Susan Collins

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I recognize the Senator from Alaska, Ms. Murkowski.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Alaska for her eloquent comments. I now yield to Senator Murray.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I thank the Senator for her good remarks today. I am very pleased to yield time to the Senator from Tennessee, Mrs. Blackburn.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Tennessee for giving us such a great history lesson, and I appreciate her remarks. Next on our list of speakers is Senator Ernst followed by Senator Shaheen. I yield to Senator Ernst of Iowa.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, before I yield to my friend and neighbor from New Hampshire, I recognize, in the back of the Chamber, a truly extraordinary woman, an outstanding former U.S. Senator who served in this Chamber from 1987 to 2017, some 30 years, Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland. She has served on the Commission that has worked very hard to make sure we commemorate this centennial of women's suffrage, and she has been a mentor and friend to all of us who had the pleasure of serving with her. I welcome Senator Mikulski back to the U.S. Senate, which was her home for so many years and where she still has so many friends and admirers, of whom I count myself one.

Ms. COLLINS. The Chair is a very wise man. Now I yield to Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from New Hampshire, and it is now my pleasure to yield time to the Senator from Nebraska, Mrs. Fischer.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I want to thank the Senator from Nebraska for her very kind comments and her eloquent remarks, and I am now pleased to yield time to the Senator from Wisconsin, Ms. Baldwin.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I am now pleased to yield to the Senator from Maryland, Mr. Cardin.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I am pleased to yield to the Senator from Minnesota, Ms. Klobuchar.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I yield to the Senator from West Virginia, Mrs. Capito.

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, earlier, I recognized Senator Barbara Mikulski, an outstanding leader and former colleague and member of the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission. I also want to acknowledge that there are other members of the Commission who are here with us today. We welcome them as they observe this debate, and we thank them for their hard work to make sure this significant occasion is recognized. It is now my great pleasure to yield time to the Senator from Washington, Senator Cantwell.

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I simply want to thank my colleagues for their participation today in bringing to the attention of the American people that this truly is a historic occasion, a date on which we celebrate the Senate's passage of the 19th Amendment granting women a long-overdue right to vote. I want to thank all of my colleagues who participated in the speeches. The history they brought from their individual States was fascinating indeed. It is my understanding that we will now move to pass commemorative coin legislation introduced by the Senator from Tennessee. I yield the floor.

Ms. COLLINS

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

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, earlier today, the Senate overwhelmingly approved the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act, known as the TRACED Act, authored by our colleagues Senators Thune and Markey. I am pleased to have been a cosponsor of this bill to help protect consumers from fraudulent, aggravating, and incessant robocalls. The TRACED Act makes a number of important changes to our laws that will make it easier to fight illegal robocalls. Most important, the TRACED Act requires telecommunications carriers to implement what is known as SHAKEN/STIR technology to verify whether caller IDs that appear on incoming calls are authentic. When fully implemented, this technology will be a major advance against the illegal spoofing of calls that have resulted in successful scams. Combating illegal robocalls has long been a focus of the Senate's Special Committee on Aging, which I chair, and on which the Presiding Officer serves. Over the past 6 years, the Special Committee on Aging has held 22 hearings to examine scams that specifically target older Americans. Scams that we have highlighted include the IRS imposter scam, the Jamaican lottery scam, computer tech support schemes, grandparent scams, elder financial exploitation, identity theft, and the notorious drug mule scam. The number and the kind of these scams are endless in their variety. The criminals are ruthless and relentless, and they will continue to come up with new ways to defraud Americans, particularly our seniors. These scams are often initiated by robocallers who use caller ID spoofing to perpetrate their schemes. Many of us remember back in 2003 when the Do Not Call Registry was created. At that point, what we were able to do was register our phone numbers and block those unwanted, illegal robocalls. Fortunately, back then, telecommunications equipment could not easily be used to disguise a caller ID to make it look like the call was coming from someplace other than its origin. Unfortunately, technology today and particularly the emergence of the voice over internet protocol technology has changed all that to the point where the Do Not Call Registry has become virtually useless for most Americans. Now criminals can use VoIP to hide their identities while generating millions of robocalls from anywhere in the world at practically no cost. We heard in the Aging Committee