Steve Daines

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume consideration of S. Con. Res. 3.

Mr. DAINES. 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, following the remarks from my Democratic colleagues.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order to call up the Flake amendment No. 52, and that at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow, the Senate vote in relation to Flake amendment; further, that following the disposition of the Flake amendment, there be 2 minutes of debate, equally divided in the usual form, prior to the vote in relation to the Sanders amendment No. 19.

Mr. DAINES

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

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 12 noon, Tuesday, January 10; further, 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; finally, that following leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of S. Con. Res. 3.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, today I have the honor of recognizing John and Stephanie Hekkel of Anaconda in celebration of the rebuilding of Club Moderne. The bar had been considered an area landmark since its founding in 1937 and was truly a sight to behold. With its rounded front facade and Carrara glass panels, it reflected the Art Deco style of the time of its founding. It was designed by Bozeman-based architect Fred Willson and built by local carpenters and craftspeople under the direction of the first owner, John ``Skinny'' Francisco. Until recently, the Club Moderne had changed very little since its opening day, and in 1986, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1997, the Francisco family sold the bar to a close friend, longtime bartender, and Anaconda native John Hekkel who continued its legacy as a flagship watering hole, especially for area law enforcement and firefighters, while maintaining its retro atmosphere. A recent Yelp review described taking a step inside ``like walking inside a time capsule!'' Last April, it also won the top award in The Big Tap: 2016 Historic Bars Tournament Championship, an online contest sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Unfortunately, Club Moderne was destroyed in a fire in October, a tragic loss to the Anaconda community. The night the fire happened, I understand John Hekkel stayed at the bar until 4:00 in the morning and, after the fire was extinguished, grabbed a shovel and physically helped with the cleanup. Just this week, I was thrilled to hear the Hekkels announce plans to rebuild the bar and restore this historic establishment. This is a true Montana story. Montanans pull themselves up by their bootstraps, even in times of hardship or loss. I invite fellow Montanans to stop by to try whatever's on tap or a Moscow Mule, which is an Anaconda specialty. The Hekkels, through Club Moderne, have welcomed those just passing through our State and native Montanans alike for generations. As small business owners, they have brought their community together. I wish them all my best as they restore Club Moderne and renew it as a bright spot in the Anaconda community. I look forward to visiting with John and Stephanie there when they reopen.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I wish to recognize Arlene Mathews of Helena, MT, for her 63 years of volunteer service at St. Peter's Hospital. In a basement in 1953, Arlene began the ``Sock Sew,'' which makes socks for newborn babies who are born in December at St. Peter's Hospital to take home. This year, Arlene and volunteers sitting at 20 sewing machines cut, sewed, and glued 100 large stockings for the newborns and another 100 smaller stockings for patients at St. Peter's whose Christmas Eve is spent in the hospital. This is a wonderful gesture that made their Christmas in the hospital just a little bit better. Thank you, Arlene, for thinking of those in the hospital, especially during the Christmas season. I am thrilled to honor our unsung hero, Arlene Mathews, for her 63- year service to her community.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I am introducing a bill that will reveal to the public the true cost of legislative proposals by requiring that interest expense be included in all budgetary estimates. This bill will finally allow the American people to understand the true cost of the irresponsible spending that is going on here by Congress, and it will force Congress to deal with the reality of our debt so that we can make the decisions that need to be made going forward, knowing the true impact they will have on our children and our grandchildren. Let me give an example. The current interest the taxpayer pays today on the national debt is approximately $248 billion per year. Now, when interest rates go up, this number will significantly increase. