John Barrasso

Mr. BARRASSO

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, yesterday President Trump joined Republican Senators for lunch. He was very optimistic and very positive about a lot of the developments in America's foreign policy in places like North Korea. At the same time, we all recognize that the world continues to be a very dangerous place. National security must be our first responsibility. My goal is a nation that is safe, strong, and secure. To have safety and security at home, we need peace and stability abroad. Republicans in Congress understand that. So does President Trump, and so does Gina Haspel. That is why the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence today approved Gina Haspel's nomination to lead the Central Intelligence Agency. It was a bipartisan vote. That used to be the normal way things operated around here--in a bipartisan way. When you had a nominee who was undeniably qualified, they got support from both sides of the aisle. It has become very uncommon over the past year. Democrats have decided to obstruct President Trump's nominees for important jobs almost at any cost, but Gina Haspel got this rare bipartisan approval from the committee for the right reason--because she is the right person for this job. Now we will have a vote on the Senate floor. This should be one of the easiest votes for Members of the Senate to cast all year. The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency is a very important member of the President Trump's national security team. She is the right person for the job. She has been a career intelligence officer for 33 years. That goes back to the days of the Ronald Reagan administration. She actually got interested in the CIA when she learned that women could serve there doing clandestine work all around the world. She has served in Africa, Russia, Central Europe, and Asia. She has held top jobs at the Agency's headquarters. She understands every element of the work of America's intelligence community. Since she is actually the acting head of the Agency today, I think anyone would be hard-pressed to say she is not up to the job, because she is doing the job. She has the faith and the trust of the men and women in the field who keep us safe every day. Let's not forget that she has also worked very closely with Mike Pompeo. He was head of the CIA. Now he is Secretary of State. Having two people in these important jobs who already have a solid, respectful working relationship is extremely important for making sure that the U.S. foreign policy is airtight. No one else that the President could have nominated would have been able to work as closely with Secretary of State Pompeo. She is an expert on terrorism. She is an intelligence expert. She is a national security expert. She began her work at the CIA during the Cold War. So she has a deep understanding of Russia and a deep understanding of our challenges there. I think it is clear that Gina Haspel is an absolute star nominee for this vitally important job. I am not the only one saying so. The list of people who have come out and endorsed her nomination goes on and on. At least six former leaders of the Central Intelligence Agency have all come out publicly to praise her qualifications and her abilities. CIA Directors under President Obama, under President Bush, under President Clinton--Republicans and Democrats alike--all agree she is the right person for this job. Look at what they have had to say. Michael Hayden was Director under President Bush. He wrote: ``Gina Haspel is the person America needs at the CIA.'' He said: ``She is someone you want in the room when big decisions are being made.'' Listen to what Leon Panetta, who had the job under President Obama, said. He said that he was glad she would be the first woman to head the Agency because ``frankly she is someone who really knows the CIA inside out.'' Look at John Brennan, who also ran the Agency for President Obama. He said in an interview that she has the experience, the breadth, and the depth--on intelligence issues and foreign policy issues over many, many years. It is clear this is someone who is very highly regarded by people who know her, people who have worked with her, and people who have relied on her judgment and her expertise. That expertise and that clear-eyed judgment is more important today than perhaps at any other time since the end of the Cold War. Our Nation's adversaries are cunning, they are opportunistic, and they are aggressive. We face challenges in dealing with Syria and in dealing with ISIS. We have a lot of work ahead of us in Iran. Next month, President Trump will be meeting with North Korea to try to end their nuclear program. Now, I remain skeptical about North Korea, and so do a lot of Republicans in the Senate, but this is the best opportunity we have ever had to try to get nuclear weapons out of North Korea. The President needs his full team in place. This isn't a simple political game for Democrats to play for the TV cameras. This is about the peace and security of the world and safety and strength for the United States. As a CIA officer for more than 30 years, Gina Haspel has had to make tough decisions to keep our country safe. The decision we face to confirm her nomination to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency is not a tough decision at all. I will vote loudly and clearly in support of her nomination. When she is confirmed, all Americans will be able to sleep soundly, knowing she is on the job providing the security we all need. Thank you. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr BARRASSO