some heart-wrenching stories of consumers who have been ripped off because of the combination of the robocall and the disguising of the identity of the caller. For example, in 2015, we heard from the Auburn, ME, Police Department about a woman who lost $7,400 because she got one of these calls, and it was followed by another call that appeared to be the Auburn Police Department. That is what appeared on her caller ID. Yet, of course, it was nothing of the sort. But that was sufficient to make her think she really did have to pay what turned out to be $7,400 of her retirement savings, which she could ill afford to lose. In 2017, we heard from an 81-year-old veteran from Portland, ME, Phillip Hatch, who was a victim of the IRS imposter scam. In these scams, what happens is the robocaller pretends to be an IRS agent. He or she will tell the person who answers the phone that the consumer owes thousands of dollars in back taxes and penalties and that if they are not paid immediately, they will either be arrested or a lien will be put on their home. They manage to panic people of all ages-- particularly our seniors--into paying money they do not owe to the IRS. Everyone should be aware that if you really do owe back taxes to the IRS, you will get a letter from the IRS. You won't be called up and threatened. But that, unfortunately, is what these con artists, these ruthless criminals, do. Well, Mr. Hatch was induced to pay some $8,000 when he got a second call that appeared to be from the Portland Police Department telling him that if he did not pay up immediately, there was a warrant for his arrest--again, completely bogus. Mr. Hatch did not owe back taxes, much less penalties, but it was the spoofing of the call that made it look like it was from the Portland Police Department in this case--the Auburn Police Department in the previous case I described--that caused him to lose a substantial amount of money. His situation would have been even worse if his son had not intervened. He would have lost even more. This is a problem that is getting worse every day. Oddly enough, lately on my cell phones, I have been receiving robocalls that are in Chinese, which is really bizarre. I don't know whether they are targeting a Chinese-American population in some part of the Washington, DC, area, but that is what I have been getting lately. But all of us know how frequent, how annoying, and in many cases how dangerous these robocalls can be when they are conducted by these ruthless criminals. Last year, the Federal Trade Commission logged an incredible 3.8 billion complaints about illegal robocalls. This year, industry sources estimate that nearly half of all mobile phone calls are fraudulent-- nearly half. So this is a problem that deserves our attention. The American people are tired of having scammers ring their phones off the hook--or their cell phones--and they want these calls stopped. We have to do all we can to give the regulators the important tools to help fight these illegal robocalls. I am very pleased that we have taken an important step today and that the Federal Communications Commission is also acting to increase the protections for consumers. We should be able to rely on the veracity of our caller ID identifications. That is why we have caller ID. But the spoofers have managed to defeat the purpose of caller ID, including being able to pretend to be the Department of Treasury, the Auburn Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies. No wonder people pick up the phone when they see the Department of Treasury, the Auburn Police Department, or the IRS is calling, but, in fact, that is not who is calling; it is a relentless criminal who is trying to steal money from the consumer. It is my hope that this important consumer protection bill, which builds on all of the 22 hearings our Aging Committee has held, will become law shortly and provide relief to American consumers. Thank you, Mr. President.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, access to quality healthcare is the foundation of any community. Throughout his long and distinguished career at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway, ME, Dr. William Medd has helped to build that foundation in Oxford County. It is a pleasure to join his friends and neighbors in thanking him for 45 years of expert, dedicated, and compassionate service. Healthcare is essential to the vitality, even the survival, of rural communities. In a recent interview, Dr. Medd said that, after he graduated from the University of Rochester Medical School, he had a wide choice of places to practice. He decided to practice in a place where he could make a real difference, and he certainly has. His role in starting the Maine Track program through Maine Medical Center and the Tufts University School of Medicine to recruit young physicians to rural practice will make a difference for generations to come. When a new medical center opened in Norway 3 years ago, it was named in Dr. Medd's honor as a tribute to his many contributions to his community. Just as important is the gratitude the people throughout the Oxford Hills region have for his outstanding attentiveness to their health and well-being. I offer Dr. William Medd my congratulations upon his retirement and best wishes for the years to come.