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office projects that by the year 2026, the amount of interest we will pay on our national debt will exceed $700 billion per year. In 1974, the Congressional Budget Act established two organizations as official budgetary scorekeepers. They are the referees used to calculate cost estimates for a legislative proposal. When a Member of Congress puts forward a bill, they put forward an estimate on what it would cost. In this way, the system already recognizes that the public deserves to know not only how much the bill will cost but, additionally, how much interest will cost on additional debt as a result of the bill proposal. However, it probably surprises a lot of folks that the law does not currently require these scorekeepers, these umpires, these referees to account for the interest cost on those estimates. Can you imagine? Imagine a family around the dinner table, thinking about purchasing a car or perhaps a new home but not considering the cost of the interest on that very loan used to buy that car or that new home. Run the amortization table sometime on a 30-year conventional loan for a new home. Depending on the rate and the terms of the loan, the interest the consumer will pay can actually exceed the cost of the home itself. Yet this is what the Federal Government does with its legislative budgetary estimates, and it is wrong. That is not the way ordinary folks do it, and that is not the way we should be doing it here. At the end of the day, whether Congress properly accounts for its budgeted costs or not, the American people are going to have to pick up the dime. The way we are calculating budgetary costs now actually deflates the true cost. So it is painting a rosier picture for the public than what actually exists. If I were to go back home, chat with a Montanan, and tell them that Congress allows gimmicks that really shield how much it spends, they would be furious--and they should be furious. Government spending is bloated and far exceeds any commonsense approach that a Montana family would use for their own household. It is time Congress had a true account of the debt burden it is leaving for our kids and our grandkids. That is why I am introducing the Budgetary Accuracy in Scoring Costs Act--the acronym is the BASIC Act--which will require budget scorekeepers to include the cost of interest on a legislative proposal. This bill will allow the American public to better understand the true costs of irresponsible fiscal spending in Congress and will force this body to face the important decisions it has before it. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I am introducing a bill that will reveal to the public the true cost of legislative proposals by requiring that interest expense be included in all budgetary estimates. This bill will finally allow the American people to understand the true cost of the irresponsible spending that is going on here by Congress, and it will force Congress to deal with the reality of our debt so that we can make the decisions that need to be made going forward, knowing the true impact they will have on our children and our grandchildren. Let me give an example. The current interest the taxpayer pays today on the national debt is approximately $248 billion per year. Now, when interest rates go up, this number will significantly increase. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office projects that by the year 2026, the amount of interest we will pay on our national debt will exceed $700 billion per year. In 1974, the Congressional Budget Act established two organizations as official budgetary scorekeepers. They are the referees used to calculate cost estimates for a legislative proposal. When a Member of Congress puts forward a bill, they put forward an estimate on what it would cost. In this way, the system already recognizes that the public deserves to know not only how much the bill will cost but, additionally, how much interest will cost on additional debt as a result of the bill proposal. However, it probably surprises a lot of folks that the law does not currently require these scorekeepers, these umpires, these referees to account for the interest cost on those estimates. Can you imagine? Imagine a family around the dinner table, thinking about purchasing a car or perhaps a new home but not considering the cost of the interest on that very loan used to buy that car or that new home. Run the amortization table sometime on a 30-year conventional loan for a new home. Depending on the rate and the terms of the loan, the interest the consumer will pay can actually exceed the cost of the home itself. Yet this is what the Federal Government does with its legislative budgetary estimates, and it is wrong. That is not the way ordinary folks do it, and that is not the way we should be doing it here. At the end of the day, whether Congress properly accounts for its budgeted costs or not, the American people are going to have to pick up the dime. The way we are calculating budgetary costs now actually deflates the true cost. So it is painting a rosier picture for the public than what actually exists. If I were to go back home, chat with a Montanan, and tell them that Congress allows gimmicks that really shield how much it spends, they would be furious--and they should be furious. Government spending is bloated and far exceeds any commonsense approach that a Montana family would use for their own household. It is time Congress had a true account of the debt burden it is leaving for our kids and our grandkids. That is why I am introducing the Budgetary Accuracy in Scoring Costs Act--the acronym is the BASIC Act--which will require budget scorekeepers to include the cost of interest on a legislative proposal. This bill will allow the American public to better understand the true costs of irresponsible fiscal spending in Congress and will force this body to face the important decisions it has before it. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, technology has become a critical part of our everyday lives. We use our computers and smart phones to communicate with our friends and family, conduct business, and to share information. The amount of sensitive personal information we store on our devices and in the cloud is astonishing, from financial records to passwords to personal conversations. It is more important now than ever before to secure and protect our personal information. Criminals also use technology to commit crimes and to hide their identities. Law enforcement faces tremendous challenges in protecting our country from domestic and international threats. They need tools and resources that allow them to face 21st century threats. While security should be a top priority for our nation, it must not come at the cost of diminished constitutional rights. The Constitution and Congress have recognized certain privacy rights and interests in digital communications. U.S. security and privacy policies have global economic impacts, and preserving personal security and privacy is essential for the continued growth of the economy. We must carefully balance our privacy and security interests, and changes to policies that impact our civil liberties must be made with the consideration of Congress and the American people. That is why today I submit a resolution to affirm the importance of the security and privacy of Americans. This resolution recognizes our national security needs, our civil liberties, and the need to carefully balance the two.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I wish to recognize today as a historic day for Montana and the Blackfeet people. With the passage of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act is ready to be sent to the President's desk. We thank Chairman Barrasso, Chairman Inhofe, Ranking Member Boxer, Leader McConnell, and Leader Reid and their counterparts in the House of Representatives for working with the Montana delegation throughout this process to enact this long-awaited water settlement. The Blackfeet tribe has been working for better access to quality water and a better livelihood for decades. In 1989, the tribe initiated negotiations with the Montana Compact Commission. Shortly thereafter in 1990, the Department of the Interior appointed a Federal negotiation team to assist in achieving a negotiated settlement of the tribe's reserved water rights claims. The State of Montana and the tribe then reached an agreement in 2007 in the form of a compact which settled the tribe's water rights to avoid costly litigation, allow the tribe to build and repair much-needed water infrastructure, and protect access to water for neighboring communities like Birch Creek water users off the reservation. On March 16, 2009, the Montana State House passed the agreement by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 87-12, and on March 20, 2009, the Montana State Senate passed the agreement by a nearly unanimous vote of 48-2. Critical to ensuring strong bipartisan support in the State legislature was ensuring potential impacts to all water users could be adequately mitigated pursuant to the Birch Creek Agreement. Federal legislation to authorize the Compact was first introduced in 2010 and has been reintroduced every Congress since, including in the 114th Congress by Senator Tester and myself and Representative Zinke. Since its initial introduction, the administration has been negotiating with the tribe and the State to resolve important Federal concerns relating to cost, cost sharing, Federal interests, and Federal responsibilities. On February 3, 2016, the legislation passed the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs for the first time, marking the first committee vote on Indian water rights legislation in more than 5 years. On May 24, 2016, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing on the legislation, and on July 22, 2016, the Department of the Interior and Justice issued a letter to House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop certifying that enacting the much needed Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act was a net benefit for the American taxpayer. On November 15, 2016, through the diligence of the entire Montana delegation, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed the legislation out of committee, and on September 15, 2016, the Senate passed the legislation as part of the Water Resources Development Act. Today's action, final passage of S. 612, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, marks the first time legislation authorizing the water rights settlement has passed both Chambers of Congress. Indeed, it has been a long road for this water compact. I am proud to get it over the finish line today. The Blackfeet water settlement will not only establish the tribe's water rights but will also facilitate real, tangible benefits for the Blackfeet and surrounding communities. The bill will improve six significant drainages and several Federal water structures that are some of the oldest and most in need of repair in the country. The compact will also keep wildlife and fish habitat healthier and municipal water supplies cleaner. Furthermore, it upholds agreements by the State that will strengthen irrigation for neighboring farmlands called Montana's