Deb Fischer

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 374, S. 1228.

Mrs. FISCHER. 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.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess until 3:45 p.m. for a briefing and that when the Senate reconvenes at 3:45 p.m., it resume executive session and consideration of the Solomson nomination.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 583 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mrs. FISCHER. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleagues to honor my friend, the senior Senator from Georgia. At the end of this year, Senator Isakson will retire after 20 years of service to the people of Georgia in Washington. After protecting our Nation in the Georgia Air National Guard, graduating from the University of Georgia, and serving as a representative in his State legislature, the door opened for a son from Atlanta to run for Congress. Georgia saw in him then what we see in him now: a principled leader, a skillful communicator, and a man worth trusting. It is no surprise that the people of Georgia have renewed their trust in him time and time again. And I know I speak for my colleagues when I say that we are grateful they did. After six years representing Georgia's Sixth Congressional District, the Senate gained a true statesman when he entered in 2005. When I was preparing for these remarks, I came across one of his Senate reelection speeches. I thought it was particularly revealing to his character and how he carries himself in the Senate. He told the crowd that was cheering him on: I promise you I am ready . . . I am ready to tackle whatever problem life brings to us as Americans. With my feet rooted in conservative principles, my belief in God the Father Almighty, and my belief in the people of Georgia. Mr. President, that is who Senator Isakson is. No matter the obstacles that came his way, he has always been a steady hand--strengthened by his enduring faith and deep respect for his constituents. One of those mountains to climb was working on behalf of our veterans to improve conditions at the VA and end the backlog that was building for years. Under his leadership on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I was proud to work with him to pass the CHIP-In for Vets Act into law in 2016. The bill allows local communities to take the lead on new projects by permitting the VA to accept private contributions to ensure VA projects are finished both on time and on budget. His support of this bill meant that Nebraskans have the opportunity to save millions of dollars when constructing the new Omaha VA Ambulatory Clinic. A GAO report indicates that our new facility is now $34 million under budget and 4\1/2\ months ahead of schedule. I know generations of Nebraskans will be grateful for his help in getting this bill across the finish line. On a more personal note, one of my fondest memories of Johnny was our trip to Normandy, France, this year to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day. As a veteran himself, everyone in this body understood the abounding respect and gratitude he carried for our Nation's servicemembers as he led the delegation--the same respect and gratitude he shows to our veterans everyday as he leads the Senate in providing resources to meet our veterans' needs. Mr. President, I think if there is any moment that foreshadowed Johnny's service to Georgia and our Nation, it was his speech immediately after being sworn in to the House of Representatives. He turned to his new colleagues and said, ``I hope, in years to come, I'll be a respected friend, and one who joined with you to make a difference in the United States of America.'' What a respected friend he has become. What a difference he has made. It has been a honorable journey, and it ends with us confirming that the legacy he has worked hard to achieve from the very beginning has now come true in the end. Johnny, you are a great leader, a careful listener, and a gifted legislator. It has been a privilege to work with you and call you friend. You have served the State of Georgia and our country well. I wish you and Diane all the best on this next chapter in your lives. Godspeed.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today alongside my Republican colleagues to once again voice my strong support for the U.S.-Mexico- Canada Trade Agreement. This agreement has been on the minds of Nebraskans for well over a year now. Nebraska and rural America as a whole were dealt a tough hand in 2019. However, every time that I meet with Nebraska's farm families, ranchers, ag producers, and manufacturers, they reassure me that they can endure these challenges. They will sacrifice short-term anxiety for long-term certainty and predictability, but they need to know that there is going to be a light at the end of this tunnel. One important thing Congress can do to meet their needs is simple--pass the USMCA. This agreement is a victory for Nebraska and for America. I will give you a glimpse into what this means for my State. Currently, Canada and Mexico receive 44 percent of Nebraska's total exports. In 2017 alone, our State sent nearly $900 million of ag products to Mexico and nearly $450 million of ag products to Canada. These exports include our world-class corn, soybeans, ethanol, and beef. As I have said before, America's heart beats in the same rhythm as agriculture. When our ag producers succeed, entire communities reap the benefits. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture reports that our State's $6.4 billion in agricultural exports in 2017 led to nearly $8.2 billion in additional economic activity in our State. That is why it is so important that Nebraska's top two markets, Mexico and Canada, are protected. We all know that the USMCA is the product of bipartisan good-faith work. Both sides agree that this deal not only updates but strengthens our environmental responsibilities, and it places enforceable labor obligations at the core of the agreement. All former Secretaries of Agriculture since the Reagan administration, both Republicans and Democrats, have voiced their strong support. Even the Washington Post editorial board conceded that the deal is ``a real improvement over the status quo.'' Last July, a group of 14 House Democrats sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi urging her to move forward with USMCA immediately. The President of Mexico made his own plea to the Speaker in a letter last week. Canada is still waiting for us to act. The senior Senator from Iowa noted that a deal between House Democrats and the Trump administration must be struck this week if ratification of the USMCA is to take effect this year. Time is running out. Meanwhile, House Democrats are distracted by impeachment proceedings when they should be focused on passing this very meaningful agreement. In the final weeks of 2019, we will see if the needs of hard-working men and women in the heartland take priority over political theater. I urge my colleagues to follow through on our Nation's priorities and end the months of needless stalling. We must act now. The passage of USMCA would be an incredible win for Nebraska, and it would be an undeniable victory for America. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the remaining votes in this series be 10 minutes in length.

Mrs. FISCHER

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

Mrs. FISCHER

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

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following Senate resolutions, which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 437, S. Res. 438, S. Res. 439, S. Res. 440, and S. Res. 441.

Mrs. FISCHER. I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, that the preambles be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that if the Senate receives H.R. 4566 and the text is identical to the text of S. 2592, as introduced, that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 4566; that the bill be considered read a third time; and that the Senate vote on the passage of the bill; finally, if passed, that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 199, S. 2193.

Mrs. FISCHER. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendments be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 148, S. 1430.

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendments be agreed to; that the Lankford amendment at the desk be agreed to; and that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of S. 900 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the upcoming adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President pro tempore, and the majority and minority leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized by law by concurrent action of the two Houses or by order of the Senate.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of the following calendar bills en bloc: Calendar Nos. 247 and 293 through 303.

Mrs. FISCHER. I ask unanimous consent that the bills be considered read a third time and passed and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2334 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 194, S. 1846.