Mike Crapo

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, 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.

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 222, H.R. 1117.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to legislative session and be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. 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.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to consideration of S. Res. 284, submitted earlier today.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m., Thursday, October 5; further, 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 proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Quarles nomination, with the time until 10 a.m. equally divided between the two leaders or their designees.

Mr. CRAPO

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the nomination of Mr. Heath Tarbert to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Markets and Development. This position is both a critical national security and international economic policy job. A critical part of the Assistant Secretary's job--and the reason for which this position was created by statute and passed in the Banking Committee--is to marshal the procedures and processes of the interagency, Treasury-led Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, which protects our Nation from hostile foreign transactions designed to undermine U.S. national security interests. This is now a very time-sensitive post because Senators on both sides of the aisle are working to introduce legislation to change the CFIUS process for the first time in a decade. Confirmation of Mr. Tarbert is critical so that he is available to provide necessary input on any proposed changes and to swiftly implement any new legislation. Mr. Tarbert would also serve as the principal policy advisor to the Secretary on international economic matters, including serving as the Treasury's representative at the Financial Stability Board. Finally, Mr. Tarbert has strong bipartisan support and was voice- voted out of the Banking Committee. Mr. Tarbert has served in senior roles in all three branches of government and is an experienced lawyer and a recognized financial expert. In short, he is an important asset whom the Congress and Treasury Department do not want to lose to further delay. I urge all of my colleagues to support Mr. Tarbert's nomination today and to vote for his confirmation. With that, I yield the floor.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to yield back all time.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr President, I rise today to urge my colleagues to confirm Pamela Patenaude as Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Ms. Patenaude was advanced by voice vote out of the Senate Banking Committee on June 14, and continues to receive nearly unanimous bipartisan support from affordable housing advocates, public housing agencies, and industry leaders. This month, Senate leadership received a joint letter signed by over 60 independent housing trade groups, urging that this nomination finally be brought to the floor for a vote. Over her distinguished career, Ms. Patenaude has touched nearly every corner of housing policy and has held leadership roles at both the local and Federal level. This is not the first time Ms. Patenaude has been considered for confirmation by this body. Twelve years ago, the Senate confirmed her by voice vote to become Assistant Secretary of Community Planning and Development at HUD. The Senate recognized her back then for what she remains today: an experienced industry veteran who will provide steadfast leadership to HUD. This vote is particularly important given the recent hurricanes in Texas and in Florida. HUD's Deputy Secretary chairs the Department's Disaster Management Group and coordinates the long-term recovery efforts of various program offices within HUD. Ms. Patenaude would make an immediate contribution in this critical leadership role, drawing from her experience responding to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita during her time as Assistant Secretary in the Bush administration. I am eager to work with Ms. Patenaude on that response, as well as other key issues within HUD's jurisdiction. I urge my colleagues to vote to confirm Ms. Patenaude today, and I also urge the Senate to take up votes on other HUD nominees, so that HUD can have the key leadership in place that it needs to best serve its important mission. Thank you.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr President, I support the nomination of Mr. Kevin Allen Hassett to serve as Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. His nomination received wide bipartisan support, not only in the Banking Committee, but also from other esteemed members of his profession. Mr. Hassett was voted out of our committee on a voice vote with widespread support. We received a letter in favor of his nomination signed by a bipartisan group of 44 economists, including 14 former Chairmen of the Council of Economic Advisers and two former Federal Reserve Chairmen. At Mr. Hassett's confirmation hearing, he expertly fielded questions on a wide range of economic issues and provided insights on progrowth policies that would support all members of the economy. In my office, we discussed at length his extensive experience in economic and tax policy modeling. Mr. Hassett brings a wealth of relevant experience in academia, government, and policy. His counsel, insight, and expertise will be invaluable as the administration addresses initiatives like tax reform, which undoubtedly will have a large impact on the macro economy. Thank you.