Steve Daines

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Madam President, the academic partnerships lead us to success amendment--also called A-PLUS--gives States greater flexibility in allocating Federal education funding and ensuring academic achievement. Here is what it does. States would be allowed to obtain Federal education funding in the form of block grants. States would submit a declaration of intent to the Department of Education to consolidate Federal education programs and funding and redirect sources toward State-directed education reform initiatives. What this does is allow State and local leaders to exercise greater control over the use of Federal education funds to address the needs of local students and target scarce resources to areas of highest need. I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in empowering our schools to serve their students, not DC Democrats, and support this important amendment.

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, as a fifth-generation Montanan, a product of Montana public schools, a husband of an elementary school teacher, and the father of four children, including one of them who has a degree in elementary education, I understand how important a first-rate education is to our kids' future. As I meet with parents and educators across Montana, they frequently share concerns about the one-size-fits-all student performance and teacher qualification metrics that currently dictate Federal funding as part of No Child Left Behind. While well-intended, many of these metrics have proven difficult for schools in rural areas to achieve. As the Senate debates the Every Child Achieves Act to reform our Nation's education policies, one of my priorities will be fighting to increase local control over academic standards and education policies and working to push back against burdensome Federal regulations that often place our schools in a straitjacket. For example, the U.S. Department of Education has incentivized States to adopt common core standards by offering exemptions from No Child Left Behind regulations and making extra Federal education funds accessible through programs such as Race to the Top to States that adopt common core. However, as are many Montanans, I am deeply concerned that the Federal Government's obvious efforts to back States into adopting such programs is an inappropriate interference in education policy decisions that should be made by the States, should be made by the parents, by the teachers, and local school boards. If we are serious about wanting to make future generations as fortunate as ours, it is critical that we prepare our children to excel in a globally competitive economy. Our children should receive a well-rounded education that focuses on core subjects, including reading, writing, science, and math, as well as technical and vocational disciplines and training in the arts. It is clear that the Federal Government's one-size-fits-none approach isn't working. That is why I am introducing the academic partnerships lead us to success amendment, or A-PLUS for short. It is an amendment to the Every Child Achieves Act. I thank the chairman and the ranking member, Senator Alexander and Senator Murray, for allowing a vote on this amendment today. This measure will help expand local control of our schools and return Federal education dollars where they belong--closer to classrooms. With A-PLUS, the States should be freed and will be freed from Washington unworkable teacher standards. States would be free from Washington- knows-best performance metrics. States would be free from Washington's failed test requirements. States would be held accountable by parents and teachers because a bright light would shine directly on the decisions made by State capitals and local school districts. With freedom from Federal mandates comes more responsibility, transparency, and accountability from the States. It would empower our States, our local schools, our teachers, and our parents to work together to develop solutions that best fit the unique needs of each child. The A-PLUS amendment goes a long way toward returning responsibility for our kids' education closer to home and reduces the influence of the Federal Government over our classrooms. I thank Senators Grassley, Cruz, Vitter, Johnson, Lee, Lankford, Blunt, Crapo, Rubio, and Gardner for sponsoring my A-PLUS amendment, and I ask my other Senate colleagues to join us in empowering our schools to serve our students, not DC bureaucrats, and support this important amendment. I see my colleague Senator Lee of Utah is here, and I yield my time for his comments on this amendment.

Mr. DAINES. I thank the Senator from Utah for his remarks and his insights to empower schools, parents, and States to have more control over their children's future through education. This measure will help expand local control of our schools. It will return Federal education dollars to where they belong; that is, close to the classrooms. Just before I came down to the floor to speak, I was in my office with some high school students from Montana from communities like St. Regis, Hobson, Missoula, Clyde Park, Stevensville. They are the bright future of our State. As I chatted with them about this amendment, they, too, agreed that by shifting control back to the States, to the local school boards, to the parents, that individual and effective solutions can be created to address the multitude of unique challenges facing our schools and our students across the country. Through these laboratories of democracy, Americans can watch and learn how students can benefit when innovative reforms are implemented at the local level. I thank my colleagues, and I urge my Senate colleagues to join us in empowering our schools to serve their students, not DC bureaucrats, and support this important amendment. I yield back.