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleague from Minnesota, Senator Tina Smith, to introduce the TICK Act. This stands for Ticks: Identify, Control, and Knockout Act. I would also like to recognize my colleague from Maine, Senator King, who is joining us as an original cosponsor. Our bipartisan legislation would provide local communities and States with the resources needed to help prevent, detect early, and treat Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Tick-borne diseases like Lyme have become a major public health concern, with the incidence exploding over the past 15 years. The number of Americans with tick-borne diseases has been rising at an alarming rate. In 2003, Lyme disease infected approximately 30,000 Americans. Last year there were an estimated 450,000 cases--a staggering 1,400-percent increase. In Maine, last year alone, there were 2,000 new cases of Lyme disease. That is a sharp increase from the 752 cases in 2010. Other tick-borne diseases are also on the rise. Anaplasmosis, for example, has more than tripled. Far too many Americans with Lyme disease experience a complex diagnostic odyssey that takes months or even years. One of my constituents, Paula Jackson Jones, from Damariscotta, ME, shared with me her harrowing tale that took 2 years, scores of tests, and 23 different physicians before she finally received the correct diagnosis that she had Lyme disease. Her journey started one afternoon 10 years ago after raking leaves in her backyard. A week later, unusual symptoms began to appear: anxiety attacks, pain, muscle spasms, and fatigue. These symptoms became debilitating. Before receiving the correct diagnosis, Paula was diagnosed incorrectly with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, and other diseases. Once she finally received the proper diagnosis and treatment, Paula founded Midcoast Lyme Disease Support & Education, a nonprofit that raises public awareness about Lyme disease. She told me: This has been a 10-year crusade for me with the first 5 years fighting for my life and the latter, fighting on behalf of others. In addition to the physical and emotional toll that Lyme disease takes, it is also expensive. Paula is still paying off more than $250,000 worth of medical bills that she has incurred. Medical costs of Lyme disease are estimated at $1.3 billion per year. When accounting for indirect medical costs, including the loss of work, the annual cost balloons to $75 billion per year. A correct and early diagnosis can reduce costs, as well as improve the prognosis, but we have a long way to go. When HIV became a public health crisis, fortunately, a gold standard for identification and treatment was developed within 10 years. Lyme disease, by contrast, was identified more than 40 years ago; yet there still is no gold standard treatment, and existing prevention, education, and diagnostic efforts have proven to be inadequate. The TICK Act would apply a three-pronged approach to addressing Lyme and other tick and vector-borne diseases. First, it would establish an office of oversight and coordination of vector-borne diseases at the Department of Health and Human Services. This office would develop a national strategy to prevent and treat Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. It would expand research and improve testing, treatment affordability, and public awareness. The office would also coordinate with key Federal agencies, including the CDC, the Department of Defense, USDA, and EPA to protect Americans from these diseases. Second, our bill would reauthorize the Regional Centers for Excellence in Vector-Borne Disease, which Congress established in 2017 in response to the Zika outbreak. Since then, tick-borne diseases have accounted for three out of four vector-borne diseases in our country, and these centers have been effective in leading the scientific response. The Collins-Smith bill would reauthorize these centers for another 5 years at $10 million per year. Finally, our bill would establish CDC grants, which would be awarded to State health departments to improve data collection and analysis, support early detection and diagnosis, improve treatment and heighten public awareness. The TICK Act takes a comprehensive approach to address tick-borne diseases. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks letters of support signed by more than 2 dozen organizations supporting our bill, including the Midcoast Lyme Disease and Support Education organization, the LivLyme Foundation, the Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and the Entomological Society of America. I urge all of our colleagues to support this important legislation.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleague from Minnesota, Senator Tina Smith, to introduce the TICK Act. This stands for Ticks: Identify, Control, and Knockout Act. I would also like to recognize my colleague from Maine, Senator King, who is joining us as an original cosponsor. Our bipartisan legislation would provide local communities and States with the resources needed to help prevent, detect early, and treat Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Tick-borne diseases like Lyme have become a major public health concern, with the incidence exploding over the past 15 years. The number of Americans with tick-borne diseases has been rising at an alarming rate. In 2003, Lyme disease infected approximately 30,000 Americans. Last year there were an estimated 450,000 cases--a staggering 1,400-percent increase. In Maine, last year alone, there were 2,000 new cases of Lyme disease. That is a sharp increase from the 752 cases in 2010. Other tick-borne diseases are also on the rise. Anaplasmosis, for example, has more than tripled. Far too many Americans with Lyme disease experience a complex diagnostic odyssey that takes months or even years. One of my constituents, Paula Jackson Jones, from Damariscotta, ME, shared with me her harrowing tale that took 2 years, scores of tests, and 23 different physicians before she finally received the correct diagnosis that she had Lyme disease. Her journey started one afternoon 10 years ago after raking leaves in her backyard. A week later, unusual symptoms began to appear: anxiety attacks, pain, muscle spasms, and fatigue. These