Mr BARRASSO. Mr. President, I have 9 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Thelma Drake, of Virginia, to be Federal Transit Administrator, Department of Transportation, Jeffrey Nadaner, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce, and Seth Daniel Appleton, of Missouri, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine the nominations of Richard Clarida, of Connecticut, to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and Michelle Bowman, of Kansas, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing on the nomination of Aimee Kathryn Jorjani, of Wisconsin, to be Chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Examining Oversight Reports on the 340B Drug Pricing Program''. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Authorities and Resources Needed to Protect and Secure the United States.'' Committee on the Judiciary The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Protecting and Promoting Music Creation for the 21st Century''. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 3:30 p.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``The State of Small Business in America: An update from the U.S. Small Business Administration.'' Select Committee on Intelligence The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. to conduct a hearing on the nomination of William R. Evanina, of Pennsylvania, to be Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center. Subcommittee on Communication, Technology, Innovation, and The Internet The Subcommittee on Communication, Technology, Innovation, and The Internet of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing. Subcommittee on Multilateral, International Development, Multilateral Insitutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy The Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy of the Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``American Leadership in the Asia-Pacific, Part 5: The Asia Reassurance Initiative Act.''

Mr. BARRASSO

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

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at 2:15 p.m. today, the Senate proceed to the consideration of Executive Calendar No. 607 as under the previous order.

