Michael Enzi

Mr. ENZI

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the votes following this first vote--the one we just finished--be 10 minutes in length, all of the rest of them. Actually, there is a request for 5 minutes in length. We doubt that we can do it in 10, but the unanimous consent request is for 10 minutes in length.

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. This amendment would increase mandatory spending and taxes each by more than $1 trillion. I understand my colleagues are concerned about Medicaid. I want to assure them that this budget is focused on preserving Medicaid for those who need it most, but in order to preserve Medicaid, we must also be honest about its fiscal trajectory. The status quo for Medicaid is simply unsustainable. Not only are Medicaid outcomes lackluster, the program is on a path toward bankrupting our States. The budget before us puts Medicaid on a more sustainable path. Critics argue that this budget pays for tax relief through cuts to Medicaid. I want to clarify that. This budget does not rely on savings from Medicaid to achieve tax reform. In fact, the economic growth attributed to reforming the Tax Code will help improve Medicaid's fiscal health. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. It sounds like something simple. It is aimed at ending the budget resolution. This budget does not cut Medicare, and it does not provide tax breaks for the wealthy. It does not protect special interest tax loopholes. Also, anything that we do here has to be completed in other committees in order to ever happen. This budget does slow Medicare's projected annual rate of growth by approximately 1 percent in comparison to the CBO's baseline. The CBO estimates that Medicare's hospital insurance trust fund will become exhausted prior to the end of the budget window of 2025, at which point it will no longer be able to pay full benefits to seniors. This budget resolution protects Medicare by extending the life of the trust fund. It also establishes a path toward pro-growth tax reform, which will generate additional economic growth in Medicare. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, for the benefit of my colleagues, this next vote will be the last roll call vote of the day. Senator Collins has graciously agreed to do a voice vote on her amendment. On this amendment, though, I am going to urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment. We should not prejudge the Finance Committee's consideration of tax reform but allow the bill to go through regular order, where it will be open to amendment. This amendment is corrosive to the budget resolution privilege. It falls outside the scope of what is appropriate for inclusion. Adoption of corrosive amendments could be fatal to the resolution's privilege, and loss of privilege could compromise our ability to pass tax reform and enforce the budget spending limits. Further, this amendment is also nongermane. The Congressional Budget Act requires that amendments to a budget resolution be germane. It is a statutory requirement we can't ignore. So I raise a point of order against this amendment under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, section 305(b)(2).

Mr. ENZI

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the time for the Joint Economic Committee debate be reserved to occur from 4:30 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. today.

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that for the duration of the Senate's consideration of H. Con. Res. 71, the majority and Democratic managers of the concurrent resolution, while seated or standing at the managers' desks, be permitted to deliver floor remarks, retrieve, review, and edit documents, and send email and other data communications from text displayed on wireless personal digital assistant devices and tablet devices. I further ask unanimous consent that the use of calculators be permitted on the floor during consideration of the budget resolution.

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the staff be permitted to make technical and conforming changes to the resolution, if necessary, consistent with the amendments adopted during Senate consideration, including calculating the associated change in the net interest function, and incorporating the effect of such adopted amendments on the budgetary aggregates for Federal revenues, the amount by which the Federal revenues should be changed, new budget authority, budget outlays, deficits, public debt, and debt held by the public.

