Transcripts For CSPAN2 U.S. Senate 12072017 20171207 : vimar

CSPAN2 U.S. Senate August 17, 1208

Hurricanes, terror attacks and mass shootingses, help us to rely on your strength to envision and build a stronger, more secure america. Give us more visionaries like father Edward Flanagan who founded boys town on december 12, 100 years ago. Father flanagan was an irish immigrant who lived the American Dream and taught us all that even the most troubled child could grow up to be a useful citizen if given half the chance. He saw the best in the kids that others rejected as useless. Help us, but especially each of our senators, to see the best in those who have different political or social views so we can, together, build an america that enables and calls forth the best in its citizens. Amen. The presiding officer please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. 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. The presiding officer the clerk will read a communication to the senate. The clerk washington d. C. , december 7, 2017. To the senate under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable luther strange, a senator from the state of alabama, to perform the duties of the chair. Signed orrin g. Hatch, president pro tempore. Mrs. Fischer mr. President . The presiding officer the senator from nebraska. Mrs. Fischer mr. President , i rise today for to thank father bose from boys town for delivering our opening prayer this morning. The work he does to help atrisk youth across america is awe aspiring and im proud to say hes a nebraskan. Boys town is a special place and its located in the heart of our country. In the late 1910s, while ministering to the homeless of omaha, father Edward Joseph flanagan became interested in young people and their struggle to grow into responsible, productive adults. He wanted to help them improve their lives and he soon founded boys town on december 12, 1917 as an orphanage for boys. A few years later, father flanagan purchased overlook farm on the outskirts of omaha which soon became known as the village of boys town. He knew that children would thrive if given love, a home, and a purpose. His message that every child deserves a loving home and a chance to create a positive future for themselves is one that resonates across social boundaries. Today boys town is one of the largest nonprofits in the country serving underprivileged and atrisk children. Father boses leadership at boys town is a tribute to father flanagans mission to build better communities by promoting stronger families. For nearly 100 years, boys town has worked tirelessly to nurture troubled children and heal broken families. Every year the Organization Helps more than two million children and families across the United States. Boys town also has a Renowned School which offers a year round traditional academic curriculum that focuses on helping students, especially those who are behind in their school work. It helps children in difficult circumstances find success in the classroom and also to get back on track towards graduati graduation. The schools motto echoes that of the organization as a whole. He aint heavy, father. Hes my brother. I believe that motto is a great explanation of why were celebrating boys towns 100th anniversary next week. For a century through terrible depressions, horrible world wars, droughts, snowstorms, boys town has served as a glimmer of hope for many who are looking for help. I dont think father flanagan would be surprised to learn that boys town has grown to include 12 Regional Headquarters across our great nation or that his charity, it really has become a jewel of nonprofits. His outlook created a Firm Foundation for helping our communities and its one that father boes continues to build on. Mr. President , that deserves to be celebrated. Im happy that on july 6, 2015, the boys towns centennial commemorative coin was signed into law. This bill authorized the secretary of the treasury to mint 5 gold coins, 1 silver coins and halfdollar coins in honor of boys towns 100th anniversary. Adorned with designs and sayings that capture the spirit and mission of boys town, these coins can act as good reminders of those who once helped us. I hope they also serve as encouragement to improve our communities and think about those who are less fortunate. I wish father boes continued success going forward. We in the senate are all rooting for him. Boys town exemplifies the spirit of america and it is the pride of the state of nebraska. Im honored to be its senator. I yield the floor. Mr. Mcconnell mr. President . The presiding officer the majority leader. Mr. Mcconnell i want to thank our colleague from nebraska and our guest this morning for reminding us of the wonderful story of boys town. We were discussing the movie in the late 1930s starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney and to learn whats happened to boys town since then. So thank you so much, senator fischer and our guest for bringing us up to date on the latest on boys town. Mr. President , i understand theres a bill at the desk due a second reading. The presiding officer the clerk will read the title of the bill for the second time. The clerk s. 2199, a bill to authorize appropriations for border infrastructure, construct, and so forth and for other purposes. Mr. Mcconnell in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule 14, i would object to further proceedings. The presiding officer objection having been heard, the bill will be placed on the calendar. Mr. Mcconnell so, mr. President , in addition to our important work on tax reform and to fund the government, this week the senate is continuing our efforts to confirm president trumps nominees to his administration. Soon the senate will consider the nomination of Joseph Balash to serve as assistant secretary of interior for land and Minerals Management through his career in both State Government and as the alaska commissioner of Natural Resources and his service here in the United States senate. Mr. Balash has shown his talent and passion for affordable sources of energy and environmental protection. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources manages one of the largest portfolios of land, water, oil, gas, renewables, timber, and minerals in the world. Mr. Balashs leadership of the Department Required collaboration with many diverse stakeholders and a dedication to the protection of alaskas natural beauty. He worked closely with the interior department as the commissioner and he has the skills necessary to fulfill his leadership role at the department. As the assistant secretary, mr. Balash will be responsible for many of the interior departments critical functions, including the management of all federal lands and waters, the management of their associated resources, and the appropriate regulation of surface coal mining. I look forward to working with mr. Balash on many of these issues, especially those important to the coal miners in my home state of kentucky. I would urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this nomination. Now, on another matter, yesterday the senate formally voted to join our colleagues from the house to consider our tax reform bills in a conference committee. Its another important step toward delivering much needed relief to the men, women, and families we represent. Now the Committee Members will reconcile the differences between the bills. And when they finish their work, members of both chambers will have the opportunity to pass this tax reform legislation and send it down to president trump. As ive said before, tax reform represents the single most important thing we can do right now to grow the economy and boost middleclass families. It will also incentivize businesses to bring investment and jobs home and keep them here. We want a tax code that works for hardworking american families, one that can bring opportunity, help create new jobs, and keep more money in workers paychecks. That means a typical family of four earning the Median Income can see a tax cut of approximately 2,200. This tax reform plan is our way of helping families get ahead and plan for their future. Its taken a lot of hard work to get to this point and id like to thank my Senate Colleagues and my friends in the house and the Trump Administration for their efforts to fundamentally rethink our tax code. I look forward to the conference committees report so we can complete our efforts and deliver relief to those who need it most. Now, on one final matter. The Senate Must Act before the end of the week to pass a clean shortterm funding bill to maintain critical operations of the federal government. Our colleagues in the house will send us the noncontroversial provision soon and then well have an opportunity to consider it. I would urge my colleagues to join me in voting to pass it. The shortterm continuing resolution will provide us with the time we need to complete discussions on a longterm solution. It will also provide certainty to states to continue funding the Childrens Health insurance program. Later today speaker ryan, leader schumer, and pelosi will continue to discuss an agreement to fund the federal government. I look forward to working with colleagues in a serious, bipartisan way to address a number of the priorities of our nation in the coming weeks. I hope all members will join me. The presiding officer under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved. Under the previous order, the senate will be in a period of morning business until 11 00 a. M. With senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes each. Mr. Mcconnell i subject the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum call quorum call mr. Schumer mr. President. The presiding officer the democratic leader. Mr. Schumer i ask unanimous consent the quorum be dispensed with. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Schumer thank you, mr. President. First, id like to talk today about yearend business. Congressional negotiators are making good headway on the budget deal that would meet our commitments to our military and also our urgent priorities here at home. I hope this progress continues this week. Unfortunately, the progress here in congress is in stark contrast to the rhetoric coming from the white house. President trump suggested yesterday again that, quote, a shutdown to happen, unquote. If a shutdown happens as the president seemed to be rooting for earlier in his tweet this year, it will fall on his shoulders. His Party Controls the senate, the house, and the presidency. Nobody here wants to see a shutdown. We democrats are not interested in one. Thats why were working with our republican colleagues in good faith to resolve all of the issues we have to solve before the end of the year, and it is in this spirit that leader pelosi and i will go to the white house this afternoon to discuss all of the issues before us. Now, its no secret that one of the major Sticking Points, if not the major Sticking Point in the negotiations, is funding levels for programs that invest directly in Economic Growth and the social safety net for the middle class. Democrats are pushing for sorely needed funding to combat the opioid crisis, to shore up pension plans, to support