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

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

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. BARRASSO

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

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, last Friday, we got new numbers from the Labor Department in terms of jobs and how American workers are doing. The unemployment rate is now down to 3.9 percent. It is the lowest it has been in 17 years. One analyst from the network CNBC said: ``That's a wow number.'' The American economy has created 3 million jobs since President Trump took office. There are 3 million Americans who are now earning a paycheck instead of waiting for a government check. We have gotten 304,000 new manufacturing jobs since President Trump took office. There are 352,000 new construction jobs and 84,000 new jobs in the mining and logging industries. Compare this to when Democrats in Congress and in the last administration launched an all-out War on Coal. There are 84,000 new jobs in mining and logging. Republicans ended the War on Coal. We struck down a major Democratic regulation that would have crippled the mining industry. We showed industries like manufacturing, construction, logging, and mining that we want people doing these jobs. We want people back to work. Employers have responded all around the country by hiring more people, and that makes the economy grow. So far Republicans in Congress have gotten rid of 16 major regulations since President Trump took office--wiped them off the books completely. We have shown that Republicans are serious about cutting redtape and loosening Washington's stranglehold on our economy. Because we got rid of these rules, Americans have saved as much as $36 billion over time. That is the cost for families and businesses jumping through the hoops and filling out the paperwork that government had previously demanded. The latest one of these regulations that were repealed was just last month. Republicans in the Senate passed a resolution to help save people money when they are shopping for a car. We got rid of a rule that the Obama administration had written to restrict how car dealers handled financing offers to buy a car. The rule was done in a way that was actually contrary to the law. It also had the potential to limit choices for consumers. We want consumers to have more choices. Republicans in the Senate voted to get rid of this unnecessary, burdensome regulation. President Trump has been very active in getting rid of excessive regulations as well. One of the first things he did as President was to issue an order cutting redtape. He said that for every significant new rule any agency wanted to write, it had to get rid of two rules. For every one new rule, get rid of two. That is how this administration has made a difference in Congress. The results so far have been even better than anyone had expected. The nonpartisan American Action Forum has been tracking the numbers. This is what they said. They looked at all the rules that agencies have been working on for the fiscal year we are in now--since last October. Agencies have cut 35 major regulations of the kind the President was talking about--cut 35. At the same time, they have written only five new major regulations. Major regulations are defined by how much money it costs people. President Trump said that he would cut two for every one new regulation, but so far, in terms of major regulations, he has cut seven for every new one. Of course, one of the most important things Republicans have done in helping the economy--in addition to the regulations--has been passing the tax relief law. This law means that we now have a simpler tax system. We now have a fairer system, and we have a system that is much less expensive for American families. Almost immediately, hard-working Americans started seeing more money in their paychecks. People got bonuses at work. People got raises. People are seeing it. Tax cuts have been good for American families, and they have been good for the American economy as well. The Congressional Budget Office says that the economy is going to grow by more than 3 percent this year--by more than 3 percent. That is much faster than it was growing for the previous years after the recession. The office actually went back and increased their estimates for economic growth. Why? Because of the tax relief law, the tax cuts. Wages are up nearly 3 percent from a year ago. People are seeing it all across the country. Again, that is much faster growth than we had under the previous administration. When you figure in lower taxes, people's real take-home pay is up even more. Democratic policies led to stagnant wages for Americans. Republican policies have allowed wages to grow much more quickly. Millions of people have gotten new jobs that didn't exist before. Millions of other people have been able to switch jobs, move up in their careers, and make more money. Overall, hiring this past month, April, went up by 20 percent compared to April of last year. It is a huge increase. A lot of these jobs are being created by small businesses. Last week was Small Business Week across America. I visited a number of business owners across the State of Wyoming. Small business owners know that the government can either create opportunity or crush opportunity, based on regulations, mandates, and taxes. That is the kind of change that is possible under Republican pro-growth policies-- creating opportunities, not crushing opportunities, as we have seen before. It is things like a national economy that is growing larger and growing faster that the American people are seeing today. Their lives are better today than they were in 2016. It is things like a small business being free to expand because it doesn't have