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, earlier this month, the Senate Budget Committee took an important first step toward tax reform by approving a fiscal year 2018 budget resolution focused on growing America's economy through tax policies that put more money in the hands of hard-working Americans. This week, we take the next step as the Senate begins debating the budget blueprint to pursue long-overdue tax relief for families and job creators that will jump-start economic growth. It is crucial that Congress approve this fiscal framework in order to eliminate the dated and stifling tax policies that are holding back American investment and productivity. As Budget Committee chairman, I am proud that Congress and the President are tackling these important issues. After 8 years of stagnant growth, it is clear our Nation needs a simpler, fairer, and more transparent tax system that will leave more dollars in the pockets of hard-working families. The last time Congress was able to accomplish large-scale tax reform was in 1986. Just think how much has changed in the country and world in those 31 years, including our Tax Code. America's tax laws are incredibly complicated and work to slow our economy and hurt American families. Incredibly, our current tax system actually benefits foreign- based companies while harming U.S.-headquartered companies and employers. We continually ask why jobs are leaving this country. A big reason is the hostile tax landscape. The Senate budget aims to help reverse this trend by setting the stage for pro-growth tax reform that will lower taxes on American families and on job creators by a net $1.5 trillion over 10 years. By keeping more money in the pockets of hard-working taxpayers, these reforms--if done right--will boost investment, wages, and productivity here at home. Pro-growth tax reform should reward hard work, savings, and encourage investment. It should broaden the tax base while lowering the marginal tax rates, streamline our tax laws, and limit government distortion of market-based decisions. Our tax policy should provide for a globally competitive corporate tax rate and an international tax system that does not penalize U.S. companies. It is no secret that tax policies influence the everyday dollars-and- cents decisions of individuals and small businesses. They help drive such decisions as to whether to work an additional hour or invest in an additional unit of capital. This is why economic experts note that potential economic growth should always be considered when talking about tax cuts. In fact, the Joint Committee on Taxation states ``tax policy can directly influence the level of labor supply, physical capital, human capital, and technology in an economy by changing the after-tax returns to certain economic activities or changing the cost of pursuing such activities.'' Pro-growth reform that removes government distortions of the marketplace would also allow for resources to be reallocated from what produces the best tax outcome to what is the best economic use. This efficiency will lead to increased investment, growth of businesses, and higher economic output or gross domestic product, GDP. In fact, increasing GDP from private sector growth can provide additional dollars to the Treasury. Let me repeat that. Better tax policy will boost the value of everything we produce, and this will mean more revenue for the Federal Government. According to the Congressional Budget Office, an increase in productivity of one-tenth of 1 percentage point could increase revenue into the Treasury by $273 billion over a 10-year period. A return to our historic average growth would decrease projected spending deficits by over $2 trillion in the 10-year window--more than enough to pay for the decrease in revenues assumed under static scoring conventions that don't account for economic growth. That is what we have to operate under. In addition to the Senate Budget's key role in reforming the Tax Code, it is also a serious fiscal plan. If Congress and the administration can adhere to this blueprint, we will be taking steps to get our fiscal house in order with a combination of restrained spending, reduced tax burdens, and a growing economy. The Senate Budget Committee has put together a responsible budget that provides a path to creating a more effective, efficient, and accountable government for hard-working taxpayers. To accomplish this goal, the budget proposes $5.1 trillion in savings over the next 10 years, while investing in a strong national defense, providing for the care of our most vulnerable citizens, and not touching Social Security. From the start, this budget was focused on achieving on-budget balance by the end of the 10-year budget window. By 2026, the resolution--with ensuing economic growth from tax reform and an improved regulatory landscape--will generate a $79 billion on-budget surplus. This surplus would rise to $197 billion by 2027. In addition to the fiscal reforms proposed by this resolution, it also continues efforts to respond to concerns about the broken budget process. This budget promotes curtailing budget gimmicks, increasing honesty and accuracy by government scorekeepers, and ending the ``spend now, pay later'' mentality of Washington. It is also important to note the thorough and robust committee process that produced this Senate budget resolution. More than 150 amendments from both sides were filed, and 29 were voted on during our daylong markup process. This budget reflects bipartisan input and includes five amendments that were accepted from Democratic members of the committee. The next step for tax reform will build on the Budget Committee's open and transparent committee process. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch have promised that tax reform legislation will also move through the committee process. In other words, any speculation people have heard about where the tax is, is not right because it has a process to go through. This will provide Finance Committee members the opportunity to offer amendments before the full Senate considers the legislation. So we will consider it in committee and then on the floor. Once the bill moves to the Senate floor, every Member will be able to offer amendments before voting on the measure. This budget serves as a framework to expand economic opportunity for each and every American. It reflects our belief in the American entrepreneurial spirit and that by allowing American families and small businesses to keep more of their hard-earned dollars, they will innovate and invest money in ways that will grow our economy. We believe our Nation's best days--and those of its citizens--are ahead of us. The time to act is now. If we don't change course, our Nation will continue to experience the sluggish economic growth of the last decade. I urge my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to support America's hard-working families and employers and help put our Nation on a better course. Approving this budget focused on pro-growth tax reform does just that. Mr. President, I yield the floor and reserve the remainder of the time.