symptoms became debilitating. Before receiving the correct diagnosis, Paula was diagnosed incorrectly with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, and other diseases. Once she finally received the proper diagnosis and treatment, Paula founded Midcoast Lyme Disease Support & Education, a nonprofit that raises public awareness about Lyme disease. She told me: This has been a 10-year crusade for me with the first 5 years fighting for my life and the latter, fighting on behalf of others. In addition to the physical and emotional toll that Lyme disease takes, it is also expensive. Paula is still paying off more than $250,000 worth of medical bills that she has incurred. Medical costs of Lyme disease are estimated at $1.3 billion per year. When accounting for indirect medical costs, including the loss of work, the annual cost balloons to $75 billion per year. A correct and early diagnosis can reduce costs, as well as improve the prognosis, but we have a long way to go. When HIV became a public health crisis, fortunately, a gold standard for identification and treatment was developed within 10 years. Lyme disease, by contrast, was identified more than 40 years ago; yet there still is no gold standard treatment, and existing prevention, education, and diagnostic efforts have proven to be inadequate. The TICK Act would apply a three-pronged approach to addressing Lyme and other tick and vector-borne diseases. First, it would establish an office of oversight and coordination of vector-borne diseases at the Department of Health and Human Services. This office would develop a national strategy to prevent and treat Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. It would expand research and improve testing, treatment affordability, and public awareness. The office would also coordinate with key Federal agencies, including the CDC, the Department of Defense, USDA, and EPA to protect Americans from these diseases. Second, our bill would reauthorize the Regional Centers for Excellence in Vector-Borne Disease, which Congress established in 2017 in response to the Zika outbreak. Since then, tick-borne diseases have accounted for three out of four vector-borne diseases in our country, and these centers have been effective in leading the scientific response. The Collins-Smith bill would reauthorize these centers for another 5 years at $10 million per year. Finally, our bill would establish CDC grants, which would be awarded to State health departments to improve data collection and analysis, support early detection and diagnosis, improve treatment and heighten public awareness. The TICK Act takes a comprehensive approach to address tick-borne diseases. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks letters of support signed by more than 2 dozen organizations supporting our bill, including the Midcoast Lyme Disease and Support Education organization, the LivLyme Foundation, the Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and the Entomological Society of America. I urge all of our colleagues to support this important legislation.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. I yield the floor.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Better Energy Storage Technology Act. I am pleased to be partnering with Senator Heinrich on this initiative. I would also like to thank Senator Gardner, Senator Smith, Senator Coons, Senator McSally, and Senator King who have joined us as original cosponsors of the BEST Act. Our bipartisan bill supports narrowly tailored energy storage research to develop the next generation of technologies at the Department of Energy. Advancing next generation energy storage technology will allow us to integrate more renewables into the power grid, such as wind energy or solar energy which, in turn, will help to reduce emissions and slow climate change. Energy storage systems provide a wide range of benefits. First, these technologies increase the reliability and the resilience of the electric grid by limiting potential disruptions. Energy storage helps us to better manage supply and demand on the grid and allows for the expanded use of renewable energy. The reliability of our grid and grid- scale storage systems go hand-in-hand. Second, this type of technology can decrease energy costs, a goal that we all share. In Maine, the price of electricity rises steeply during the coldest days of the year. For example, in late 2017 and early 2018, very cold temperatures in New England led to higher energy costs--more than a billion dollars in the wholesale energy market--in just 15 days. The next generation of energy storage technologies could help to transform our grid, meaning that we would no longer need to generate more expensive power to meet demands during the hottest and coldest days of the year. Instead, we could use more affordable energy sources that have been stored for later use. Third, energy storage systems can allow for more intermittent renewable sources, such as wind and solar power, to be placed on the grid and used precisely when they are needed. The Aqua Ventus, a floating, deepwater offshore wind project being developed by the University of Maine and a consortium of groups, could benefit from energy storage innovation. Off the coast of Maine, there are very strong and consistent winds where offshore wind turbines can produce electricity almost 50 percent of the time. This next generation storage technology will ensure that we can use this wind power closer to 100 percent of the time by storing electricity to use when the wind isn't blowing. One of the biggest hurdles to commercializing energy storage is cost. To overcome this obstacle, our bill specifically directs the Department of Energy to work to decrease the cost of this exciting technology. This is similar to the