to waste so much time and money on taxes and paperwork and government redtape--things like making sure America takes less money out of people's paychecks, letting people keep more of their hard-earned money. When you have policies that make life easier for families and for businesses, good things happen across America. People in my home State of Wyoming get it. They are seeing it, they are experiencing it, and they are living it every day. They understand that what Republicans are doing in Congress helps them at home. That is why we are going to keep doing what we are doing, and we are going to keep going on. We are going to keep cutting regulations. We are going to keep building an ``America First'' economy that is strong, that is healthy, that is growing, so it can create more opportunities for everyone. That is what Republicans have promised to do. It is what we should be doing. It is what we are going to do. It is what we are going to continue to do. It is what we are delivering in Congress and in the White House for the American people. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Sophia for her hard work as an intern in the Committee on Environment and Public Works. I recognize her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. Sophia is a native of Virginia. She is a student at Virginia Polytechnic and State University, where she is studying political science and foreign affairs. She has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made her an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of her work is reflected in her great efforts over the last several months. I want to thank Sophia for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It was a pleasure to have her as part of our team. I know she will have continued success with all of her future endeavors. I wish her all my best on her next journey.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Emily for her hard work as an intern in my Washington, DC office. I recognize her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. Emily is a native of Wheatland. She is a junior at the University of Wyoming, where she is studying phychology and criminal justice. She has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made her an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of her work is reflected in her great efforts over the last several months. I want to thank Emily for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It was a pleasure to have her as part of our team. I know she will have continued success with all of her future endeavors. I wish her all my best on her next journey.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Linda for her hard work as an intern in my Casper office. I recognize her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. Linda is a native of Arizona. She is a student at Casper College, where she is studying general studies. She has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made her an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of her work is reflected in her great efforts over the last several months. I want to thank Linda for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It was a pleasure to have her as part of our team. I know she will have continued success with all of her future endeavors. I wish her all my best on her next journey.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Emma for her hard work as an intern in my Casper office. I recognize her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. Emma is a native of Arizona. She is a student at Casper College, where she is going to study political science. She has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made her an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of her work is reflected in her great efforts over the last several months. I want to thank Emma for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It was a pleasure to have her as part of our team. I know she will have continued success with all of her future endeavors. I wish her all my best on her next journey.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Conroy for his hard work as an intern in my Washington, DC office. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. Conroy is a native of Cheyenne. He attended the University of Wyoming for both undergraduate and graduate studies, where he studied communications and political science. He has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made him an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of his work is reflected in his great efforts over the last several months. I want to thank Conroy for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have him as part of our team. I know he will have continued success with all of his future endeavors. I wish him all my best on his journey.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Mecallen for his hard work as an intern in my Sheridan office. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. Mecallen is a native of Sheridan. He is a freshman at Sheridan College, where he is studying occupational therapy and health science. He has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made him an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of his work is reflected in his great efforts over the last several months. I want to thank Mecallen for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have him as part of our team. I know he will have continued success with all of his future endeavors. I wish him all my best on his journey.