Mr. ENZI

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I call up amendment No. 1116.

Mr. ENZI. I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

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

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that following leader remarks on October 18, 2017, that it be in order to call up the following amendments; that the time until 3 p.m. be for debate on the amendments, equally divided between the managers or their designees; and that following the use or yielding back of that time, the Senate vote in relation to the amendments in the order listed, with no second- degree amendments in order prior to the votes: Hatch amendment No. 1144 and Sanders amendment No. 1119.

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, Senators should be prepared for additional amendment votes to occur during the series at 3 p.m.

Mr. ENZI

Mr. ENZI. 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. ENZI

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I have 4 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Consumer Data Security and the Credit Bureaus.'' Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at 10 a.m. in room SD-430 to conduct a hearing entitled ``The Cost of Prescription Drugs: How the Drug Delivery System Affects What Patients Pay, Part II''. Committee on the Judiciary The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at 10 a.m., in room SD-226 to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Gregory G. Katsas, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, Jeffrey Uhlman Beaverstock, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Alabama, Emily Coody Marks, and Brett Joseph Talley, both to be a United States District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama, and Holly Lou Teeter, to be United States District Judge for the District of Kansas. Select Committee on Intelligence The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at 2:30 p.m., in room SH-216 to hold a hearing entitled ``Open Hearing on the Nomination of Christopher Sharpley to be the inspector General of the Central Intelligence Agency.''

Mr. ENZI

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following staff members from my staff and from Senator Sanders' staff be given all-access floor passes for consideration of the budget resolution, H. Con. Res. 71: Eric Ueland, Paul Vinovich, Landon Stropko, Tom Bork, Mike Jones, Joshua Smith, Alexander Beaton, and Jill Harrelson; and that the following staff members be given floor privileges for the remainder of the debate on the measure: Natalie Rico, Catherine Konieczy, Jake Whitaker, and Max Pfeiffer.

Mr. ENZI

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 18; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; finally, that following leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of H. Con. Res. 71.

Mr. ENZI

Mr. ENZI. 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. ENZI

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I would like to take this time today to honor the life of one of our former colleagues and my friend, Pete Domenici of New Mexico. Pete had a long and memorable career and left an important legacy on this institution, of which his family can be proud. Pete dedicated the majority of his life to advocating for the betterment of his home State and this Nation he loved so much. He started his career in public service after his election to the Albuquerque City Commission in 1968. He then took up the challenge to serve the people of his home State in Congress and was elected to the Senate in 1972. Pete served the people of New Mexico for 36 years, becoming the longest serving Senator in New Mexico history in the process. During his career, Pete was chairman of the Senate Energy Committee and twice the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. His adherence to fiscal responsibility eventually led to the passing of a balanced budget during his chairmanship. He accomplished a great deal over the years in the Senate. His heartfelt concern and his dedication to his principles guided his work on every issue that came before him. Through it all, his core values served as his inner compass and kept him in tune with the thinking of the people of New Mexico, who elected him to the Senate six separate times. I was fortunate enough to serve with Pete and, through our 12 shared years in the Senate together, came to admire his commitment to serving our great Nation. During my time as ranking member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions--HELP--Committee, I was able to see up close Pete and his wife Nancy's lifelong commitment to mental health. Through his hard work and determination, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 was enacted into law. His pragmatism was one of the many qualities Pete displayed everyday while working to improve the lives of all Americans. Pete's ability to form meaningful relationships with every person he met was why he was so trusted by Members on both sides of the aisle. Among Pete's reasons to not seek a seventh term was his diagnosis of frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Through his fight against his debilitating disease, he was an inspiration to many. He did not let this slow him down. After his retirement from the Senate, Pete continued to work tirelessly for the advancement of the causes he cared so dearly about. We now celebrate the life of Pete Domenici. Pete was many things in his life: a college baseball player, a Senator, an author, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and even a great-grandfather. Diana joins in sending our heartfelt sympathy to the Domenici family. Pete has been a role model to so many for so many years, including me. He loved life, and he loved sharing it with his family and friends. Those who knew him will always remember his dedication, his selflessness, and his ability to solve problems. He will never be forgotten. God bless.