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, in recognition of National POW/MIA Recognition Day, today I wish to call attention to the importance of maintaining focus on efforts to bring home America's prisoners of war, POWs, and missing in action, MIA. Let us join in honoring America's servicemembers, including those who have yet to make it home, and recognizing the enduring service of military families who watch and wait for the return of their loved ones. We must continue to seek answers until all American servicemembers are home. Many American families have waited decades for resolution about the fate of their loved ones who went missing while serving our Nation. I commend those who are working to bring America's servicemembers home and who keep a spotlight on the service of those who remain missing. Idahoans, including members of the POW*MIA Awareness Rally Corp., raise awareness about the continued need to return our missing servicemembers, holding annual rallies and other events to keep a spotlight on the service of those who remain missing and the need for answers for their families. Their efforts are greatly valued in helping to ensure that the return of American servicemembers is prioritized. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency reports that more than 360 Idahoans are among those who have not yet been recovered following their service in World War II, the Korean war, and the Vietnam war. Their service and return must be ever fixed in our national attention. My prayers are with their families and friends that they may experience the long-awaited return of their loved ones. We cannot let up in the search. As Americans, it is our duty to bring home those who have given so much for us.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, my colleague Senator Jim Risch joins me today in honoring the city of Cascade, ID, in its 100th year since its incorporation. One hundred years ago, Cascade got its start as a prime location along the railroad tracks that crossed Valley County, ID, and developed into the county seat. Cascade became a central place for transporting the timber harvested nearby to area sawmills and a hub for mining. Like its neighbors in other parts of Valley County, Cascade has faced booms and downturns in the logging, mining, and agriculture sectors, with resilience and ingenuity. The beauty of the local landscapes and natural resources continue to attract recreation and other outdoor activities to this picturesque community, and residents embody the industriousness and warmth at the heart of the community and its historical roots. Cascade's chamber of commerce aptly highlights Cascade's ``scenic beauty, fresh mountain air, warm friendly people and unlimited recreational activities.'' It is truly a treasure of our great State. Congratulations to the residents of Cascade on 100 years of accomplishments in developing Cascade that is a wonderful home and destination to so many. We wish you well as you continue to work for the advancement of this great community and its residents.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today I wish to mark a wonderful occasion, a birthday that many do not live to celebrate. Today we honor the 95th birthday and wonderful life of Betty Jenel Olsen Carr, born in Kimberly, ID, on August 2, 1922. Her early life was very much what you would expect from rural Idaho in the 1920s, and in many ways, rural life there now still has some of these echoes of a strong work ethic and family values. Betty grew up with seven siblings in a family that learned self- sufficiency and self-reliance on an 80-acre farm. Edith, Andy, Lamoin, Melba, Phil, Vera, Nina, and Betty lived cozily together with their parents, Hannah Marie Sandberg and Neils Albert Olsen, in a small, white wooden farmhouse that had no electricity or running water when Betty was a child. However, the home did have a black potbelly cast iron stove that kept everyone warm and fed. Education figured prominently in Betty's goals, as she graduated at the top of her Kimberly High School class, even though she skipped her final year of high school to start college. She fostered her love of reading through editing the school newspaper. She also played flute in the marching band and, improbably, at just 5 feet, 4 inches tall, played forward on the girls basketball team. She headed off to college at what was then called the Southern Branch of the University of Idaho--now Idaho State University--and studied journalism, but most importantly, she followed through on something she said in high school. She had been looking through her older sister's college yearbook and spotted the photo of a handsome young man. She declared, ``When I get to college, I am going to go out with that guy.'' She did indeed--she met and married Taylor Henry Carr a couple of years into college. Taylor served 3 years in World War II, and a family treasure is the love letters the two sent to each other during that difficult time that they were separated by his wartime service. When Taylor returned home, he completed his education at the medical school at the University of Utah with the help of the GI bill and became a surgeon. Betty and he raised their seven children in Idaho Falls, ID. Each of those children has become remarkable in their own right, contributing to their communities, States, and