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up amendment No. 2110.

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I rise to speak about my amendment No. 2110. As a fifth-generation Montanan and a product of Montana public schools and because my wife is an elementary school teacher and I am the father of four children, and one of my children has a degree in elementary education as well, I truly understand how important a first- rate education is to our kids' future. As I meet with parents and educators across Montana, they frequently share concerns about the one-size-fits-all student performance and teacher qualification metrics that currently dictate Federal funding as part of No Child Left Behind. While well-intended, many of these metrics have proven difficult for schools--and particularly schools in rural areas--to achieve. The Federal funding tied to these policies has all too often forced States and school districts to adopt policies that may not best fit the students' and communities' unique needs. As the Senate debates the Every Child Achieves Act to reform our Nation's education policies, one of my priorities will be fighting to increase local control over academic standards and education policies and working to push back against burdensome Federal regulations that often place our schools in a straitjacket. For example, the U.S. Department of Education has incentivized States to adopt common core standards by offering exemptions from No Child Left Behind regulations and making extra Federal education funds accessible through programs such as Race to the Top to States that adopt Common Core. Like many Montanans, I am deeply concerned that the Federal Government's obvious efforts to back States into adopting such programs is an inappropriate interference in educational policy decisions that should be made by States, parents, teachers, and local school boards because strengthening our education system is vitally important to our country's future. If we are serious about wanting to make future generations as fortunate as ours, it is critical that we prepare our children to excel in a globally competitive economy. Our children should receive a well- rounded education that focuses on core subjects, such as reading, writing, science, and math, as well as technical and vocational disciplines and training in the arts. A wealth of social data informs us that individuals who do not receive a quality education are disproportionately prone to have low incomes, suffer from poverty, and land in prison. It is clear that the Federal Government's one-size-fits-none approach simply isn't working. By increasing local control of our schools and lessening the influence of Washington bureaucrats, we can provide States with the flexibility needed to meet the unique needs of our students and the unique needs of our States as well as our communities. Just last year, the New York Times did an assessment of the ``health and wealth'' of every county in the Nation--every county. We might expect folks living in Silicon Valley to be doing fairly well or perhaps see the suburbs of New York City thriving. What shocked me was seeing that 6 of the Nation's top 10 wealthiest counties surround Washington, DC. This sends a pretty clear message about where Washington's priorities really are. During the recession, while millions of Americans were struggling to make ends meet amidst layoffs and economic instability, Washington, DC, thrived. The Federal Government poured millions of dollars into new Federal buildings, and salaries kept growing. The average Federal bureaucrat in the Department of Education in Washington, DC, makes $107,000 a year. It is time we stopped building bureaucratic DC kingdoms and returned those dollars to the classrooms. That is why I am asking for support of the Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success--or A-PLUS--amendment to the Every Child Achieves Act. This measure will help expand local control of our schools and return Federal education dollars to where they belong--closer to the classroom. By shifting control back to the States, individual and effective solutions can be created to address the multitude of unique challenges facing schools across the country. Through these laboratories of democracy, Americans can watch and learn how students can benefit when innovative reforms are implemented at the local level. My amendment would give States greater flexibility in allocating Federal education funding and ensuring academic achievement in their schools. With A-PLUS, States would be freed from Washington's unworkable teacher standards, States would be freed from Washington- knows-best performance metrics, and States would be freed from Washington's failed testing requirements. Should this amendment be adopted, States would need to adhere to all civil rights laws. They have to work toward advancing educational opportunities for disadvantaged children as well, of course. States would be held accountable by parents and teachers, though, because a bright light would shine directly on the decisions made by State capitals and local school districts. With freedom from Federal mandates come more responsibility, more transparency, and more accountability on the issues. It would also reduce the administrative and compliance burdens on State and local education agencies and ensure greater public transparency in student academic achievement and the use of Federal education funds. Increasing