Mr. ENZI

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I wish to honor retired LTC Barry Gasdek of Laramie, WY, for his decades of past and present service to our country, the sacrifices he has made, and to commemorate his recent naming as commander of Region III of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. A man of distinction, heroism, and continuous achievement, Mr. Gasdek is a supremely decorated veteran, having been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, five Bronze Stars, the Soldier's Medal, 17 Air Medals, and two Purple Hearts, among other awards. Mr. Gasdek earned these Purple Hearts during his service in Vietnam for wounds he sustained under heavy enemy fire and explosives. It was once said by his commander that Mr. Gasdek was a ``magnet'' for enemy fire, but this didn't stop him from charging forward to protect his men and give them the leadership they needed when they found themselves right in the thick of it. It is clear to anyone who knows Mr. Gasdek that he is an outstanding American veteran, and his valor has not gone unnoticed. I congratulate Mr. Gasdek for his achievement with the Military Order of the Purple Heart and wish him the very best with his continued work helping Wyoming veterans in need. Thank you.

Mr. ENZI

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

Mr. ENZI

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, today I wish to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, WY. On January 10, 1917, William F. ``Buffalo Bill'' Cody passed away, resulting in the creation of the Buffalo Bill Memorial Association on March 1, 1917. This association became known as the Buffalo Bill Center of the West on February 8, 2013, and has since performed the task of preserving the great legacy and historical significance of Buffalo Bill Cody. He came to symbolize the American West and lived the tale like no other as an explorer, frontiersman, soldier, scout, actor, entrepreneur, and civic leader. In 1867, Cody received his nickname of ``Buffalo Bill'' as he hunted buffalo for the Kansas Pacific Railroad, where he became known as an expert shot. He soon became a civilian scout for the U.S. Army, and in that capacity, he was awarded the U.S Congressional Medal of Honor. In 1883, Cody created Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, in which he gained fame and notoriety for the show's dramatic recreations of life on the frontier. The performances highlighted Cody's knowledge of the American West. Cody was an important source of information regarding the West for American Presidents from Ulysses S. Grant to Woodrow Wilson. After his death, the Buffalo Bill museum opened on July 4, 1927, to tell the story of Col. William F. ``Buffalo Bill'' Cody. Since this opening, the Buffalo Bill Center has expanded and become known as one of America's finest Western museums. The center actually features four museums: the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Plains Indian museum, and the Cody Firearms Museum. Thanks to the overwhelming support and dedicated staff and board of trustees, there is always something new to see and explore from the days of the Wild West. It represents a story of a time when people who were larger than life dominated the national stage, and thanks to the historical center, they will never be forgotten. I encourage folks to come to Wyoming and explore the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. It will be an experience they will never forget. It is an opportunity to see firsthand what inspired Buffalo Bill to take the story of the West and tell it all over the world. I am pleased to be a part of this tradition and express my continuing support for the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and its inspiring education of the American West. Congratulations on 100 years and my best wishes for the next 100. Thank you.