country -- Katherine Ann, Taylor Douglas, Phillip Olsen, Jan Elizabeth, Kenneth Wright, Steven Edward, and Gregory Curtis. Their home was filled with love, education, and adventure. From a personal perspective, there has never been a better child psychologist or wiser parent and aunt. Betty is my mother Melba's youngest sister--my beloved Aunt Betty, who was a second mother to me. She understood teenagers in a unique manner and knew just when to encourage me at those times when young people need to hear advice from someone who loves them and is not a parent. Growing up, I always knew I would find welcoming arms and a warm shoulder just a few blocks from my home. Aunt Betty understood that, ultimately, love and the relationship with our loved ones was more important than anything else, and she epitomized that with her acceptance and encouragement of even the craziest ideas. A few years ago, I was delighted to show her around the U.S. Capitol when she made the long trip from Idaho to Washington, DC. A treasured item on display in my personal office is a photo with her from that trip. Today Betty, the lifelong lover of reading, is as sharp as ever. At 95, she remains active, interested, and involved. She races through the crossword puzzle, tends her garden and great-grandkids, and never misses exercise class or bridge club. She recently went underwater in a diving bell in Florida. I am privileged to claim her as part of my family and honored to recognize her longevity as an Idahoan. Happy, happy birthday.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. I thank Senator Corker. Mr. President, I thank, too, all those who were mentioned: the Foreign Relations leadership, Senator Corker and Senator Cardin; Senator Brown, my colleague in the Banking Committee; and all the others who have been so involved in this issue. This is one of the examples of how we can work together in a bipartisan fashion to craft critical legislation for protecting and strengthening America. Frankly, it is past time for us to stand strong as a nation in response to the increasing aggression that we see in Russia around the world--whether it be in Ukraine, in Crimea, in Syria, in facilitating corruption globally, or in the cyber security attacks we have seen that have been directed not only at us but at our allies across the world. It is very important that we implement this legislation. I am glad to see the solid bipartisanship that we have been able to build. I also hope that we can build this bipartisanship on many, many other issues. We are going to be looking at North Korea, as has already been said. I am hopeful and confident that we will stand again on this floor soon as we deal with the threats we face from North Korea. Again, I thank all of those who have worked so closely with us on this legislation and appreciate the opportunity for us to move forward, united tonight on this critical issue. I yield back.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today the Senator from Ohio and I wish to speak about Scott Alvarez, general counsel of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Mr. Alvarez is retiring after a 36-year career with the Board of Governors, including the last 12 as general counsel. He joined the board's legal division in 1981, immediately after graduating from Georgetown Law School, and worked as a staff attorney on bank regulatory issues for many years, until he was named general counsel in 2004. In that role, he served as a key adviser to Chairmen Greenspan and Bernanke and Chair Yellen. He was also general counsel of the Federal Open Market Committee, and he was the chief lawyer in carrying out some of the Fed's other roles, including overseeing the payments system and issuing currency. I have enjoyed working with Mr. Alvarez over the years and have appreciated the insights and feedback he has provided to me and the Banking Committee. On a personal note, his help was particularly valuable in 2006, when the Senate passed the Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2006, which was then signed into law by President Bush. I want to thank Mr. Alvarez for his assistance on that bill and others and for his service to the Federal Reserve and to the country.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the servicemembers and civilians who served on Wake Island in World War II, as the last gathering of the Survivors of Wake-Guam-Cavite, Inc., is scheduled to be held in Boise in September. Survivors of the defense of Wake Island and their families have held annual reunions and other get-togethers for the last nearly 71 years. Idaho became home to annual reunions of Wake Island survivors and their families. Many of these gatherings have been organized by Alice Ingham, whose husband was on Wake Island, but since many Wake Island survivors have now, unfortunately, passed away, the organization has decided to wind down their reunions, noting, ``We would like to honor all of our Wake men--the living, the deceased, and those who never made it home from the war--with this final reunion.'' The last worker from Idaho, Joe Goicoechea of Boise, passed away this past year. The astounding Americans who served on Wake Island and their families are lasting examples of courage and resolve. The history of World War II and the bravery of the American servicemembers who fought for our Nation and its allies are familiar parts of our collective national history, but an often overlooked part of this legacy is the service of the civilian workers