educational opportunities in Montana and across the country isn't going to happen through Federal mandates or these one- size-fits-nobody regulations. We need to empower our States, our local school boards, our teachers, and our parents to work together to develop solutions that best fit our kids' unique needs. As a father of four--and every parent knows this--I know that each one of my children is very unique. And that is precisely what my A-PLUS amendment does. Washington is the problem. We are ground zero. The problem is here in Washington, DC, and we have the solutions in Montana and in our States across the country. The A-PLUS amendment goes a long way toward returning the responsibility for our kids' education closer to home and reduces the influence of the Federal Government over our classrooms. I thank Senators Grassley, Cruz, Vitter, Johnson, Lee, Lankford, Blunt, Crapo, Rubio, and Gardner for cosponsoring my A-PLUS amendment. I ask my other Senate colleagues to join us in empowering our schools to serve their students, not a bunch of DC bureaucrats, and to support this important amendment. I yield the floor.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I wish to recognize World War II veteran, teacher, and artist Ben Steele, for whom the new middle school in Billings, MT will be named. I had the distinct honor to meet Mr. Steele in Washington, DC, when he was in town for the Big Sky Honor Flight last year. Following the Fourth of July holiday celebrating our Nation's independence, it is fitting to recognize a man that understands the importance of freedom better than most. Mr. Steele served in the Philippines and survived the horrors of the Bataan Death March. As a prisoner of war, Mr. Steele chronicled his experiences through drawings, and after the war, he received formal training as an artist. Receiving his master's degree in art from the University of Denver, he went on to teach art at several colleges including Montana State University in Billings. His paintings depict the haunting scenes of war, and remind us of the great sacrifices our military men and women make defending our freedom. I want to express my deep gratitude to Mr. Steele for his service to our country and dedication to teaching and inspiring generations of Montana students.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, this Saturday, June 27, marks Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder--or PTSD--Awareness Day. This marks a critical opportunity to remind people about the prevalence of mental illnesses such as PTSD among our Active-Duty troops and our veterans. By generating more awareness, we can help remove the stigma about PTSD and encourage people to seek treatment and, in turn, save lives. PTSD is a serious problem affecting too many of our country's bravest individuals, and we must do more to help our heroes. According to a study by the RAND Corporation, 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans report symptoms of PTSD and, of those, only about half actually seek treatment. Our Nation made a promise to our men and women in uniform: When they come home from war and their time in service to our country, we will be there for them. We need to have the same concern for our servicemembers' mental health as we do for their physical health. For far too long, we have been focused on the physical wounds of war, but as many of our veterans know too well, the mental wounds also inflict great damage. I am proud to serve as a Senator from a State with a rich legacy of service. I am proud to be the son of a U.S. marine. One in ten Montanans have proudly served in our Armed Forces, making the Treasure State home to more veterans per capita than almost any other State in our Nation. According to the VA, Montana is home to nearly 100,000 veterans, 75,000 of whom served our Nation during wartime. As the son of a marine, I strongly believe we have a duty to ensure that the promises we have made to these men and these women are kept. There is no greater honor or responsibility than fighting for our veterans. We owe them our freedom. We owe them nothing but our best. Anything less is unacceptable. I have had many conversations with the brave men and women who have gone overseas in the name of freedom, and one of the many concerns they have expressed is the negative stigma surrounding post-traumatic stress in our military. For too long, our service men and women have attempted to hide mental health issues from their superiors out of fear of being discharged. That is why I am committed to raising PTSD awareness to overcome the misinformation and the stigma surrounding these mental health challenges. I am proud to be working on S. 1567 with Gary Peters and Thom Tillis to ensure due process for veterans who suffer from mental health illnesses and may have been erroneously given an administrative discharge rather than an honorable discharge. It helps ensure that Active-Duty servicemembers who suffer from invisible wounds, like PTSD and traumatic brain injuries, also called TBIs, are not incorrectly administratively discharged, putting their hard-earned benefits at risk. This bill is just a small step that Congress can take toward ensuring that the stigma facing PTSD is lifted and hopefully allowing more veterans to seek out treatment for PTSD. In the last few years, I am pleased to see that our country has taken steps to ensure that our troops and veterans get the mental health services they