Department's SunShot initiative that decreased the price of solar power by approximately 75 percent in less than a decade. Furthermore, energy storage systems are technology neutral. This bill will foster innovation and enhance deployment of these innovative technologies without picking winners or losers. Specifically, our bill would do the following: It would focus energy storage research on highly flexible, longer duration, and seasonal storage systems. It would support five energy storage demonstration projects. The bill would create a strategic plan and allow the Department of Energy to develop cost targets. It would coordinate research and support the coordination of research. Finally, the bill would authorize $60 million annually for each of the next 5 years. I am pleased to report that our bipartisan bill has earned very broad support, including the endorsements of the Bipartisan Policy Center, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, ClearPath, Edison Electric Institute, Energy Storage Association, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the National Audubon Society, the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the National Hydropower Association, Solar Energy Industries Association, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Frankly, it has been a long time since I have seen a bill be able to attract that much support from groups that have different ideological goals, and I am very proud that we were able to line up the support of all of those groups. The BEST Act will help advance energy storage technologies to improve the efficiency of our Nation's electrical grid while helping to promote the wider use of clean, renewable energy. The goals of this bill are those which I would hope every Member of this body could embrace. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Thank you, Mr. President.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Better Energy Storage Technology Act. I am pleased to be partnering with Senator Heinrich on this initiative. I would also like to thank Senator Gardner, Senator Smith, Senator Coons, Senator McSally, and Senator King who have joined us as original cosponsors of the BEST Act. Our bipartisan bill supports narrowly tailored energy storage research to develop the next generation of technologies at the Department of Energy. Advancing next generation energy storage technology will allow us to integrate more renewables into the power grid, such as wind energy or solar energy which, in turn, will help to reduce emissions and slow climate change. Energy storage systems provide a wide range of benefits. First, these technologies increase the reliability and the resilience of the electric grid by limiting potential disruptions. Energy storage helps us to better manage supply and demand on the grid and allows for the expanded use of renewable energy. The reliability of our grid and grid- scale storage systems go hand-in-hand. Second, this type of technology can decrease energy costs, a goal that we all share. In Maine, the price of electricity rises steeply during the coldest days of the year. For example, in late 2017 and early 2018, very cold temperatures in New England led to higher energy costs--more than a billion dollars in the wholesale energy market--in just 15 days. The next generation of energy storage technologies could help to transform our grid, meaning that we would no longer need to generate more expensive power to meet demands during the hottest and coldest days of the year. Instead, we could use more affordable energy sources that have been stored for later use. Third, energy storage systems can allow for more intermittent renewable sources, such as wind and solar power, to be placed on the grid and used precisely when they are needed. The Aqua Ventus, a floating, deepwater offshore wind project being developed by the University of Maine and a consortium of groups, could benefit from energy storage innovation. Off the coast of Maine, there are very strong and consistent winds where offshore wind turbines can produce electricity almost 50 percent of the time. This next generation storage technology will ensure that we can use this wind power closer to 100 percent of the time by storing electricity to use when the wind isn't blowing. One of the biggest hurdles to commercializing energy storage is cost. To overcome this obstacle, our bill specifically directs the Department of Energy to work to decrease the cost of this exciting technology. This is similar to the Department's SunShot initiative that decreased the price of solar power by approximately 75 percent in less than a decade. Furthermore, energy storage systems are technology neutral. This bill will foster innovation and enhance deployment of these innovative technologies without picking winners or losers. Specifically, our bill would do the following: It would focus energy storage research on highly flexible, longer duration, and seasonal storage systems. It would support five energy storage demonstration projects. The bill would create a strategic plan and allow the Department of Energy to develop cost targets. It would coordinate research and support the coordination of research. Finally, the bill would authorize $60 million annually for each of the next 5 years. I am pleased to report that our bipartisan bill has earned very broad support, including the endorsements of the Bipartisan Policy Center, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, ClearPath, Edison Electric Institute, Energy Storage Association, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the National Audubon Society, the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the National Hydropower Association, Solar Energy Industries Association, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Frankly, it has been a long time since I have seen a bill be able to attract that much support from groups that have different ideological goals, and I am very proud that we were able to line up the support of all of those groups. The BEST Act will help advance energy storage technologies to improve the efficiency of our Nation's electrical grid while helping to promote the wider use of clean, renewable energy. The goals of this bill are those which I would hope every Member of this body could embrace. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Thank you, Mr. President.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I wish to honor our former colleague Senator Richard Lugar, who passed away recently and whose memorial service was this week. As the longest serving Senator from his beloved Indiana, Richard Lugar dedicated 36 years of service to his State, the Senate, and our Nation. He was a dear friend and mentor who already had 22 years of Senate service when I joined the Senate. What I remember most fondly about Senator Lugar is that he combined an extraordinary intellect with good humor. He knew so much about foreign policy and was also so approachable that new Senators like myself never hesitated to seek his guidance. Senator Lugar's commitment to bipartisanship guided his engagement on issues from international affairs to agriculture. He sought compromises to achieve results, regardless of the political calculus. He eschewed polarization and cautioned colleagues that, ``whatever is won today through division is usually lost tomorrow.'' Instead he sought to foster good will to bring together opposing sides. He continued this effort after his service in the Senate with the Lugar Center, a nonprofit public policy institution that seeks to improve the quality of debate and bridge ideological divides on important issues. It is this approach that led to great success in international affairs from South Africa to the Philippines. Senator Lugar viewed support for democracy and development as a stabilizing force to counter international threats. Around the world, partners trusted his foreign policy expertise and judgment. Perhaps his greatest achievement was his bipartisan work with Senator Sam Nunn in developing the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program to dismantle weapons of mass destruction in the former states of the Soviet Union, eliminating nuclear arms in Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. His work to limit weapons of mass destruction led to the deactivation and destruction of thousands of nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles. Due to Senator Lugar' s vision, leadership, and bipartisan approach, we live in a safer world. Through his contributions to international security, Senator Lugar serves as a reminder of what we can achieve if we work together to face the challenges that pose dangers to world peace and stability and, of course, to the interests of the United States and our international partners. As we reflect on his life and his lessons, I hope my colleagues will honor his legacy by building bipartisan bridges to resolve the pressing problems of today.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I wish to introduce the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act with my friend and colleague from Maryland, Senator Cardin, which will benefit the brave women and men who volunteer at our local firehouses. Across our Nation, volunteer firefighters play a critical role in helping to ensure the safety of our communities and the well-being of our neighbors. The State of Maine, for example, has approximately 9,785 firefighters who serve the State's 1.3 million citizens. Maine is largely a rural State, and more than 90 percent of firefighters are volunteers. Without these public-spirited citizens, many smaller communities would be unable to provide firefighting and other emergency services at all. Often, communities seek to recruit and retain volunteers by offering modest benefits. The legislation we are introducing today would support these efforts by helping to ensure that these nominal benefits to volunteers are not treated as regular employee compensation. The Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act would allow communities to provide volunteer firefighters and Emergency Medical Service, or EMS workers, with up to $600 per year of property tax reductions or other incentives, without those benefits being subject to Federal income tax and withholding. This would ease the administrative burden that local departments sometimes face when they reward their volunteers. We should take care to protect our volunteer firefighters who serve this country with such bravery. Our legislation would help us achieve that goal, and I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this bill.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, today I wish to reaffirm my partnership on the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2019 with my good friend, Senator Tammy Baldwin, who I would like the record to reflect is an original lead cosponsor of S. 995. As the longstanding coauthors of this legislation, Senator Baldwin and I have been working together to provide the necessary resources to State respite agencies to ensure that caregivers have access to the respite services they need. Following the introduction of the legislation earlier this week, we heard testimony in the Senate Special Committee on Aging that reaffirmed the importance of respite care for the millions of caregivers who are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's and other dementias. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Baldwin to advance S. 995.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum call be waived.