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Nicole for her hard work as an intern in the Senate Republican Policy Committee. I recognize her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. Nicole is a native of Jackson. She is a sophomore at Georgetown University. She has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made her an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of her work is reflected in her great efforts over the last several months. I want to thank Nicole for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It was a pleasure to have her as part of our team. I know she will have continued success with all of her future endeavors. I wish her all my best on her next journey.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, earlier today, we heard the French President address a joint meeting of Congress. He reminded us that the French and American people have always fought side by side to defend our common values. France was our original ally during the American Revolution. Americans fought and died in France during World War I and World War II. Our alliance has spanned centuries because of diplomats who have cultivated the close relationship that the countries continue with today, and it is a shame we didn't have a Secretary of State of the United States who could have helped us welcome the French President during his visit here. We have a nominee who is eminently qualified-- Mike Pompeo--and Republicans are ready to confirm him right now. We were ready to confirm him last week. We are ready for him to get to work in maintaining and strengthening relationships around the world. Under previous administrations, we could have brought the nomination to the floor of the Senate without needing to waste all of the time and the delays, by the Democrats, on a cloture vote. That is how we used to treat important national security positions like the Secretary of State but no more, apparently. That is what happened even when Senators disagreed with the administration's foreign policies. Consider Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of State John Kerry. The Republicans and Democrats agreed that the President deserved to have the team he wanted--the people he wanted--on the ground helping him. We all agreed some of these positions were very important to national security--so important that, in a bipartisan way, we felt that playing political games with them was just wrong. Apparently, that has changed in the eyes of the Democrats now that Donald Trump has been elected President of the United States. When Barack Obama became President in 2009, the Republicans didn't obstruct his nomination of Hillary Clinton to be Secretary of State. No. She was confirmed by a vote of 94 to 2. Then, when President Obama nominated John Kerry for the job in 2013, the Republicans didn't slow down or block that choice either. He was confirmed by a vote of 94 to 3. The Republicans had serious concerns about President Obama's foreign policy ideas, his strategies, his approach, but we confirmed the people whom he wanted as his Secretary of State. We did not obstruct these nominations, and we didn't try to tarnish the reputations of the people whom he picked for these important jobs, not at all. I think the Senate does have an obligation to carefully evaluate a President's nominees. When those nominees are qualified and capable, then the President has every right to have his team and have his team in place quickly. That was the standard the Republicans applied to these Democratic nominees for Secretary of State under a Democratic President. What has happened since then? Why has all of this changed since then? We now have a Republican President, and we have a Republican nominee to be Secretary of State. It seems the Senate Democrats have tossed out the way things have always been done before. ``No, we do not want to do it that way anymore.'' The only interest seems to be obstruction-- obstructing, delaying, resisting anything the Republicans, under President Trump, are trying to do, anything he is trying to do in terms of getting his team in place--a team he needs. How does someone justify a vote for these two people to be Secretary of State--the Democrats and Republicans who voted for these two--and then turn around and not vote for Mike Pompeo? How can you justify that? I certainly cannot. When Mike Pompeo was nominated to be the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, 15 Senators from the other side of the aisle were willing to set aside partisanship. They knew he was qualified for the job--first in his class at West Point, the Harvard Law Review, his activities as a Member of Congress. Everything he has done as the CIA Director has shown that those 15 Senators made the right call to support him over a year ago. They made the right call to join the Republicans and to respect the traditions of the Senate--to put qualified people on the job even if they may not have agreed completely with their philosophies on political issues. There is no reason other than pure partisan politics that any of these Democrats would vote against Mike Pompeo now. He is eminently qualified. He showed during his confirmation hearing--he went through 5 hours of questioning--that he has the intelligence, he has the integrity, and he has the experience to serve as our Nation's Secretary of State. Turn to the newspapers. You have the Washington Post coming out, writing: ``Confirm Mike Pompeo.'' You have USA TODAY coming out today and writing: ``Confirm Mike Pompeo.'' We even have the New York Daily News--the hometown newspaper of the leader of the Democratic Senate-- coming out and writing: ``Confirm Mike Pompeo.'' The Democrats in the Senate don't seem to care. It doesn't seem like they are interested in doing the right thing. They are interested in obstructing and continuing the history of the deliberate delays we have seen with them through this administration. They have been doing it since the very first day of the Trump administration. At this rate, it would take more than 9 years to confirm