need upon their return home. More than ever, troops and veterans are seeking treatment. They are receiving timely diagnosis, they are getting needed care. We have a long way to go. Too many veterans are taking their own lines and, unfortunately, Montana consistently ranks at the top for suicides in our country. One story from Montana particularly resonated with me. In fact, it occurred in my hometown of Bozeman. I went from kindergarten through college in Bozeman. On May 29, 2013, U.S. Army PFC Wade Christiansen took his own life. He was 23 years old. Private First Class Christiansen served his country as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and was deployed to Afghanistan with his unit in 2009. During an ambush, he sustained severe injuries to his face and to his arms. After his return to Montana, Wade struggled with both the physical and the mental healing process. Wade's brother Matt talked about how Wade's mood would change when he wouldn't be able to take his medication when the VA failed to get him his medications on time. I wish I could stand here and tell you that Wade Christiansen's story is unique. Unfortunately, he is just one of the many veterans who committed suicide in my State that year. In fact, between 2004 and 2013, there were 566 suicides by Montana veterans. In Montana and across the Nation, too many of our veterans struggle with PTSD, they struggle with depression. Veteran depression not only affects the individual but also the loved ones closest to the veteran as well. The emotional toll on the family is immense. To have a loved one serve overseas, only to come back as a shell of what they once were is difficult. PTSD Awareness Day invites us to face the larger issues of veterans who are suffering from post-traumatic stress. We do everything in our power to protect our servicemembers while they are overseas. We must do the same to address their needs once they return home. That includes reducing the stigma attached to PTSD and doing more to help our brave veterans find good-paying jobs and transition back into civilian life. Now is the time to act to work toward real solutions that protect our veterans here at home. They are an embodiment of the ideals this Nation holds dear, and I believe it is our job to do everything in our power to protect them. Before I end my remarks, I want to encourage everyone, if they or a loved one is struggling with mental illness or PTSD, there is help available. You can visit www.ptsd.va.gov_www.ptsd.va.gov_where they will find resources that are available for our veterans. Mental illness is not something anyone should have to go through alone. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but instead it is a testament to individual character. I yield back.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I wish to recognize four American heroes who exemplify the best Montana has to offer: Samson Birdinground, Cyril Not Afraid, Barney Old Coyote and Henry Old Coyote. These men selflessly served our country during World War II by offering up the Apsaalooke Crow, language as part of a national ``code- talk'' program. This program used the unique style of several Native American languages to transmit and receive military intelligence, providing crucial communication to forces overseas. These four brave gentlemen sacrificed much to defend their homeland during the war. Using skilled knowledge of the Apsaalooke; tongue, they worked closely with American defense forces. The beautiful complexity of the Crow language allowed it to be processed without fear of enemy breach, leading the program to successfully save countless lives. All four heroes were recently awarded Congress' most prestigious honor: the Congressional Gold Medal. Their families will ceremoniously accept the medals on behalf of their forefathers this week. Apsaalooke, or Crow, Nation has a rich heritage of members going above and beyond the call of duty, and these men are decidedly no exception. We Montanans are proud of our diverse heritage, and it is truly an honor to celebrate individuals who so humbly embody the spirit of patriotism.

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

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Gene Peterson, a native of Culbertson, MT, and an award-winning broadcast anchor. Over this past weekend, Mr. Peterson was inducted into the Montana Broadcasters Hall of Fame for contributing more than 50 years of service to the broadcasting industry in our State. A graduate of the Brown Institute in Minneapolis, MN, Mr. Peterson moved with his wife and two daughters to Missoula in 1962, where he began working at a modest radio station that he then transformed into a thriving radio group of five stations. Mr. Peterson has also undertaken a great deal of public service, for which he has been honored in many ways. He has served the city of Missoula as president of the Missoula Chamber of Commerce, president of the Montana Broadcasters Association, Grizzly Scholarship Association, St. Patrick Hospital Advisory Board, YMCA, and the University of Montana President's Advisory Board. Among his awards for his careers in both broadcasting and public service are Businessman of the Year, the Hugh O'Brien Lifetime Achievement, and Sportsman of the Year. Mr. Peterson has made a difference in his years of community service and contributions to our State's economy. I join Montanans today in honoring him for his years of service to our State.