veterans health, relieve student loan debt, build rural infrastructure. Without a budget agreement that lifts spending caps on both defense and Economic Development in a fair and equitable manner, programs i have mentioned and so many others, medical research comes to mind, could see their funding cut. Our veterans deserve better. People seeking recovery from opioid addiction deserve better. Hardworking pensioners deserve better. We must do both things. Support the military and programs that create jobs and growth here at home in equal measure. Both are very important. I know there are some on the far right who say all the jobs programs and Economic Growth programs are unimportant. Some on the far left who say the military are unimportant, but most of us, democrat and republican, believe both are important. So the idea that both are important has been the basis of successful budget agreements going back several years, including the agreement we reached last april, where the military side and the domestic job Economic Growth side were treated equally. Unfortunately, it appears that the Freedom Caucus, a rather small block of hard right house conservatives is trying to derail another successful parody agreement. According to press reports, the Freedom Caucus is pushing for a very shortterm extension of fundings for jobs and Economic Development, while pushing for a longterm extension and a large increase for funding and defense. Thats a ruse. Its designed to slash funding and will slash funding for education, health care, infrastructure, and Scientific Research, all the things the Freedom Caucus against the will of the overwhelming vast majority of americans doesnt want the government to fund. So make no mistake. The freedom evacuation is gearing up to hurt the middle class on the budget, just like so many republicans way beyond the Freedom Caucus did with their tax bill. Just like on the tax bill, we democrats are going to defend the middle class because they need our help, too, and they have been forgotten by our republican colleagues throughout the year. But this time, the Freedom Caucus actions, if they had their way, could lead to a disaster. Speaker ryan must stand up and tell the Freedom Caucus no, they cannot be allowed to hold hostage productive bipartisan budget negotiations with outrageous demands that hurt the middle class. If speaker ryan lets them have their way, it will cause a shutdown. It will be on the Freedom Caucus shoulders, leader ryans shoulders, and the president s shoulders because such a bill could not pass either the house or the senate. Were giving them fair warning right now. Not right at the deadline. Finally, let me say a word about the dream act. Earlier this week, my friend, the senior senator from illinois, came to the floor to update the senate on the progress hes making. With his negotiations with the Senate Republicans on agreement that would provide a significant investment in Border Security in exchange for the dream act. As i have said in the past, democrats support real Border Security. Well be happy to join with republicans to pass legislation to secure our border for the dream act to secure our border in exchange for the dream act. Those talks continue to make good progress. I hope we can make an reach an agreement soon.  now, mr. President , a word on the special counsel. Over the past few weeks ive continued to hear republican lawmakers and partisan media hosts attack the integrity of special counsel mueller in a shameful display meant to undermine his investigation into the Trump Campaign and russia. Spuriously attacking Robert Mueller, one of the most respected and trusted Civil Servants in our country, is the surest route to losing all your credibility. Id remind everyone on the right who are trying to muddy the waters on the mueller investigation, Robert Mueller was a career prosecutor who served both republicans and democratic administrations in the most trusted of roles. He was appointed by president trumps own Deputy Attorney general. It defies credulity might we have order, mr. President . It defies his credulity to lambaste him as partisan or biased. He is as straight a shooter as they come. But this is bigger than one map, mr. President. The attacks on special counsel mueller and his investigation erode faith in the rule of law, the bedrock principle at the heart of our civic life. If independent investigations into matters as grave as foreign interference in our elections succumb to intimidation and partisan slander, well be no better than a third world country. Rule of law will be gone at least for the president of the United States, something americans have always treasured for centuries. What has defined american democracy is an unyielding faith in the rule of law. Its power to check our people as well as our president s. Special counsel mueller is the rule of law at work in our 21st century american democracy. Intentionally and spuriously impugning his integrity not because hes done anything wrong but because they dont like what hes doing; very partisan, very biased, very onesided is their view undermines our rule of Law Enforcement because what has defined american democracy is an unyielding faith in the rule of law, its power to check our people as well as our president s. Special counsel mueller is the rule of law at work in the 21st century democracy. Intentionally and spuriously impugning his integrity or smearing his efforts as partisan is not only inaccurate but damaging to a core ideal in our country the independent and impartial rule of law. We must loudly reject

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