Susan Collins

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following amendments be called up en bloc and reported by number: amendment No. 3967, submitted by Senator Paul; amendment No. 3992, submitted by Senator Johnson; amendment No. 4011, submitted by Senator Nelson; amendment No. 4024, submitted by Senator Isakson; and amendment No. 4042, submitted by Senator Warner.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now vote on these amendments en bloc.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I know of no further debate on these amendments.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following amendments be called up en bloc and reported by number: Kirk No. 3997; Tester No. 3998; Perdue No. 3933; Mikulski No. 4030; Daines No. 4008; Brown No. 3920; Inhofe No. 3969; Boxer No. 3935, as modified; Flake No. 4038; Manchin No. 4043; Flake No. 3980; Feinstein No. 3944; Johnson No. 3993; Klobuchar No. 3910; Heller No. 4005; Durbin No. 4029; and Sasse No. 4023.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, at 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, May 19, all postcloture time be considered expired on the Blunt-Murray amendment No. 3900; further, that if cloture is invoked on the Collins substitute amendment No. 3896, the Cornyn amendment No. 3899 and the Nelson amendment No. 3898 be withdrawn; that it be in order for Senator Collins or her designee to call up amendment No. 3970, and that there be no second degrees in order to the Collins amendment No. 3970 or the Lee amendment No. 3897.

Ms. COLLINS. For the information of all Senators, at 11:15 a.m. tomorrow, the Senate is expected to proceed to three rollcall votes: a motion to waive the budget with respect to the Blunt-Murray Zika amendment, adoption of the Blunt amendment, and cloture on the pending substitute. Senators should expect additional votes to complete action on the bill and any pending amendments during tomorrow's session of the Senate.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. 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.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 471, submitted earlier today.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session for the consideration of Calendar Nos. 547 through 551 and all nominations on the Secretary's desk in the Foreign Service; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m., Thursday, May 19; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; further, that following leader remarks, the Senate then resume consideration of H.R. 2577, with the time until 11:15 a.m. equally divided between the managers or their designees.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, at this point I wish to yield to Senator Reed of Rhode Island, the subcommittee ranking member and the comanager of this bill.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, shortly the Senate will proceed to consider three alternative proposals to provide much needed funding to combat the Zika virus. I am deeply concerned about the rapidly emerging and evolving Zika virus, which poses a particular threat to pregnant women and can cause serious birth defects. To learn more about this virus and other public health challenges, I recently toured the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA, with my friend and colleague Senator Isakson. I was deeply impressed by the team of extraordinarily dedicated public servants who work there. These scientists leverage an enormous range of knowledge to protect the American people, including through rapid response to infectious disease threats. CDC's experts told me they call the mosquito that carries the Zika virus the cockroach of the mosquito world because it is so difficult to get rid of. This mosquito can breed in water that fits within the size of a bottle cap. It is commonly found in the United States in areas like Florida and our gulf coast. There are now more than 1,000 cases of Zika virus in the United States and its three territories, including two laboratory-confirmed cases in the State of Maine. Earlier, one of our colleagues showed a map of the States that are most affected by Zika, but the fact is, due to travel, there are confirmed Zika cases in virtually every single State, but of course Puerto Rico in particular has been especially hard hit, with the number of cases soaring. These statistics are even more alarming when we consider that we have not yet reached the summer months when mosquitoes tend to be more prevalent. Recent studies suggest that Zika might spread across the warmer and wetter parts of the Western Hemisphere. As many as 200 million people in our country live in areas where the mosquito that carries the virus could potentially thrive. You may have read what may seem like good news--that the Zika virus is asymptomatic in approximately 80 percent of those affected, but CDC recently concluded that the virus causes microcephaly and a range of other severe fetal brain defects. Americans are justifiably worried about the Zika virus, as the failure to prevent its spread could have devastating consequences for our families. In addition to the human and emotional toll, the Zika virus may ultimately cost the United States an astonishing sum of money when we consider that we already spend more than $2.6 billion per year on hospital stays related to birth defects. So the investment we are making today is not only the right thing to do from a humanitarian and public health perspective, it is also the right thing to do from an economic viewpoint. In addition to these serious birth defects, the Zika virus has been linked to Guillain-Barre syndrome, a disease that can cause paralysis and even death. It is imperative that we take steps to combat the Zika virus without delay. To that end, I support the bipartisan compromise agreement worked out by Senators Blunt and Murray to provide an additional $1.2 billion to combat the Zika virus, including $361 million for the CDC and $200 million for the National Institutes of Health. We can and we should do more to plan for emerging disease threats through the regular appropriations process so we do not have to turn frequently to emergency supplemental funding, but in this case the Zika virus is an imminent and evolving public health threat that cannot wait and that cannot be ignored. The CDC has a very specific plan to rapidly respond to this very real threat, including by developing diagnostic tests that will help us identify the virus and help to educate providers and the public about appropriate prevention methods. I think it is important to understand that the CDC is the interface with State and local public health centers and agencies, so its role is absolutely critical in the education and prevention process. The National Institutes of Health is similarly prepared to conduct research into vaccines that might help us better prevent the virus and the conditions that it can tragically cause, but again that requires funding. The CDC has sounded the alarm in its warning about a serious Zika outbreak in our country. It is essential we devote sufficient financial resources to meet this new challenge. I am convinced that today the Senate will do its part to deal with this serious threat to our public health. Thank you, Mr. President.

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I call up the Blunt amendment No. 3946.

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 17, 2016, at 10 a.m., in room SD-215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Integrating the Corporate and Individual Tax Systems: The Dividends Paid Deduction Considered.''

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 17, 2016, 11 a.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``War in Syria: Next Steps to Mitigate the Crisis.''

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 17, 2016, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``America's Insatiable Demand for Drugs: Assessing the Federal Response.''

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 17, 2016, at 10 a.m., in room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``National Foster Care Month: Supporting Youth in the Foster Care and Juvenile Justice Systems.''

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee On Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 17, 2016, at 2:30 p.m., in room SH-219 of the Hart Senate Office Building.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cyber Security be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 17, 2016, 4 p.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``International Cybersecurity Strategy.''

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife of the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 17, 2016, at 10 a.m., in room SD-406 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Marine Debris and Wildlife: Impacts, Sources, and Solutions.''

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Water and Power be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 17, 2016, at 2 p.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.