golden triangle for its wheat, barley, and hay production. In order to ensure nearby productive farmlands remain productive well into the future, early drafts of the Federal legislation provided funding for the Four Horns infrastructure and for a mitigation fund for Pondera County Canal and Reservoir Company, PCCRC, and other water users on Birch Creek. As farming investment decisions require certainty for the long-term, these funds remain necessary to ensure neighboring families have the certainty necessary to mitigate any impacts if the tribe's ability to exercise its Birch Creek water rights impact communities' access to water. In 2015, the State, tribe, and PCCRC agreed to additional changes to the legislation to address the Department of the Interior's position that the Federal Government should not provide mitigation funds as a matter of Federal policy, and as a result, Federal mitigation funding was eliminated from the Federal legislation. I appreciate the State of Montana's commitment to ensure that potential impacts to Birch Creek water users will be fully mitigated by the State as called for by the Birch Creek Agreement and the Blackfeet Water Compact. I trust that the State of Montana will uphold this commitment, as doing so remains an important aspect of the passage and implementation of the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement. I also recognize that Blackfeet Nation is not the only Indian tribe to hold reserved water rights in the Milk River Basin. The Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community have long awaited settlement of their water rights as well. This bill includes language to protect the ability for the two Tribes to reach an agreement regarding each Tribe's rights on the Milk River, and I look forward to working with stakeholders on an agreement moving forward. I commend the Blackfeet Tribe and Chairman Harry Barnes, who have been diligent and patient in seeing this settlement forward. I commend our State for its commitment to the Blackfeet tribe and Indian Country in Montana. I am thrilled to get this through Congress and look forward to the President's signature and to working with the tribe and local community next year to finally put it into action, starting with securing the Federal funding necessary to ensure much-needed water infrastructure authorized in this settlement becomes a reality.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, today the Senate can make history in Montana. The Senate has the opportunity to send the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act to the President for his signature with the passage of this WRDA bill, an issue I have been working on since I first came to Congress. Modern efforts to settle the Blackfeet tribe's water rights date back to 1979. After long negotiations and after being introduced four times in the Congress since 2010, this year, the compact passed the Senate for the very first time, and with the passage of this bill, it will finally become law. The Blackfeet Tribe has waited long enough. It is time to get this compact across the finish line, and we are very, very close. This compact will not only establish the tribe's water rights but irrigation for neighboring farmlands. We call that area Montana's Golden Triangle. It is some of the most productive farmland in our State. In fact, it is where my great-great-grandmother homesteaded. Today is a historic day for the Blackfeet Tribe, for Montana farmers, and for Montana families. The Blackfeet water compact will update decades-old infrastructure, and it will strengthen irrigation for agriculture, while also protecting habitat. I want to commend the Blackfeet Tribe and its chairman, Harry Barnes, who have been diligent and patient in seeing this settlement forward. I commend our State for its commitment to the Blackfeet Tribe and Indian Country in Montana. I urge the support of my colleagues in passage of this WRDA bill. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. DAINES. Madam President, invasive mussels are wreaking havoc on our ecosystem in Montana. This is negatively impacting our economy, including our recreation and tourism industries. Watercraft inspection stations are one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of these invasive species and to protect neighboring and distant bodies of water. I am working to ensure that the needed resources are delivered. It is time to act now. Tribute to Jesika Whittle Madam President, behind every Senator is an extraordinary scheduler. Since 2012, I have had the privilege of having Jesika Whittle as my extraordinary scheduler. As one of the very first staff members I hired, Jesika has literally been with me from my very first day, and I could not have asked for a better person for the job or one more willing and prepared to help me serve the people of Montana. Jesika played a critical role in setting up our House freshman office, which is not an easy task, helping me to learn the ropes of where to go and sometimes where not to go. Undoubtedly, there were times when it felt like a thankless job, but I can assure you that the countless meetings scheduled, emails sent at all hours of the day and night, and gentle reminders to wrap up a meeting did not go without notice or appreciation. Her love for and dedication to her family shines through everything she does. It is this love and dedication that has propelled Jesika and her husband Zak to return to their native State of Washington. Knowing the joy this will bring Jesika and her family makes the bitter pill of losing her easier to swallow, but only slightly. There isn't a member of my staff who has not benefited somehow from Jesika, whether it is a reassuring word, a baked good, or sage advice that perhaps she lifted from Star Wars. Speaking of Star Wars, I would say that Jesika has the wisdom of Yoda, the work ethic of Luke Skywalker, and the class of Princess Leia. Because of her, our staff is more than an odd assortment of public servants. We are a family, and this Senate family will sorely miss the extraordinary Jesika Whittle. Jesika, thank you for everything. Madam President, I yield the floor.