all of President Trump's nominees for important jobs. Why? The Democrats can't offer a single good reason. The Senate has been forced to waste huge amounts of time in confirming nominees who aren't even controversial at all. When Senate Democrats try to block the President from filling important national security jobs, they are putting America's security in danger. We all know the world is a dangerous place and is getting more dangerous every day. Our adversaries are opportunistic. Our adversaries are aggressive. Our allies are eager to work with the United States. That is what the President of France told us today. Have the Democrats already forgotten the atrocities we saw in Syria a few weeks ago? It was France and Great Britain that joined the President of the United States in launching airstrikes against Bashar Al-Assad's chemical weapons facilities. We need to be able to maintain the relationships that allow this kind of action to occur. We need people on the job who can both encourage our allies and deter our enemies. The Senate Democrats have to decide what is more important to them--protecting America's national security or appeasing the extreme liberal, far leftwing of their party. I understand if there are Senators who have principled reasons for objecting to this nominee or any nominee. They can vote no but not continue to hold up or slow down the process as they have done for a year and a half. I think, if a Senator is against a nominee, then come to the floor; state the objection; cite the evidence; vote no. Yet that is not what many Democrats here are doing with their obstruction of one nominee after another, and it is not what they have done with their obstructions of hundreds of nominees. For them, it doesn't seem, at least to me, to be a principled stand. It seems to be a reckless political stunt. I listened to my colleagues on the Foreign Relations Committee the other evening when we voted on this nomination. I listened to the Democrats speak on the floor and speak to the press. Frankly, I have not heard a single good reason to delay the Senate's consideration of Mike Pompeo to be Secretary of State. The Democrats need to stop the games, stop the delays, allow us to move immediately to vote on his nomination, and get President Trump's Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, on the job. Thank you. I yield the floor.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the passage of time and a particularly significant event in this Nation's history. In a few short days, Tribal leadership, historians, community leaders, and the public will gather at the Fort Laramie National Historic Site in Wyoming to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the signing of the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie. As it did in the years preceding the signing of the treaty, the area around Fort Laramie, WY, will again serve as a place where cultures, minds, and governments meet. Over its history, the Fort Laramie area was home to Tribes of the Great Plains, represented a waypoint for emigrants as they traveled West, and became an economic center as trade routes were established. As conflict among Indian and non-Indian groups grew, Fort Laramie became a military post to quell disputes. History is marred by the years-long conflicts with Tribal communities. The 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie and others like it were intended to bring peace to whole regions of peoples. It took nearly 7 months to negotiate the contents of the treaty and gather signatories. Among the more than 200 signatories were Tribal leaders, U.S. Government officials, and military leaders. It is important to recognize and remember those who signed in the hope that the treaty would bring resolution to ongoing conflicts. Equally, we should reflect on those who did not sign, as that omission is an important part of this history. Despite the signing of the treaty, conflict persisted. Today we must continue to work to address the inequities that remain across Indian Country. As those signatories of the treaty knew in 1868, treaties and the trust responsibilities to which the U.S. Government committed continue to shape modern relationships with the sovereign Tribes. True government-to-government relationships and respect for Tribal sovereignty are at the heart of Congress's responsibilities in helping to ensure a brighter future for Tribal communities. As they gather at Fort Laramie at the end of April, Tribes will share their histories and cultures. Among the exchange of traditional prayers, songs, and dances, Tribes will also lead discussions about the future of Tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. In the joint resolution passed during this year's session, the Wyoming State Legislature appropriately recognized that `` . . . the legacy of the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie has had an impact in numerous ways on the lives of Tribal members of Tribes party to the Treaty from generation to generation since the signing. . . .'' Recognizing the 150th anniversary of the signing of the treaty requires reflection and introspection, but should also inspire hope for the future. The upcoming events at Fort Laramie National Historic Site offer a unique educational opportunity to highlight the vibrant Tribal cultures that have also endured for generations. I am proud to recognize this important anniversary and reflect on the 150 years since the signing of the Treaty of Fort Laramie. Historic places and the documents inspired by a confluence of values and ideas should not be forgotten. We must remember the events that led to the signing of the treaty, and those that followed, and continue the important work to develop strong relationships and be good partners with sovereign Tribal nations.