on Wake Island who were swept into the war. The civilian workers, including many Idahoans, working for Morrison Knudsen Company, building infrastructure on the island, when it was attacked the same day as the attack on Pearl Harbor, immediately became soldiers. Their service cannot be forgotten. I thank all those who have helped keep the memories of those who served on Wake Island alive. In Veterans Memorial Park in Boise, a memorial honoring Americans who served on Wake Island gives the following account: ``Five hours after bombing Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, Japanese forces attacked Wake Island, a tiny island midway between Hawaii and Japan. The United States was constructing a runway essential for planes to refuel on their way through the area. There were 449 Marines, 68 Sailors, 6 Army Air Corps, and 1146 civilians employed by the Boise-based Morrison Knudsen Company on the island. Approximately 250 of the MK workers were from Idaho. For 15 days the military and civilians bravely defended the island from the Japanese forces. Wake Island fell to the Japanese on December 23, 1941. ``Following the battle, 98 civilian construction workers were kept on Wake Island to labor for the Japanese. When their work was complete, they were forced to dig their own graves before being executed. The remaining defenders of the island, both military and civilian, were taken as prisoners of war by the Japanese and held for 44 months. These brave heroes endured exceedingly harsh conditions, serving as slave labor for the Japanese government in Japan and China. Many died in captivity. In 1981 the civilian MK employees were granted Veteran status in recognition of their service in the War of the Pacific . . .'' Those who survived and returned home have enriched our communities. Thank you to those who served on Wake Island and their families for the immeasurable service you have given to our country and for your enduring examples of devotion and strength.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I have 7 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 armed services The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at 9:30 a.m., in open session to consider the nomination of: Mr. Richard V. Spencer to be Secretary of the Navy. committee on foreign relations The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at 10 a.m., to hold a hearing entitled ``Nominations.'' 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, July 11, 2017, at 10 a.m. for a business meeting. committee on intelligence The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the 115th Congress of the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 from 2:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m. in Room SH-219 of the Senate Hart Office Building to hold a closed business meeting to consider the nomination of Mr. David Glawe to be Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis at the Department of Homeland Security. committee on intelligence The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the 115th Congress of the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 from 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. in Room SH-219 of the Senate Hart Office Building to hold a closed hearing. committee on veterans' affairs The Committee on Veterans' Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. in SR- 418, to conduct a hearing on legislation pending before the Committee. committee on the judiciary subcommittee on crime and terrorism The Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on July 11, 2017, at 2:30 p.m., in Room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Concurrent Congressional and Criminal Investigations: Lessons from History.''

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleague, Senator Risch, to speak on the nomination of Judge David Nye to be a U.S. district judge for the Federal district of Idaho. First, let me acknowledge the diligent work of Judiciary Committee Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Feinstein in expediting the confirmation process for Judge Nye's renomination. I also thank both President Obama and President Trump for nominating Judge Nye to the Federal bench. It is rare to be nominated by Presidents of two different parties, but it is a fitting testament to Judge Nye's sterling reputation that he has secured that distinction. Finally, I appreciate the majority leader giving Judge Nye the honor of being the first U.S. district judge by the 115th Congress. Judge Nye is supremely qualified as a candidate for the Federal district court seat, having a unanimous ``well qualified'' rating from the American Bar Association and having received approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee without dissent twice in a little less than a year. Judge Nye has long been ready to assume this high office. A longtime member of Idaho's legal community, Judge Nye has been a law clerk, a practicing lawyer, and since 2007 a judge on Idaho's Sixth Judicial District Court. This court handles all felony criminal cases, major civil cases, and appeals from the magistrate court from six counties throughout the southeast portion of Idaho. He also served from 2009 to 2012 as the administrative district judge for the Idaho Sixth Judicial District, elected by his peers on the court for the 3-year term to this position. He is not just a well-respected jurist in Idaho. Judge Nye is heavily involved in the training and orientation of new Idaho judges, and