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, today I would like to recognize Lewis and Clark County undersheriff Dave Rau who announced his retirement after 20 years of service to the people of Montana. Dave is the prime example of law enforcement's tireless efforts to protect and serve Montanans at any cost. Undersheriff Rau launched his law enforcement career in Texas as a prison guard, and after 7 years he came to the last best place. He began serving Montanans with the East Helena Police, then his path led to the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office. Throughout the last two decades, Dave has garnered countless advocates in the Helena community. Sheriff Leo Dutton has said, ``There will never be another Dave Rau.'' Dave is a husband to Tammy and father to their children, Aaron and Whitney. He is unsure what his next adventure will entail, but he is sure he will remain active in the community that he loves. Undersheriff Rau, the U.S. Senate commends you for your service to the people of Helena and Lewis and Clark County. Thank you for your diligent work in keeping the people of Montana safe. I hope that your path continues to be blessed with success.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I wish to recognize educator Lisa M. Cline for over 30 years of service as a K-6 STEM educator throughout the State of Montana. Mrs. Cline's love of STEM, particularly biology, was inspired by her mother, Nancy Yonkee, who grew up on a ranch during the Great Depression era and was among the first women to study premedicine at her university in the 1950's. Mrs. Cline grew up on a ranch near Broadus and studied animal science at Montana State University, with the goal of becoming a veterinarian. Later, Mrs. Cline decided that she could have the greatest impact on her communities by sharing her love of STEM with children and earned an additional degree, also from MSU, in education. In her time as an educator throughout the State, including in the communities of Bozeman, Plevna, Great Falls, and Cut Bank, Mrs. Cline has passionately brought to her students a love for the STEM disciplines that is grounded in her agricultural upbringing, her background in biology, and her genuine excitement about asking tough questions, solving tricky problems, and learning along the way. Throughout her career, Mrs. Cline strived to bring a rigor to her classroom that prepares her students to become the best scientists, engineers, and mathematicians. She does this both inside and outside of the classroom, working tirelessly over the years to organize innovative, inquiry-based assignments, student debates, local science fairs, field trips to archaeological sites, and voyages into the mountains. Most recently, she brought her sixth graders to Glacier National Park, where they learned about its intricate ecosystems and rich geological history. I want to express my deep gratitude to Mrs. Cline for her dedication and service to educating our country's youth, particularly for cultivating within them a love for STEM and inquiry-based learning. And a big thank you to Dr. Angela Person for her nomination of Mrs. Cline as Montanan of the Week.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, in 2003, Congress mandated the Next Generation Air Transportation System known as NextGen, transitioning our radar-based system with radio communication to a satellite-based one, to increase safety and efficiency. NextGen deployment has been bogged with delays and cost overruns, highlighted by Government Accountability Office reports. Final implementation is to be completed by 2025. This legislation would simply create measurable annual performance goals and hold federal officials accountable to meeting these goals through the remainder of implementation. I want to thank Senator Booker for being original cosponsors of this bill and I ask my other Senate colleagues to join us in support of this legislation. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, in 2003, Congress mandated the Next Generation Air Transportation System known as NextGen, transitioning our radar-based system with radio communication to a satellite-based one, to increase safety and efficiency. NextGen deployment has been bogged with delays and cost overruns, highlighted by Government Accountability Office reports. Final implementation is to be completed by 2025. This legislation would simply create measurable annual performance goals and hold federal officials accountable to meeting these goals through the remainder of implementation. I want to thank Senator Booker for being original cosponsors of this bill and I ask my other Senate colleagues to join us in support of this legislation. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, this week, I have the distinct honor of recognizing Royce Perrett of Wibaux County, a true American cowboy, who will celebrate his 93rd birthday this weekend. While ranching has been his profession for most of his life, he is also a Navy veteran, a devoted husband of over 70 years, a father of three children, and a valued member of the ranching community between Sidney and Wibaux. Growing up in rural Nebraska, Mr. Perrett made do without many of the modern comforts we enjoy today: electricity, refrigeration, and modern transportation. When courting Nell Anderson, who would later become his wife, he traveled 10 miles by horse on the weekend to spend time with her, and on his way home Sunday night, he would sleep on his horse, waking up when the horse would stop to open gates. After WWII and his service in the Navy was completed, Mr. Perrett returned to doing what he loves: ranching. His pursuits took him and his family from the Sandhills of Nebraska, to Isabel, SD, and then in his early 60s, when most would be considering retirement, Mr. Perrett came to Montana to manage the Blue Mountain Ranch, a 13,000-acre ranch north of Wibaux. While Mr. Perrett has had to trade in his saddle for a seat in a side-by-side ATV in recent years, he still manages the Blue Mountain Ranch full time for Gartner-Denowh Angus Ranch and puts in long hours fixing fences, checking water, and watching over 500 cows that graze there in the summer and fall. When he isn't busy working, he enjoys collecting Western memorabilia and sharing his many stories about ranching, his life adventures, and his self-described greatest achievement: his marriage of over 70 years. As I found out recently when I stopped to visit Mr. Perrett, his door is always open to visitors and you had better be ready for a good conversation and history lesson if you stop by.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. 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. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I thank my colleague from Oregon, Senator Wyden, for talking about this important issue on the floor today. We shop online with our credit cards, order medicine with our electronic health care records, talk to friends, share personal information, Skype, post beliefs and photos on social media, or Snapchat fun moments, all the while believing everything is safe and secure. It is more important now than ever to ensure that the information we store on our devices is kept safe and that our right to privacy is protected, and that is what we are really talking about here today. How can we ensure that our information is both safe and secure from hacking and government surveillance? Certainly technology has made our lives easier, but it has also made it easier for criminals to commit crimes and evade law enforcement. In short, our laws aren't keeping up with 21st-century technology advances. But the government's solution to this problem we are talking about today, the change to rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, represents a major policy shift in the way the government investigates cyber crime. This proposed solution essentially gives the government a blank check to infringe upon our civil liberties. The change greatly expands the hacking power of the Federal Government, allowing the search of potentially millions of Americans' devices with a single warrant. What this means is that the victims of hacks could be hacked again by their very own government. You would think such a drastic policy change that directly impacts our Fourth Amendment right would need to come before Congress. It would need to have a hearing and be heard before the American people with full transparency. But, in fact, we have had no hearings. There has been no real debate on this issue. My colleagues and I have introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to stop the rule change and ensure that the American people have a voice. The American people deserve transparency, and Congress needs time to review this policy to ensure that the privacy rights of Americans are protected. The fact that the Department of Justice is insisting this rule change take effect on December 1--that is tonight at midnight--frankly, should send a shiver down the spines of all Americans. My colleagues and I are here today to not only wake up Americans to this great expansion of powers by our government but also to urge our colleagues to join this bipartisan effort to stop rule 41 changes without duly considering the impact to our civil liberties. Our civil liberties and our Fourth Amendment can be chipped away little by little until we barely recognize them anymore. We simply can't give unlimited power for unlimited hacking which puts Americans' civil liberties at risk. Again, I thank my colleagues from Delaware and Oregon for joining me here today, and I yield to my friend and colleague from Delaware, Senator Coons.

Mr. DAINES

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

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. 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. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of and the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 605.