Mr. BARRASSO

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

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, today is the last tax day under the old, awful, and broken tax system that the American people have had to put up with for decades. Under the tax relief law that Republicans passed in this body in December--it was signed by President Trump and passed the House, as well--we now a have a simpler and fairer system and, so importantly, one that is much less expensive for American families. One big thing we did in the tax law was to double the standard deduction that people can take. This is what it means. This one change alone, all by itself, means that 95 percent of taxpayers will be taking the standard deduction from now on. It means people will not have to waste a lot of time wading through paperwork and boxes of receipts. People will not have to spend hours chasing after little itemized deductions, as they have done year after year on tax day. They will not just be crossing their fingers, hoping they are doing everything right, hoping they don't overpay, and hoping they don't run afoul of the law by not paying the amount that is required by law. It is going to be much simpler and much fairer. When I thought of all of the things we have been working on with tax relief, tax reform, tax reductions, to me, it can be summed up in just two words: simpler and lower. Taxes needed to be lower, and they needed to be simpler. So what we are seeing now is both simpler and lower taxes. That is a big change that people are going to notice. They are noticing it now in their paychecks, but they are really going to notice it next April 15 when they file their taxes. Americans will not have to wait until next year to see a lot of the benefits of this tax relief law. They are seeing it today because the law wasn't just tax reform and simplification; it was an immediate, big tax cut as well. It means hard-working Americans are seeing money in their paychecks, and they are seeing it today. Average wages have gone up nearly 3 percent. That is a big increase compared to the stagnant wage growth we saw during the entire previous administration. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, American workers brought home almost $200 billion more in February than they did in December. Some of it came right away in the form of bonuses that companies handed out because of the tax law; some of it came when employers cut the amount of income tax that they were withholding from a worker's paycheck; and some of it was because of higher wages we have seen with raises announced across the country. It all adds up to about $200 billion more for hard-working Americans. That is money people can then spend on things that are important to them and their families. It is about American families' priorities, not necessarily how the government thinks it can spend its money better than the American people. It is money people can save for things such as tuition for their kids, a new car, or whatever they want to save for. People notice that kind of difference in their take-home pay. It makes a big difference in their lives. Another thing that happens when we cut taxes is that businesses have more money to hire more workers. I have seen it happen in Wyoming. I have seen it as I travel the State. In city after city, town after town, community after community, businesses are hiring more workers locally. In fact, the American economy has added over 600,000 new jobs just since Republicans passed and President Trump signed the tax law in December. These are jobs at places like Kroger. That grocery store chain--and they have a number of convenience stores, as well, serving all around Wyoming--said last week that they are going to be hiring 11,000 new workers. Those aren't just people at headquarters; these are people in stores all across the country--cashiers, produce clerks, workers in prepared food sections of the store. It is good for the American economy and good for the communities where these people are being hired. If someone has money in their pocket, they can decide to spend some of it, give some to charity, invest some, or save some--whatever they want to do. It is their money. In some of the stores similar to Kroger in Cheyenne, Casper, Gillette, Rock Springs--but we are seeing it all around the country-- stores are hiring more people. They are increasing benefits for people who want to continue their education or get a GED. All of these things are benefiting our country. The companies say it is directly because they are saving money under the tax law. We have heard this story again and again. You have heard it in your State, and I have heard it in mine. They are hiring because they are saving more money under the tax law. A lot of companies are paying more because they want to hold on to the workers they have. That is one reason the initial jobless claims number for the first week of April has dropped. The claims of people who are out of work and have filed for benefits from the government have dropped by 9,000 people. That is a sign that people are keeping their jobs and don't need to apply for unemployment benefits. The number of jobless claims has been low now for the longest stretch ever. They have been keeping records since 1967, and nobody has ever seen it like this. One economist looked at all the good news and said: ``The job market is rip-roaring.'' The American people don't need an economist to tell them that. All they need to do is look around their own hometown. I see it at home in Wyoming. Businesses are hiring. Workers are getting bonuses. They are getting raises. They are seeing more money in their paychecks. People all across America are feeling better about their jobs. I see confidence and optimism at home. People are feeling better about their own personal financial situation. It is certainly the case at home in Wyoming. There have been a couple of surveys that have come out recently. In one of them, the Pew Research Center found that the number of people who say that this economy is in good or excellent condition is now the highest it has been in two decades--20 years. That is the confidence of the American people in the economy. In a second survey, the polling firm Gallup found that investor optimism is at ``the highest levels . . . in 17 years.'' When we talk about investors, we are talking about families in Wyoming who are saving for their retirement. They have seen the effects of Republican policies like the tax relief law. They have seen what we are doing to cut regulations so the economy can grow, so people can be free to live their lives and make decisions for themselves. They have seen what happens when Washington starts to put America first again. All of those things, added together, make people confident in our economy, and it gives them optimism for the future. The only people who aren't feeling optimistic right now are the Democrats in Congress who, across the board, voted against this tax relief law. Republicans voted to lower taxes, and Democrats voted for higher taxes. Now Democrats seem to be desperately trying to spin their way out of the terrible choices that they have made. Over the weekend, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, said that the Republican tax cuts ``are unfair to America's working families.'' Who is she kidding? The only thing unfair would be if Democrats get their wish and repeal the tax cuts that we passed and raise taxes, which apparently is what they want to do. I have spoken to a lot of working families at home in Wyoming. They are overjoyed at the extra money they have gotten in their paychecks since the Republicans cut taxes. Americans know that the economy has created 605,000 new jobs since we passed tax relief. They know we are breaking records for low numbers of people filing for unemployment. People see that the average wages are up--much higher than they were a year ago. They know the Republicans cut taxes, doubled the standard deduction, got rid of the ObamaCare individual mandate tax, and changed the death tax, which is a big issue for our farmers and ranchers in Wyoming and for small business owners. Hard-working Americans who just filled out their taxes know the Republicans are on their side, and the last thing they want is to hear Democrats talking about raising taxes again. Thank you. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. BARRASSO