he serves on the Idaho Supreme Court's committees on judicial education and felony sentencing. Action on Judge Nye's nomination is critical and timely. Idaho is one of only three States having just two authorized district court judgeships. The nonpartisan Judicial Conference of the United States has declared a judicial emergency for Idaho and has recommended in every one of its reports to Congress since 2003 that Idaho be authorized a third district judge position. For the past 2 years, Idaho has had a three-judge caseload handled by just one active judge. What is even more challenging is that our lone remaining active judge is already eligible to take senior status since this past March. Even with Judge Nye's confirmation, Idaho still needs another U.S. district court judge. Confirmation of Judge Nye today or tomorrow is undoubtedly a proud day for the entire Nye family, including Judge Nye's wife Katre and their eight children. Knowing that a successful public servant draws so much strength from the family surrounding him or her, I salute their partnership with Judge Nye in making this important occasion possible. Again, I strongly endorse Judge Nye's nomination and appreciate the Senate's confirmation of him.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, my colleague Senator Jim Risch joins me today in recognizing the Idaho National Laboratory's achievements in 50 years of operation of the advanced test reactor. The success of the scientific mission of the advanced test reactor is a pride of Idaho and of the entire American nuclear science community. The advanced test reactor is a unique system designed to support multiple different experiments simultaneously. It can serve as a nuclear ``time machine'' by testing the stresses of nuclear power 20 times faster than conventional systems. It is currently involved in research to convert weapons-grade nuclear material to reactor fuel. This will strengthen American energy independence. The U.S. Navy's nuclear propulsion program is a key customer of advanced test reactor research. It is one of many ways in which Idahoans contribute to our national security. The advanced test reactor is also the only American source for a particular isotope known as Cobalt-60. Cobalt-60 is vital for its use in modern brain cancer treatments and is saving the lives of Americans every day. Beyond these good works, the advanced test reactor is available to our universities. Our next generation of scientists has access to this unique system on the condition that their research be published for the benefit of the American public. Through this and other efforts, the Idaho National Laboratory works to support current and future generations. Congratulations to the dedicated men and women of the Idaho National Laboratory. They are the embodiment of American scientific achievement and leadership in nuclear research.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise in support of Mr. Marshall Billingslea, who has been nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorist Financing. Mr. Billingslea proved at his nomination hearing before the Banking Committee that he is exceptionally qualified for this job. As Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing, Mr. Billingslea would be in charge of coordinating Treasury's efforts on terrorist financing, anti-money laundering, and other illicit financial threats to the domestic and international financial system. Mr. Billingslea would work with the entire national security and law enforcement communities, the private sector, foreign governments, and other entities to carry out this mission. As demonstrated at his confirmation hearing, his unique background includes 22 years of experience working with these entities to protect the Nation, and it also includes time in the legislative and executive branches, as well as the private sector. After 9/11, Mr. Billingslea served in senior positions in the Department of Defense and NATO. Prior to that, he worked on national security affairs at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he drafted numerous pieces of sections of legislation intended to combat weapons of mass destruction and disrupt terrorist networks. Mr. Billingslea's qualifications and capabilities were affirmed when he received bipartisan support from the Banking Committee in a 19-to-4 vote. Before we proceed to the cloture vote on Mr. Billingslea, we will have a final vote on Ms. Sigal Mandelker's nomination to be Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Crimes, which I spoke about yesterday. These two positions are critically important to defending our Nation from threats and securing our interests. As Assistant Secretary, Mr. Billingslea would work closely with Ms. Mandelker as head of the policy and outreach apparatus for the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, which Ms. Mandelker would lead. As we saw with the Senate passage of the Iran sanctions bill and our Russia sanctions amendment last week, there is strong bipartisan support in Congress to remain strong against these Nations. As with the passage of that bill, I urge my colleagues to confirm Ms. Mandelker and to move forward with Mr. Billingslea's nomination so they can carry out the important work for which we have already shown such strong bipartisan support. Thank you. I yield the floor.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak 5 minutes before the vote.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. I ask for the yeas and nays.