And everything in it. Teach us to trust you in turbulent times, striving always to live for your glory. Bless our senators. May your completeness surround their incompleteness, your strength support their weakness and your wisdom guide their minds. Give them the insight, guide them down paths they cannot see. Give them the insight, the courage and the faith to escape the repetition of old errors as they strive to embrace your truth. Lord, help us all to offer to you the sacrifice of repentant hearts. We pray in your merciful name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to our 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. Mr. Mcconnell madam president . The presiding officer the majority leader. Mr. Mcconnell last week, the Republicanled Senate passed two more Appropriations Bills by a large bipartisan majority. Both bills passed out of committee with unanimous support, were subject to hours of debate and deliberation and included the input of both democratic and republican senators. The first appropriations measure for transportation and housing infrastructure will help ensure air travel is safer and more efficient, invest in important infrastructure and help strengthen americas surface transportation network. As senator collins pointed out last week, this bill includes recommendations from more than 75 senators from both sides of the aisle as well as more than three dozen amendments. I want to thank my friend from maine for her skilled leadership and hard work with Ranking Member reed of rhode island and colleagues from both sides to advance this measure. The second funding measure for veterans in military construction will ensure veterans receive benefits and health care they have earned while enhancing oversight and accountability at the v. A. Helping improve quality of life on military bases for soldiers and their families and advancing Critical National security projects like missile defense. As senator kirk noted last week, this bill incorporate over two dozen amendments both from democrats and republicans. Senator kirk is a true champion for veterans. I know he always had the needs of our heroes top in mind as he worked with democrats and republicans and in particular Ranking Member tester of montana to move this critical bill forward. By returning to regular order and working through the appropriations process, we have been able to pass appropriation measures like these that support National Priorities in a responsible way. I also appreciate senators working toward a compromise approach to zika, preventing the spread of zika is a priority for all of us, and im pleased the senate has approved a compromise provision to focus resources on this Important Health issue. We have now begun discussions on how best to resolve the differences between the house and senate and get a bill to the president. Now, on an important issue, the senate will address today the Republicanled Senate believes in the importance of combating Sexual Assault and providing key protections for the victims of these heinous crimes. In less than 18 months, we have already passed many different measures to help victims and help stop these crimes. We passed the amy and vicki act which will help the victims of child pornography get restitution from those who profit from their pain, and because we know the pain doesnt end when these images are produced, it can help victims find the closure they need and deserve. We passed an important measure championed by senator toomey who worked with senator alexander to include in the k12 education reform bill a requirement that states put laws and policies in place to help ensure schools are no longer able to ship child predators to other school districts. We passed a measure from senator portman who worked with senator mccaskill to hold an infamous child sex trafficking company in contempt and force it to turn over critical information, information thats needed for their bipartisan Human Trafficking investigation to continue. And of course we passed the justice for victims of trafficking act, the victims of modern slavery deserve justice, they deserve a voice, which is why after years of previous inaction, a new Republicanled Senate made it a priority to pass this important antislavery bill and of course it is now law. This week we have two more opportunities to protect victims. The first contained in a provision within the National Defense authorization act is the End Modern Slavery Initiative act. This effort would address Human Trafficking beyond our borders with tools to help end the scourge of modern slavery worldwide. I thank senator corker for his work on this measure. The second, the adam walsh reauthorization act, will bolster efforts to prevent future Sexual Assault crimes and help victims receive justice. Well pass that one today. One group dedicated to combating trafficking noted its strong support for this quote vital legislation which it called essential to the fight against child sex trafficking. The adam walsh reauthorization act has also received the support of the nations largest antisexual violence organization, rain, along with organizations like the National Center for missing and exploited children. I have been involved with the National Center for missing and exploited children since its inception and have had the privilege of working closely with the organization over the years. Protecting children and bringing justice to victims has been a top priority of mine for many years, and i have long worked with john walsh, adams father, to advance efforts to do so. I supported the original adam