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

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I wish to recognize Jaydyn Child who was recently awarded the Girl Scouts' Gold Award, the highest possible award granted to Girl Scouts. Jaydyn is a dedicated Girl Scout and high school junior from Dillon, MT. She earned this prestigious honor for her service project entitled, ``Teen Suicide--Your Life is Worth Living.'' Through this project she spent 150 hours of her time working, fundraising, making bracelets and creating pamphlets to raise awareness. Additionally, she organized events in local schools for an anti-bullying speaker to educate students about suicide prevention. Montana currently has the highest suicide rate in the Nation, and a rate twice the national average for suicide amongst teenagers and young adults. Jaydyn is doing a tremendous job informing her peers and the community and she is right to be commended. Jaydyn is exemplifying the best of Montana through her selflessness and dedication to others.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, William ``Bill'' Gallagher Jr., was an incredible father, teacher, farmer, husband, and public servant who was called home on May 22 at the age of 55. I am also honored to have also called him a friend. Bill earned his bachelor's degree from Western Montana College, which led him to Plains, MT as the high school's new history teacher. He later moved to Polson, where he worked in the insurance business. His career then led him to Helena, where he learned how to farm before going on to earn his law degree from the University of Montana Law School. Bill was an accomplished attorney in Helena, but his heart for our State eventually led him to public service. As the former chairman of the Montana Public Service Commission, Bill worked tirelessly for the people of Montana. Because of his efforts, he helped Montana reacquire hydroelectric dams to bring good-paying jobs back to our State. He has left an incredible mark on our State and will be truly missed by all who knew him. His wife Jennifer, and children David and Catrina, as well as his five grandchildren, are in my thoughts and prayers.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, it has been 5 years since Americans were forced into a broken and unhappy relationship with ObamaCare. Ever since the implementation of this failed law, Americans have received one broken promise after another. For Montana families, reflecting on the consequences of this law is not a happy trip down memory lane. Too many Montanans have seen their work hours cut, they have been forced off the plans they liked, and they were told they could not see the doctors whom they trusted. The reviews have been in for quite some time, and ObamaCare is not anything close to what Montanans were promised. Five years later, insurance companies are still unable to find stable rates that do not force more uncertainty and hardship upon Montanans. It has been widely reported across the country that rates for millions of Americans are set to skyrocket again. Look no further than Montana, where it is evident that health care premiums are not as affordable as President Obama promised they would be. Policies sold through ObamaCare exchanges are becoming even more expensive. In fact, in Montana, according to filings with the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, insurers across the board are asking for double-digit increases for 2016 policies on top of more increases that occurred just last year. Blue Cross Blue Shield, which is Montana's largest insurer that boasts 255,000 consumers in the State, is asking for an average increase of 23 percent for Montanans enrolled in individual plans. That is the start. PacificSource filed papers with the commissioner requesting an average of a 31-percent increase for individual plans. What about Montana Health CO-OP? They have requested a 38-percent increase for individual plans. And Montanans who were insured under Time Insurance are facing a staggering 47-percent increase in 2016. Increased premiums make it harder for Montanans to have access to affordable health care. It is money that no longer is in the pockets of Montanans, and those rate increases are not just in Montana. Across the Nation, Americans are seeing massive and debilitating rate increases. These hikes are a far cry from what Montanans--from what the American people were promised. In 2007, President Obama said himself that by the end of his first term, ObamaCare would ``cover every American and cut the cost of a typical family's premium by up to $2,500 a year.'' Montanans have not seen their premiums decreased by $2,500 a year. It is not even close. Unfortunately, this is the predictable result of forcing a partisan piece of legislation through Congress without transparent consideration or bipartisan input. We need to ensure health care is affordable, and it needs to be accessible for all Montanans. That starts with repealing ObamaCare, repealing its costly mandates, repealing its burdensome taxes, and repealing the senseless regulations. ObamaCare is not working and it is not popular. This law is a bureaucratic nightmare