Mr. ENZI

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I wish to submit to the Senate the budget scorekeeping report for September 2017. The report compares current-law levels of spending and revenues with the amounts the Senate agreed to in the budget resolution for fiscal year 2017, S. Con. Res. 3. This information is necessary for the Senate Budget Committee to determine whether budget points of order lie against pending legislation. The Republican staff of the Senate Budget Committee and the Congressional Budget Office, CBO, prepared this report pursuant to section 308(b) of the Congressional Budget Act, CBA. My last filing can be found in the Record on July 12, 2017. The information contained in this report captures legislative activity since that filing through September 5, 2017. Republican Budget Committee staff prepared tables 1-3 of this report. Table 1 gives the amount by which each Senate authorizing committee exceeds or is below its allocation for budget authority and outlays under the most recently adopted budget resolution. This information is used for enforcing committee allocations pursuant to section 302 of the CBA. For this reporting period, 11 of the 16 authorizing committees are in compliance with their allocations, two fewer than my last report. Legislative activity during this reporting period brought both the Committee on the Judiciary, for a State compact relating to the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, P.L. 1l5-54, and the Committee on Foreign Relations, for the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act, P.L. 115-44, out of compliance. In total, authorizing committees are estimated to increase outlays by nearly $2 billion more than they were allocated over the fiscal year 2017-2026 period. The largest spending violation since the passage of the current budget resolution occurred during this reporting period. The VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017, P.L. 115-46, increased budget authority by $2 billion and outlays by $1.9 billion over the fiscal year 2017-2026 window. Tables 2-3 of this report, related to activities of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, remain unchanged from my previous report. In addition to the tables provided by Budget Committee Republican staff, I am submitting CBO tables, which I will use to enforce budget totals approved by the Congress. CBO provided a spending and revenue report for fiscal year 2017, which helps enforce aggregate spending levels in budget resolutions under CBA section 311. CBO's estimates show that current law levels of spending for fiscal year 2017 exceed the amounts assumed in the budget resolution for budget authority by $1.8 billion. However, levels for outlays remain nearly $6.4 billion below assumed levels. CBO also estimates that revenues are $1 million above assumed levels for fiscal year 2017 and $8 million above assumed levels over the fiscal year 2017-2026 period. Two pieces of legislation, the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017, P.L. 115-52, and the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act, increased revenues this reporting period. The former increased revenues by $7 million over 10 years and the latter by $22 million over the same period. Social Security levels are consistent with the budget resolution's fiscal year 2017 figures. CBO's report also provides information needed to enforce the Senate pay-as-you-go, PAYGO, rule. The Senate's PAYGO scorecard currently shows increased deficits of $2.5 billion over the fiscal year 2016-2021 and $1.9 billion over fiscal year 2016-2026 periods. Over the fiscal year 2016-2021 period, legislation has been enacted that CBO estimates will increase outlays by $2.5 billion and reduce revenues by $20 million. Over the fiscal year 2016-2026 period, legislation has been enacted that CBO estimates will increase outlays by $1.9 billion and increase revenues by $3 million. The Senate's PAYGO rule is enforced by section 201 of S. Con. Res. 21, the fiscal year 2008 budget resolution. Finally, included in this submission is a table tracking the Senate's budget enforcement activity on the floor. Three budget points of order have been raised since my last filing, and each was successful. All of these points of order occurred during the Senate's consideration of H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act of 2017. All years in the accompanying tables are fiscal years. I ask unanimous consent that the accompanying tables be printed in the Record.

Mr. ENZI

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, section 251 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, BBEDCA, establishes statutory limits on discretionary spending and allows for various adjustments to those limits, while sections 302 and 3141(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 allow the chairman of the Budget Committee to establish and make revisions to allocations, aggregates, and levels consistent with those adjustments The Senate is considering S. Amdt. 808, which provides emergency funding for disaster relief. This legislation includes language that increases nonsecurity discretionary budget authority by $15,250 million this year and designates it as emergency funding pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of BBEDCA. CBO estimates that this budget authority will not outlay in 2017. As a result of the aforementioned designations, I am revising the allocation to the Committee on Appropriations by increasing the revised nonsecurity budget authority by $15,250 million Further, I am increasing the budgetary aggregate for fiscal year 2017 by $15,250 million in budget authority. I ask unanimous consent that the accompanying tables, which provide details about the adjustment, be printed in the Record.