walsh Child Protection safety act in 2006 in order to enhance Law Enforcements ability to track sexual predators and improve its informationsharing capabilities and to support resources to aid in the apprehension of fugitives who commit these offenses. Its an important law, but the authorization for it expired in 2011. It was disheartening to watch reauthorization legislation languish in the senate and in the Judiciary Committee for years, with you then chairman grassley came along. Not only did he work to reauthorize this bill, he worked to make it stronger with additional rights and protections for victims of Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking crimes. Like hes done with other priorities, chairman grassley realized the urgency of moving this reauthorization forward and then worked diligently to advance it. Its just another example of his efforts to put the Judiciary Committee to work for the American People. Under a new chairman, the Judiciary Committee has reported out some 30 bills and has seen more than a dozen signed into law. Time and time again, the committee has taken on important issues and worked toward Real Solutions for our country. We saw a great example of that recently with chairman grassleys efforts to help combat the heroin and prescription Opioid Epidemic thats hurting so many communities across our country. States like mine have been especially impacted by this drug crisis. I pressured the stead appreciated the steadfast commitment of colleagues like senator grassley along with senators like portman and ayotte to address the issue and ensure Senate Passage of the comprehensive addiction and recovery act. Chairman grassley has worked hard to pass other pieces of legislation as well like a law to protect American Innovation in the 21st century, for instance, and the justice for victims of trafficking act that i mentioned earlier. Without chairman grassleys commitment in committee and senator cornyns relentless efforts on the floor, that important trafficking bill would not have become law. So its clear that senator grassley has led the Judiciary Committee with renewed focus on providing hope and providing a voice to those in need. We have just the latest example of this commitment in the bill before us today, so i commend chairman grassley for his strong leadership and urge my colleagues to join me today in supporting this important legislation. On one final matter, i want to close by saying a few words about marvin simms who will be retiring from the Senate Recording Studio this month after three decades of service. Marvin was one of about a dozen original staffers brought on to help shoot the firstever life gavel to gavel broadcast on the senate floor. He has since become a real pro at capturing the best angles of this chamber. So for marvin, getting there meant studying up on the Senate Procedure and teaching himself to instantly recognize a rotating cast of 100 different names and faces, an impressive feat in itself. His career includes a number of historical milestones, from president ial inaugurations and gold medal ceremonies to Supreme Court nominations and the occasional allnight filibuster. Im told hes now looking forward to having a little more time to focus on his family. On behalf of the entire senate family, id like to thank marvin for many years of dedicated Public Service and wish him well in his retirement. Mr. Reid madam president . The presiding officer the democratic leader. Mr. Reid last friday, as he should, president obama gave the nation an update on the fight against zika, this virus that has become such a difficult issue to face. Here are the facts, as outlined by president obama and reported by the center for Disease Control and prevention. As we speak, there are more than 500 confirmed cases of zika in the continental United States. There are at least 800 confirmed cases of infection in puerto rico. Most experts believe the actual number is significantly higher. There are 279 pregnant women in the continental United States and territories are being monitored for a possible zika infection. We have yet to confirm any local transmission from zikacarrying mosquitoes in the continental United States. Remember, we have had an unseasonably cold spring. That means that a mosquito with zika has not yet infected anyone in the mainland, but the Public Health experts tell us thats going to change as soon as it warms up, and its nearly the warmup time now. Its only when the warm weather hits that the mosquitoes become active, and they really become active. These pests are capable of transmitting zika in 39 states. Residents of our nations most populated cities like new york, los angeles, chicago and houston could be at risk of infection. Madam president , this chart says it all. There are some places when where there is only one type of mosquito, and of course the worst is the blue, but there are places when there is a mixture of mosquitoes. There are two kinds of mosquitoes that cause a problem. Its spread to people primarily through the body of an infected mosquito. But look where it goes. From maine to texas, even reaching into northern california, las vegas. I see one red dot up there. Thats boulder, colorado. So, madam president , its a concern, a real concern. For pregnant women, contacting zika could mean devastating birth defects. For their children, as we know, with these tiny little heads and undeveloped brains and collapsed skulls. For others, the dangers of zika range from possible nervous system disorders and potential paralysis to minor symptoms like rashes and fever, like the flu. This is a threat the Republican Congress has been ignoring for many months now. Back in february, we are fast approaching june, and in february president obama sent an emergency appropriation request to congress for almost 2 billion to fight zika. 1. 