that hurts small businesses. I just came out of a meeting with some homebuilders and small business owners from Montana. I showed them this chart before I came down to the floor. One of the builders said: This likely means I no longer will be able to provide health care insurance for my employees. Growing up in Montana, I grew up hunting, camping, backpacking, fishing. In fact, I was fly fishing in Montana before Brad Pitt made it cool in the movie ``A River Runs Through It.'' I know that when your fishing line gets tangled up, you have two options. I have been there many times on one of the banks of Montana's rivers. Sometimes you take a minute, sometimes you take several minutes, and you work to untangle the line. But other times the line gets so badly knotted up that the best option, instead of spending a long time untangling the line, is to simply cut the line. After 5 failed years, the American people know ObamaCare is too badly tangled to fix. It is time to cut the line and tie on a new fly. I yield the floor. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I wish to recognize Jim Weber, a welding and machining teacher at Capital High School in Helena, MT. Mr. Weber uses Mastercam CAD/CAM software to give his students real world, practical skills, as well as the work ethic necessary to complete any task. His instruction helped lead one of his students to victory at the National Machining Competition for creating a custom fly fishing rod and display case. Mr. Weber's fly fishing rod project not only leads to great and necessary personal skills, but he inspired this years' senior class to make an even bigger impact with their fly fishing rods. Mr. Weber's class designed and machined 15 custom fly fishing rods for the Big Hearts under the Big Sky project which helps to create free and gratifying opportunities for service men and women, life-threateningly ill children, and women battling breast cancer to explore the vast and beautiful Montanan outdoors. Not only was he able to teach high school students how to make rings, knives, and fishing rods, he was also able to motivate his students to help themselves by helping others. The ability to educate students and make them ready to take on the challenges that our world contains is a valuable asset to the young adults. Each and every day Mr. Weber provides a great service to our future leaders that words cannot adequately express. I am excited to see what comes of the great men and women Jim Weber is able to teach and inspire.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I often hear from Montanans how Washington, DC, regulations stifle the ability to create jobs and prevent our small businesses from reaching their full potential. Too many Montana businesses face regulatory burdens that hinder innovation and block opportunities for growth. In fact, when I drive around Montana, I have yet to hear a small business owner stop me and say: You know, we would like to see more regulations from Washington, DC. In today's environment, business owners are left with few options. They either struggle to keep up with frequent regulatory changes or they suffer the penalty of regulatory fines. That is unacceptable. There is something fundamentally wrong when your business owners spend more time adapting to Washington regulations than focusing on their business's growth and their job creation. We need to reduce the redtape that is holding our small businesses back and work towards commonsense regulations that don't place unnecessary burdens on Montana families and small business. Today, I have introduced legislation to help fix the regulatory burdens facing Americans. My bill facilitates public input on Federal rulemaking and provides a more predictable regulatory environment so that businesses can make plans to expand and have a predictable environment to create good high-paying jobs. Currently, bureaucrats in Washington, DC, can issue interpretative rules without warning and without public input. In fact, oftentimes, interpretative rules are dramatically changed at the whim of the President. I would also like to thank Senators Lankford and Blunt for joining me in introducing this critical piece of legislation. The Regulatory Predictability for Business Growth Act will ensure that Americans' voices are heard in the rulemaking process, providing a crucial planning period for individuals and businesses. I want to give a special thanks to Senator Lankford and his staff for his leadership on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management Subcommittee. Our staffs worked closely to make this piece of legislation possible today. For far too long, government bureaucracy has stifled our small businesses' potential. With commonsense reforms such as this bill, we can encourage both innovation and job growth. The Regulatory Predictability for Business Growth Act will decrease regulatory uncertainty, and it will empower Montanans and their businesses to grow again.