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

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I come to the floor as a former chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee of the Senate to talk about the issue of the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act--the package before us today to be discussed and voted on within the next hour. I know we are going to be hearing from the current chairman, Senator Hoeven. We are going to be hearing from Senator Moran, Senator Flake, and others. I would like to associate my remarks with those I know they will make, specifically, those of the chairman and my other colleagues, and emphasize the need to recognize and respect Tribal sovereignty. As Senator Moran will explain shortly, this legislation seeks to fix the National Labor Relations Board's 2004 decision to treat Tribal government employers and tribally owned businesses as private entities, not as sovereign governments. They are sovereign governments. The National Labor Relations Board's decision, I think, is the wrong decision. It increased uncertainty for Tribes, as Tribes suddenly faced regulation from a body that failed to recognize their government-to- government relationship. I think it was a complete mistake by the National Labor Relations Board, which is why I am proudly here to support the legislation we are discussing here today. Suddenly, as a result of this ruling, these Tribal businesses became commercial entities. These businesses provide critical services on Tribal lands and in their communities. I believe the National Labor Relations Board's decision--and the litigation that inevitably followed--has only increased uncertainty in Indian Country and is in direct opposition to the entire notion of Tribal sovereignty. Indian Tribes have a right to sovereignty. We must work to ensure there is true parity between governments. We must actively respect the government-to-government relationship. Over the last many years, Congress has worked to address policies that have been detrimental to Tribes, including those affecting Tribal sovereignty. That is why we are here today to vote on this important piece of legislation. Tribal sovereignty allows Tribes to govern themselves, to regulate Tribal businesses, and to provide essential services for Tribal members. As we consider this package before us today, I want to commend Chairman Hoeven, Vice Chairman Udall, and others for working together to move this important legislation through the Senate. This package is no different. Senator McCain and Senator Flake have worked for many years to resolve the White Mountain Apache water settlement issues. I see Senator Flake is here to discuss those issues. Senator Heinrich and Senator Udall recognize the need for greater certainty in land management through the Santa Clara long-term lease. Senator Moran has been a great leader on this issue. That is why I am proud to be standing with him today. I would urge all of my colleagues to join Chairman Hoeven, Senator Moran, and our committee in providing the parity for Tribal governments as they govern their future. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, the Senate will vote on cloture on the nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be the Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Deputy Administrator is critical in developing and implementing policies that fulfill the EPA's mission of protecting America's water, land, air, and communities. He is the right person for the job. He has spent 25 years working in environmental policy. In that time, he has served as a career employee of the EPA; a staff director on the Hill for the committee I now chair, the Environment and Public Works Committee; and, most recently, as a consultant in the energy policy space. Andrew Wheeler is well qualified to fill this critically important job. I urge all Senators to support the nomination.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I am here with my colleague from Oklahoma to speak in favor of Andrew Wheeler. I support Andrew Wheeler to serve as the Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. During the previous administration, the Environmental Protection Agency issued burdensome regulations that harmed American workers and American communities. Since President Trump took office 15 months ago, the EPA has rolled back many of these punishing regulations, including the so-called Clean Power Plan and the waters of the United States, or the WOTUS, rule. Under President Trump and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, this Agency is now working for commonsense environmental policies--policies that don't harm the American economy and don't punish American families. Administrator Pruitt needs his full team at the Environmental Protection Agency in order to accomplish these goals. So today, the Senate is going to consider the nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be Deputy Administrator of the EPA. The Deputy Administrator is critical in developing and implementing the policies that fulfill the EPA's mission of protecting human health and the environment. Mr. Wheeler is very well qualified for the position. He spent over 25 years working in environmental policies. At that time, he served as a career employee at the EPA, working as an environmental protection specialist. This experience makes him uniquely qualified to serve in the role of Deputy Administrator. He has spent over a decade here on Capitol Hill, shaping environmental law. He served as the staff director of the Senate Environment and Public Works Air Subcommittee from 1997 to 2003. This was followed by another 6 years as a Republican staff director and chief counsel for the full committee, 2003 to 2009. Most recently, Mr. Wheeler has been a consultant for a variety of energy and environmental clients. Andrew Wheeler's commitment to sound environmental policies has received recognition from across the aisle as well. The ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee said this of Mr. Wheeler: I think having worked in the agency, he actually cares about the environment; the air that we breathe; the water we drink; the planet on which we live. Stuart Spencer, the president of the Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies, said this of Mr. Wheeler: Mr. Wheeler has exemplified excellence in his professional endeavors, in his previous government service and private sector experience. In short, he is keenly qualified to hit the ground running at EPA. I agree. His nomination has garnered the support of a broad base of organizations, including the National Association of Manufacturers, the United Mine Workers of America, and the Chamber of Commerce. Andrew Wheeler is well qualified to fill this critically important role at the EPA. He is the right person to serve as Deputy Administrator of the EPA, and I urge every Senator to support this nomination. With that, I recognize my colleague and friend from Oklahoma, who has been a mentor to me on the committee, the former chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, Jim Inhofe.