9 billion is the exact figure. It wasnt some number that he picked out of a hat. This is a figure that researchers, Public Health experts and doctors explicitly requested. 1. 9 billion is what our country needs. Thats the number i support and democrats support. Anything less than that is simply not enough. The republicans did nothing in response to the president s request, letting weeks and weeks go by as the number of infected americans grew. Because of republicans refusal to allocate zika funding, president obama had to act. He did the only thing he could do. He used 510 million in ebol look money to fight zika. It was 18 months ago that we were first hit with the ebola scare. And it was a scare and rightfully so. We were panicked about ebola. Americans had been infected with this awful disease. But the only thing we could do was do more to find out how we could stop it with a vaccine, with other treatments. It takes money to do that. But to take more than half a billion dollars in ebola money and fight the spread of zika is really literally from the proverbial taking from peter to pay paul. What choice did president obama have . They were ignoring his pleas for help. Now that they can no longer ignore zika, republicans in congress are reluctantly going through the motions of providing funding. Going through the motions. As my friend, the republican leader said, weve taken care of zika here on the floor. How wrong, how misleading. The senate agreed to provide 1. 1 billion, about half of what president obama requested, about you everyone knows thats not going to do the trick because that money is not getting to be coming till some time this fall. To make matters worse, the president is requesting the full 1. 9 billion. The Senate Passed 1. 1 billion that would do nothing to pay back the ebola money. It would pay back a tiny fraction of the 510 million of ebola funds that are so necessary to continue to work on ebol la. The senates 1. 1 billion in funding is wrapped up in the appropriations process. The appropriation bills take months to get done. By the time is gets to the president s desk, it will be fall and we will know by then for sure how much damage has been done before because of the republicans inability and refusal to help us with that money. The American People should not have to wait that long. Thats why Senate Democrats have repeatedly come to the floor and asked that we move to a zika funding package as a stand alone bill separating from the very, very slow, tedious appropriations process. But each time Republican Leadership has objected, Senate Republicans dont want to expedite the issue. They prefer that our response to zika is wrapped newspaper a drawn out appropriations process. Our nation cannot afford the unnecessary delay. House republicans could not even pass a budget, and now were depending on them to pass an appropriations bill before we do anything with zika. They dont have a budget. These are the same House Republicans who last week passed legislation to give president obama a third, 622 million, a third of what the president asked, in fact a little less than a third. And guess what . Guess where theyre going to get that money . Theyre going to take it by raiding more ebola money. Our nation spent the last two years fighting ebola, but although we have successfully responded to ebola, it remains a threat. We do not have the ability to handle that disease. Last week the white house reported that c. D. C. , the centers for Disease Control, here in west after carks theyre processing 10,000 new ebola samples a month. We cant afford to drop our guard on ebola. Thats just what the republicans are telling us to do. We take these funds away from our nations response to ebola, its a virus thats devastating and we use them instead to underfund our response to zika, were ensuring that our defenses against both are inadequate. Thats irresponsible and terribly dangerous. I dont understand republicans refusal to take zika seriously. Why do they refuse to listen to the experts who tell us they need the full 1. 9 billion to be able to fight this devastating virus . Its as if the republicans are betting that zika wont be a disaster. Like the horse race we had in baltimore on saturday. This is not a bet. Its as if they are betting against all the experts and c. D. C. And n. I. H. Who say the zika virus is a real threat to americans. Theyre saying its a real threat to americans because it is. So instead of gambling with health and safety of millions of americans, republicans should give our nation the money it needs to fight zika. And they should do it now, not next month, not in the fall but now. As the president said on friday, we in congress should not leave for the memorial day break without having taken care of this issue. Hes so right. Weve been on record for weeks saying the same thing. We dont need more time off. We already hold the record, the record for working less time. This senate is working less time than any congress in the last six or seven decades. So we dont need more time off. So next week when we take some rather than take some time off, lets get the legislation to the white house appropriating that money. We have time to get out ahead of zika but we need to do it now but that window is rapidly closing by the day. So lets Work Together and do it now. Democrats, re