES A. GIBSON, JR. MICHAEL R. GILLHAM GERROD C. GLAUNER MATTHEW E. GRAY MYLES J. GREENWAY NAVIN L. GRIFFIN MICHAEL C. GRIS II JASON D. HAGEN IAN A. HALL ANDERS J. HAMMERSBORG JAMES J. HANNAM TODD E. HARTFIEL JUAN M. HERNANDEZ MARCUS T. HIRSCHBERG JASON A. HOPKINS NATHAN R. HUDSON DANIEL J. HUELSMAN MICHAEL J. HUNT IAN T. HURST RAYMOND D. JACKSON, JR. WILL D. JOHNSON MARK C. JORGENSEN KEVIN L. KAMMETER HANNAH K. KAWAMOTO MARGARET D. KENNEDY JAMES R. KENSHALO COREY M. KERNS GREGORY J. KNOLL RICHARD E. KUZAK KARA M. LAVIN AMANDA M. LEE BRANDON M. LINK RICHARD A. MACH AMY D. MCELROY REYNA E. MCGRAIL CLAY D. MCKINNEY BRADLEY W. MIDDLETON DAVID A. MIDDLETON BROOKE A. MILLARD JESSE M. MILLARD JONATHAN D. MILLER KENNETH R. MILLSON TODD C. MOE GREGORY N. MOURITSEN GARY C. MURPHY SAMUEL R. NASSAR BRANDON J. NATTEAL JOSHUA B. NELSON KELLEE M. NOLAN CHARLES S. NOVAK DAVID M. OTANI NICHOLAS W. PARKER THOMAS T. PEQUIGNOT ERIC C. PERDUE LUKE R. PETERSEN MARK A. PIBER STEPHEN W. PITTMAN JEFFREY R. PLATT JASON T. PLUMLEY CLAYTON S. PREBLE KRISTEN M. PREBLE RANDY L. PRESTON MILES R. RANDALL, JR. KENT R. REINHOLD KENNETH H. ROCKHOLD THOMAS C. RODZEWICZ JOSE M. ROSARIO ELIZABETH M. ROSCOE ERIC S. RUNYON MATTHEW A. SCHIBLER DAVID P. SHEPPARD BRENDAN C. SHIELDS JONATHAN D. SHUMATE DANIELLE M. SHUPE LUKE M. SLIVINSKI SCOTT R. SMITH WILLIAM M. SNYDER BENJAMIN J. SPECTOR CHARLES B. STANLEY JEFFREY J. SULLENS PHILIP D. THISSE KEITH O. THOMAS CHAD R. THOMPSON JAROD S. TOCZKO ROBERTO N. TREVINO JORGE L. VALENTE PEDRO L. VAZQUEZ BRETT R. WALTER MATTHEW J. WALTER BENJAMIN M. WALTON MOLLY K. WATERS RYAN A. WATERS MICHAEL E. WHITTREDGE JAMES E. WILLINGHAM CHARLES K. WILSON ERIC J. WILSON DAVID J. YADRICK The following named officers for appointment in the United States Coast Guard to the grade indicated under title 14, U.S.C. section 271(E) and title 10, U.S.C. section 12203(A): [[Page S8042]] To be lieutenant commander JUSTIN P. AARONSON MARK RYAN ALLEN RHENEE K. ALLEN JOSEPH P. ANTHONY SHANNON M. ANTHONY JUAN R. APONTE BRANDON J. ATEN ANDREW D. BACON JACOB D. BALDASSINI LEMUEL R. BEAUCHAMP RYAN T. BECK BRETT F. BELANGER SHEHU BELLO MARTIN J. BERG KELLY C. BERRY ANNE E. BESSER RICHARD A. BICSAK DANIEL J. BLAICH BROCK A. BLAISDELL KEITH A. BLEVINS ROGER BOGERT STEPHEN D. BONDIRA JOHN P. BOTTI III RUDY H. BOWIS CHRISTOPHER G. BOYKIN DANIEL J. BRAHAN NICOLE E. BREDARIOL CHRISTOPHER A. BREUER ERICA M. BREWTON SALOMEE G. BRIGGS AARON G. BROCKUS EMILY H. BROCKWAY KELLEY M. BROWN KENTON G. BROWN MARCUS W. BROWN PATRICK J. BROWN COLLINSON P. BURGWYN III PATRICK M. BURNETT DUSTIN R. BURTON WILLIAM M. BURTT KRISTINA I. BUTLER RYAN BUTLER ROBERT W. CANOY, JR. JARED A. CARBAJAL KEVIN P. CARMICHAEL ERIC S. CASIDA THEODORE L. CETRULO SHAWN M. CHAUVOT JOHN J. CHESNUT JUSTIN D. CHURCH JOSEPH J. CIARAVELLA BRADFORD E. CLARK MICHAEL P. COMERFORD TABITHA C. CONNELL LINDSAY N. COOK SETH R. CRAVEN NICHOLAS C. CUSTER KYLE C. CUTTIE NICOLE W. DEEM DANIEL A. DELGADO MICHAEL P. DEVOLLD MATTHEW Z. DIIULIO BRIAN P. DOCHTERMANN AARON J. DORRIAN DANA T. DOUGHERTY MATTHEW P. DYRDAHL KEITH J. ENDRES CHARLES R. ENGLAND DAVID A. EVANS KARIN N. EVELYN MATTHEW E. EYLER ANTHONY L. FALCE KATHLEEN L. FALLON DANIEL A. FEIRMAN ERIN E. FILLMORE LAURA M. FITZPATRICK LAURA B. FOSTER JAMES E. FOTHERGILL MORGAN M. FOWLER MICHAEL I. FREEMAN HEIDI A. FUNKHOUSER ADRIANA J. GAENZLE DAVID J. GARDEN THEODORA T. GAUDREN MICHAEL J. GEREAU ERIN M. GILL LAUREN M. GILLIKIN GREGORY D. GILMORE SEAN C. GLAVAN RYAN A. GOMEZ SONHA A. GOMEZ FELIPE L. GUARDIOLA MICHAEL J. HAAS SAMUEL B. HAFENSTEINER DANIEL P. HALSIG JESSICA E. HAMILTON MATTHEW G. HARDGROVE AMANDA L. HARRIS NICHOLAS R. HARTMANN LISA M. HATLAND JUSTIN C. HECK DAVID H. HERNDON KEELY J. HIGBIE KEVIN J. HIGGINS DANIEL R. HILBURN HUNTER A. HILL SHAKA W. HILL CORY J. HOFFMAN CHRISTOPHER J. HOOPER CHRISTINE T. IGISOMAR ANTHONY V. IPPOLITO ANDREW G. JAROLIMEK JASON J. JOLL PHILIP A. JONES TIMOTHY M. JONES MATTHEW R. KAHLEY THOMAS G. KAI ANDREW P. KAUFFMAN MICHELLE E. KEATING TYLER E. KELLEY MOLLY E. KEYSER BRYAN M. KILCOIN GARIN A. KIRKPATRICK MARY E. KLYNMAN RYAN A. KOROKNAY KEVIN X. KUHN PHILIPP C. KUNZE LAURA L. LADD CHRISTOPHER M. LAFRAMBOISE MATTHEW R. LAM PATRICK D. LAMMERSEN GREGORY R. LANDOSKY MICHAEL C. LANGELIER GRANT H. LANGSTON TERENCE O. LEAHY ELIZABETH A. LEDBETTER CHANEL L. LEE ROBERT S. LIST LUIS D. LLANES SAMUD I. LOONEY JAVIER E. LOPEZ ERIC J. LUNDE CONOR S. MADISON JONATHAN D. MAGIN JEREMY D. MAGINOT JOHN O. MANSOLILLO THOMAS C. MANSOUR ZEPHYR R. MAYS ROBERT E. MCCABE BRETT F. MCCALL JEREMY T. MCCALL JASON P. MCCARTHEY FRANK W. MCINTOSH IV JESSICA L. MCINTYRE CHRISTOPHER J. MCKAY MARTIN J. MCKENNA COREY M. MCPARTLIN BRENT M. MELLEN ADAM D. MILLER BRIAN L. MILLER DANIEL E. MILLER PATRICK J. MILLER RONALD A. MILLER JOHNANDREW M. MINNITI TYLER A. MONEZ DELOISE L. MOORE TIMOTHY M. MOSHER ADAM T. MOSLEY RYAN W. MOWBRAY THOMAS D. MULDER JASON D. NGUYEN LIEZL A. NICHOLAS ANDREW S. NORBERG DANIEL F. OBRIEN III CHRISTOPHER M. OCONNOR ERIN K. ODONNELL JAMES J. OKORN CHELSEY G. OLSON CHRISTOPHER M. O'MEARA GREGORY J. OSTROV TIMOTHY K. OZIMEK CHRISTOPHER K. PACE DANIEL M. PARKER TERRI A. PARRIS CALEB L. PEACOCK MICHAEL M. PERSUN JEREMY A. PICKARD MATTHEW D. POORE PATRICK R. POWERS ANDREA L. PSIMER GREGORY G. QUILLEN KRISTINA L. QUINN CHRISTOPHER P. RABALAIS CLAIRE M. REILLY CHARLES J. RESSEL ANDREA S. RICE KYLE T. RICHTER CALEB C. ROBARDS ZACHARY B. ROBERTSON LEONEL ROBLES, JR. MARIA A. ROSARIO SOREN J. ROSE KEVIN J. ROTHEMICH LUIS M. RUCK RAPHAEL J. SADOWITZ MATTHEW H. SALDIVAR JOHN F. SAUVE KARL E. SAVACOOL VICTORIA A. SAXON BRANDON S. SCHUMANN JASON R. SCOTT GUSTAV J. SEYLERSCHMIDT NATHAN A. SHAKESPEARE GEORGE W. SHEPHERD SHAWN C. SIMERAL ERIN L. SLYCORD GABRIELLA M. SMYTH DREW SONETIROT ALEX J. STACHEL ANDREW M. STEC DAVID M. STERN ASHLEY D. STONE MATHEW B. STUBER AMANDA M. STYLES KYLE M. SWEET KRISTOPHER J. TAMBURELLO CHARLES W. TAYLOR STACY J. TEIXEIRA JORGE A. TELLER NKOSI R. THOMAS WADE P. THOMSON JONATHAN D. TICE MEGAN C. TRIVETT ELIZABETH A. TUFTS ERIC C. TURNER KATHERINE M. USTLER MATTHEW R. VANDERSLICE LINH VINH ASHLEY J. VRYHEID WILLIAM S. WALLEN BRIAN S. WALLER JOSEPH K. WALTON CHRISTOPHER S. WARD BRYAN D. WATTS GREGORY C. WAUGH DENNIS R. WESTERMANN ADAM M. WHALEN JAMES F. WHITE CHARLES M. WHITESEL MARK A. WHYTE ZACHARY M. WIEST DERRICK A. WILLIAMS KELLY A. WINSLOW SHEA G. WINTERBERGER JESSICA L. WISSMANN NATHAN E. WOJCIK BERT L. WOODS MATTHEW E. ZACKMAN JAMES B. ZORN [[Page S8043]] ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8041,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,COMBATING EUROPEAN ANTI-SEMITISM ACT OF 2017,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8041,S8041,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""672""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""672""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8041,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8041] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] COMBATING EUROPEAN ANTI-SEMITISM ACT OF 2017 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 672 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 672) to require continued and enhanced annual reporting to Congress in the Annual Report on International Religious Freedom on anti-Semitic incidents in Europe, the safety and security of European Jewish communities, and the efforts of the United States to partner with European governments, the European Union, and civil society groups, to combat anti-Semitism, and for other purposes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (H.R. 672) was ordered to a third reading, was read the third time, and passed. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8043-2,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,ORDER OF BUSINESS,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8043,S8043,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8043,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8043] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ORDER OF BUSINESS Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, here is where we are. The Senate will next meet for a pro forma session on Monday. That is the 24th. The next scheduled session will be on the 27th of December. As I said earlier today when we opened, I am glad that productive discussions are continuing. When these negotiations produce a solution that is acceptable to all parties, which means 60 votes in the Senate, a majority in the House, and a Presidential signature, at that point, we will take it up on the Senate floor. Senators will be notified when a vote is scheduled and, in the meantime, the discussions and negotiations continue. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8043-3,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,"ORDERS FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018",SENATE,SENATE,SORDERFOR,S8043,S8043,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""695""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""695""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8043,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8043] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ORDERS FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn to then convene for a pro forma session on Monday, December 24, at 11 a.m.; I further ask that when the Senate adjourns on Monday, December 24, it next convene at 4 p.m., on Thursday, December 27; 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, that following leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of the House message to accompany H.R. 695 under the previous order. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8043-4,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,"ADJOURNMENT UNTIL MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018, AT 11 A.M.",SENATE,SENATE,ADJOURNMENT,S8043,S8043,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8043,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8043] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ADJOURNMENT UNTIL MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018, AT 11 A.M. Mr. McCONNELL. If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 3:17 p.m., adjourned until Monday, December 24, 2018, at 11 a.m. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8043-5,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,DISCHARGED NOMINATIONS,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8043,S8043,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8043,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8043] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] DISCHARGED NOMINATIONS The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration of the following nominations by unanimous consent and the nominations were confirmed: COAST GUARD NOMINATION OF DOUGLAS M. SALIK, TO BE COMMANDER. COAST GUARD NOMINATION OF REAR ADM. MATTHEW W. SIBLEY, TO BE REAR ADMIRAL (LOWER HALF). COAST GUARD NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH ANNA W. HICKEY AND ENDING WITH VICTORIA C. FUTCH, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON NOVEMBER 14, 2018. COAST GUARD NOMINATION OF ADAM R. WILLIAMSON, TO BE COMMANDER. COAST GUARD NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH MARC C. DEVEREAUX AND ENDING WITH CRAIG L. WENNET, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON NOVEMBER 26, 2018. COAST GUARD NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH GRETCHEN M. BAILEY AND ENDING WITH ANDREW J. WRIGHT, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON NOVEMBER 26, 2018. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration of the following nominations by unanimous consent and the nominations were confirmed. COAST GUARD NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH AUSTIN L. ADCOCK AND ENDING WITH DAVID J. YADRICK, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON DECEMBER 19, 2018. COAST GUARD NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH JUSTIN P. AARONSON AND ENDING WITH JAMES B. ZORN, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON DECEMBER 19, 2018. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8043-6,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,CONFIRMATIONS,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8043,S8044,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8043,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8043-S8044] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CONFIRMATIONS Executive nominations confirmed by the Senate December 22, 2018: IN THE AIR FORCE THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: To be brigadier general COL. DAVID W. ABBA COL. CHRISTOPHER R. AMRHEIN COL. CHARLES D. BOLTON COL. LARRY R. BROADWELL, JR. COL. TERRY L. BULLARD COL. SCOTT A. CAIN COL. JIMMY R. CANLAS COL. JULIAN C. CHEATER COL. ROY W. COLLINS COL. COLIN J. CONNOR COL. DONALD J. COTHERN COL. DAVID S. EAGLIN COL. STEVEN G. EDWARDS COL. TROY L. ENDICOTT COL. GREGORY J. GAGNON COL. RICHARD W. GIBBS COL. JENNIFER L. GRANT COL. STEWART A. HAMMONS COL. ROBERT S. JOBE COL. JOHN M. KLEIN, JR. COL. GREGORY KREUDER COL. BENJAMIN R. MAITRE COL. MATTEO G. MARTEMUCCI COL. CAROLINE M. MILLER COL. DAVID A. MINEAU COL. PAUL J. MURRAY COL. TY W. NEUMAN COL. JOHN P. NEWBERRY COL. JEFFERSON J. O'DONNELL COL. THOMAS B. PALENSKE COL. EVAN L. PETTUS COL. CHRISTOPHER S. POVAK COL. BRADLEY L. PYBURN COL. CHAD D. RADUEGE COL. MICHAEL T. RAWLS COL. RYAN R. SAMUELSON COL. DAVID J. SANFORD COL. DAVID G. SHOEMAKER COL. REBECCA J. SONKISS COL. CLAUDE K. TUDOR, JR. COL. DANIEL H. TULLEY COL. JEFFERY D. VALENZIA COL. JOHN C. WALKER COL. STEVEN P. WHITNEY IN THE MARINE CORPS THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: To be major general BRIG. GEN. BRADLEY S. JAMES IN THE AIR FORCE THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601: To be lieutenant general MAJ. GEN. DUKE Z. RICHARDSON IN THE ARMY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: To be brigadier general COL. KEVIN D. ADMIRAL COL. TIMOTHY D. BROWN COL. JOSHUA M. RUDD COL. PAUL T. STANTON THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601: To be lieutenant general MAJ. GEN. TERRY R. FERRELL THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: To be brigadier general COL. TIMOTHY D. CONNELLY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: To be brigadier general COL. GERALD R. KRIMBILL THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: To be brigadier general COL. STACY M. BABCOCK THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601: To be lieutenant general LT. GEN. ERIC J. WESLEY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601: To be lieutenant general MAJ. GEN. ANDREW P. POPPAS IN THE NAVY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601: To be vice admiral REAR ADM. ROBERT D. SHARP IN THE ARMY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601: To be general LT. GEN. RICHARD D. CLARKE IN THE MARINE CORPS THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601: To be general LT. GEN. KENNETH F. MCKENZIE, JR. IN THE AIR FORCE THE FOLLOWING AIR NATIONAL GUARD OF THE UNITED STATES OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE AIR FORCE TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 12203 AND 12212: To be brigadier general COL. SCOTT C. BRIDGERS COL. THOMAS D. CRIMMINS COL. THOMAS B. HATLEY COL. SCOTT A. HOWARD COL. PATRICK M. KENNEDY COL. ROBERT G. KILGORE COL. WILLIAM A. KINNISON, JR. COL. TERRENCE L. KOUDELKA, JR. COL. KERRY R. LOVELY COL. BRIAN T. MCHENRY COL. BARBARA C. MORROW COL. DUKE M. OTA, JR. COL. LOUIS J. PERINO COL. ERIK A. PETERSON COL. TROY E. POU COL. MICHAEL L. REID COL. JOHN P. RUSSO COL. TORRENCE W. SAXE COL. DAVID A. SMITH COL. THOMAS M. SUELZER COL. TAISON K. TANAKA COL. JUSTIN R. WALRATH THE FOLLOWING NAMED AIR NATIONAL GUARD OF THE UNITED STATES OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE AIR FORCE TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 12203 AND 12212: To be major general BRIG. GEN. JOHN D. CAINE BRIG. GEN. LARRY K. CLARK BRIG. GEN. SEAN T. COLLINS [[Page S8044]] BRIG. GEN. JOHN P. HRONEK II BRIG. GEN. WENDY K. JOHNSON BRIG. GEN. GREGORY F. JONES BRIG. GEN. TIMOTHY J. LABARGE BRIG. GEN. RONALD S. LAMBE BRIG. GEN. TIMOTHY T. LUNDERMAN BRIG. GEN. THOMAS J. OWENS II BRIG. GEN. GREG A. SEMMEL BRIG. GEN. BRIAN M. SIMPLER THE FOLLOWING NAMED AIR NATIONAL GUARD OF THE UNITED STATES OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE AIR FORCE TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 12203 AND 12212: To be brigadier general COL. STEVEN D. MICHAUD COL. RAYMOND H. SIEGFRIED II IN THE COAST GUARD COAST GUARD NOMINATION OF DOUGLAS M. SALIK, TO BE COMMANDER. THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO SERVE AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE COAST GUARD RESERVE IN THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 14, U.S.C., SECTION 53(B): To be rear admiral (lower half) REAR ADM. MATTHEW W. SIBLEY COAST GUARD NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH ANNA W. HICKEY AND ENDING WITH VICTORIA C. FUTCH, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON NOVEMBER 14, 2018. COAST GUARD NOMINATION OF ADAM R. WILLIAMSON, TO BE COMMANDER. COAST GUARD NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH MARC C. DEVEREAUX AND ENDING WITH CRAIG L. WENNET, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON NOVEMBER 26, 2018. COAST GUARD NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH GRETCHEN M. BAILEY AND ENDING WITH ANDREW J. WRIGHT, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON NOVEMBER 26, 2018. COAST GUARD NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH AUSTIN L. ADCOCK AND ENDING WITH DAVID J. YADRICK, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON DECEMBER 19, 2018. COAST GUARD NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH JUSTIN P. AARONSON AND ENDING WITH JAMES B. ZORN, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON DECEMBER 19, 2018." CREC-2018-12-22-pt1-PgS8043,2018-12-22,115,2,164,,LEGISLATIVE SESSION,SENATE,SENATE,SLEGISLATIVE,S8043,S8043,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8043,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 203 (Saturday, December 22, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8043] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] LEGISLATIVE SESSION The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate will now resume legislative session. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS-FrontMatter-15,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,Senate,SENATE,SENATE,FRONTMATTER,S8005,S8005,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8005,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8005] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] S E N A T E Vol. 164 WASHINGTON, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 No. 202" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8005-2,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,PRAYER,SENATE,SENATE,PRAYER,S8005,S8005,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8005,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8005] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PRAYER The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer: Let us pray. Eternal Father, strong to save, we put our trust in You. Continue to be our shelter in the time of storm. Guide our lawmakers. Keep ever before them the vision of a better world that is yet to be. May the words of their mouths and the meditations of their hearts be pleasing to You, O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. Lord, give our Senators pure intentions, a steadfast regard for Your glory, and a faith that will not shrink, though pressed by many challenges. We pray, in Your mighty Name. Amen. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8005-3,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE,SENATE,SENATE,PLEDGE,S8005,S8005,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8005,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8005] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Presiding Officer led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8005-4,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8005,S8005,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8005,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8005] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will please read a communication to the Senate from the President pro tempore (Mr. Hatch). The senior assistant legislative clerk read the following letter: U.S. Senate, President pro tempore, Washington, DC, December 21, 2018. To the Senate: Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby appoint the Honorable John Cornyn, a Senator from the State of Texas, to perform the duties of the Chair. Orrin G. Hatch, President pro tempore. Mr. CORNYN thereupon assumed the Chair as Acting President pro tempore. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8005-5,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8005,S8005,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8005,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8005] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8005-6,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,MORNING BUSINESS,SENATE,SENATE,SMBUSINESS,S8005,S8005,"[{""name"": ""John Cornyn"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Charles E. Schumer"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8005,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8005] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MORNING BUSINESS The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the Senate will be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. (Thereupon, Mr. KENNEDY assumed the chair.) Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8005-7,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8005,S8005,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8005,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8005] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic leader is recognized. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8005-8,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,GOVERNMENT FUNDING,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8005,S8006,"[{""name"": ""Charles E. Schumer"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8005,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8005-S8006] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] GOVERNMENT FUNDING Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, the events of the past week should concern every American. This may have been the most chaotic week of what is undoubtedly the most chaotic Presidency ever in the history of the United States. The stock market is in a tumult and in decline. The Secretary of Defense, one of the only pairs of steady hands in our government, is resigning from the administration in protest. The United States is pulling out of Syria and likely Afghanistan, abandoning our coalitions, allies, and the Kurds, and surrendering the field to Putin, Iran, Hezbollah, ISIS, the Taliban, and Bashar al-Assad. The positions of Defense Secretary, of Attorney General, of Ambassador to the United Nations, of Interior Secretary, and even of Chief of Staff to the President are all in flux. The institutions of our government lack steady and experienced leadership. With all of these departures, it is about to get even more unsteady. The President is making decisions without counsel, without preparation, and even without communication between relevant Departments and relevant Agencies. All of this turmoil is causing chaos in the markets, chaos abroad, and it is making the United States less prosperous and less secure. To top it all off, President Trump has thrown a temper tantrum and now has us careening toward a Trump shutdown over Christmas. In a short time, the Senate will take part in a pointless exercise to demonstrate to our House colleagues and the President what everyone here already knows: There are not the votes in the Senate for an expensive, taxpayer-funded border wall. President Trump, you will not get your wall. Abandon your shutdown strategy. You are not getting the wall today, next week, or on January 3 when Democrats take control of the House. Just 2 days ago, the Senate came together to support a proposal by Leader McConnell--unanimously, every Democrat, every Republican--to extend government funding through February without partisan demands. What it would accomplish would be that the government would not shut down, the fights we are having would be postponed to a later day, and millions of Americans would not be hurt this Christmas week. [[Page S8006]] Let me repeat that. The Senate--every Democrat and every Republican-- has already unanimously supported a clean extension of government funding. Democrats supported the measure because we do not want to see the government shut down. We have no demands other than that. We had every indication that the President would sign the legislation--as did our friends the Republicans on the other side of the aisle in the Senate-- but yesterday President Trump, hounded by the radical voices of the hard right, threw another temper tantrum, and here we are once again, on the brink of what the President has spent months saying he wanted--a Trump shutdown. The President will try to do his best to blame Democrats, but it is flatly absurd. President Trump called for a shutdown no fewer than 25 times. In our meeting with the Oval Office, President Trump said: ``If we don't get what we want . . . I will shut down the government. . . . I am proud to shut it down. So I will take the mantle. . . . I'm not going to blame you.'' Those are President Trump's words, and nothing he says or does today can undo that. No Democrat has called for shutting down the government. We are all working to avoid it. The President seems to relish it. He seems to feel he will throw a bone to his base--his base probably being less than one-quarter of America. President Trump, you cannot erase months of video of your saying that you wanted a shutdown and that you wanted the responsibility and blame for a shutdown. President Trump, you own the shutdown. You said so in your own words. President Trump may get his wish, unfortunately, but it doesn't have to be this way. Democrats have offered two alternatives, and Republicans--Leader McConnell has offered one. Democrats have offered to pass the six bipartisan appropriations bills, plus a 1-year continuing resolution for Homeland Security. We have also offered a 1- year continuing resolution for all the remaining bills. Republicans have offered to pass a short-term continuing resolution through early February. Each one of those proposals would pass the House and pass the Senate. Each one of those proposals contains $1.3 billion of real border security, not a wall. There is no wall in those proposals. Democrats support real border security, not a wall. By the way, that is in addition to the $1.3 billion in border security Congress allocated last year, the vast majority of which the Trump administration has not yet spent. They are asking for loads of more money. They haven't even spent last year's money. It is clearly a political gambit by President Trump to appease his never-happy base. On the other hand, a Trump shutdown would result in zero dollars for the Department of Homeland Security over the Christmas holiday. There are several ways for President Trump and congressional Republicans to avoid a shutdown over Christmas--I mentioned three--but there is only one way we will have a Trump shutdown: If President Trump clings to his position for an unnecessary, ineffective, taxpayer-funded border wall that he promised Mexico would pay for. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8005,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,Senate,SENATE,SENATE,CALLTOORDER,S8005,S8005,,,164 Cong. Rec. S8005,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8005] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [[Page S8005]] Senate The Senate met at 12 noon and was called to order by the Honorable John Cornyn, a Senator from the State of Texas. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8006-2,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017--MOTION TO PROCEED,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8006,S8007,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""John Cornyn"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Richard J. Durbin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""695""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""695""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8006,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8006-S8007] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017--MOTION TO PROCEED Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask the Chair to lay before the Senate the House message to accompany H.R. 695, and I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll. Mr. CORNYN. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Utah (Mr. Hatch), the Senator from Nevada (Mr. Heller), the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Isakson), the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Kyl), and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Paul). Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from California (Mrs. Feinstein) is necessarily absent. The yeas and nays resulted--yeas 47, nays 47, as follows: [Rollcall Vote No. 274 Leg.] YEAS--47 Alexander Barrasso Blunt Boozman Burr Capito Cassidy Collins Corker Cornyn Cotton Crapo Cruz Daines Enzi Ernst Fischer Flake Gardner Graham Grassley Hoeven Hyde-Smith Inhofe [[Page S8007]] Johnson Jones Kennedy Lankford Lee McConnell Moran Murkowski Perdue Portman Risch Roberts Rounds Rubio Sasse Scott Shelby Sullivan Thune Tillis Toomey Wicker Young NAYS--47 Baldwin Bennet Blumenthal Booker Brown Cantwell Cardin Carper Casey Coons Cortez Masto Donnelly Duckworth Durbin Gillibrand Harris Hassan Heinrich Heitkamp Hirono Kaine King Klobuchar Leahy Manchin Markey McCaskill Menendez Merkley Murphy Murray Nelson Peters Reed Sanders Schatz Schumer Shaheen Smith Stabenow Tester Udall Van Hollen Warner Warren Whitehouse Wyden NOT VOTING--6 Feinstein Hatch Heller Isakson Kyl Paul (Mr. BOOZMAN assumed the chair.) (Mrs. CAPITO assumed the chair.) (Ms. MURKOWSKI assumed the chair.) The VICE PRESIDENT. On this vote, the yeas are 47, the nays are 47. The Senate being equally divided, the Vice President votes in the affirmative, and the motion is agreed to. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8006,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8006,S8006,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8006,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8006] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader is recognized. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, yesterday the House passed an amended version of the continuing resolution to sustain government funding and sent it here for our consideration. In addition to giving the entire Federal Government the necessary resources to operate into the new year, this legislation also provides much needed investments in disaster relief for hard-hit communities and in our national security, particularly the integrity of our borders. In my view, this legislation would be quite uncontroversial in a more normal political moment--in a moment when both parties put the obvious national interest ahead of any personal spite for the President. I support the additional border security and disaster aid that the House added to the bill, and I am proud to vote for it. It is not a radical concept that the American people's government should be able to control the people and the goods that flow into our country. It is not a radical concept that physical barriers play an important role in achieving security--unless there is a caucus of lawmakers who go to bed at night with their front doors wide open that I am not aware of. What is radical, what is way out of the mainstream, is this absurd premise of the open-borders far left that achieving basic stability and law enforcement on our southern border is somehow in itself without compassion or discriminatory or immoral. Fairness and compassion don't mean enforcing only some of our laws halfheartedly; fairness and compassion mean that we fulfill our governing duties for the American people. If we continue to throw up our hands and tolerate a status quo that is allowing too many drugs and dangerous criminals to travel freely into our land, then this Federal Government is not doing its duty. The facts are clear on this. The need for greater security on our southern border is not some partisan invention; it is an empirical fact, and the need is only growing. Apprehensions along the border have nearly doubled in the past year. The men and women of the Border Patrol are encountering greater numbers of gang members and individuals with criminal histories, more family units, more seizures of cocaine and fentanyl. This is a real crisis. The implications for American communities, for vulnerable children, and for Border Patrol units that are already stretched thin are very real. There is no bright line of principle that sets this request for border funding apart from similar requests that many Democrats have supported in the past. A lot of them have supported this in the past. There is no sharp distinction between the proposal my friends across the aisle have decided to oppose today and proposals they have been happy to endorse in the past. All that has really changed are the political winds way over on the far left. That is what has changed. So let's not end this year the way we began it--with another shutdown over the issue of illegal immigration. Remember this back in January? It was all because the Democrats were unwilling to support commonsense measures to address it. Let's advance this legislation. Let's pass it. Let's finish our work for this year. Let's secure our country. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8007,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8007,S8011,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Charles E. Schumer"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Bob Corker"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Jeff Flake"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Lamar Alexander"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Christopher A. Coons"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Doug Jones"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Benjamin L. Cardin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Chris Van Hollen"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""695""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""695""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8007,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8007-S8011] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017 The Chair lays before the Senate the following message from the House: Resolved, That the House agree to the amendment of the Senate to the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 695), entitled ``An Act to amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to establish a national criminal history background check system and criminal history review program for certain individuals who, related to their employment, have access to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes.'', with an amendment. The VICE PRESIDENT. The majority leader. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. Vice President and colleagues, here where we are. It is now clear there are enough votes to proceed to the pending legislation on government funding, disaster relief, and border security. Within the Republican conference, there is strong support for the President's reasonable request for more resources to tackle the urgent situation at our southern border. Republicans support the House-passed bill, which includes additional border security funding. We are also, however, eager to complete the remaining appropriations bills that the Senate has already passed. However, obviously, since any eventual solution requires 60 votes here in the Senate, it has been clear from the beginning that two things are necessary: support from enough Senate Democrats to pass the proposal at 60 and a Presidential signature. As a result, the Senate has voted to proceed to legislation before us in order to preserve maximum flexibility for a productive conversation to continue between the White House and our Democratic colleagues. I hope Senate Democrats will work with the White House on an agreement that can pass both Houses of Congress and receive the President's signature. Colleagues, when an agreement is reached, it will receive a vote here on the Senate floor. Motion to Concur Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I move to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 695. The VICE PRESIDENT. The motion is pending. The Democratic leader. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, as we said to President Trump a week ago, his wall does not have 60 votes here in the Senate, let alone 50 votes. That much is now clear. The Democrats have offered three proposals to keep the government open, including a proposal offered by Leader McConnell that passed the Senate unanimously only a few days ago. We are willing to continue discussions on those proposals with the leader, the President, the Speaker of the House, and the leader of the House. All five are necessary to get something done. I yield the floor. The VICE PRESIDENT. The Senator from Tennessee. Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, I thank the two leaders for what they have done today. Even though I know some people who are tuning in may not understand what just happened, the understanding that has been reached--and I thank Senator Flake and Senator Jones and others--is that we are not voting on anything else in this Chamber relative to this issue until a global agreement has been reached between the President and these two leaders and the leader of the House. There will not be test votes, and there is not going to be a tabling vote. The Vice President has been over here with his members, negotiating already. What this does, I think, is to push this ahead to a negotiation that will yield a result, and we will do the best we can to keep from shutting down the government, or if it does shut down, it will shut down very briefly. I thank the two leaders for agreeing to go forward in this manner. It allows us to move forward in a positive way, yet keeps the negotiations alive. Only a bill can pass this Chamber now that has all of their agreement. The VICE PRESIDENT. The Senator from Arizona. Mr. FLAKE. Mr. President, I thank the two leaders of this agreement, the Senator from Tennessee, the Senator from Alabama--Mr. Jones--and others who have worked to ensure that the next vote we will have in this Chamber will be on an agreement as Senator Corker said--not a test vote, not a cloture vote. What I wanted to do with not proceeding is to demonstrate that not all Republicans would be for the House bill either. There is no path forward for the House bill. The only path forward is to a bill that has an agreement between the President and both Houses of Congress. The next time we vote, it will be on the agreement. It will not be another test vote. I yield the floor. The VICE PRESIDENT. The Senator from Tennessee. Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that following my remarks, the Senator from Delaware, Mr. Coons, be recognized. The VICE PRESIDENT. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I thank Senator Corker, Senator Flake, and the leaders, Senator McConnell and Senator Schumer, for their discussions. I thank the Vice President for his presence here today. In my own view, government shutdowns ought not to be a part of budget negotiations any more than chemical weapons should be a part of warfare. We were elected to make the government run for taxpayers, not to shut it down. My hope is that this will put us on a path toward a result and will recognize the President's desire for increased border security, which we support and many Democrats support, and we can finish our appropriations process. What I would like to do now is to say a few words about what was described in a very famous movie in which Jimmy Stewart played, ``Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,'' as democracy's finest show--the right to talk your head off in the legislative filibuster. Lest someone says, ``Well, Senator Alexander, you just announced you are not going to run for reelection in 2 years, so you are going to change your tune,'' I am not changing my tune. The remarks I made in 2011 at the Heritage Foundation about the tradition of the legislative filibuster--perhaps the best known part of the U.S. Senate--can be found at https://www.alexander.senate.gov/ public/index.cfm/speechesfloorstatements?ID=23BE8F64-7708-4E5D-86AD- F1F8C7EE6F30. You can also find Senator Susan Collins' letter regarding the legislative filibuster on April 7, 2017, at https:// www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senators-collins-coons-lead-effort- preserve-60-vote-threshold-legislation. I would like to tell a story, Mr. Vice President. In 1978, a young Utah Senator came here. He was conservative. He didn't know what he could not do, so he took on the Democratic establishment on its most important issue. Orrin Hatch was the Senator. He is our longest serving Republican Senator, and he is [[Page S8008]] retiring this year. What he decided to do was to challenge the Democratic leadership that wanted to pass organized labor's major objective of the time. It was something that would have changed the relationship between employers and employees for years to come. Now, at that time in 1978, there was a Democratic President, Jimmy Carter. There were 62 Democrat Senators--more than enough to pass a bill. There were 292 House Members. So, if Orrin Hatch had not been new and young and if he had known more about what he had been doing, he probably wouldn't have even tried this, but he did try it. He won. He offered 1,200 amendments. Senator Byrd, who was the distinguished majority leader of the Senate, tried six times to cut off debate--we call that cloture here in the Senate--and he didn't get 60 votes. Six different times, he tried to cut that off. The end result was that the minority view--the Republican view at that time--prevailed against a Democratic President, a Democratic House, and a Democratic Senate. That happened before. It happened in the 1960s. Everett Dirksen was the Republican leader of the U.S. Senate, sitting right over there. He had even fewer Republican Senators. When Orrin Hatch did his work in 1978, there were 38 Republican Senators, and Dirksen had fewer than that. Lyndon Johnson and George Meany and the American labor movement decided that they wanted, in effect, to make it illegal for any State to have a right-to- work law. That is what they wanted to do, and they thought they could do it except that the legislative filibuster was in place. At that time, it took 67 votes. Everett Dirksen toured the country, and he was able to defeat a measure that was supported by overwhelming Democratic majorities. Now, why do I tell those stories? It is because the shoe is on the other foot right now. The Republicans are in charge. We hear many people, including the President say: Get rid of the filibuster. Get rid of the legislative majority. Let's do it our way. We should not do that. We have never done that in the U.S. Senate. The Senate has always been different. One Senator said to me a few minutes ago that it is the whole reason he came to the Senate from the House. It was so that every time the majority got an idea, it wouldn't be like a freight train running through the Senate. One of the major purposes of the legislative filibuster is to protect the minority in this country. A young Frenchman wandered through America in the 1830s. His name was Alexis de Tocqueville. He wrote a book, entitled ``Democracy in America,'' that is, maybe, the best book on democracy in America that has ever been written. It was very perceptive. He said that he saw, looking ahead, two potential problems for the American democracy. One, he said, was Russia. That was prescient. The other, he said, was the tyranny of the majority. Alexis de Tocqueville said in the 1830s that one of the great problems for our country might be the tyranny of the majority, and it is the U.S. Senate that is a bulwark to prevent the tyranny of the majority in the American democracy. It has been from the beginning, and it is today. Now, some of our Republican friends and conservative friends and sometimes our Presidents say: Well, let's get rid of it. We might think about the fact that we Republicans, we conservatives, are usually the ones in the minority. We are usually the ones needing protection. Since World War II--nearly 70 years--Democrats have had complete control of the U.S. Government--they have had the Senate, they have had the House, they have had the Presidency--for 22 years, and Republicans have had it for 8 years. Democrats have had control 22 years, and we, 8 years. So democracy's finest hour--the right to talk your head off, the opportunity for extended debate--has benefited our side, Democrats could say, more than their side. So why should we be the ones who are trying to change it? In fact, we weren't. In 1995, after the big Republican sweep--you know, we have these. One of us is in charge, and then the people get tired of us, and they put the other ones in charge. So in 1995, after the big Republican sweep, Republicans were in charge of the Senate, and a Democratic Senator said: Let's get rid of the legislative filibuster--at least change it. Every single Republican, even while the Republicans were completely in charge of the Senate, voted no. The essence of the Senate is the right to extended debate, the right to talk our heads off, America's finest hour, and then we will vote when we think we are ready to stop debate. It used to be 67; now it is 60. For a long time, there wasn't any limit on it; it just went on forever. President Wilson got mad about it a century ago, and so the Senate said: OK, we will debate until 67 of us think we should stop. Then we changed that, and now it is 60. Some of the most eloquent defenses of the legislative filibuster came from the late Senator Byrd. I remember hearing his last speech he made in the Rules Committee where he said that the legislative filibuster is the necessary fence against the excesses of the popular will, the excesses of the Executive. It was the necessary fence, he said, and we should keep it. This fractured Nation needs a consensus-building institution, and requiring 60 votes to pass major legislation is the discipline that forces us to come together. I saw the Senator from Washington, Mrs. Murray, on the floor a little earlier. We worked on the legislation to fix No Child Left Behind. That wasn't easy to do. Everybody has an opinion about kindergarten through the 12th grade. We are all experts on education. Yet we worked and we worked and we worked, and finally we probably got 85 votes for that. You know what. We made some big changes, but people accepted it. It is a lasting solution. Teachers at 100,000 public schools don't have to worry about our zigging and zagging and changing Federal education policy for the next several years because we talked about it until we came to a conclusion about it and accepted it. An example of the other way to do it is ObamaCare. Eight years ago, Democrats had the majority, so all the Democrats voted for it, and all the Republicans voted against it. What has happened? We have been trying to repeal it ever since it passed. It is just a constant state of agitation and a stalemate of debate. The tradition has been different for nominations, and sometimes people get confused about that. The legislative filibuster is one thing; nominations are another thing. Until recently, they have always been decided by a majority vote. Now, they could have been decided by 60 votes, but they weren't--at least ever since a century ago. I am not interested at this time in assigning blame to Democrats or to Republicans for what has happened on nominations, but the fact is that even though a Senator could have required 60 votes, there never has been a Cabinet member who was required to be confirmed by more than 51 votes. There never has been a Federal district judge who had to get 60 votes to be confirmed, and there never had been a Supreme Court Justice, with the exception of Justice Fortas. I see the majority leader, and I would be glad to suspend. Mr. McCONNELL. I expect my friend from Tennessee is going to make this point in a moment, but if ever there were a stressful moment for the tradition that even though it was possible to filibuster the Executive Calendar, it was not done, would my friend agree that it would have to be the Clarence Thomas nomination for the Supreme Court? Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam President, I would agree with that. And we could get into a lively dispute among us about who shot John and who scratched whose back and whose fault it all is, whether the Democrats, who in 2003 began for the first time to require 60 votes for circuit judges, or the Republicans, who stopped a couple of President Obama's judges, are at fault. The fact is, I believe--I know for a fact that most of us believe we should keep the legislative filibuster. How do I know that? Because Senator Collins, who is presiding at the moment, and Senator Coons, who will speak following my remarks, offered into the Record on April 7, 2017, a letter from 29 Republicans and 32 Democrats that said: We are mindful of the unique role the Senate plays in the legislative process. We are steadfastly [[Page S8009]] committed to ensuring this great American institution continues to serve as the world's greatest deliberative body. Therefore, we are asking you to join us in opposing any effort to curtail the existing rights and prerogatives of Senators to engage in full, robust, and extended debate as we consider legislation before this body in the future. That is 61 Senators on record about the legislative filibuster. So one reason the legislative filibuster is going to stay is because there are not the votes to change it. As I come to a conclusion, let me offer a better reason not to change it and a reason why we should change it if we consider it in the right way. We have rules in this body. In order to change a standing rule of the Senate, it takes at least 60 votes to get cloture. It has been proposed--and both sides have before--to use what we call the nuclear option, which is a parliamentary maneuver that allows the Senate to change a rule without getting 60 votes. This is a country that prizes the rule of law. I have heard President Trump say that. I have heard President Obama say that. I have heard most of us say that. I would ask, if we don't follow our own rules, why would we expect the American people to follow the rules we write? We are the main rule-writing organization in the United States of America. We ought to follow our own rules. When we didn't and used the so-called nuclear option in 2013, a Democratic Senator who is greatly respected, Senator Levin, said that ``a Senate in which a majority can always change the rules is a Senate without any rules.'' A Senate in which the majority can always change the rules without following the rules is like a football game where the home team can say: If you gain 9 yards, that is a first down; or if they make a three-point shot and they need four, they count it as four. That is not the rule of law. I make these remarks--and I hope the Senator from Delaware is still here and willing to stay--I make these remarks just to remind the country and to remind the Members of the Senate that 61 of us have already signed a letter saying that the legislative filibuster--the right to extended debate, the opportunity to talk your head off in defense of what you want, the ability of this body to function as a bulwark against the tyranny of the majority and, in this fractured country, as an institution that can produce a consensus that is lasting and accepted by most people--is the most valuable part of this body, and we ought not to trifle with it whether we are in the majority or in the minority, and we ought to make that clear. If we ever do decide we want to talk about it and change it, we should follow the rules. We have rules. It takes at least 60 votes to change a standing rule. I want to put a stop to this talk about breaking the rules to change the rules of the Senate. I will not vote to turn the Senate into a rule-breaking institution, and I hope that if that opportunity ever arises, my colleagues will vote the same way, as 61 of them did in the letter Senator Collins and Senator Coons signed. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Collins). The Senator from Delaware. Mr. COONS. Madam President, the remarks just concluded by my friend and colleague from Tennessee help make it clear why many of us do not look forward to his departure at the end of the upcoming Congress to the better vales of retirement. We are so grateful for the balance and the measured leadership of the Senator from Tennessee. He reminds us of the best of our history and what it is that the Senate has stood for and the role that we play in our constitutional order. I will simply briefly thank him for his remarks. I thank the Presiding Officer for her hard work to make sure this letter was presented to the leaders of both caucuses with 61 signatures. We frankly could have gotten more, but in the press of the work of that day, April 7, 2017, we thought it important to get on the record, in signature, individual Senators saying that we are committed to not change the rules of the Senate on the Senate filibuster rules regarding legislation. I am committed to never voting to change the legislative filibuster. I will simply conclude by saying to my friend, my colleague from Tennessee, that I think there is important work for us to do here to strengthen our role. A number of the retiring Members gave floor speeches in recent days where they talked about the ways in which this body--we do not listen to each other enough, we do not debate each other enough, and we do not work across the aisle enough. If we are to play the role the Founders intended, we must do more of that, not less. The agreement just reached here that will allow us to negotiate in good faith towards a resolution of the impending shutdown--the fiscal standoff between the White House, the House, and the Senate--is exactly the kind of example I would like to point to where Members listen to each other and work out the kind of resolution that allows us to skip dozens of intervening test votes and move right to the resolution. This body has a critical role to play. As my friend and colleague from Tennessee pointed out, rule of law is at the very foundation of our constitutional Republic. We are at a moment in our history where many question the stability of our commitment to the rule of law. Nobody will play a more important role in reassuring our markets, our communities, our society, and the world that democracy--the deliberative, respectful resolution of disputes, not through violence but through debate and through votes by the elected representatives of our people--is the best system for the governance of societies on Earth. No better proof of that can be given than by this body conducting itself in the sort of disciplined, reasonable, appropriate way that the rules of the Senate allow for. Thus, I will not vote and I will suggest that the signature of the Presiding Officer also reinforces that she and many others here, on a bipartisan basis, will not vote to take the rash step of changing the rules of the Senate to turn us into the House and to remove the last bulwark, as my friend and colleague said, that ensures that we have the right to talk our heads off whenever we might so choose. I yield to my friend and colleague, the Senator from Alabama. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alabama is recognized. Mr. JONES. Madam President, let me also thank my colleagues from Tennessee and Delaware. I will tell you I wasn't here when that letter circulated; however, if you want to do an addendum, you have my permission to add my name to that letter because it is that important. I appreciate so much your comments. I have been here almost 1 year now. What I have seen is, it is often so easy, in our polarized political climate we have, that when issues we have faced like today come up, people go to their corners and it is the proverbial line in the sand and everybody wants to talk at each other and not to each other. So I appreciate very much Leader McConnell and Leader Schumer, who worked with my colleagues Senator Flake and Senator Corker in trying to make sure a motion to proceed is simply a motion to proceed to talk, to have those dialogues, so we can go about the business of government as we leave for the holidays at some point. I believe what has happened here late this afternoon is an important step, and it is especially an important step going into the next Congress to tell folks who are coming in and those of us who are coming back that we want to make sure we were put here to get something done, not just retreat to our corners. I thank everyone who was involved late this afternoon trying to make sure this agreement was reached. I am anxious for our leaders to proceed so we can go about the business of running this United States and that we can go into these holidays with the assurance we will come back to do things for the American people. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland. Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, when I conclude my comments, I am going to ask consent that I can allow Senator Van Hollen to speak, and then I will speak after him for the purposes of a unanimous consent request. There is no such thing as a good shutdown. I certainly was encouraged [[Page S8010]] to hear the progress we made about half an hour ago, when the majority leader and the Democratic leader talked about discussions that are taking place. We hope that later this evening we will have an agreement that can pass the Senate and the House and be signed by the President. I want to make this clear. Any government shutdown is unacceptable. It costs the taxpayers money. It inconveniences the public, and it is certainly not fair to our Federal workforce. This particular shutdown would affect 800,000 of our employees, our Federal workforce. About half would be asked to work but would not get a paycheck, and about half would be furloughed without compensation. I am very proud and Senator Van Hollen is very proud of the Federal workforce that live in the State of Maryland, but my colleagues should recognize that 85 percent of the Federal employees live and work outside of the Washington, DC, area. This affects each one of our States and people who are working in each one of our States. I also wish to point out that over 30 percent of the Federal workforce are veterans who have already served our country in uniform and are now serving their country as public servants in the Federal workforce. Let me tell you what they are in for and the reason why we are going to be asking a unanimous consent request. Without legislation being enacted, the individuals who are going to be required to work will have to work without getting paid, and then when government restarts, they can get a paycheck for the work they have done. Those who are on furlough would never receive any funds, even though it was not their fault or responsibility that they couldn't work. Those who have leave time would lose that leave time as a result of the government shutdown. The legislation for which we are going to ask consent in a few minutes would make it clear to these Federal workers that as soon as we can after a shutdown--again, I hope there is not a shutdown, but if we have a shutdown, as soon as the shutdown ends--the next available time, our Federal workforce would receive their compensation. So they know that at least they are going to get their salary when the government reopens and that anxiety can be removed, because right now they don't know if they are going to be able to get their compensation when the government shutdown ends. They recognize that we will do the fair way with their leave time so they don't lose their leave time. When we have opened government in the past, when we have had shutdowns, as part of the reopening process, we have included this type of legislation. We don't know how long the shutdown would be, if we have a shutdown, which I hope we don't have, but it would be in all of our interests to tell our Federal workforce that we hope there is no shutdown, but if there is, they will be paid at the first available time when the government reopens. That is the purpose of this legislation. I am pleased we have been able to clear it on both sides. I wish to first yield through the Chair to my colleague from Maryland. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland is recognized. Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam President, I want to thank my colleague from Maryland, Senator Cardin, for his leadership on this issue, among many others, and start by agreeing with him that, first and foremost, we should avoid a government shutdown. That is exactly what this Senate did on a bipartisan basis just a few days ago. We passed an agreement. None of us loved it, but we all recognized that it was a better alternative than shutting down the government. That, of course, went over to the House, and we know what happened to it there. I hope we will continue to work together to avoid a government shutdown. The proposal that Senator Cardin and I are putting forward is very simple. Federal employees should not be punished by the shutdown. They have nothing to do with the dysfunction that would cause a government shutdown, and they should not be the ones who have to bear the burden and the penalty of something totally beyond their control--a government shutdown. That is what this is about. As Senator Cardin indicated, often after shutdowns are over, the Congress and the White House do the right thing, and we provide retroactive compensation to Federal employees, but it is not guaranteed. It always could be changed. It might not happen. What we are trying to do is to make sure that as Federal employees watch the spectacle here on Capitol Hill and they are thinking about joining their families for Christmas or other things over the holidays, they don't have to have the uncertainty, if there is a government shutdown, about whether or not they are going to get a paycheck to pay all of the bills that will stack up over that period of time. Let's provide confidence and certainty upfront that Federal employees don't have to pay the penalty for dysfunction in Washington. That is what this bill does. I want to stress that if we go into a shutdown, Federal employees-- both those who are still working during the shutdown, as well as those who are furloughed--go without paychecks. They have bills to pay. They have mortgages. They have rent. They have all sort of costs that will pile up. No matter what, they will bear a burden from the dysfunction in a government shutdown, along with many other people in the country who will see a disruption of Federal Government operations. They will still bear an unfair burden. I also want to thank our Republican colleagues for agreeing with this in a unanimous consent request. What we are doing today is to say to people, to hard-working Federal employees: Rest assured that after that difficult period goes by, if there is a shutdown, you will be assured and you will have the certainty that you are going to be able to get your pay and make those payments to make sure that you don't fall further behind. It is the least we can do at this moment. Let's hope we don't have to use this provision that we are passing in the Senate today, but it is an important insurance policy, an important security blanket as the hours tick by and we are not sure whether or not we will have an agreement by midnight this evening. I want to thank our colleagues, and I want to yield back to the senior Senator from Maryland for the purposes of making the motion. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland is recognized. MR. CARDIN. Madam President, I want to thank Senator Van Hollen for his leadership on this issue and on so many issues that affect our Federal workforce. He has been a true champion. I want to underscore two points he made. One, the majority of our workforce depends on their paycheck in order to meet their monthly and weekly needs. If they do not get their paycheck on time, they run a real risk of being in default on meeting their family needs--whether it is a mortgage payment, food, or utility bills. They are at risk. They are at risk even though they will get a paycheck later. I just want to underscore the inconvenience and the danger. A recent poll by AFGE indicated that 78 percent of their members have been impacted in this way during a government shutdown. So this is a large percentage of our Federal workforce. The second thing I want to emphasize from Senator Van Hollen's comments is the fact that we don't want to see a shutdown. Quite frankly, I would like to see appropriations bills done and not a CR, not a continuing resolution. We did get some of the appropriations bills done on time; that is, October 1 for the fiscal year. But, unfortunately, 9 of the 15 Federal Departments and dozens of Agencies did not have an appropriations bill passed by October 1 and are in danger of running out of funds at midnight tonight. That is why it is important that, at least, we pass a continuing resolution in order to keep those Agencies functioning. It includes the Department of Commerce, NASA, the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the Department of Transportation, HUD, IRS staff-- and I could mention many, many others. So the purpose of the unanimous consent request that I will be making is to tell our Federal workforce that we are going to continue to fight to keep government functioning. We hope we can get it done in the next 5 hours, but if for any reason we miss that deadline and we have a government shutdown, by this action we are telling you that when we have appropriations restored, [[Page S8011]] you will be compensated during this period of time. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8011-2,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE TO MAKE A CORRECTION IN THE ENROLLMENT OF THE BILL S. 3628,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8011,S8011,"[{""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Steve Daines"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HCONRES"", ""number"": ""148""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HCONRES"", ""number"": ""148""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3628""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3628""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8011,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8011] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE TO MAKE A CORRECTION IN THE ENROLLMENT OF THE BILL S. 3628 Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 148, which was received from the House. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent resolution by title. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 148) directing the Secretary of the Senate to make a correction in the enrollment of the bill S. 3628. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the concurrent resolution. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 148) was agreed to. Mr. McCONNELL. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. DAINES. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8011-3,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,MORNING BUSINESS,SENATE,SENATE,SMBUSINESS,S8011,S8011,"[{""name"": ""Steve Daines"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8011,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8011] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MORNING BUSINESS Mr. DAINES. 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. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8011-4,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,GUATEMALA,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8011,S8012,"[{""name"": ""Patrick J. Leahy"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8011,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8011-S8012] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] GUATEMALA Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, like many Members of Congress who have long supported efforts to help build an independent judiciary and reduce public corruption and impunity in Guatemala, I have observed a pattern of alarming actions by President Morales's administration and his allies in Guatemala's Congress to thwart these efforts. In the latest development, earlier this week, the Guatemalan Ministry of Foreign Affairs withdrew the diplomatic immunity of 11 investigators and other personnel of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala, CICIG, and ordered them to leave the country. This followed an announcement by the Minister of Interior of the removal of another 15 high-ranking police officials from their posts. Over the years, the United States has invested many tens of millions of dollars to support the national police, the attorney general's office, and CICIG. These actions by the Morales's administration directly undermine those investments and indicate that it cannot be trusted to keep its word and is not serious about upholding the rule of law. Working jointly with the Attorney General's Office, CICIG has investigated cases of public corruption and other serious crimes. It has helped to strengthen the investigative capabilities of the attorney general's office and the police and promoted key criminal justice reforms. For this reason, CICIG, its commissioner, and the former attorney general have been the target of acts of intimidation and a smear campaign orchestrated by the Morales's administration and its allies in the military and the media. These actions by the government threaten CICIG' s independence and its ability to function effectively. According to information I have received, the professionals whose diplomatic immunity and visas were revoked include investigators and lawyers involved in some of the most sensitive cases related to alleged corruption and illicit campaign financing by top government officials. Other actions by Guatemalan authorities are equally disturbing. Since assuming office in January 2018, Minister of Interior Enrique Degenhart has, on multiple occasions, removed or relocated senior national police officers and detectives. Most of these officers had many years of experience in criminal investigations, counternarcotics, and other specialized areas. Most were trained by the United States. Even worse, the Minister has reportedly appointed police officials with alleged links to the military and promoted officers without transparent, merit- based processes, undermining efforts to build a professional, transparent, and accountable police force. This threatens our ability to continue working with the police, which has in the past been infiltrated by organized crime, to combat narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and other transnational criminal activity. In 2009, working with key Guatemalan law enforcement agencies, [[Page S8012]] CICIG helped establish a wiretapping unit within the Attorney General's Office. Prior to that, wiretaps were illegal. The unit, which has been supported by the United States, has been instrumental in helping the Attorney General investigate and dismantle complex criminal networks. Reportedly, among the officers recently removed by Minister Degenhart was the director of the wiretapping unit. If we have learned anything over many years of trying to assist the countries of Central America build the institutions of government necessary to effectively combat corruption and impunity, it is that without partners who care at least as much about these issues as we do it is a fruitless exercise and a waste of U.S. taxpayers' money. What is happening today in Guatemala is a repeat of what we have observed many times before. New government officials take office, they profess their commitment to democratic ideals, the rule of law, and judicial independence, and then, when their own misdeeds become the focus of criminal investigations, they show their true colors. They ignore rulings by the country's highest courts. They seek to replace magistrates who cannot be intimidated, with cronies who will shield them from the law. They expel international prosecutors on grounds of ``sovereignty.'' They threaten those whose job it is to apply the law. They try to intimidate their political opponents. It is the same sad story. I recently met Constitutional Court Magistrate Gloria Patria Porras Escobar, an experienced and internationally respected jurist and former prosecutor known for her independence and courage. She, like others who have honored their professions, is an example of what Guatemala needs; yet she is being vilified by those who seek to subvert the institutions of justice. The people of Guatemala deserve better. They have demanded an end to corruption, an end to impunity, and an end to public officials who care more about enriching and protecting themselves than they do about addressing the needs of their people. The Guatemalan people overwhelming support the attorney general's office and CICIG, which have, for the first time in the country's history, shown that public officials who abuse their authority are not above the law. President Morales's administration has less than a year left in office. Let us hope that he quickly reverses course because the path he is on will jeopardize further U.S. support for his government's participation in the Alliance for Prosperity. Otherwise, we will have no choice but to wait for a government in Guatemala that has the integrity to be a credible partner of the United States. (At the request of Mr. Schumer, the following statement was ordered to be printed in the Record.) ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8011,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,FEDERAL EMPLOYEE FAIR TREATMENT ACT OF 2017,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8011,S8011,"[{""name"": ""Benjamin L. Cardin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Chris Van Hollen"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Mitch McConnell"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2274""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2274""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2274""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8011,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8011] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] FEDERAL EMPLOYEE FAIR TREATMENT ACT OF 2017 Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 290, S. 2274. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk: A bill (S. 2274) to provide for the compensation of Federal employees affected by lapses in appropriations. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, I further ask unanimous consent that the bill 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. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (S. 2274) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed as follows: S. 2274 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2017''. SEC. 2. COMPENSATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AFFECTED BY A LAPSE IN APPROPRIATIONS. Section 1341 of title 31, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``An officer'' and inserting ``Except as specified in this subchapter or any other provision of law, an officer''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(c)(1) In this subsection-- ``(A) the term `covered lapse in appropriations' means any lapse in appropriations that begins on or after December 22, 2017; and ``(B) the term `excepted employee' means an excepted employee or an employee performing emergency work, as such terms are defined by the Office of Personnel Management. ``(2) Each Federal employee furloughed as a result of a covered lapse in appropriations shall be paid for the period of the lapse in appropriations, and each excepted employee who is required to perform work during a covered lapse in appropriations shall be paid for such work, at the employee's standard rate of pay, at the earliest date possible after the lapse in appropriations ends, regardless of scheduled pay dates. ``(3) During a covered lapse in appropriations, each excepted employee who is required to perform work shall be entitled to use leave under chapter 63 of title 5, or any other applicable law governing the use of leave by the excepted employee, for which compensation shall be paid at the earliest date possible after the lapse in appropriations ends, regardless of scheduled pay dates.''. Mr. CARDIN. I yield the floor to Mr. Van Hollen. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland. Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam President, I thank my colleague from Maryland and the body and now urge the House of Representatives to take this up immediately. This has now passed the U.S. Senate, and they now have an opportunity to pass this over in the House, and I would urge them to do it this evening or as soon as possible so that we can provide certainty and confidence to hard-working Federal employees. Again, we want to avoid a shutdown, but we need to provide an insurance policy in the event that it does shut down. Mr. CARDIN. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Ernst). Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8012-2,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,REMEMBERING PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8012,S8013,"[{""name"": ""Benjamin L. Cardin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8012,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8012-S8013] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] REMEMBERING PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, I was honored to attend the ceremonies in the Capitol Rotunda and at Washington National Cathedral for former President George H.W. Bush. I first met President Bush when he was Vice President and I was the speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates. He visited Annapolis, and I presented him with a Maryland tie. He immediately took off his tie, which he gave to me, and put on the Maryland tie, which he wore with pride. He had a keen eye for detail, for the little things. I had a book on a shelf in my office which was still in the shrink-wrap packaging. He sent me a note--one of his thousands of famous personal notes--gently ribbing me, writing, ``It's good to see you are keeping up on your reading.'' I thing George H.W. Bush may have been the most qualified person ever elected President, starting all the way back to his high school years at Phillips Academy Andover, where he was president of the senior class, secretary of the student council, a member of the editorial board of the school newspaper, and captain of the varsity baseball and soccer teams. He was one of the youngest aviators in the Navy at the beginning of World War II and was barely 20 when his Grumman TBM Avenger was hit by flak during an attack on Japanese installations on Chichijima. He calmly delivered his payload, scoring several hits, before flying as far away from the island as he could in a plane with its engines on fire. He bailed out and ended up in an inflatable raft for four hours before being rescued by the submarine USS Finback. He flew 58 combat missions, for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to the USS San Jacinto. After his military service, he went to Yale University, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in economics in 2\1/2\ years. He was president of his fraternity, captain of the Yale varsity baseball team, and elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He could have stayed back east in Connecticut, where his father Prescott would be elected to the U.S. Senate in a special election in 1952, but George Bush moved to Texas with his wife Barbara and their young son George W. Bush, where he cofounded Zapata Petroleum Corporation. He was a successful businessman when he ran for the U.S. Senate in 1964, losing to the Democratic incumbent, Ralph Yarborough. Two years later, however, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and he won reelection in 1968. The Seventh District was conservative, but George Bush voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Fair Housing Act, and he supported birth control and a women's right to choose. In 1970, then-President Richard Nixon prevailed on George Bush to run for the U.S. Senate again. He did, but he lost again, this time to Lloyd Bentsen. President Nixon nominated him to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and the Senate confirmed the nomination unanimously. He served with distinction for 2 years. In 1973, he [[Page S8013]] became chairman of the Republican National Committee and survived Watergate with his reputation and integrity intact. President Gerald Ford appointed Bush to be chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in the People's Republic of China. During the time he held this position, he was instrumental in improving U.S.-China relations. From January of 1976 to January of 1977, George Bush was Director of Central Intelligence and incoming President Jimmy Carter considered keeping Bush in the post. He left the Central Intelligence Agency and became a part-time professor at Rice University's Jones School of Business and a director at the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations. In 1980, George Bush ran for the Republican nomination for President, ultimately yielding to Ronald Reagan, who then chose Bush as his running mate. George Bush served as Vice President for 8 years and then, in 1988, became the first incumbent Vice President to be elected President in 152 years. George Bush brought all of these qualifications and experiences to the Oval Office. Now, he only served one term; he was defeated in his bid for reelection in 1992. But many commentators have noted that he may be the most successful one-term President in U.S. history. Indeed, his accomplishments in 4 years compare favorably with the accomplishments of many two-term Presidents. I think the key here is that he knew how to reach across the aisle and forge bipartisan compromises. I would like to highlight four. The first is the Acid Rain Program that was included in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. The Acid Rain Program established a cap-and- trade regime to cut sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions. Cap- and-trade was originally a Republican idea to harness market forces for environmental protection. Environmental groups and Democrats were wary, initially, of the authorizations to emit SO2 and NOX, known as allowances. They worried that a ``property right'' in polluting was being established, but the program exceeded everyone's expectation and is one of the most successful environmental programs in history. When George W. Bush was President, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, determined that the program has had a benefit-to-cost ratio of 40-1. Our technical knowledge of the best ways to structure cap-and-trade programs has grown exponentially since 1990; sadly, the political will has atrophied. Even though Republicans were the first to promote cap-and-trade, they have essentially abandoned the idea now, but President Bush saw the potential, and the enormous progress we have made in combatting acid rain is part of his environmental legacy that will endure. The second accomplishment is the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, which our retiring colleague, Senator Hatch, championed with then- Senator Tom Harken from Iowa. President Bush signed ADA into law in 1990, and it became known as the Emancipation Proclamation for people with disabilities. ADA literally changed the landscape of America by requiring buildings and transportation to be wheelchair accessible, and it required workplace accommodations for people with disabilities. Nearly 30 years after President Bush signed ADA into law, the improvements the ADA has made enjoy an 83 percent approval rating from the American public. Making life, education, and work more accessible to people with disabilities isn't just good for them; it is good for all of us as we benefit from the fuller contributions they are now able to make to society. The third accomplishment, I am sure, was difficult for President Bush, and it cost him Republican support in his bid to win reelection in 1992: the 1990 budget deal he negotiated with Congress. At the 1988 Republican National Convention, he famously said, ``Read my lips: no new taxes.'' While he was a Texan by choice, he never lost the pragmatism characteristic of New Englanders. As a recession began to fuel a rise in budget deficits, he realized that he needed to work with a Congress controlled by Democrats and come up with a budget deal, stating ``it is clear to me that both the size of the deficit problem and the need for a package that can be enacted require all of the following: entitlement and mandatory program reform, tax revenue increases, growth incentives, discretionary spending reductions, orderly reductions in defense expenditures, and budget process reform.'' He understood that such a comprehensive framework is the only way to reduce the deficit. Unfortunately, the Trump administration and congressional Republicans still cling to the discredited notion of ``supply-side'' economics, which President Bush famously called ``voodoo economics,'' and our budget situation has become more and more precarious. I doubt President Trump is capable of displaying President Bush's pragmatism, deal-making ability, and willingness to sacrifice personal popularity for the greater good. His fourth accomplishment fell within his ``wheelhouse"": foreign policy and personal diplomacy. He prudently, successfully navigated the fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. He showed remarkable but characteristic restraint when the Berlin Wall came down, and many historians credit that restraint with preventing a backlash from hardliners in Eastern Europe. Likewise, the relationship he carefully cultivated with Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, including negotiating the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, START, helped end the Cold War not with a bang, but with a whimper. Prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union, when Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990, President Bush carefully assembled a coalition that consisted of our traditional allies but also the Soviet Union and, even more crucially, other Arab nations to drive him out. He went to Congress and received authorization for the use of military force when it became clear that international diplomacy would not succeed in dislodging Hussein. ``Operation Desert Storm'' was well-planned and well-executed and succeeded in liberating Kuwait in less than 2 months. While many people have argued that President Bush should have extended the war to remove Hussein from power, he made it clear from the start that was never his objective. He presciently argued that pursuing Hussein into Iraq would destabilize the region and lead to a lengthy military conflict. President Bush optimistically spoke of a ``New World Order'' characterized by an era of historic cooperation between nations. He helped to bring such order into existence. It seemed durable at the time. Now, we realize that it needs more careful attention and nurturing than we, perhaps, previously thought necessary. All of these accomplishments and more cemented George H.W. Bush's legacy. They alone would be impressive, but what became clear in the outpouring of respect and affection that followed his death is the acknowledgment of what a genuinely decent person he was. He was a humble and self-deprecating man. He respected our important institutions, and he respected people, including his opponents. He was deeply religious. He embraced the principle of noblesse oblige: to whom much is given, much more shall be required in return. As a result, he lived his life as a servant. He was committed to his country and to his beloved wife Barbara and his family, and to his friends. It seems he had an inexhaustible desire and capacity for making new friends from all walks of life, including former political adversaries such as the man who defeated him in the 1992 election, Bill Clinton. When President Bush spoke of his desire to see a ``kinder, gentler America,''--one illumined by a thousand points of light, he was sincere. Since President Bush has died, many commentators have said that he represented a bygone era. I certainly hope not. If we are to continue succeeding as a nation, his fundamental decency, pragmatism, kindness, bravery, self-sacrifice, persistence, and optimism shine a bright light on the path we should strive to follow. If we wish to honor President Bush, we should reflect on his character and temperament and other sterling qualities and seek to emulate them. He was a great man. Perhaps even more important, he was a good man. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8012,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,GOVERNMENT FUNDING,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8012,S8012,"[{""name"": ""Dianne Feinstein"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8012,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8012] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] GOVERNMENT FUNDING Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, I rise today regarding President Trump's reversal of his commitment to support a short-term government funding bill and defer further spending negotiations until February. The Senate voted late Wednesday night on bipartisan legislation to avoid a government shutdown right before Christmas. I supported that legislation, and my position has not changed. I do not support President Trump's wall proposal, and I do not believe the President should shut down the government over it. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell scheduled a vote on a straightforward, 7-week continuing resolution because the White House committed to him that President Trump would sign it into law. The Senate voted on that legislation with the understanding that the President would sign it and defer any further debate over his wall until February. President Trump's reversal of his commitment to sign the continuing resolution has now placed the Federal Government on the brink of a shutdown. Everyone knows that Trump's border wall proposal cannot get the 60 votes it needs in order to pass the Senate. That is an inescapable fact that the President needs to finally accept. I cannot support the version of the short-term continuing resolution that the House passed last night. The $5.7 billion in wall funding added by House Republicans is accompanied by no meaningful justification from the White House. Earlier this year, President Trump requested $1.6 billion in wall funding. That was the amount requested in the President's official budget submitted to Congress. That was the amount that would be provided under the spending bill approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Now, however, the President says he needs $5 billion. The House version of the short-term continuing resolution also contains almost $8 billion in disaster funding that would help victims of this year's devastating wildfires, which I would support. However, this disaster funding is not necessary now as when Federal disaster assistance accounts retain sufficient balances for the purposes of immediate recovery needs. Unfortunately, due to the timing of the vote and difficulties incurred in returning to Washington, DC, I was unable to cast my vote in person. This statement in the Congressional Record is intended to make clear that, if present, I would have voted no. Thank you. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8013,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,TRIBUTE TO DEPARTING SENATORS,SENATE,SENATE,TRIBUTETO,S8013,S8014,"[{""name"": ""Lisa Murkowski"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8013,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8013-S8014] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO DEPARTING SENATORS Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, December should be the happiest [[Page S8014]] month of the year, as we await Christmas and the New Year, but in the even numbered years, it is bittersweet as we say goodbye to colleagues who will not be returning in the next Congress. While the body often seems to be polarized and contentious to the public that knows us only from media appearances, the fact is that partnership and alliances across the aisle are part of the fabric of the body, and friendships of unlikely allies abound. This is not to say that we don't disagree on issues; we very much do. But we strive for these disagreements never to erode our collegiality. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those with whom I have been proud to serve, Mr. Hatch, our President Pro Tempore, Mr. Corker, Mr. Flake, and Mr. Heller on my side of the aisle for their distinguished service. To my friend, Mr. Kyl, it has been a pleasure to serve with you again. On the Democrat side of the aisle, Mr. Donnelly, Ms. McCaskill, Mr. Nelson, and especially my dear friend, Ms. Heitkamp, the Senator from North Dakota. Each of these individuals cares deeply for the Nation, for the States they have represented so ably, and for the Senate. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8014-2,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,TRIBUTE TO BOB CORKER,SENATE,SENATE,TRIBUTETO,S8014,S8014,"[{""name"": ""Lisa Murkowski"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8014,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8014] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO BOB CORKER Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, people often forget that each of us comes to the Senate having done other significant things in life. Mr. Corker, the Senator from Tennessee, came here with a series of experiences that greatly informed his work in the Senate, as well as the work of his colleagues. Mr. Corker was a success in business long before he entered politics, and he brought the lessons of that success into public service. He was the deeply respected mayor of Chattanooga, TN. Mayors are perhaps the most accountable elected officials in the Nation. They are a pragmatic results-oriented stock. They live in the communities that they govern, so there is no place to hide, and they are forced to defend their records because the electorate knows what they have done and haven't. No room for spin when you are a mayor. Bob then brought the lessons of both of these careers to the U.S. Senate where he is known as a no-nonsense Senator who cuts through the bluster and focuses on the facts. On difficult problems, whether it was the Iran nuclear agreement or working to save the American automobile industry from near collapse, he brought discipline to our deliberations. I would like to say a few words about Bob's work as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has historically held a preeminent role in the formulation and execution of U.S. foreign policy. Chairman Corker approached the position with all of the grace and diplomacy appropriate to the office. As the Senate's representative to the executive in foreign policy, he ably represented our interests. He asked the questions that were on so many of our minds and then he returned to the Senate to explain the administration's thinking. He calmed many of our anxieties about the turbulent world in which we live. I like to think that is because Mr. Corker is a thoughtful, methodical, and calm thinker. His calm, steady leadership as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee these past several years will be greatly missed. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8014-3,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,TRIBUTE TO HEIDI HEITKAMP,SENATE,SENATE,TRIBUTETO,S8014,S8014,"[{""name"": ""Lisa Murkowski"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8014,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8014] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO HEIDI HEITKAMP Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, Heidi Heitkamp and I share much in common. Although we sit on different sides of the aisle, we represent resource States, we represent significant populations of Native Americans, and we are each fiercely independent women who have tended to vote our conscience over party on the toughest issues of our time. We are also the best of friends off the court. So it will come as no surprise to those who know us that I am heartbroken that my friend will not be returning to serve alongside me in the next Congress. Our collaborations over the past 6 years have been very productive. We partnered on creating the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children, a body named for respected Elders from each of our States. The commission has been stood up and is now operating. I am hopeful that the commission will conclude its work with recommendations that we can adopt into law. The adoption of those recommendations will be a fitting legacy for my friend, the Senator from North Dakota. Senator Heitkamp and I have also collaborated on Savanna's Act, which is the first piece of legislation to specifically address the epidemic of missing and murdered Native women and girls in America. This cause is so very important to my friend, as it is to me, but I would like to share a story about my friend that is so telling about her commitment and her character. On the Wednesday, following our return from the election day and Veterans Day recess, I had a news conference scheduled with the Urban Indian Health Institute. That news conference was called to discuss the results of a new report on the epidemic of missing and murdered Native women and girls in urban American cities. It was important to me that my friend be present at that news conference because it was about an issue that she championed during her time in the Senate, and it would have been excusable if my friend had bowed out, having just fought and lost a difficult reelection bid. But my friend didn't bow out. She stepped up, and she pledged to the advocates present that, even though she will no longer be a Senator come January, she would be moving over to their side come January. She pledged to remain an advocate for this cause that is most important to her. She will continue to do great and good things. Her work is not done. To Heidi, you have done good in the U.S. Senate. We thank you. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8014-4,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,TRIBUTE TO IAN JANNETTA,SENATE,SENATE,TRIBUTETO,S8014,S8015,"[{""name"": ""Chris Van Hollen"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8014,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8014-S8015] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO IAN JANNETTA Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam President, I wish to recognize an excellent [[Page S8015]] former member of my staff, Ian Jannetta, who is leaving Capitol Hill after 8 years of service. Having worked for his home State Senator Casey of Pennsylvania, on the Joint Economic Committee, as part of my team in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and finally with Senator Heitkamp of North Dakota, Ian has many friends on Capitol Hill and will be missed. During his time in my office, Ian never hesitated to roll up his sleeves and get the job done. He worked tirelessly on issues ranging from providing equal rights for all people, protecting our environment and the Chesapeake Bay, to building an economy that works for all Americans. His strong communications skills, coupled with his kindness, calm presence, and sense of humor, served my team and the people of Maryland well for over 4 years. As Ian tackles his next project at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, he continues his commitment to public service, a proud tradition set by his mother Heather and his father David, who both started their careers in the U.S. Air Force and continued their service in State government. I know he will make a tremendous impact. I join his many colleagues, friends, and family to wish him well, and I look forward to hearing about the extraordinary work he does next. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8014,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,TRIBUTE TO ORRIN HATCH,SENATE,SENATE,TRIBUTETO,S8014,S8014,"[{""name"": ""Lisa Murkowski"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8014,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8014] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO ORRIN HATCH Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, I pay tribute to my friend, the Senator from Utah, President pro tempore of the Senate, who is retiring after 41 years of service. Senator Hatch is known as a Senator's Senator. He has had more legislation signed into law than any other living Member of this body, and he has chaired the Finance, Judiciary, and Labor and Human Resources Committees with great distinction. Today we call that Labor and Human Resources Committee the HELP Committee. We all recall the friendship Mr. Hatch had with the late Senator from Massachusetts, Mr. Kennedy. This relationship was responsible for some of the most impactful legislation of our time. The State Children's Health Insurance Program, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Ryan White Act, to name a few, and when Senator Kennedy suffered from life's difficulties, Senator Hatch was there to support him as a friend. On June 28, 2017, Senator Hatch published a very important column in TIME Magazine, entitled, ``I am recommitting myself to civility.'' Written in the wake of the attempted massacre of colleagues who were practicing for the annual congressional softball game, a racially motivated stabbing in Portland, and dueling political rallies in Berkeley that turned violent, Senator Hatch observed, ``Civility is the indispensable political norm.'' I would like to quote a few sentences from Mr. Hatch's column because they bear repeating, now more than ever. ``Civility--it is the public virtue that has greased the wheels of our democracy since its inception. Without it, little separates us from the cruelty and chaos of rule by force. For decades, civility has acted as the levee protecting our society from its own worst impulses. But that levee now shows signs of strain as political passions spill over into open violence.'' If our Nation paid greater heed to Mr. Hatch's wisdom, horrors like the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting might well have been avoided. Orrin, you have been a steady hand in troubled times. While you may have chosen to retire from this body, your work is hardly done, and I hope that your retirement does not mark a retreat from your commitment to keep our Nation and your colleagues on a steady course. You are indeed a Senator's Senator and a true patriot. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8015-2,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,TRIBUTE TO THE USS MONTANA COMMITTEE,SENATE,SENATE,TRIBUTETO,S8015,S8016,"[{""name"": ""Steve Daines"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8015,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8015-S8016] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO THE USS MONTANA COMMITTEE Mr. DAINES. Madam, today, I wish to honor the men and women of the USS Montana Committee and their notable contributions to our State and our Nation in 2018. The USS Montana Committee is a group of volunteers from Montana who have dedicated themselves to promoting awareness and fostering support for the future commissioning of the USS Montana and all those who will sail aboard her in defense of our Nation. A Virginia Class nuclear fast-attack submarine, the USS Montana will protect carrier and expeditionary strike groups, hunt and destroy enemy ships, and conduct strategic national security missions around the globe. We wait with great anticipation as her 2020 commissioning quickly approaches. Montana has a proud heritage of military service. Some 3,500 Active- Duty servicemembers currently serve at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, and another 4,500 citizen-soldiers serve in the National Guard and Reserve at various locations across the State. Montana also proudly boasts the highest percentage of veterans per capita in the contiguous United States. Beyond the borders of our landlocked home, more than 2,200 U.S. Navy sailors currently call Montana home, adding 134 new Montanans to their ranks in the past 12 months. Once she is commissioned, the USS Montana will be the second U.S. Navy warship to bear our State's namesake. The first, an armored cruiser, AC 13, was commissioned 1908 and served with distinction in World War I. In fact, her keel was laid 112 years ago this week on December 15, 1906. The bell from that ship is currently on display in the lobby of the University of Montana's Adams Center. It has a legacy of its own, playing a prominent role in one of the oldest college football rivalries in the nation. 2018 has proven to be a banner year for the USS Montana, her crew, and her network of volunteers in Montana. In May, we celebrated the laying of her keel, a proud naval tradition and one of the most significant milestones in the ship's construction prior to delivery. The celebration incorporated a number of Montana themes and traditions, including a Native Blackfeet blessing by Mariah Gladstone of Kalispell. We were also introduced to her command leadership team: commanding officer, CDR Michael Delaney; executive officer, LCDR Jeffrey Kahn; and chief of the boat, SCPO Michael Dassau. We even got a look at the ship's preliminary emblem, which incorporates strong symbolism of the State, the submarine force, and the naval service. The ship also enjoyed prominent recognition on the cover of the 2018 Montana Voter Information Pamphlet distributed statewide in preparation for the midterm elections. The USS Montana Committee was proudly represented and facilitated these key events by raising awareness and funding across the state. Over the course of the year, the committee held events in Butte, Missoula, Helena, Columbia Falls, Kalispell, Billings, Colstrip, Lewistown, Miles City, Sidney, Great Falls, and Glasgow. In September, the committee facilitated a statewide tour with the commanding officer, with stops in Billings, Helena, Great Falls, and Missoula. These efforts have made great strides in fostering a strong and enduring relationship between the State of Montana and the U.S. Navy. In recognition of these and other notable accomplishments, I ask that the following names who have volunteered for the USS Montana Committee be entered into the Record. The Founding Members and other voting members of the Steering Group: Craig Anderson of Billings, Duane Ankney of Colstrip, Doug Averill of Bigfork, Leo Berry of Helena, Mike Halligan of Missoula, Bill Leininger of Bigfork, Brian Lipscomb of Polson, Greg MacDonald of Billings, Marilyn Olson of Lewistown, Sarah Swanson Partridge of Glasgow, Curtis Pohl of Butte, Gary Purdy of Columbia Falls, Marisa Robertson of Havre, Bonnie Simon of Plentywood, Steven Stahlberg of Kalispell, Monty Wallis of Billings, Bill Whitsitt of Bigfork, and Darren Wilkins of Bozeman. Honorary Members: the Honorable Marc Racicot, Former Governor of Montana, the Honorable Stan Stevens, Former Governor of Montana, and RADM George E. Voelker, USN (Ret.), First operational commander, USS Helena, SSN 725. Committee Members: Kelly Addy of Bigfork, Wade & Gee Gee Allred of Bigfork, Chase Anderson of Laurel, Chris Aymes of Kalispell, Liz Bangerter of Helena, David & Dana Bennett of Missoula, Calvin Beringer of Kalispell, Dennis Berklund of Bigfork, Richard & Marilou Berklund of Formerly of Shepherd, Carol Bishop of Huson, David Blade of Helena, Rex Boller of Lakeside, Col. Frank Borman of Billings, Lane & Rachel Bos of Bozeman, Donald C. Bost of Lewistown, Michael Bower of Billings, Jennifer Brien of Formerly of Kalispell. Katie Brien of Formerly of Kalispell, Bob & Sue Brown of Whitefish, Thomas & Gayle Butler of Deer Lodge, John & Cynthia Cannon of Bigfork, Charles Carroll of Billings, Bill & Valerie Caton of Laurel, Nick Chiechi of St. Marie, Doug & Cindy Coats of Kila, Beth Cohen of Billings, Stuart & Anita Cole of Bigfork, Mayor Wilmot Collins of Helena, Stuart & Anita Cole of Bigfork, Wayne Connell of Great Falls, [[Page S8016]] Tamara & Joseph Crismore of Libby, Ron & Shelly Davis of Butte, Paul Dragu of Havre, Timothy Dralle of Helena, Dan Eastman of Polson, Dan Ellison of Helena, John Emeigh of Butte. Victoria Emmons of Missoula, Scott Fisher of Columbia Falls, Aaron & Jessica Flint of Billings, Attorney General Tim & Karen Fox of Clancy, Christopher Gartrell of Formerly of Manhattan and Bozeman, Raymond G. Gavlak The 3rd of Stevensville, Greg & Susan Gianforte of Bozeman, Mark Gilbertson of Formerly of Kalispell, Maury Graham of Glasgow, Ray Godfrey of Bigfork, Gary & Peach Graeff of Bigfork, Jack Griffith of Lakeside, Chris & Francine Hagar of Bigfork, Dave & Karen Helmrick of Troy, Jason & Jamie Hildenstab of Helena, Joe & Julia Hill of Formerly of Ennis, Kristen Inbody of Great Falls, James Irwin of Sweetgrass. Keith Johnson of Twin Bridges, Kristin Jacobson of Missoula, Tate Jones of Missoula, Max Kalafat of Formerly of Great Falls, Cari Kent of Great Falls, David & Tamara Kiehl of Bigfork, Roger Knoell of Butte, Jay Lamb of Formerly of Billings, Michael Lawson of Butte, Mark & Analyn Lee of Bigfork, Terry Lodmell of Malta, Dale & Kathy Longfellow of Hobson, Lori & David Lynch of Billings, Dan & Mary Carol Marcus of Bigfork, James Mariska of Billings, Grant Mayer of Helena, James McGimpsey of Helena, Pete Mckinley of Helena, Ron & Jessie Merwin of Polson, Cody Miles of Havre. Steve & Lee Miller of Dayton, Todd Morgan of Missoula, Bob & Penni Nance of Billings, Jack Neergaard of Bozeman, Wayne Newton of Rollins, Robert Nieuwenhuyse of Havre, Bob & Kim Nystuen of Lakeside, Tom O'Connor of Bozeman, Jody Olson of Havre, John & Marilyn Olson of Sidney, Carlene A. & Darrell W. Orr of Libby, Kevin Oster of Miles City, Jon Ottenbacher of Miles City, Robbi Perry of Kalispell, Gwenna Peters of Billings, Carla Peterson of Billings, Debbie Peterson of Billings, Bob Pfouts of Huson. Jim & Annie Porter of Belt, Chuck & Linda Ream of Bigfork, VDM (Ret) Rodney Rempt of Big Sky, David & Kathy Roberts of Kalispell, Paul Robitaille of Bozeman, Char Ross of Great Falls, Peggy Salitros of Formerly of Colstrip, Mike Schauf of Missoula, Harlan & Judith Schwan of Kalispell, Peter Scott of Bozeman, David Semrau of Kalispell, Jim & Jean Senst of Great Falls, Gayle Shanahan of Helena, Troy Shockley of Helena, Lee Shubert of Helena, John Sisson of Colstrip, Howard & Angie Skjervem of Helena, Brad & Cindy Skramstad of Kalispell. Steve & Cheri Sloan of Kalispell, Bernie & Thedra Slogotski of Bigfork, Jim Smith of Helena, Tom & Irene Snyder of Bigfork, Arnold Sonsteng of Formerly of Billings and Wolf Point, Leigh Haislip Spencer of Great Falls, Ernie & Anna Steiner of Bigfork, Larry Strizich of Great Falls, Peter Sullivan of Helena, Tom & Toot Sward of Bigfork, Amber Swindler of Glasgow, Rolf Tandberg of Missoula, MG (Ret) Paul & Muffin Vallely of Bigfork, Craig Wagner of Bigfork, Melville (Mel) Walters, III of Stevensville, Chris Walthall of Bigfork. Aaron Ward of Townsend, Kirk & Angelina Waren of Butte, Arthur Wayne of Missoula, James Wegener of Kalispell, Monte Weisser of Kalispell, Beau & Holly Wielkoszewski of Bigfork, Bernie Windauer of Kalispell, Barry & Pixie Wirth of Lindbergh Lake, Chip & Barb Youlden of Billings, Grant & Mary Zerbe of Frazer, and Ryan & Lola Zinke of Whitefish. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8015,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,REMEMBERING BOB DELLWO,SENATE,SENATE,SADDITIONAL,S8015,S8015,"[{""name"": ""Steve Daines"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8015,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8015] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ REMEMBERING BOB DELLWO Mr. DAINES. Madam President, today I have the honor of recognizing Bob Dellwo of Choteau, MT, for his over 94 years of service to his community, country, and family. Bob was born in Conrad on August 1, 1924. After his family moved to Choteau, Bob grew up and attended Teton High School, where he was a member of the football team. From 1942-1946, Bob volunteered to serve in WWII. While serving in the Navy, most of his time was spent as a radio man on a dive bomber, where he twice earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. In January of 1946, Bob married his sweetheart Helen. The two were married for over 55 years. Together, they had four children they raised in Choteau and Helena. As owners of various small businesses throughout the years, they were well known and active in their communities. Bob took immense pride in his 22 grandchildren and great- grandchildren and rightfully so. In fact, his granddaughter Liz holds a special spot in the Daines office, having worked on Team Daines for many years. A kind and lighthearted spirit, Bob enjoyed being with his family more than anything, and that is how he chose to spend his time. Bob leaves behind a legacy of friendship, family, faith, and community. His dedication and service to others throughout his life will have a lasting impact for generations to come. I join his family, friends, and community in mourning his death, but we take comfort in knowing he is in a better place now with the love of his life, Helen. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8016-2,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE,SENATE,SENATE,SMSGHOUSE,S8016,S8017,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""88""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HCONRES"", ""number"": ""148""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HCONRES"", ""number"": ""149""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""512""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""695""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""767""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""943""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1023""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1158""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""1162""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1520""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1580""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1862""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2076""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""2200""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2248""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2276""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2278""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""2606""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2736""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3031""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3191""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3247""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3367""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""3383""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3456""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3530""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3628""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3661""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4174""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4227""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""4819""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""5075""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""5509""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""5787""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""5923""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""6287""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""6348""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""6400""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""6602""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""6893""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""7243""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""7293""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""7318""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""7319""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""7327""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""7329""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8016,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8016-S8017] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE enrolled bills signed At 12:03 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, announced that the Speaker has signed the following enrolled bills: H.R. 767. An act to establish the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Health and Wellness Training pilot program to address human trafficking in the health care system. H.R. 1162. An act to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide access to magnetic EEG/EKG-guided resonance therapy to veterans. H.R. 3383. An act to designate the flood control project in Sedgwick County, Kansas, commonly known as the Wichita-Valley Center Flood Control Project, as the ``M.S. `Mitch' Mitchell Floodway''. H.R. 4227. An act to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to examine what actions the Department of Homeland Security is undertaking to combat the threat of vehicular terrorism, and for other purposes. H.R. 4819. An act to promote inclusive economic growth through conservation and biodiversity programs that facilitate transboundary cooperation, improve natural resource management, and build local capacity to protect and preserve threatened wildlife species in the greater Okavango River Basin of southern Africa. H.R. 5075. An act to encourage, enhance, and integrate Ashanti Alert plans throughout the United States, and for other purposes. H.R. 5509. An act to direct the National Science Foundation to provide grants for research about STEM education approaches and the STEM-related workforce, and for other purposes. H.R. 5787. An act to amend the Coastal Barrier Resources Act to give effect to more accurate maps of units of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System that were produced by digital mapping of such units, and for other purposes. H.R. 5923. An act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to exchange certain public lands in Ouachita National Forest, and for other purposes. H.R. 6348. An act to adjust the real estate appraisal thresholds under the section 504 program to bring them into line with the thresholds used by the Federal banking regulators, and for other purposes. H.R. 6400. An act to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a threat and operational analysis of ports of entry, and for other purposes. H.R. 6893. An act to amend the Overtime Pay for Protective Services Act of 2016 to extend the Secret Service overtime pay exception through 2020, and for other purposes. H.R. 7243. An act to amend Public Law 115-217 to change the address of the postal facility designated by such Public Law in honor of Sergeant First Class Alwyn Crendall Cashe, and for other purposes. The enrolled bills were subsequently signed by the Acting President pro tempore (Mr. Cornyn). ____ At 12:07 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bills, without amendment: S. 2276. An act to require agencies to submit reports on outstanding recommendations in the annual budget justification submitted to Congress. S. 3031. An act to amend chapter 5 of title 40, United States Code, to improve the management of Federal personal property. S. 3191. An act to provide for the expeditious disclosure of records related to civil rights cold cases, and for other purposes. S. 3367. An act to amend certain transportation-related reporting requirements to improve congressional oversight, reduce reporting burdens, and promote transparency, and for other purposes. The message also announced that the House has passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: H.R. 6602. An act to reauthorize the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route, and for other purposes. H.R. 7293. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 770 Ayrault Road in Fairport, New York, as the ``Louise and Bob Slaughter Post Office''. H.R. 7318. An act to amend the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 to ensure [[Page S8017]] that the Public Buildings Reform Board has adequate time to carry out the responsibilities of the Board, and for other purposes. H.R. 7319. An act to amend the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 to provide flexibility with respect to the leaseback of certain Federal real property, and for other purposes. H.R. 7329. An act to make technical corrections to provisions of law enacted by the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018, and for other purposes. The message also announced that the House has agreed to the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 88) to modify the boundary of the Shiloh National Military Park located in Tennessee and Mississippi, to establish Parker's Crossroads Battlefield as an affiliated area of the National Park System, and for other purposes, with an amendment, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate. The message further announced that the House has agreed to the amendment of the Senate to the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 695) to amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to establish a national criminal history background check system and criminal history review program for certain individuals who, related to their employment, have access to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes, with an amendment, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate. The message also announced that the House has agreed to the amendments of the Senate numbered 1 and 2 to the text of the bill (H.R. 2606) to amend the Act of August 4, 1947 (commonly known as the Stigler Act), with respect to restrictions applicable to Indians of the Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma, and for other purposes. enrolled bills signed At 3:52 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, announced that the Speaker has signed the following enrolled bills: S. 943. An act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an accurate comprehensive student count for the purposes of calculating formula allocations for programs under the Johnson-O'Malley Act, and for other purposes. S. 2248. An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide certain burial benefits for spouses and children of veterans who are buried in tribal cemeteries, and for other purposes. S. 2736. An act to develop a long-term strategic vision and a comprehensive, multifaceted, and principled United States policy for the Indo-Pacific region, and for other purposes. H.R. 2606. An act to amend the Act of August 4, 1947 (commonly known as the Stigler Act), with respect to restrictions applicable to Indians of the Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma, and for other purposes. H.R. 7327. An act to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a security vulnerability disclosure policy, to establish a bug bounty program for the Department of Homeland Security, to amend title 41, United States Code, to provide for Federal acquisition supply chain security, and for other purposes. The enrolled bills were subsequently signed by the Acting President pro tempore (Mr. Cornyn). The message further announced that the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. McHenry) has signed the following enrolled bills: S. 1520. An act to expand recreational fishing opportunities through enhanced marine fishery conservation and management, and for other purposes. S. 2076. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the expansion of activities related to Alzheimer's disease, cognitive decline, and brain health under the Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Aging Program, and for other purposes. S. 2278. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide grants to improve health care in rural areas. S. 3530. An act to reauthorize the Museum and Library Services Act. The enrolled bills were subsequently signed by the Acting President pro tempore (Mr. Cornyn). At 5:58 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bills, without amendment: S. 512. An act to modernize the regulation of nuclear energy. S. 1023. An act to reauthorize the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 through fiscal year 2021, and for other purposes. S. 1158. An act to help prevent acts of genocide and other atrocity crimes, which threaten national and international security, by enhancing United States Government capacities to prevent, mitigate, and respond to such crises. S. 1580. An act to enhance the transparency, improve the coordination, and intensify the impact of assistance to support access to primary and secondary education for displaced children and persons, including women and girls, and for other purposes. S. 1862. An act to amend the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to modify the criteria for determining whether countries are meeting the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking, and for other purposes. S. 3247. An act to improve programs and activities relating to women's entrepreneurship and economic empowerment that are carried out by the United States Agency for International Development, and for other purposes. S. 3456. An act to redesignate Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge as the Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, and for other purposes. The message also announced that the House has passed the following bill, with an amendment, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: S. 3661. An act to provide for a program of the Department of Defense to commemorate the 75th anniversary of World War II. The message further announced that the House has agreed to the following concurrent resolution, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: H. Con. Res. 149. Concurrent resolution directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make certain corrections in the enrollment of H.R. 4174. The message also announced that the House has agreed to the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 2200) to reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, and for other purposes. The message further announced that the House has agreed to the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 4174) to amend titles 5 and 44, United States Code, to require Federal evaluation activities, improve Federal data management, and for other purposes. The message also announced that the House has agreed to the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 6287) to provide competitive grants for the operation, security, and maintenance of certain memorials to victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. ____ At 6:41 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bill, without amendment: S. 3628. An act to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program. The message further announced that the House has agreed to the following concurrent resolution, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: H. Con. Res. 148. Concurrent resolution directing the Secretary of the Senate to make a correction in the enrollment of the bill S. 3628. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8016,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,TRIBUTE TO FRANK BORMAN,SENATE,SENATE,TRIBUTETO,S8016,S8016,"[{""name"": ""Jon Tester"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,164 Cong. Rec. S8016,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8016] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO FRANK BORMAN Mr. TESTER. Madame President, today I wish to honor a Montanan and an astronaut who, 50 years ago, set off on a journey that took him further from home than any man had been before. On December 21, 1968, Commander Frank Borman, and his crew Jim Lovell and Bill Anders, sat atop a Saturn V rocket and were blasted into space, destined to become the first men to orbit the moon and return safely back to Earth. Apollo 8 flew a dangerous mission at a perilous time for both the space program and our Nation which, much like today, was struggling to heal itself after a year of discord and division. In late December, those differences were put aside as 1 billion souls turned their eyes towards the cosmos and watched as grainy images of the lunar surface were transmitted back to Earth. The magnitude of the moment was undeniable: When we work together, humanity is capable of greatness. That was Commander Borman's last time in space. He now lives in Billings; he and his wife Susan have called Montana home for the past 20 years. As we remember Commander Borman's history-making flight, we must also remember the sense of optimism and pride that it inspired and strive to find it once again. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8017-2,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,REPORTS OF COMMITTEES,SENATE,SENATE,SCOMMREPORT,S8017,S8017,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2419""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8017,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8017] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] REPORTS OF COMMITTEES The following reports of committees were submitted: By Mr. RISCH, from the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Report to accompany S. 2419, a bill to amend the Small Business Act to improve the technical and business assistance services under the SBIR and STTR programs (Rept. No. 115- 454). ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8017-3,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS,SENATE,SENATE,SINTROBILLS,S8017,S8017,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3804""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3805""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8017,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8017] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS The following bills and joint resolutions were introduced, read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: By Ms. DUCKWORTH: S. 3804. A bill to reinstate the taxation of foreign oil related income, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. By Mr. SASSE: S. 3805. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain fraudulent audiovisual records, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8017-4,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS,SENATE,SENATE,SCOSPONSORS,S8017,S8018,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""738""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""738""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""743""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""743""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""743""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1497""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1497""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2018""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2018""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2274""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2274""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8017,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8017-S8018] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS S. 743 At the request of Mr. Reed, the names of the Senator from Maryland [[Page S8018]] (Mr. Van Hollen), the Senator from Minnesota (Ms. Klobuchar), the Senator from Nevada (Ms. Cortez Masto) and the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez) were added as cosponsors of S. 743, a bill to strengthen the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. S. 1497 At the request of Mr. Daines, the name of the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Coons) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1497, a bill to amend title 40, United States Code, to provide a lactation room in public buildings, and for other purposes. S. 2018 At the request of Mr. Bennet, the name of the Senator from Massachusetts (Ms. Warren) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2018, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make the child tax credit fully refundable, establish an increased child tax credit for young children, and for other purposes. S. 2274 At the request of Mr. Cardin, the name of the Senator from Maine (Ms. Collins) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2274, a bill to provide for the compensation of Federal employees affected by lapses in appropriations. S. RES. 738 At the request of Mr. Graham, the names of the Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker), the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Sullivan), the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Kyl), the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Rounds), the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Flake), the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Young) and the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Toomey) were added as cosponsors of S. Res. 738, a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should continue its limited military activities within Syria and that ending such activities at this time would embolden ISIS, Bashar al-Assad, Iran, and Russia and put our Kurdish allies in great jeopardy. At the request of Ms. Collins, her name was added as a cosponsor of S. Res. 738, supra. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8017,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,ENROLLED BILL PRESENTED,SENATE,SENATE,ENROLLEDPRESENTED,S8017,S8017,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""756""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8017,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Page S8017] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ENROLLED BILL PRESENTED The Secretary of the Senate reported that on December 20, 2018, she had presented to the President of the United States the following enrolled bill: S. 756. An act to reauthorize and amend the Marine Debris Act to promote international action to reduce marine debris, and for other purposes. ____________________" CREC-2018-12-21-pt1-PgS8018,2018-12-21,115,2,164,,BUILDING OUR LARGEST DEMENTIA INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ALZHEIMER'S ACT,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S8018,S8019,,"[{""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2076""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2076""}, {""congress"": ""115"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2076""}]",164 Cong. Rec. S8018,"Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)] [Senate] [Pages S8018-S8019] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] BUILDING OUR LARGEST DEMENTIA INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ALZHEIMER'S ACT The bill (S. 2076), as amended by the Senate on December 12, 2018, passed as follows: S. 2076 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act'' or the ``BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act''. SEC. 2. PROMOTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, COGNITIVE DECLINE, AND BRAIN HEALTH UNDER THE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND HEALTHY AGING PROGRAM. Part K of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280c et seq.) is amended-- (1) in the part heading, by adding ``and public health programs for dementia'' at the end; and (2) in subpart II-- (A) by striking the subpart heading and inserting the following: ``Subpart II--Programs With Respect to Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias''; and (B) by striking section 398A (42 U.S.C. 280c-4) and inserting the following: ``SEC. 398A. PROMOTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS. ``(a) Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Public Health Centers of Excellence.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the heads of other agencies as appropriate, shall award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible entities, such as institutions of higher education, State, tribal, and local health departments, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, associations, or other appropriate entities for the establishment or support of regional centers to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementias by-- ``(A) advancing the awareness of public health officials, health care professionals, and the public, on the most current information and research related to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, including cognitive decline, brain health, and associated health disparities; ``(B) identifying and translating promising research findings, such as findings from research and activities conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health, including Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers authorized by section 445, into evidence-based programmatic interventions for populations with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and caregivers for such populations; and ``(C) expanding activities, including through public- private partnerships related to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and associated health disparities. ``(2) Requirements.--To be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this subsection, an entity shall submit to the Secretary an application containing such agreements and information as the Secretary may require, including a description of how the entity will-- ``(A) coordinate, as applicable, with existing Federal, State, and tribal programs related to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; ``(B) examine, evaluate, and promote evidence-based interventions for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, including underserved populations with such conditions, and those who provide care for such individuals; and ``(C) prioritize activities relating to-- ``(i) expanding efforts, as appropriate, to implement evidence-based practices to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, including through the training of State, local, and tribal public health officials and other health professionals on such practices; ``(ii) supporting early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; ``(iii) reducing the risk of potentially avoidable hospitalizations of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; ``(iv) reducing the risk of cognitive decline and cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; ``(v) enhancing support to meet the needs of caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; ``(vi) reducing health disparities related to the care and support of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; ``(vii) supporting care planning and management for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; and ``(viii) supporting other relevant activities identified by the Secretary or the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as appropriate. ``(3) Considerations.--In awarding grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider, among other factors, whether the entity-- ``(A) provides services to rural areas or other underserved populations; ``(B) is able to build on an existing infrastructure of services and public health research; and ``(C) has experience with providing care or caregiver support, or has experience conducting research related to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. ``(4) Distribution of awards.--In awarding grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under this subsection, the Secretary, to the extent practicable, shall ensure equitable distribution of awards based on geographic area, including consideration of rural areas, and the burden of the disease within sub-populations. ``(5) Data reporting and program oversight.--With respect to a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement awarded under this subsection, not later than 90 days after the end of the first year of the period of assistance, and annually thereafter for the duration of the grant, contract, or agreement (including the duration of any renewal period as provided for under paragraph (5)), the entity shall submit data, as appropriate, to the Secretary regarding-- ``(A) the programs and activities funded under the grant, contract, or agreement; and ``(B) outcomes related to such programs and activities. ``(b) Improving Data on State and National Prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall, as appropriate, improve the analysis and timely reporting of data on the incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Such data may include, as appropriate, information on cognitive decline, caregiving, and health disparities experienced by individuals with cognitive decline and their caregivers. The Secretary may award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible entities for activities under this paragraph. ``(2) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this subsection, an entity shall be a public or nonprofit private entity, including institutions of higher education, State, local, and tribal health departments, and Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. ``(3) Data sources.--The analysis, timely public reporting, and dissemination of data under this subsection may be carried out using data sources such as the following: ``(A) The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. ``(B) The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. ``(C) The National Health Interview Survey. ``(c) Improved Coordination.--The Secretary shall ensure that activities and programs related to dementia under this section do not unnecessarily duplicate activities and programs of other agencies and offices within the Department of Health and Human Services.''. [[Page S8019]] SEC. 3. SUPPORTING STATE PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS RELATED TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS. Section 398 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280c-3) is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by striking ``establishment of program'' and inserting ``cooperative agreements to states and public health departments for alzheimer's disease and related dementias''; (2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following: ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in coordination with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the heads of other agencies, as appropriate, shall award cooperative agreements to health departments of States, political subdivisions of States, and Indian tribes and tribal organizations, to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, including by reducing cognitive decline, helping meet the needs of caregivers, and addressing unique aspects of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias to support the development and implementation of evidence-based interventions with respect to-- ``(1) educating and informing the public, based on evidence-based public health research and data, about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; ``(2) supporting early detection and diagnosis; ``(3) reducing the risk of potentially avoidable hospitalizations for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; ``(4) reducing the risk of cognitive decline and cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; ``(5) improving support to meet the needs of caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; ``(6) supporting care planning and management for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. ``(7) supporting other relevant activities identified by the Secretary or the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as appropriate''.; and (3) by striking subsection (b); (4) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (g); (5) by inserting after subsection (a), the following: ``(b) Preference.--In awarding cooperative agreements under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to applications that focus on addressing health disparities, including populations and geographic areas that have the highest prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. ``(c) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a cooperative agreement under this section, an eligible entity (pursuant to subsection (a)) shall prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a plan that describes-- ``(1) how the applicant proposes to develop or expand, programs to educate individuals through partnership engagement, workforce development, guidance and support for programmatic efforts, and evaluation with respect to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and in the case of a cooperative agreement under this section, how the applicant proposes to support other relevant activities identified by the Secretary or Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as appropriate. ``(2) the manner in which the applicant will coordinate with Federal, tribal, and State programs related to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and appropriate State, tribal, and local agencies, as well as other relevant public and private organizations or agencies; and ``(3) the manner in which the applicant will evaluate the effectiveness of any program carried out under the cooperative agreement. ``(d) Matching Requirement.--Each health department that is awarded a cooperative agreement under subsection (a) shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 30 percent of the amount provided under such agreement (which may be provided in cash or in-kind) to carry out the activities supported by the cooperative agreement. ``(e) Waiver Authority.--The Secretary may waive all or part of the matching requirement described in subsection (d) for any fiscal year for a health department of a State, political subdivision of a State, or Indian tribe and tribal organization (including those located in a rural area or frontier area), if the Secretary determines that applying such matching requirement would result in serious hardship or an inability to carry out the purposes of the cooperative agreement awarded to such health department of a State, political subdivision of a State, or Indian tribe and tribal organization.''; (6) in subsection (f) (as so redesignated), by striking ``grant'' and inserting ``cooperative agreement''; and (7) by adding at the end the following: ``(f) Non-duplication of Effort.--The Secretary shall ensure that activities under any cooperative agreement awarded under this subpart do not unnecessarily duplicate efforts of other agencies and offices within the Department of Health and Human Services related to-- ``(1) activities of centers of excellence with respect to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias described in section 398A; and ``(2) activities of public health departments with respect to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias described in this section.''. SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS. Section 398B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280c-5) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) by inserting ``or cooperative agreement'' after ``grant'' each place that such appears; (B) by striking ``section 398(a) to a State unless the State'' and inserting ``sections 398 or 398A to an entity unless the entity''; and (C) by striking ``10'' and inserting ``5''; (2) by striking subsection (b); (3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (b) and (c), respectively; (4) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``section 398(a) to a State unless the State'' and inserting ``sections 398 or 398A to an entity unless the entity''; (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``expenditures required in subsection (b);'' and inserting ``expenditures;''; (5) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)-- (A) in paragraph (1)-- (i) by striking ``each demonstration project for which a grant'' and inserting ``the activities for which an award''; and (ii) by striking ``section 398(a)'' and inserting ``sections 398 or 398A''; and (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``6 months'' and inserting ``1 year''; (6) by inserting after subsection (c) (as so redesignated), the following: ``(d) Definition.--In this subpart, the terms `Indian tribe' and `tribal organization' have the meanings given such terms in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.''; and (7) in subsection (e), by striking ``$5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1988 through 1990'' and all that follows through ``2002'' and inserting ``$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024''. ____________________"