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I often hear from Montanans how Washington, DC, regulations stifle the ability to create jobs and prevent our small businesses from reaching their full potential. Too many Montana businesses face regulatory burdens that hinder innovation and block opportunities for growth. In fact, when I drive around Montana, I have yet to hear a small business owner stop me and say: You know, we would like to see more regulations from Washington, DC. In today's environment, business owners are left with few options. They either struggle to keep up with frequent regulatory changes or they suffer the penalty of regulatory fines. That is unacceptable. There is something fundamentally wrong when your business owners spend more time adapting to Washington regulations than focusing on their business's growth and their job creation. We need to reduce the redtape that is holding our small businesses back and work towards commonsense regulations that don't place unnecessary burdens on Montana families and small business. Today, I have introduced legislation to help fix the regulatory burdens facing Americans. My bill facilitates public input on Federal rulemaking and provides a more predictable regulatory environment so that businesses can make plans to expand and have a predictable environment to create good high-paying jobs. Currently, bureaucrats in Washington, DC, can issue interpretative rules without warning and without public input. In fact, oftentimes, interpretative rules are dramatically changed at the whim of the President. I would also like to thank Senators Lankford and Blunt for joining me in introducing this critical piece of legislation. The Regulatory Predictability for Business Growth Act will ensure that Americans' voices are heard in the rulemaking process, providing a crucial planning period for individuals and businesses. I want to give a special thanks to Senator Lankford and his staff for his leadership on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management Subcommittee. Our staffs worked closely to make this piece of legislation possible today. For far too long, government bureaucracy has stifled our small businesses' potential. With commonsense reforms such as this bill, we can encourage both innovation and job growth. The Regulatory Predictability for Business Growth Act will decrease regulatory uncertainty, and it will empower Montanans and their businesses to grow again.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. DAINES

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I thank the senior Senator from the State of Montana, Mr. Tester. I also rise today to recognize the career and service of Chuck Johnson, a longtime Montanan, a Montana reporter who will be entering into a well-deserved retirement at the end of next week. Chuck's career covering Montana politics began more than 40 years ago when he was asked to cover the Montana Constitutional Convention for the Associated Press. Since then, he has covered nearly two dozen sessions of the Montana State Legislature and countless political conventions. I remember seeing Chuck late at night at conventions, giving up a lot of his personal time for the sake of covering these stories across our State. He has covered hundreds of elected officials and has been a steady presence on Montana's campaign trail. Over the past two decades, Chuck has led political reporting for Lee Newspapers, and he spent the past 10 years working alongside his fellow Lee State Bureau colleague Mike Dennison. If it has to do with Montana politics, Chuck has probably covered it. I am told Chuck has the best political campaign button collection in all of Montana. Chuck's life has been spent in Montana. He grew up in Helena, and he went on to earn his degree in journalism at the University of Montana. I can speak as a Montana State Bobcat. I know that Chuck is a testament to the quality of journalists produced by the University of Montana School of Journalism. It goes without saying as a Bobcat, I do not always see eye to eye with Chuck on important issues, like who to cheer for during the Brawl of the Wild or which colors are better--blue and gold or maroon and silver. But I do know that Chuck took a fair amount of joy in seeing this Bobcat receive a Montana Grizzlies shirt after a disappointing Cats loss during the 2013 game. Setting aside our personal allegiances, it has been a great privilege and tremendous honor to work with Chuck in my years representing Montana and being involved in Montana politics. With Chuck's retirement and the closing of the Lee State Bureau, Montana is saying farewell to not only a talented and dedicated reporter but also a historian of our State and a mentor to countless young reporters looking to make their own mark in Montana's news media. I thank Chuck personally for his years of service to Montana and his lifelong commitment to making our State's government open and more accessible to all Montanans. He has made a lasting mark on the State of Montana. His depth of knowledge and his lifetime of experience will be difficult, if not impossible, to replace, and his byline on newspaper stories across Montana will be greatly missed. Chuck, congratulations on your retirement. We appreciate all you have done, and we wish you the very best. I would like to yield back to the senior Senator from Montana, Mr. Tester.